Best Gigs Of 2014

I think all I need to say here are two rather lovely words: Kate Bush. That's because, gig-wise, 2014 will always be the year I finally got to see Kate live and wow, what a show: it was certainly worth the long wait. How lucky am I to have been among the few who got to see one of these special shows. Of course I got to go to lots of other concerts which together would easily make up a great year of gig-going, in particular Janelle Monáe's Prince-esque party at Brixton Academy, First Aid Kit's joyful small pre-album launch at Islington Assembly Hall and the graceful and wonderfully intimate Vashti Bunyan show at the tiny St Pancras Old Church but Kate overshadows them all. No guessing where she places on my list of my 10 favourite shows this year...

10. Angel Olsen at Dingwalls 

9. Marianne Faithfull at the Royal Festival Hall

8. The Afghan Whigs at the Electric Ballroom 

7. Cat Power at the Union Chapel
 
6. Minor Alps at The Islington 

5. Antemasque at the Electric Ballroom

4. Vashti Bunyan at St Pancras Old Church 

3. First Aid Kit at Islington Assembly Hall

2. Janelle Monáe at Brixton Academy

1. Kate Bush at Hammersmith Apollo