It may be hard to believe but this week isn’t all about Swifty’s new album. Tongues are also wagging about Brockhampton’s ‘Ginger’ and Sheer Mag’s ‘A Distant Call’, both highly anticipated releases.
You’ve also got plenty more to choose from below, including a surprise EP from Missy Elliott and new records from Jay Som and Knocked Loose, to name a few.
I’ve survived another year! In the process I’ve gained a few pounds and new friends, lost my voice after screeching along at numerous gigs and a shedload of money by spending way more than I should on fantastic records and merch.
It may be a sombre subject, but I didn’t feel I could reflect on the year without commenting on how I’ve been inspired by the strength of the victims who have stood up against their abusers within the music industry, and elsewhere, throughout this year, and many more prior. It is heartbreaking that we cannot go a day on Twitter without another instance surfacing, but I am glad that the true extent of the problem is finally beginning to be seen and challenged.
That being said, I refuse to let those awful humans detract from what has been an otherwise great year for new music. Check out what caused my ears to prick and heart to swell, Grinch-like, below.
HCBP (debut headline show) – The Moon, Cardiff – June 1
Sad13 – The Big Top, Cardiff – June 25
Ho99o9 (ArcTanGent Set) – Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin – August 18
HCBP (ArcTanGent Set) – Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin – August 19
Asphalt (Japan) – Le Public Space, Newport – August 28
Dead Arms/Twisted Ankle/ Eva Bartok/ Salt Bath – The Moon, Cardiff – September 15
Sacred Paws – Transport Club, Cardiff – September 22
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Bournemouth International Centre – September 24
Baby In Vain – The Moon, Cardiff – October 13
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes – O2 Academy Bristol – December 1
Marilyn Manson – Newport Centre, Newport (Wales) – December 8
DIY Cardiff’s Third Birthday feat Apologies, I Have None/Kamikaze Girls/The Doublecross/Masts/Esuna- Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff – December 16
THE WORST OF ALL THE AWFUL BAND NAMES I’VE HEARD THIS YEAR
Yes Lad
Elephant Stone
Evil Triplet
Mr Irish Bastard
Bum Freak In Egypt
Exactly Violent Style
Rat In A Bucket
Spunk Volcano and the Eruptors
Hello Moth
The Buttery Trio
Warcrab
Incontinence
Cocaine Piss
Mexican Chili Funeral Party
Drug Honky
Prosthetic Cunt
Corpsefucking Art
Egomunk
Henry Metal
Soul Enema
Terror Pigeon
Glory Hole Guillotine
Spiritual Bat
Teen Mortgage
Dildo’s Panda Fight
Bed Wettin Bad Boys
Infected
Torso Murder
Septic Flesh
Pile Of Priests
Cyanide Sundae
Infected Syren
Fistula
THE BEST OF THE AMAZING BAND NAMES I’VE HEARD THIS YEAR
Foetal Juice
Tyrannosorceress
Hallouminati
OTHER STUFF I’VE ENJOYED THIS YEAR
SONG: First Aid Kit – You Are The Problem Here
TV: Big Mouth
PODCAST: My Brother, My Brother And Me – I don’t listen to nearly enough podcasts so feel free to send me recommendations!
MERCH: Kamikaze Girls’ ‘Nervous Millennials’ t-shirt and ‘I’m not your fucking sweetheart mate’ tote bag.
FOOD: Red’s Devil Wing BBQ Sauce
DRINK: Almond Butter Crunch Shake from Anna Loka in Cardiff
COMEBACK: Me: “Dad, when you die if we cremate you we can put your ashes into a vinyl record of your favourite song if you want? A band called Idles did it recently!”
Dad: “Are you joking? I don’t want to be going around in circles forever!”
