The Jesus and Mary Chain/Ciel – Liverpool, Content – 15 December 2024

DJ Astrocreep’s last scheduled home town gig of the year saw him take in Scottish shoegaze troubadours JThe esus and Mary Chain for the first time, whilst also in a new venue for the first time. Content is based in the old Cain’s Brewery complex and is almost like a Tardis – you don’t realize just how big it is until you’re inside and the room just keeps on going! Acoustically, the venue is great, with well laid out speakers meaning the sound is loud without needing to be ramped right up and destroying the clarity. Brighton’s Ciel were our only support for the evening, which hinted at great things to come. 

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Briqueville – Amsterdam, Paradiso – 15 December 2024

The Netherlands certainly does seem to do what Jase W would consider more unusual show setups and this was one of them. Briqueville, another band on Pelagic Records’ roster, were the opening act for an all-day event at Paradiso and certainly seemed to be a bit at odds with the other acts on the bill but in this instance our man was there solely for Briqueville. It was probably just as well because he was fucking shattered!

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Gone Savage ‘Retrograde’ (Muzzle Records)

Gone Savage were formed in Manchester back in the early ’90s and had some limited local success, releasing several albums before they went on hiatus from 2013. Several of the original members resurrected the band in 2019 and recorded and released multiple singles that eventually made it onto the 2022 digitally released album ‘Pastlife’. Getting signed by Muzzle Records has resulted in this compilation of new tracks, with original members Ian Salpeker (bass) and Will Glover on vocals being joined by Dex Tyler (drums) and Jon Sudbury on guitar and backing vocals.

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Scarlet Rebels – Crumlin, The Patriot – 22 November 2024

Having experienced a phenomenally successful few years, with their last two albums reaching high in all charts from the “official” listings to the rock charts, this was an early Christmas/end of year celebration for the Llanelli four. My previous reviews have spoke of the band’s humility and appreciation for the fans and their support to get them this success, and this a theme continued in this grassroots gig. The room was packed to capacity and not only because it was an “Christmas show” (albeit at the end of November), and there were many familiar (and family) faces in the crowd. David O will own up to having forgotten about this review with so many competing commitments at the time, but better late than never, eh?

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Gaye Bykers On Acid/Hugh Reed And The Velvet Underpants – Manchester, Rebellion – 13 December 2024

A potentially penultimate jaunt of the year across to Manchester saw DJ Astrocreep take in Grebo legends Gaye Bykers On Acid for the first time. There were two supports labelled – a Buzzcocks tribute band, who had to pull out with late notice, and Hugh Reed And The Velvet Underpants. With names like we have for the bands, it can surely only be a night of chaos and weirdness, right? It seems the big lad knew absolutely nothing of what was to come…

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dayseeker/Rain City Drive/Heart Of Gold – Manchester, Albert Hall – 10 December 2024

What better venue to close out an unforgettable year of live music than Manchester’s Albert Hall? With its historic charm and dreamy acoustics, this quaint venue was the perfect setting for the emotive performances of Heart of Gold, Rain City Drive, and of course, dayseeker. With this tour featuring three bands instead of the usual four, there was a longer gap between doors opening and the first act hitting the stage. This gave concertgoers plenty of time to make it from their day jobs to the Albert Hall, and allowed the crowd to pack in early, perfectly timed for Heart of Gold to kick things off, as their opening set was certainly not one to be missed.

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