Fri 7 Aug – Hazy Cosmic Jive

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The first time is always the best time

Perhaps

Could it get any better?

Maybe

Up the trash aesthetic?

Cruise into hyper space?

Moonage tuneage indeed

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That Weren't No DJ that was… Hazy Cosmic Jive by nigeyb, on Flickr

Mon 23 Feb – The Jesus and Mary Chain

Click here to read my review.

I spend the majority of my musical listening time marvelling at the gems of yesteryear however I like to check out new music too and so here's a list, in no particular order, of the albums released in 2014 which I have enjoyed the most and could perhaps be described as my Best Albums of 2014….

Vic Godard and Subway Sect - 1979 NOW!
Luke Haines - New York in The '70s
Mungo's Hi Fi - Serious Time
The Cleaners From Venus - Return To Bohemia
Edwyn Collins - The Possibilities Are Endless OST
Beck - Morning Phase
Simple Minds…

Fri 13 Jun – Ruts DC, Prince Fatty

Ruts DC supported by Prince Fatty @ Concorde 2, Brighton on Friday 13 June 2014

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Despite the rival attractions of Rod Stewart playing up the road at Brighton and Hove Albion FC's Amex Stadium; and Spain versus Netherlands in the World Cup; anyone with any taste and sense was down at the Concorde 2 for Ruts DC ably supported by Brighton's own Prince Fatty and Horseman (Prince Fatty also produced the superb 2013 Ruts DC album "Rhythm Collision Volume 2" which, if you don't own, you need to put that right…

Fri 28 Feb – T.Rextasy

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T.Rextasy @ The Concorde 2 - 28 Feb 2014 by Nige B, on Flickr

The fourth time I've seen T.Rextasy. As someone who bought a lot of T.Rex singles as a 10-12 year old and who still retains a huge affection for the music of Marc Bolan this band are an absolute delight. Singer Danielz goes way beyond the average tribute band - he really lives for the music of Marc and his passion shines through.

This was a boogie tour so, with the exception of Cosmic Dancer (a request from the lighting man),…

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This is in rough order of preference…

1. Phosphorescent
2. Vampire Weekend
3. Ruts DC
4. James Blake
5. Grim Tower
6. Public Service Broadcasting
7. David Bowie
8. Danny and The Champions Of The World
9. Luke Haines
10. Haim
11. Bill Calahan
12. Matthew E White
13. Giudo
14. Jonathan Wilson
15. The Blow Monkeys
16. Daughter
17. Rick Redbeard
18. The National
19. The Rockingbirds
20. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

…I've doubtless missed a few key albums out, and I'll be the first to admit I spend as much time, if not more, looking…

Sat 30 Nov – Danny and the Champions of the World, The Dreaming Spires

Danny And The Champions Of The World, supported by The Dreaming Spires, live at The Palmeira pub, 70-71 Cromwell Road, Hove, BN3 3ES on Saturday 30th November 2013.

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Danny And The Champions Of The World, The Palmeira, Hove - 30 November 2013 by Nige B, on Flickr

I saw both these bands at Palmfest 2013 - another Brighthelmstone Promotions event. Both were wonderful that day, and, if anything, were even better on their return on Saturday 30th November 2013. Perhaps it's because, in the…

Fri 22 Nov – ATP: End of an Era, Weekend One

So farewell ATP. This was my seventh ATP and sadly my last. The End Of An Era indeed - for this was the penultimate ATP (one more still to go next weekend). It was fun. Of course it was fun. However it was not up to the usual standard. A charitable assessment of Sunday's Spanish-centric line up would be "adventurous" or perhaps "ground breaking", to me it smacked of saving a few quid on paying for another reasonable headliner.

Television were enjoyable, and their trawl through Marquee Moon was…

Thu 24 Oct – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Brighton Dome - 24 October 2013

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This was around the fifteenth time I've seen Nick Cave in various incarnations, though most, like tonight, were with The Bad Seeds, and he becomes every more mythical with each passing year.

This was as good as I've ever seen him. This version of the Bad Seeds is, as ever, a force of nature providing subtlety, power, melancholy, and magic, to order, whilst Mr Cave prowled, danced, pleaded, and exulted. A two and a quarter hour set…

Fri 18 Oct – Half Man Half Biscuit, Roja

A day, or rather night, I never thought I'd see. The legendary Half Man Half Biscuit (HMHB) from Birkenhead on Merseyside playing in Brighton and Hove. It happened and I was there. They don't play live very often and I don't remember them playing in Brighton before.

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Half Man Half Biscuit (HMHB) @ Concorde 2, Brighton, East Sussex, England on 18th October 2013 by Nige B, on Flickr

Half Man Half Biscuit are national treasures. If you only know Half Man Half Biscuit for their early "hits", then do yourself…