Frontman Lewis Duffin continues with with his shouting / talking his way through songs. But this new Bill Ryder-Jones produced album has lost the edginess of their early stuff. The addition of an extra guitar and organs has produced a much more rounded and probably more mainstream sound. They even have an acoustic song. It is hard to tell how much influence Bill had over this new sound as we haven’t had the opportunity to hear the songs live. These songs are a departure from their earlier stuff. Tonight they played songs from their album. For me, I preferred their earlier material. That isn’t to say these new songs aren’t enjoyable. I enjoyed the gig. It was just a bit too much of a surprise to spring on me.

The festival introduced a new beach area. The area, near Concorde has three stages. A big headline stage, and second stage and an acoustic stage, along with space for food trucks. It is a nice space, if a little out the way which meant you really had to have a reason to trek down there. Luckily, the weather was great which helped. I’m not sure this will be the stage to be at if it rains.

Idles were the main draw on Day 1 playing a headline set. There were queues to get into the space. Luckily I managed to get in just before they started and oddly, without any pushing, there was a space at the end of the barrier. Idles went down really well. The audience loved them and they seemed to love the audience hanging around taking selfies and signing merch.

There was also a New York band, Bodega, who had made some serious waves at SXSW with several people telling me I had to catch them. My first try at catching them was at the Green Door Store but this was packed and one in one out. I managed to squeeze in at the back for the last few songs and it was obvious how good they were. Luckily they were playing the Haunt later in the festival with Warmduscher on straight before. So I got there early and made sure I was down at the front. Oh my, Bodega are very good.

There was other interesting and hyped music around. Other highlights, The Ninth Wave, Warmdusher, Drahla, Nelson Cann, Hotel Lux, Hatis Noir, Life and Veronica Bianqui (who played a venue the night before)

There was so much good music around. Most of the bands I saw were enjoyable, some like Amyl and the Sniffers, I thought were overhyped, but they were still good. Others like Pip Blom and Sister Talk always put on good shows. This year was pretty much a perfect festival.

Artists I liked

Hotel Lux, Drahla, Shame, Hussy, Lucia, The Band Of Holy Joy, Warmdusher, Honeyblood, The Horrors, Snapped Ankles, Desperate Journalist, She Drew A Gun, Pulled Apart By Horses, British Sea Power, Koyo,  Yonaka, Gang Of Four, Peter Hook and the Light, Helen McCookerybook, Jo Quail, Myrkur, SKiNNY MiLK, Dronningen, Dream Wife, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

Artists that were okay

Yowl, Crosa Rosa, Melt Dunes, Moderate Rebels, Soccer Mummy, Sweaty Palms, Scoundrel

Artists I won’t be going out of my way to see again

Crewel Intentions, Chemtrails, God Colony, The Orb, Lower Slaughter, Drug Store Romeos, Eyrie Leiu, Alabama Three, Judy Dyble and Andy Lewis

Best Gig

January was actually a decent start to the year. The Rockaway Beach festival was a good way to start a new year. Next year it needs more acts. But it was a good break. But there was one outstanding gig this month. Myrkur at St John on Bethnal Green was simply stunning. A perfect location for folk gothic folk music.

Best new artist

I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy Peter Hook. I thought it might be a bit karaoke. But he was really good.

Best photo

Artists I liked

The Orielles, Nordic Giants, Thurston Moore, Dove and the Wolf x2, Torres x2, Gurr, Daylight Angèle David-Guillou, Sistertalk, Goat Girl, Protomartyr, Myrkur, Nik Bärtsch, Matthew Bourne, Deja Vega, Aldous Harding x2, Hotel Lux, The Orielles, Rews, Deep Throat Choir, The Vaulted Skies, Mammoth Penguins, Deerful, Peach Club, Kid Kapichi, Nova Twins

Artists that were okay

Dan Stock, Boy Azooga, Cover, Sons, VLMV, P.G.Lost, Sarah Angliss, Lietava, Sorry, Ice Cold Slush, Eliza McCarthy, Oh Boland, Árstíðir, Sólstafir, The Hermes Experiment, Lovers Club, Vinyl Staircase, Sports Club, Basement Strippers, Lilith Ali, Kathryn Joseph, 

Artists I won’t be going out of my way to see again

Greek Tragedies, Claudia Barton, Jerkclub, The 924s, Mega Emotion

Best Gig

Torres or Aldous Harding? Two outstanding artists. I think Aldous wins.

Best new band

Protomartyr at the Dome

Best photo

Artists I liked

Wolf Alice, Seamus Fogarty x2, The Radiophonic Workshop, Ed Dowie, Gaygirl, Peach Club, Hotel Lux x2, Yak, Shame, Spindle Ensemble, Michael Price, British Sea Power, Spook School, Diet Cig, Dream Wife

Artists that were okay

Keeva , Maple & Rye, Bedouine, The Wedding Present, Siv Jakobsen, Paul Carter, Martin White, Hexmaze, Skinny Girl Diet, Blood-Dope Honey, J.W.Paris, Baby In Vain, ILL, Will Stratton, The Weather Station, Sorry, Waterfall Boys, Bellow Fellows, Hannah Nicholson

Artists I won’t be going out of my way to see again

Dipper Malkin, Danilogue, Rhythm Method, Namlo

Best Gig

Possibly the most fun gig of the year was the Diet Cig and Spook School gig at the Moth Club

Best new band

Hotel Lux

Albums of the Month

• Relatives in Descent – Protomartyr
• Strange Peace – METZ
• Carry Fire – Robert Plant

Best photo