Moldy Peaches Roundhouse 2023

Best Gigs of 2023

2023 had it all – killer new acts, perennial favourites, stunning innovators, jazz legends, and a hefty dose of nostalgia.

This year I got to see Pulp, Moldy Peaches and Kerbdog all perform live – three bands that have occupied huge chunks of my musical life for over 20 years.

The Pulp show was mind-blowing – a career-spanning set, epic in sound and staging. An altogether different experience but everything I had hoped for, Kerbdog were raw and euphoric; huge chugging riffs, killer hooks and lyrics that I could scream out loud.

I went to see the Moldy Peaches with my brother and my dearest friend Becca  – a reunion within a reunion. The band have always felt like mine and I’d not seen them since Reading Festival 2001.  It was pure joy to see them again- full of nostalgia and fuzziness, like finding your way home.

Moldy Peaches

Roundhouse, London – May 29th

Moldy Peaches Roundhouse 2023

Pulp

(support Baxter Dury)  Cardiff International Arena –  July 12th

Pulp Live Cardiff International Arena 2023

Kerbdog

The Fleece, Bristol – March 6th

Wynton Marsalis Leading THE Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Barbican, London – July 7th

 

Joanna Sternberg

Kings Place, London – November 11th

 

Brìghde Chaimbeul, Ross Ainslie & Steven Byrnes,

The Cube Microplex, Bristol – April 22nd

 

Natalya Beylis

(Support SOPHIE COOPER + YOKE) The Cube Microplex, Bristol – september 28th

Natalia Beylis live The Cube Bristol 2023

Trust Fund

(SUPPORT Hamburger) The Cube Microplex, Bristol – April 12th

 

Yo La Tengo

SWX, Bristol – APRIL 13th

Read a review of the show by incredible writer and gig buddy Tom Blake.

Golden Dregs

Louisiana, Bristol – May 8th

 

Colin Stetson

(Support Andy Hayes & Dan Johnson) StrangeBrew, Bristol – April 27th
Colin stetson strangebrew
StrangeBrew looking typically gorgeous for Colin Stetson

darren hayman

Thunderbolt, Bristol – November 30th

 

Mould

The Lanes, Bristol – August 11th

Read my review of Mould’s debut single – Birdsong.

DJ Honey

Ill Repute, Bristol – September 15th

STEREOCILIA & THISQUIETARMY

The Cube Microplex, Bristol – APRIL 6th

 

Bug Club

StrangeBrew, BRISTOL – April 11th

 

I am immensely thankful to all of the acts for doing everything it takes to play live and tour, the Cube Microplex for being the best venue on the planet, Headfirst for being invaluable and ethical, and all of the promoters for doing what they do.

Check out my best albums of 2023.

About the author

Tom Spooner

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