In 2025, I got to watch some incredible performances from legendary artists like Stevie Wonder and Laaraji to pivotal bands who opened up new sonic worlds for me as a teenager like The Beta Band, The Flaming Lips and Tortoise to acts like The New Eves touring their debut album and sounding so vital.
The Benju master – Ustad Noor – was back in Bristol and better than ever, Andy Hay and his assembled band delivered a genuinely spiritual experience on the outskirts of Manchester, and The Dare brought bass-heavy electro-bangers to the Marble Factory.
Bristol delivered once again. The venues and their amazing teams, the bookers, promoters, sound engineers, the crowds and everyone that played a part in putting so many amazing acts on a stage. I am endlessly thankful to you all. A special mention must always go out to The Cube Microplex, Jam Jar and Strange Brew for doing what they do.
Andy Hay & Band
Limefield Studios, Greater Manchester – 21 June
Read my full review of the evening and the follow up record.
Ustad Noor Bakhsh
Jam Jar, Bristol – 28 August
The Flaming Lips
Bristol Beacon, Bristol – 5 May
The New Eves
Thekla, Bristol – 3 October
The Beta Band
02 Academy, Bristol – 29 September
The Dare
Marble Factory, Bristol – 16 March
Youth Lagoon
Strange Brew, Bristol – 26 August
Stevie Wonder, Ezra Collective
Hyde Park, London – 12 July
Henrik Jensen Trio
Bristol Music Club – 5 February
Los Piranas, Julián Mayorga
Jam Jar, Bristol – 13 March
Mould & Hamburger
Strange Brew, Bristol – 25 January
Laaraji
Strange Brew, Bristol – 28 April
MJ Lenderman
Marble Factory, Bristol – 29 May
Destroyer
Fleece, Bristol – 11 June
Stereocilia and Ex Agent
The Cube, Bristol – 15 February
Tortoise
Prospect Building, Bristol – 23 November
Reef, Kerbdog
02 Academy, Bristol – 24 Oct
Teethe and runo plum
Thekla, Bristol – 10 November
Bridget St. John
The Cube, Bristol – 20 August
Led Bib
The Cube, Bristol – 16 September
Check out my favourite albums of 2025.
