Whilst this may seem strange to many people, music doesn’t play a large part in my life. I don’t use Spotify or own a pair of AirPods and I’m quite happy to sit in silence rather than listen to music. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy music. I do, but I tend to be quite set in my ways as to what I like. My music tastes would immediately single me out as middle of the road and middle-aged!
1. The Zutons,
O2 Academy, Oxford.
April 2024.
Given the above introduction, I’m as surprised as anyone that I went to this gig. My son had tickets but was ill and it seemed a shame to waste them. However, I knew more people in the audience than songs by the band. I wasn’t too keen on the first half hour or so, but after they played the song I knew (Valerie) they ramped things up a bit. The final songs sounded vaguely familiar so I guess I might have heard them before.
2. Tom Bailey, Bath Forum. May 2024
Tom Bailey was one-third of 1980s group The Thompson Twins. This gig was part of my quest to see 1980s bands and singers before they retire (or die!). The support act was Paddy McAloon from Prefab Sprout and the bass guitarist was from Kajagoogoo so there was a definite 80s vibe to the night.
Tom played a few newer songs to begin with but then played the full Into the Gap album, which contained their best known hits. My favourites were the singalong anthems Hold Me Now and You Take Me Up.
3. Tumbling Paddies
O2 Academy, Oxford. January 2025
I’d never heard of the Tumbling Paddies until a couple of weeks before I saw them but I was drawn in by an advert on Instagram. The Tumbling Paddies are an Irish band, so it was no surprise that most of the audience appeared to be Irish. The songs were split evenly into covers, Irish folk songs and originals they’d penned themselves. I felt like I was the only person in the audience who didn’t know the words to the traditional songs (hence my assumption the audience was mostly Irish). Despite this I really enjoyed the night, particularly as there was some interesting audience watching too.
4. Melin Melyn
The Jericho Tavern, Oxford, May 2025
Possibly the quirkiest band I’ve ever seen. Described as psychedelic country indie pop, they’re a storytelling band whose conceptual debut album is about a mill on a hill. The band members wore millers costumes and sang several songs in Welsh. It was no surprise to learn two of them were professional actors. Very enjoyable in a weird way.
5. Pulp
O2, London, June 2025
Pulp were one of my favourite bands in the 1990s. Despite the 30 year gap, Jarvis Cocker hadn’t aged, and still looked cool in his velvet jacket. Maybe he has always been 60 years old?!
The gig was fantastic, with the new songs almost as good as the old hits. Even though I saw them only 6 months into the year I can confidently say this was my favourite gig of 2025!
Challenge partly completed
Challenge partly completed. Pop over to read the full list of my 60 things to do before I’m 60.