Best of 2015

Best of 2015

We are rapidly approaching the end of 2015 and after a great year for music, the time has come to evaluate it all and see who deserves what accolade.

It's like every other awards list you've seen. I've tried to be fair and used various elements to make the lists for instance popularity over song-writing.

Band Of 2015

1. Wolf Alice

2. Drenge

3. Manic Street Preachers

Album of 2015

1. Fidlar - Too

2. Drenge - Undertow

3. Palma Violets - Danger In The Club

Best Festival

1. T in The Park

2. Glastonbury

3. Rock Werchter

Best Live Band

1. Alt-J 

2. Drenge

3. JAWS

Music Moment of 2015

1. Kanye West headlines Glastonbury

2. Eagles Of Death Metal announce gig in Paris after attack in November

3. Manic Street Preachers play "Holy Bible" live in full

Song of 2015

1. The Prodigy - The Day Is My Enemy

2. Fidlar - 40oz On Repeat

3. Everything Everything - Spring/Sun/Winter/Dread

Best International Band of 2015

1. Foo Fighters

2. Fidlar

 3.  Tame Impala

Best Solo Artist

1. Florence Welch

2. Jamie T

3. Noel Gallagher

Best International Solo Artist

1. Grimes

2. Courtney Barnett

3. Kendrick Lamar

Rock Werchter Review: Part 2

Rock Werchter 2015 - Review (Friday)

After the excitement of the first day at Rock Werchter, the Friday had a lot to live up to. Arguably, it was the weakest of the four days as day tickets hadn't even sold out. Nonetheless there were still some acts definitely worth seeing. 

The first act of the day was the Scandinavian five-piece Of Monsters And Men who are still riding on the wave that is (arguably) their only hit 'Little Talks' which has brought them staggering popularity. It would be interesting to see if they have any other songs that can match or beat the folk-pop anthem. Sadly the answer to that it is a resounding no. Even when they finally got round to playing the hit, it left the audience with a sour taste as the performance felt tired and it seemed that even the band themselves were tired of the song too. They left the stage to tame applause which was an appropriate match for their set. Unless you're a die-hard fan, Of Monsters And Men might not be the best band to see at a festival.

Over in The Barn, the temperature was about to rise substantially as Alt-J were about to bring their wonky, complex music to the people of Belgium. Anticipation grew rapidly as the the lights went down and smoke began to fill The Barn and the introduction to Alt-J's 'Hunger of the Pine' rang out. The four-piece walked out on to the stage bathed in lasers and neon lights as if they had just walked out of a spaceship, which is very appropriate as their music at times can sound like its from another planet. They stormed straight in to a set full of tracks from both their albums to date. And the first thing you notice when they perform is how much  talent all four members have on stage and with their instruments. Secondly, you will notice that their songs played live have such power and are delivered so effortlessly, they may not strut around the stage but that is not what Alt-J are all about.

All their songs also have the ability to take you on a journey in to the unknown, not only that, the songs were all received with thunderous cheers which show just how popular the group have become. 'Matilda' and 'Left Hand Free' went down an absolute treat and 'Taro' from the debut album "An Awesome Wave" was performed to such perfection that it felt like Alt-J were issuing a statement to all encased within The Barn stating that "we are here". They have become a well-polished live act, this combined with their phenomenal musicianship and front-man Joe Newman's diverse lyrics signal that Alt-J are a force to be reckoned with. And don't be surprised to see them playing in stadiums across the world in the future.