The Flaming Lips come to town in their usual riot of colour
As 2009 drew to a close, I was pondering over a year’s worth of twobob gigs, and music in general. I have to say, it was something of a bland and uninspiring year, comparatively speaking. There were some high points, though. Michael Jackson died (just kidding), and The Flaming Lips came to town with their usual fanfare of fun. As did a new Doves album (look, I know they ain’t cool but I’m a sucker for a working-class northern indie band). Barry and I discovered quality ciders just before the start of a pleasantly warm summer, and our household got completely and utterly addicted to HBO’s ‘The Wire’ – easily the best telly we at twobob have ever seen.
Their Hearts Were Full of Spring
Another high point for me, and one of our top 5 albums of the year, was the long awaited release of ‘How I Wasted My Youth’ by the wonderful Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring. You can buy it from any HMV, or direct from our good friends at Marketstall records. Those of you that know me well know how much I go on about this band, but in a completely unbiased way I can say I am utterly impressed with the content and production standards of this little gem. If you loved Fleet Foxes’ debut in 08 you’ll love How I wasted My Youth even more. Promise.
Back in January, the highlight of the month was discovering how good Oxford’s The Witches are, when they supported 23 Frames at their album launch. Also in January was an awesome performance from Nebraska. We weren’t to know it at the time, but that was the last ever Nebraska show. They will be sadly missed. A new discovery for us was the fabulously-titled Church of the Drive Through Elvis, who I understand are having some line-up issues. Let’s hope they sort things out as they are awesome, in a Nick Cave-goes-rockabilly kinda way. twobob favourites William released a new EP and an army of SE Londoners trekked to White Heat in Soho to see them support Johnny Foreigner and danananan Aykroyd. A great show.
Heath All-Nighter
And who can forget (some of us still have the scars) Heath month in May? Our man in L.A. flew in for a handful of shows, starting with Foxfest. Our smoothest-running, most diverse line-up, most fun fest yet. Tickets for FF10 are onsale here. Heath shows continued in and around SE London, culminating in an impromptu al fresco all-nighter in Hilly Fields.
Miss Scarlett came of age at a twobob show in the summer, and are about to release their debut EP. Long awaited t-shirts and a new EP appeared from our favourite Parisian punk rockers, King of Conspiracy. Milk Kan paid us a visit in the autumn, which was a gift. Folk-punk hip-hop screwball combo and all-round nice guys they are. Popular Workshop made a brief appearance in the middle of their extended break, and support sets from Stagecoach and Baby Gravy made this one of my favourite twobob gigs of 2009.
Hindley released The Cycle, which is in my top 5 singles of the year. My Girls by Animal Collective was our overall favourite single of 09 by a long, long way. I’ll leave you with my top 4 albums of 2009 in no particular order (and I’ll let you know when I think of a 5th). Tell us yours in the comments!
Veckatimest – Grizzly Bear
Primary Colours – The Horrors
How I Wasted My Youth – Their Hearts Were Full of Spring
Merriweather Post Pavillion – Animal Collective