Tag Archives: Andy Bell

THE SOUND OF 2021

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It’s that time of year where people do End Of Year Lists and this blog is no different with the now traditional chart of the best songs of the year.

Nothing scientific, just a scroll through The Friday Fives and trying to put them in order of songs I love the most.

Enjoy, hope i’ve helped you discover something you’ve never heard before

  1. Maneskin – Zitti E Buoni
  2. Gaspard Auge – Force Majeure
  3. Alfie Templeman – Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody
  4. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – The Mighty Quinn
  5. Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
  6. Wesley Gonzalez and Rose Elinor Dougall – Greater Expectations
  7. Tears For Fears – Tipping Point
  8. The Weeknd – Save Your Tears
  9. Lonelady – There Is No Logic
  10. Chvrches – Good Girls
  11. Rag n Bone Man – All You Ever Wanted
  12. Amy Montgomery – Anywhere
  13. Lorde – Solar Power
  14. Coldplay – Higher Power
  15. Laura Mvula – Got Me
  16. The Anxiety – Meet Me At Our Spot
  17. Griff – One Foot In Front Of The Other
  18. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – We’re On Our Way Now
  19. Dermot Kennedy – Better Days
  20. Tom Grennan – Little Bit Of Love
  21. Taylor Swift – All Too Well (Taylor’s version)
  22. Sting – Rushing Water
  23. Holly Humberstone – The Walls Are Way Too Thin
  24. Marshmello and Jonas Brothers – Leave Before You Love Me
  25. Griff – One Night
  26. Royal Blood – Limbo
  27. The Alarm – The Red Wall Of Cymru
  28. Tears For Fears – No Small Thing
  29. Tix – Fallen Angel
  30. Chvrches – The Killing Moon
  31. Harry Styles – Treat People With Kindness
  32. The Roop – Discotheque
  33. Sigrid – Burning Bridges
  34. Baby Queen – Dover Beach
  35. Maisie Peters – John Hughes Movie
  36. Villagers – So Simpatico
  37. Alphabeat – Danmark’s Dynamite
  38. Jendrik – I Don’t Feel Hate
  39. Hooverphonic – The Wrong Place
  40. Jeangu Macrooy – Birth Of A New Age
  41. Andy Bell – Skywalker
  42. U2 – Your Song Saved My Life
  43. The Fratellis – Yes Sir I Can Boogie
  44. Olivia Rodrigo – Good 4 U
  45. Chvrches – He Said, She Said
  46. Mike Patton – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles
  47. Olivia Rodrigo – Deja Vu
  48. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – We’re Gonna Get There In The End
  49. The Divine Comedy – The Best Mistakes
  50. Franz Ferdinand – Billy Goodbye

So congratulations to Maneskin. There isn’t a formal prize on offer, but you can still bask in the glory of coming top of this poll and joining the Hall Of Fame below.

2020 Tame Impala – Lost In Yesterday
2019 Vampire Weekend – Harmony Hill
2018 Lovelytheband – Broke
2017 Liam Gallagher – For What It’s Worth
2016 The Strumbellas – Spirits
2015 Blossoms – Charlamagne
2014 Jamie T – Zombie
2013 Haim – The Wire
2012 Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
2011 Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA What A Life
2010 Marina and the Diamonds – Shampain
2009 Little Boots – New In Town
2008 Sons and Daughter – Darling
2007 Feist – 1, 2, 3, 4
2006 Kasabian – Empire

THE SOUND OF 2020

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We haven’t had our first 24 hours of 2021 yet and I can’t imagine that many want to look back at 2020, but it’s time for my annual look back at the best songs of the past year.

I’m not going to insult you by cutting and pasting the usual about how it was a great year and all that. It really wasn’t.

Even though we got treated to some interesting covers and live online concerts from bored pop stars in lockdown, i’d swap all that for a return to normality.

As much as i’ve loved Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco, i’d rather it not have to exist, if you know what I mean.

I actually have concert tickets for 2021, unsurprisingly, most are carried over from 2020.

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott are first up in April, although that is looking ambitious, considering that Paul Weller scheduled for the week before has already been put back to November.

Also in the diary is Lightning Seeds, Ash, Doves and Beabadoobee.

Hopefully, when I do get back to concerts, it won’t be in the first batch. Let’s be honest, they’ll be full of tanked up bellends determined to “make up for” what they’ve “missed out on”.

You don’t realise how much a sound crowd adds to a concert until you’re surrounded by bellends.

So, enjoy the best songs of 2020. Hopefully, i’ve introduced you to something you’ll like.

Let’s hope 2021 will be a lot better than 2020, although we’re working off a very low bar.

  1. Tame Impala – Lost In Yesterday
  2. The Weeknd – Blinding Lights
  3. Powfu ft Barbadoobee – Death Bed
  4. Post Malone – Circles
  5. David Guetta and Sia – Let’s Love
  6. Royal Blood – Trouble’s Coming
  7. Beabadoobee – Care
  8. Paul Molloy – Dungaree Day
  9. Shader – Don’t You Forget About Me
  10. Georgia – Running Up That Hill
  11. Declan McKenna – Beautiful Faces
  12. Tom Grennan – Amen
  13. Andy Bell – Cherry Cola
  14. Lady Gaga – Stupid Love
  15. Dea Matrona – Roll With It
  16. Blossoms – Paperback Writer
  17. Dermot Kennedy – Giants
  18. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Wildflower
  19. Blossoms ft James Skelly – Dreaming Of You
  20. Beabadoobee – Together
  21. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Come On Outside
  22. Crowded House – Whatever You Want
  23. Tom Grennan – Something Better
  24. Samara Ginsberg – Inspector Gadget
  25. Dermot Kennedy – Power Over Me
  26. Oasis – Don’t Stop
  27. 24kgoldn – City Of Angels
  28. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – We’re Gonna Get There In The End
  29. Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott – Some Might Say
  30. Samara Ginsberg – Knight Rider
  31. Declan McKenna – Rapture
  32. Samara Ginsberg – Thomas The Tank Engine
  33. Liam Gallagher – All You’re Dreaming Of
  34. Beabadooebee – Worth It
  35. Karen O and Willie Nelson – Under Pressure
  36. Tate McRae – You Broke Me First
  37. Declan McKenna – Be An Astronaut
  38. Two Mad Men And A String Quartet – Madness Hits Medley
  39. Blossoms – It’s Going To Be A Cold Winter
  40. Arlo Parks – Black Dog
  41. New Order – Be A Rebel
  42. Izzy Bizu – Faded
  43. The 1975 – If You’re Too Shy
  44. David Latto – Geordie Munro
  45. Magnum Haus – Rip It Up
  46. Swim School – Dignity
  47. Ash – Darkest Hour Of The Night
  48. Doves – Broken Eyes
  49. AC/DC – Shot In The Dark
  50. Tom Ogden – Everyday I Write The Book

PAST WINNERS

2019 Vampire Weekend – Harmony Hall
2018 Lovelytheband – Broken
2017 Liam Gallagher – For What It’s Worth
2016 The Strumbellas – Spirits
2015 Blossoms – Charlemagne
2014 Jamie T – Zombie
2013 Haim – The Wire
2012 Taylor Swift – We Are Never Getting Back Together
2011 Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA …. What A Life
2010 Marina and the Diamonds – Shampain
2009 Little Boots- New In Town
2008 Sons and Daughters – Darling
2007 Feist – 1, 2, 3, 4

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MELODY MAKER – 17.11.1999

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Nina Persson of The Cardigans, or Nina Cardigan as she has been dubbed, is the cover star of this week’s edition of Melody Maker, having been dubbed “The Sexiest Woman In Rock”

In other news, Ian Brown has made a comeback gig at Conway Hall in London, performing a cover of Billie Jean by Michael Jackson during the encore.

Oasis and Blur are also in news, with Blur subject to a South Bank Show special, while Oasis have announced Andy Bell of Hurricane #1 as a new member.

Blur were among the winners at the MTV Awards in Dublin, an event which gets covered by Melody Maker.

Skin from Skunk Anansie gets asked about the forthcoming new Oasis album, and she describes herself as being “intersted” in hearing it.

Making a comeback is 1980s TV show The Tube, with Donna Air and Chris Moyles presenting alongside original presenters Jools Holland and Paula Yates.

Mark McKeever won the letter of the week for e-mailing in to complain about how crap the music scene in Belfast is.

Cover star Nina Persson gets a double page interview, stating that the majority of her fans are female.

There are two pages dedicated to 1993, as Melody Maker looks back at the 90s, during the decade’s final days.

Brian Molko gets interviewed as Placebo are busy recording their third album.

Jonathan Davis of Korn talks about his five obsessions, one of which is playing a bagpipe.

In reviews, Melody Maker went to see Eminem, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Badly Drawn Boy in concert, though not at the same time.

Rick Witter of Shed Seven is subject to a Q and A, revealing that he would watch a public execution if it was broadcast on TV.

If you wanted, there was a lyrics sheet for So Low, Ocean Colour Scene’s new single.

In gigs, James (with support from Cast), Ian Brown and Shed Seven were going on tour in the coming weeks.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – MARCH 2011

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Liam Gallagher is the cover star of Q as he prepares to launch the debut album of Beady Eye, a band comprising of the non Noel Gallagher members of Oasis.

If you look closely, in Liam’s shades, you can see the other members of Beady Eye in his reflection.

In “Q Mail”, Simon Hunt e-mails to respond to previous correspondence complaining about Take That appearing in Q, while cheekily asking when Justin Bieber will be appearing on Cash For Questions.

Jonathan Paul from Leicester contacts Q to complain about their ignoring of Ian Matthews and Chris Edwards in Kasabian articles, in comparison to Serge Pizzorno and Tom Meighan.

Q50 is a feature of the 50 songs you should download this month. Top of the pile was The Beat Goes On by cover stars Beady Eye.

Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol gets a guest submission, choosing Coal by The Mariner’s Children.

In news, Alex Turner records solo songs for a movie soundtrack, Green Day release a live album, The Kills are reforming and Beth Ditto is going on a solo career.

Featuring forthcoming albums, Glasvegas get a double page spread for their as yet titled new album.

Also working hard in the studio were Hard-Fi, with a propsed release date given as “Summer 2011”

Q dedicates a full page to a phone interview with Plan B, where he reveals that Forrest Gump is the one movie that makes him cry.

Tipped for greatness this month are The Joy Formidable, Miles Kane and MNDR.

Shaun Ryder is the subject of this month’s Cash For Questions, answering questions about Tony Wilson, UFOs and Reality TV.

In ads, Paul McCartney stars in an advert for PETA.

There are nine pages dedicated to cover stars Beady Eye, with Liam Gallagher claiming that “People will be calling their kids Beady Eye by the end of the year”

It’s not all about Liam, as Gem, Andy and Chris get profiled, looking at their musical CVs pre Oasis.

Junior Gallagher had gotten the first blow in to release post Oasis music, but Senior Gallagher (Noel) was at work on his debut solo album, with 17 tracks believed to have been recorded, one of which has Miles Kane on guitar, and was set for release in late summer.

Noel’s (using the name of Noel Galagher’s High Flying Birds) self titled debut album was eventually released in October 2011.

KT Tunstall gets a full page interview, where she denounces her stepdad, who was a BNP candidate.

Riding high on the success of Rolling In The Deep, Adele gets a four page profile.

Cee Lo Green is gets interviewed by Q, where he discusses his favourite albums.

Another band riding high in the charts, were Noah and the Whale, who got a three page feature.

2011 was the year that saw the 20th anniversary of the death of Freddie Mercury, and Q interviews Roger Taylor and Brian May, ahead of a feature about unseen Queen photographs being made public for the first time.

In reviews, Beady Eye’s debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding gets four stars.

Also getting four stars was Clare Maguire’s debut album Light After Dark and Hotel Shampoo by Gruff Rhys.

If Bruce Springsteen is your thing, Q has a handy guide for those wishing to explore his vast discography.

Concert Reviews sees Paul McCartney get a five star review for a concert at 100 Club in London just before Cristmas 2010.

Also getting five stars were The View for their pre Christmas gigs in Sheffield and Stoke.

STLFTEM ROUND-UP 2011

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Seeing as it’s the end of the year, almost, I thought I’d keep you all up to date with my STLFTEM for 2011.

For those who don’t know, STLFTEM is basically Something To Look Forward To Every Month.

I started it in 2009, and it basically is to have something to go, see or do every month, and look forward to it.

The only rules are that it has to be something seen in person. Therefore, watching Euro 2012 on TV won’t count for June next year.

Also, I can have more than one STLFTEM each month. In fact, I can have as many as I wish.

January was a bit of a cheat, as I went to the Linfield v Glentoran match postponed from 26th December 2010. But, my lifestyle ethos, my rules.

February was a bumper month as I went to Barcelona for a weekend, and then the following Wednesday, I went to see Northern Ireland take on Scotland.

March was also a Northern Ireland match. A 0-0 draw v Slovenia. Yep, that was well worth the wait.

April was a bumper month with a title showdown for Linfield against Crusaders and three matches against Glentoran, one of which was an Irish Cup Semi-Final. Not only that, but there was also the matter of Beady Eye’s first concert in Belfast.

Four wins, and an excellent concert made it a worthwhile month.

May was all about travelling as I went to the UEFA Cup Final, and Manchester United’s last match of the season, against Blackpool.

June was quiet, but I did go and see 3OH!3

July was also quiet, but Linfield playing in Europe and a pre-season friendly against Derriaghy were enjoyable. As I stated earlier, some months are a struggle.

August was busy with the start of the new Irish League season and trips to Edinburgh and Brighton.

September was the Arthur’s Day concert at Ulster Hall (Any my ticket was free)

October was another concert at Ulster Hall, Noah and the Whale. There were fantastic.

I’d hoped that November would be going to the MTV EMAs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a ticket, so I had to make do with a trip to Old Trafford to see United take on Sunderland.

December will be the Boxing Day match at The Oval. If that bites the dust because of the weather, I’ll make it the Ulster v Aironi match two weeks ago (Again, a free ticket)

Well, that is how i’ve managed to have STLFTEM throughout the year, but I’ve already got some lined up for 2012.

In January, I’m going to see Roy “Catchphrase” Walker as part of the Out To Lunch Festival.

February will be a busy month as I’ll be taking a break to Amsterdam from 3rd-6th, then going to see Noel Gallagher at The Odyssey on 16th, before flying to Manchester on 23rd.

I’m hoping to see United v Ajax. I’ve no ticket sorted as yet, but I’m confident I’ll get one.

Pretty tempted to go and see The Beat at The Limelight in March. Undecided as yet.

August of course, will see me head to Edinburgh for the Festival. If I could afford to, I’d spend the whole month there.

So that, is how I’ve managed to enjoy myself at least once a month this year and how I plan to do so next year.

If you have any suggestions for any of the months, feel free to get in touch and suggest.

2011 IN PICTURES – APRIL

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Busy month as the Irish League season reached it’s finale and Beady Eye rolled into town.

The first day of the month saw me visit Seaview for a clash between Crusaders and Linfield. Earlier in the season, i’d left Seaview happy with the photos but disappointed with the result. That night, I left the other way around.

I did manage to get one good one, of Jim Ervin waiting to take a throw. Artistic.

My next Linfield away trip was at The Oval, and for once, I managed to get some good photos, especially at the end when Linfield were pushing for a winner, which eventually came.

Managed to get some OK photos of Beady Eye, but the month is mainly dominated by photos of Linfield matches and sunsets.

Enjoy.

Crusaders v Linfield

Linfield v Glentoran (Irish Cup)

Glentoran v Linfield

Beady Eye

Beady Eye Photo Album

Linfield v Glentoran

Linfield v Cliftonville

Lagan Towpath Sunsets

Shamrock Rovers Stickers

Lisburn Distillery v Linfield

Linfield v Portadown

Stranmillis Sunset

April 2011 Sunsets Photo Album

BEADY EYE – LIVE AT ULSTER HALL 17.4.2011

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Given my love of Oasis, it was unsurprising that I was at Ulster Hall last night to see Beady Eye on their first tour.

But ignore Oasis, Beady Eye can stand up on their own merits. Their album, “Different Gear, Still Speeding” is excellent.

If you don’t know by now, Beady Eye is a band made up of members of Oasis, minus Noel Gallagher.

On the day of release, I skived off work to get tickets, and have been counting down since, as this was my STLFTEM for April.

The concert itself was excellent, with the whole band on form. It was standard Liam Gallagher, going on stage, very little small talk and just singing the songs.

Managed to get myself into a good position for photo taking and some not bad results.

Photo Album