2025 – Round and Round

It’s that time of year again, my year end music related musings and look back. As is now ritual there were no monthly or even irregular musings on here, just another year of paying WordPress to keep this site alive for the annual rundown. So, in a break from the norm there’s to be no promises of further missives, just an understanding that maybe, just maybe, this time next year we can meet again.

So where to start? For the first time in my life I’ve tried to set some goals and make them happen. Baby steps, I am 47, so no rush. But after 30+ years of gig going and nightlife related shenanigans it’s reached the point that to make sure those experiences keep coming a little forward planning is required.

So what were they? That’s for me to know, but putting this together, I think I cracked most of them. How was 2025? On the whole pretty good. Time and energy means this post is more of a round up of all things musical with some related pics. Making memories as they say….

GIGS

Managed about one a month, not bad going. Louie Vega was a great start, if a little on the jazzy side for some (not me). But that had nothing on Kamasi Washington. Blown. Away. Emma Jean was back and while the two above had jazz in spades, she’d gone more pop and no bad thing. Enjoying herself thoroughly.

FESTIVALS

Just the one, back to Southport this year, not quite the same as the Southport and Minehead iterations but still fun and more bucket list acts acts and DJs ticked off. Leroy Burgess anyone…and Laurent Garnier. Still one of the best.

DJing
Odioba was a constant, mostly Sundays but with the odd Friday and Saturday in amongst it. Great system and set up, lovely staff and big up the main man Nam for never making any compromise.

Out and about, few bits at House of Social/Caravan were also fun. Again the PM slots to soundtrack the lunchtime Mancunian punters.

RETTIE’S 50th – gig of the year of course. House parties are still the best.

TEST PRESSING

Interviews – Antal, Tom Noble, Coco Maria, Colleen Murphy, Dom Capello, James Holroyd, Hunee, Golden Lion, Ron Trent, Manfredas. In person and written in various forms, all fun but of course meeting Ron was the cherry. Pure don and wow moment.

Plus reviews so much good music, so little time.

More longer pieces, new mag No Way Back and a moment in time look at the Virgin Suicides Redux.

RADIO

VNR marched on, lovely people, new additions and new venues. Big love to Alain, the man behind the moves. 5th birthday and Smithfield nights were fun and OYE Saturdays was up and running.

Voices

The monthly Leftfield dance floor selections continued. Be nice to get to London sometime and feel a bit more connected to what they’re doing but..time. As always.