Bored of Music

That's unfair, but there does seem to be a lot of dull music about. I've heard more things I like this year than I have most years recently - Tune Yards, OFWGKTA, Bert Miller and the Animal Folk, Azealia Banks, Beans on Toast, Africa Express Sound System - I'm just really disenchanted that PJ Harvey has dominated the PJ Harvey awards, pretty much a clean sweep of them. Last time I bought a PJ Harvey album because of the hype it was VERY boring. And I can't help but think that this one won't be any different. But it's won everything. And it's not like the people waiting in the wings are in anyway interesting: Gillian Welch, Kurt Vile, The Horrors; very very yawn.

I'd do a top five albums of the year but I don't think I've liked five albums that have been released this year. So in the interests of self indulgence, I shall present my top 5 live music things this year:

5. Snoop Dogg, Yas Arena - What a juxtaposition; gangsta rap in the UAE. It wasn't really number 5, I just wanted to look cool and I refuse to acknowledge that I really enjoyed seeing he-who-shall-not-be-named. Snoop was ace tho.

4. Gruff Rhys, Cadogan Hall - Yeah it was seated, but an inflatable palm tree goes a long way.

3. B Dolan, Scala - Not to be confused with B Dylan who is nowhere near as fun live. I wrote about this a post or so ago so shan't bang on.

2. Prince, Hop Farm - I probably don't need to justify this.

1. Sound of Rum, Standon Calling - A mid afternoon set by an almost unknown band at a tiny festival better than the Stooges? Better than Lou Reed? The Streets? Patti Smith? Arctic Monkeys? Yes yes yes and if you don't believe me I will fight you. And Balance was my favourite album. So if I was voting for the PJ Harvey awards Kate Tempest would have won and the world would be a far smilier place.