It’s the end of the year as I know it and I feel…

My Review of 2023 in Music (Mostly).

That’s it, 2023 is done, another year older and still none the wiser.

As we leave the carnage of ’23 behind us and head into the new dawn of ’24, I thought I would write some words about my thoughts on the indie music scene with some of the highlights and lowlights.

Let’s kick off then with the good stuff.

The Charts are over long live the charts.

Despite vinyl sales being the highest they’ve been for years, cassette and CD purchases also doing well, streaming still rules. But what about the charts, especially the album charts where major labels fight for top spot to be recognised as the best in the business. But hang on whose that at number 10, Top 5, bloody hell they are Number 1, it’s only one of our favourite alternative/indie artist’s hogging the limelight.

Despite what you may believe or be told, overall record sales are way down on the glory years of last millennium. Yes the Harry’s, Taylor’s, Ed’s, Adele’s of this world continue to sell huge numbers but after that, weekly release sales of artists are quite low. So much so that if you pick a quiet week, you can hit the top 10 with sales of less than 10,000 units sold. A number one album can be achieved with sales of around 12,000. Thus enter stage left, The Reytons, The Lathums, The Lottery Winners all hitting the top spot, Numero Uno. The Big One! A fantastic achievement of hard work and fanbase support with some major label, multi version releases for the fans of course but still it sends a message it still pokes a finger in the eye, it still matters because it proves Indie/Alternative/Guitar music call it what you like is still popular and these new bands are showing the way. Throw in top 10 albums by Young Fathers, Rev n The Makers, Nothing But Thieves, The Sherlocks, The Coral, Slowdive and it’s a pretty healthy return. Special mention to Apollo Junction who decided to register their 3rd album Here We Are for the charts and after a decade of hard work they smashed into the Top 75. I hope to see more of our favourite artists do this in 2024 because it’s there for the taking and can raise the profile amongst the nonbelievers and gate keepers should you want it.

Britpop The Return

It’s been 30 years since the artists that would define the ’90s started to make a name for themselves and this year we had a strong return from many of the big hitters and also runs.

New albums from Blur and Oasis appeared (ok Noel HFB and a Liam Live album), big stadium tours by the Mockney Posh boys Blur, Jarvis and Pulp also had a successful tour along with the likes of The Boo Radleys new album, Suede continuing fine work, Gaz Coombes excellent solo work and even beloved also rans The Kynd returned with an album to love.

Now you could argue that these artists are stifling new talent by clogging up festivals and the such whilst mostly doing little to support emerging artists, but the want is there and with 2024-25 being the peak 30 year anniversary of BP with new albums from Shed 7, Cast and the eagerly awaited Gallagher Squire Collab on the way, it’s not likely to go away fast so strap yourself in and enjoy the Ride but with less drugs this time round. Mad For It!

Anger is an Energy.

2023 will probably go down as one of the worst years in modern history on how we treated mankind. Greed and Hate is everywhere, eat or heat, shootings, knife crime and lets not get started on the atrocities in Ukraine and Israel.

However from this we have seen a new rise in socially, politically, racially and maybe even revolutionary musicians that have been able to write songs that incorporate all of these factors and more into songs that make us sing/shout/rap along.

At the forefront of this Agit-pop movement is a band led by an Asian NHS Doctor (which is just perfect) who I personally think are the most important band in many a year. Kill, The Icon are what you get if you mix the Punk of The Clash with the rage (sorry) of Rage Against The Machine. Tracks like Danny is a hate preacher, Deathwish and You’re just an average white band, pull no punches and go straight for the gut. Astute, clever, and essential listening, 2024 could see them as the next big thing and a real voice of the voiceless.

That’s not all, mix the Stone Roses attitude, jangle, coolness with the tunes and lyrics of The Specials, singing about social topics not heard of since those late ’70s post punk artists, The Shed Project have decided it’s down to them to shine a light on it and do so by writing massive bangers but having the balls to say what they think. Led by affable main man Roy Fletcher, you underestimate this band at your peril. Voice of the people. Damn Right!

We also had The new wave funk/rock/pop of The Great Leslie singing about poor Tory rule and illegal aliens, Joe Peacock’s folk off shoot The Missed Trees hugely powerful Little Boats and then the anti-establishment messages from the likes of Lewca and Fire up the Sun. Plus many many more. Power to the People Brothers n Sisters.

It’s a Girl’s World

Silvi, Brooke Coombe, Lissy Taylor, Jen Dixon, Freya Beer, Megan Wyn, The Facades, Distant Images, the list goes and on and whether it’s Rock, Soul, Indie, Goth, Dance, Folk, Pop the female voices sung loud and clear this year and long shall it last, there’s still a long way to go with fair festival billings and headline slots but it’s happening and with talent like this around it cannot be ignored.

Sticky Floors and Broken Toilets

One of the most concerning aspects of this year is the decline and closure of grassroots venues. Once the bastion of new music and youth culture the number of venues closing down this year has been startling. Whether it’s the cost of living crisis or just a lack of interest, to see venues such as the iconic Bath Moles close its doors for good is a sad sad day for all those that have experienced seeing a new band blow the roof off a small venue on their way to greatness.

We need You, get out locally and support small venues, pubs or even put on your own gigs and give someone a chance. We can’t all do it alone but together stronger as they say. Special mention at this point to Easy Jets number 1 customer, Paula Cairns who almost weekly flies over from Northern Ireland to support new music, ably assisted by her chauffeur and gig buddy Laura Horton who seem to of made it their mission to see as many gigs in 2023 as possible. We are not worthy.

Let’s talk about the future

What does 2024 have in store for us then? Potentially it has the ability to raise spirits circa 1997. Tories out and maybe some new hope?

Musically we are in for a treat. If 2020 was a year one for many or a Rebirth of Cool if you like, then 2024 could see many of the artists that appeared just before or during COVID to push on further, get bigger audiences, develop their sound and abilities and make a real statement that Indie Music in the UK and beyond is alive and kicking.

The Heavy North and aforementioned The Shed Project made releasing album two a breeze and I see them getting bigger still, The Shop Window are close to releasing album 3, Lewca has released 2 albums in just over a year and continues an upward trajectory, The Mariner’s released a double album and a Xmas album this year and have another on the way. Even workshy Andrew Johnson managed 57 releases and no doubt has more planned.

Plus we have the debut album from Folk’s Amelia Coburn produced by Bill Ryder-Jones coming, which promises to be very special indeed. A third album from Teenage Waitress, more from Feverjaw, Invisible Squirrel/Joe Adhemar, 3 Little Wolves, Hightown Pirates, Pastel, The Rah’s, Michael Forsyth, on and on it goes with new bands and artists putting out quality product week after week, it’s a great time to be a music fan.

Below is a link to my own 2023 Playlist – some 45 hours of New music that was released this year and featuring many of the artists I’ve mentioned and tonnes more. Why not dive in and give it a go.

Thus this is it, my final blog of the year, I could’ve written more about the Scottish and Liverpool music scenes, Festival line ups, lack of Music TV, Indie Radio but hopefully this gives you a taste of what was and what’s to come.

So remember please, listen, share, buy, repeat.

Peace n Love and a Happy 2024

Michael