Nine Black Alps @ Cambridge Junction, Feb 2006

Having been blown away by Nine Black Alps twice, as a support act, I was really looking forward to this gig. Sadly, I've come to the conclusion that a great support act is all that they will ever be to me. They came out guns a-blazing and, for thirty minutes or so, were extremely exciting and visceral. But after that, I felt like they had nothing left to give me. I left just before the encore. However, you can't deny that they do have some cracking tunes up their sleeve. If you have the album, it's worth seeing them live. Personally, I think the album is over-produced and much too clean. I much prefer the raw, sweaty, dirtiness that is Nine Black Alps, but not for an hour....

Elbow @ Cambridge Corn Exchange, Feb 2006

Another magnificent performance from the Bury boys, (maybe that should read men but it doesn't sound so good). They make it all look so effortless it beggars belief. High points for me were Newborn, Puncture Repair and Fugitive Motel but, it was all great. The audience were hanging on every word from Master Garvey and there were the usual cheeky words from the chatty chappy. I took along a few Elbow newbies and they were all suitably impressed. Why everyone in the world isn't whiled by the charms of Elbow I have no idea.

NME Tour: Mystery Jets, We are Scientists, Arctic Monkeys, Maximo Park @ Cambridge Corn Exchange, Feb 2006

The buzz and excitement surrounding this gig was palpable and understandably so. NME had gathered all the bands that they had been hyping over the last few months and thrown them all into the mixing pot. Did it work? I think it did.

The Mystery Jets were an excellent warm up act - lively and entertaining with catchy tunes. We are Scientists had hilarious American bitchy banter and sounded superb. They were so powerful with crystal clear vocals that I just couldn't help but love them. Arctic Monkeys created one hell of a stir. People were literally desperate to see them and the mayhem that ensued in the biggest most pit I've ever seen was testament to that. I thought that they played well but there was little entertaining going on and as a result I got a bit bored about 20 minutes into the set. Luckily Maximo Park whipped up the excitement again to frenzied proportions and blinded me with their energy and showmanship. Anyone who can get that many high kicks and Elvis hips into one show deserves respect! They really made the show a live experience. It was one of those face achingly good gigs that really gets your heart pumping. For days after I was waking up with lyrics in my head and a smile on my face.

Nick Cave, Jan 2006 @ Cambridge Corn Exchange

One of the most amazing musical experiences of my entire life - Nick Cave really does have to be seen to be believed. Looking like a country and western sheriff from the 1940s in his pin striped skinny fit suit and brown zipped boots, he had more stage presence than anyone I've ever seen before. He pounded the piano with all his might and controlled the crowd in their frenzied appreciation like a true pro. We were treated to the likes of Mercy Seat, The Lyre of Orpehus, Abbatoir Blues, Rock of Gibraltar, Red Right Hand but the finale in the second encore of Jack the Ripper totally blew me away. I've come to the conclusion that I could quite happily be entertained by Nick and his piano every day for the rest of my life and never be bored or any less stunned.

Manchester v Cancer, Jan 2006 @ M.E.N.

As a 13 year old I was obsessed with New Order. As a 16 old the obsession moved to the Smiths, and, just when I thought musical obsessions were a thing of the past, I became obsessed with Doves and Elbow. I never thought for one moment that one day I would see all of them, along with the likes of Badly Drawn Boy and 808 State on one stage, but this night, all my wildest fantasies came true. Suffice to say the evening surpassed all of my expectations and made my face ache from smiling so hard, my throat sore from singing so loud and my hands sting from clapping for so long. Johnny Marr was a genius and New Order's pure Joy Division set was inspired. But,the moments that will live with me forever were those of Doves in collaboration with BDB, Bernard Sumner, Johnny Marr and Guy Garvey - surely a once in a lifetime experience. Photos are thanks to Sam again - I was nowhere near enough to get such good shots.