WE JUST WANT TO GO AND SEE A SHOW

After over 60 gigs last year, most of which in tiny sweaty rooms seeing small unknown bands, I'm starting to get bored of these everyday gigs.

Within those 60 gigs last year I was lucky enough to see a hat-trick of Killers show, an all-conquering show by Wolf Alice, The xx's comeback as well as the almighty Nick Cave sandwiched in between two incredible performances by Lorde and The National. Of the smaller gigs I went to, only a few bands stick out: Yonaka, Black Honey and Alex Cameron. What do all the above bands have in common? They all put on one hell of a show. They understand how to translate their recorded music into a live setting and acknowledge that there is an art to performing their songs, as well as creating them.

They made me realise that just playing the hits with some pretty lights isn't enough. Yonaka's energy is unrivalled whilst Alex Cameron and Black Honey truly perform like nobody else. Alex Cameron's dad-dance moves rub off on the audience, and slowly everybody in the room begins to not give a flying fuck about how they look when they're dancing to these infectious tunes. Black Honey's Izzy Phillips adopts another persona on stage. She becomes a character, a mix of Mia Wallace and Beatrix Kiddo. It adds to the songs you're so used to hearing each day through your headphones, it's what live music should be.

Too many bands nowadays seem to be favouring a light show over infectious energy or audience interaction. Light shows can work. If a band struggles with energy or interaction then a light show and a decent set can make up for it but so far, The xx and Wolf Alice are the only band that have managed this and they have some pretty solid tunes to back it up.

When it comes to the big guns, there isn't too many better performers around right now than Brandon Flowers and The Killers. The only three that I've seen come close were Nick Cave, The National and Lorde. All four of these bands do have more funds to curate their set, I realise that, but that isn't what makes them so good. They still have the energy, the desire and the hunger to impress. These artists, they've made it, they're rich, but they stick at it and strive to get better. They ensure each show has something unique about it, something that will stick in the memory of the paying customer, and that's what every live performer should do.

Yes, there's something special about seeing a brand new band in an intimate setting but there is also something special about being absolutely blown away by a superstar. These bands are playing arenas for a reason, and they prove their worth every single night.