A new website for the much loved/ missed band The Delgados appeared in June last year with a  statement. “ When we started The Delgados in 1994, it instantly felt effortless and simple...Fast forward 25 or so years ..and we're driving to Stuart Braithwaite's (from Mogwai) wedding (the Delgados run the record label Chemikal Underground to which Mogwai were signed for many years). We've spent hardly any time with each other for over a decade and like before it's effortless, simple....and the thought occurs that it might be good to play together once again

Despite largely distancing herself from the music industry in 2019 as a means of self-preservation from the expectations which Mitski felt were being placed upon her. Mitski fandom ('Mitskimania') only appears to have grown exponentially since then.

I almost didn't go. The last time I had seen Echo and the Bunnymen live they had only been average, and after reading David Cavanagh's startling interview with Ian McCulloch in Mojo a few years ago, I thought it better to leave my memories as they were. I am also weary of the heritage circuit - bands who only play their early songs to fans unwilling to hear anything that was released after they reached their mid twenties.

Another show promoted by Cosmic American Music who do a terrific job bringing American roots, Americana and new Country music to the Midlands which is one of the few good reasons to venture outside on a bitterly cold Nottingham night. Tonight at the Running Horse is Native Harrow their most recent album 'Closeness' provided one of the musical highlights of 2020.

Opening is Jason McNiff whose 2003 album 'Nobody's Son' was Americana UK's album of the year. Jason plays a set of beautifully finger-picked tunes about his time in Nottingham as a student (he was kicked off his course), a mid-Winter songwriting retreat in a freezing cold Cadiz hotel and a lovely Townes Van Zandt cover (we were offered a choice of covers between Townes and Dire Straits).

My first concert in 20 months (discounting two socially distanced shows). On 10 March 2020 I saw Frank Turner solo in Middlesbrough. Frank ended up having to cut his tour short. For the first year of the pandemic I thoroughly enjoyed livestreams. Nick Cave solo, Celtic Connections and Lucinda Williams' Jukebox are some highlights that come to mind.

Manic Street Preachers' two nights in support of the NHS (the previous night was free to NHS workers) were originally organised for December 2020, however a serendipitous set of events means that these twice delayed shows are happening in the same week that the Manics' 14th studio album 'The Ultra Vivid Lament' is No.1 in the UK. Tonight's set consists of tracks from the new album, covers and a selection from the 'National Treasures' singles collection.

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