Whilst we weren’t at everything this year we saw some absolutely cracking gigs. Here are the five best.

We weren’t that fussed by the thought of the Oasis reunion after Liam’s fairly mediocre appearance at Reading Festival 2024, however,we did get painfully close to Radiohead tickets, failing to get them checked out of the basket 4 times amid the digital ticket meltdown of that morning. There were also the events we had tickets for but failed to make it to. Those included The Five Hundred, Morn, Thus Love and Pentire across 2025. Here are the pick of the ones we actually made it to:

Number 5: The Lottery Winners at The Bullingdon

We have been to more intense gigs this year, we have been to ones with more talented musicians… but we haven’t been to anything else that was more fun. This band are forming a special connection with the British public and are never anything less than fantastic entertainment.

The Lottery Winners Celebrate the Album Success of KOKO with a Memorable Live Show

Number 4: The Sick Man of Europe at The George Tavern

A truly extraordinary album launch show with a wallop of mystery and an intense performance from the band. There is magic here, lightning in a bottle. It will be very interesting to see where this project goes in 2026.

The Sick Man Of Europe Album Launch Show

Number 3: Fat Dog at the Oxford Academy

Truly one of the UK’s greatest live acts right now. This band is so utterly in command of the sea of chaos they generate, the crowd were practically eating out of their hand. The mix of brilliant playing and surreal vocal imagery makes for both an entertaining and intense experience.

Fat Dog’s Electrifying Performance at O2 Academy Oxford

Number 2: Turnstile at Alexandra Palace

A stunning celebration of a great band at the height of their power. 10,000 faces unable to do anything else but smile and grin can’t be wrong. Even Kerrang! commented that they couldn’t recall that intense an audience reaction at an event at Alexandra Palace.

Turnstile Bring the Fireworks to Alexandra Palace on Bonfire Night!

Number 1: Bring Me The Horizon at Reading Festival

As much a delirious joy due to the technical effects as it was the music. The final outing for the POST HUMAN: NeX GEn show was insane showmanship, meticulously planned and crafted by Oli Sykes. It rocked, it was fun, it was mind blowing and it was chock full of emotion as the band celebrated their rise to the ascent of the Reading Festival bill seventeen years after their first appearance.

Reading Festival Saturday: Bring Me The Horizon show us the future of headline sets!