DISTANT WORLDS (London Royal Albert Hall, 04/11/17)

Another year, another fantastic Distant Worlds concert. No less than *five* pieces from Final Fantasy VII (Opening~Bombing Mission, Cosmo Canyon, Cinco de Chocobo, Aeris' Theme and One Winged Angel), a stunning a capella Hymn of The Fayth, the mighty Liberi Fatali, To Zanarkand, You're Not Alone, A Flash of Steel...and of course, Nobuo Uematsu being The Absolute Boss.

!!! (London Electric Ballroom, 02/11/17)

Twenty-one years to the week since !!!'s first band practice. Ten years to the week since I first saw them at the Koko (supported by Holy Fuck, because 2007 was awesome). Several days since I saw them perform the most unabashedly fun gig of the year. "Chk Chk Chk" are basically Chic plus James Murphy plus that Windows 95 conference with Bill Gates dancing, and I'm really not sure that formula could be bettered.

THE ORIELLES (London Lexington, 01/11/17)

Genial indie-rock from the hotly-tipped Yorkshire trio.

BNQT (London Borderline, 31/10/17)

Midlake plus Fran Healy of Travis, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy and Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand playing most of their collaborative album, as well as "Roscoe", "Sing", "Why Does It Always Rain On Me", "Hewlett's Daughter", "AM180", "Take Me Out", a Tom Petty cover and The Beatles' "Revolution"? In a 300 capacity venue? Yeah, OK then.