2013 Round-up: Jo Waddington

We're just about coming to the end of the year, with a handful of year reviews to squeeze out before we wave 2013 off into the metaphorical sunset. Our Manchester clubs girl Jo Waddington is next up to review the year for us.

How has 2013 been for you then overall?

Being quite a superstitious person I will admit that when I woke up on New Years Day, having spent the previous days NYE celebrations stuck in the local Working Mens Club watching a man in an Hawaiian shirt sing really bad Status Quo covers, I'd set myself up for an 'unlucky' year.

How wrong i was... 2013 has been an incredible year and is probably my favourite year so far. Lots of highs, very few lows. Friends, Festivals and just good times in general!

What highlights have you had?

There have been so many. Glastonbury had to be the ultimate highlight of 2013 as you could probably tell by the Glastonbury Review I did - I feel a pang of nostalgia just thinking about it now.

At the beginning of the year I began writing online content for Lily Allens new record label ITNO which was such an ace opportunity, especially with her being my fave female artist (and girl crush!).

Getting involved with Manchester International Festival and hanging with the SBTV crew. I also began working for an amazing new venue, Victoria Warehouse, which I absolutely love. 

To be still writing for Skiddle after three years is quite obviously a highlight, you guys obviously haven't had the heart to give me my marching orders yet which i find to be an achievement in itself! 

You’ve done a Spotify playlist for us, thanks! Explain the songs you’ve chosen and why?

There is quite a mismatch of songs on there - some cool and some absolute cringe. Each song on there evokes a memory from the year or represents a gig/event I went to.

Rolling Stones at Glastonbury; summer anthem vibes from Rudimental; the return of Fleetwood Mac, Arcade Fire, Chic and Embrace; the rise of my new fave band Haim; the absolute bizarre yet hilariously brilliant demise/rise of Miley Cyrus; family times in Ireland; the sad passing of Lou Reed... its quite a musical journey which I hope people enjoy.

What other music have you been into this year?

Arcade Fire's Reflektor is a triumph. Laura Mvula and Sampha have soothed me and I have also immersed myself even further in Northern Soul.

I must also admit that i was pretty buzzing with the Big Reunion - re-listening to old Libery X, Atomic Kitten and Blue songs is probably something that I should keep quiet but it took me back to being 14 again and i fully embraced the cheese!

What have you got planned for New Year?

It will be a big one as all my favourite people are regrouping and heading to watch Orphan Boy at Night and Day. Orphan Boy gigs are the bloody best gigs I ever go to so I can't think of a better way to end one year and set the precedent for the next (although the hangover on New Years Day is probably going to be a shocker).

And finally; any plans you can let slip for 2014?

Ibiza, Glastonbury and a big year at Victoria Warehouse. I might even join a band... Im ace on recorder if anyone is interested?

You can try and see if you bump into Jo this NYE at Night And Day Cafe by snapping up some of the final tickets left for the party here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event