End of year round up: Brad Lengden

Image: Guy Garvey 

A frequent figure on Manchester's musical frontier, writer Brad Lengden has honed in on a hefty amount of action throughout the year. From his dagger sharp review of Sleaford Mod's sociopolitical ramblings to scoping the inaugural record from EL VY, Brad's firm involvement made him a mandatory contender to shake his end of year review in all of our faces. 

What has been your stand out gig of 2015?

Noel Gallagher at Castlefield Bowl.

Maybe a bit of a kop out answer coming from a Manc, however any open air Noel gig was always going to be a highlight. Never mind one back in his hometown, supported by an iconic fellow city man in Johnny Marr. It was just the most electron atmosphere at the risk of an obvious cliché. 

Tell us about your best festival memory of 2015? 

Elbow at Kendal Calling: It still seems strange that the band haven't been called upon by major festivals to top their bill. Though one of the most unifying performances of the summer went a way in making their case. Pretty tough split though between this and Fleetwood Mac at Isle Of Wight.

Name your five favourite albums of the year? 

EL VY – Return To The Moon

Any project that was going to feature Matt Berninger was something properly exciting just based on his involvement. It showed a complete other side to him and was even better than could be expected.

The Libertines – Anthems For The Doomed Youth

Comebacks so often fall on their face but The Libs managed to keep a welcome nod to their past but not sound like their painfully clinging on to something that's just not there anymore.

The Maccabees – Marks To Prove It

A much more serious sound than I've been used to with them, definitely a high point in their songwriting capabilities, easily the most impressive bit of material they've produced to date.

Guy Garvey – Courting The Squall

Always been left awestruck by Guy's songwriting capabilities and lyric play with Elbow, a solo album left them qualities more exposed and he definitely shone through with it.

Foals – What Went Down

Like The Maccabees record, a huge jump up I reckon for Foals, the one that could tilt them into Glastonbury headliner status, a seriously seriously powerful record.

And your five tracks you've had on repeat...

Elbow 'Lost Worker Bee'

EL VY 'Return To The Moon' 

The Maccabees 'WW1 Portraits' 

Tame Impala 'Cause I'm a Man'

Kendrick Lamar 'King Kunta' 

What piece of news struck you the most this year?

The Last Shadow Puppets returning: It's been a long time coming really, after the insanely good debut album from Alex and Miles it's so good to finally hear that there will be another coming next year.

Biggest musical let down? 

Alexisonfire's not so spectacular comeback: Probably the most important band to come out of post hardcore in the last 15 years, although they never actually hinted at any tours or anything really after their Reading & Leeds festival comeback shows, it seemed like a natural, welcome follow on, but they quickly quashed any of them hopes which was a real shame.

Who has been your musical hero in 2015?

Guy Garvey, the combination of his blinding performance at Kendal Calling and an absolutely unreal solo album, it seems the guy can do no wrong. Musically there's not been anyone on better form this year and it's definitely not for the first time.

What are you most looking forward to in 2016? 

Has to be Radiohead finally bringing out a new record, it's one of them that's hard to believe until it actually happens. But seeing as it's been pretty much confirmed on a few occasions this year, it's about time I allowed myself to get excited about it.

Read End of year round up: Matt Jones