This year the RGM live team have covered a whole range of gigs, numerous genres and some outstanding venues. Here are just a few highlights of 2025!
A huge thank you to all our readers and the PR, musicians and managers we have worked with this year, see you in 2026!
Babyshambles – Leeds O2
Peter Doherty and his band of dandy men need no introduction. From the heady (and often smoke filled) days of the early naughtiest straight through to today, Babyshambles showed expertly why they are now, as they always have been, a true force to be reckoned with
FOLLOW THEM HERE – FACEBOOK / X / INSTAGRAM
Good Health Good Wealth – Isle of Wight Festival
Good health good wealth ripping the roof off the Thisfeeling stage was not just the weekend highlight of that stage, but the entire IOW festival.
The duo provided a welcome departure from the monotony of northern lads with guitars as they partied with the crowd. Frontman Bruce Breakey roasting and toasting whilst half superstar DJ/half funk guitar hero Simon Kuzmickas turned the tent into the party you just had to be at.
A must see band with a must listen to album
FOLLOW THEM HERE
Chappel Roan – Leeds fest
All hail the new queen of pop! Chappell Roans’ headline slot a Leeds fest sure felt like a crowning moment, ushered in my a sea of pink cowboy hats. Despite captivating a sea of about 70,000, you can’t help but feel bigger things are on the cards.
FOLLOW THEM HERE
Basement Jaxx – Castlefield Bowl
Concluding Manchester’s Sound of the Summer, Basement Jaxx tore through a blistering array of their best-loved hits on a sweltering summer’s day. The experience was all the more enjoyable as it marked my first time at Castlefield Bowl and my first time seeing a group I’d missed out on at Kendal Calling a few years earlier. It had all the hallmarks of a classic: a jam-packed crowd of all ages, garish stage design that transformed the bowl into an exotic clubland, and an eclectic ensemble of dancers, musicians and vocalists at the helm. After a decade off the touring circuit, Basement Jaxx’s pulsating return stands as my favourite show of 2025.
FOLLOW THEM HERE – FACEBOOK / X / INSTAGRAM
Gustaffson – Jacaranda Liverpool
Another gig highlight for me was seeing Gustaffson play The Jacaranda in Liverpool. This year has been a huge success for talented four piece, fronted by the enchanting Andrew Gower who never fails to mesmerise his audience with hating vocals and beautiful emotive stage presence. The band have recently released their debut album ‘Black & White Movie’ which was very well received. This is another band that demands to be seen live to truly appreciate the whole package. Check them out below!
FOLLOW THEM HERE – FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM
Slab – The Peer Hat
Slab are THE band to watch in 2026. A trio of musical genius who have quietly dominated many a ‘top list’ of 2025. Their album launch at Manchester’s Peer Hat paved the way for further success and cemented their place in the most exciting acts to come out of Manchester for years. It has been a pleasure to watch them develop over the years and I anticipate larger venues and a bright future ahead. Check them out live next year, you will not regret it!
FOLLOW THEM HERE
Oasis – Heaton Park
Having grown up listening to Oasis, I had goosebumps right from when F*ckin’ in the Bushes started playing and the Gallagher Brothers walked out.
It was absolute euphoria from start to finish, there was singing, tears, laughter and just a community of Oasis fans all joined in unison at the last homecoming gig of the Oasis 25’ Live tour.
A personal highlight for me was hearing “Slide Away” live and Noel’s solo set in the middle with the likes of “Little by Little” and “Half The World Away” felt incredibly intimate, despite being part of a crowd of 90,000 people.
It was a true highlight not just of 2025, but of my life and one I’ll carry with me for an incredibly long time.”
FOLLOW THEM HERE – FACEBOOK / X / INSTAGRAM
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall has a knack for hosting ‘I was there’ moments’. Having seen the likes of The Charlatans tribute to Jon Brookes and Noah and the Whale with a choir, the bar was high for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ 25th-anniversary show. Trading their usual art-punk chaos for a string quartet, the band offered beautifully fragile versions of staples like ‘Gold Lion’ and ‘Zero’ A highlight was Karen O’s spine-tingling take on Björk’s ‘Hyperballad,’ but the real one true highlight was the RAH organ. During the climax of ‘Skeleton,’ the sheer scale of the sound sent shivers through the room, proving that even after two decades, this band can still find new ways to floor us
FOLLOW THEM HERE
Cast/Texas/Simple Minds – Lytham Festival
Highlights for Ric Brook include Cast/Texas/Simple Minds all on a single bill at Lytham, getting to work with Doves for 4 dates on their album tour, the sadly 2nd to last ever October Drift gig at Gorilla and a stunning gig at The Foundry in Sheffield celebrating the 10th Anniversary of The Slow Readers Club’s stunner of an album, Cavalcade which finished my year off but the one that tops them all and very nearly didn’t happen because approval only arrived just 2 hours before the gates opened was The Smashing Pumpkins at the Piece Hall during the summer.
The venue and the weather were the icing and cherry on the top of a tremendous night but the substantial cake was the incredible performance Billy and co gave everyone in the courtyard. I went in there expecting to slag off a lackluster performance and left seeing one of the greatest 2 hours I’ve experienced in my favourite outdoor venue. The song choices were sublime, the energy of the crowd incredible and the atmosphere electric – simply put it was one of those nights a gig goer dreams off, pure delight and perfection!
FOLLOW THEM HERE
Amyl and the sniffers -o2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester
Punk icons took to the stage at Victoria Warehouse and played a blinder. The band have dominated the scene and their hotly anticipated return to the city was undoubtably one of the must-see gigs of the year. Lead singer Amy Taylor is truly iconic and this gig has a well deserved place on our gigs of the year,
FOLLOW THEM HERE
Sharon Van Etten – o2 Academy Leeds
As the summer drew to a close it was quite memorable with a certain reunion that took place, but one of my favourite gigs was without a doubt Sharon Van Etten in Leeds. Van Etten is a huge talent, and to see her incredible song writing played live was pure magic. The evening was incredible and we were treated to classic tracks ‘Seventeen’ and ‘Every Time the Sun Comes Up’ which are even more impressive when played live. Certainly an artist to see when they return to The North!
FOLLOW THEM HERE
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