Bringing together music bloggers to discuss music highlights from October
Our assembled cast of music bloggers and broadcasters return to share their thoughts on October 2024 in music.
Joining 5-9 editor, Andrew Belt, to answer the questions are:
Gemma Cockrell is a PR account executive and freelance journalist based in Nottingham. You’re most likely to find her listening to live music in one of Nottingham’s brilliant music venues or speaking about motorsport on her podcast, Down To The Tyre.
Adam Reeve is an editor/writer + other things-er for various places over many years. Currently for Dead Good Music - a music blog that pairs music and oranges together like you wouldn't believe.
Phil Taylor (aka Music Observer) lives in the East Midlands and spends a disproportionate amount of his time listening to music, attending gigs and wearing band T-shirts.
Phil is obsessed with music of all genres, with a leaning towards alt-pop, folk, indie rock and post-punk. He started his blog in 2021 as a way of sharing his feelings about good music; it quickly grew into a fully fledged venture with a focus on new releases as well as live reviews and interviews. He now writes for other publications including LeftLion, The Songbird, CLASH, DIY Neu Bulletin and Music in Leicester.
Andy Peterson is a music writer for Live4ever Media and runs the Voice of Unreason music blog. In his own words, he says: “I’ve been writing about music for various places on the internet since 2007. So many records, so little time.”
Sophie (otherwise known as Purpl Mac) who is a new music fan lover from Belgium.
She likes to support new indie & alternative music bands by featuring them on her show/podcast, playlists and on social media.
She is also a lover of music on vinyl growing her collection of physical copies and digital copies on bandcamp.
5-9: 2025 gigs are being announced in greater volumes - 20-year anniversary shows for Kaiser Chiefs' and Bloc Party's debut albums just two such examples. Have you been enticed to book some shows for next year yet?
Andy will finally see Bloc Party for the first time next year (photo credit: Emily Marcovecchio)
Andy: I'm probably going to do both the Chiefs and Bloc Party - I've never seen the latter.
Phil: I find it hard to look too far ahead with so much going on in the here and now! But actually having said that, I do have a few on this list already. Katherine Priddy has a few shows early in 2025 - I always love to hear her live, absolutely sublime. I'm also hoping to catch Gracie Abrams in Nottingham Arena in March, potentially The Boxer Rebellion and, I confess, Bryan Adams in May...
Sophie: Had no time to look at that but secured a Dehd concert already for March.
Gemma: My main one is You Me At Six in March, which I’m hoping to attend with fellow 5-9 contributor Karl. It’s their farewell tour, so it’s one I don’t want to miss.
Adam: The only gig booked for 2025 so far is Sunflower Thieves, which I'm really excited about. I've been a huge fan of them for years, so to be able to see them is a real dream. It's taking place in a church so the acoustics should be amazing. In terms of recent announcements, Fontaines D.C. are doing a show next year with Amyl And The Sniffers on the line-up which is very tempting. I've yet to see either of them, so to be able to see them both on the same show would be immense.
5-9: What was your favourite albums in October?
In Limerence by Black Doldrums was Sophie's favourite record in October
Sophie: In Limerence by Black Doldrums, FFO: goth rock, post punk.
Phil: Bottlemoth's Even Us Ghosts - what a debut! This album really struck me hard. Their sound mixes elements of timeless yet modern indie-folk, crisp pop/alt-rock, warm Americana - and the vocals are sublime, too. It's the perfect record as autumn moves into winter - comforting but also deep and challenging in parts. I did a full review on my blog where I talked about the way this band explore human feelings and emotions so wonderfully. If you're feeling down, or hope is feeling hard to come by, put a few tracks of this record on and it will help you through.
Gemma: I’ve been loving miserymaker by nothing,nowhere. who is one of my favourite artists of all time.
Adam: One band that came out of nowhere was Under Starling. They're an Irish band who released their debut album Murmurations at the end of October, and it blew me away. Not only did it showcase how good they are at different genres and styles, it was also packed with Irish folklore and mythical stories that really made it interesting.
Andy: W.H. Lung - Every Inch of The Earth Pulsates.
5-9: What were the best songs in October?
'Jumping the Gun' by Hop Tala was one of Gemma's favourite tracks in October
Gemma: 'Jumping the Gun' by Hope Tala, 'no angel' by guccihighwaters, and 'Sweet Nothings' by Nieve Ella.
Adam: Gabriela Eva's 'watching my plants grow' has become my go-to for when I want things to be chill for a moment, while Dream Nails' 'Control' has been used to ramp up the intensity. As well as that, 'why don't you like me anymore?' by thanks mom is probably the most fun I've had listening to a song in a while.
Phil: October was a really busy release month! My monthly playlist ended up about 50% longer than usual I think (my way of saying this question is even harder than usual!). But, if pressed I might say:
philine - 'Getting used to'
Chalk - 'Tell me' (my obsession of the month, this band)
Dictator - 'HL7'.
Andy: I've changed my mind since my own rundown. 'Farewell' by Fionn Regan, 'Ouroboros' by the mighty Goat and 'Year of The Pest' by Leeds's own Pest Control.
Sophie: 'In these dying times' by Suzan Köcher's Suprafon, 'Puppet Show' - the title track from She's in parties' new EP and 'Color Filter' by Letting Up Despite Great Faults (FFO dream pop).
We've now collated the monthly song picks into one, easy-to-find playlist, which also includes picks by 5-9 editor, Andrew Belt, and 5-9 Album of the Month hosts, Karl Blakesley and Kiley Larsen. Listen below:
5-9: What was the best gig in October?
Bess Atwell provided Phil with his best gig experience in October
Phil: Bess Atwell at Rescue Rooms in Nottingham. A perfect encapsulation of Bess's understated and quietly brilliant approach to music. There seemed to be magical connection between her and the band and I love when you can just see, hear and feel beautiful musical talent on stage. Her songs, which can sometimes err towards lower-energy on recordings felt energised and reborn.
Sophie: NYC band GIFT. Arrived late due to work but loved the half I could attend.
Gemma: Deco at Rescue Rooms was a highlight - they always bring the energy. I also loved seeing LYVIA at the same venue. And I have to mention Wunderhorse at Rock City, which was at the start of the month. Straight after the gig I said it was a competitor for gig of the year and I stand by that. Unfortunately the Nottingham show of The Last Dinner Party’s tour got cancelled, otherwise I’m sure that would have made the list, too.
Adam: Didn't go to any gigs last month unfortunately, although did see Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows pt 2 performed at the Royal Albert Hall last weekend. The orchestra was incredible, and really highlighted how effective music can be when played during certain scenes.
5-9: What's exciting you most about November?
Gabriela Eva's new EP is exciting Adam this month
Adam: The most exciting thing so far is probably coming to the second half of completing end of year lists. I spent a LOT of time last month listening to albums over and over, and ranking them on the Notes app on my phone. It was really nerdy but quite fun to do. In terms of new releases, I can't wait to hear the new EPs from Gabriela Eva and A Different Kitchen.
Andy: I'm very excited to see one of the two very sold out shows by Kneecap at the Irish Centre.
Sophie: The debut album by Painted Vein (we had a nice teaser with his collab on the single 'Kick that desire' with MØAA).
Phil: It's the last month of sensible releases before we get into the Christmas silly season, so it's good to revel in this time. I've got a few gigs lined up, including the wildly prolific King Creosote, dream-folk artist Hazlett, and Blue Violet - I've been fans of theirs for a couple of years and always wanted to see them live so this is perhaps the one I'm most excited by!
In terms of releases, Girl Scout's EP (already out) may be the high point of the month - it's brilliantly raw, with flashes of wry humour and tonnes of soul. Definitely one of those EPs which is much more than the sum of the (five) tracks.
Gemma: I’m seeing SPINN this week which I’m looking forward to, as well as local Notts artist Josie Beth next week. As far as releases go, I feel like I’m not too clued up on what’s coming, so I’m looking forward to checking my Release Radar each week and stumbling across some surprises.
Thanks for taking part in 5-9's Q3 roundtable! Look forward to catching up next month!
To keep up to date with Gemma: @gemcockrell on X.
For Adam: @adamsoundsgood and @deadgoodblog on X.
For Phil: @MusicObserver1 on X and @music_observed on Instagram.
For Andy: @ArcticReviews on Twitter and @vormusicblog on Instagram.
For Sophie, follow her on X - @macaronpurpl - or on Instagram - @purplemacpodcast.
For a further deep dive into October's music, look out for 5-9's Album of the Month episode for October 2024, being released very soon.
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