Report

Excluding Glastonbury, I'd have:   1. Richard Ashcroft (Dreamland, Margate with Black Grape supporting who were also terrific)   2. Confidence Man (Brixton Academy and loved Fcuker who were supporting)   3. Manic Street Preachers/Suede (Dreamland, Margate)   Honourable mentions to The Saw Doctors (Hammersmith Apollo) and LG (O2).    

Nice to see. Ahh well, gotta be in it to win it. Onto the next competition. 

FRIDAY    

1. Janes Addiction - Bearded Theory One of my favourite acts over the years, a gig from the Ritual tour is still in my top 3 ever. Great to see the original 4 back together and they delivered on all fronts.   2. Big Special - Bearded Theory & Glastonbury  Can't split the two gigs, both were superb. I wasn't sure how the music would translate to the live setting with only the 2 of them but they put on one Hell of a show.   3. Red Rum Club - Liverpool Arena A much bigger deal on Merseyside than in the rest of the country, they were able to step up to an arena and were a perfect fit. Now 4 studio albums in, loads of big, singalong tunes, they absolutely nailed it.

Yeah I've just realised what I wrote wasn't clear. I agree with what you are saying. The stuff about it 'diluting' a previous show was what I imagine someone who doesn't want an artist to play again (such as Pulp in your example) might say. And is a bit mad.   Also, which night were you at the O2? Did you get Ringo?