There’s a groundswell of commentary that this is one of the best years ever for music. My mind always returns to what an old friend of mine said 40 years ago. Every year’s the best year for music because this is the only year in which we have all the music of the past plus this year’s music. Deep stuff.
I’m not convinced this is the best year for music, even accepting the above definition. I think there’s more of it and what I’ve assembled for this year’s Festive Forthy is of excellent quality.
But two thoughts. Is there a truly exceptional emerging artist? Actually I think there are two or three at the top end of the charts, so yes to that. But then also, are there new developments we’re seeing, new robust microgenres emerging, for example. I’m not so sure.
I will say though that one of the discoveries of the year for me was Chicago as a scene I was previously unaware of. Expect to see Chicago bands throughout - this episode has Deeper at #38. Also, happy to dot around the world - this episode sees Reykjavik represented by JFDR, Japan with Deerhoof and, most likely a first, Zambia with Witch.
Plus – macro point – every year these charts become more and more overwhelming to compile. On and off for the last couple of months, then more intensely over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been endlessly refining this list. Well, not quite endlessly, because, after all, here we are, but you get the drift.
By way of reference here are some – certainly not all - of the artists who we’ve played before on the show, made the longlist, got very close, but ultimately didn’t quite make it: Jockstrap, Black Country New Road, Protomartyr, Let’s Eat Grandma, Sufjan Stevens, Guided by Voices, Phoebe Bridgers, The Murder Capital, The Clientele, Bonnie Prince Billy, Blur, bdrmm, Beach Fossils, Squid, Slowdive, Tim Hecker, Sparklehorse, Beirut, Occult X, Frankie Cosmos, Bartees Strange, The National, The Beths and Automatic.
There’s another list which I’ll share with you in a couple of weeks of new artists who didn’t quite make it – and would make a splendid “Shadow” Festive Forthy. Next time, perhaps. Meanwhile …
Setlist:
40. Bringer of brine, Jellyskin
39. Pod, Snooper
38. Build a bridge, Deeper
37. The orchid, JFDR
36. Waile, Witch
35. Consequences, Kate Davis
34. I thought you’d change, Hotline TNT
33. Painted the room, Rozi Plain
32. Tarantula, Drop Nineteens
31. My lovely cat! Deerhoof
30. Slugs, Slow Pulp
29. I am the river, Lael Neale
28. Fallout, Yo La Tengo