It's Christmas!!!

Last night we saw our final concert of 2006, Morrissey at Manchester's G-Mex centre. I've never seen Morrissey before and have never been a huge fan - I never really liked the Smiths either - but I always had this niggling voice inside me saying I really should go to see him. Anyway, along we went and although there were an awful lot of songs we didn't recognise it was a fantastic show. No real frills to speak of, just a straight concert, and it was all the better for it. A big round of applause for G-Mex as well. I've been to three concerts there in the past (Depeche Mode on their "Devotional" tour, Prince on his "Ultimate Live Experience" - aka he's changed his name and doesn't play any of the old stuff so loads of people walk out but true fans think it is fab - tour, and, ahem, Extreme) and never really liked the place, but last night it was great. Sadly this was the last concert which will be staged there as they are turning it into a permanent conference centre. A shame, as on the evidence of last night they have sorted the sound problems of this magnificent building out at last.

Anyway... this means that I can now reveal my final "concerts of the year" chart!

13th... Will Young. A good voice, but just a very, very boring show.

12th... Depeche Mode. It pains me to say it, but this year the show was disappointing, and even seemed a tiny bit boring. Sorry, fellas.

4th (joint)... Take That (MEN Arena), Take That (City of Manchester Stadium), Foo Fighters, J Spaceman, Placebo, George Michael, Paul Buchanan, Morrissey Take That were amazingly good, and to be honest I twisted Lou's arm so that we could go to see them at the stadium as well! Foo Fighters put on a good, fun, enjoyable show with great songs and a superb light show (the lasers during "Everlong" were fabulous). J Spaceman brought a lump to my throat and was simply devastating, and his combination of "Anything More", "Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space" and "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" was my live musical moment of the year. Placebo were excellent, and spoiled only by an extremely boring audience who refused to dance, cheer, shout, sing etc. I've never been a George Michael fan but his voice was simply outstanding. Paul Buchanan sang the songs of The Blue Nile effortlessly, and the new song he played ("Meanwhile") is still running through my head. Finally I mentioned Morrissey back at the start.

1st (joint)... Low, The Cardigans, Muse. Three bands of whom I'm a huge fan. Low made me cry, and I've never been to a concert before where the audience have seemed to be standing in reverence, utterly silent (apart from four cretins at the back) during the songs. This concert was an experience I'll never forget - and we're seeing them again next year. The Cardigans played at the Ritz in Manchester but were amazingly good, and the show was hugely enjoyable, wonderfully staged, and Nina Persson is just gorgeous and has a voice like honey. Finally, Muse were my most enjoyable rock show of the year, wonderfully overblown but hugely enjoyable.

So there you have it. Next year we already have Lionel Richie, Nine Inch Nails and Low (what a combination!) already booked, and hopefully many more will follow.

While I'm here, my book of the year has to be "Only Revolutions" by Mark Z Danielewski. A stunning piece of work by someone so imaginative and stupendously talented I'm sure he can't be human. Awe-inspiring.

Not a lot more to say, apart from merry Christmas!