Some of the best things I experienced in 2018 (not including records or tours I worked on):
– Some bloody great art, especially Castello di Rivolli in Turin on New Year’s Day, the Frida Khalo Exhibition at the V&A and the Jenny Holzer room at the Tate Modern in London.
– Listening to lots of Cardi B, The Carters and Robyn bringing the sass and moody brilliance from Gnod, Daughters, Sleep and Melange. I’ve also been heavily getting into Mazzy Star all year, who I never paid enough attention to before.
– Circuit Des Yeux performing music to Salome at The Barbican blew my mind. Actually both Circuit Des Yeux’s London shows take the joint award for best non-work-related gigs.
– Getting a pipe organ lesson from Anna von Hausswolff on a press trip to Gothenburg for The Guardian (ok, that one’s work related, but it was amazing).
– Seeing wild turtles swimming in Argostoli harbour whist on holiday in Kefalonia, Greece.
– Being legitimately allowed to eat a whole slab of feta 3 meals a day, also whilst on holiday in Greece.
– The People’s Vote march in London, calling for a new Brexit referendum. It gave some hope.
– The baked eggs at a cafe called Fingers Crossed next to our office, which can rejuvenate even the hardest of days.