Breakups, Makeups, Comebacks, Farewells
Since the launch of this blog in 2019. There has been some huge moments in the world of music. Here is a list of what I believe to be the biggest or most important.
Those We Have Lost:
The world of music lose some of its most influential, and talented musicians. From Christine McVie, to Taylor Hawkins. Terry Hall to Andy Rourke.
There has been some huge losses. Andy Rourke helped soundtrack some of the biggest songs of the 80s. Being the bass player in one of Britain's most important and influential bands.
Christine McVie was a huge loss. Being a part of one of the biggest bands that have ever existed. Fleetwood Mac and contributed to one of the greatest records ever recorded. ‘Rumours’ it was a huge loss for the world of music. After a battle with illness Christine passed in November 2022.
The Punk Poet, Shane MacGowan departed in 2023. A man and musician like no other. The word enigma gets thrown around a lot but Shane MacGowan really was one.A love of literature, booze and brilliant song craft made him a musician the likes of which we had never seen before and the likes of which we probably won’t see ever again.
Far more than just the drunk in ‘Fairytale of New York’ he was a maverick and a brilliant songwriter. One of the best Britain has ever produced.
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins passed suddenly in 2022. Dying whilst on tour with the band. It came as a shock to the band and fans a like.
Hawkins was only 50. It was a huge moment in the world of music.
Two tribute concerts were organised by the Foo’s one in London and the other in Los Angeles. With two all star line ups, all coming out to celebrate the life of Taylor Hawkins.
The Foo’s continued without Taylor honouring his memory in the way they know best. Playing those songs.
A British music icon passed away in December 2022. The world lost Terry Hall. Another maverick, and cultural icon. As the front man of The Specials.
He gave a voice to the working class and the disenfranchised youth. Giving his voice to one of the most important British songs ever. 1981’s ‘Ghost Town’
Ghost Town was a culmination of a number of factors. Mass unemployment, racism, the cuts to enjoyment, the sacrifices made by the working class. It was written and recorded at a time of mass tension. A time of mass despair and anger from the working class.
Now the song is seen as a snapshot of Thatcherism and the early 1980s, at the time it was seen as almost a call to arms.
Away from The Specials, he also fronted Fun Boy Three, collaborated with Gorillaz and Lilly Allen. He was a truly unique man. One of the most important songwriters this country has ever produced.
I needed to talk about these musicians, all of them have been a massive loss to the world of music. Their impact cannot be overlooked.
Indie Tunes vs Cheap Holiday Sand Dunes.
Easy Life, a name associated to a indie dance outfit from Leicester, will now be associated with a menu on a website of a budget airline!
The band were forced to surrender the band name ‘Easy Life’ due to an impending court case from Easy Group, the parent company of Easy Jet. Accusing the band of brand theft.
It was a real David vs Goliath moment and sadly Goliath won. In a time where young bands have already got it tough. With indie labels disappearing, the loss of grass roots venues, the lack of money from streaming. Now they've got budget airlines and big corporations to contend with.
Its a sad state of affairs.
Super Subs
Festivals have acts pull out all of the time. Headliners don't often pull out. When Reading & Leeds had headline acts pull out in 2022 and 2023. They called, The 1975.
And they did not disappoint. Replacing Rage Against the Machine in 2022. The band previewed their upcoming ‘At Their Very Best Tour’ with a greatest hits set for the ages.
Adding to an already stacked lineup that featured Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines DC and Wolf Alice. The band delivered arguably the performance of the weekend.
The festival called them back in 2023. This time to be the super subs for Lewis Capaldi. It wasn't a greatest hits set this time though. This was a celebration of the bands self titled debut album. Playing the whole thing in order, before looking forward. With an encore of new bangers off the last 75 record ‘Being Funny in a Foreign Language.’
In what Coldplay are to Glastonbury, The 1975 are to Reading & Leeds. You are guaranteed a good show. The best super subs since Sheringham and Solksjaer.
I’m Gonna Get Battered
In 2022, we had a bit of a shock at the Brit Awards. In the best British Group category there were 5 nominees. Coldplay, Little Mix D- Block Europe, London Grammar and Wolf Alice.
Wolf Alice won. In my opinion deservedly so. After releasing the best album of 2021 and getting better and better live. It was an award they deserved.
The Brits got that one spot on. Wolf Alice became part of an exclusive club that night. Having both a Brit Award and the Mercury Prize to their name.
A huge moment for British guitar music and female led bands. I remember being both shocked and overjoyed when their name was read out. It felt as if the best band had won that award.
What Took You So Long?
Manchester band The Courteeners secured there first Number One album, with a reissue of their debut St Jude.
The band's classic 2008 debut, St Jude, becomes the album with the longest gap between release and topping the chart, at 14 years, 9 months and 7 days.
A real huge milestone moment for the band. Having never hit the top spot before.
A showcase that hard work and a loyal fan base can still work wonders in the music industry despite what the naysayers may say.
It also reinforced those songs. ‘St Jude’ is still a classic record even 15 years on.
Back to the Graft Again
Its been a weird five years for Catfish & the Bottlemen. In 2019 they released ‘The Balance’ and by 2021 they were headlining festivals.
Yet in what should have been the bands victory lap. It was anything but. They're was infighting and a clear loss of control. A performance at Reading festival filmed by the BBC, saw a band on the brink.
A week or so later, I saw that same band at Warrington’s Neighbourhood Weekender. That festival performance didn't provide hope for fans. In fact it proved what we already knew. It was over.
In typical Catfish fashion it was radio silence, fans were kept out of the loop. Members left and released personal statements. But nothing from the band. Until…
February 2024 when the band announced some more shows including a Reading & Leeds headline show, and a new song ‘Showtime’ it looked like they were back. But with cancelled shows, and no more new music. The resurgence seems to have fallen a little by the wayside. Who knows? I hope that they manage to come back and prove the doubters wrong at the moment however that looks unlikely.
A band that have so much potential that has arguably yet to be fulfilled.
Sam Fender- St James Park
June 9th and 10th 2023, Newcastle.
Sam Fender plays the biggest shows of his career at St James Park. In front of his people. He’s one of there’s. In a year of amazing fetes for Sam, this one is the cherry on top. Well these two. These two shows saw Sam celebrate where he’s from but more importantly who he is.
With songs for the Everyman. Mass singalongs about some of the most tragic and heartfelt topics, from poverty to male suicide.
He has managed to rally the people, around brilliant music. These gigs were full of special guests as well from his brother Liam, to his old guitar teacher and even Brian Johnson to cover AC/DC classics ‘Back in Black’ and ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’. Two nights where the city came together to celebrate one of their own, their hometown hero.
In a year that saw Sam make the jump to the top of festival bills, with a brilliant show at Reading & Leeds. With a set for the ages, a headline set that will be remembered for a very very long time. 'Seventeen Going Under' was a huge album for Sam and this performance was him seeing just how important it was. Festivals in general are special affairs for those in the audience, this was important because the audience can see themselves in Sam and the lads on stage.
Sam was once that punter in the crowd. These songs matter too, from 'Dead Boys' which see's Sam introduce it as a song about my hometown… a drinking town, with a fishing problem.' Through to 'The Borders' and 'The Dying Light' these are songs that resonate with the kids in the audience. It talks about things that the audience are facing but also gives those members of the audience a hope. They too could be stood on that stage, he needed to headline. He belongs on these stages, Glastonbury is next you'd like to think. Sam and the boys from Shields may just be the voices of this generation.
2023 was a huge year for Sam Fender, and St James Park was the biggest moment of that year.
Rocket Man's Final Flight
Sunday Night at Glastonbury is almost always reserved for a legend, 2023’s legend was Elton John, so let’s set the scene.
It’s Elton’s last ever U.K. gig, he’s coming off the back of a huge tour. Oh and he’s never played Glastonbury before. It might be worth mentioning as well that the last legend to headline Glastonbury was Paul McCartney the year before.
So he had quite a lot of expectation, and yet he blew us all away. Elton’s set at Glastonbury is one of the greatest headline sets ever. He attracted one of the biggest crowds the festival has ever seen, broke BBC viewing figures and kept us all hooked.
Playing all of the classics from his career. From ‘Candle in the Wind’ to ‘Rocket Man’ and everything in between. He found time to praise George Michael and used his set to promote young upcoming artists who one day might headline themselves. A real legend.
One of the very best Glastonbury headline sets ever.
Round Two..
Keeping with the Glastonbury theme, in 2022. Paul McCartney took to the Pyramid Stage for a second time and gave the festival some huge Glastonbury moments. In a 38 song show, that spanned the length of McCartney's career. Fans were treated to The Quarrymen, Wings, his solo stuff and of course the songs of The Beatles.
Duets with Bruce Springsteen on ‘Glory Days’ and The Beatles’ ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’. Dave Grohl also helped Macca with a Beatles classic ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, in the place where John Lennon once stood, just months after he lost his own musical soulmate, Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins. When Grohl tells Macca that he “would never miss being right here with you” and The Beatle replies, “Love you”, it’s a real heart-in-throat moment.
Macca gave some beautiful moments alone, a slip of George Harrison’s ‘Something’ – played on a ukulele gifted to him by George, no less. ‘Here Today’, the song he wrote in the wake of John Lennon’s death. “This is in the form of a letter I never got to write to him,” Paul explains.
It wasn't just heartfelt moments though, the songs were made for stages like these. ‘Let It Be’, an all-in fireworks and flames display for ‘Live and Let Die’ and the ‘Hey Jude’ that literally everyone in the field had. been waiting for. As Paul leaves the stage, the crowd continues to sing "Hey Jude," echoing through the audience. But he soon returns for one final Glastonbury moment: a technology-powered duet with John Lennon from the rooftop era. Footage from Get Back plays on the screens flanking the stage, and—thanks to Peter Jackson's efforts—John’s isolated vocals join Paul in a heart-stirring rendition of "I've Got A Feeling."
This gave us one of the best Glastonbury moments ever, and also provided the catalyst for something huge that would happen in 2023 but more on that later.
Let's All Meet Up in the Year...
I don’t think anyone had this reunion penciled in, but in typical Pulp fashion they ignored the 25th anniversary of arguably there most famous album and instead celebrated ‘This is Hardcore’s’ 25th birthday with a series of huge celebratory gigs.
Jarvis Cocker, Pulp's charismatic frontman, hinted at the reunion back in 2022, teasing fans with cryptic messages on social media.
However, this highly anticipated reunion was bittersweet, marked by the absence of their longtime bassist Steve Mackey, who passed away in March 2023 after an illness. Mackey, who had been with the band since 1989, was a key part of Pulp's distinct sound. Despite this, the band carried on deciding to honour him by playing the shows including two huge nights at London's Finsbury Park.
These concerts were particularly emotional, with the band delivering stellar performances of their greatest hits, including Common People, Sorted for E’s & Wizz, and Disco 2000, while remembering the contributions of Mackey.
Pulp are still one of the very best and Jarvis is one of the greatest front man of all time. He ended the show with these famous words. ‘My name is Jarvis and I was born to perform. I exist to do this.’Yes you do Jarvis! Don’t leave it so long next time, the world needs Pulp!
A Lifelong Project of A Life On The Lash
The Libertines are back!
After 9 years, The Libertines returned with new album. ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade.’
The album is the long awaited follow up for 2015’s ‘Anthems for Doomed Youth’
This is the sound of The Libertines. In a much more grown up, and mature way. And they sound better for it. Those looking for snarling attacks of ‘Horror Show’ and ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ will not find it here’. However what they will find is that classic Libertines DNA with a modern feel. Gone is the tabloid chaos, and controversy. Instead replaced with a beautiful gang mentality and some of the best songs they’ve written in years.
All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade, is the best The Libertines have been for 20 years. It’s a more grown up and safer affair, but the band sounds better for it.
A band that have tackled so much, from addictions, breakups, tabloid controversy. Have reconvened and made some of the best music they have ever made.
The albums final song “Song’s they Never Play on the Radio” is a song originally written in 2006 and finished for All Quiet, is one of the best things the bands have ever written. It seems to be a beautiful metaphor for the band and a snapshot of why this album is so great. Showing the bands friendship blossoming, some of the best lyrics they have ever put on record, Carl and Pete’s vocals blossoming.
I Wish I Was in Glasgow.
In July 2021, Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Cinnamon made history with two unforgettable headline shows at Glasgow's Hampden Park, marking one of the first major live events in Scotland post-pandemic. The performances were a celebration of his meteoric rise in the UK music scene, with his signature blend of raw acoustic anthems and heartfelt lyrics resonating deeply with the 100,000 fans across the two nights. These songs are written about and for the people in the audience. All of them are instantly relatable to the every man in the street.
Songs like "Belter" and "Canter" had the crowd singing in unison, creating an electric atmosphere. These gigs solidified Cinnamon's status as a hometown hero and a voice for a generation.
Notably, he debuted his new track "Sacred," which quickly became a standout moment of the night, showcasing his evolving sound and lyrical depth. Adding a special local touch, Cinnamon also covered Billy Connolly's heartfelt anthem "I Wish I Was in Glasgow,"
It was a huge moment for Gerry, who has been growing since his 2018 performance at TRNSMT festival. A solo artist with no backing, no label. Just a guitar, some songs and word of mouth. Famous fans have come along for the journey from Liam Fray, to Liam Gallagher. Who have given him a helping hand when needed.
To sell out two nights in a football stadium to 100,000 people though. He must have something. Something that keeps people coming back.
And they do keep coming back. Gerry’s fans are like football ultras, it’s such a unique devoted loyal fan base.
This was one of the biggest live moments of the last five years, and in 2023 fans were treated to an album of the set. Meaning those who were there could relive it through the speakers, and those who weren't were provided with a little bit of the Gerry magic.
Those We've Found
In the time that this blog has been running, I have found countless new acts. Whether that be through Spotify wormholes, support slots, or standing in festival fields. There's been some big finds, who have gone on to become huge parts of both my record collection and my listening habits.
Red Rum Club, The Clause, Inhaler, Wunderhorse, Fontaines DC, SPINN, Yonaka, Bandit, Young Fathers and Haim. Are just a few from the top of my head.
There's so many.
Having this blog, has allowed me to explore new music more and more. In these five years my life has also changed, so I can go to more gigs, in 2021 and 2022 I attended Neighbourhood Weekender and got to watch so many acts.
It has been a good time to be a music fan, there is still great music out there. You just need to find it.
Having this blog, has definitely helped me but I was always on the look out. Get to gigs, get in early you'll never know who you will see. I've found so many bands and artists doing this. Son have my friends, who later down the line we've gone to see.
Broaden your horizons to, 18 year old me might not have given Young Fathers a chance, but 6 years later they are one of my favourite bands.
The Website
The website, Beyond the Grooves, officially launched on January 1st, 2023, marking a new chapter for my music journey. This platform allowed me to take my writing to a whole new level, completely free of character limits. As a result, my posts became more in-depth and expansive, covering a broad range of topics from rich history lessons on iconic bands like the Sex Pistols and Oasis to detailed reviews of the latest music releases.
Sometimes, I find myself surprised when I look back at the posts I’ve written; it’s easy to forget how much content I’ve built up. Having Beyond the Grooves as a platform has been a true creative outlet, providing me with an opportunity to explore my passion for music and share it with a wider audience. This site isn’t just about reviews or lists—it's a celebration of music history, culture, and personal experiences. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next!
Thank you all for being there on this journey with me.
Fab Four Together Again
On November 2nd, 2023, more than 50 years after their breakup, The Beatles released a new song, with all four members coming together for one final time. Lennon and McCartney’s harmonizing vocals are back, along with Harrison’s signature guitar lines and Ringo’s unmistakable drumming.
The song, titled "Now & Then," has a long and intricate history. It was written by Lennon in the 1970s after the band's breakup, as a simple piano demo with his vocals.
In the 1990s, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr attempted to record the track, alongside "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love," which Yoko Ono had shared with them. Although "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" were released in 1995 as part of The Beatles’ "Anthology" series, "Now & Then" was abandoned because they couldn’t separate Lennon’s vocals from the piano.
With Harrison’s passing in 2001, it seemed the song, and new music from The Beatles, was lost to time.
But in 2021, Peter Jackson's release of the "Get Back" documentary changed things. The series, made from long-lost footage, showed the band during the "Let It Be" sessions in a new light, dispelling many myths about their breakup. It was a fresh look at the legendary group, deepening the connection between fans and the band's legacy.
Jackson’s work didn’t stop there. In 2022, he used cutting-edge vocal separation technology to reunite McCartney and Lennon for a virtual duet of "I’ve Got A Feeling" at Glastonbury. That same technology led McCartney and Starr to revisit "Now & Then," finally enabling Lennon’s vocals to shine.
McCartney's backing vocals bring his timeless harmony with Lennon back to life, while Harrison’s beautiful acoustic guitar parts, along with a slide solo McCartney added as a tribute to his late friend, enrich the track. Starr’s drumming keeps the rhythm steady and true to The Beatles' style.
The song also carries echoes of The Beatles’ past. McCartney and Giles Martin, son of Beatles producer George Martin, incorporated backing vocals from classic tracks like "Here, There and Everywhere," "Because," and "Eleanor Rigby." Even the song's opening, with McCartney counting in, recalls the iconic beginning of "I Saw Her Standing There" from 1963.
A real poignant moment for music this year, that saw all four of The Beatles play on one last song. Closing The Beatles out for good. A real poignant ending.
It’s the final chapter in musics greatest story. A story in which four lads from Liverpool took on and took over the world, a story filled with chaos, tragedy, beauty, controversy, sadness and joy, friendship and sound tracked by some of the greatest songs ever written. Has its final chapter. For those who are still here and for those lost along the way.
This is one of the biggest music moments of the century never mind the last five years.
Standing in the Back Row This Ones For You
On 14th November 2022 Blur announced a huge Wembley Stadium date for Saturday 8 July 2023. Blur's biggest UK gig to date.
Albarn said, "We really love playing these songs and thought it's about time we did it again”. Coxon also stated, "I'm really looking forward to playing with my Blur brothers again and revisiting all those great songs. Blur live shows are always amazing for me: a nice guitar and an amp turned right up and loads of smiling faces.”
On November 18th Blur announced a second date at Wembley for Sunday 9 July 2023. In April, Blur would announce further dates, in Europe and Asia. Performing in Madrid, Porto, Dublin, Amsterdam, Normandy, London, as well as a string of huge European Festivals. Before jetting off to Japan, and then ending the tour in South America, with some November dates. Yes Blur are still on tour!
Blur announced four UK warm-up dates for May 2023, to get them ready for these huge shows. Blur played at Colchester Arts Centre on May 19, Eastbourne Winter Gardens, on May 21, and Wolverhampton on May 26 to perform at The Halls, before finally wrapping up their warm-up gigs at Newcastle's O2 City Hall on May 28.
On May 18th 2023 Blur announced new music, the first single from their upcoming ninth studio album 'The Ballad of Darren' and released new music. The first since 2015.
'The Narcissist' was an exceptional return to form for the band, a song the band have described as 'an aftershock, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now”, looking back at the friends he has lost: Bobby Womack, Tony Allen and late tour manager, Craig Duffy and his wife.' It is not only one of the best songs of this year it is one of the best Blur songs ever. A snapshot of their whole career In terms of a comeback single, it doesn't feel like one.
'The Ballad of Darren' is some of the band's best work. It is memorable and touching full of emotion. You can feel what the band are going through which each line sung by a fragile front man, and each note played by his three best friends. Whatever they are going through, they are facing it together. This sense of friendship has strengthened over the years. As has the relationship with the Blur faithful.
“I gave a lot of heart, so did you / Standing in the back row, this one’s for you” Albarn sings on the album's final song 'The Heights'
An album born out of the gang getting back together. This album is for the people who have been there for Blur even in its title Blur has tried to appeal to their generation those who have been on this journey with them. Darren refers to Blur’s security guard and resident every man Darren “Smoggy” Evans. But the title is more than just a nod to an old friend, Darren is a name that is synonymous with the generation Damon, Graham, Alex and Dave grew up in, and that name seemed to lose favour with the public, in fact it dropped out of the Top 100 Boys Names in 1994 just as Blur began to win favour with the British public. There's something quite beautiful in that.
It was something that didn't seem possible, I honestly thought Blur were over,they were on the bucket list of bands to see but it wasn't something that I ever thought I'd tick off. Yet I got too in 2023.
The Blur reunion was a huge one both in the world of British music and for myself personally, providing me with some magical memories and this blog with some of my best work.
It Will Not Be Televised
August 27th 2024, I like millions of others heard news that I didn't think I would ever hear. It was happening. After 15 years away, Oasis were back.
30 years since the release of their debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’ and 15 years since that famous night in Paris.
A tour for 2025 was announced. Accompanied by this picture.
Having been stood in a field in Manchester when the teaser to the announcement was played. It felt like a monumental occasion. For those of us who didn’t see them first time round, I feel as if this will be a mile stone gig. Britain never had a band like Oasis before and they’ve not had one since. The impact that band had and continue to have is staggering. They have crossed generations, broken down barriers. I was nine when they broke up, and yet they still mean so much to me and to millions of others.
I am one of the very very lucky ones, I managed to get a ticket. To one of the Manchester dates. Before Beyond the Grooves, right at the beginning of this musical journey. Oasis were one of the very first bands that the teenage me fell in love with.
Me and my mates became fans, we would sit in sixth form study rooms, at house parties, pubs, gigs and dream. What if it happened?
It has happened. The 16 year old in me can't contain his excitement and to be honest either can the 24 year old me.
So...
It's been quite the five years, there's moments I've missed, there's countless personal highlights and amazing songs and albums that I could have wrote about in this post but I feel that I've given you all the big ones.
There's been a lot.
It leaves me with two things to say.
Here's to five more years, and thank you all ever so much for reading. It has been a pleasure.
Jack x