Top 3 Gigs of 2008

(In date order):

Autechre on 4th March 08 in Hearn Street Car Park, London
Great atmosphere, nice vaguely illicit sort of vibe, great venue (it was actually a car park with a roof over one end). The boys played brilliantly in the usual laptop style; more accessible than recorded, and nice and loud. Left with cold feet.

Efterklang on 3rd April 08 at Pressure Point, Brighton
Nice intimate venue, brilliant playing, music from all LPs, fantastically talented multi-instrumentalists. What a frontman. Left with a huge smile on my face.

My Bloody Valentine on 23rd June 08 at Roundhouse, London
Amusingly loud; earplugs mandatory (takes the top end off, but can still hear the tunes). People without plugs were wincing and/or running away. Cue the usual "wall of sound" cliché. Brilliant. Left with my jaw open.
...
Speaking of the last gig reminds me of two further things: first time I was ever handed earplugs at a gig was Dillinja's Valve system (and you really could feel the bass in that one). And the other was seeing Glenn Branca playing the South Bank about 15 years ago - and watching confused classical buffs leaving the hall in droves. Rock and roll.