Best Live Bands 2017

I was planning to compile a list of the “Top Ten” live bands I’ve seen this year, but it was just too hard to choose only ten that stood out. I’ve been to about 100 gigs in the past 12 months, and most of them have been fantastic. There is massive talent in the UK at the moment. Get down to your local music venues and check out your local musicians, as well as the larger venues hosting the well-known bands. You’ll be amazed at the world class performances going on in all sizes of venues every night of the year. London has been truly blessed this year with a wealth of talented musicians who have graced the stages at many venues, big and small. I also went to the amazing Amplified Festival, which launched this year, and discovered some awesome new bands there, a few of which have made it into my best-of list.

For my end-of-year “Best Live Band” list, I’ve decided to choose 30 bands. I tried to make the list shorter but couldn’t. These bands are just too good! I’d recommend you try to catch them if they play near you.

In no particular order:

1. Papa Roach – One of my all-time favourite bands. I’ve followed Papa Roach for years and have been to many of their shows. They always perform with passion and this year’s show at O2 Academy Brixton was no exception! ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/gig-review-papa-roach-o2-academy-brixton-london-101017/
2. Anthrax – Another of my favourite bands. Anthrax concerts are always fun! I’ve been to their shows many times over the years and they are just as great live now as they’ve ever been. A must-see band for metal fans!  ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/02/11/gig-review-anthrax-o2-forum-kentish-town-london-100217/
3. Florence Black –  Florence Black also made my 2016 list. This band are one of the best live bands ever, in my opinion. They’re a powerhouse of energy! They’ve also produced some of the best rock music in recent years. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/gig-review-florence-black-proud-camden-11th-february-2017/.

   

   Photo Credit – By:Brad Media (https://www.facebook.com/ByBradMedia)
4. Crimsons – Crimsons are one of my favourite discoveries this year. I was mesmerised by their show at Camden Assembly. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/17/charity-gig-review-head-above-the-clouds-camden-assembly-london-16-9-17/
5. The Black Bullets – Another of my favourite discoveries this year. The Black Bullets are a larger than life must-see band. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/gig-review-redrock-festival-the-dublin-castle-camden-24917/
6. The Virginmarys – I’ve been lucky enough to see The Virginmarys three times this year. They are such a fantastic live band with so many brilliant songs. You’re guaranteed to leave the venue buzzing after seeing them play.  ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/11/24/gig-review-the-virginmarys-at-the-water-rats-london-23-11-17/
7. The Slow Readers Club – I love The Slow Readers Club; they were also in my “Best Live Bands 2016” list. They produce such emotive songs that transport the listener back in time with the retro ’80s vibe. Their latest single “Lunatic” is one of my favourite songs of 2017. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/gig-review-the-slow-readers-club-the-borderline-london-11417/
8. Puppet Rebellion – Another band that have made my best live bands list 2 years running. This is an up-and-coming band that keep getting better and better. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/06/10/gig-review-puppet-rebellion-little-grim-and-stealing-signs-birthdays-london-9th-june-2017/
9. Iron Maiden – Well, of course Iron Maiden would make it into my list. They are one of the best live bands in the world! You’re always guaranteed an amazing night when you go to a Maiden show. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/gig-review-iron-maiden-o2-arena-london-28517/
10. The Bad Flowers – This is another band that I’ve seen a few times this year, and also one that was included in my “Best Live Bands 2016” list. They always put on a great show and are a must-see band. This year I also got the chance to see them do an acoustic set as well as full-blown rock show. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/11/23/gig-review-the-bad-flowers-the-jazz-cafe-london-21-11-17/

    

    Photo credit: Mark Varney
11. Linkin Park – I’m so glad I saw the band live again this year. Chester Bennington was such a brilliant frontman. I’m hoping the band will continue in some form because they have so many fantastic albums. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/07/05/gig-review-linkin-park-02-academy-brixton-4th-july-2017/
12. Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons – this band blew me away at Amplified Festival. A fantastic rock band. Definitely a must-see. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/review-amplified-festival-2017-21st-23rd-july-2017-part-2/
13. Courtesans – Another band I’m very happy to have discovered in 2017. This is an awesome live band that you must try to catch. Check out my review of their performance at Amplified Festival HERE.
    
14. Hands Off Gretel – I’ve seen this band a couple of times this year, first at Camden Rocks Festival and then I made sure I also saw them at Amplified Festival because I really enjoyed their Camden show. If you get a chance, you should try to catch them live. They remind me of bands like Nirvana and Hole. See my review here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/07/30/review-amplified-festival-2017-21st-23rd-july-2017-part-6/
15. Reef – Reef’s gig at Amplified Festival was one of my favourite gigs of the year. They have so many memorable hits and they played most of them. Check out my review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/07/30/review-amplified-festival-2017-21st-23rd-july-2017-part-6
    
    
16. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown –
    Another highlight of the year for me, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown are a talented band that remind me of the great, iconic rock bands of the ’80s/’90s. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/06/20/gig-review-the-bad-flowerstyler-bryant-and-the-shakedown-19617-camden-assembly/
17. Tokyo Taboo – This band were one of the highlights of the day for me at Camden Rocks Festival. They’re a brilliant live band and released a fabulous debut album this year.  ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/06/04/highlights-from-camden-rocks-festival-2017-part-1/
    
    
18. Dirty Thrills – I’m a big fan of Dirty Thrills and always try to catch them when they play London; you’re guaranteed a great night out when you go to a Dirty Thrills show. I’ve seen them live a few times this year. Check out my most recent review here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/12/10/gig-review-dirty-thrills-electric-ballroom-9th-december-2017/ 
19. Empyre – Empyre are one of my favourite rock bands. I saw them a couple of times at the beginning of the year. 2017 has been a very successful year for them. Look out for them in 2018 and catch them live if you can! Review link: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/gig-review-empyre-and-hot-doggy-fiddlers-elbow-london-15317/
20. Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors – Ryan Hamilton is such a charismatic singer. I really enjoyed the show at the Borderline this year. This band are well worth catching. They have a quirky musical style and lots of brilliant songs. See my review here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/gig-review-ryan-hamilton-and-the-traitors-the-borderline-london-25817/
    
    
21. Theia – Theia were also one of my top discoveries this year. A fantastic live band who really know how to entertain. They also have 2 brilliant albums. Check out my review here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/04/gig-review-theia-anonymous-and-at-the-sun-the-black-heart-london-3rd-september-2017/
    
    
22. Saint Apache – After hearing this band’s EPs, I was looking forward to catching them live. They were brilliant; a really high-energy performance. Read my review here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/gig-review-redrock-festival-the-dublin-castle-camden-24917/
    
    
23. Anti-Clone – I’d been looking forward to catching this band live for ages and was finally able to see them when they played Amplified Festival. It was an excellent performance. ~ Review: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/07/25/review-amplified-festival-2017-21st-23rd-july-2017-part-1/
24. Kaato – If you like ’80s influenced glam rock you must try to catch Kaato live. This band have some awesome songs that really come to life in a live setting. See my review here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/gig-review-kaato-at-the-borderline-london-27917/
25. Austin Gold – One of the best bands I’ve discovered this year. Their debut album, “Before Dark Clouds”, is fantastic. They are a live band that will blow you away. They’ve been nominated by Get Ready To ROCK as Best Breakthrough Act 2017: you can vote for them HERE. See my review of their Dublin Castle show in September here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/gig-review-austin-gold-at-the-dublin-castle-27917/
    
    
26. Echotape – Echotape have a very original sound and their live performances are always fantastic. You can read my review of their recent O2 Academy Islington show here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/gig-review-echotape-o2-academy-islington-51017/
27. Paves –  Paves are a very talented band with an engaging stage presence and an addictive bluesy rock ‘n’ roll sound. Catch them live if you can! My review of their recent Electric Ballroom gig: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/gig-review-paves-electric-ballroom-141017/
28. Wayward Sons – Wayward Sons released an awesome debut album this year and it sounded amazing live. I’m sure 2018 will be a great year for them. Definitely a must-see band. Read my review of their recent London gig here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/10/21/gig-review-wayward-sons-and-inglorious-electric-ballroom-camden-201017/
    
    
29. Fragile Things – I’ve seen Fragile Things a few times this year. They have some fantastic songs and always put on a passionate performance. Another must-see live band for rock fans! Check out my review of their recent show at The Lounge 666: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/11/26/gig-review-fragile-things-the-lounge-666-london-24-11-17/
    
    
30. Black Sixteen – I first caught Black Sixteen at one of the Camden Rocks All-Dayers earlier this year and really enjoyed their performance. They have quite an original sound and are great live. See my review of their show at The Lounge, here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/08/27/gig-review-black-water-chemistry-gevaudan-and-black-sixteen-lounge-fest-london-26817/ 
    
    

Apologies to all of the awesome bands I’ve featured in reviews on the site this year who didn’t make it into the list, you are all fabulous… but my end of year list would have gone on forever 🙂

I’m looking forward to 2018 and seeing many more amazing shows.