I welcome the winter season for a single reason; trees lose their leaves to expose their true diversity, character and beauty. And it’s for similar reasons that we go out of our way to attend a select range of live performances. They provide the final proof of an act’s true quality and nature. Our gig selection process usually starts when we receive albums to review.

If we are inspired by the music then we will endeavour to attend a relevant gig, usually in Liverpool or Manchester. Depending on line-ups, we also attend music festivals because they present us with the opportunity to ‘kill many birds with one stone’. 2005 has been an exceptional gig year; the best and most diverse I can remember.

2005 opened on an incredible high with Ireland’s best loved band the Frames at the Lowry Centre in Manchester. I have seen this band perform several times in Ireland and the UK, but this particular gig was very special. Firstly, it was a sell-out show for a band criminally ignored by the UK music media. It proved that UK music lovers are being dramatically undersold, and are capable of discovering their own pots of musical gold. Secondly, the gig started tentatively but quickly gathered momentum, due in no small part to the encouragement provided by the continuous and enormous audience response. It ended in triumph to a standing ovation at this fully seated venue. Finally, it was a stunningly passionate and involving performance of a fabulous collection of new and old songs, diverse in pace and mood. For these reasons it was our rock gig of the year.

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Early in the year I had received an EP by Martha Wainwright that blew us all well and truly away. It led to me witnessing a wonderful performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic where she supported her brother Rufus. Then the debut album arrived, followed later in the year by a ‘special edition’ with three bonus tracks, including her superb interpretation of Barbara’s “Dis, Quand Reviendras-Tu?”; sung in impeccable French; accompanied by mother Kate McGarrigle on piano. The album signalled a headline tour and my chance to see her perform with a full backing band at the Liverpool University Academy 2. Like all great live performances, it combined a distinctive and powerful voice, with that special ability to connect to an audience; unpredictable and humorous moments were in abundance; and songs that inspired and moved. It was a concert to remember and cherish, and our solo performance of the year.

In November My Chemical Romance pulled out all the stops in its Manchester Carling Apollo gig in front of a capacity audience. The band has a special regard for British fans who were the first to buy singles and the album in large numbers. In effect, the UK launched this USA band into world markets and onto major success. The thank-you came in the form of an explosive performance, and one of the tightest instrumental displays I’ve seen from a mainstream rock band.

November proved to be a vintage live performance month and provided two fabulous sets, from two unique acts. The Dirty Three is an Australian three-piece rock instrumental band led by animated fiddler Warren Ellis, underpinned by the fabulous, intuitive drumming of Jim White, and disciplined bass guitar work of maestro Mick Turner. It was a spellbinding and involving show including some of the most emotive instrumental music I’ve ever heard.

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Supporting the Dirty Three was friend and Lift To Experience’s lead man Josh Pearson. Seated low with his acoustic guitar on a tatty stool, Pearson gave a short performance of such intensity and drama that it took my breath away, and startled an unsuspecting audience. Without a shadow of a doubt, it provided our support performance of the year.

The tiny, friendly Night & Day cafe/club in Manchester is a favourite destination for visiting singer/songwriters. It also contributed another favourite performance of 2005. American Johnathan Rice’s latest and excellent album provided the incentive to attend his gig on a cold and damp Halloween night. Rice and his three-piece backing band appeared in suitably frightening make-up, and proceeded to reprise several album tracks to massive audience acclaim. Young and shy Rice proved to be a special singer/songwriter whose introspective music hides behind a veil of accessible pop sensibility.

The music festival season seem to arrive in super-quick time. We covered the Download and V Festival events that both provided some performance gems. The Downloadline-up struggled to meet last year’s standard, while the additional indie rock day watered down the festivals’ heavy metal credentials. Shirley Manson of Garbage provided a highlight of the indie rock day with a storming, animated vocal display.

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Our highlights of the metal performances were In Flames and American Headcharge who both performed out of their skins on the secondary stage.

The V Festival at Weston Park provided several notable performances from both new and vintage acts. The Frames made an early entry on the first day and won many new fans with a fabulous show. El Presidente also impressed on the Channel 4 Stage with an exhilarating and tight display. New young Brit band, the Ga Gas, packed the distant new act tent and proceeded to show why it is one of the most interesting prospects around at the moment.

On day two KT Tunstall gave one of the sets of the festival. Vocally, she didn’t miss a note, while she displayed tremendous stage craft and ability to grab her audience by the short and curlies.

Stephen Fretwell followed up his superb debut album with an equally superb show at a distant and rather lonely Volvic tent. The venue struggled to attract audiences and the press who missed a formidable line-up of singer/songwriters that also included the wonderful Americans Joseph Arthur and Josh Rouse, and our own Tom Baxter.

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Of the vintage acts Robert Plant stood out with his passionate and involving set, played to an enthusiastic capacity audience.

Oasis celebrated its best album for ages with a characteristically strong set, and one where the brothers Gallagher appeared to be enjoying each other’s company. In fact it was the best performance I have seen from the lads.

And finally, I have to mention our own Lucie Silvas who gave one of the most accomplished and professional performances at the festival.