I’ve lost count how many artists I’ve been privileged to capture this year. From the sweatiest, pub back rooms to The Pyramid Stage, every single one of them, without exception, has been an unadulterated joy. 

So when asked what my top ten gigs of 2025 were, this would easily be the hardest job of the year.

So, after much head scratching and hard-drive combing, here we are.

 My Top Ten Gigs of 2025.

10. FatDog at The Bimble Inn Glastonbury.

I’d shot FatDog at Woodsies earlier in the day. At 11.30pm I sat down for the first pint of the day with my daughter. She looked up from her phone… “Didn’t you say you shot FatDog earlier? Well it says here they’re rumoured to be doing a secret set…”  With a very pissed Kneecap at the back of the tiniest, sweatiest tent at Glastonbury, I knew the rumour was true. Brilliant.

9. Queens of the Stone Age at Victorious Festival.

One of the bands on my hit-list. Down in Southsea back in August. They didn’t disappoint.

8. Wetleg at Boardmasters.

Caught them at Glastonbury but for some reason they shone brighter for me in Cornwall. Maybe it was because I was playing cat and mouse with their TM who didn’t want me in the pit anymore. (The TM won. Sadly).

7. The Clause at Birmingham O2.

This was the big one for the lads. Their debut album had just snatched the No 1 indie album slot as well as a Top 20 nationals slot. A fantastic accomplishment for any band – even more astonishing when you consider that they did it all by themselves. Not satisfied with that they then went on to sell out the O2 Birmingham. Unreal.

6. The Bracknall at The Lower Third.

A Teenage Cancer Trust gig this one. And an amazing intimate venue to catch these guys. They sell out every venue they put their name to. They have their own band of fanatical followers which is no surprise. Their anthemic sound wouldn’t be out of place at any stadium or festivalheadlining slot.  Catch them in 2026.

5. Franz Ferdinand at Boardmasters

Second and not the last band from Boardmasters in my 2025 top Ten gigs. Third time I caught these guys this year – Glasto was good, Truck they were great – Boardmasters – maybe because they were in a tent just pipped their performance at Truck.

4. Bob Vylan at West Holts, Glastonbury.

Bob Fuckin Vylan. Two Bobs in a pod. The Fred Perry Mafia. The Tracksuit Terrorists. That beautiful hot sunny Saturday afternoon in June where it all went right for the guys. All eyes were on Kneecap but the act before stole the show. Beautiful.

3. The Prodigy at Boardmasters.

Third and last act from Boardmasters to make my Top Ten. Again, caught them at Glastonbury but it was down in Cornwall that they really set the world alight for me. Obviously something in that salty sea air.

And now the big two. Very very difficult decision but you can have only one person in the top slot.

2. Oasis Cardiff Principality.

I know, I know. Number 2? The first one with the lads back together Friday 4th July. Nothing I can say here will do justice to what a phenomenal night that was. It was perfect. The setlist. The Quality of music. The crowd. Everything. I was fortunate to catch them again in Wembley but the first one was very special.

So. With Oasis out of the way, who gets the Number 1 slot?

1. Kasabian at The Finsbury

The nod came through about one in the afternoon. Get yourself down to a pub in North London tonight.

What? Kasabian? In a pub? About 150 of us crammed into a tiny pub for a semi acoustic set 7 songs long. (Well sort of 8…) This was very special. And a hell of a privilege to be there.

There were so many bands that could’ve made this list – special love and mentions need to go out to Pastel,  GoodHealth.GoodWealth, Bilk, Spangled…next year lads. More love to Mikey @thisfeeling, Katie G and Sally @songbird and all the bands, managers, labels, promoters and PR Dahlings. Without you I’d be nowhere. X 

See you at the front in 2026. Gx

Words and Photos: Gary Walker