From Running Up That Hill to Dermot Kennedy’s victory: 20 outstanding musical moments of 2022
That was a year. Fontaines DC has cemented its position as Ireland’s greatest band, Taylor Swift has sold buckets and Beyoncé has released the most talked about album of 2022. Abba returns with a performance like no other, Joni Mitchell makes a surprise appearance and Bono shows he can write a book that ranks among the best rock memoirs. There are some great musical movies too. Here are 20 moments that define the year in music.
A brand new pop show
If Abba’s first album in 40 years is one of 2021’s big surprises, their nostalgic futurist avatar performance is one of this year’s most unexpected wins. It sounds ridiculous in theory — paying a lot of money to visit a custom-built arena in London to see high-definition avatars “perform” — but it works great. Go see it and you’ll probably agree.
Bono brought the book
There have been many books about U2 but none has opened the lid on the band quite like Bono’s amazingly honest memoir, Surrender. Using his 40 songs as a tool to talk about anything and everything, the head writes about his early life and relationship with his wife Ali as well as the scars of losing his mother at the age of 14.
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Taylor Swift’s 11th album topped the Billboard charts in the US. Dia Dipasupil’s photo/Getty Images
T-Swift delivers a blockbuster
It’s a remarkable statistic no matter how you slice it. Taylor Swift’s newest long player, midnightIt became her 11th album to top the Billboard 200. And it had the biggest first week sales since Adele’s album. 25 seven years ago. Oh, and it’s also a swearing album.
Boy in a better land
Anyone who thought Fontaines DC would struggle to keep track of their first pair of great albums were silenced with Fia is skinny, the best Irish album of the year. The band has also cemented its status as a stellar live band — they’ve performed 125 shows in 2022, and their Vicar Street gigs have garnered critical acclaim.
Win Butler is inflamed
Arcade Fire kicked off their world tour at 3Arena in Dublin in August, but many die-hard fans have been desperate for a refund. Just a few days ago, the online music magazine pitchfork released a statement claiming frontman Win Butler had inappropriate sex with female fans (he denies any wrongdoing). Acting in support of Feist retreats and Arcade Fire seeks the help of a crisis PR agency. Damage has been done.
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Leah Hayes, Aine English and Ciara Ryan enjoy the return of Electric Picnicin Co Laois. Fergal Phillips’s photo
The music festival is back
It should be remembered that at this time last year, the wearing of masks was mandatory and the gigs were halted – again. Normalcy returns in 2022 and the return of summer festivities is reason to celebrate big. Lots of memories from All Together Now, Electric Picnic — and the rest.
Supreme Sinéad
It’s been a particularly difficult year for one of our most beloved musicians: in January, Sinéad O’Connor’s 17-year-old son, Shane, took his own life. At the end of the year, Kathryn Ferguson’s revealing documentary, Nothing comparesencountered the female singer as more than 30 years ago, when she was at the height of her power.
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Harry Styles has enjoyed commercial and critical success. Jenny Longworth’s photo/Instagram
Style comes of age
One Direction is a big deal commercially, but not a big deal. Harry Styles was the first member to achieve both, defeating poor old Niall Horan. There was a sparkling album, a big tour – called Aviva Stadium – 10 weeks at the top of the UK singles chart and appearances in movies.
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Austin Butler as Elvis in Baz Luhrman .’s biopic
Video of the day
Luhrmann all vibrated
Rock biopics tend to make for a lot more goofy stuff than hits, and while Baz Luhrmann’s usual look at Elvis’ life and music has divided critics, it sheds light on the tumultuous career of the great entertainer and one of his great works. moments, the so-called Special Return of 1968. Austin Butler shined as the King.
Queen album ‘events’
Taylor Swift may have sold more copies of her album this year, but given its raw popularity, Beyoncé still dominates. Her first album in 5 years, Renaissance, generated massive publicity as well as near-global critical acclaim. Queen B herself doesn’t need to bother with “advertising”. That’s for the smaller stars.
Capturing the capital’s culture
Luke McManus is a famous Irish documentary filmmaker and his latest film, Northern Circular, is a wonderful celebration of Dublin’s rich contemporary musical output. The guardian described it as “a resonant, lively and beautiful shot, packed with images and ideas, a film made with real art”.
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Mary J Blige and Snoop Dogg perform during halftime of the Superbowl. Kevin C Cox’s photo/Getty Images
Super Bowl rap winner
American football’s biggest day may have left many of us emotional on this side of the Atlantic, but for razzmatazz’s sheer force, a small game of play will come in the first half. This year is far beyond the norm: a hip-hop special featuring Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dog and Mary J Blige.
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The movie Moonage Daydream is a fitting reminder of how unique David Bowie is.
Bowie’s redirect
Filmmaker Brett Morgan begins his work on Bowie, Dream, seven years ago, and his compelling, visually appealing film is clearly a labor of love. There’s no shortage of iconic documentaries, but this one is the best – a reminder of how unique Bowie is.
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Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) topped the charts after 37 years. Koh Hasebe’s photo via Getty Images
Renaissance Kate
One of the least anticipated winners of 2022 occurred in June when Kate Bush topped the UK charts with a 37-year-old song. A Deal With God (A Deal With God) was originally released in 1985, but it gained a whole new fan base thanks to its inclusion in the Netflix series Strange things.
Dylan on the song
He may be 81 years old, but Bob Dylan has little interest in putting his guitar away. His Dublin show, which was – listen, listen – completely a phone-free event, was very well received. A few months ago, he published a new, bizarre and idiosyncratic book. Philosophy of modern song.
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Dermot Kennedy Sonder’s latest album tops the UK and Ireland album charts. Jamie McCarthy’s photo/Getty Images
Dubliner’s victory
Almost invisible, Dermot Kennedy became a superstar. His debut album is one of the best-selling Irish records of the millennium and his latest album, sound, which topped the UK and Irish album charts. There are big outdoor shows here and many more planned for next year — the rise of Dubliners seems unstoppable.
lyrical wax
Hozier’s hopes of a new album didn’t materialize this year, but the Wicklow man has managed to lend his voice to an album commemorating one of our most beloved poets. He’s in good company: Imelda May, Bono and Liam Neeson also do their best to recite Patrick Kavanagh on Almost everything.
A really great departure
The death of Cathal Coughlan, leader of Microdisney and Fatima Mansions, was a blow. Few people realized he was sick. Corkman leaves behind a remarkable legacy, including two new Telefís albums in 2022, One hAon and A Dowhich he did (remotely) with producer Jacknife Lee in LA.
Spooky new festival
The National Concert Hall complex will be redeveloped. Good news. This year, along with promoter Foggy Notions, a new dance music festival, Haunted Dancehall, was held there at the beginning of October. Forty acts were performed, including by composer Weeknd picks, Oneohtrix Point Never. A welcome addition to the capital.
Joyful Joni
It was a gig that few thought would come true. Joni Mitchell hasn’t streamed since 2002, and after she suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015, most assumed she wouldn’t stream anymore. But the 78-year-old fan wowed fans with 13 choreographed songs at the Newport Folk Festival in July, and it’s notable that she’s planning to hold a concert in Washington this fall. next summer.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/from-running-up-that-hill-to-dermot-kennedys-triumph-20-standout-musical-moments-of-2022-42236377.html From Running Up That Hill to Dermot Kennedy’s victory: 20 outstanding musical moments of 2022