A Look Back On 2024: Matt Young

So… how was your 2024? 
Up ‘n’ down

What was your best moment? 
Getting engaged

And your worst moment? 
Divisive, harmful politics and hateful attacks on the most vulnerable 

Who was your favourite band/artist this year? 
I’ve loved following The Last Dinner Party’s meteoric year.

Your favourite song of the year? 
My most played (according to LastFM) is Docket by Blondshell (ft. Bully) It’s a really melodic indie rock tune with great hooks

Recommended album? 
This Could Be Texas by English Teacher. 

Favourite TV show of the year? 
The Responder (season 2) Martin Freeman is a real force of nature in this bleak but darkly funny Scouse police drama. 
Also, True Detective: Night Country is a brilliantly written, paced and acted crime drama

Your favourite film? 
The Substance. Hands down the best film of 2024 I’ve seen, so far.

Best book you read? 
Question 7 by Richard Flanagan – A moving memoir, history and prosaic account of living under the age of the ‘the nuclear bomb’ as it’s used in WWII

Favourite new word that you learned? 
Mogging. As in being superior in physical appearance or overall attractiveness to others. It’s part of my ongoing love/hate relationship with the repurposing of words and slang by GenAlpha and the Tiktokification of language 

Best podcast? 
I don’t really listen to podcasts 

Favourite venue that you visited? 
For various reasons I’ve not been to any live venues this year.

What was your favourite gig/show of the year? 
The Cure at The Troxy (online stream)

Tell us about 2024’s guilty pleasure.
Not guilty at all but I’ve loved the resurgence of pop music this year and Chappell Roan’s presence

And your best discovery this year?
Any New Music. I love discovering the huge span of talent out there

Any up-and-coming artists/acts to keep an eye out for in 2025? 
ELLUR – Yorkshire singer/songwriter making fearless catchy music
Paige Kennedy – Delicious quirky, art pop 
ElliS-D – Post-post-punk from frighteningly talented Brighton artist
Glixen – New-gen Shoegaze with a bite from Phoenix, Arizona

Any predictions for next year? 
WW3? Austerity? More climate catastrophes. 
Hopefully, world politics chills out a lot though #
Sunderland is successful in their bid to join the European Music City Network!
2025 will be the year of Ethel Cain.
On a personal note to find and move into a new house with my partner

Is there anything you hope to tick off your bucket list in 2025?
Write much more than ever and get my first book published.