My Top Ten Music Moments of 2012

by Rhian Jones

Over the past year I’ve seen some gigs, been to a few award ceremonies and met a lot of clever people who know about good music. So in the spirit of the holidays, the following list is a top ten of the best performances, discoveries and tracks that have been found as a result of all the above (in no particular order). Enjoy.

First up, track of the year – XL Record’s Jai Paul – Jasmine. A religious experience.




In appropriate XL succession, award of the year – Richard Russell for Outstanding Contribution at the Music Week Awards. This is why:

Festival performance of the year – Jay-Z at Hackney. Yeah. No words.

Frank Ocean. Artist of the year for this. Album of the year for this:

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/46008281″>Frank Ocean – Super Rich Kids</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user3362050″>dustin sussman</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

New discovery of the year – Angel Haze. Courageous, clever and hugely talented.

Lianne La Havas performing Gone at the Mercury Music Prize Ceremony. The video is here. The track is below. Amazing.

The Weeknd on Jools Holland. But also, The Weeknd at home, The Weeknd at work, The Weeknd in bed…you get the idea.

Video (and another track) of the year – M.I.A. – Bad Girls. Incredible.

Ones to watch for 2013 – Clean Bandit. Just really fucking cool.

And last but by no means least: DVD release of the year – Amy Winehouse – The Day She Came To Dingle. Breathtaking, intimate performances and a lovely, honest and interesting interview with the legend herself.