It’s been one hell of a year at Cargo, jaw dropping live performances, roof raising DJ sets, secret last minute gigs, sold out high profile performances and gigs that snuck up on us and took us all by surprise. We’ve picked our top eight, but not in any specific order, just our favourite ones. (Apologies to the Sugababes, but they were pipped at the post by Greg the Sound Engineer getting his tadge out infront of Miss Dynamite.)

Gang Gang Dance: “Best gig of the year for me. Caught me completely by surprise and didn’t let me go. A+++ would dance again” Jimi Fiver (Jimi usually only gives reviews to people who sell him vintage vinyl on eBay)

Seun Kuti – “Their tour manager was a bit bemused when he saw the size of the stage, but i think they really enjoyed playing to an intimate, devoted audience. It was the best i’ve ever seen them play, plus we got to have Fela’s old band sat around our office eating fruit… it was a dream for us to do these gigs.” Tom

Neon Neon: “Neon Neon made you realise that you settle for a lot less when seeing a band nowadays, and it’s only when you see a really good band, like this superband, that you realise every band should be this good” – JoeDiggity

Saul Williams: “more than a concert, it was a skillfully delivered seminar on the contents of one very special mind.” – Jon

Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards 2008: “I couldn’t believe I got to witness such amazing talent on one stage in one night – Steve Reid, Christian Prommers Drumlesson, Benga, Theo Parrish.  I am still waiting for Erykah Badu to show up!” Peggatron

Robert Glasper: “Two and a half hours of Glasper getting loose on the rhodes and Chris Dave keeping time, if you know about real music, then this was pretty much perfect in every way” Greg. Check the video if you don’t believe

Mulatu Astatke & the Heliocentrics: “This was an unforgettable gig in so many ways. Having the Heliocentrics, one of the UKs best bands rooted in hiphop, interpret Mulatu’s classic tunes was reediculous.” Claudio (you can listen to the Mulatu set at Red Bull Music Academy radio by clicking here)

Buraka Som Sistema:” I’ve never seen an act that had the power to get everyone to sit down, and then jump up at a critical moment. even the industry people got busy.  its one thing seeing them dj or have one mc along, but this was the whole band. The show was unbelievable.” Polly (you can listen to the Buraka Som Sistema set on Red Bull Music Academy Radio by clicking here)

have you got a gig of the year? Leave your vote in the box below and we’ll give you free entry to Cargo for the first month of 2009.

This week’s giveaway is dedicated to skinny jean lovers. We are giving away 9 exclusive Timo Wallets featuring  a razor thin design that slide like butter in your back pockets. Enough room for your cash, oyster card and the highly sought after Cargo ME + 1 card (if we like you enough!). We think you will be proud to rock this eco-friendly billfold. The designs are hot too!

This Friday we’ve got Beardyman BattleJam. Get ready people!!!

This week’s Free Friday giveaway is brought to us by the good people of Thames & Hudson Publishing. They have generously supplied us with six soon-to-be classic books that will make a great addition to any creative library.

Books will be handed out this evening at random. All you need to do is give your e-mail address to the mailing list girl walking around with a clipboard, and 6 lucky winners will take a book home with them!

The Golden Ticket. Its legendary glimmer of gold so highly prized by the likes of Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, Mike Teevee, Augustus Gloop and Violet Beauregarde makes a return to London this Christmas!!!

Cantaloupe Group - the people behind London’s best loved venues Cargo, Market Place, Camino, The Big Chill House and The Big Chill Bar (part of The Big Chill Festival!) – are offering a bumper giveaway just in time for the festive season!

Never one to shy away from a freebie here and there, and to mark the season of goodwill and Christmas cheer, the Group are issuing 5 GOLDEN TICKETS in the till rolls at each of their 5 venues.

Throughout December, 5 lucky punters will win one of these tickets at random when they make a purchase at the bar and get a receipt.

The prize? A pair of Big Chill Festival 2009 tickets, free entry for the lucky winner and a friend to Cargo for a WHOLE YEAR, House membership for The Big Chill House throughout 2009 and a Camino Loyalty Card giving a 25% discount on all purchases. All this is in addition to a series of discounts across the entire group!

That’s right – everyone is a winner! The Golden Ticket will run as part of a discount initiative whereby customers will benefit from a selection of food and drink savings redeemable at each of the 5 different venues from January – March 2009. Collect the offers on the till receipts; redeem them early 2009…..and of course some of those customers might hit the jackpot and be one of the lucky 5!

V V Brown will be performing LIVE @ Cargo on Free! Friday the 5th of December 2008. Download a Free V V Brown track here!

Make sure to arrive early as V V Brown will take to the stage at 10pm, and we are expecting a lot of people to turn up!

As if having XXXChange, Thunderheist, Boy 8 Bit and V V Brown playing for free wasn’t enough freeness already, we have 10 cracking pairs of brand new limited edition Nike trainers (hover over pictures below to see the sizes) AND 2 Goodhood limited edition tees to give away this Friday. You wan’em?  Well you’re too late. this competition is closed!