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.

It’s the little things that make all the difference.

The Lex Records event ‘Crush’ that took place at Cargo last Sunday night (originally scheduled to be at Hearn Street Car Park, then because of a licensing mix up got moved to the arches) was a little different.

You knew it was going to be good when you walked up to the entrance of Cargo and saw that Marty McFly himself had turned up to party.

yeah, ok, so the Back To The Future reference is very obvious but this iconic car was the star of the night. Neon Neon’s ‘Stainless Style’ album, that the superband played almost in it’s entirety tonight, is a concept album based around the DeLorean’s creator, John Z Dolorean and his life, so it was only right that one of the 9,000 editions of the ill-fated automobile made an appearance early on.

Support came in two forms. First Heartbreak, newly signed to the Lex label and managed by Piers ‘Vice Magazine’ Martin, and are one of those bands who are so intrinscially linked with this ‘scene’ that you doubt they ever went through the rigmorol of shopping a demo, which of course makes you instantly hate them. It’s only by the end of their blinding set of over-the-top disco blips and fierce showmanship that they’ve won you around. It’s actually disco done good. I think the big wigs here were taken with them too, they’ve booked them for the next yard party.

Wille Ilz was run of the mill. There’s nothing worse than being a big hip hop fan and watching decent tunes being murdered live by a half arsed delivery, muddy mic and no onstage presence. This wasn’t as bad as that, but it wasn’t too great either.

But tonight was all about Neon Neon, the supergroup of Gruff Rhys, Boom Bip, Har Mar Superstar and Cate Le Bonn, and the 80′s inspired, synth led, bashment dipping, swirling melody fused music that they create.

Boom Bip synth’s authenticity was the key to creating a geniune 80′s soundscape without making it sound like a pastiche or cheap. Gruff’s ease as frontman is un-nerving, it helps having played infront of millions and millions I guess, but his relaxed banter and effortless singing makes you draw you to the songs and the visuals. (Gruff obviously really wanted us to focus on the visuals, prefering to bend down or sit, rather than slightly obscure the massive screen with his head.

Har Mar superstar is the complete opposite. A ball of trying, groin thrusts and sweat, the freaky little pornographic gump is completely off-putting, whilst at the same time being very very endearing. I can’t really get my head round it but I can’t think of better person to belt out Naeem Juwan’s filthy raps.

But again it’s Boom Bip and The Furries frontman’s songwriting that really pulled focus, with translation from record to the live stage bettered by the visuals, the showmanship and ease in performance. Neon Neon made you realise that you settle for a lot less when seeing a band now adays, and it’s only when you see a really good band, like this superband, that you realise every band should be this good. And don’t derserve your applause if they’re not.

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THANKS TO CLAUDIO AND ED FIELD FOR THE PHOTOS

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