The 50 best gigs in 2003

1. The Rapture @ Manchester Uni - Genre bending mix of angular post-punk and late 80’s house, The Rapture have a reputation as THE foremost rabble rousers, but this lot are worth giving a damn about. Not only great on record but truly the number one live act. Make sure you check out ‘House of the Jealous Lover’s’ and ‘Sister Saviour’.
2. Iron Maiden @ Sheffield Hallam FM Arena - Without a shadow of a doubt it really doesn't get much better than this. It seems they don't have a bad song in their repertoire. A loud, relentless mother****er of a set list plus a vast backdrop of grim reapers, voodoo paraphernalia and a huge portcullis equals a blistering performance from undoubtedly the world's best hard rock band.
3. Interpol @ Liverpool Uni – A truly atmospheric and mind-blowing band, outfitted almost exclusively in sharp, dark suits, in line with their cool 'n' moody sound and onstage persona. Morbid almost folk-like vocals are polished off with layer upon layer of off kilter riffs, Interpol remain one of those perfect bands that you wouldn't want to change in any way!
4. The Strokes @ NIA Cardiff - The Strokes are truly a band that belong to 'us', the music loving British public that were the first to champion the band and elevate them to an almost untouchable status. This year has seen their return by way of their new album ‘Room on Fire’ and a whirlwind UK tour.
5. The Polyphonic Spree @ Liverpool Uni – Packed out venues up and down the country witnessed a truly phenomenal and uplifting spectacle. Yet whichever way you look at it TPS are a novelty act and after 5 songs we realised that jumping up and down and waving your hands in the air like a spaz is not all that cool.
6. The Distillers @ Manchester Academy - They've come a long way in the last year haven't they, and not just because of an alleged publicity stunt by Brody (you know what we mean). This is not just yelping and drawling punk. This is sheer 3-chord brilliance with tunes to boot. Highlights are 'Young Crazed and Peeling' and 'Drain the Blood'.
7. The Coral @ Midsummer Night's Scream, Kings Parade, New Brighton – Indietastic, the Basement, the Zutons, the Thrills, the Bees, the Libertines rockin’ in the big top with The Coral taking the headline spot. A joyous celebration of the Cosmic kind.
8. Metallica @ Leeds Festival - Disappointing comeback albums and ageing aside, Metallica still have the same explosive live set they had 10 years ago. The solo in ‘nter Sandman’leaves the crowd clamouring for more... and they'd already played two encores.
9. The Locust @ Josephs Well, Leeds - The anonymous, mask-wearing San Diego four-piece are like Wire if they went death metal. The addition of unsubtle vocals and a brain-damaged vintage Moog make for a compelling, visceral performance.
10.  The Boggs @ Liverpool Barfly - Embracing the aesthetic and attitude that drives their Williamsburg peers like The Rapture and Radio 4, the Boggs’ riotous punk rock take on the bluegrass genre is a joy to behold.
11. Franz Ferdinand @ Carling Academy, Liverpool
12. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Metropolitan University, Leeds
13. The Libertines @ Barfly Camden, London
14. The Stands @ The Zanzibar, Liverpool
15. Therapy? @ Leeds Cockpit
16. Radio 4 @ Roadhouse, Manchester
17. The Warlocks @ Roadhouse, Manchester
18. The Icarus Line @ The Metro, London
19. The White Stripes @ The Apollo, Manchester
20. Ladytron @ Liverpool Carling academy
21. Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Logo, Hamburg
22. Tramp Attack @ Frat Shack HBGBs, Liverpool
23. Cooper Temple Clause @ Main Debating Hall, Manchester
24. Electric Eel Shock @ Night & Day, Manchester
25. The Ga Ga's @ Barfly, Liverpool
26. The Buff Medways @ The Dirty Water Club, London
27. The Gossip @ Mumbo Arts Centre, Manchester
28. 28 Costumes @ Barfly, Liverpool
29. Stellastarr* @ Roadhouse, Manchester
30. Razorlight @ Roadhouse, Manchester
31. Black Sheep's Independence Day @ The Masque, Liverpool
32. Simple Kid @ Barfly, Liverpool
33. The Zutons @ Carling Academy, Liverpool
34. Chicks On Speed @ Band On The Wall, Manchester
35. Jet @ Carling Academy, Liverpool
36. The 22-20s @ Barfly, Liverpool
37. The Bellrays @ Liverpool Uni
38. The D4 @ Barfly, Liverpool
39. Lorimer @ The Masque, Liverpool
40. The Bandits @ Carling Academy, Liverpool
41. The Futureheads @ Barfly, Liverpool
42. Ambulance @ EVOL Heebie Jeebies, Liverpool
43. British Sea Power @ Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
44. Ludes @ The Islington Academy, London
45. Neil's Children @ Barfly Camden, London
46. The Immigrants @ Masque Theatre, Liverpool
47. The Hope Conspiracy @ Barfly, Liverpool
48. Farse @ The Academy  , Liverpool
49. Phema @ Royal Park Cellars, Leeds
50. The Immortal Lee County Killers II @ Night & Day, Manchester