Spotify has taken care of music - and music took care of me this year. Mainly when I have been in the car, and especially when I am in traffic jams … so much so I wrote a poem about it!
So other than music what has made my 2023 a better place to be? Well, let’s start at the top….
Performing at Edinburgh Fringe Festival
2023 was a year I hit a massive personal creative goal - which now feels like a dream is over in a strange way. Fulfilling it means I am now deep into the ‘so what is next?’ element of the human condition. But I did the thing! And I am so proud.
Collaborations
2023 was a year of collaborations which I always love as they take me in a different direction than I would end up in on my own. I created a showcase for poets over 40 called ‘The Still Got It Showcase’ and these were huge amounts of fun that also allowed me to get ready for Edinburgh. I collaborated with the wonderful artist Emma Evans on the launch of her and Chris Massey’s Supermarket Streets exhibition, as well as running a poetry workshop with Emma and co-curated a cute poetry show with Lou Glazzard at Grub’s Winter Pop Up in First Street Manchester.
Gigs I performed in
Poetry, that is. Obviously Edinburgh takes the award for the year - it was the moment that defines the year for me - but I had huge amounts of joy elsewhere. My mum got to see me at last in both Llangollen Fringe and Chester Literature Festival. I got invited to support people at book launches, I performed live on BBC Radio Manchester a few times and I had the utter privilege of becoming a co-host of Verbose, a spoken night I first went to in 2019 and which became a life line on zoom in the lockdown years. Being a co-host has introduced me to more amazing writers and poets, as well as truly appreciating the hard work that goes into creating events.
Other stand out moments include taking part in Reverend and the Makers’ album launch pop up shop in Sheffield’s Meadowhall - I absolutely loved the challenge of winning over a music crowd in a busy shopping centre. There were new bands and singer songwriters filling the store over a bank holiday and seeing how Jon McClure made it such a supportive opportunity for other artists was just beautiful.
In September I was a finalist in the BBC Words First talent development scheme through BBC Introducing. It was the first year the scheme was open to over 30s and the experience was incredible. The poems I performed didn’t get played on the radio in the end but the experience and what I learned is so treasured. A real ‘wow - did I just do that ?!’ moment.
And what did I do to relax?
Life and work was juggled around these adventures but what did I do to just relax and enjoy the moment? Plenty as it turned out.
Books
I got through a very healthy number of 25 books in 2023. With another 5 in my currently reading pile I am definitely in a reading groove. Special mentions go to the hilarious Tim Key’s Chapters , the gorgeous and moving book by
‘Arrangements In Blue’ and the literal literary drama of Yellowface by RF Kuang. Having had a book published and seeing other authors be stung I found the insights (although fictional) absolutely fascinating.A few of the books I read this year were part of a new book club at work, which meant I read stuff I wouldn’t usually gravitate towards but I did enjoy having the connection with people over the books we shared. We all went way off piste half way through the year which was also a lovely way to find our more about what people choose to read when left to their own devices. I kind of enjoyed the chaotic approach more than the disciplined one.
Gigs I went to
I had to cancel going to quite a few gigs I had tickets for this year because of life getting in the way but the ones I saw filled me with utter joy. As I don’t ‘get out much’ I try to pick and do things I really want to. But also leave enough space for a bit of surprise joy. Musical moments to cherish included, Glastonbury (because… everything but also I took my 12 year old niece which was a huge adventure and life experience), seeing my poetry friend Antony Szmierek and his band absolutely soar at Band on the Wall and Little Simz at Victoria Warehouse, even though I made a bad decision to move to the back of the space after 6 songs and was mainly seeing the back of peoples heads for the rest of the gig.
And no year feels truly complete for me without seeing The Charlatans . Again I was at the Victoria Warehouse but this time I didn’t leave my second row space - slap bang centre stage - the whole night. I sang my whole heart out - LIKE LYRICS OF MY LIFE! I never have and never will leave a charlatans concert anything less than elated.
TV
As I said, I don’t get out much so I have hoovered up some great TV (including streaming services). Succession was always going to hook me in and blow me away and it did again. The writing astounds me. The acting is perfection. No notes.
Ted Lasso was adorable and I will miss it now it has ended.
Documentary winners for me were the Coleen Rooney one which I found utterly fascinating and Welcome to Wrexham. I grew up in Wrexham and and went to some of the matches featured in the show but my favourite thing is when I see certain shots I am thinking things like … ‘my dad worked there’ or ‘my parents could be having tea in the building next door’. I adore what that investment has done for the town. I hope for more investment into that town. And all neglected towns in the UK to be honest.
Art
I adore starting at art. So much. It really soothes me. And this year I got to stare at art in Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, Wrexham, Leeds, Morecambe, Salford and Chester. The Yayoi Kusama show at Factory International was breathtaking and Julia Donaldson at the Lowry was a pocket of sunshine. Obviously the Lowry’s at the Lowry are incredible - this year I was especially taken with the seascapes. My ultimate stare to swoon location is always the Valette’s in Manchester Art Gallery.
Theatre
The show of the year for me was This Town by Rory Aaron at the Contact Theatre . It made me hold my breath at how perfectly placed each word was and I cried a lot at the sheer emotion of the story.
was also part of this show, and her own spoken word show Self-Regulating Behaviours was stunning.Comedy
I obviously saw a lot of comedy at Edinburgh Festival, a highlight being Adam Evans, Crisp Review (which is going to be on in Manchester again next month). In Salford Bridget Christie had me howling to a point I could barely breathe, even though my seat was so bad I couldn’t see her, she was just that funny.
Podcasts
My most listened to is Elis James and John Robins and I enjoy how much they enjoy making their producer Dave uncomfortable and how Dave so amiably laughs it all off. It really keeps me going that podcast - and a few stories of my own have snuck on to the airwaves via them which is such a kick.
And my favourite one off series was ‘Where It’s At’ , all about girl bands. The Sugababes and TLC one were particularly wonderful and made me love them all the more.
I will have forgotten a tonne of things and I’ll probably wake in the night thinking of other things I should have mentioned - but there’s a snapshot and it gives you a good insight into what makes me tick and keep keeping on in this not always amazing world.
Thanks for reading!