WHETHER old-school punk — Toyah leading a rousing rendition of I Want to be Free in a new version of Derek Jarman’s Jubilee — to the goth pop promise of Pale Waves, by way of the stadium perfection of Taylor Swift or an eclectic and energising Robert Smith Meltdown, live music this year has continued to deliver a challenge to the status quo.

New York dream-pop duo Cults visited these shores with Offering, a third album full of memorable 60s-lite pop, mixing childlike vocals with dark and despondent lyrics touching on broken relationships but also on finding hope in hopeless situations. They were a wonder to behold.

Taylor Swift’s Reputation tour rolled into town with a set that filled stadiums but still managed to remain intimate, knowing and lots of fun and made all the more exciting with a surprise guest appearance from Robbie Williams. A true stadium-filling extravaganza from a pop star who has enhanced her reputation by finally speaking out more forthrightly on politics.