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by Andrew Trendell | Photos by WENN / Splash / J Trickett / R Gray / C MacDonald / Gigwise
The 60 bands you need to see live in 2014: the year's ultimate gig hitlist
How many of these have you seen?
Lana Del Rey: The closest thing you can find to a modern day icon, Lana Del Rey is certain to be a highlight of Glastonbury - with a UK tour rumoured for later in the year after Ultraviolence has dropped.
Lorde: Age makes no difference when it comes to dominating the airwaves like 'Royals' star Lorde has - hence why demand was so huge for her upcoming June shows at Brixton Academy and Shepherds Bush Empire.
Kelis: Reinventing herself as a James Brown-esque queen of funk and good times, prepare to lose your mind to Kelis when she brings FOOD to Latitude, Somerset House, Glastonbury and Electric Picnic.
Royal Blood: Of all of the BBC Sound Of 2014 nominees, none are still generating quite as much excitement as the brutal rock duo of Royal Blood. They'll be supporting Arctic Monkeys at their Finsbury Park shows, before heading to Download, T In The Park and Reading & Leeds.
Years & Years: Probably the best new thing in pop in 2014, the year could still belong to Years & Years. Catch them before they get really massive at Latitude, Dot To Dot and beyond.
Darlia: Who said that rock is dead? Not Darlia. Watch them kick rick square in the throat at Dot Dot Dot, British Summer Time, Y Not, 2000Trees, Reading & Leeds, T In The Park and any other festivals, before their UK tour in September.
The Libertines: Love 'em hate 'em, Carl and Pete have put their differences aside for a big cash pay-off and to celebrate their legacy by bringing Albion to London's Hyde Park for one of the most talked-about gigs of 2014.
Wild Beasts: The Present Tense is a staggering accomplishment of sound, and live it's only more astounding. Catch them at British Summer Time and Bestival.
Wolf Alice: Wonderng somewhere between grunge, indie, pop and folk but sticking two fingers up to genre or pigeonholing, Wolf Alice stand to be the breakthrough guitar band of 2014. Catch The 1975's Dirty Hit labelmates at Reading & Leeds, Bestival, Glastonbury and pretty much every other festival this summer. They're on tour right now too - so go see them.
Manic Street Preachers: Their recent warm-up tour ahead of the the release of new album Futurology was an insane success among fans and critics - proving not only that they deserve their standing as rock royalty but that their new material is among their best yet. As if that wasn't reason enough to see them live, this is also the year that they celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Holy Bible, so expect to hear a lot of that too when they play Glasontbury, V Festival and a headline tour later this year.
Radkey: Good old-fashioned punk rock done properly. See them at Download Festival and London's Royal Festival Hall in June.
MO: She's just divine. She's currently touring the US, but will headline Shepherds Bush Empire in November.
Metronomy: They're stepping up to headline Field Day this summer, and they truly do deserve it. You can also catch them at Glastonbury, T In The Park, Wilderness and Reading & Leeds.
Interpol: After headlining the NME Awards Tour earlier this year, the dark and dapper kings of NYC not only showcased that their new material sounds incredible, but that they're still one of the finest live acts you can hope to see. They're playing a headline show at Camden's Electric Ballroom before heading to Glastonbury and EU festivals, with further shows rumoured for the Autumn and Winter.
Frightened Rabbit: Frontman Scott Hutchison may be gearing up to release a solo album (and it sounds ace) but you can still catch Gigwise favourites F'Rabbits at 2000Trees, LeeFest, Wakestock, Kendal Calling and Belladrum Tartan Heart.
First Aid Kit: Do you love heart-breaking but life-affirming Swedish folk but two uber-talented twins? Of course you do. If don't already, you will at Latitude, Green Man and their September UK headline shows.
Elbow: The Peoples' Champions From Mancunia wer born to charm vast arenas of loved up fans into a a big melty sway of happiness. Fall in love all over again at Eden Sessions, Glastonbury, V Festival and T In The Park.
Courtney Love: Her current UK is proof alone that the grunge icon is still as fierce and essential as ever. With solo material due for release later this year, make sure you catch her upon her return.
Brody Dalle: The ex-Distillers frontwoman hasn't mellowed in the slightest. She will be playing Reading & Leeds festival, and hopefully playing more headline shows in the Autumn
Asgeir: Iceland's latest spine-chilling export of synth-folk will blow you away at Latitude, before headlining Shepherds Bush Empire in November.
Say Lou Lou: Pop doesn't come much more perfect Say Lou Lou - blending glacial soundscapes with warm danceability and real romance, they could well be your new favourite band. See why at Bestival, Wireless, Longitude, Secret Garden Party and Standon Calling
Lykke Li: I Never Learn is a strong contender for album of the year, and live her unique charm and character weaves an atmosphere unlike any other. Catch her at Latitude Festival. Go on.
Outkast: They're back and it is going to be one hell of a show when these rap icons make their way back to the stage. See them at Bestival and Wireless.
Drake: This monster of the hip hop world will be returning for Wireless.
Sisters: Hailing from Ireland, Sisters are taking their time to focus on writing the best songs possible before diving into album commitments. Well worth checking out before the masses cotton on. Expect to see them at festivals over the summer.
Beck: His breathtaking new album Morning Phase collates some of Beck's best material to date, working with the band behind Sea Change. He will be opening Bestival as well as headlining Festival No.6.
Cyril Hahn: Perhaps the saviour of the floundering house music scene. Hahn will return for Parklife festival.
Warpaint: Female punk for a new generation, Warpaint are an incredible group to behold on stage. Prepare to get lost in a mesmeric haze of sounds when they hit Field Day, Reading & Leeds, Parklife and Glastonbury.
Prince: Bow down before His Royal Badness as the Purple One and his awesome backing band 3RDEYEGIRL tear through UK stadiums.
Broods: One of the hottest new bands of the year, with a heady mix of spine tingling synths and heartfelt vocals. Fingers crossed they return to the UK after summer.
Vance Joy: Infectiously written tracks from Australia, utilizing ukeles and guitars while avoiding all the trappings associated with the stereotypes. He will be touring the UK during September and October.
Arthur Beatrice: These guys are an auidio-visual breath of fresh air. Find out why at Field Day.
Pharrell: Effortless cool, hip-hop and disco collide with this current giant back in the music world with his smash solo album G I R L. Expect new favourites, old classics and collaborations with Daft Punk, Robin Thicke, Gwen Stefani and more when he plays Capital FM's Summertime Ball, Wireless, T In The Park and plays two headline shows in Manchester and London in September and October.
The Horrors: Due to comeback with their new album, their legacy of quality will see the group put on some incredibly epic live shows. They will be playing End of the Road, Field Day and Isle of Wight over summer.
Drenge: No one is quite as loud as these fierce brothers from t'North. You'll have plenty of chances to be blown away by some brutal blues-grunge when they play Dot To Dot, Field Day, Download, Glastonbury, T In The Park, Reading & Leeds, Electric Picnic and End Of The Road.
Schoolboy Q: All badass, Q has just released his debut and it has some fiery tracks along with high profile guest spots. He'll be playing headline UK shows in May.
Nine Inch Nails: The atmosphere when Nine Inch Nails play live is thick and heavy as Reznor's intricately written tracks build to huge climaxes. They will be playing at arenas across the UK at the end of May.
Biffy Clyro: Fire, big riffs and anthems, this really is rock heaven. They will be headlining T in the Park, and the Isle of Wight festival this summer.
Sky Ferreira: Surpassing all expectations with her debut album, big things can be expected from this future icon. See her at smaller shows before it's too late. Catch her at Field Day in London.
Deftones: Always an act to behold, singer Chino Moreno has one of the most beautiful and recognisable voice in metal. They will play one exclusive UK show this year at Sonisphere.
Kanye West: Part car crash, part epic. West's live show are always crazy as hell and always come complete with 20 minute rants about leather jogging pants amongst other things. He will be headlining Wireless festival in London and Birmingham this summer. Jeezus walks.
Anna Calvi: Her second album One Breath was a breathtaking accomplishing, enhancing her arresting live show more and more. Calvi is due to play Isle Of Wight festival, Glastonbury, Latitude and Green Man.
Woman's Hour: Dark, moody, awesome synth pop with some incredibly serene vocals, find out why these guys are ones to watch when they play Farr Festival, Latitude, Kendal Calling and Beacons before headlining Village Underground in September.
St Vincent: Part performance art, part gig, all awesome - prepare for the mindblowing spectacle of experiencing Annie Clark live. Touring througout Europe this summer, you can catch her at Glastonbury, End Of The Road and Electric Picnic, before she returns for two UK headline tours in August and October.
The National: As strong as ever, The National are perhaps the greatest American rock act of the last decade. They will be playing the British Summer Time festival with Neil Young at Hyde Park over summer, as well as huge gigs across Europe.
Kings Of Leon: One of the world's biggest guitar bands, whether you love them or loathe them. Catch the 'Sex On Fire' megastars when they play a whole load of massive stadium and arena shows in June, before they headline the Isle Of Wight festival.
Flaming Lips: Seeing Wayne Coyne live is sort of like going to a mad hatters tea party with a brain full of acid - mental. Grab tickets to see them in May, before they headline End Of The Road festival in August
Sampha: Often mistaken as part of SBTRKT, Sampha is very much his own artist now, becoming a worthy household name after collaborating with Drake. He will be playing Reading & Leeds, Parklife and Field Day this summer.
John Newman: The chart topper will be returning to the road for an extensive tour in October.
Thumpers: This duo sound truly unique in 2014, fusing sharp guitar work with impactful synths. Celebrate their glorious debut Galore with tour dates throughout May before they play Blissfields and Secret Garden Party this summer.
Banks: Hugely enigmatic, hugely mysterious, she is the saviour of R&B, putting out some seriously moody and impeccably produced tracks. Catch her touring the UK at Lovebox and Longitude.
Haim: Winners of Best International Act at the NME Awards, HAIM are wholly deserving with a reputation as a great live band. They will be touring with the Kings of Leon in June, before hitting the European festival scene pretty hard - stopping by the UK to play Glastonbury, T In The Park, Latitude and Longitude.
CHVRCHES: We named their stunning debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe, our No.1 album of 2013. Enjoy it in all of its full glory when they play Glastonbury, Somerset House, T In The Park, Longitude, Reading & Leeds and Bestival.
London Grammar: The band will be embarking on a July tour of the UK amidst a lengthy schedule of festival appearances, including Bestival, Glastonbury, No Tomorrow, Festival No.6 and more.
Arcade Fire: From an art-rock indie cult into a full-blown carnival of dance and stadium-filling brilliance. Get your fancy dress on and make sure you catch the Reflektor stars at Earls Court, Glastonbury or playing British Summer Time at Hyde Park this summer.
Queens Of The Stone Age: Like Clockwork turned them festival-botherers to bona fide headlining rock gods. By far one of the greatest live acts on the planet, miss Josh Homme and co headlining Reading and Leeds festival at your peril.
Despacio: A collaboration between Soulwax and James Murphy, Despacio is every music fanboy's dream. Catch them this year at Sonar.
Janelle Monae: The live tour de force known as The Electric Lady will be doing the festival rounds around Europe this summer, playing V Festival in the UK.
Damon Albarn: The Blur frontman is certainly in demand this year with his solo album Everyday Robots charming fans and critics. He will be headlining Latitude and playing loads of festivals across Europe.
Arctic Monkeys: If you haven't caught them live, what the hell are you doing. Catch them at Finsbury Park in May, Reading & Leeds and T in the Park.
While we may be spoilt for incredible album releases in 2014, with our record collections and iPods bursting with excellent new albums and whatnot, we're already knackered from the countless awesome gigs we've been to - and there are many more to come.
But of the thousands upon thousands of new and established bands and artists currently on the road, who's actually worth seeing? Who is worth the ticket price or standing around a festival tent for? Who are the best live bands around at the moment?
Well, for our money, it's these 60 right here. Across all genres and definitely touring in 2014, these are the bands and artists that you MUST make sure you see this year.
