CityLife

Glenn Meads' top five

REM's Michael Stipe

REM @ Old Trafford - Guillemots opened and delivered a blinding set, followed by Editors. Then on came Michael Stipe; confident and ready to rock. Manchester became shiny and happy again. This was, without doubt the most underrated live performance of the year.

Massive Attack @ Castlefield Arena - A fantastic atmosphere and in the company of Bristol's finest dance-meisters. Hearing Teardrop again after all this time was one of those moments you never forget.

Girls Aloud @ M.E.N. Arena - Pre X Factor, Cheryl & Co were still at the top of their game. Suspended in mid air like raunchy wonder women, they gave Manchester one of the most stunning openings to a gig I have seen. Pop-tastic.

Alphabeat @ Club Academy - Wuthering Heights and the stormy nights; silly lyrics and a daft band, but I loved them. The crowd were in party mode and these Danes popped in and delivered. The band Same Difference would love to be.

Kris Kristofferson @ Apollo - This humble gent gave a gig whereby less was indeed more. Armed with just a guitar and harmonica, he has loads of fight and fire still within and beautiful songs. And he loved Obama before the rest of us. Sheer bliss!