The Week in Music: Nick Cave is No 1 with a brooding classic that reaches for the sky
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Your support makes all the difference.It's that time of year when music magazines and websites report their best of 2013 lists. In its latest issue, NME picks Arctic Monkeys' AM as their No 1 album of the year – expected given their rave 10/10 review on its release.
My No 1 is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' brooding Push the Sky Away, followed by Foals' thrilling Holy Fire, packed with instant hooks, and Daft Punk's epic electronic adventures Random Access Memories. Music website Drowned in Sound's Top 20 is on its way and is the place to go for recommendations for the year's more leftfield albums: Jon Hopkins and Hookworms for example. Check it out on Monday.
Metal giants are ready to rock Sonisphere
Knebworth is a legendary venue that has hosted concerts by everyone from the Rolling Stones to Robbie Williams. So it's fitting that in its 40th year of gigs, next summer it is hosting what is set to be one of the biggest festivals of 2014. After two years off, Sonisphere is back with a three-day bash boasting metal giants Metallica and Iron Maiden: their first appearance together on a British bill.
It's the only opportunity to see each band in the UK next year. It makes tough competition for Download Festival where the line-up so far includes The Offspring, Status Quo, Steel Panther and Trivium. Meanwhile, Reading and Leeds have announced their first headliner, Blink-182, and Metronomy, Jake Bugg and Disclosure are also on the bill. Take advantage of 2013 prices until January.
Choice sounds mark out Cherry's child
Just as the return of Neneh Cherry sparks excitement, her daughter emerges as a singer to watch. Tyson McVey has teamed up with producer Shaun Savage, who has worked with Arthur Beatrice, to form Panes, and the London duo played their debut gig on Wednesday. It's early days, but "Choice Errors" showcases McVey's silky vocals gliding over twitchy beats and Oriental strings.
Hot tickets
Joan as Policewoman has a new album and tour in March. Her first London date sold out in minutes, but tickets for the rest of the tour – until 28 March – are on sale now.
Gig of the week
Xfm's doubleheaded Winter Wonderland has an excellent line-up. Manchester's Apollo on Tuesday stars Jake Bugg, Primal Scream, The 1975 and Kodaline, while Thursday at London's Brixton Academy has The Vaccines, White Lies and CHVRCHES.
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