Ahead of the first anniversary of his show, the Tameside Radio presenter looks back on the music scene throughout 2021 including some of the bands and artists he's supported.

As 2021 comes to an end, next Monday completes the first full year of my show ‘The Dave Sweetmore Show’ airing on Tameside Radio.

Alongside Laura Beth, who has worked on my show for several years at various stations, we’ve had an amazing year of broadcasting mainly live shows on Monday nights, playing some of the greatest indie anthems and rock and roll classics ever, along with music from many new bands and artists who we love to support, many of who come from the Tameside and Greater Manchester area.

The interaction, support and feedback the show gets each week motivates us week in and week out, and we can’t ever thank our regular listeners enough, you are as much a part of the show as we are. 

Considering we’ve had almost two years of the worst time of our lives, thanks mainly to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was great to see venues and festivals open back up in July, people in hospitality and events back working to an extent, and people enjoying gigs and loving life once more.

Let’s hope it stays this way for all of our sakes. 2021 also saw many bands release unbelievable new music, far too many to mention, making it in my opinion one of the best times ever for new guitar music. 

Bands such as Afternoon People, Stanleys, The Facades, Mercy Kelly, Flechettes, really came to the forefront of the new music scene. 

Dave with Little Man Tate in Sheffield in October

Established acts such as Ryan Jarvis and Alias Kid came back playing gigs like they’d never been away. Some of the best albums released included Lee O’Brien and Cold Water Swimmers, just two albums that prove it’s not just chart music that should be highlighted and celebrated. 

We also had an amazing year for legendary guests on the show, with the likes of Status Quo’s Francis Rossi and Slade’s Dave Hill joining us. 

For me personally, the musical comeback of all time was complete when Little Man Tate played two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 Academy in October. 

I was event DJ at both nights, which turned out to be highlights not just of the year, but of my life. 

The tribute scene also came back with a bang, with good size festivals selling out all over the country. 

I’d like to name all of the bands and artistes who I’ve loved this year, both signed and unsigned, but unfortunately for the amount of brilliant new music there is, this column is nowhere near big enough. 

Music is the best thing in the world, bringing positivity, happiness and love to everyone who gets it, and with regards to the pandemic, its music that has got many of us through it. 

Hosting my show on Tameside Radio at 7pm on a Monday night is a privilege and a pleasure, and long may it continue. 

Thank you for a great year to the listeners, the amazing team at Quest Media, the musicians and rock ‘n’ roll stars who give us so much joy, the venues and teams who make things happen, and of course my radio sidekick Laura Beth for all of her work on the show. 

With normality returning, and new music the way it is, let’s hope 2022 is the best year ever for new musicians and bands. Happy New Year and all the best for 2022!

You can listen to Dave on Tameside Radio 103.6FM on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Click here to subscribe and catch up on previous shows.

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