Right then. 2022. It’s been quite a year - ups, downs and everything in between. Here’s how it went for me. We started the year badly - cancelling the UK tour. But then “FTHC” came out, a huge labour of love, and it went to #1 in the UK chart, and that’s not shabby. I recorded great music for @themeffsuk, @theoozes and others, and the @jess.guise record I produced came into the world. I played a show with an orchestra. @mingleharde popped fully-formed into existence on a cruise ship and released their debut single, “Taxi For The Hörde”. Touring started properly in April in Ireland, and it was a joy to be back on the road, now with Mr @calloumi Green (the dream machine) behind the kit. We had to pull a few more shows in Austria due to post-Covid difficulties, which sucked. I played the last ever show at Nambucca, which was emotional, to put it mildly (full recording coming.. soon). I was honoured to open some comeback shows for the great @mychemicalromance. I went to America and played all 50 states (and lived to tell the tale). My other side project, @eatingbeforeswimming , released it’s debut EP, “Playtime With Christopher & Francis” (after working on it for a decade, really). We went to Berlin and did @losteveningsfest 5, a huge success. We toured the UK, including having some shows with my friend @mashpmusic from Sierra Leone on the bill, a great joy. We finished the year back in Europe, being honoured to share stages with @donotsofficial and @billytalentband . All in all, 138 shows in 12 countries, Derby to Hawaii and back (via international waters). The world I inhabit still feels a little wounded, like it’s limping, but it’s starting to pick up its pace. I hope the holiday season, whatever form it takes for you, is peaceful, loving, and calm (if that’s what you want). I’m signing off for the year now. Here’s to 2023.