With thoughts turning to towards Christmas puddings, those festive jumpers and family time I thought it would be fun to bring back the Garys once more. What’s a Gary you ask? Well, it’s a lighthearted and tongue in cheek end of year set of ‘awards’ aimed at highlighting some of the good and out of the ordinary things that happened in 2025 from a personal perspective. The year saw the serious progression of some artists that Devolution has championed for years. It was also a wonderful voyage of discovery finding new creatives be that in music, fashion or the wider arts. While times are still tough it is heartening to see so many independents thriving. So here then are my Garys for 2025.
Award for the best album:
There’s a top five albums list by myself and other staff members of Devolution in a feature all of its own. So please (hopefully after reading this) go and check it out.
The Déjà vu moment
Doing a gothic photo shoot with Hollie Wood, suggesting Crowland Abbey located not far away and then realising we shot, or at least attempted to shoot there last time Hollie visited. This time though the repeat didn’t extend to torrential rain.
Discoveries of 2025
Many people were blown away by Dog Rotten at Rebellion Festival this year. I was one of them. I knew nothing about them until they hit the introducing stage this August. They were quite brilliant. BEX was seemingly everywhere this year, a DIY punk rock force of nature. Big future’s beckon for both of these fine acts.
The never a hair out of place award
Sophie Young scoops this for a shoot I did with her at Burghley House. It was a sunny but very windy day. Sophie’s hair like the rest of her refused to be flustered and looked immaculate.
The 15 year old me would not believe this moment.
Shooting the mighty Iron Maiden at the London Stadium for their 50th anniversary was a dream come true. I first saw Maiden as a young teenager, little did I know then I would get to take photos and review a show of this magnitude decades later.
Award for politeness while pinching yourself
When Change Persona found their way to the press area late on the Sunday at Download they were just so polite we had to make time to chat with them. They had after all won through to play the Download Festival Boardie Takeover and were still taking everything in. How could we refuse!
Timing is everything
It was a fine show Arch Enemy put on at the Eventim Apollo (Hammersmith Odeon in old money). Only days later Alissa had left the band and the shots taken would be some of the last of her fronting them.
A rock star visited here award
This goes to BEX who I am pretty sure is a (punk)rock star in the making. We spent a fantastic day together at my home studio (dining room) creating images for her fashion feature in issue 57. BEX makes all her own stage wear and even prints her own merch as well as writing and performing her music. To me she represents the DIY ethic so well so I was very happy to have her visit.
The ‘we’re going to need a bigger boat’ award
Babymetal for perching the photographers at the 02 Arena show on a platform behind the sound desk. The bigger boat in this instance would be a longer lens. For the photo geeks out there a 400mm only just reached the end of the ramp with any real success. The stage felt like it was in another post code.
Award for a touch of class
I loved each and every one of my photo shoots this year. One though stood out because of the way things aligned during and after the planning, and also because Leah Debrincat oozed class right throughout our shoot. Her make up and attention to detail was fantastic while her outfit, made by Leah herself, was nothing short of sensational.
Best live performance
Halestorm get this for not one but two world class sets. The first was as support to Iron Maiden at the London Stadium. The second a brilliant show at the 02. On both occasions the musicianship was exceptional and Lzzy Hale’s vocal world class. I have to also give an honourable mention to Molly Vulpynes for two outstanding performances at this year’s Rebellion Festival
The OMG heart melting moment award.
The little girl on her dad’s shoulders at Download Festival was just such a wholesome thing to see, especially as she was rocking all the moves including offering a prayer at one point. Maybe she was asking for the rain to stay away which it did.
The we told you they’d be popular award
When the Vengaboys were announced for Download Festival after, it has to be said, fans requested them many scoffed and some gatekeepers blew fuses. Then the day came and the Doghouse was rammed to overflowing. The band played the set well and the crowd went mental. Well played to the bookers. With the door now ajar it’s up to Scooter to kick it open even further in 2026.
The show must go on award
You’re doing your sound check at your first appearance at Rebellion Festival and somehow break one of your ribs in a fall. Lesser people would have buckled but not Lol Shango of the Papashangos. He simply carried on without so much as a wince, at least until they’d finished playing.
The I was there iconic performance
There aren’t many bands that carry themselves so well at such a young age but Spunk rocked it at The Tache in Blackpool turning the venue into a passible facsimile of the legendary CBGB’s in the process. They have an unmistakable aura about them, one of future greatness.
The budgie smuggler of happiness award for making music fun.
Who else but Aussie fruit loops Battlesnake who wear eye catching matching white outfits before disrobing to their (very) brief briefs. Don’t be fooled though these guys can play too. They are many forms of entertainment all rolled up into one glorious show. Please come back soon.
The moving on up award
It’s great to watch an artist grow, to follow them from the beginning and see them succeed. Devolution’s cover star for issue 56 Delilah Bon remains steadfastly DIY. This year as an unsigned act she played the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham and blew the roof off in a sold-out show, one of several on the tour. That’s seriously impressive by any standard. And the performance itself showed huge growth too with huge vocals and blistering stagecraft. This isn’t just an artist doing well, she’s changing what people think of as possible.
And Finally. The thank you for such a memorable year award
For the second year this must go to you. Thank you once again for your support and for making it through another end of year Garys. Now it’s time to welcome Santa, drink and eat until thoroughly full and fall asleep and dream of sunny summer festivals.
The Devolution team and I will see you in 2026
Awards hosted and all photos by Gary Trueman
Read issue 57 online here: https://devolutionmagazine.co.uk/current-issue/