BEST OF 2016: Jack O'Rourke Reveals His Picks of 2016

Favourite Song of 2016?
"Laura", Bat for Lashes... I only heard it this year after getting The Bride and revisiting her catologue. The melody and simplicity of the arrangement is so evocative. I directed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in my school (I'm a secondary teacher, when not a rock star by night and I got my students to sing "Charlie" instead of "Laura". It merged perfectly!
Also "Treaty" by Cohen. Took me a second listen, to realise he was talking to God - when he says "I sit at your table every night, I try but I just can't get high with you." Makes my eyes brim with tears and it reaffirms my own agnosticism.

Favourite Album of 2016?
Toss up between Blackstar, Bowie, At Swim, Lisa Hannigan & Skeleton Tree, Nick Cave.

Favourite Gig of 2016?
Was going to say Patti Smith, but that was 2015... Christ. On a personal note, at Other Voices I got to hear Hattie Webb play her harp like some Greek deity. She sang harmonies with me during my set in The Church... I think I found my Emmylou. Any gig on my tour, particularly The Everyman & Whelans... lots of memories and madness.

Favourite Film
Arrival - breathtaking and surreal.

TV Show?
Happy Valley -Sarah Lancashire has a vulnerability that's hard to match - still can't help seeing her as Raquel in Corrie and wanting to protect her from her naivety.

Favourite Book
The Green Road, Anne Enright is about as real and honest a depiction of an Irish family you can get. Beautiful and shocking and she writes gay men well.