Welcome to the New York Times Popcast, your blood sweat and no tears.

Of music, news and criticism, I'm your host, John Cara Monica. Sure, we're listening to Madonna at the top of the show.

Sure, we're listening to Madonna at the top of the show.

Why wouldn't we be listening to Madonna at the top of the show?

And if we're listening to Madonna at the top of the show, real popcast heads, no.

It's because Karen Gans is here.

Karen Gans, the music editor of the New York Times, Karen,

first of all, happy new year.

Happy New Year, John.

We have been unusually in touch during the last week

closing out a bunch of pieces.

And one thing that I have said to you over and again, over the 10 days is that the people are clamoring for Gans.

There's notes, there's comments, there's emails.

They want to know how your year was and finally on your Instagram which is private but on

your Instagram and also on Twitter but you posted an albums and songs list

which I'm glad you did and we'll talk a little bit about it but you

posted a list that reminds me of one of the reasons that you are the most qualified person to do this job, which is your live music best of 2023.

One more time, louder for the bosses in the back.

I'm just saying if any superior editors high-level mass that people are listening

Karen Gans goes to shows. You could say one thing about Karen Gans. Karen Gans goes to shows And it got me thinking last week,

I talked to Cesario about the business of live music

and how good a year was for the business of live music,23 and I looked at your list and I really I thought

...