BriTiSh SeA PoWeR LIVE @ Rescue Rooms Nottingham 10/04/13

I have seen British Sea Power on a couple of occasions before but always at festivals. There is something uniquely lovable about their eccentricities, the stage is usually decked out in branches and random paraphernalia, tonight is no exception! An amazing backdrop of lights and projected films give a theatrical experience, there are also a pair of stag's antlers?? That's before you even listen to the music!

Fortunately, I checked Facebook for tonight's on stage times and discovered that British Sea Power were doing a 'Quiet Set' first followed by the support band Brown Brogues and then a Main 'Loud' Set. A mad rush to meet friends and get to the venue followed, just in time to find BSP on stage! 

"Even the show's structure is unconventional. BSP perform two sets, wildly different in style and volume, interspersed by madcap guitar duo Brown Brogues – a mix of the Cramps and the White Stripes. BSP frontman Yan introduces the band's quieter set as "a gentle warm-up. Relax your buttocks." Subdued brass gives the new song Radio Goddard – a tribute to the songwriter Geoff Goddard, author of many of the hits produced by Joe Meek – the air of a colliery band. With a chorus revolving around the quaint phrase "Dear boy", the song also becomes a lovely epitaph to a lost England of tea rooms, Bakelite radios, Terry-Thomas and Ian Carmichael."

Unconventional, but then BSP are not your average indie band. Machineries of Joy is BSP's sixth studio album over a ten year period and by now they should surely only able to manage a 'Best of Compilation' with a couple of new tracks thrown in to keep the fans happy. Instead, Machineries of Joy contains some of their best work to date. I adore the title track 'Machineries of Joy' with it's 'Elbowesk' overtones and tonight they start their 'Loud Set' with it. A journey through their back catalogue then ensues, from B-sides, to singles, to new tracks, it's all here. It's not often I leave the Rescue Rooms at 11.15pm after a band has played 24 tracks in 3 sets! I had to go for a sit down and quick pint in Spanky's afterwards to recover. 

'Machineries of Joy' Live @ Rescue Rooms

I must admit to having fallen a little out of love with BSP over the last couple of years. But, like an overplayed album, if you leave it long enough, you play it again and you realise why you loved it in the first place. The new material from BSP is some of their best yet. Combine that with a back catalogue of some great songs and you have the makings of not only a fantastic night of entertainment but a sense of something a little special happening. On tonight's showing, this is a band of musicians reaching the height of their game, could they better this? I hope so!

Link's to some more footage I took, enjoy! 

'Remember Me' Live @ Rescue Rooms

"No Lucifer, No Lucifer" Live @ Rescue Rooms

Quiet set

1. True Adventures 
2. Hail Holy Queen 
3. Blackout 
4. Radio Goddard 
5. What You Need the Most 
6. Main Set
6. Machineries of Joy 
7. Lights Out For Darker Skies 
8. Bear 
9. When a Warm Wind Blows Through the Grass 
10. Spring Has Sprung 
11. Salty Water 
12. A Light Above Descending 
13. It Ended On An Oily Stage 
14. Waving Flags 
15. The Great Skua 
16. Mongk II 
17. Loving Animals 
18. No Lucifer 
19. K Hole 
20. Apologies to Insect Life 
21. Lately 
22. Encore:
22. Remember Me 
23. Carrion 
24. All In It 

BasTiLLe live @ Rock City Nottingham 21/03/13

Bastille, what to expect? I had no idea! There has been an underground swell that something is really kicking off for this band. Yet to release an album but selling out venues across the land. The show had been moved to Rock City due to the speed in which the tickets had sold for the Rescue Rooms. They then sold out Rock City! Realistically, as I sat in the Social with a pint, I thought, they have two tracks that I really like so it's worth going to watch them because surely they will have one or two more worth a listen?

Arriving onstage with the mysterious Twin Peaks playing in the background they launched straight into 'Bad Blood' the title track from their debut album. The crowd scream and sing back the words to band as if they have been around for years! The crowd, a real mixed audience, made up mainly of young females and 'quifftastic scenesters', a mosh pit designed by GHD, but also containing older more seasoned gig goers. Therein I feel lies the success of this band, they appeal to a broad spectrum of fans and age groups.
 They have the good looking lead singer but they also have some killer tunes. And let's not forget Dan Smith's vocals, impeccable tonight. Highlights were 'What would you do' the mash up of 'Of the Night/Rhythm is a Dancer' 'Pompeii' in which support band To Kill a King come back on stage to join in and the grand finale 'Flaws'. This sees Smith do a grand tour of Rock City to sing alongside the fans who have lapped up tonight's performance. The last person I saw do this at the Rock was Johnny Borrell of Razorlight before they went massive! You sense 'going massive' is only  a matter of time for Bastille if they continue to play live shows as energising and joyful as tonight. Go and see them in a small venue while you can would be my advice!!

Some footage I took from the gig :-)

Flaws
http://youtu.be/fUEzlWp3Ogc

Pompeii
http://youtu.be/zZr9NGp0dQQ

Of the Night/Rhythm is a Dancer
http://youtu.be/Os21mRLzVY4

Not Nineteen Forever!!! :-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM73QX3Hx_w

Not Nineteen Forever Live @ Rock City Nottingham

She's had to peel me off the pavement


Trying to insinuate sometimes I'm in danger of going too far

Said would I like to go for tea and toast?

Get your hand off my thigh

In the car she turned to me and said

You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together

I know it seems strange but things they change

My mates think I'm mental for filming gigs but when I watch and listen to this I know exactly why I do it!! A second chance to relive the moment!!The amount of gigs I have been to over the years that I would love to be able to look at the footage now..Interpol in Tokyo, Kasabian in New York, Artic Monkeys @ Bristol BeerKeller, The Strokes @ The Leadmill, Coldplay @ The Leadmill, New Order @ Preston Guildhall..just a few!!! I'm only doing it this year anyway.. :-D

LoVe MuSiC HaTe RaCiSm - GiG PosteR

 Gig Poster with the confirmed line-up!!

Two days to go!!!!

It's been tough on a budget of 20p!!

My mate Lee has done a good job of the poster!!

 I am hoping everything will go ok!! :-D

I think tomorrow might be interesting!!

Really looking forward to seeing Elementz

These guys are creating a massive buzz around Nottingham at the moment. 

In their words...rest assured we'll get the people involved... :-D

LoVe MuSiC HaTe RaCiSm - GiG

LMHR Gig

This gig is taking over my life at the moment!!

10 days to go and I still haven't confirmed the headline act!!

Going to see another band tonight called Dog is Dead.

They are a Notts based band..lots of good things being said about them.

Matt from LMHR is trying to get a regional rep to come and do a talk between bands!!

Also potentially got a guy called Motor Mouf going to perform!!

Trying to sort a gig on literally 10 pence is trying to say the least.

Things to do today...

Sort filming of gig

Sort new poster

Sort a headline act!! :-/ooo

Get rid of hangover!!

Facebook page link of the event

http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=168707128952&ref=ts

LoVe MuSiC HaTe RaCiSm - The Reason Why!!

LOVE  MUSIC  HATE  RACISM - GIG 
@ The Town Mill Mansfield
25th of November 7.30pm -11.30pm
£3 NUS £4 Non NUS

UNITING DIFFERENT CULTURES UNDER ONE BANNER TO PROVE THERES NO PLACE FOR RACISM IN SOCIETY.

FASCIST GROUPS LIKE THE BNP AND EDL WANT TO DIVIDE OUR COMMUNITIES BY MISLEADING AND LYING TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT, LACK OF HOUSING AND THE ECONOMIC CRISIS. THIS IS BASED ON THE DISGUSTING IDEA THAT ONLY WHITE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY

OUR EVENTS SERVE AS A TESTAMENT TO THE FACT THAT A DIVERSE AND MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY IS A POSITIVE THING

LoVe MuSiC HaTe RaCiSm - GiG

I can't believe it is actually happening!!! 

The 25th of November at the Town Mill in Mansfield 7.30 -11.30!!

This has taken alot of time and effort on my part!! Trying to organise a gig with a budget of next to nothing has been trying to say the least.The two bands booked so far are The Educatables and Supermojo..trying to sort headline act asap!!I have pestered loads of bands but no confirmed acts yet...We Were Promised Jet Packs said last night they would have done it but they are touring all of Novemeber! They would have been amazing..next time if they aren't massive by then!! Been pricing up t-shirts but unlikely we will have a budget to do that.. :-( shame really as it would be coolio to have a t-shirt to commemorate the first gig I have ever organised!!I must mention a guy I met at the Hockley Hustle who has been really helpful.. Cheers Andy without your advice I doubt I would have been able to get all the contacts :-D

Anyone is welcome so get in touch if you want a ticket...

All the profits will be going to support the Love Music Hate Racism campaign!

The EditoRs 2007 25/10/07 - The EditOrS 2009 23/10/09

The Editors @ Rock City 25/10/07

Interesting night...I can't believe this was 2 years ago? It seems like a few months ago!

I had already seen the Editors @ the Social and the Rescue Rooms. I still love their first album.

The second is ok but the latest is pretty average to say the least.

What happened that night changed my life!!

Changed me, some good some not so good!!

I should regret the events of the night but then I would be regretting meeting someone who I still care about even though she is a dick who can barely speak to me these days!!

I don't believe in regrets..what is the point? It's done and you can't change it!

You just have to learn from your mistakes.

I hope tonight's gig is as much fun!! ;-D

The Answering Machine @ Social Nottingham15/10/09

A good night!! A good band!! ;-D

tHE XX @ sOCIAL nOTTINGHAM 7/10/09

The XX

Before I heard the band play any music I read that they were a cross between The Cure, Massive Attack and Portishead!! So automatically I was fascinated!! I wasn't disappointed! I love the album and the thought of seeing them in the Social excited me, lots and lots! I have seen them once before at Leeds Festival but it was mid afternoon hungover slot so didn't really concentrate that much.

The Support band were pretty average - The Trailer Trash Tracys - Mmmm? Like the Eurythmics without the rhythm! I needed something special  to stop me drifting off into a Red Stripe Haze. The XX's came on and the whole venue went into what can only be described as an intense silence of expectation.

They have roughly one album's worth of tunes, 40 mins long and then they do a cover version, usually Teardrops by Womack and Womack. The time flew by as they went through the album in virtual order. Highlights for me were Crystalised, VCR, Islands and Teardrops.

The Social was an ideal venue for their intimate and minimilistic sound. Combined with barely any lighting it created an extraordinary electrically charged atmosphere which I had never experienced before at a gig in the Social. This was my fifth gig in 7 days but definitely one to remember. A 9/10 night :-D

Go and see this band before they get big!! I am not sure how well their sound will transfer to big venues? This issue I discussed with someone who turned out to be the Lead singer of the XX's girlfriend! Whoops!! She wasn't impressed but hey we are all entitled to our opinions! I did tell her also that I loved the album and the gig!! The band signed the poster for me and I bought ANOTHER t-shirt!!

Checkout SUBCULTUREART TV on Youtube for some of the footage of the gig I recorded.

The Cribs@Lincoln Engine Shed

 

The Cribs - Where to start!! As soon as they come on stage there is a masive buzz around the venue. I have never been to The Engine Shed before but it is a brand new venue which is also a Student Union building. I saw the band about a month ago and the more I hear the new songs from the latest album the more you can hear the influence that Johnny Marr has had..They are just fooking mind blowing rhythmic masterpieces. I loved this band before he became part of the line-up, now, they are just the ultimate band with every type of tune. The time flies all too quickly as it does when something is so electric and absorbing that you can't take your eyes of the stage and the bass of the speakers is ripping through your whole body as you jump up and down like nothing else in the whole wide world matters, because for 90 minutes The Cribs are all that matter. They pick in and out of their back catalogue with ease, they have such an arsenal of tunes it must be difficult to decide which ones to leave out! They played songs from all four of their albums, faves included 'Mens Needs' 'Hey Scenesters''Another Number''I'm a Realist' and 'Cheat on Me'. In my lager fuddled opinion The Cribs are the Best Band in The World at the moment!!! I love em!! :-D

Adam Green - An unusual but lively support act. You might of heard of his former band The Moldy Peaches? If not check them out! Some of their tracks are on the Juno soundtrack also. I liked his style and his crazeee dancing..You gotta love anyone that does crazee dancing on stage!! Fave track 'Jessica Simpson'. 

 

S & V and Me!! With huge 2 pint pots!! Bollox to queueing!!lol!! Vlad has turned his pot upside down and he is now using it as a House!! ;-D
Gig 3 in Rocktober was the best yet!! Good Music, Good friends and lots of laughs! DEFO a 10/10
Footage I took from the Cribs @ Camden Barfly!!!

WiLd BeAsTs @Social Nottingham

 Wild Beasts - This is the fourth time I have seen the Wild Beasts!! They get better every time! Seeing bands in the Social is always extra special when you realise you are seeing a band destined to play far bigger venues. The intimacy of the venue enables you to get so close it's like having bands play just for you. I can thoroughly recommend the bands 2 albums. The show consists of a mixture of both. The highlights are 'The Devils Crayon' and 'Hooting and Howling' amongst others! Hearing the second album tracks live you can see how the band have developed their unique sound. The vocals sound amazing live and close up!! The two main protagonists of the band share the vocals, Hayden Thorpe's falsetto creates many a.nerve tingling moment!!Truely amazing night! wow wow wow :-D

 

Kate 'without the' Bush - I can't remember what this band where called but they sounded like Kate without the Bush!! If you get my drift! Pleasent but no substance..nice dress though!! lol

C with a man with 3 necks!! Note to self..lose some chins or take photos from a different angle!!

Nice top though G...my new Liam Gallagher like top from One True Saxon..niceee

An excellent night for a mere £8.50 entrance fee!!

Gig 2 in Rocktober...a defo 9/10!!!  See them now!! :-D

Animal Kingdom@Social Nottingham

Rugosa Nevada - the support band with a strange name...ok but trying quite hard to sound like early U2. So if you like early U2 give them a listen. Times must be hard for bands as they came around the venue after the gig selling their first E.P. for a pound on home burnt CD's. I bought one as I felt a little sorry for them! Listened to it on the way to work and...it sounds a little like early U2!! surprise!!

Animal Kingdom - Much hype and speculation surrounds these at the moment. Where they any good? There were 5 of them crammed on the tiny stage at the Social and they made a very together, professional sound but ultimately bar for a couple of half decent tracks and the singer's fairly unique voice they didn't really do much for me. I can see these becoming quite big as they play very 'pleasent' music. They work well as a band with a very Coldplay type sound. They are very radio friendly and they seem like a nice set of guys. The lead singer came over and invited us to have a drink with him after the gig. For me though they just didn't have enough of a impact, I didn't come away thinking 'wow' I need to buy their new album although I am sure if I heard one of their tracks on the radio or on a night out I would think that sounds ok!!

Music 6/10 Nice tunes but Forgettable

Cocktails 10/10 Rocktober started with a Pornstar Martini!!

The pictures are of Animal Kingdom..I took them from the side of the stage. I like the way they appear under developed.

J with a Reef...You classy lady!!!! Apparently, it's the drink of choice for all the middle classes. ;-Dx

Day 1 of Rocktober events...to be continued!!

Mumford & Sons - King Charles@ Sheffield Plug

I love a train journey!!! with a gig at the end it is like my perfect night/day out!!!

Sheffield Plug - The last time I went to this venue was to see the Prodigy - secret gig - fooking amazing!! So I had high expectations.

King Charles - Surprisingly good with such a shit name. I will only say that the dude has the most amazing hair!!! Lion man esq!! Watch this band - lots of potential, intriguing sound!!

Mumford & Sons -After such good support how good would they be? Fooking Rocking!! Sometimes hyped bands crash and burn but you can feel that these love just playing music. The atmosphere was electric, good banter with the crowd, beautiful tunes..I think that 'Blank White Page' is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard!! live it was just intense and something I will remember for a long time!! 'Little Lion Man' had the crowd jumping up and down... Believe the hype is all I can say! The album comes out on Rocktober the 5th and you would be a fool not to buy it! See this band now before they get massive or then again maybe wait for another 20 years and see them in a pub as they are the type of band you feel will be playing for fun because they love music. A 9 out of 10 night ..Rocktober beckons and I hope some of the gigs are as good as this. You will probably dance like a fool to this at some point this year!!!

'but it was not your fault but mine

and it was your heart on the line
i really fucked it up this time
didn't I, my dear?

Good call Stevie....I was Stellafied and fell asleep on the train home..RESULT :-D

RoCkToBeR

Rocktober has officially begun!! albeit a few days early!!!

Gigs lined up....

last night Mumford & Sons with support  from King Charles

Sunday 27th of September - The Temper Trap

Monday 28th - Bombay Bicycle Club

Friday 2nd - The Wild Beasts

Saturday 3rd - The Cribs

Monday 5th - The Maccabees

Wednesday 7th - The XX's

Thursday 15th - Answering Machine

Friday 16th - John Cooper Clarke

Thursday 22nd - Danananananackroyd

Saturday 24th - Twilight Sad

Thursday 29th - Delphic

Saturday 31st - Maps

OOOOOOOoooooooHHHHHHhhhhhhhh Happy Days!!!! :-D

IgNorE tHe IgNoraNt - tHE CRIBS

 

I think the new Cribs album is a 'grower' rather than an 'instant hit' of an album. The songs are more rhythmic and mellow in comparison to Men's Needs which contained more jagged angry anthemic tunes.I have only listened to it about 4 or 5 times but the Johnny Marr's influence is obvious. Just take a listen to the first single taken from the album 'Cheat on Me' and the 'melodic Smithesque' guitar sound is evident.

The Cribs have been one of my favourite bands of the last few years, ever since I heard the track Another Number on Steve Lamacq in 2004.  They have developed as a band over the last three albums with a distinctive sound all of their own. The Wakefield twang in 'Hari Kari' makes me smile. I am not sure that the fans they gained from their last album will enjoy this as much as it isn't as instantaneous but persevere as sometimes the best albums are the ones you need to listen to for a while before loving them. Fave tracks so far, Last Years Snow,City of Bugs and Nothing. Definitely an 8/10 album, maybe a 9!defo a 9 :-Dx

They are also a great live band and I am going to see them tonight in Camden at a tiny venue called the Barfly, it holds about 200 people!!  Advertised as;

The Cribs Play the London Barfly

The Cribs will play a very special and very intimate gig at London's Barfly on the 6th of September to celebrate the release of 'Ignore The Ignorant'.

I haven't been this excited about a gig in ages. I might actually get to meet Johnny Marr... :-D

PaperLeSS TiCkEts - ThE CriBs

I don't like paperless tickets?????? booooooo

I like to collect my tickets!!!!

Also, why is there booking fees if there is no postal charges etc.??

Well exciteed about the gig though!!! ;-Dx