What Went Down- Foals (Album Review)

Foals- What Went Down

What Went Down is the latest album by Foals. It was released on the 28^th August on Transgressive Records and is the 4^th studio album by the band. The band followed the release by doing a surprise set at this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival on the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage on Saturday in the early afternoon. I managed to hear the set (and see it from the screens and watch only the last few minutes of it properly) from the Catfish and the Bottlemen signing tent queue at Reading Festival and from what I heard they were something pretty spectacular. The whole queue especially enjoyed a sing along to “My Number”!

The album opens with the title track. The song “What Went Down” is powerful and punchy and opens up the album perfectly as it leaves a lasting impression of excitement on the listener as to what’s to come. What Went Down is a song which announces the return and comeback of Foals. It is simply stating that Foals are back and with some sort of mission. It gives the album a clear sense of direction from the offset. The song is catchy as the end of the song is captivating. It’s repetitive and builds up to a point of total suspense leaving the listener wanting more. It was the first song released from the album.

The song is followed by the band’s latest single “Mountain at My Gates”. It is arguably quite heavy in comparison to some of their other songs; however, it is extremely likeable. It is easy to see why this was chosen as a single as it’s catchy and the words “There’s a mountain at my gates”, from the chorus, linger around in your head for a while.

This is followed by "Birch Tree", "Give It All" and "Albatross". Birch Tree is one of the stronger songs on the album. Its sweet lyrics hold a natural theme which matches the cool and synthy music. Again, Give it All also holds a synthy vibe which is complemented by vast drums. Similarly, Albatross holds this vibe too. The lyrics rhyme (especially at the start of the song) and follow a similar pattern throughout the making it tantalizing for the ears. I like this song.

"Snake Oil" is upbeat. It’s got bite. It opens up with perhaps rockier riffs and Yannis Philippakis (lead singer) singing “oooh yeah” over and over. It’s exhilarating. It’s one of the rockier songs on the album, even more so than “What Went Down” and “Mountain at my Gates”. It’s heavily laced with guitars and drums and this is perhaps detaching from some of the more traditional Foals songs. However, I like this; it’s different. It keeps the album exciting and fresh as it breaks up songs which can often sound similar. It proves Foals’ diversity in their style. It’s one of the album’s highlights for me.

"Night Swimmers", "London Thunder" and "Lonely Hunter" follow this. Night Swimmers uses faster drumming patterns and clapping sounds to give it a feel of exoticness and even gives it a dancier feel. It talks frequently about “blue” items in the lyrics. London Thunder is a slow track. It’s calming and simplistic. It offers a traditional slow song to the album. This is followed by Lonely Hunter which is a nice song. Its lyrics and music fit in with the rest of the album.

The final song on the album is “A Knife in the Ocean”. It’s just less than 7 minutes long and it’s an ending which makes the listener excited for what’s to come in the future for the band. It signs the album off in a way they want to be remembered by. It’s triumphant and showcases a lot of Foals’ impeccable musical variety and skills as musicians and lyricists.

Foals’ music is extremely interesting to listen to. Its instrumental side reveals many layers which makes the music exciting and also easy to listen to. You could listen to these songs many times unpicking finely each layer as though you were dissecting it in a school lab and you’d uncover an extremely well thought out and well structured piece of music. This coincides with the, sometimes bitter sweet and invariably optimistic, lyrics sung by Yannis.

There are many highlights to this album but I particularly liked the songs “Mountain at my Gates”, “Birch Tree”, “Snake Oil” and “Night Swimmers”.

Overall I think “What Went Down” by Foals is a success and leaves the listener excited to see where this takes the band next. No doubt they will tour off the back of this album (and also off the back of their Reading and Leeds Festival secret sets- perhaps even coming back to play the festival next year).  Hopefully next year we’ll see Foals high up on festival bills as this album is a great success and it’s refreshingly current and unique.  

Reading 28th August- 30th August 2015

Reading 28^th August- 30^th August 2015

Highlights- Catfish and the Bottlemen, Peace, Everything Everything, Circa Waves, All Time Low, The Wombats, Jamie T, The Maccabees, and The Libertines.

Ones to Watch- Nothing but Thieves, Mini Mansions, The Sherlocks, Sundara Karma, Rat Boy.

Reading 2015 has drawn to a close once again and I’m, again, left with a haunting sense of sadness and an overriding feeling of total fulfilment that this year’s Reading was just as phenomenal as the last. Reading and Leeds 2015 was headlined by Mumford and Sons, Metallica, and The Libertines. Foals did a secret set on the Saturday at Reading on the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage as well.

 There’s something about Reading that makes it so special- I’m not sure what though. Perhaps it’s the lack of “arty-farty” attractions and stalls that makes it desirable and classically simplistic or maybe it’s purely the teen spirit and drunken friendliness that surges throughout the crowds. Or perhaps it’s the Hippy Chippy van (the best festival chips I’ve ever had)?

This year I was able to meet Catfish and the Bottlemen and they were genuinely some of the nicest lads I’ve ever met in the music industry. Van thought we’d met before as he greeted me with a “We’ve met before, right?” (Unfortunately we’d not met before).I feel like their appreciation for their fans radiates warmth which echoes in their music. Fortunately, despite being told off by the security guard, I managed to get a selfie (which would have been nice if the camera wasn’t the wrong way round at the prime photo moment) with Van McCann. They’re some of the loveliest men in the business and this, along with their classic tunes, almost guarantees success for the Llandudno lads.

Friday (28^th August 2015)

Sunset Sons played the Festival Republic stage early Friday afternoon to an almost packed out tent which contrasted their BBC Introducing set last year. The band played a short set which showcased the bands sun-kissed indie rock material and attracted new and old fans. The band got the crowd going with songs like “She Wants” and even saw people on shoulders and dancing along. Their music is truly current and exciting and has set them up nicely for their November tour supporting Imagine Dragons. Sunset Sons are a band to watch and now is the best time to get into them- before they shoot into stardom.

All Time Low never disappoint and this energetic set saw old and new fans unite in a set that was filled with old and new material, from their new album “future hearts”.  Whilst All Time Low are still using the same penis related jokes (all of which I’ve heard about 7 times now) and getting up to their usual antics they manage to captivate a crowd- they’re never boring, ever. Their set sought the inclusion of the whole audience and required much participation as Gaskarth (lead singer) made the audience regularly sing phrases and mimic his sounds. They band even got a hand-picked, by Alex Gaskarth, selection of fans to sing Time Bomb on stage with them, one of which played Jack Barakat’s (guitarist) guitar with him. It’s amazing to see such excitement at a festival for a band I’m only used to seeing enclosed in venues- apart from at Slam Dunk 2013 (which I didn’t see a lot of because the man in front of me decided to wear a top hat). All Time Low dazzled the main stage and provided a gateway to a full weekend of music. During the set, the band announced that they will come back and do an arenas tour next February in the UK which will not to be missed if you’re going on their Reading and Wembley arena performances. I recommend All Time Low to anyone looking for a gateway into “pop-punk” music or even just general “rock” music.

Peace took the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage by storm on Friday afternoon which followed a successful run of Reading and Leeds performances, this being their 3^rd. The tent was practically packed out and the crowd danced and sang throughout. Peace played a selection of songs from their debut album (In Love) and from their latest album “Happy People”, as well as opening with part of a song by the Replacements. The audience sang along with Harrison Koisser to well known songs like “Lovesick” and “I’m a girl”. Peace has a loyal fan base which made for an energetic performance full of appreciative fans and gave off a totally different vibe to their Glastonbury performance. Their Reading performance felt as though they’d already won over the fans without even starting to play. Harry Koisser remarked that Reading is his “favourite festival in the world” and that it’s coming to the end of a decade of him attending it which made the audience feel at ease with their performance, as though it genuinely meant a lot for them band to be there. The members are entertaining, Harry Koisser was wearing a coat coated with wet enamel and stated the audience had been watching paint dry: “it’s not that boring is it” Koisser remarked before launching into their final song “World Pleasure”, an 8 minute track. This, being one of their last Summer Festival performances, leads them into their September/October UK tour and I’m very excited about the tour.

Mumford and Sons headlined the Main Stage at Reading Festival on the Friday this year. It’s their first Reading since 2010. They played many well known classics including “the Cave”, “Little Lion Man” and “I will wait” as well as songs from their new album “Wilder Mind”, for example “believe”. It was a visually stimulating set which featured an array of instruments, some of which lesser seen on the Reading and Leeds main stage, which made for an exciting set. The band’s set saw an audience of appreciative fans, however, the reception was mixed, as you could expect from the thought of a band like Mumford and Sons headlining. I felt the performance was exciting and inspiring and capped of the first day of the festival perfectly. The band are no longer all about banjos and acoustic guitars, as this set suggests, as the inclusion of electric, rockier tunes was intertwined with those classics.

Saturday 29^th August 2015

Wolf Alice played the BBC Introducing Stage as a surprise act early afternoon prior to their set on the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage. Their BBC Introducing set was intimate and special. They played all their hits, including “Bros” and made the audience crave their later set. Their later set stage saw Ellie and co conquer the NME/BBC Radio 1. They played songs from their latest album “My Love is Cool” and also songs from their EP “Blush”. Wolf Alice was extremely energetic and used their indie rock laced tunes to stimulate the eagerly awaiting fans. The band are inspiring and it’s nice to see female fronted bands triumphantly claim sets on larger stages as there was a distinct lack of female fronted bands on the line up. Their music is a huge shift in the way we currently view female in music- especially in this area and genre. Their set cemented huge success for the band and I’m sure they’ll keep coming back.

Circa Waves played the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage on Saturday afternoon to an audience of excited teens and those who were perhaps not fans of the Metallica-esque bands gracing the main stage at the time or those who were not partial to a bit of dance music. Their set was fuelled by songs off their latest album “Young Chasers” which was a triumphant success. The audience sang along to the sun-kissed tunes (despite the changing weather outside) and some even found it heavy enough to mosh, this is disputable though. Kieran Shudall (Lead singer) even attempted to crowd surf during “T-Shirt weather”. The band’s set was one of my weekend highlights as it included fun and easy to listen to songs and oozed youthful hope and promise.

Everything Everything played the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage early Saturday evening and brought their new album “Get to Heaven” to Reading. The band played frantic, varied and perhaps even somewhat “schizophrenic” songs to an audience of fans who knew the album well. Their set was well thought out and exciting. They were able to captivate the audience with their upbeat tunes and excitingly metaphoric melodies. The set undoubtedly gripped fans and convinced fans who were maybe saving spaces for later acts. I think Everything Everything is one to watch as I think they will take their refreshingly interesting songs to the next level. The audience responded well to the set and repaid the band by singing along with the (where they’re from) band. This leads them into their Autumn/Winter 2015 tour.

Closing the Festival Republic stage on the Saturday was the Wombats. The Wombats provided the perfect alternative to those were perhaps weren’t Metallica fans. The Liverpool lads were a triumphant success and are worthy of playing larger stages at the festival, for example the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage. The band delivered, to a sea of loyal fans, a set filled with songs from each of their three albums. The set was incredibly well received and the song lyrics echoed teen anxiety and were perhaps even relatable for some of the young crowd. The atmosphere was buzzing and the dancing meant it was a particularly hot and sweaty performance. The trio provided an unforgettable performance which was feel-good and fun. The band closed with “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” which saw the whole crowd singing and dancing and many people were on shoulders. The band managed to create a set list which struck pure harmony with the audience as it created a perfect balance between new songs, from their latest album “Glitterbug” and older hits like “Techno fan” and “Kill the Director”. Their set was incredibly fulfilling and I’d like to see them return very soon. This set launches them into their October UK tour.

Sunday 30^th August 2015

Sundara Karma played the Festival Republic stage on Sunday. This is their second time playing Reading Festival and their set was full of songs off of their recent EPs including “Flame” and “Loveblood”. Their set was well received by the audience with some of the audience even moshing. Their sound is very modern and likeable and they present themselves very well in their stage presence. This made for an exciting, albeit short; set which left the audience wanting more. Sundara Karma is supporting The Wombats on their upcoming UK tour which will be a huge platform for the band. I think they’re definitely ones to watch as their catchy hooks and excitingly current lyrics only scream success.

On Sunday afternoon, following the news of their number 1 album the previous Friday, The Maccabees played the Main Stage at Reading. Their set was laced with popular fan favourites, such as “Pelican” and “Latchmere”, and cleverly intertwined with singles (among other songs) from their latest album “Marks to Prove It”- in which the title track caused much excitement to a pending sea of excited fans. Their set was anything but boring and they managed to captivate the huge outcome of people. The band has played the festival countless times and it was nice to see them feel at home on the stage. The set felt comforting in a sense that the songs were easy to listen to and the songs were well known.  The Maccabees are touring with their new album, “Marks to Prove It”, around the UK this winter.

Jamie T, a popular spokes person for the teens of today, followed his 2014 surprise set at Reading by returning to reclaim the Main Stage this year with a top 5 new album (Carry on the Grudge) under his belt. The crowd craved Jamie T’s angst, teenage hits and knew all the words to songs like “Sheila”, “Zombie” and “Sticks’n’Stones”. Treays dazzled the crowd with songs from his latest album, like “Don’t You Find”, “Rabbit Hole” and “Peter”, which the crowd knew all the lyrics to and could sing along to. His songs give off a sense of teenage hope and promise with a relatable melancholy that sees the world plainly. His set was refreshing and different to the usual Reading sets. He had a huge crowd which sang along with Treays in a way which only radiated positivity. His set was one of my favourites of the whole weekend. I’d definitely recommend him to anyone as I feel like his music is exciting and speaks for a generation of misguided youth.

Years and Years played on the NME/BBC Radio 1 stage just after Jamie T had finished on the Main Stage. Their set drew in a crowd which packed out the large tent perhaps because it fitted snugly in the gap between Jamie T and Kendrick Lamar on the Main Stage. Their set was full of songs from their recently released album “Communion“. They played, arguably their biggest hit, “Desire” early on in the set and a few people walked out after this. However, this left many loyal fans. The set was energetic and the crowd danced along with lead singer Olly Alexander. It was the perfect way to bring the evening to a close, before Headliners “The Libertines”.

Reading Festival Recommendations 2015

What to see at Reading and Leeds 2015- My Recommendations

With under 12 hours to go until Reading and Leeds festival kicks off I thought I’d go through the line-up and identify my ‘must sees’.

I love festivals; the freedom of being able to do (almost) whatever you want for a weekend (or little under a week depending on how you choose your festival experience) surrounded by people too drunk to care and *still* calling out for “Alan” and/or “Steve”.  I’m nowhere near a “festival veteran”- or at least not yet- but Reading holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been to Reading once before and it was my first “proper” festival, if you will. I’ve been to many a concert and the day festival “Slam Dunk” (Slam Dunk a so called rock festival) but never something like Reading. It’s hard to imagine the impact of such event on a 15 year old (who went with her Dad and wrote about said trip in her English GCSE exam) but, in a mix of excitement, surprise and a slight scarring for life, it left me hooked onto the festival scene.

Since such event, I’ve been to Glastonbury (again, with my Dad- who, I will add, wanted to go to Glastonbury following the glorious sunshine of Reading Festival all weekend) and I plan on going to more (hopefully Isle of Wight, T in the Park, Latitude etc. at some point). I think the best part about these weekends is that you can see whatever you want and you don’t really have to be anywhere as you’re not losing out- unless you don’t go and see Catfish and the Bottlemen (then you’re most definitely missing out)! Also, festivals, as well as support bands at concerts which I believe are brilliant platforms for up and coming bands, are a great place to scout new music. You can find such new music on the BBC introducing stage (at somewhere like Reading, Glasto or T) or perhaps playing other stages when you’ve nothing to see- maybe even the main stage. Festivals allow you to “check out” bands without the committal to sitting through an hour’s set and being bored as anything.  Nonetheless I’ll stop spewing my thoughts and somewhat biased opinions at you and allow you to revel in the line-up of Reading and Leeds Festival 2015.

The Reading and Leeds line up is always (ALWAYS) a talking point and a clear generator of controversy. This year the announcement of such bands as Mumford and Sons was met by an unwelcome crowd and uproar from those who believe Reading and Leeds has and should always be a “rock” festival. Although this was also met by an almighty eye roll by the many “indie” and “pop “ lovers who saw Metallica steal the coveted Saturday (at Reading) headline spot once again. There’s always something on for everyone at Reading, which is what sets it apart from other festivals I believe. For example, if Metallica isn’t your thing then The Wombats might tickle your fancy- or not.

 

FRIDAY (Reading,  Saturday Leeds)

I recommend you see;

Mumford and Sons (Headlining Main Stage from 21:30-23:30)- I think this will unmissable in every sense of the word. Their amazing stage craft and presence is a cause for excitement as it will be interesting as to whether or not they are able to deliver old hits, such as “I Will Wait”, “Little Lion Man” and “The Cave”, as well as their new, somewhat more modernised, material from their latest album “Wilder Minds” in pure ambience.  I am very excited to see how they captivate an audience worthy of a headline act and I believe they will be accepted with open arms by many new and old fans.

Peace (NME/BBC Radio 1 from 18:55-19:35)- Peace have been playing Reading since 2013. They never fail to disappoint and I don’t doubt that their early evening Reading set will be anything less than insane. The Midlands quartet is entertaining live- to say the least- and will undoubtedly bring their infectious tunes to an excited crowd. I am excited to see songs from their debut album “In Love” intertwined with songs off their new album “Happy People”- one of this year’s most exciting and captivating albums so far, in my opinion.  I would definitely recommend seeing Peace and have some fun, for it is one of their favourite festivals to play, and after their Glastonbury triumph this year, I wouldn't give it a miss!

Sunset Sons (Festival Republic from 14:10-14:40)- I've been rooting for the success of Sunset Sons ever since I discovered them, by pure fluke, on the BBC Introducing stage last year.  Their upbeat sun kissed, somewhat Californian, style tunes, in the same vein of current Mumford and Sons, scream visions of sun and happiness which are exceptionally easy to listen to. Sunset Sons are supporting Imagine Dragons on their upcoming UK tour and they’re destined for success as a result. It’s definitely time for Sunset Sons to shine and I recommend you see them before they become huge.

Saturday (Sunday at Leeds)

I recommend you see;

Royal Blood (Main Stage from 18:10-19:00)- Royal Blood’s triumphant number 1self-titled album, as well as a current state-side tour with the Foo Fighters no less, launched the band into stratospheric stardom last year. If you missed Royal Blood at Reading (or Leeds) 2014 then you will definitely not want to miss this hit laden set. Royal Blood’s minimalistic set up and powerful rock riffs are destined to win over a crowd of fans. Royal Blood are perhaps future headliners and I definitely see them.

Catfish and the Bottlemen (NME/BBC Radio 1 from 19:55-20:45)- Catfish and the Bottlemen are currently my favourite band. I think Van McCann is one of the most exciting front men in music currently. I believe that Catfish are leading the new wave of up and coming bands and that their music is excitingly refreshing for the indie rock genre. Their style is classic, timeless and simple. It is guitar laced rock and roll and simply there’s just something admirable about it. It proves that a band with ambition, good tunes and exceedingly well mannered and appreciative members can become huge with a loyal fan base.  If you’re to see one band this weekend (and remember it) it should be Catfish.

The Wombats (Festival Republic Stage from 22:30-23:30) - The Wombat’s give an extremely credible alternative for watching the Main Stage Headliners, Metallica. The Wombat’s expansive catalogue of angst, teenage hits calls for a fun set featuring songs old and new. Their set on the Festival Republic Stage is deserving of the coveted “headline” title and I am sure their set will be energetic and fun. Their new album, “Glitterbug”, is full of extremely catchy tunes which I am excited to hear in front of a festival audience. I hope that they play “Pink Lemonade” as this always seems to have a great reception when you hear about the album.

Sunday (Friday at Leeds)

I recommend;

The Libertines (Headlining the Main Stage from 21:55-23:30)- The Libertines make a triumphant Reading return as a headliner following a 5 year break since their last Reading slot. The Libertines will not disappoint as their enormous stage presence and drunkenly sung anthems which really reflect the angst of teenagers today. The set paves the way towards their new album release in September, “Anthems for Doomed Youth” and will undoubtedly feature an array of new and old material. There’s nothing more thrilling than hearing a whole crowd belt hits such as “Don’t Look Back into the Sun” and “Can’t Stand Me Now” with Doherty and Barat. The London lot will bring Reading Festival to a close in true Reading style and that is what I look forward to the most.

Jamie T (Main Stage from 18:25 - 19:25) - Following his 2014 secret set, Jamie T returns with another album under his belt and yet more powerful anthems. Jamie T’s Glastonbury set dazzled a large crowd and following that at Reading is only natural. Although his music is not for everyone, I think his music showcases a multitude of British talents and I look forward to seeing him at Reading having missed him at Glastonbury this year. If there's a man who can conquer Reading and Leeds it's Jamie T. 

The Maccabees (Main Stage from 17:10 - 18:00)- The Maccabees recently released their album “Marks to Prove it” which I found interesting and would go as far as saying it was perhaps one of the more prominent albums released this year for many reasons. The Maccabees have a Smiths-esque vibe which makes for easy listening among a wide range of audience. The Maccabees are current and exciting in the music world. Whilst their new music takes the indie loving world by storm their set promises the usual hits such as “Pelican”, although I would still love to hear “Toothpaste Kisses” on the set list!

Years and Years (NME/BBC Radio 1 from 19:25-20:05) - Years and years are currently taking the pop world by storm. They’re almost guaranteed a packed out tent just by their Number 1 album, Communion. They’re the name on everyone’s lips and they’re definitely on their way to major stardom. They've played events such as Glastonbury and Latitude this year so far and will embark on their own headline tour in October. This could potentially be an exciting set for the band in terms of their Reading and Leeds history.

Gengahr (Festival Republic from 15:25 to 15:55) - Gengahr are one of my favourite new bands at the moment. Their music is refreshing and definitely worth a listen to. Their debut album has received high praise and they’re set to take the next few years by storm. I wouldn’t underestimate Gengahr as I think they could change the way we see indie music over the next few years. If you like bands like Wolf Alice and Swim Deep then you’d probably enjoy Gengahr.

Sundara Karma (Festival Republic from 13:10-13:40) - Another new and up and coming band. Their indie rock tunes are catchy and songs like “Flame” will linger in your mind throughout the day. They’re heading in a very exciting direction and I anticipate great things from the band. They’re definitely worth a watch as their tunes are refreshing and will set you up nicely for a day of great music. They’re also supporting The Wombats on their October tour.

These are my recommendations. Of course, there are many bands I've missed off that I'm eagerly anticipating, for example Swim Deep and Alt-J, that haven’t made it onto this list. I hope to spend Reading 2015 finding new and exciting music as well as listening to some of my current favourites and old favourites.

If you’re going, albeit for the 1^st of 21^st time, I hope you enjoy your experience as it’s truly like none other. 

August 2015- What I'm Listening to

August. 

August, much like June and July, is a month where many bands and artists tend to be on the festival circuit- usually following an album release in the last year or so. This month has already seen albums like The Maccabees "Marks to Prove it" and prepares us for future album releases later on in the month, for example the release of albums like Foals' "What Went Down" later on in the month (August 28th). 

This month I've been listening to a lot of Catfish and the Bottlemen and Everything Everything. However, I'm currently also loving newer artists such as Sundara Karma, Gengahr and Sunset Sons (all of which I hope to see at Reading Festival). I've been listening to a lot of artists who will be at this years Reading and Leeds Festival as I am going to that at the end of the month and wanted to be familiar with as much material as I can, so I don't end up regretting not being as into a band/artist as much as I do when I get home. However, discovering newer acts is always fun at festivals. 

This playlist also features a bit of George Ezra, James Bay and Hozier because I'm currently finding them easy to listen to and I'm still (still...) recovering from Glastonbury (two months ago nearly). 

I hope you enjoy the playlist. 

Marks To Prove It- The Maccabees (Album Review)

Marks To Prove It-  The Maccabees

'Marks To Prove It'  is the 4th album by The Maccabees. It is out now on Fiction Records. I've been anticipating the new Maccabees album for a while now as a result of a triumphant Glastonbury set- which unfortunately I missed as a result of clashes and getting swept up in the atmosphere (and mud) of Glastonbury- and the success of its catchy singles prior to the record release including Marks to Prove it (which, incidentally, caught my attention playing in a local Topshop) and Something Like Happiness.

The album features an eclectic selection of songs which are well thought out and well crafted in order to create an easy to listen to album which still with holds a classic Maccabees sound and vibe. The warmth of Orlando Week's voice provides a comfort in the album which makes it an easy listen. The songs often include a melancholic undertone in the lyrics which coincide and triumph above the well composed and layered music accompaniment.  

There are many highlights to this album but I particularly like Kamakura, Marks To Prove It (the title track), Slow Sun and Something Like Happiness.

 Overall, I think Marks to Prove it is a triumphant success by the London band and a deserving UK number 1. I look forward to seeing them at Reading Festival on the 29th August and look forward to seeing where the album takes them.

Glastonbury Festival Sunday 28th June 2015

Sunday 28th June 2015

Hozier played the Pyramid stage early afternoon on Sunday. Hozier found fame with “Take Me to Church”, which he closed the set with, but his set saw Hozier cement a positive and hopeful future in terms of the direction he is going in. His set meant that he was able to attract new fans with his calming tones and catchy songs. It was loved by Worthy Farm and very well received by the audience. It proved the complexity of his voice and amazing variation of his songs beyond “that song”. His singing was calming and his voice is powerful. Hozier is one to keep an eye on in the future as his voice is classic and timeless.

Lionel Richie played Worthy Farm for the first time on Sunday 28^th June. He played the legends slot. His voice was virtually pitch perfect and his appreciation for his 100,000+ crowd made the set seem somewhat better and extremely natural. He played a selection of songs including the infamous “Hello” (which its lyrics appeared on many flags seen throughout the weekend), “All Night Long” and “Dancing on the Ceiling”. The crowd enjoyed his set as his voice and extensive song collection appealed to the masses- no matter what generation you are from. It was definitely a special moment for Glastonbury and did what the Glastonbury Legends Slot is meant to do. His set delivered well known songs of loved classics and songs you could dance and sing to.

Alt- J graced the Pyramid Stage early evening on Sunday. The band played a selection of hits from both their albums and closed with arguably their most famous song, “Breezeblocks”. Their set included many upbeat songs and made the audience feel as though they were experiencing the music with them through the occasional electronic beats and large variety of songs. It proved their future headliner potential as it gained a large audience in its own right after having to follow Lionel Richie’s 100,000-120,000 person deep crowd and proved that different types of music can be as popular as the generic ‘pop’ music of today. Subsequently, it’s probable that we’ll be seeing a lot more of Alt-J over the next few years as their conquest into stardom is only just getting started. 

Glastonbury Festival Saturday 27th June 2015

Saturday 27th June 2015

On Saturday afternoon, George Ezra played the Pyramid Stage for the first time. Ezra has a timeless voice which appeals and attracts to an audience of many generations and his Glastonbury audience was no exception to this. His songs are easy to listen to and made the set seem totally seamless whilst also being relaxing. The set was complemented by the dazzling sunshine. Ezra played songs from his debut album “Wanted on Voyage”- which he informed the audience that it was written about a trip around Europe- as well as various song covers including Bob Dylan’s “Girl From the North Country” (which Ezra told the audience that he wished he had written himself) and Macy Gray’s “I Try”. Ezra is an artist who belongs at festivals like Glastonbury (George Ezra played as part of BBC Introducing at Glastonbury) as his music perfectly reflects the mood of the festival itself and drew on a wide range of audience of all ages. Ezra played hits such as “Budapest” and “Cassy ‘O” which made the audience sing with him as the crowd recognized the songs. George Ezra is an artist who is surely going to be around for a long time and I look forward to seeing his future musical endeavours as his Glastonbury set promised a bright musical future.

In preparation for their Sunday Pyramid Stage show, Palma Violets played the William’s Green Stage early Saturday evening. The Lambeth band played an energetic show which saw the audience jumping and singing- and even moshing! The band’s set up was simplistic and the instruments were sound checked by the band which proved that the band weren’t phased by fame. The band played an exhausting set which radiated energy and made the audience buzz. At the end of the set, Chilli Jesson (the bass player) encouraged the audience, and also their own guests, to join them up on stage- much to the security guard’s dismay. It was a spectacular show to witness as it was seen by only a few hundred people, in contrast to the thousands who came out to see the Lambeth band’s set on the Other Stage the following day. The set was entertaining and showcased many tracks from their new album “Danger in the Club”.

Glastonbury Festival’s controversial Saturday headliner Kanye West originally sparked uproar and disgust among the many festival goers and even caused online petitions (one of which reached over 100,000 signatures) to occur and saw death threats for Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis. But Kanye showed Glastonbury’s diversity as well as showcased what makes Glastonbury set out and different from every other festival. Its diversity means that you can enjoy artists including the likes of Florence and the Machine and the Vaccines but also artists like Kanye West- and I personally think we should embrace this culture. The set included many well known songs from Kanye’s collection such as “Gold Digger”, “All Day”, “Ni**as in Paris” and “FourFiveSeconds” as well as controversial covers of songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) which made the audience sing along. Kanye’s set promised memorable Glastonbury moments as well as key moments of the decade which would be talked about for many years to come and made many people question what Kanye could do and whether Kanye was festival headliner worthy- Kanye had already hailed himself as “the greatest living rockstar on the planet”. The audience, who mostly loved Kanye’s songs or were interested in what he would do to either show himself up or just wanted to see the audience reaction, were waiting for what Kanye would do to make his headline set stand out from the rest. Early on in the set, during “Black Skinhead” (the set’s fourth song), Kanye was interrupted by a comedian, later found out to be Lee Nelson, as he ran onto the stage. Kanye demanded the song be restarted and the set continued. West dedicated a song to his wife Kim Kardashian as well which made the audience wonder whether or not Kim K would make an appearance. But the main focal point of the set was Kanye’s disappearance from the stage during “Touch the Sky” in which the audience were left in darkness for about 5 minutes muttering to one another as to what he was doing and why Kanye had shown himself up but no one was expecting Kanye to appear on a cherry picker above the huge crowd in which he demanded the audience to jump. It was difficult to see where the 100,000+ people were who signed the online petition because the Worthy Farm audience seemed to love the performance. Kanye’s set got the people of Glastonbury Festival talking and I’m sure that people will continue to talk about it for a long time and, after all, Kanye is the name on everyone’s lips. He’s popular, current and controversial- everyone’s talking about him and he loves it.

Glastonbury Festival Friday 26th June 2015

Friday 26th June 2015

James Bay took to the Pyramid Stage early on Friday afternoon. He was met by a huge crowd and was accompanied by many famous fans, including One Direction’s Niall Horan. Bay played a selection of songs from his album “Chaos and the Calm” including hits such as “Hold Back the River” and “Let it go”.  Bay’s set featured many melodic tunes and an array of easy to listen to songs which set the audience up for an exciting weekend of live music. His voice possessed a maturity which proved his right to be on the main stage and promised many future Glastonbury sets. James Bay followed his performance on the Pyramid Stage with a short set on the BBC Introducing stage on Saturday.

After an episode of food poisoning, Catfish and the Bottlemen conquered the Other Stage on Friday afternoon. Catfish and the Bottlemen opened with their hit song Kathleen which immediately got the crowd singing. Catfish and the Bottlemen seem to create a buzzing energy full of youthful promise and their crowd was mostly filled with loyal and supportive fans- especially shown in Friday’s pouring rain. It’s my second time seeing Catfish and the Bottlemen (I saw them play Reading Festival last year before the release of their debut album) and it’s amazing to see their popularity flourish after the release of their debut album “The Balcony”. The Welsh band played a set full of upbeat indie tunes which showcased the skills of the band and put them in a perfect position for potential future festival sets. Catfish and the Bottlemen are definitely ones to watch as they could potentially be headliners of the future as a result of their catchy songs and dedicated fan base. Despite the rain (and the weather stricken instruments), the band played a set which got the crowd excited and left the listener with lingering catchy hooks. Van McCann even stopped the set in order to get a fan’s CD which showed not only their care and appreciation of and towards their fan base but also reminded the listener of the band’s journey to where they are now and their support of new music. Catfish and the Bottlemen are definitely not to be missed. They could possibly be the next big thing and they’re most definitely well on their way.

There was much speculation as to what would happen to Florence and the Machine’s early evening  Friday 7:15 set after she was ‘promoted’ to headliner, as a result of Dave Grohl’s (Foo Fighters) broken foot, and the set remained a secret with only a few knowing. I’d heard many potential names floating around the site all day ranging from Ed Sheeran to an acoustic Foo Fighters set. The set was played by The Libertines, who are currently making a comeback after a recent break from music, and they were openly welcomed by thousands of elated fans. Doherty and co delivered a set packed full of hits from the past 18 years and it served as a hint of what fans could expect at other headline events such as Reading and Leeds Festival (August 28^th-30^th). The onstage relationship between Doherty and Barat- proved by their microphone sharing after Doherty’s microphone stopped working- made the audience feel at ease and comforted by their return. Their short notice set was well received and set the audience up for Florence and the Machine.

But overall, Flo stole the show. Florence proved her headliner worthiness by producing a spectacular set mixing songs from her new album “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” with classic Florence and the Machine songs such as “Shake it out” and “Spectrum”. The audience particularly enjoyed Florence’s cover of “You’ve got the Love” (The Source featuring Candi Staton) and it was being sung around the festival site over the whole weekend as a result of its catchy tune and lyrics (in which the audience had mostly known prior to her set). Florence possessed an incredible onstage energy and presence which radiated positivity and created a somewhat spiritual feeling in her performance which made the set feel perhaps even magical. The set has launched Florence and the Machine into a new era of performance and set her miles above the other acts at the festival. Florence is of course a worthy headliner of Glastonbury as a result of her constant devotion to the festival over the last few years. The band reminded the audience of the reason that they were able to headline the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in the first place by paying homage to the Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl with a cover of “Times like These” which got the whole crowd singing. Florence Welch’s onstage energy caused her to put on a spectacular show- worthy of any headline spot- and saw her dancing (despite her recent broken foot) and running around the stage sporadically and at one point even getting into the audience and singing with/to fans. The highlight of the set was “Dog Days are Over” in which Welch encouraged the audience to swing pieces of clothing above their head and temporarily leave their problems behind them whatever they may be. Florence did this also and removed her shirt before exiting the stage to a constant roar of audience applause. Florence is not to be under estimated, as her Glastonbury set proves, and she will undoubtedly be a staple feature in many of the major festivals over the next year or so. 

Glastonbury 2015 26^th June- 28^th June

Highlights- Florence and the Machine, Catfish and the Bottlemen, James Bay, the Libertines, George Ezra

Ones to watch- Catfish and the Bottlemen, Sunset Sons, Hozier, Circa Waves

After 45 years of Glastonbury Festival, Worthy Farm promised nothing but three days of non-stop music and dancing featuring many legendary artists of both today and those of the near future- and it sure did deliver. It was headlined by Florence and the Machine, Kanye West and The Who, with the Sunday afternoon legend slot being deservingly filled by Lionel Richie.

This was my first visit to Worthy Farm and my first taste of Glastonbury Festival and all that it entails- and, of course, it, as tradition, poured with rain (only adding to the experience I feel). Glastonbury festival is a place that accentuates and encourages freedom and the freedom to express yourself in any way that you wish by offering activities such as music and other forms of contemporary arts including through art, fashion and, in some cases, even activities like yoga. It’s so visually stimulating and seems so lovingly put together. It has an incredible night life too- with music continuing beyond the headliners into about 6AM (if you’re not shattered after a full day of dancing and walking). I would definitely, and I can’t stress that enough, recommend Glastonbury Festival (if you can bear the intense ticket buying process- you need lots of patience as it’s just the luck of the draw) to anyone. Glastonbury is a place for people of all ages, whether you’re 3 years old or 83 years old there’s something for everyone! I will most definitely be coming back in the future and I can see it becoming a tradition. Don’t hesitate to register for tickets next year even if you’re unsure of whether or not you want to go. You’ll only regret it if you don’t!

I will be posting reviews of each day separately in order to break down the reading. Overall, I loved my time at Glastonbury festival and I wouldn't hesitate to come back. I strongly recommend that you take time to visit their website and look at their (by far more professional) photos as I think the experience goes beyond the music. It's extremely hard to capture the magic of Glastonbury and do it justice. I hope you enjoy reading my review of the weekend.

Charley

You can check out their official website by clicking this

All Time Low 20/03/15

Hello again,

I've been beyond lucky in having seen All time Low play 5 times in the last two years. I've seen them play The O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (February 2013), Slam Dunk 2013, The O2 Brixton Academy (March 2014), The O2 Arena (February 2015) and then again yesterday evening, at Wembley arena. Each time the band delivering an exciting and unique performance paired with an equally as exciting set and lighting. They're also never short of a joke- even though the gags become quite predictable after a while. On the whole, I feel a great sense of pride in knowing I've been supporting a band like All Time Low since 2012, when I first discovered their music, despite this only being a fraction of the band's activity. In fact, their music has introduced me to a wider range of music in the pop punk genre as well as introduced me to new music related experiences such as the joys of 'extreme queuing' for bands. Or at least 6 hours felt extreme at the time. What shocked me the most was the shift in audience age. In 2013 the crowd was mainly composed of young people, aged mostly from 16 to 30. Whereas in the Wembley performance the age range was staggered and strangely very varied which I felt was amazing because it's allowing access to a new genre of music for a lot of people. I also like the idea of many people sharing the same unique experience.
Yesterday's set was jam packed full of old- for example 'Jasey Rae' from All Time Low's first EP, Put Up or Shut Up-and new songs- where 'something's gotta give' and 'kids in the dark' were introduced from new album 'future hearts'. The range in the set list insured that any All time Low fan- new or old- was happy. The audience were even treated to an 'intimate' acoustic break with Alex Gaskarth's (lead singer) solo performance of 'Therapy' and 'Remembering Sunday', where Gaskarth was joined by Cassadee Pope. The date itself was seen as an extension of their recent tour with Weybridge's You Me At Six (Josh Franceschi, the lead singer of You Me at Six, even made an appearance during 'Outlines') and therefore much of the imagery used and the set list performed were the same or very similar. However, the performance was still energetic and visually stimulating which reflected into the audience's reaction.  The band also invited multiple members of the audience up onto the stage to sing 'Time Bomb' from their album Nothing Personal which proved outstanding audience engagement. Strangely the whole evening felt very intimate despite the huge volume of people there. Having been their first solo headlining arena date (which also sold out) I am very excited to see where this leads them. I am fortunate enough to be seeing them again on Sunday at an acoustic show at Kingston's Banquet records (at the Hippodrome) but I am also excited to see them again in the near future perhaps touring with the album 'future hearts' which is out on April 3rd on Hopeless records.

Charley