Palma Violets Live Review

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Palma Violets - O2 Academy, Leicester (26/4/15)

Dylan Whatley

'Danger In The Club' is the title of the second LP from Palma Violets and the lead single from it. An intimate tour to support the release of the album including a Leicester date. How could I say no?

Support from Ming City Rockers who played loud, fast, Buzzcocks like songs. The music was quite good but I was too distracted by their image which I shouldn't have been. Two Patti Smith lookalikes, one member of Blood On The Dance Floor and a normal looking bloke on drums.

Arriving slightly late, Palma Violets started with a new song, 'Secrets of America' which unsurprisingly got the crowd going mental. The band seemed in a good mood for a Sunday night, which took effect on the tired crowd who suddenly became very, very energetic.

Older songs like 'Rattlesnake Highway' were played early in the set, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. After the second single of the new album, 'English Tongue', one of Palma Violets much earlier songs and fan favourite, 'We Found Love' echoed around the Leicester O2 Academy.

During the encore, Sam introduced a song that he'd "never played before and probably won't play ever again". The song was called 'Strawberry Jam'. I really liked this song and I do hope they play it again.

I walked away from this gig, very bruised to say the least. Note to self: Don't stand at the barrier for a Palma Violets gig.

Circa Waves Live Review

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Circa Waves - Riverside, Newcastle (8/4/15)

Callum Thornhill

Debut album gone down a storm? Check. Sold out tour? Check. Boisterous teenagers jumping like crazy? Check.

Opening the tour in Newcastle's beautiful Riverside, Circa Waves played to a sold out audience, the first of many as debut album Young Chasers has attracted fans up and down the country to sell out their massive headline tour.

The Liverpool four piece were definitely in fine voice and if this continues throughout the month they'll be a delight to watch. Young Chasers was released last week so the set mainly consisted of tracks from that, however B sides such as 100 Strangers was added into the set. A real treat for fans who loved Circa Waves before the album.

Newcastle's crowd were full of energy and this reflected by frontman Kieran Shudall. The party atmosphere was evident too as if the band had been deprived of freedom - a real spectacle for indie music.

There really is nothing better than seeing raw talent being rewarded by sell out crowds singing their hearts out and crowd surfing at such intimate venues. Circa Waves really are a must if you love live music.

Hearing latest single T-Shirt Weather was the highlight for me, Shudall saying "it is a bit warm outside" was just one of many ways he and the band engaged with the Geordies. Other tracks such as Stuck In My Teeth and Fossils were belted out. The band all climbing all over the venue's fixings to the appreciation of the fans.

The set was closed with Get Away - but we certainly didn't want Circa Waves to Get Away in a hurry. I hope this band get massive and play to bigger venues than Newcastle's Riverside.

Here is a clip from last night:

Moreton Light - The Moreton Light EP Review

Moreton Light - The Moreton Light EP

Callum Thornhill

With typically Manc vocals and Courteeners-esque style guitar, The Moreton Light EP is the first release from Moreton Light.

The rough and ready recording isn't a bad first attempt by the Manchester four piece. Opening with an instrumental of Surprise Me, a guitar based track that is ideal as a walk on number for live performances. Upbeat and powerful instrumentation certainly isn't lacked here.

Followed by Shoot Down The Clouds, a more chilled out acoustic feel, sort of like Manchester's answer to Kid Rock kind of summer vibes. The vocals sound drained and give off the usual lazy Manchester sound that has become popular over the years.

Opening with a whistle, Letters is another acoustic track from the EP. From the vocals it is clear that there is more emotion in this track than Shoot Down The Clouds. In comparison to Surprise Me, it is definitely a million miles away from the energetic feel.

Closing The Moreton Light EP is Aurora - the Courteeners are definitely present here, a sing along tune that you'll be whistling along to after a couple of listens. Steadily playing acoustic guitar throughout it allows the listener to focus on the lyrics of sulking into your coffee. Aurora is easily the highlight of the EP for me.

Keep your eyes and ears out for Moreton Light, I'm sure you'll enjoy them if you love chilled out acoustic vibes.

Listen to The Moreton Light EP here:

Wolf Alice Live Review (Bristol)

image from Twitter user @iangrobson

 Wolf Alice - Trinity, Bristol (2/4/15)

Joe Hall

With debut album ‘My Love Is Cool’ quickly approaching, the Trinity in Bristol hosted Wolf Alice as part of their current UK tour. Support came in the form of Bloody Knees and The Magic Gang.

Wolf Alice kicked off with their first single ‘Fluffy’ before jumping straight into ‘She’. “Hello Bristol” bassist, Theo addressed the crowd, responded by loud cheers and chants of ‘Ellie, Ellie’. They played ‘Your Love’s Whore’ before returning to another song off the Blush EP – ’90 Mile Beach’. Another new song ‘The Wonderwhy’ was played before again returning to one off their earlier EP songs; ‘Storms’.

Providing a taste of the debut album, expected 22^nd June, Ellie’s angelic like vocals belted out new songs ‘You’re A Germ’ and ‘Soapy Water’. The set ended with ‘Bros’, fans favourite ‘Blush’ and lead single from upcoming debut, ‘Giant Peach’

From the second the band stepped off stage, the crowd chanted “We want more” and no less than a minute later they were back; much to everyone’s approval. They were setting up for the next song when the eight hundred odd people in front of them all stood there requesting ‘Giant Peach’ to be played again. Ellie laughed and looked to her band to see if they were up for it. Theo took matters into his own hands by addressing the crowd again,

“The next song we are playing is fucking called ‘White Leather’ okay–“ before being interrupted by Ellie who said “no it isn’t” and immediately started playing ‘Giant Peach’.

It was even more manic the second time around with Ellie coming down to the barrier to great fans as well as people falling to the floor and tug of wars taking place over crowd surfers between the security guards and the crowd itself. After the encore, drummer Joel chucked his sticks into the crowd then Theo decided to chuck himself into it.

Shallows - Can't See You - Single Review

Shallows - Can't See You

Callum Thornhill

There are exciting times ahead for the Birmingham music scene. Student based New Street Records have released the first band of theirs' single and oh boy is it good.

The band name is Shallows, the single name is Can't See You, the blend of energetic guitar and high tempo drums is hopefully a sign of things to come for Shallows. Combine this instrumentation with the echoey and distant vocal and you have the sound of Shallows.

With only one release so far it is difficult to see where the band are going to go with their style, however they're playing around Birmingham at the minute, catch them live tomorrow (3/4/15) at the Victoria, Birmingham.

Even though New Street Records is student based, the aim is to reach a wider demography, both for Shallows and other bands that will be included on the label. I'll be working closely with New Street Records for the foreseeable future so hopefully the discovery of new bands will be something that helps both parties.

Black and White London Town

London Town

I never realised how close the Scala was to my hotel until George and I walked to Regent's Park from Kings Cross at 2am this morning. Only managed to grab a photo in daylight, looked amazing at night with SCALA illuminated.

There is something mysteriously beautiful about the London tube, easily my favourite part of the city. I took this last night after Catfish and the Bottlemen's gig at Shepherd's Bush when I was traveling back to Kings Cross.

Catfish and the Bottlemen - Live Review (London)

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Catfish and the Bottlemen - Shepherd's Bush Empire, London (1/4/15)

Callum Thornhill

Not many bands are better live than recorded, but Catfish and the Bottlemen somehow still blow me away whenever I see them live. Seventh time in the fifth different city, it was once again a treat to the eyes and ears.

Opening again with Rango, the show always starts as it means to go on. Playing their largest UK headline tour to date, this was the second consecutive night at Shepherd's Bush Empire, both selling out.

Last night saw Luke Pritchard (the Kooks), Josh Franceschi (You Me At Six), Chris Caines (Coasts) and Greg James all spectating Catfish and the Bottlemen, certainly not a bad crowd. Then again, the 2500 'normal' fans that packed into the venue were in fine form.

So, is playing the Balcony in full becoming a dated and dull thing for Catfish and the Bottlemen? Both yes and no. By only having the one album out it is difficult to add variety without delving into Poetry and Fuel or Beautiful Decay EPs. However, if you want quality throughout then the Balcony is the album you want to hear in full.

After seeing Catfish and the Bottlemen in Middlesbrough, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle did London compare to the northern crowds? In my (biased) opinion, the north always do it better, although the magnificent venue added something special to the gig. I hadn't been to that venue since seeing Courteeners there in 2013, pleasurable experiences both times.

The size of the venue certainly didn't put the band off, a tremendous display and a professional approach, Catfish and the Bottlemen certainly know how to put on a performance. Blasting through the likes of 26, Kathleen and Business, the set was immense throughout.

Pacifier was once again the highlight for me personally, either that or the full crowd singing their hearts out to Homesick. Frontman Van McCann announced that the Balcony had went 'gold' so last night's gig was a celebration for this.

Fans that had waited for months to finally see the Welsh (& Geordie Bond) outfit will agree that it was worth it. As always, Hourglass was played beautifully with many a fan on each others shoulders serenading each other. Great viewing.

Typically, Tyrants closed the set with an eye melting light display going on behind them, London were calling out for a band that will get them going and two sold out Catfish and the Bottlemen dates at Shepherd's Bush Empire left them satisfied. The rain outside certainly didn't dampen any spirits!

Another two London dates are already sold out for Catfish and the Bottlemen, it is amazing to think that they aren't playing for another NINE months. However, it is the 5000 capacity Brixton Academy that will host the lads.

This is certainly a gig that should not be missed!

Here is a snippet from Tyrants last night: