Jaws Live Review

Jaws - Think Tank?, Newcastle (27/11/2015)

Callum Thornhill

When Jaws last played at the venue their debut album Be Slowly had just been released.

Last night they played a set consisting mainly of tracks from said album. Several fans packed into the tiny Think Tank? Venue in Newcastle. Even though the venue is hardly three metres tall there was crowd surfing and most pits galore.

The Birmingham four-piece opened with latest single What We Haven't Got Yet much to the delight of the wild crowd. Front-man Connor Schofield was appreciative throughout the set.

At the Think Tank? gig last September Schofield wore a Newcastle United football shirt, last night it was French side Paris Saint Germain whose shirt he donned. Earlier Tweeting it was for the tragedies, a real touch of class.

As well as Be Slowly, Jaws' other release is Milkshake EP. Tracks from this EP such as BreeZe and Friend Like You were performed last night.

The first single released after Be Slowly was the grunge influenced Bad Company. This sound was an unexpected one from Jaws and I was unsure of it at first. However, when I heard it live I realised just how much of an anthem it is.

As the night came to a close Connor said: "This is the part of the show where we would usually go off for a bit." Instead of doing so they continued playing the dreamy Surround You.

The final song was Be Slowly hit Gold. The crowd went wild for one final time and shouted the words back at the band to show their appreciation for such a wonderful evening.

By the time Jaws next tour their new album will hopefully be out. If the new songs showcased last night are anything to go by it is certain to be a belter.

Support came from Hartlepool alt-rock band Plaza and Birmingham band Chartreuse.

The Courteeners Live Review

Radio X Road Trip With The Courteeners - O2 Academy, Leeds (23/11/2015)

Callum Thornhill

As part of Radio X's rebranding from their previous XFM title they announced gigs around the UK. Last night (23rd November) it was Manchester band the Courteeners at Leeds O2 Academy that played on their tour.

DJ Chris Moyles introduced the band and had several pints thrown at him as he graced the stage. Taking it light heartedly he joked: "You must be rich!"

The Courteeners last played at the venue in June just before their sold-out appearance at Manchester's Heaton Park. This show is just before they embark on another sold out UK tour.

With a lack of support band, The Courteeners came on stage at around 945pm. Opening with their usual Are You In Love With A Notion they ripped the Academy apart from start to finish.

Due to the gig not being a part of their actual UK tour I, and many other fans, was hoping that Liam Fray and co. would play rarities and B-sides. St Jude classic Kings Of The New Road was a rare addition to the setlist, much to the delight of the sold out Leeds crowd.

Latest single - their answer to a Christmas song - Winter Wonderland had adoring fans getting into the festive mood singing back at the stage.

What I love most about a Courteeners gig is the raw passion that is generated in the packed crowds. Unlike many bands nowadays, the demographic of the Courteeners' fans are twenty-something year old lager drinkers.

Missing usual bassist Mark Cupello, the rest of the band left the stage towards the end of the set for Fray to play a mid-gig acoustic set. Something that is a familiar happening at these gigs.

Personal favourite No You Didn't, No You Don't was performed during this section.

Front-man Liam Fray announced indie anthem Not Nineteen Forever as: "We wrote this song about ten years ago" and the 'veterans' of the crowd could relate to the moment they were introduced to the Courteeners.

Through this track a flare was lit in the middle of the O2 Academy, despite several warnings from security that they are illegal and anyone found with pyrotechnics will be barred for life and reported to the police.

The power was cut until the pyrotechnic was extinguished but both the crowd and the band continued playing. A venue full of hearts being sung out was wonderful to witness.

As always, fans favourite What Took You So Long closed the Radio X Road Trip for The Courteeners. Liam Fray jumped from the stage to the barrier to shake hands with everyone that had endured being battered throughout the gig by manic fans.

Before leaving the stage, they promised that the next time they play Leeds O2 Academy the Courteeners will have a new album out.
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Order new album: Concrete Love - Extra Love here. It features new single Winter Wonderland as well as acoustic versions of various previously released tracks.

The 1975 Live Review

The 1975 - O2 Academy, Newcastle (15/11/2015)

Callum Thornhill

 An aesthetically wonderful display joined the 1975 on stage at Newcastle's O2 Academy.

Front man Matty Healy (son of Geordie legend Tim Healy and former Loose Woman Denise Welch) generously exclaimed to the sold out Newcastle crowd: "Gigs like this are intimate for us now so we're going to play loads of songs for you!"

Also gaining Brownie points with the Geordie crowd he announced: "I've signed a contract to say that this band will never play Sunderland's Stadium of Light."

As the lights went down, the fans lit the venue back up with endless mobile phone cameras pointing at the stage - eagerly capturing a memento of the 1975's visit to the north east.

They came on stage just after 9pm and opened with latest single Love Me, a song that sounds million miles away from the vibe of their debut album.

The 1975 disappeared from both the earth and the internet earlier this year before rebranding their edgy black image with a vivid pastel pink. Love Me's artwork was the same and the new album (I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It) is available to pre-order on heavyweight pink vinyl.

New songs were experimented with throughout the set, however the tracks from the EPs that came before the self-titled debut album that stole the show.

You from the Sex EP was a personal highlight as the mellow sound reflected into the crowd who swayed arm in arm singing the words back at the band.

Dressed in baggy dungarees Matty Healy swigged wine on stage throughout the gig, constantly passing it backstage whenever the glass was empty to be refilled. The wine must have went to Healy's head as he danced on every inch of the stage, including the speakers behind him causing a vibrant silhouette against the bright backdrop.

Album track Girls closed the set for the 1975 before they left the stage for a brief period. Chants of: "We want more!" echoed around the venue. Naturally the band returned to play a three song encore.

The 1975 returned to the stage to firstly play Medicine (which has recently been repressed on amber vinyl). No gig by the 1975 is complete without arguably their two biggest tracks.

Matty Healy teasingly shouted: "We have two songs left for you. I bet you can guess what they are!" Chocolate was the penultimate track that had the 2000 strong crowd signing their hearts out. Finishing this song had fans chanting: "We want sex!" at the band.

Ask and you shall receive. Sex closed an amazing gig and it will be a pleasurable surprise if the 1975 return to Newcastle in the near future. Support came from the talented youngster Rat Boy. Similar to Jamie T and the Streets he is destined for big things having already supported Circa Waves, the 1975 and has already played Reading and Leeds Festival.

The 1975 have announced a Spring tour to coincide with the release of I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It. Tickets are available here.

Foals Live Review

Yannis of Foals at Newcastle Academy. Photo by Ellie Cartlidge.

Foals - Academy, Newcastle (11/11/15)

Callum Thornhill

Since Oxford-based Foals released debut album Antidotes in 2008 they've broken boundaries and rules aplenty. Last night it was no different as they played Newcastle's O2 Academy.

All over the venue are signs stating not to crowd surf as it will get you thrown out. Front-man Yannis Philippakis defied these rules and spent more time in the crowd than on stage during the three song encore. At one point he was at the back bar downing a shot through their closing song Two Steps Twice.

Throughout the gig Philippakis came up to the front barrier as the rest of the band ripped through a 14 hit set list playing tracks from all four of their studio albums.

Foals certainly lived up to their reputation as being on of the UK's most exciting live bands. They opened with Snake Oil and from the moment that the first note was struck, the band were greeted with adoration from a sell out crowd.

The party really started though when one of the better known tracks, Holy Fire's indie classic My Number, was played. There were fans on shoulders and stray arms cutting shapes in the tightly packed crowd.

It is no surprise that Foals instantly sold out Newcastle's O2 Academy. Foals have 'outgrown' their academy status with the latest album What Went Down.

Mountain At My Gates is atmospheric enough to fill arenas and this was demonstrated earlier in the year when they played a surprise set at Reading and Leeds Festival.

The highlight of the evening came when Total Life Forever mellow masterpiece Spanish Sahara gave fans a brief moment of relaxation before breaking into an alt-rock second half. Newcastle's audience clapped along beautifully to the beat of Jack Bevan's drums.

Foals left the stage after playing my personal favourite Inhaler. This is another track that would tear arenas apart, they are playing a string of arena dates in February of 2016.

When the band returned to play Hummer, What Went Down and Two Steps, Twice fans were treated to a face full of Yannis Philippakis. After seeing videos of him crowd-surfing to Two Steps, Twice at recent gigs it was a surprise when he entered briefly during What Went Down.

There was worry that this would be the end for Foals' set before the distinctive, alt-rock, Antidotes belter of Two Steps, Twice left the Academy rocking.

Support came from Real Lies. A band that the crowd didn't really get in to and left the stage to the relief of many who had endured their set.

 

Foals arena tour dates are on sale now. Get them at Ticketmaster.