Ever been to a music gig? Want to go again? Want to know who is worth seeing?
Music gigs and festivals is a blog dedicated to telling you where and when the coolest bands are playing in NY and the UK. In addition to this I will also be sharing reviews about gigs and festivals I have attended which are definitely worth checking out.
Augustana are an American rock/ indie band from San Diego, and are similar to the bands Jack's Mannequin and The Maine.
This four piece band has to date released four albums, their debut album "Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays," "All the Stars and Boulevards," "Can't Love, Can't Hurt" and their recently released self titled album "Augustana." Popular songs by this band are "Boston" and "Sweet and Low."
After the release of their fourth album, Augustana was dropped from their record label Epic Records. Following this blow, the band hit more trouble when some of its members decided to leave the band. Despite this however, the rest of the band remain together and continue to tour and perform.
A band who has not had outstanding reviews for their live performances, this is one of those gigs where other than the standard performance not a lot else will happen. If you are seeking a night out listening to live music this could be for you, however I will say there are better alternatives out there.
ATTENTION: This band is playing in NY in May 2012 and the support act is The Kooks.(Tickets go on sale Fri!)
Back in July I posted the following:
I was definitely slow to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to this band.
Foster the People are an indie band from Los Angeles, California. Many of my friends raved and recommended this band to me - but until now I resisted. Having finally sat down to listen to them I can safely say their is no turning back - I love them!!
If you are unfamiliar with this band but like the artists Alex Winston, Friendly Fires and The Naked And Famous, than this band is right up your street. Songs I suggest you should check out are "Pumped Up Kicks," "Helena Beat" and "Waste."
Foster The People released their debut album "Torches" back in May and have since achieved great success. A huge contribution to their success goes to the release of their debut single "Pumped Up Kicks." Not only did this song reach number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, but it helped gain them attention from across the globe.
There is no risk of this band being a one hit wonder, something proven by their gigs. Both highly confident and Energetic, Foster The People certainly don't disappoint. At the end of all their shows they leave their sell out crowds gagging for more, and like an true performers they are only too willing to oblige and play a few more of their tracks! Their gigs are always packed and completely buzzing, something you would expect from their electronic sounds and feel good tunes.
This gig is a must - get a ticket quick as these tickets are not going to be around for long.
Tour dates:
25th April. Academy - Manchester, UK
27th April. O2 Academy - London, UK
29th May. Rumsey Playfield - NY
30th May. Rumsey Playfield - NY
William Fitzsimmons, a folk singer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is defiantly someone to check out.
To date,Fitzsimmons has released five albums "When We Are hosts," "Goodnight." "Sparrow and the Crow," "Derivatives" and "Gold in the Shadow," and has had a number of his singles aired on popular shows such as Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill.
Although I have not been fortunate to see William Fitzsimmons live, I am eager to do so one day. William Fitzsimmons is the perfect choice for those days you find yourself pondering and reflecting about life - deep I know, but we've all been there! Fitzsimmons songs are all very honest, for example the album "The Sparrow and the Crow" is about his failed marriage and the process he went through to start life over again. It is this pure emotion and honesty that make his songs that much more captivating and meaningful to the listener.
So if you are seeking a chilled evening listening to soul wrenching music from a hugely talented and charismatic guy, this is certainly the gig for you.
I have to be honest, I loved seeing this band live!
Last week I was fortunate to see the Goo Goo Dolls in New Jersey with a couple of my friends. The venue was pretty small for such a successful band so it was great to be able to stand so close to the stage and see them really perform.
The band was incredibly energetic and entertaining. I had not realized John Rzeznik (lead vocalist) was so witty and comical. Between songs he had great banter with both the audience and the rest of the band, and always seemed in-tune to what the crowd was doing.
During the two hour set John Rzeznik mostly took the lead on their songs although Robby Takac sang some including the hit, January Friend. Other songs they sang included Broadway, Acoustic, Sweetest Lie and my personal favorite performance of the night, Iris!
Ryan Star, a singer from Long Island, New York was the support for the Goo Goo Dolls show. To give him his credit, he did a great job of warming the crowd up for the main act. He sang his hit songs 'Right Now," "Last Train Home," "Breathe" and "Start a Fire," and was around after the show to sign autographs.
I had a great night overall and would certainly recommend you go and see them live as they really do put on a great show.
Tour dates
Nov 18th. The Stanley- Utica, NY
Dec 31st. Caesars Atlantic City - Atlantic City, NJ
For tickets and more information about tour dates check out: Goo Goo Dolls
Lykke Li is a Swedish indie singer who first hit the music scene in 2008. Lykke Li incorporates pop, electronic, and indie rock into her songs by using many instruments such as violins, tambourines, trumpets, saxophone, and cellos.
Lykke Li has recently attracted many indie fans due her to fantastic cover of "knocked up" by Kings of Leon. Lykke Li has two albums to date, her debut album "Youth Novels" and the recently released "Wounded Rhymes."
If you like bands such as Robyn, Beth Ditto, Ellie Goulding and Bat for Lashes, than you should definitely check out Lykke Li.
Lykki Li is awesome live. Her great voice, constant engagement with the crowd and continual dancing around the stage leaves the crowd wanting more. If you want an enjoyable night of good music than this is a gig for you.
Tour dates:
30th Oct. O2 ABC - Glasgow, UK
31st Oct. Manchester Academy 2 - Manchester, UK
1st Nov. Roundhouse - London UK.
Nada Surf first fit the music scene in 1992 and have a number of great tunes including 'See these bones,' (see below) 'Always love' and 'Brightside.'This indie rock band are hugely popular and are due to release their seventh album 'The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy' later this year.
This band has great reviews for their live shows,and generally always make time at the end to meet fans. They always seem to connect well with their audiences and so if you are looking for an enjoyable night of good music, this is definitely for you!
Tour dates:
1/24/12. Bowery Ballroom - NYC
02/08/12. KOKO - London, UK
For more information regarding their European Tour dates check out: Nada Surf Tour Dates
I am currently interning in London and was treated to an unexpected acoustic performance by Alex Clare. The company every so often hold 'The Tea Room Sessions' where artists and bands come in to perform. A previous performer has been Clare Maguire.
Alex Clare is a singer/songwriter from London who recently released his debut album "The Lateness of the Hour."
I can honestly say I had never heard of Alex Clare, but after watching him sing acoustically for half an hour I was left wanting more. My favorite song which he performed was Humming Bird - although the album version sounds pretty different from what I heard live, it still a great song.
Alex Clare's voice, although raspy is very soulful - which combined produces a truly captivating and beautiful sound. On returning home, I looked Alex Clare up on YouTube and came across a great cover by Prince's When Doves Cry - I urge you to check it out.
I was pleasantly surprised by Alex Clares talent and so I would urge you to see him live if you can.
Certainly high volume and high performing, but sadly not a gig I would go to again.
Paper Route are an indie rock band from Nashville, Tennessee who first formed together in 2004.They released their debut album "Absence" in 2009, and are currently working on a second album.
Songs to check out by them are "Second Chances," "Carousel," "Dance on our Grave (my personal fav!) and "Last Time."
Paper Route have certainly been busy over the years - touring with the likes of Paramore, Owl City and Passion Pit. Despite the touring however, Paper Route have yet to make it mainstream hence the fact tickets to see live were only six pounds.
One thing is for sure however, this was the latest gig I have ever been to - they didn't come on stage until 12.30am.
Although J.T. Daly has strong vocals and is a very energetic performer, the crowd didn't seem to warm to them too much. Despite Daly's constant attempt to interact with the crowd nothing seemed to work. I found the set list for their gig to be quite disappointing too - instead of playing their more well known singles, they seemed to play songs that had greater electro and rock elements to them. Reasons for this may have been due to the fact the venue was at a night club and it was a Friday night (big night out for Londoners!) - however it was still disappointing.
So overall I would say if pumped up electro rock is your thing than this is a gig for you. For me sadly I was left feeling disappointed and so will not be going to see them live again.
The Airborne Toxic Event are a five piece indie-rock band from Los Angeles.
If you like bands such as Silversun Pickups, The Gaslight Anthem and The Bravery, than The Airborne Toxic Event is someone who you should check out.
I highly recommend you go and see this band live. To view my review of this band click on: The Airborne Toxic Event Review. If you do decide to go and see them, I urge you to buy tickets quick as many of their shows become sold out within hours.
Tour dates:
20th-21st August. V Festival 2011 - Chelmsford, UK
3rd Nov. HMV Institute - Birmingham, UK
4th Nov. The Leadmill - Sheffield, UK
5th Nov. O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - London, UK
7th Nov. The Arches - Glasgow, UK
18th Nov. Terminal 5 - NYC
On April 16th I posted information and tour dates for Adele, however I am re-posting as she is due to go on tour again in the UK.
Since April, Adele has gone on to acheive great success. Her second album "21" reached number one in a staggering 18 countries, with the first single, "Rolling In The Deep," reaching number one in eight countries.
Adele's last tour, Adele Live, was a huge success - the entire North American leg of the tour was sold out.
This gig is a MUST! She will sell out fast so by your tickets asap.
Tour dates (UK):
4th Sept. Plymouth Pavilions - Plymouth
5th Sept. Bournemouth International Centre - Bournemouth
7th Sept. Cardiff Motorpoint Arena - Cardiff
8th Sept. Empress Ballroom and Arena - Blackpool
10th Sept. Civic Hall - Wolverhampton
11th Sept. Civic Hall - Wolverhampton
13th Sept. De Montfort Hall - Leicester
14th Sept. O2 Academy - Newcastle
16th Sept. O2 Apollo - Manchester
17th Sept. O2 Apollo - Manchester
19th Sept. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London
20th Sept. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London
22nd Sept. Royal Albert Hall - London
24th Sept. Usher Hall - Edinburgh
25th Sept. O2 Academy - Glasgow
So I have to be honest I did come across this group on One Tree Hill...and although I wasn't immediately impressed I did eventually warm up to them.
Wakey!Wakey! is an American indie/rock band from Brooklyn, New York and is fronted by Michael Grubbs. They recently released their debut album "Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You..." which is filled with mostly laid back melodies that tend to build and end with an energetic climax created from Michaels strong vocal ability and poignant lyrics.
Bands similar to Wakey! Wakey! include La Rocca, Michelle Featherstone, Matthew Ryan and Strays Don't Sleep.
Although I have not seen Wakey!Wakey! live, this pretty low key band has received a lot of positive reviews. The general consensus from these reviews are this seemingly unheard of band has great potential and are surprisingly very good live.
Recently they have been supporting bands/artists such as The Spring Standards and James Blunt, which has certainly caused them to grow in terms of reputation and fan base. So I would certainly say this is another safe alternative for those of you looking for a chilled night out listening to live music.
Tour dates:
24th Sept. Before the Bridge Music Festival - Collingswood, NJ, US
17th Oct. The Brook - Southampton, UK
19th Oct. Heaven - London, UK
If you haven't heard of this artist than you are clearly living in a cave!
With number 1 singles "Just The Way You Are" and "Grenade," this singer/songwriter from Hawaii is the real deal. His debut album "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" was released in October 2010, and reached number 3 in the US charts.
What people should like about this artist is the variety of genres his music covers. No style is too great, with rock, pop, soul, R&B and reggae just being a few examples of styles incorporated into his music.
In addition to his cool exterior and good songs, Bruno Mars is also a great performer. Many give him the false label of a soulful soft singer who sings upbeat and sometimes cheesy songs. However these views soon get turned around when they see Bruno Mars live for themselves. His live performances are both passionate and "intense" which combined with a great stage presence and showmanship, promises the crowd a good show.
Although this show is definitely going to be enjoyed more by the ladies, it still promises to be a great evening of good music for all.
Tour dates:
16th Aug. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
17th Aug. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
18th Aug. 02 Academy Birmingham - Birmingham, UK
19th-21st Aug. V Festival - Hylands Park, UK
23rd Oct. 02 Academy Brixton - London, UK
31st Oct. SECC & Clyde Auditorium - Glasgow, UK
1st Nov. The Capital FM Arena - Nottingham, UK
2nd Nov. 02 Apollo Manchester - Manchester, UK
I have to be honest, I am quite a fan of these two guys.
LMFAO is an electro hop band from Los Angeles, California. Most well known for their hit "Im in Miami Bitch" this duo mostly center their songs around drinking and partying.
LMFAO have two albums to date, "Rock Party" and "Sorry For Rock Partying." Songs you have probably heard are "Party Rock Anthem," "Shots" and "Bass Kick In Miami." LMFAO got further recognition when they featured in David Guetta's song "Gettin Over You" which went to number one in 11 countries. Their songs are pretty cheesy and crude at times, but the tunes are catchy and are great to dance to.
Unsurprisingly LMFAO live is pretty crazy. Expect dancing, expect hot sweaty bodies, expect audience participation, expect drinking, expect swearing and pretty suggestive lyrics but also expect a crazy night of fun.
Yes this one is a wild one but hey everyone needs to let their hair down once in a while.
Tour dates:
19th August. PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
20th August. Nikon at Jones Beach - Wantagh, NY
I only heard about this band recently but I really like their sound. Under The Driftwood Tree are a five piece folk band from Wales. In addition to their strong vocals this band use an assortment of unusual instruments such as the ukulele, didgeridoos, djembe and accordion.
This band recently reached the final and were the Welsh winners of the Surface Unsigned battle of the bands. They have played numerous times on Fearne Cotton's Radio 1 show and even performed with Jack Johnson at the Eden Project.
Songs to check out by this band are If Only If and Under The Thumb. They are currently in the process of producing their debut album - so definitely keep your eyes out for this band in the future.
Tour Dates:
19th - 21st Aug. Greenman Festival - Brecon, UK
They really do put other touring bands to shame....unbelievable performers. Its a crime to miss them!
This tour has received huge hype from the very start. A whopping 1.76 million tickets were sold for their 27 UK tour dates - 1.34 million of which were sold within 24hours of them being put on sale.
With the spectacular staging (monks, a huge dancing robot, flashing lights) and fabulous dancing, Take That had the entire crowd captivated from start to finish.
Take That have come along way since 1995...yes they have split, become solo artists and regrouped as a four piece, but that all seems a thing of the past. Today the boys are back, all five of them, doing what they do best.
During the show I liked the way the group took time to appreciate one anthers success - Robbie Williams performing some of his most successful solo hits (e.e. Angel and Let Me Entertain You) and the four piece; Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen performing their recently successful songs (Shine and Patience).
It has to be said though, the highlight of the evening was when a group of monks dressed in red cloaks holding lanterns walked onto the stage to introduce the boys. The boys reuniting and performing together is what the millions of people have flocked to see - and boy were they not left disappointed. With flawless and energetic performances, the band sang their most successful and well known hits "Never Forget and "Relight My Fire" - leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that they boys are here to stay.
The evenings set list was: Shine, Rule the World, Patience, Hold Up A Light, Greatest Day, Sgt.Pepper's VT, Let Me Entertain You, Rock DJ, Come Undone, Feel, Angels, The Flood, SOS, Underground Machine, Kidz, Pretty Things, Million Love Songs, Pray, Love Love, Never Forget, No Regrets, Relight My Fire and Eight Letters.
Rufus Wainwright is a Canadian singer songwriter who has released six albums to date.
Artists similar to Rufus Wainwright are his sister Martha Wainwright, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and Sufjan Stevens.
Rufus Wainwright has certainly earned a reputation for his theatrical and at times demanding behaviour. For his UK tour in 2010 Wainwright appeared in a black 20 foot feathered black coat and demanded that no one in the audience clap between songs during the first half. Despite this strange behavior Wainwright delivered a breath taking and emotional performance that captivated the entire audience.
This gig would certainly be good. Yes, tickets can be quite pricey but Wainwright's extraordinary gift and talent as a singer, performer and pianist are all ingredients for a good show.
Tour Dates:
18th July. Royal Opera House - London
19th July. Royal Opera House - London
21st July. Royal Opera House - London
22nd July. Royal Opera House - London
23rd July. Royal Opera House - London.
No rain (well not much), no mud, 4 bands....no doubt about it - I had an awesome night!!!
I arrived at Hyde Park all kitted out for the heavens to open - as did the 60,000 other people attending the gig. Kings of Leon were playing their second night of the nine days of performances held at Hyde Park. Bands due to perform at Hyde Park over the next couple of days include Rod Stewart, the Killers, Arcade Fire, The Black Eyed Peas, Pulp and Bon Jovi.
Sadly due to work I missed Zac Brown Band perform so I can't tell you anything about them. However bands I did get to see were The White Lies, Paul Weller and of course Kings of Leon.
I thought the supports The White Lies and Paul Weller were both great. I am a big fan of the White Lies anyway, so I was excited when I head they were supporting. Although they have great songs and sang them all very well they didn't seem to work the crowd very well. After their performance I feel that The White lies would be more suited to smaller venues where I am sure they will be fantastic live.
Next, after the White Lies was Paul Weller - an English punk rocker who certainly knows how to get a crowd going. Some of the songs that he sang included Changing man, Broken Strings (my fav) and From the Floorboards Up. It was clear from his effortless performance that Paul Weller has played a few gigs in his time - rocking out on stage and getting the crowd pumped for the main act.
Next were the headliners - Kings of Leon. They are truly fabulous. Their set list included Radioactive, Taper Jean Girl, Four Kicks,The Bucket, Pistol of Fire, The Immortals, Revelry, Fans, Back Down South, Crawl, No Money, Charmer, Milk, Mary, Notion, Closer, Manhattan, Pyro, California Waiting, Molly's Chambers, On Call and Sex on Fire.
During this set there were no gimmicks, just Kings of Leon singing their songs. There was one negative to their performance however, the time it took for them to really work the crowd. Although they are promoting their new album "Come Around Sundown' the crowd didn't seem to respond as well to their newer tracks. In addition to this I feel that Anthony Caleb (lead singer) could have done more in terms of including the crowd. Despite saying "this is the best night of my life" he said very little else other than "thank you" a few times.
Although the crowd was slow to get going, there was no doubt that every single person was singing with their arms in the air by the time the band performed their number 1 hit single "Sex on Fire." This, with their excellent encore performance was definitely the highlight for me. Their encore included Knocked Up, Use Somebody and Black Thumbnai.
The gig concluded with fireworks which for me drew a close to a great night of live music.
Although the people I went with felt the gig lacked any atmosphere I would have to disagree. I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening listening to an awesome band. Yes their show in Manchester two years ago was better, but I would still go and see them live again in a heart beat.
I would like to apologize for the lack of entries this month! I have been traveling and interning so I have been extremely busy. However do not fret - not only will I be keeping you informed of any good bands playing soon but I will also be reviewing gigs that I am planning to attend over the next couple of weeks.
Tori Amos is an American pianist and singer-songwriter that first hit the music scene in the 90s.
Artists similar to Tori Amos include Alanis Morissette, Ani DiFranco and Kate Bush,
To date Tori Amos has released thirteen albums: Little Earthquakes, Under the Park, Boys for Pele, From the Choir girl Hotel, To Venus and Back, Strange Little Girls, The Beekeeper, American Doll Posse, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, Midwinter Graces, Scarlets Walk, Tales of the Piano and Under the Pink.
As a singer who was huge in the 90s and sold over 12 million albums, Tori Amos has arguably become well known for her talented piano playing. She plays with so much passion and energy that you will be convinced that she will break the instrument during her show!
Well known songs released by Tori Amos include: 1000 Oceans, A Sorta Fairytale (see video below), Caught a Lite Sneeze and Cornflake Girl.
If you are unfamiliar with Tori Amos material than you should be warned it can be quite haunting. However don't be put off, it is only due to her ability to relive her own personal (painful and joyous) experiences and present them to you in song. Her openness to share her experiences certainly makes people feel they can relate to her in some way. This with her extraordinary talent of playing the piano is a huge factor to why she has such a large and loyal fan base today.
The crowd to Tori Amos shows are usually aged around thirty and over however the beauty of her music is people of all ages can enjoy it. I would certainly suggest that you see Tori Amos live if you can.
Tour Dates:
2nd Nov. Royal Albert Hall - London,UK
3rd Nov. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
4th Nov. Manchester Apollo - Manchester, UK
6th Nov. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - Glasgow, UK
The Pretty Reckless has certainly made headlines for themselves over the last year. Being dubbed as a terrible role model for her young fans, lead singer Taylor Momsen has certainly been the center of attention recently.
Despite this however, the bands music is very good! This alternative American rock band from New York released their debut single"Make Me Wanna Die" on May 13th 2010. This single was followed by the release of their debut album "Light Me Up" on August 30th.
Bands similar to the Pretty Reckless include Paramore, Avril Lavigne, and Ke$ha.
The Pretty Reckless although new to the music scene, have received a lot of great reviews for their gigs. Lead singer, Taylor Momsen oozes confidence when she sings and always puts a tremendous amount of enthusiasm into all her performances.It should be added however, the crowd is usually made up of mostly 12-20 year old screaming female fans!
A set list for one of their shows was: Since You’re Gone, Miss Nothing, Light Me Up, Zombie, Goin’ Down, Just Tonight, My Medecine, Like A Stone, Factory Girl, Islands/I Love The Way You Lie (acoustic), Nothing Left To Lose (acoustic), Super Sonic/Time Is Running Out, Make Me Wanna Die.
If you are looking for a night of awesome live rock music from an extremely talented 17yr old than this is a gig for you.
Tour dates:
12th June. Download Festival - Domington, UK
3rd July. Hyde Park - Hyde Park, UK
For more information regarding their European tour dates visit: European Tour Dates
Sia is an Australian, dance-pop singer and songwriter. To date Sia has released five albums: "Healing is Difficult," "Colour The Small One," "Lady Croissant," "Some People Have Real Problems," and "We Are Born."
Sia has received many great reviews for her live shows and performances. Sia has both a great voice and a great personality which always come through in her shows. During her gigs, Sia comes across very talkative and funny and can always work the crowd. In addition to the singing and joke telling, Sia regularly gives shout outs to her fans. One thing that should be noted is Sia's gigs have an impressive amount of detail and effort put into them. Recently Sia's sets have included a stage entirely blanketed in striped textiles which I feels sums up the type of performer that she is.
Songs which are personal favorites of mine include "Breathe me," "Soon We'll Be Found," and "Little Black Sandals." For an enjoyable evening of good music and entertainment I really suggest you go out and buy tickets.
Tour Dates
26th July. Webster Hall - NYC
27th July. Webster Hall - NYC
For more information about other tour dates and tickets check out: http://www.myspace.com/siamusic
I love The Strokes! Although I have yet to see them live, they are definitely top on my list.
The Strokes are an American rock band who formed in 1988 in New York City. This band have achieved many great things and were even labeled "the most prominent rock bands to emerge in the 21st Century."
The Strokes released their debut album "Is This It," back in 2001 and have just recently released their fourth album "Angles."
Bands similar to The Strokes include Albert Hammond JR, Arctic Monkeys, and Vampire Weekend. Some of The Strokes most popular tracks include "Last Nite," "Reptilia," and "Is This It."
Although I have not personally seen The Strokes live, they have received many great reviews. I will add however that theirs gigs are not for the feint hearted. Expect mosh pits, sweat, and a lot of die hard rock fans. But hey this only adds to the atmosphere so don't be deterred.
Tour dates
14th - 15th May. BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend - Carlisle, UK
8th - 10th July. T in the Park 2011 - Kinross, UK
26th - 28th Aug. Leeds Festival 2011 - Leeds, UK
26th - 28th Aug. Reading Festival 2011 - Reading, UK
For more information about their European and US tour dates check out: The Strokes
Bon Iver is an indie folk band who first formed together in 2007. The bands debut album "For Emma, Forever Ago" was released in 2007 and includes the tracks; Flumes, The Wolves (Act 1 and 11), Skinny Love, and Lump Sum. Bon Iver's highly anticipated second album, which is due to be released sometime around June, is reported to have gone down a new musical direction to that of their previous work.
If you like bands such as Fleet Foxes, The Tallest Man On Earth, and Iron & Wine, than this is a band for you.
This humble bands' live performances will certainly make the hairs on your arm stand up. The level of emotion and intensity that Justin Vernon pours into his songs not only captivates the audience but moves them also. If you are looking for a night of exceptional singing that will have the singers giving you their heart and soul, than you really can't miss this gig.
Tour dates
10th August. Prospect Park Bandshell - Brooklyn, NY
For more information about their tour or for tickets check out: bon iver tickets
This Irish pop/ rock band is a definite must see! The Script have released two great albums, the self titled debut album "The Script," and the recently released "Science & Faith." The Script have had a number of great single releases including We Cry, The Man Who Cant Be Moved, and For The First Time.
If you like the bands OneRepublic, The Fray and Scouting For Girls, than this is a band for you.
The Script has received many rave reviews for their live performances and gigs. Due to their songs ranging from sensitive pop ballads to catchy rock songs, the crowd can always look forward to a night of top quality music. Also since the Script has a variety of different songs, you can always expect to see a pretty mixed crowd. Another reason to why The Script's live performances are so good is because of Danny O'Donoghue, the bands lead singer. Not only does he have a fantastic vocal talent, but he has a great showmanship which never fails to get the crowd going.
I would defiantly suggest getting tickets to see this band live.
Tour Dates
14th - 15th May. BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2011 - Carlisle, UK
4th June. Rumsey Playfield - New York, US.
10th - 12th June. Isle of Wight Festival 2011 - Newport, UK.
12th June. Seaclose Park - Newport, UK
8th - 10th July. T in the Park 2011 - Kinross, UK
12th July. iTunes Festival 2011 - Camden, UK
14th July. Thetford Forest - Suffolk, UK
17th July. Brighton Centre - Brighton, UK
20th - 21st August. V Festival 2011 - Staffordshire, UK
For more information about tickets or about the rest of their American and Europe tour check out: The Script tickets
This English singer/ songwriter has gone from strength to strength. In 2008 Adele won the critic choice at the BRIT awards, and was named the number one breakthrough act of 2008. In 2009 Adele won two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Adele has released two successful albums, "19" and "21." 19 went triple platinum and straight to number one in the UK album charts. On January 24th 2011 Adele released her second album "21" which went straight to number one in both the UK and US.
This year it was announced that Adele was the first living artist to achieve two top five hits in both the official singles and official album charts simultaneously since the Beatles in 1964. In the UK "21" has spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one, the longest ever by a female solo artist in the UK album charts.
Adele is currently on her Adele Live tour in Europe and North America.
A big woman with a big voice, Adele has tremendous reviews for her live performances. A no fuss kind of girl, Adele lets her talent and personality do the talking. This show is great for those of you looking for an enjoyable evening of top quality soulful music.
Tour dates
19th May. Beacon Theater - NY
21st May. United Palace Theater- NY.
For information about the rest of Adele's North American tour dates check out: Ticketmaster
Ra Ra Riot are an American indie rock band from Syracuse, New York. If you like bands such as Tokyo Police Club, Vampire Weekend and Passion Pit, than this is a band for you.
Ra Ra Riot have two albums, their debut album "The Rhumb Line" which was released in 2008 and their most recent "The Orchard." There are many great songs on both albums, however songs to certainly check out are "Can you tell," "Too Dramatic" and "Ghost Under Rocks."
I first saw this band live in 2006 when they were supporting the Editors in the UK. The band includes a vocalist, a bassist, a guitarist, cellist, violinist and drummer, which combined creates great upbeat tempos and smooth melodies.
I was extremely impressed by Ra Ra Riot's energized performance. All six members ran, skipped, and danced enthusiastically around the stage whilst playing their instruments and singing their songs. The crowd really responded well to this, and seemed eager to hear what they would play next.
For a fun night of music, I would certainly suggest to get tickets.
Tour Dates
17th May. Upstairs at the Garage - London, UK.
18th May. The Ruby Lounge - Manchester, UK.
19th May. Audio - Brighton, UK.
Before living in America I would never listen to rap. Now, likely to be the influence of friends, I listen to a lot more rap like Lil Wayne and Solja Boy.
One rap artist that I listen to all the time and absolutely love is Kid Cudi. Kid Cudi first appeared on the scene in 2009 ,with his most popular hit to date "Day n Nite." Since this Kid Cudi has released a number of great songs such as Simple As, Make Her Say and my favorite, Pursuit of Happiness.
Although tickets may be quite pricey, his gigs are certainly worth your every cent. Kid Cudi has, and continues to receive tremendous reviews for his gigs. Not only do people rave about his rapping skills, but for his consistent energetic performances and ability to really work a crowd. I can't stress enough - this is a gig worth attending!!
Tour dates:
20th April. Roseland Ballroom - NYC
21st April. Roseland Ballroom - NYC
22nd April. Roseland Ballroom - NYC
23rd April. Carrier Dome - Syracuse, NY
Both these bands are awesome and a must see! Arcade Fire is an indie rock band made up of seven musicians from Quebec. They have released three albums "Funerals," "Neon Bible" and "The Suburbs" and won many prestigious awards, the most recent being "Best International Album" and "Best International Group" at the 2011 BRIT Awards. If you like bands such as The Strokes, Broken Social Scene and/ or The National, than Arcade Fire is a band for you. One thing that must not go unsaid is their excellent reputation for consistently delivering outstanding gigs. With this in mind I urge you to buy tickets quickly as they usually sell out fast.
The supporting acts for Arcade Fire are Beirut, The Vaccines, and Mumford & Sons. I have to admit that even if the headliner was rubbish I would still try to get tickets to this gig simply to see Mumford & Sons again!
I love everything about Mumford & Sons; their songs, their charisma, their attitude, and their voices. I have seen Mumford & Sons live twice, once at Glastonbury Music Festival and once in New York. They defiantly didn't disappoint! Each gig was performed flawlessly.
Not only are these four Londoners great live singers, but they have great personality's which always come out during their shows. This is a band that can certainly work a crowd, to the extent that they had the whole crowd eating from their hand, creating a euphoric atmosphere. During both gigs Mumford & Sons performed their popular hits Sigh No More, Little Lion Man and The Cave as well as new material such as the unreleased song, Below My Feet.
Since finishing their US tour, Mumford & Sons have been working on their next album - so I urge you all to get tickets to see them as it is certainly a gig not to be missed.
Bamboozle Festival takes place every year and is certainly worth checking out. It runs from April 29th until May 1st, and has many great headliners such as Lil Wayne, Tacking Back Sunday and Thirty Seconds to Mars. I have not been lucky enough to see many of these bands live, however I have seen Frank Turner and The Gaslight Anthem. If these two gigs are anything to go by, than this is going to be a great festival.
Ticket prices work like Airlines prices, the closer the the festival the higher the price of the ticket. With this in mind, I advise you to purchase tickets sooner rather than later.
Some of the bands include:
Lil Wayne, Motley Crue, Taking back Sunday, The Gaslight Anthem, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars, Biffy Clyro, Chiddy Bang, Dashboard Confessional, Frank Turner, LMFAO, Plain White T's, Senses Fail and Super Mash Bros.
This is a great indie rock band from London, UK. White Lies formed in 2007 but only started growing in popularity with the release of their songs "Unfinished Business" and "Death" in 2009. If you are a fan of bands such as The Klaxons, Editors, Interpol and Fear of Flying then this is a band you need to check out. White Lies have two albums, "To Lose My Life.." which hit number one on the UK Album Charts, and "Ritual" which was just recently released in January of this year. The lead singer Harry McVeigh has a very distinct voice which allows you to instantly recognize their songs. Generally their songs, although quite dark, are very uplifting and inspiring.
Even though I have not seen this band live, I am an avid listener of their music and will definitely be looking to see White Lies live in the future.
A friend came across this band and told me to check them out. The first song I checked out by them was a cover of Bombay Bicycle Club's "Always Like This" and I thought it was pretty good. I then came across a cover of "Sleepy Head" by Passion Pit which I really liked.
Run Toto Run is a three piece indie electro pop band from Manchester, UK and reminds me a great deal of bands such as Kate Nash, Passion Pit and the Ting Tings. New to the music scene, Run Toto Run is a band that is worth looking out for.
Tour dates (UK tour only): 10th March. The Harley - Sheffield, UK. 19th March. The Castle - Manchester, UK. 25th March. The Box - Crewe, UK. 26th March. Radio Session - Manchester, UK. 1st April. Soundcontrol - Manchester, UK. 21st May. Capesthorne Hall - Cheshire, UK. 22nd May. Capesthorne Hall - Cheshire, UK.
My number 1 band to listen to is Bloc Party, an indie rock band from London, UK. I started listening to this band in 2003 when I came across the song "Banquet" which is my favorite of all Bloc Party's songs. I have seen this band live and thought they were incredible. Watching them live was awesome as they performed their songs with so much energy that they had the whole crowd buzzed and the atmosphere was electrifying. The main performer of the band, Kele was definitely the natural performer and so when it was announced that the band were going on hiatus and he was going solo I was excited to see what he would do.
I have not been left disappointed. Kele Okereke released his first solo album "The Boxer" which includes the songs "Tenderoni" and "Everything You Want." Whilst I was at Glastonbury Music Festival over the summer Kele performed a great set. He sang both his own stuff and material from when he was in Bloc Party such as "Flux." This is definitely a gig not to miss out on.
Tour dates:
19th March. The Plug- Sheffield, UK
19th - 21st Aug. V Festival - Staffordshire, UK
The Airborne Toxic Event is a five piece indie-rock band from Los Angeles. If you like bands such as Silversun Pickups, The Gaslight Anthem and The Bravery, than The Airborne Toxic Event are a band you definitely should check out.
To date, Airborne Toxic Event have released two albums; their debut self titled album "The Airborne Toxic Event" and "All at Once" (2011). It has recently been announced that they will be releasing a third album "Such Hot Blood" in April of this year - I cant wait!!
I have been fortunate enough to see this band live - to check out my review, click on the Link. I would highly recommend everyone to go and see them live, however I would stress that you should get tickets ASAP as tickets to their live shows frequently sell out.
Tour dates:
4th April. Rescue Rooms - Nottingham, UK
5th April. Academy 2 - Manchester, UK
8th April. Cockpit - Leeds, UK
10th April. Wedgewood Rooms - Portsmouth, UK
19th April. Dublin Castle - London, UK
20th April. Barfly - London, UK
21st April. Kings College - London, UK
22nd April. Koko - London, UK
2nd May. Pianos - NYC
3rd May. Mercury Lounge - NYC
4th May. Bowery Ballroom - NYC
5th May. Webster Hall - NYC
6th May. Town Hall - NYC
This band is from Brighton, England and are a popular indie-rock band. On January 31st The Go! Team released their fourth album "Rolling Blackouts" which included the songs 'Lazy Poltegeist,' 'The Running Range' and 'Buy Nothing Day.' If you have not heard of this band but like listening to "Belle and Sebastian," "LCD Soundsystem," and "Crystal Fighters" than you really should check The Go! Team out. Although I have never seen this band live I am a great fan of their music and would definitely look to go to one of their gigs in the future.
Tour dates: 24th Feb. The Waterfront - Norwich, UK 25th Feb. 02 Academy Sheffield - Sheffield, UK 26th Feb. 02 Academy Leicester - Leicester,UK 27th Feb. Millennium Music Hall - Cardiff, UK
