Sofar Sounds Secret Gig #3

As you may be aware I have been fortunate enough to attend a number of secret gigs at various locations around London, courtesy of Sofar Sounds. On 11th February I was once again lucky enough to go to a strangers (very cool) house in Stoke Newington and watch four fab bands play.

First up was Honey Blood. This Scottish duo, made of Tina Tweeddale on guitar/vocals and Shona McVicar on drums, classify their music as 'crunch pop' - a "blend of blustery vocals and swirling guitars."

These girls were actually due to perform at another venue later that evening, however before they dashed off we were treated to a three song set.  To hear their music check out their self titled album "Honeyblood." Tracks featured on the album include Killer Bangs and Super Rat.

For more information check out their Twitter page: https://twitter.com/yumhoneyblood

Next up were Elliot Galvin Trio. The great thing about Sofar Sounds is the opportunity to see a wide range of artists and bands of all different genres. This couldn't have been more true for the next band. 

Elliot Galvin Trio were fabulous. These three very understated lads took to the floor with their instruments and performed an absolutely flawless set. Elliot Galvin on piano, Tom McCredle on bass and Simon Roth on drums, incorporate classical, jazz and art into their music. The mastermind of this band, Elliot Galvin, composes all the bands material. To highlight how good these guys are, in 2014, they won the European Young Musician of the Year Award. 

Regardless to whether you listen to classical music or not, these tremendously talented guys are definitely worth your time. 

For more info about this band check out their Twitter page: https://twitter.com/ElliotGalvin

Next, and my personal favourite of the night: Jay Brown. Although Jay Brown, a singer from Northampton, usually sings with a band, she performed solo on this occasion. She played a number of tracks including Sun Comes Up, We Are The People and my personal fav, Diamonds.

Brown has already played at a number of large venues including Glastonbury in 2013 on the BBC introducing stage. She is definitely someone to keep an eye for in the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed her set. Again, very understated, Brown's raspy/gruff vocals oozed rawness and emotion. If you, like me, are a fan of stripped back/acoustic music, than you will be a fan of Jay Brown.

For those of you who are Bastille fans, you may also recognise Brown from when she featured on the track "Forever Ever" with Kate Tempest.

For more info on Jay Brown, check out her website: http://jaybrownofficial.co.uk/

And finally but by no means least, Rozi Plain. This girl is hilarious - I loved her! Originally from Winchester, Rozi in an indie singer who has previously supported KT Tunstall and played at a number of festivals including The Green Man and End of the Road Festival. To date Rozi Plain has released two albums "Inside Over Here" and "Joined Sometimes Unjoined." During her set, Rozi sang Actually and Jogalong.

Rozi played a great set. Her dry sense of humour, accompanied with her upbeat and catchy tunes was the perfect finale to a brilliant night of live music. When listening to Rozi I was reminded a great deal of Tegan and Sara, for their similar music styles and distinct vocals.

For more info on Rozi Plain, check out her website http://roziplain.co.uk/.

Overall I had a great night of live music. If you haven't signed up, you are missing out. Here is the site if you are interested: http://www.sofarsounds.com/

Bestival Music Festival

Want to go to a music festival? Well you still can.

Bestival is a four-day music festival held in the Isle of Wight at the beginning of September. Starting in 2004, this festival has grown from a medium sized festival to becoming the best major UK festival in the UK (voted 2010, 2012).

Although I have yet to attend this festival myself many of my friends have, and they all absolutely love it (so much so they are all going again!). When people talk about Bestival, the general consensus is "Glastonbury without all the walking!" - what more could you want...other than maybe the promise of no rain!?

Another reason why people choose Bestival is because you can STILL buy tickets. While all the other festivals this summer sold out months ago, you can go on their website and purchase a ticket for the great value of £180.

Obviously regardless of the price (and the weather) everyone looks at one thing when it comes to festivals: the line up. The 2013 Bestival headliners are: Elton John and His Band, Fatboy Slim and Snoop Dogg. Also playing are Franz Ferdinand, Jessie Ware, Tom Odell, Disclosure, Bombay Bicycle Club,  Belle & Sebastian, James Blake, The 1975 and many many more. For more line up info check out: http://2013.bestival.net/line-up

So if you are regretting your decision to resist festivals this year, or you feel one or two festivals just isn't enough, than this is a great solution for you.

For more information regarding this festival check out the website: http://www.bestival.net/

Green Man Festival

Folk music your thing?

Green Man Festival is a music festival that has grown from a one day event(2003) to a four-day extravaganza. This festival is held is the Brecon Beacons, Wales and offers so much more than just music.

This independent festival has comedy, poetry, music (obviously!), hot showers (always a plus!), all night bon fires, and fun things/areas for people of all ages.

This is a festival, so although all the above sounds very exciting the main attraction is obviously the music. Although mostly folk, Green Man Festival delivers other genres: indie, dance, and Americana, across five stages. On top of this, every night an array of DJs play everything from electro to rock.

With a capacity of 20,000 this festival is nothing on Glastonbury (which has around 150, 000 people) however if you are looking for that quieter/ smaller alternative, than this is the perfect option.

In terms of the line up, this year's headliners are; Ben Howard, Band of Horses, and Kings of Convenience. Other acts to perform include Lord Huron, Roy Harper, The Horrors, Local Natives, and Patti Smith.

For more details check out the Green Man Festival website; http://www.greenman.net/

Goodnight Lenin Review

I saw this band from birmingham when they supported Dry The River at the HMV Institute.

Before seeing them I can honestly say I had never heard anything about them or their music. Although a relatively unknown band, Goodnight Lenin has grown quite the fan base, with gigs frequently selling out. In addition to performing at gigs, Goodnight Lenin have been playing at a number of festivals including the Wood Festival and Glastonbury.

I really enjoyed these boys performance. A folk-esq band with the enthusiasm and spirit of Mumford and Sons when they perform, these boys definitely deserve a chance. With strong vocals and a vast array of instruments there was nothing dull about their set. When listening to the boys I was reminded a great deal of Low Anthem - in terms of both vocal and music style.

Give them a go - you may be pleasantly surprised.

Tour Dates:

20th Nov. The Castle - Manchester 

21st Nov. The Bodega - Nottingham 

23rd Nov. The Great Gatsby - Sheffield 

26th Nov. Kasbah - Coventry

27th Nov. The Boileroom - Guildford 

28th Nov. The Cookie Jar - Leicester 

29th Nov. Sebright Arms - London

1st Dec. Birmingham Cathedral - Birmingham 

2nd Dec. A Nation of Shopkeepers - Leeds

For more information regarding tour dates and tickets check out: http://www.goodnightlenin.com/live

Tomorrowland

So tickets for Glastonbury Festival next year sold out in record time (1hr 40) leaving the people who were not so lucky thinking in despair "where do I go now?" Well I have your answer: Tomorrowland. 

Tomorrowland is an electronic dance music event held in Belgium. The festival started in 2005 and has gone on from strength to strength ever since with bigger crowds and more renowned djs playing every year. Last year the festival attracted many big names including Avicii, Steve Aoki, and David  Guetta.

I am seriously pumped for this festival and have made it my mission to get tickets for next year. Although tickets are yet to go on sale the dates for Tomorrowland 2013 have been released and are: 26th, 27th and 28th of July.

I would urge you all to check this out - it looks epic!

http://www.tomorrowland.be/home

Jake Bugg

Definitely one to watch!

Jake Bugg is an English singer/songwriter from Nottingham. He scored his first big break back in 2011 when he was chosen by the BBC to appear on their introducing stage at Glastonbury Music Festival, and was then given a contract with Mercury Records.

Jake's debut self titled album is due to be released on the 15th October.

This 18 year old boy with his mod haircut is certainly one to check out - his distinct and unique voice screams 'forget me not.' In a number of reviews Jake has been likened to Bob Dylan, and listening to him I really couldn't agree with this more. I am a huge fan of this guitar playing country/folk-esq guy and definitely feel he has the talent and potential to match the success of Ben Howard  and Ed Sheeran.

Check him out. It'll be worth it!

Tour Dates: 
16th October. Sub89 - Reading, UK
20th October. O2 Academy - Oxford, UK
12th November. HMV Institute - Birmingham, UK
13th November. Wedgewood Rooms - Southsea, UK
14th Novemer. KOKO - London, UK
15th November. Thekla - Bristol, UK
17th November. Manchester Academy - Manchester, UK
18th November. The Cockpit - Leeds, UK
19th November. Fibbers - York, UK
20th November. O2 Academy 2 Newcastle - Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
23rd November. Rescue Rooms - Nottingham, UK

For more information regarding tickets and his (European, N.American) tour dates check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/4172111-jake-bugg/calendar?page=1

Ed Sheeran

This is a pretty interesting guy...and talented too!

Ed Sheeran is a singer/songwriter from West Yorkshire. In 2009 Ed Sheeran played 312 gigs and had to resort to 'sofa surfing' due to having no money. However, Sheeran got his big break in February 2010 when he got noticed by rapper Example, who invited him to tour with him.

Things just kept getting better for Sheeran when in 2010 his already growing fan base rocketed in response to his self posted YouTube videos. Not only did his videos gain him attention, but the likes of Elton John, Rio Ferdinand and the Independant newspaper were all eager to sing his praises, putting Ed Sheeran firmly on the radar for someone to watch out for.

Ed Sheeran performed 5 times at this years Glastonbury and received great reviews. There is no question about it, this boy is on the road to stardom..and you should get tickets NOW!!!

His debut single "A team" reached number 3 in the UK charts after its first week of release and his debut album "+" which was released on 19th September 2011 topped the UK charts for a number of weeks.

In 2012 Sheeran continued his success by receiving Brit Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist, and British Breakthrough of the year. He also recently supported Snow Patrol on their US tour, something that helped build his name and fan base drastically.

 Tour dates
18th - 19th Aug. V Festival - Weston Park, UK
13th Oct. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
14th Octt. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
15th Oct. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
16th Oct. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
17th Oct. HMV Hammersmith Apollo - London, UK
19th Oct. Brighton Center - Brighton, UK
20th Oct. Newport Centre - Newport, UK
21st  Oct. BIC - Windsor Hall - Bournemouth, UK
22nd Oct. Pavilion - Plymouth, UK
24th Oct. Oasis Leisure Centre- Swindon, UK
26th Oct. Rivermead  - Reading, UK
28th Oct. The Ballroom - Birmingham, UK
29th Oct. The Ballroom - Birmingham, UK
31st Oct. Capital  FM Arena - Nottingham, UK
1st Nov. O2 Apollo - Manchester, UK
2nd Nov. 02 Apollo - Manchester, UK
3rd Nov. 02 Apollo - Manchester, UK
5th Nov. Doncaster Dome - Doncaster, UK
6th Nov. Doncaster Dome - Doncaster, UK
7th Nov. Hull Arena - Hull, UK
8th Nov. Empress Ballroom - Blackpool, UK
12th Nov. Usher Hall - Edinburgh, UK
14th Nov. Barrowland - Glasgow, UK
15th Nov. Barrowland - Glasgow, UK
16th Nov. Barrowland - Glasgow, UK


To buy tickets or for more information regarding the rest of his European and UK tour check out: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Ed-Sheeran-tickets/artist/1560779#artist_table_focus