Stereophonics

A great band.

I am confident you have heard of this band but just in case; Stereophonics are an alternative rock band from Wales that have been around for years! To date they have released eight studio albums and recorded many hit singles, including "Dakota," "Have a Nice Day," and "Devil."

First hitting the music scene in 1997, it comes as no surprise that Stereophonics are a well practiced live band! Described as "classic rock delivered with whiskey vocals," lead singer Kelly Jones is a hugely talented guy. Over the years the boys have performed on a number of great stages (the BRIT Awards), and in front of huge crowds (V Festival, Glastonbury, Hyde Park and T in the Park).

I saw Stereophonics live last year, and you can check out my review by following the link: http://musicgigsnfestivals.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/bt-london-live-opening-ceremony.html

Tour Dates:
26th March. Empress Ballroom - Blackpool
27th March. Usher Hall - Edinburgh
17th Aug. V festival
8th Nov. The Hydro - Glasgow
9th Nov. AECC - Aberdeen
14th Nov. Manchester Arena - Manchester
15th Nov. Leeds Arena - Leeds
16th Nov. Metro Radio Arena - Newcastle Upon Tyne
18th Nov. Capital FM Arena - Nottingham
19th Nov. LG Arena - Birmingham
21st Nov. The Brighton Centre - Brighton
22nd Nov. Bournemouth International Centre - Bournemouth
24th Nov. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff - Cardiff
25th Nov. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff - Cardiff
26th Nov. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff - Cardiff
28th Nov. The O2 - London

For more details regarding tickets and tour dates check out: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Stereophonics-tickets/artist/795944#artist_table_focus

Keane

A truly great british band.

Keane, made up of front man Tom Chaplin, backing vocals Tim Rice-Oxley, Jessie Quin,  and Richard Hughes, are an alternative rock band from Sussex.

Keane hit the big time in 2004, when their their debut album "Hopes and Fears" became the second best selling British album of the year. Proving to not just be a one time wonder, Keane followed this album with "Under the Iron Sea" which not only topped the UK album charts, but also made the top 5 on the US billboard 200 chart.

Now, fifteen laters, Keane have released their fourth album "Strangeland" (May) which went straight to number 1 on the UK album charts.

So what makes this "band with no guitars" so great? Well for one, like the quote suggests, Keane have separated themselves from all the other rock bands out there by the continual feature of pianos in their tracks.

Although regarded as a seriously awkward guy who struggles to create any sense of rapport between himself and the crowd,  no one can dispute his vocal talent. A seriously powerful voice that hardly ever falters, Tom Chaplin is in his own way the perfect lead singer.

With a hugely successful past, it comes as no surprise that this band has accumulated quite the following. Due to this I would say if you are hoping to get tickets you will have to do so quick as their gigs frequently sell out.

Tour Dates:
19th Nov. Usher Hall - Edinburgh, UK
22nd Nov. Waterfront Hall - Belfast, UK
28th Nov. Capital FM Arena - Nottingham, UK
29th Nov. Manchester Arena - Manchester, UK
30th Nov. The O2 Arena - London, UK
2nd Dec. Brighton Centre - Brighton, UK
3rd Dec. Winter Gardens - Blackpool, UK
4th Dec. BIC - Bournemouth, UK
31st Jan. Radio City Music Hall - NYC

For more information regarding tickets and their tour dates (N.America & European) check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/273877-keane/calendar?page=1

The Subways

The Subways are an indie/ alternative rock band from the UK.

Although this band has been around for a while, they have yet to really hit mainstream. Don't let this deter you from seeing them however. To date they have released three albums, "All or Nothing," "Young For Eternity" and "Money and Celebrity," and have been frequent performers at festivals such as Reading and Leeds. 

The subways, made up of Billy Lunn, Charlotte Cooper, Josh  Morgan are certainly known for their energetic gigs. This is a gig where you can be promised lots of crowd surfers, an intense mosh pit and lots of very hot and sweaty dancing fans. I would definitely suggest seeing this band live, as they can always be relied upon to put everything into their performances, whether it be for a large festival crowd or a small sold out intimate gig.

Tour dates:
27th April. Limelight - Belfast, UK
29th April. Cardiff University Students Union - Cardiff, UK
1st May. The Old Firestation - Bournemouth, UK
2nd May. Middlesbrough Empire - Middlesbrough, UK
2nd May. Kasbah - Coventry, UK
3rd May. Kasbah - Coventry, UK
6th May. The Liquid Room - Edinburgh, UK
8th May. Ritz Manchester - Manchester, UK
10th May. 02 Shepherd's Bush Empire - London, UK
30th May. The Forum - Hatfield, UK

For information regarding tickets and the rest of their European tour dates check out:http://www.songkick.com/artists/115847-subways/calendar?page=1