What Do You Believe In London?

You Me At Six - 45 Minutes of footage.

Back in August when the posters were up at Reading Festival I honestly could not believe that the five Surrey lads were going to be headlining Wembley Arena and if the news were true I was not going to miss out on what was sure to be an insane night. 

Gaining a spot near the front I waited with excited anticipation along with the rest of the crowd who were slowly filling in the gaps around me. We Are The Ocean were the first band to take on the daunting task of  proving that You Me At Six were right to keep the night a "Best of British" affair and play to 12,000 Sixers all eagerly awaiting their leaders. Admittedly, I'm not their biggest fan but having said that they put on a good show playing a combination of their new songs and the old. 

We Are The Ocean - Runaway

The waiting seemed to be getting too much to stand for people down in the pit and before Deaf Havana took to the stage a crowd surge saw me get separated from India and Megan (I found them again before YMAS). Considerably nearer the front I was now lodged in a space suitable for a small cat. Before I had a chance to try and find my way back, the lights went out once more and the crowd threw themselves into Deaf Havana's The Past Six Years. Again, Deaf Havana are a band that have never really done it for me, and after watching them play around three songs before disappearing back at a You Me At Six gig is Southampton, I remained a cynic through their set. That is until they played their final song, a stripped back version of Hunstanton Pier, and I started to hear what everyone else had all along. 

Deaf Havana - Hunstanton Pier

The Final Night Of Sin would mark my fifth time 

seeing the band live since their tour with Paramore back in the day of Take Off Your Colours, so I was content knowing that they wouldn't disappoint, but when the room turned pitch black and the vibrations of Dan thumping on his drums behind the curtain actually made my feet lift off the ground I knew they were going to go above and beyond all expectations I had. An epic musical intro began the gig of a lifetime before the curtain was dropped and the band blasted their way through The Swarm. The first part of their set left everyone breathless from the energy of songs such as Loverboy and The Consequence. 

Part way through the third song of the night, Little Death, Josh Franceschi asks the 12,000 strong crowd "What do you believe in London?" and for many out there the answer to that question is a long and complicated one. However, that night You Me At Six made the answer very simple. Everyone out there believed in the sheer power of music and more importantly everyone believed in them.

Not forgetting early favourites You Me At Six played Take Off Your Colours and Save It For The Bedroom with Josh stopping halfway through the former to acknowledge how far some of the fans had traveled and to point out his 85 year old Grandma who had come to join the madness. The crowd's desperate need to breathe was timed perfectly with the slowing down of the set with the beautiful Always Attract which Josh dedicated to his sister Elissa. The crowd sang along, sounding more stunning than ever, a fact which didn't escape Josh as he looked incredibly emotional and told the crew to turn the lights onto us as we "scream the next lines back to them" and declaring "that's the fucking capital of our country right now". And yes, I cried. 

Always Attract

To add further tears to the puddles now forming in the room Crash (the kind of sequel to Always Attract) followed. Ten minutes previously the crowd had been dying for the set to slow down but now as we were all drowning in tears You Me At Six's decision to speed back up playing Finders Keepers and asking for jazz hands on Playing The Blame Game was much appreciated. Before Liquid Confidence started Josh told everyone to hug our friends because "having a good time with your mates is important". Diva Josh just couldn't stay hidden as, like at Reading, he demanded we get our shirts in the air and claimed "we look beautiful London" - i'm pretty sure some girls actually ended up completely topless. The line from the bridge "you are the first to question my achievements, but that's all right, my dreams i've been living" must embarrass whoever the song is about as Josh defiantly points to the stage proving that the incredible talent that is Josh, Dan, Matt, Max and Chris are in fact living their dreams. 

Unconvinced we had cried enough the band then launched into Fireworks and the debut of When We Were Younger. Josh got down on his knees, singing into the crook of his arm. Wandering over to the side of the stage he looked up at where his family were sat and pointed at them whilst belting out "I do it for you" and finished the heart breaker of a song with "when I was younger I promised you both, that when I was older, I'd headline Wembley" to the raucous screams of the crowd.

When We Were Younger

The encore comprised of the belter Stay With Me and then came the moment we had been dreading. Between the "final" night of sin, the references to You Me At Six in the past and the news they would be taking longer to write their next album a good number of people had convinced themselves that a hiatus was in line for the young rockers and it felt as though this would be the moment they broke it to us. We clutched hands as Josh announced he wanted to call this part of the set "famous last words" and thanked us for making their dreams come true, told us how someone in their crew told them on the Paramore tour that they would never be that big and they had proved them wrong. He said that secondly another event was supposed to take place there that night - the X Factor final - and certain publications said "that rock music was fucking dead but have a look for yourselves, is it?" The crowd booed and cheered along as appropriate before Josh said that "we will not be silent no more, this song is called Bite My Tongue" and alas the wild animals were unleashed, the room turned into a giant mosh pit and fingers were pointed sky high as 12,000 people screamed "fuck you" in unison. 

Bite My Tongue

Underdog was the final song of the night. The crowd jumped and yelled along but Josh had to say something else. He shhhed the crowd and said that he expected us to be the loudest crowd doing this part and on the count of four he wanted us to scream "underdog" as loud as we could. And boy, did he get what he wanted. Hands came up clapping to the music, Josh counted "1, 2, 1, 2, 3 ,4" and then with an almighty roar the crowd yelled "UNDERDOG" with volume and intensity I didn't believe possible. 

Underdog

That night a hair-raising show took place that will be forever in the memories of everyone in attendance. There were fireworks, smoke machines, dazzling lights, an abundance of confetti and heart-felt speeches which showcased the striking event and dexterity of five best friends who through their passion and determination achieved their dreams.
Now I don't know about you but i'm going to go back and watch video's on YouTube and sob uncontrollably until the DVD comes out. (Then i'll watch that and carry on sobbing)

Top 5 Tunes This Week

Yellowcard - Ten

"Both so lost and crazy, we were young so we ran"

Bayside - Duality

"I think I past my prime, and lost my mind and i'm torn"

Taking Back Sunday - Sleep

"Something practised is something perfect"

Charlie Simpson - Parachutes

"I'm so sorry for the pain, sorry for the aches, sorry for the moods i'm swinging"

Lower Than Atlantis - I'm Not Bulimic (I Just Wanted To See How Far I Could Stick My Fingers Down My Throat)

"It's my own fault that i'm fucked up but I still worry about my mental health"

Gig Moments I Never Want To Forget (Part 5)

26. Being subjected to Enter Shikari (Reading 2012)

I just can't stop talking about Reading. I miss it so much. Even being dragged along to see Enter Shikari - a band my ears just refuse to like - then being forced into the mosh pit and Meg getting so carried away she ended up punching me in the face. I did manage to get her back though.

27. Florence and the Machine (Reading 2012)

Florence played on the Saturday and surprisingly it hadn't yet rained properly - a first for the festival. Not for long though. As the masses of people stood around waiting for the flame-haired singer and the machine to make an appearance the clouds parted and dumped a weeks worth of rain on us. Everyone got soaked through and the stage looked like a swimming pool. It did fail at dampening our spirits though. If anything it made the experience more magical. We made friends, Meg sat on someone's shoulders and we started a dance pit. 

28. Meg Actually Passed Out At Mayday Parade (Cardiff 13/10/2012)

When we first went to see a band together (Paramore 2010) I warned her that if she passes out i'm leaving her where she is. 2 years later and it finally happens. We're stood on barrier and Natives and The Summer Set have already played and by the looks of it Mayday Parade would be on in a few minutes. Then Meg turned round and said to me that she really doesn't feel well so we tried, and failed, to get the security guards attention for some water. No more than a minute later I saw her shrink out the corner of my eye and fall down. Everyone stood around us looked completely freaked out especially when her eyes rolled back. Finally, the security guard noticed us and we pulled her over the barrier which was a task in itself as her legs JUST DID NOT WANT TO END. Everyone was asking me what happened and saying things like "omg that was so scary is she ok omg" while all I could do was laugh. 10 seconds later and Mayday came on. Well timed, Meg. 

29. Rian Dawson dancing behind The Maine (Yeovil 1/02/2012)

Rian was dancing behind The Maine throughout their entire set. It was funny and cute and he really really can't dance. Bless him. 

30. MEETING PARAMORE (Reading 2012)

I don't want to stay on the topic for long because it makes me cry like a big baby. But when I first saw Paramore were playing Reading I screamed and cried because I knew I would be able to see them again. Then they were announced for the signing tent and I screamed and cried because I knew the likelihood that I would meet them was like zero. We queued for almost six hours anyway despite being told we were unlikely to meet them. We were bored, hungry and tired but had other people to talk to who were all really nice. Then we made it through the first lot of barriers and were in line to see them. Then they let everyone apart from 4 of us through to the 'you will definitely meet them' queue. And then they stopped letting people through. We begged. We cried. We conquered. The security guard let us through and the hundreds on people behind us screamed and cried and a couple of people gave us a book they had made for them. Our determination not to cry completely broke at that point and we sobbed. When we went through Jeremy told me I had cool hair before I even had a chance to process that I WAS MEETING PARAMORE and I high fived them all and gushed about how much I love them and then went and sobbed some more on the phone to my dad. The guys who gave us the book - which we gave to Taylor - also came over to us and we hugged and cried some more for a while. I honestly thought I would never meet them ever and I had accepted that but then we ended up being the last people allowed through to meet them. Also I thought that they would be less perfect looking in real life but nope they're perfection. Paramore 1 - Self Esteem 0. 

Oh and then my friend found the above video of us actually meeting them floating around YouTube. 

Part One here.

Part Two here.

Part Three here.

Part Four here.

Gig Moments I Never Want To Forget (Part 4)

16. Falling in love with Natives (Bristol 18.05.2011)

At the time Natives were known as Not Advised but whatever their name is they are amazing live. The first time I saw them was when they supported VersaEmerge on their first headline tour over here in the UK. They played the back bar of the Bristol O2 Academy and despite being a relatively unknown band they managed to get the crowd going with fun pop-punk songs. They had stage presence a lot of bands lack and seemed to genuinely enjoy being there. People that walked in not a fan definitely walked out with the intention to download every last one of their songs. 

17. Wearing onesies to You Me At Six (Southampton 13.10.2011)

We decided it would be a good idea to wear onesies to You Me At Six. We were wrong. I ended up being the only one wearing one and I was baaaaking. They did keep me warm though when we waited outside in the cold for 2 hours after the gig to meet them. Max was the first person to appear and he was there for a good half an hour then he went and got the others for us, bless him. The flash on the camera wouldn't work when we were with Max and so it took about 6 attempts to get a photo which was funny. Matt told me he liked my onesie and that they wanted to play Bristol. Dan was extremely high and hilarious and Josh told us their tour dates for the tour they did in March which hadn't yet been announced. We didn't meet Chris though, but we did see him. Overall they're lovely, down to earth chaps and I miss them a lot. Oh and when Josh went to the bus to get something my dad went with him and they had a huge conversation and Josh thanked us for coming all the way from Exeter and to this day I still don't understand how he knows that's the area we came from. 

18. Meeting Jack Barakat for the first time (Bristol 30.01.2012)

After the Bristol gig we waited outside to meet All Time Low and whoever else came out. We met Garrett Nickelsen of The Maine and then Rian and Jack. It happened to be my Dad's birthday and so Jack said "Happy birthday Dad" it was adorable. He is adorable. The entire band is adorable.

19. Hearing Panic! At The Disco play Always (Bristol 31.01.2012)

The gig was was insanely epic and when Brendon got out his acoustic guitar and performed Always I thought I was destined to become a puddle of tears on the floor. Somehow I managed to keep it together but if anyone has a time machine that would allow me to go back that'd be great. 

20. Sean Smith calling us dicks (Cardiff 11.02.2012)

When Sum 41 had to pull out of the Kerrang Tour I was gutted. But the news that The Blackout would be filling in wasn't all that terrible. I'm not their biggest fan but I have always appreciated them live. They're famous for their "going down going down going down" part of the gig whereby everyone has to get down. Sean told everyone to get down and if we don't we're dicks. It happened to be me, my brother and a couple others who got stuck and couldn't really get down. So like we were told Sean pointed right at us and called us dicks. Honestly it was hilarious. 

Part One here.

Part Two here.

Part Three here.

All For You: Arthur Walwin

Photo by Rebecca Need-Menear.

Hailing from South East England Arthur Walwin is one of those artists that I just can't stop raving about. His spectacular EP "For One More Night"  is played on repeat in my house and is our set car journey music. It's not just his EP either that captured my attention. He plays guitar in a band called Paige, is a sound engineer and experiments with other people's music. If you haven't already get yourself a copy of his EP - you will not regret it. 

As an icebreaker, state one weird fact about yourself.

Not really a weird fact, but I'm allergic to/severely dislike Peanut Butter or any kind of nut product. Just the thought alone disgusts me!

Describe your EP in one word.

Emotional

What is your favourite song off of the EP?

I don't know why, but I have a soft spot for So Much For An Early Night. I'm actually bringing it out soon as a lyric video and I don't even know if it's a popular one or the right choice to go with, but I just love it.

What is your favourite song to play live?

I actually have my first ever gig with a live band on the 12th! So I don't know yet haha. But All For You always sounds great at rehearsal.

How did the song (Wisteria Lane Poker Club) with AJ Perdomo come about?

Well I've always been a fan, so I just tweeted at him, we spoke over email and we hooked it up! His wife actually lives in London, so he was actually going to come over at one point, but I didn't even have the song ready or anything so we waited til he was back in the states.

What is your writing process like? Does the music come first or the lyrics?

The chorus/hook comes first. The music usually writes itself once I've got a good hook to go with. I'll just have a sudden burst of inspiration at one point and kind of base the song around this one part I've written. This however results in me having about a million songs with just the chorus written and then I'll fill in the verse lyrics like a day before I record them.

What made you decide to pursue a solo project?

I think ever since I had a computer to myself, I've been making music on my own and recording it. I guess it was after I wrote and recorded All For You that I really decided to take it seriously and put something out. I finally had something that I REALLY wanted to share with the world.

When did you first get into singing?

I was probably about 14/15. I'd been playing guitar for a couple of years before that anyway.

What inspires you?

Sounds cliché, but life. More specifically people. Obviously my last CD's just all about break ups and love but I just love looking at the relationships we develop and the complexities of them all. Humans are so interesting and the choices we make are even more interesting.

What are your hopes for the future?

For One More Night done exactly what I wanted it to do. Before that, no one really knew who I was and know that the songs are out and there are videos and reviews and all that circulating around, my name's starting to get recognised and that's so awesome! I'm so grateful. So I guess the next step is taking that to the next level with the new EP I'm writing. In the future I'm looking at getting onto some bigger things, maybe get the next video on television, get some more songs on bigger radio stations - who knows?

What is your dream tour?

Ha! I actually got my mate Ben from Hectic Designs to do me a couple of tour laminates for this! Right, so it's Coldplay headlining, The Fray and myself as rotating main supports and then Mayday Parade opening. Yes, I've given this a lot of thought.

Who/What/When was your first gig experience?

I put gigs and concerts in different categories, so I always argue with people over this one. First concert was Michael Jackson in Wembley back in '96. First gig was this band from Essex called MCH2R in this tiny venue called Moonies. Must have been 2005 or something. Best time of my life, honestly.

If you had the chance to live again, what is the one thing you have done that you would change?

People still don't believe me about this, but ages ago I was actually going to join Asking Alexandria. Can't remember who I was talking to or if they're even still in the band, but we had it all sorted out and I was gonna go up north and stay with them and work on some songs. This was before they found Danny obviously. But yeah, I was like 16 at the time and just started college so I backed out. Would've been interesting to see where that went.

Lastly, are you aware of how many hearts you broke with your cover of Goodnight Moon?

Ahah! Such a lovely thing to say. You know, I could never match up to Jason Lancaster. His work is phenomenal. But I'd like to think I done the song justice and I'm just happy that people like it and aren't offended by the mash up!

Intergalactic Goodness: Anavae

There probably aren't too many bands out there that can say in their first year they toured with musical legends like Hawthorne Heights as well as being lined up to support a band they consider one of their favourites, There For Tomorrow, but once Anavae got going there really was no stopping them. 

With the music industry being taken over by the generic sounds taken straight from the 'how to make millions without putting any thought into it' handbook, it's refreshing to know people like Becca, James, Jamie, Josh and Seb exist. They create music that forces you to feel something and rocks your ears into another dimension, whilst at the same time holding down jobs and completing the masses of work university drains from you. I had a root around in their minds...

Describe Anavae in one word:
Becca: Organic
Jamie: Intergalactic
James: Anti-lacklustre

With the final video from "Into The Aether" released, what's next on the agenda for Anavae? 
We're working on our next release.

You've supported Kids In Glass Houses, do you think that supporting bigger bands is a good way to showcase your music to a potentially new audience? 
Definitely. Especially if they're on a similar scene to you, as it gives you a chance to play to a whole load of people who may have never heard about you before.

Do you think that bands have it easier nowadays, with social networking site such as YouTube and Twitter, to get music out there? 
We wouldn't say 'easier'. Every band has access to social networking and online promotion, so it's still a level playing field. But it definitely has it's benefits. Again, for giving us the ability to reach a whole audience who otherwise would have never heard of us.

How was the Weekender Tour, back in September?

It was a brand new experience for all of us, an awesome one at that! We've never played 3 shows in a row before, so I was convinced I was going to be in a haggered heap by the end of it. More please! The Violet guys are literally some of the nicest dudes I've ever met. If you ever get the chance to see them live, then GO! DO IT! 

What is your favourite song to play live? 

Becca: Sunlight definitely! Or the drop in Invaesion. It just takes over my body. 

If you could play with any other band, still together or not, who would it be?

Becca: Such a toughie. I was about to say There For Tomorrow but we're supporting them on the 26th which is a little bit crazy. They're one of our favourite bands! Next stop, Evaline, Mutemath, or 30 Seconds to Mars. (I wish!) 

What is your favourite part of being in a band?

Becca: Getting to travel to places I otherwise wouldn't have, getting to meet and befriend lovely and talented people, receiving absolutely amazing feedback from people all over the world, and most importantly, getting to express myself through sounds and messes of words. This is the best kind of therapy.  

What is your favourite song you've written?

You haven't heard it yet ;)

What inspires you all individually?

Becca: People. People everywhere, and their strange conversations and interactions. Most, if not all of my songs are about moments and fragments involving other people who i've stumbled across. Haruki Murakami is a huge inspiration, as is Clive Barker, and reading in general. Movies, adverts, drones, soundtracks, photographs, the weather. Everything beautiful and ugly. 

Jamie: Science, space, the future.

James: QI XI on Dave

For the final and most important question - If you were trapped on a desert island who would you eat first and why?

Becca: What a mean question. I think Seb probably eats the healthiest out of all the guys. Most nourishing I'd say! (James would taste like multi-flavoured crisps, Josh would probably taste like fast food, and Jamie would taste like...weetabix).

They Did A Song With Who?

I've always been a sucker for when bands collaborate with other artists. I know some people hate it - my mum likes about 1 in every 100 collabs - but I thought for those of you who do love it I'd show you some of my favourite collabs. And maybe for you cynics out there you may find one you like? Also it's probably worth mentioning that I LOVE suggestions. 

All Time Low - Remembering Sunday 

Featuring - Juliet Simms (Automatic Loveletter) 

"I've done something so terrible, i'm terrified to speak but you'd expect that from me"

When the album "So Wrong, It's Right" was first released I thought that Juliet being on one of the songs would make her more known to the world and her fan base would expand. However, this didn't really happen and only now 5 years after the release is her incredible voice known after coming second place on The Voice.  The song itself is a slow acoustic number that is one of the fan favourites. Juliet's part of the song has been performed numerous times over the years by just about every other female vocalist out there but no one can do it quite like she does - effortlessly beautiful. 

Anavae - This Light

Featuring - Arthur Walwin

"Have we all felt something we're never meant to feel. Don't leave it in the dark just tell me where to start."

Both of these artists are relatively unknown but each deserves masses of attention. Compared to other music by Anavae "This Light" is pretty different. Ditching the heavy guitars and drums they opted for a quieter more intricate sound with Arthur joining Becca in singing what is essentially a breathtaking song. 

Arthur Walwin - Wisteria Lane Poker Club

Featuring - AJ Perdomo (The Dangerous Summer)

"So take me and help me up cause i'm falling and I need you to believe in me again."

Arthur himself has collaborated with AJ Perdomo on one of his own songs. A bonus track on his EP "For One More Night" the song showcases how amazing his song writing skills are as well as his stunning voice. 

The Dangerous Summer - Disconnect

Featuring - Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low) 

"I'm afraid of all the nightmares that came true."

I'm not purposely going in circles, I swear. Back from their 2007 EP "If You Could Only Keep Me Alive" the harmonies provided by Alex compliment AJ's with charm.

A Day To Remember - If It Means A Lot To You

Featuring - Sierra Kusterbeck (VersaEmerge)

"I swear i'll never be happy again and don't you dare say we can just be friends."

Sierra's luscious voice makes this song so enchanting I find it hard to believe there is anyone out there who doesn't like it.

A Loss For Words - Finite (Acoustic)

Featuring - Taylor Jardine (We Are The In Crowd)

"Until the hand of fate takes it away we're staring life right in the face."

I can't think of the words to describe just how much I love this song. Just know that I really really really really love it. Like a lot. 

Set Your Goals - The Few That Remain

Featuring - Hayley Williams (Paramore)

"You instilled, helped to build a belief within me that I carry to this day. You passed the torch and cared no more. What a shame. Who's to blame when the mighty fall from grace?"

This song should be one of everyone's favourites. With brutally honest and thoughtful lyrics with music that feels empowering and what can only be described as rapping from Hayley. 

Tonight Alive - Thank You And Goodnight

Featuring - Mark Hoppus (Blink-182) 

"I think you all look the same, but who's blaming you? Well I know that you can't help it."

One of the punkier tracks from TA's debut album "What Are You So Scared Of?" with vocals from the one and only stupendous Mark Hoppus.

Transit - All Your Heart

Featuring - Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) 

"You made me into a monster so I made you into art and I gave it to the world to rip and tear apart."

Transit write music that is equally beautiful, ingenious and something else entirely. The addition of Patrick Stump on this song makes it even more wonderful. 

Yellowcard - Here I Am Alive

Featuring - Taylor Jardine (We Are The In Crowd)

"Someone's gonna tell you who you should wanna be, so you forget the vision that they didn't want to see."

Another one of those songs that gives you food for thought and speaks nothing but truth. 

Gig Moments I Never Want To Forget (Part 3)

11. The Easycore Tour (Bristol 27/11/2008)

New Found Glory, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong and Crime In Stereo. Surely that's enough said? 

12. Being on barrier for Bayside (Birmingham 2/12/2008)

It was at this show I first heard Hit The Lights and was on the barrier for the first time ever. It was after going to a few more gigs I realised I actually would rather be in the crowd than on barrier but it was pretty awesome being directly in front of the Bayside guys. It was a seriously good show and I haven't managed to see them since which is something that needs to be changed pretty sharpish. 

13. A Day To Remember and the non-mover student (Bristol 13/03/2010)

I went to see ADTR at the university and so I was surrounded by giant students flailing around, apart from this one guy that smelt like he hadn't washed in a good year and didn't move a muscle throughout the entire gig. I'm pretty sure he didn't blink either. Actually I don't think he even knew where he was. 

14. Jack Barakat waving to us on the balcony (Bristol 26/01/2010)

All Time Low's first tour in the UK was a brilliant one. The set was almost the same as it was on "Straight To DVD" minus a couple of songs, and if they ever wanted to stop making music, a career as comedians wouldn't be hard to come by for them. I was ill at this gig and spent most of the night trying not to throw up but it didn't dampen my spirits as All Time Low really do know how to cheer someone up. Towards the end of the night Jack waved up to me and my dad - possibly All Time Low's biggest fan - and yelled hello which made my night. 2 years later and i've met them a few times and will be seeing them live for the 5th time in February.

15. My sister's hamster dying during "The Only Exception" (Birmingham 16/11/2010)

This was the second time seeing Paramore live and during "The Only Exception" I gave my phone to Meg to use as a light when a load of text messages came through saying "Skippy's dying" and then "Skippy's dead". The guy next to us looked quite alarmed when he read the messages over her shoulder too. It was one of those moments where I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I also got the whole thing on video but it refuses to upload so watch the one above and know that somewhere in the crowd that's happening. 

Part 1 here.

Part 2 here. 

Gig Moments I Never Want To Forget (Part 2)

6. Seeing Brand New and Jesse launching himself off stage (Cardiff 17/02/2012)

I've loved and worshipped Brand New for a long time and all I wanted was to see them live. The opportunity came about and I was so excited. They honestly did not disappoint. Their set was intense and apart from Soco they played every song I could of wanted. Usually I don't like being on barrier but it made it 100 times better this time. It was also the last show of the tour so in a drunken and dramatic manner they smashed up their guitars and offered them to us. Security were boring bastards though and stopped them (I NEARLY GOT VINCENT'S GUITAR DAMMIT). Ahem. Then Jesse launched himself off stage into the crowd and when I say launched I mean it - he ended up near the back. Once he was back on stage he jumped into the drum kit which looked, uh, rather painful. Bloody nutters. 

7. Blink-182 "Wasting Time" and "Reckless Abandon" acoustic (Cardiff 10/07/2012)

Again with Blink-182 i've been listening to them for longer than I can even remember and so when they announced they were getting back together and touring the UK I was insanely happy. Then when it sold out and my brother had tickets and I didn't I genuinely sobbed on the floor for a good hour. However, as luck would have it my brother and his friend made the ridiculous mistake as to give me their tickets. Hallefuckinglujah. I had to babysit my sister at the gig which was a huge pain in the ass as she isn't good with crowds but would never admit it, so when we got near the front and Blink came on, the crowd went crazy and she looked like she was going to pass out. I had to drag her to the back which was easier said than done and then I couldn't get back in the crowd. This did have its perks though. Halfway through the night Tom and Mark came to the back and played "Wasting Time" and "Reckless Abandon" acoustically and I was at the front for this. The crowd sang along more content than ever. And not to be forgotten about was Travis'drum solo afterwards which went above and beyond on the epic scale.

8. We Are The In Crowd (Reading 2012)

I had seen We Are The In Crowd 3 times before they played Reading and so if I missed them I didn't think I would be gutted. But, I did manage to see them and I can safely say if I had missed them I would have been seriously annoyed. I don't quite know what it was, in fact I don't think it was any one thing, but they were incredible. The tent was full, with people spilling out the sides, which was the first surprise and then they were all singing along to the songs - and not just the ones Radio 1 had whored out - jumping around and the few people who looked sceptical at the beginning soon seemed impressed too. They were playing their instruments better than ever seeming more punk than pop for once and the vocals were the best i've heard from Tay and Jordan. I'm not even ashamed to admit I was so proud of them I cried. 

9. The Maine's Pat Kirch celebrates his birthday (Yeovil 1/02/2012) 

The show coincided with drummer Pat's birthday. Instead of us just singing happy birthday to him we had to demand the cake to be thrown into the crowd and so of course they did just that. The floor became a spongy slippery cakey mess and more than once I nearly went flying across the mosh pit. After the show Pat informed us it was a Tinkerbell cake. Brilliant. 

10. Mayday Parade play "Miserable At Best" and "Stay" (Cardiff 13/10/2012)

I made a huge post about this gig before but getting to see these 2 songs live was perfect. They're beautiful tear jerkers and there wasn't a dry eye in the audience. 

Part 1 here.

Gig Moments I Never Want To Forget (Part 1)

Over the past few years I've been to some pretty amazing gigs and so over the next few days i'm going to be bringing to you some of my favourite moments and performances I've witnessed. There are sad moments, funny ones and simply epic as well as the gross. Be prepared. 

1. All Time Low covering Blink-182's "All The Small Things" (Bristol 30/01/2012)

During the sound check the crowd sang along to the legendary pop-punk tune "All The Small Things" by the Kings of the genre Blink-182. However, I don't think there was anyone in the crowd that actually expected All Time Low to cover the song themselves that night. As soon as the crowd clocked the song, that was it. Everyone had their hands up, feet bouncing off the ground as we screamed along to one of the most memorable moments of our gig-going lives. 

2. Getting peed on and falling over during Two Door Cinema Club (Reading 2012)

I did warn you that some of these were just going to be gross. If you've seen my reading post then you'll already know about this but I have to mention it again as honestly I thought it was hilarious. I was boiling hot wearing all my layers of clothes I had brought with me, as I didn't think we were going in the crowd and I had been drinking vodka for a good few hours by this point so saying I was kinda tipsy would be an understatement. It was on the Sunday so everyone was in the same way and so when a bunch of guys decided they just couldn't make it to the loo and peed all down everyone I just laughed. A bunch of girls started freaking out but I just couldn't stop laughing. Anyway, 10 minutes later the same guys were the ones who stopped me being crushed by the mad crowd when we all fell over and I couldn't get up, so instead of getting angry that they peed on me, I made temporary friends with them for saving what really could of been my life. 

3. Super Prime cover Fall Out Boy's "Sugar We're Goin Down" (Cardiff 16/04/2012)

If Super Prime wanted a sure way to gain support from new fans that night then they certainly found the best way to do so. Their set had been awesome already and then they played "Sugar We're Goin Down" and my reaction was "oh my fucking god I love them" and proceeded to drag my sister to meet them afterwards and they're genuinely lovely guys. The cover was perfect and the entire crowd seemed impressed. 

4. Hayley Williams of Paramore singing "Always Attract" with You Me At Six (Cardiff 16/12/2009)

I actually forgot how beautiful this really was and i'm now sat here in tears but I refuse to close the video. Ah man. Anyway. This was the first time I'd seen either one of the bands live and suddenly the crowd went wild and I couldn't see why. And then I saw this tiny blonde head on stage and I could not believe it. Their voices melded together with such perfection and god just look at them. How far You Me At Six have come since this performance is incredible. 

5. Hayley and Josh of Paramore perform "Let This Go" acoustically (Birmingham 14/11/2010)

If you want your heart broken then listen to this. 

I don't know what else to say about it. 

Because that's what it does.

Break hearts.

And cause a lot of tears. 

*none of the video's are mine apart from the last one