2014 Round Up: Favourite Gigs

Paramore

Reading Festival
Obviously any year where I get to see my fave trio is fantastic and every time i've seen them has been incredible but this Reading appearance, although having the potential to be destroyed because of shitty sound, actually ended up being more magical because of it. They prove to me time and time again why they're my favourite and, if possible, make me fall more in love with them. Side note: apologies again to those who were near us and heard our singing. You may have mistaken us for cats fighting.

Tonight Alive

Cardiff, Solus 27/11

Oh my days these guys have just become so heartbreakingly stunning live. Their Reading performance was amazing and a good warm up for this show but it had nothing on the passion and energy in that room. This tour felt important and that night felt poignant.

Fall Out Boy

Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena 15/03

Blargh, Fall Out Boy, still questioning how I made it through their four year break. I mean what a show this was - I got to see The Pretty Reckless, there was an acoustic middle, a drum solo and they played 'Save Rock And Roll.' Quite honestly it felt a lot like dying and going to heaven.

A Day To Remember

Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena 26/08
One cancelled gig, several months and a Reading performance a day beforehand and I was finally at their headline show which absolutely did not disappoint. The set list was excellent and the fun they bring to their shows was infectious enough to carry throughout the entire the arena which in itself is amazing to see them playing venues of that size. Just a couple of years ago I saw them in university cafe.

Taking Back Sunday
Bristol, o2 Academy 08/12

Finally. FINALLY. After something like 13 years listening to them I saw them live with my brother and sister and it was just everything I could have dreamed it being. Not many words are required here because they simply would not do the night any justice. They carry the prize for the loudest crowd moment i've ever witnessed.

The Wonder Years

Cardiff, Great Hall 06/05

They provide an emotionally charged, safe place to expel ones demons and make everything ok and for that I will forever be thankful. Whether at their own headline show or Reading festival they win all the awards and gratitude for simply existing.

We Are The In Crowd

Cardiff, Slam Dunk 27/05

Earlier in the year I saw them at their headline show where we had M+G and they were epic and then their Slam Dunk performance was even better. They're seriously coming into their own and becoming quite unbelievably striking.

La Dispute

Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach 17/05

The very first time I saw them and they were brilliant. They're so unique in their sound and performance, its very raw and the energy is like a shaken up bottle of coke just waiting to explode - which of course for King Park it does.

Mayday Parade

Cardiff, Solus 03/02

I discovered a new band, affirmed my love for another, finally got to see Man Overboard after years of trying and was turned into an emotional wreck thanks to the triple threat of 'Miserable At Best', 'Stay' and 'Hold On To Me.' Pretty standard then for a Mayday gig.

New Found Glory

Cardiff, Solus 23/11

I'll probably never tire of seeing these guys live especially if they keep dragging out songs like 'Hold My Hand' and 'The Story So Far' and, incidentally, bringing said band on tour with them.

Jimmy Eat World

Reading Festival
Like with Taking Back Sunday there aren't really any words that can describe how I feel when seeing Jimmy Eat World. There's a lot of nostalgia, tears and teethy grins. Plus, I saw them twice that day.

Take Me Back: Reading Festival 2014 (Sunday)

Paramore (Friday)

Another year passes and we're back here again - the last day of Reading Festival. It's always a bittersweet day and this year was no exception as the Sunday's line-up was phenomenal. Up bright and early we headed down to the main stage for the start of a pop-punk feast with The Story So Far. With perhaps the largest crowd i've seen an opening band draw in, they certainly didn't disappoint the crowd's clear high expectations. Beginning the sunny day with 'Right Here' the set list churned out twelve of the pop-punkers very best hits, with 'Quicksand' and 'Daughters' appearing early creating the days first hungover mosh pits. 'Empty Space' with that fantastic tune turned into a sing-a-long that left grins on the faces of everyone around and by the time 'Things I Can't Change' came along the crowd was even larger, the singing even louder. Going out with a bang, 'The Glass' and 'High Regard' see the mosh pits expand and angry fists pump high before the bands time is up. 

***

Next to grace the stage was everyone's favourite Aussie's Tonight Alive. Blasting their way on stage with the monumental Spiderman song 'The Edge' there was an instant response from the sizeable crowd, all screams of excitement and out of tune wails, 'I am standing on the edge of my life.' The enthusiasm coming from the band was electric with Jenna throwing herself around the stage and belting the lyrics out to the bands' hugest songs from 'The Ocean' to 'Don't Wish.' Replacing gritty vocals for silky smooth Jenna's vocal range shines on 'Hell and Back' and the crowd is given a much needed breather. Having gathered ourselves and oxygen once more in our lungs, the hard-working five piece soon had us jumping all over with older fans beyond ecstatic at the appearance of 'Wasting Away' before Jenna's little speech before the bands' defining song 'What Are You So Scared Of?' The crowd had never been louder than on 'Listening' and it was with heavy hearts we said goodbye but not before they played us one more song - the mighty 'Lonely Girl.' From start to finish the band were stunning, proving they more than deserve the attention they're getting and putting a stopper in all cynics' mouths - these pop prodigies have shown their punk worthiness and the world needs to get ready.

***

With a relatively short break between bands we headed over to the Alternative Stage for Tiff Stevenson's thought provoking, yet hilarious, set. Unafraid of telling the truth through a series of personal stories she reminds us that life can be brutal - somehow managing to make us laugh at the same time. The unfortunate reappearance of Meg's food poisoning led us back to the toilet's before the UK's very own up and coming pop-punk act Neck Deep. With people spilling out the tent I found a space to the side with a surprisingly good view of the stage where the looks of passion and shock on their faces at the turnout didn't go unnoticed and the magic of the crowd wasn't lost. Every song went off with a bang, this crowd definitely the loudest I'd heard for the band. "Losing Teeth" and "Crushing Grief (No Remedy)" were the highlights and I honestly thought the band and crowd alike couldn't sound any better until of course the inevitable slowing down of the rambunctious set for "A Part Of Me." Every one who has ever seen Neck Deep will know and understand that on this song you don't just sing you SING. All caps. And this crowd seemed more than aware of that and took this song to a whole other level, I don't think my hearing has been the same ever since. It was a pretty stunning display and I feel privileged to have seen what felt like an important moment in the bands' career.

***

After witnessing that little piece of pop-punk history being formed we bimbled back towards Main Stage to wait for the mighty A Day To Remember. It was unfortunate that Sleeping With Sirens were still playing. I'm not one to bash bands and I respect everyone has their own opinion when it comes to music but seeing the last half of their set confirmed to me that I think they are truly awful. I kind of get the appeal I just don't get how anyone can bare listening to a band where the vocals are as painful as that. 

Eventually 17:15 hit and A Day To Remember exploded onto stage with burst of energy and the 'da dada da da da's' of the career changing "The Downfall Of Us All." After the disappoint of the cancelled show in February this was my first time seeing them since the time of Homesick's release. Looking around at the massive crowd it was amazing and I couldn't help but be so pleased and proud for these guys as back then they played tiny university cafeteria's. Oh how times have changed. It was a damn brilliant setlist with as many of the favourites in there as time possibly allowed including "I'm Made Of Wax Larry" and the ultimate stereotypical and utterly brilliant pop-punk tune "All Signs Point To Lauderdale." Towards the middle of the set they brought out the acoustic guitar and another "A Part of Me" moment was had with the beautiful "If It Means A Lot To You" being sung by thousands on a lush sunny evening. 

What everyone there will remember the most is "Homesick." Why you ask? The Zorb, that is why. Yes, A Day To Remember are a bloody brilliant band and they could just stand of the stage and sing their songs and still be brilliant but that wouldn't be enough for them. Creating a wild and individual, memorable show is what they're about so with Jeremy in his Zorb (y'know those see through giant hamster ball things) he was pushed onto the crowd as they played. I was ran over my Jeremy Mckinnon in a Zorb and then nearly crushed as the crowd all fell over. It was fantastic. 

Back to being all serious I very nearly got teary eyed (read: very nearly started bawling my eyes out) when the next song was "End Of Me" something about that song makes me feel a whole lot. And ADTR songs make me feel a lot anyway so it could have got messy there as the crowd all sat down ready to jump up as the song bursts - or attempted to sit anyway. Following on was "Sometimes You're The Hammer" which still remains one of my favourite songs ever - the ending lyrics are truly incredible and the live performance was too. Ending their electric set was "All I Want" and the angrier than angry "The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle" which included a sparkly lycra suit clad dude shooting free t-shirts at us... whaaaat? For that hour the crowd were actively expressing their love for these guys with super size mosh pits and space restricted like no other gig i've ever been to. Crowd surfers were everywhere - at one point one guy knocked into my arm and said arm flew into a guys face punching him pretty damn hard in the jaw. Dude who I accidently punched... if you're reading this know I really didn't mean to and it probably hurt me a lot more than it hurt you. Soz from the blonde girl with the friend who looked like she was dying.  

***

Despite the fact I now felt like I was dying, not just Meg, there was no stopping me as I left her behind at the Main Stage to watch You Me At Six whilst I went back to the Lock Up tent for my favourites The Wonder Years. I don't have anymore praise that I can verbalise for these guys that I haven't already in the past. They are unimaginable live. Their shows take me to some far away place where nothing matters and that doesn't really exist, yet they're also the most real and raw of any show i've ever been to. From the opener "Dismantling Summer" to the final "Came Out Swinging" everyone in that tent jumped, fist pumped, crowd surfed and screamed until our heads and hearts stopped hurting, until the tears in our eyes turned to sweat and our blood pumped with adrenaline instead of anger. I've said it before and i'll say it again - seeing The Wonder Years is an experience. Cliched as it sounds to understand it you have to be there. Everyone is made to feel like they belong, no typical gig bullshit just pure intense devotion from everyone. It's humbling.  

***

Completely gutted at having to leave behind another Wonder Years gig I stumbled out the tent behind everyone else back towards the Main Stage. I had no intention of trying to find Meg amongst the masses of people clustered around for You Me At Six and I thought they'd be finishing pretty soon. However, I was totally wrong as I'd only missed half their set. By the time I was within hearing distance the band were just starting "Forgive and Forget" which is perhaps my favourite song off of their newest album. I've seen them often enough to know what to expect of them but as I watched them I realised they were better than ever. After Soupy mentioning his chat with Alex Gaskarth earlier in the day I wasn't as shocked as everyone else in the crowd was when the man himself bounded on-stage to join them during "Fresh Start Fever" making me all the more eager to grab tickets to their co-headliner. Josh didn't even have to ask for everyone to take a layer off and swing it round their heads for "Reckless" almost losing the entertainment value as it was always rather hilarious watching him desperately beg, bless 'im. The newer tracks provided a kind of grown up depth to their shows particularly with "Cold Night" whilst the older "Bite My Tongue" was a sheer frenzy and clash of adolescent emotions. Closing their set was "Lived A Lie" with the bridge, sung by thousands, leaving goosebumps all over. We are without a doubt believers.

***

Finding Meg, grabbing food and collapsing in the mud we watched Macklemore play "Thrift Shop" and wondered what he was going to finish with and if anyone would stay to watch him after he played that, but ironically we didn't stay to find out as we went to the Festival Republic stage. Catching the end of the upbeat The Sunshine Underground our deliriously happy smiles were soon to be eradicated as Mayday Parade were up next. If ever you need a good cry just stick these guys on and within a few minutes I promise you you'll be crying. While their music makes me sad sad sad when I see them live it doesn't seem so bad as their own grins and obvious joy at being on stage is so infectious. Their set was short but a good mix of old and new songs including "Three Cheers For Five Years" and "12 Through 15" seemingly designed to make our hearts ache. "Black Cat" and closer "Jersey" had everyone springing off the walls and Mayday Parade's Reading Festival debut was a success. 

***

Sunday night. There's only one thing left now and that's for some serious nostalgic singalong time with the gods themselves Blink-182. After seeing them on their comeback tour I had an inkling of what to expect but when they came out to "Feeling This" and there was god awful and downright embarrassing dancing happening everywhere I turned and thousands of people singing this song with drunken smiles and thoughts of old times it was something else entirely. It was tune after tune and highlighted just how many stupidly good songs this band has written and why exactly they are so worshipped. I always hear how people didn't respond as well to Neighbourhoods but you try telling that to this crowd as "Up All Night" and "Wishing Well" receive just as much love from the crowd as the vintage "Dammit" and "Carousel." I couldn't write about how the crowd reacted and how simply awesome every song was as they played near enough all the hits and then some - they even threw in a Misfits cover. Tom sang typically off key and replaced words in songs, Mark looked like an out of place dad and Travis rocked so damn hard and I wouldn't have changed a thing. It was cheesy and like only Blink could ever pull off completely, utterly, totally immense. I'm glad I got to grow up listening to these legendary losers. 

Reading Festival (Friday) 

Reading Festival (Saturday)

Top Tunes: August

Lights - Up We Go

"Here in a familiar place we got our heads down and we pretend its cause the night is dark and running out of space for us to run around but its a dead end and money's tight"

Paramore - The Only Exception @ Reading

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle @ Reading

A Day To Remember - End Of Me @ Reading

Tonight Alive - Lonely Girl @ Reading

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

Reading Festival 2014

Reading Festival is always the highlight to my summer to the point where I get my ticket before the line-up is even announced. This summer i'm off travelling Europe for six weeks to return for a mere ten or so hours before I hop on another train to musical heaven. These are my initial favourites so far from the line-up...

PARAMORE

Their last Reading appearance was in 2012 before the release of their incredible self-titled album. Since then the trio have somehow managed to grow and grow and i've seen them three times since. They never fail to disappoint and this years' set is sure to be crammed full of their newer songs to get the whole crowd dancing/jumping away. A co-headline spot is more than well deserved I just wish it was a full headline position as at this point they're more than capable of handling it.

BLINK-182

Taking one of the headline spots Blink are sure to bring a lot of fun to the final night. The last time I saw them they played a set full of the cheeky classics as well as their slightly more grown up tracks. Drunken dancing - or flailing would be more accurate - is bound to happen. And after the crowd they pulled in the last time they headlined I can't imagine i'm going to be the only one flailing wildly.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

Last month Jeremy was struck with illness hours before their Cardiff show where I was to see them for the second time. With that show now re-scheduled for the Tuesday after Reading it means i'll be seeing them twice in not much more than 24 hours. And I am buzzing. Common Courtesy is a cracker of an album and will set this show on fire.

JIMMY EAT WORLD

Long time favourites of mine are returning to Reading where their back catalogue of fantastic albums will give them plenty of choice in what to grace our ears with. In November I finally managed to see them for the first time and Bleed American tracks went down a riot so i'm hoping there's plenty of them.

YOU ME AT SIX

It's got to the point where it would feel weird if a year went by where I didn't see them. Regulars on the Reading scene I already know that they're going to bring a brilliant performance and hopefully we'll hear some tracks from their fourth rock effort Cavalier Youth. 

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS

More regulars Lower Than Atlantis have been working on their new album and i'm hoping that they decide to play some of these new tracks. 

NECK DEEP

Fast risers on the pop-punk scene Neck Deep give a charged and passionate performance that in a festival setting can only get better. I'm thinking their set could be their best to date.

IMAGINE DRAGONS

Last year they played the NME tent which was overflowing with people. There were people everywhere and all were saying they should have been on the main stage. This year we got our wish. 

READING 2012

Thursday/Friday

Saturday

Sunday/Monday

READING 2013

Wednesday/Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

2013 Round Up: Favourite Albums

Anavae

Dimensions

Favourites: Anti-Faith, Dream Catcher, Bring Me Down

Favourite people + favourite band = favourite album. It's simple as really. I think i've harped on about these guys enough the past two years so it's probably no surprise that they're at the top of this list. And just in case you feel like you haven't read enough I reviewed the EP here as well.

Paramore

Paramore
Favourites: Last Hope, Ain't It Fun, Anklebiters

I stand by everything I ever said about how amazing this album is. From start to finish is pure perfection that boasts the most exceptional talent. There really is a song for everyone on this album and it's content made their shows 1000 times better, taking you on a 10 twist upside down emotional roller-coaster.  

Fall Out Boy

Save Rock And Roll
Favourites: Young Volcanoes, Save Rock And Roll, Where Did The Party Go

Every now and then I get this realisation that they're actually back and it never stops feeling like the best thing to ever happen. Save Rock And Roll opens with theatrical stomping music and finishes with the lyric 'oh no we won't go, we don't know when to quit' and I accompanied it with my own personal backing track of tears, lots and lots of tears... well, sobbing, really. 

A Day To Remember 

Common Courtesy
Favourites: Life @ 11, End Of Me, Sometimes You're The Hammer...

Battling with their former record label to release this album - and winning - is turning out to be a fantastic decision on their part as most have called it their best album to date and I can't help but agree. Everything about this album is more. The heavy songs are heavier, the soft songs and softer and the pop-punk is, well, pop-punkier. They're a band who have perfected the art of writing songs that are bound to become cherished by their fans and gain them new ones too. 

Tonight Alive

The Other Side
Favourites: Hell And Back, The Fire, You Don't Owe Me Anything

The amount this band has grown from their debut What Are You So Scared Of? to their phenomenal second album The Other Side is incredibly impressive. Darker and dripping with emotion it's gripping right the way through. Previously seen as perhaps just another pop band, the people doubting the Aussies might just start taking them for serious contenders in the industry with this stunning album. 

The Wonder Years

The Greatest Generation
Favourites: The Devil In My Bloodstream, Madelyn, Dismantling Summer
Pop-punk's finest once again presented us an amazing album that packs a punch to the 'ole emotions and would make my English teacher giddy with the clever song writing brimming with metaphors. 

Transit
Young New England
Favourites: Lake Q, Thanks For Nothing,  Hang It Up
Opinions are incredibly divided about the bands fourth full length but I stand by my original review and am still completely in love with this album. It's melodies remind me of summer and I forced the album upon my brother who found himself re-obsessed with Transit and has been green with envy ever since I saw them live and he didn't.

Bastille
Bad Blood
Favourites: Icarus, Bad Blood, Weight Of Living Pt. II
I see this album as a work of art and for a debut it's pretty impressive. Every song tells a story, one that can be seen in your mind like a film playing out behind your eyelids. Lots of clever vocal work and added touches here and there like orchestra arrangements or subtle piano to the more gigantic beating of drums turned every song into something special and soon managed to secure itself a position as one of my favourite albums of the year... or perhaps even ever.

Lorde
Pure Heroine
Favourites: A World Alone, Ribs, Team
You're all probably sick of hearing Royals or are scoffing at my choice here because you believe all the rubbish publications like to print about the seventeen year old singer but I wonder how many people have actually given this album a chance. After finding it impossible to get Royals out of my mind I checked out more music by Ella Yelich-O'Connor and discovered a gorgeous voice with a flawless range and songs that seem to completely describe being a teenager. With a poet mother her lyrics are carefully chosen and make her seem wise beyond her years whilst at the same time depicting being young and destroying this false image of teenagers at the same time.

Panic! At The Disco
Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!
Favourites: This Is Gospel, Girls/Girls/Boys, Nicotine
Fourth effort was once again something completely different and equally intriguing. Using the darker side to their hometown, Las Vegas, as his muse Brendon Urie once again told a simple story with a lot of long words and unforgettable melodies.

Honourable Mentions:
City And Colour - The Hurry And The Harm
Man Overboard - Heart Attack
Mayday Parade - Monsters In The Closet
Jimmy Eat World - Damage
Bring Me The Horizon - Sempiternal

Album Review: A Day To Remember - Common Courtesy

Long time favourites of mine, A Day To Remember, have been through the wars of a long court case with their (former?) label Victory Records or more specifically the owner Tony Brummel. Unsure as to whether they were going to be allowed to release the long awaited album Common Courtesy, it feels as though the world has been holding their breath, but finally the band won their case - for the time being anyway - and the album was put up on their website for download yesterday. I sat listening to the album over and over and watched the internet explode only second to the way it did when Fall Out Boy came back. Many have called the album their best yet and it's really not hard to see why.

Opening with a defiant "fuck yeah" on 'City Of Ocala' could have come across unnecessary and horribly cliche but with all the utter crap that they've been dragged through we're all right there with them, fists in the air yelling in unison. A Day To Remember have their very own sound - which a long time ago no one believed in - and this album is plastered with signature ADTR traits. Mosh calls on tracks like 'Right Back At It Again' will no doubt have Jeremy McKinnon unleash hell at live shows with "BRACE FOR IMPACT," or the "NO FUCKING RESPECT" on the best titled track of the album 'The Document Speaks For Itself." The first ten minutes of the album are all go, go, go pop-punk with the heavier breakdown worthy riffs and catchy as hell choruses that make ADTR songs. One of the best examples of this is "You wanna take, take, take, take, take it away from me" on 'Sometimes You're The Hammer, Sometimes You're The Nail' which also includes a shiver inducing bridge, "I reserve my right to feel uncomfortable, reserve my right to be afraid. I make mistakes and I am humbled every step of the way. I want to be a better person, I wanna know the master plan," that ends in an all out breakdown.

Surprisingly, what makes this album so different from previous releases is that it is broken up with softer acoustic numbers that are uncommon in ADTR's repertoire. We've had 'If It Means A Lot To You' and 'You Had Me At Hello' but now we've got 'I'm Already Gone' which gave me goosebumps and also made me double check i'm still listening to Common Courtesy. For some it may be too different, too acoustic for them and they'll write it off and whinge about how they've changed but in all honesty it is a truly gorgeous song and the same goes for 'I Surrender'  and 'End Of Me' which isn't strictly all acoustic but rather builds like Paramore's 'Future' into something altogether epic. 

Common Courtesy isn't groundbreaking musicianship or anything crazily different - albeit the acoustic tracks spread throughout the album. It's taken the formulaic outline of typical ADTR and perfected it. The pop is poppier, the heaviness is heavier and that seems to be the general theme throughout. What the band do, they have honed in on and are geniuses at it now. 'Best Of Me' demonstrates this with total head-banging, sing-a-long brilliance whilst tracks like 'Life Lessons Learned The Hard Way' will show you by blasting you onto another continent.

Closing with three minutes of tour stories on 'I Remember' almost felt like the band were saying goodbye to everything but with one look back on the album it's clear that they're saying goodbye to the old ADTR. The one where people doubted them and took the piss. The one where Tony Brummel thought he could control them. Hell no not anymore. A Day To Remember are far from over and Common Courtesy with all it's fight is going to catapult them even further into easycore - if that's even a thing - stardom.

Top Tunes: January

Paramore - Now

"Wish I could find a crystal ball for the days I feel completely worthless. You know I'd use it all for good, I would not take it for granted"

All Time Low - The Irony Of Choking On A Lifesaver

"You say you're winning cause you're laughing. Well i'm crying crocodile tears"

VersaEmerge - Redesign Me

"I'd tell you it's a waste of time to keep you by my side, if you were still around I swear we would sit and stare we would be nowhere"

A Day To Remember - Violence (Enough Is Enough)

"It's a warning that we're drowning in our malcontent. Tear me down like a cancer, what's your answer? We're different and it makes you sick"

Kitten - Sugar

"We tried to tear it down and rip its heart, but nothing, nothing could keep us from falling, together, together torn apart"

Bands Coming To Steal Hearts In 2013

ANAVAE

The intergalactic anti-lack lustre (in their own words) London based band stole the hearts and minds of many in the year and half of them being together. If you're a regular reader of my blog you'll know I harp on about them all the time - but for good reason. Anavae have achieved highly already, scoring support slots for the likes of Kids In Glass Houses and Hawthorne Heights; being featured in Kerrang and Rock Sound and building a global aermy. But this was all just the beginning as earlier this month they finally announced the not so secret fact they signed to LAB records, are embarking on a free 02 Academy tour and recording for their second EP. Expect nothing but spectacular things from this atmospheric bunch and keep your eyes peeled for new single "Stormchaser" due for release on February 10th.

NATIVES

They laid their days as Not Advised to rest last year, were reborn as Natives and threw themselves back out into the music scene. As of yet they have released two new original songs - "Big Plans" and "This Island" - and yet already the New Forest pop-rockers have managed to capture enough attention to set off across the country on a headline tour. Playing songs from their album - which is yet to be released - they had the crowds participating and having an incredible night despite us not knowing the songs. Not only does this show their talent but it proves that when the album is unleashed on the world it will be huge.

KITTEN

The release of their EP "Cut It Out" last year has set the standards high for the young band who are set to drop their debut full length album some time this year. Angsty teen lyrics, smoky vocals and an infectious tune are what you'll hear when Kitten are doing their thing. Almost like Ladyhawke and The Naked And Famous had a baby or, well, a Kitten. I'm excited. You should be too.

ARTHUR WALWIN

Yet another artist that I just never stop talking about, Arthur Walwin oozes talent. After releasing his debut solo EP last year and playing a few shows here and there he succeeded in getting his single "All For You" played on radio one at the end of 2012. 

A DAY TO REMEMBER

When they started out in 2003 critics told them they wouldn't get anywhere - that pop-punk and hardcore music as they were trying to fuse it would not work. Now, 10 years later with their fifth studio album - "Common Courtesy" - recorded and ready to drop onto eager fans A Day To Remember are laughing at the cynics that once told them not to even try.

PARAMORE

No back story is needed. Paramore are back and as strong as ever. April 9th 2013. Put it in your diaries.

VERSAEMERGE

Steadily getting more ethereal over the years Sierra and Blake have teased us with songs such as "Bones" and "No Consequences" over the past few months and boy oh boy am I ready to enter "Another Atmosphere" with my two favourite Floridians.

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.