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.

2014 Round Up: Favourite Songs

Lorde

Yellow Flicker Beat

Paramore

Tell Me It's Okay

Echosmith

Terminal

Fall Out Boy

American Beauty/American Psycho

Tonight Alive

The Edge

Charli XCX 

Boom Clap

Anavae

Hang Man (Parallel Version)

Bastille featuring Grades

Torn Apart

Bring Me The Horizon

Drown

Four Year Strong

Go Down In History

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

Take Me Back: Tonight Alive (27/11/14)

After the release of one of my favourite albums of last year - and perhaps ever - I was eager for Tonight Alive to do a headline tour here on the other side of the world to their homeland. Never one to disappoint they put together the Live On The Other Side tour and also played Reading & Leeds. Their R&L fest debut was made on the main stage where their punk aesthetic and Jenna's soaring vocals charmed the crowds and no doubt encouraged the ticket sales for the already massively popular tour.

Chunk! No Captain Chunk were brilliant openers for the night. With their upbeat pop-punk they had the room bouncing along right from the offset. Their energy filled the room and by the time it came around to their cover of 'All Star' the crowd was putty in their hands, chanting the song back to them. The set was short but sweet and unlike some openers it was memorable which will work in their favour in the future.

Before we get down to the gritty punk of Tonight Alive we were covered in sugary pop by Arizona's The Summer Set. Having seen them enough times by now I knew what to expect: B-Dales pulling some Beyonce moves, sing-a-longs and a well placed cover - and that's exactly what we got. Coming out to 'Lightening In A Bottle' the crowd were timidly into it but second song 'Fuck U Over' was followed by the ever annoying/catchy 'Chelsea' so all timidness was thrown aside and I watched grown men sing as loud as they can. Ed Sheeran's 'Sing' was their chosen cover which gained a loud response from the sold-out room. Finishing up their set with 'Boomerang' the crowd seemed genuinely pleased to have seen them but the feeling that everyone just can't wait for one band and one band only is inescapable.

When Rusted Roots 'Send Me On My Way' started playing I knew we were moments from Tonight Alive taking to the stage. The song ended, another small intro played and then the quintet blasted their way on playing 'The Edge.' The crowd was mighty terrifying, truly one of the most deafening experiences of my life. It was written all over their faces how much this meant to them and their passion for what they were doing was so evident I found myself getting choked up on more than one occasion - and that's a pretty hard thing to do, generally speaking I don't cry.
But it wasn't just the acoustic sing-a-long with Jenna to 'Let It Land' and 'Amelia' where her tears streamed quietly down her face; it wasn't the hilarious and stupidly awesome impromptu cover of 'Killing In The Name Of' and it wasn't even the few occasions I caught the eye of Jenna and Whak and we sang to each other that made the night so special, it's the fact Tonight Alive songs are dark, hopeful and absolutely real. It's hard not to feel personally connected to these songs, whether it's 'Listening' and 'What Are You So Scared Of?' which on some level were written for us, the fans. Or 'Lonely Girl' a song about sucky friendships which I'm sure everyone has had their fair share of from the phenomenal volume of the crowd alone. For me, songs like 'The Ocean' and 'Bathwater' carry a lot of weight in my mind for the exact reasons as Jenna herself - the shit trip that is eczema. It sounds so trivial but when it decides to take over your body it hurts not just physically but mentally and The Other Side was like therapy to me as a listener and to Jenna as an artist. It's more cleansing than copious amounts of Savlon and E-45 ever will be.
The final two songs were vastly different with 'Breaking And Entering' starting mosh pits back up and a fitting finale of 'The Other Side' allowing everyone a moment to let the last hour and half sink in. The show was more than I could have hoped in every single way with everyone leaving saying the same thing: holy fucking shit that was incredible. So while Tonight Alive go back home to write album three we'll all patiently wait with The Other Side on repeat wondering how they're going to top that and not for one moment doubting that they can.

Top Tunes: October/November

PVRIS - Let Them In

"I wanna feel something that's not the weight of your world in my head"

Taylor Swift - Out Of The Woods

"Remember when we couldn't take the heat, I walked out said i'm setting you free but the monsters turned out to be just trees"

Tonight Alive - Bathwater

"I watch the sun coming up over the trees and rooftops, it's like its piercing the sky I wish it all could just stop"

The Story So Far - Things I Can't Change

"This twitch in my fingers love/hate it lingers. Sent it direct but the point must have missed her"

New Found Glory - Hold My Hand

"I'm telling you for the very last time you better know"

Kids In Glass Houses - Matters At All

"As you passed out as a heart throb when you woke up in a day job"

Lorde - Ladder Song

"If I gotta go first I'll do it on my terms. I'm tired of traitors, always changing sides. They were friends of mine"

Paramore - Tell Me It's Okay

"Thought it was my right to be as sorry as I wanted to be, I wasted all my teenage years being a misery factory"

Echosmith - Terminal

"Mum and Dad i'm coming home, she cries out give me a place I know, familiar faces as she runs into their arms. They just want her home"

Transit - The Only One

"Here's where the horror hits home. I figured it all out on my own Heaven is what you make it, Hell is what you're putting me through"

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

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

They Did A Song With Who? (Part Two)

Anavae, Arthur Walwin & Charlie Bass (Violet) - Closer

"You let one single string raise your head in the morning, give you an excuse and reason to be"

An absolute stormer of a song this track is a true showcase of british talent that we should be proud of. The harmonies between the three are so matched and with the music escalating into full on epic it's hard to believe these guys aren't an actual band that have been together forever.

Zedd featuring Hayley Williams - Stay The Night

"Hold your tongue and hear me out, I know that we were made to break so what? I don't mind"

With Miss Williams being one of my favourite vocalists and Zedd's song being ridiculously catchy it didn't take long for me to love this song.

Tonight Alive featuring Benji Madden - Breakdown

"You give me your reasons but i've heard them all before"

When they released their first album What Are You So Scared Of? the Aussie quintet spent a lot of time on the road capturing new fans with their charged blend of pop-punk. After spending some time off they got the opportunity to record a song with Benji.

Fall Out Boy featuring Elton John - Save Rock And Roll

"How'd it get to be only me? Like i'm the last damn kid still kicking that still believes"

The kind-of surprise announcement of Save Rock And Roll came with a lot of cool collabs with other artists but by far the most shocking was that of Elton John. The track in question shares it's name with the album and also happened to crush the Fall Out Boy fandom.

Lights featuring Coeur De Pirate - Peace Sign (Acoustic)

"We beckon so we can make amends and with the same flip of the hand we curse our friends"

When Lights announced the release of Siberia Acoustic it was a dream come true. There was always something about her music that just seemed perfect to be turned into an entire acoustic album and just like Jesse Lacey said i'm a sucker for anything acoustic. The acoustic version of Peace Sign is gorgeous with the reworking of the french giving the song a whole new sound that extends further than the acoustic. 

I Divide featuring Becca Need-Menear - 27 Down

"You can't wait to say it's not your fault somehow, you don't seem to understand the reason why things have to change"

Another example of up and coming british rock music to sink your teeth into and brag about when they become internationally stars.

PART ONE HERE

Top Tunes: April

Bastille - No Angels (Feat Ella Eyre)

"So no, I don't want your number, no I don't wanna give you mine and no I don't wanna meet you nowhere, no don't want none of your time"

Natives - Ghost

"How many times, do I have to tell you twice until you realise you've almost crossed the line"

Tonight Alive - The Edge

"All those words we spoke in vain, I still recall the bitter taste. I guess some things never change"

Paramore - Escape Route

"Just enough time to plan an escape route, I put my map on the wall in the basement, not quite a victory to run from your problems but it's the only plan that I got"

Anavae - The Wanderer

"Floating down these empty corridors, your mind is dark, your head is full of flight"

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

Reading Festival 2014 - It Just Got Even Better

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT PICKS

This time last week I saw a rumoured line up for this years Reading & Leeds Festival and I so wanted it to be legit but I thought there was no way it will be. So there I was on Wednesday slaving away helping a friend with her photography studio when I got an over-excited text from Meg about the line-up being real. Reading just went from being great to absolutely unbefreakinglievable. 

THE WONDER YEARS

Over the years these guys have truly become one of my all time favourite bands and when it comes to seeing them live they're pretty much in the number one spot. I can't even describe a Wonder Years show - you have to experience it. I'm ecstatic to be seeing these guys in a festival setting, the only downer is my brother won't be there and seeing The Wonder Years is kinda our thing. It sure as hell isn't gonna stop me from having an amazing time - and bragging about it later. 

TONIGHT ALIVE

Since the release of their fantastic sophomore album - The Other Side - this ultra talented quintet from down under have been making gigantic waves over on our shores. The last time I saw them was in a tiny venue with no barriers so the fact their Reading debut is on the main stage is evidence enough at just how much this band has progressed in what's really a short amount of time. I'm excited to finally hear these new tracks live as well as old favourites... and with the band going home to write album number three there's always the possibility of hearing newer new tracks. GET ME THERE NOW!

THE STORY SO FAR
Back in February my brother and I were buzzing to be seeing A Day To Remember with these guys as one of the supports. I had work that day until 6, I live an hour and half away and according to the venue The Story So Far were playing at 6:45pm. I don't know how - well I do, some very illegal driving - I made it to the venue in time to see them. I got out the car and my brother came running over to tell me that the gig had been cancelled. And i'm sure anyone reading this is going 'ah yeah adtr gig cancel gate.' We were pretty gutted but got tickets to see New Found Glory where TSSF are the main support so their set will actually be longer. Now, with them playing Reading this year i'm gonna be seeing their pop-punk mania at least twice. I say at least because i'm hoping they remain the support for the rescheduled show just 2 days after Reading...

MAYDAY PARADE
I actually can't believe these guys are playing Reading. Not only am I so happy for them but i'm so happy for myself and everyone else to get to see them. With their unique blend of pop-rock that'll leave you bawling your eyes out they're bound to capture some more hearts during their set.

TWIN ATLANTIC
They're pretty familiar faces on the Reading scene nowadays and i've seen them live three times with their music growing on me more and more each time. Last year they played Main Stage but they're back in the atmospheric NME tent this year where hopefully we'll hear some new music (that's better than Heart and Soul) from their upcoming album.

READING 2012
Thursday/Friday
Saturday
Sunday/Monday

READING 2013
Wednesday/Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Take Me Back: Tonight Alive (29/05/13)

FOR FULL REVIEW CLICK HERE

All the way from Sydney, Tonight Alive defeat everyone's inner demons with their charged blend of pop-punk. The years spent touring have certainly taught them how to put together a monster of a set list with hardened punk tracks like "Breaking And Entering" leaving the crowd breathless in time for poppy "To Die For" before they deliver"Thank You & Goodnight" - the perfect mix of pop-punk.

2013 Round Up: 10 Favourite Gigs

Fall Out Boy 

Reading Festival

Their return really has been one of my favourite things about this year. With 2 albums, a UK tour to look forward to next year and simply the fact they are around again makes me grin ear to ear. Their Reading Festival performance turned me into a sobbing wreck... to think i'd been joking about them coming back and playing Reading for well over a year. The only downside was missing City And Colour.

The Wonder Years

Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach 17/11

This one was a toss up between the first time I saw them this year at Slam Dunk and their actual headline show last month. I've gone with the headline show simply because I mention Slam Dunk later but also the line-up was incredible. They've always been one of my favourite bands but after seeing them twice this year they are also now a favourite live band and I intend to be at every show possible. 

Paramore

London, Wembley Arena 28.09

Another favourite band toured the UK this year and of course I just had to go to three shows. I was in shock for the first one, Cardiff, the second - Birmingham - was my birthday and the third was pure perfection. Everything about these shows was 100 times better than all the other times i've seen them. They're happier, they're better and it was stunning start to finish.

Four Year Strong
Cardiff, Slam Dunk 28/05
For the spotters out there it's probably worth mentioning that this picture isn't actually Four Year Strong but Pierce The Veil I just happened to only take the one photo that night because the rest of it was crazy. Years after the first time seeing them myself and my brother secured ourselves barrier positions to watch them again after being blown away by The Wonder Years previously.

Anavae
Plymouth, The White Rabbit 16/15
It was a last minute attempt at convincing my dad to take me to see Anavae and an even more last minute thing that they'd be staying at my house afterwards. I spent the day working out how to fit the five of them into my tiny attic room, then watched them play a brilliant set and hung out with them the next day. It'll probably remain one of my most favourite memories ever.

Jimmy Eat World 

London, Brixton Academy 19/11

After discovering the venue had a sloped floor and thus making it my favourite I also got to see one of my long time favourite bands play the most incredible set list ever on my friends' birthday. 

30 Seconds To Mars

Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena 14/11

With You Me At Six as their support - who I hadn't seen since The Final Night Of Sin - I was eager to be at one of these UK shows. Due to Natives postponing their headline tour until next year I managed to get to Cardiff for what turned out to be not only a night full of musical brilliance but an all out stunt show too. Madness.

Tonight Alive

Bristol, The Fleece 29/05

Yet another tour with a fantastic line up. Gavin Butler showing off his solo ability, Transit who i'd been dying to see live (and who didn't disappoint) and then of course Tonight Alive playing a belter of a set to an intimate crowd. What was not to like?

Bastille

Reading Festival

They've grown and grown in popularity this year which was evident from the packed out tent. The heat was high, the atmosphere was amazing and Bastille showed off their ridiculous amounts of talent.

All Time Low

Bristol, 02 Academy 12/02

This feels like forever and an age ago, in fact I almost completely forgot that i'd seen them this year! As per usual the night was fun, the set list was brilliant and the dick jokes were terrible but I couldn't help but laugh anyway. It was also the first time I ever heard 'Therapy' live which was undoubtedly the highlight. 

2013 Round Up: Favourite Songs

We Are The In Crowd

The Best Thing (That Never Happened To Ya)

Anavae, Arthur Walwin & Charlie Bass (Violet)

Closer

Zedd featuring Hayley Williams (Paramore)

Stay The Night

Arthur Walwin

Someone Who Knows

Versa

Neon

You Me At Six

Fresh Start Fever

Lorde

No Better

Tonight Alive featuring Benji Madden (Good Charlotte)

Breakdown

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

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