Saturday 20th April 2013

It's that time of year again - Record Store Day! For those of you who aren't aware this day rolls around every year (having started in America in 2007) and sees independent record stores come together to celebrate the art of music. As always this results in artists releasing all manner of promotional products in celebration; vinyl, CDs etc are all made exclusively for the day. Additionally hundreds of artists put in special appearances and performances. Sounds pretty good huh?

All details can be found at their website: http://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/ 

Participating artists include: Biffy Clyro, Bring me the Horizon, David Bowie, Dry the River, Frank Turner, Jake Bugg, Kodaline, Linkin Park, Peace, Pulp, The Cure, The Sex Pistols, Willy Mason and a fuck load more!

Song of the Week

Song of the week: "No Rest" by Dry The River.

"I loved you in the best way possible"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iUHfAChgBA

I cannot even begin to explain how difficult it was to pick just one Dry the River song for "Song of the Week". I chose this one because it's the song of theirs that I first heard and thus captured my attention. For anyone who's interested "Weights and Measures" is also fantastic; in fact their whole album (Shallow Bed) is fantastic. I strongly urge you give it a listen. Peter Liddie (frontman) has the most heart breaking voice I've ever heard. It's beautiful. It sounds like he's in emotional pain when he sings (in my opinion anyway) and when I saw them play Reading I felt like giving him a hug and telling him that it's all fine. As for the band live, Peter has this to say on their site: "I think people are surprised when they come to see us live. They expect us to be really calm and quiet but in some ways we're the opposite". It's true, I was expecting calm, and they were, sometimes. Lots of their songs build into crescendos and it's truly intoxicating live. And if all of this isn't a good enough reason to give them a listen, how's this; I entered that gig with two people who had never heard any Dry the River material. They both left saying that they've found a new favourite band. They're just fantastic! Beautiful, heart breaking and dramatic. 

And seriously, listen to Weights and Measures: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5g-DeG0MJc

READING!

So some of you may know that I attended Reading festival over the weekend, and other than my nose getting sunburnt and having piss thrown down my back it all went without a hitch! Here are a list of the bands I saw (in order might I add), some photos and what I thought. Enjoy!

Friday.

1) DEAF HAVANA:

Enjoyable to watch and they were very humble which is always a good quality in a band in my opinion. Nothing worse than coming on stage and saying "We're the best fucking band in the world" (Taking Back Sunday I'm looking at you!). Wouldn't be overly fussed about seeing them again though.

2) ANGELS AND AIRWAVES: Unsurprisingly made me think of Blink-182, just a not as good version. They were ok, but it didn't encourage me to listen to their other music.

3) CRYSTAL CASTLES: I only really saw these guys because I was waiting for You Me At Six. I don't get these guys, personally I don't think she does any proper singing and the music's just not up there. I also didn't like their live version of "Not in Love". Sorry guys.

4) YOU ME AT SIX: Brilliant. Sang my heart out.

5) PARAMORE: 

Also brilliant. Can't not love Hayley Williams.

6) THE CURE: I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Robert Smith hasn't lost his voice, which can often be the way when bands reform after so long apart. Although I enjoyed it (being a Cure fan it's hard not to!) I did think that it went on for a bit too long and that they lost their audience half way through. Gained them back when they played "Friday I'm In Love", but yes, could have been a tad shorter. 

Saturday.

7) BLOOD RED SHOES:

This is the second time I've seen these guys and they didn't disappoint. Thought their set list was pretty good too.

8) TWIN ATLANTIC: Been waiting for this gig for so long! Loved their second album "Free" and they didn't disappoint live. Particularly enjoyed them singing "Crash Land" - just beautiful! Sam did smash his guitar at the end though and I'm not sure how I feel about that...

9) DRY THE RIVER: I thoroughly recommend this band; I already love them but after seeing their set at Reading both of my friends came out saying "these guys are now my new favourite band". They're going to be my "Song of the Week" next Monday so watch this space!

10) ENTER SHIKARI: I must confess I sat down away from the moshing for a lot of this gig, only standing up and having a dance when the songs I knew came on (I would apologise but my feet were killing me and this was my only respite!). They were enjoyable, the crowd were insane and I wouldn't say no to seeing them again.

11) LOWER THAN ATLANTIS: Amazing! My friend and I managed to get near the front for the first two and a half songs but after that we moved back, deciding that although being squished together and dragged along by the crowd is fun (for a bit) if we fell over then we wouldn't get back up alive. But regardless of that they were fantastic; I'm extremely keen to see them again!

12) YOUNG GUNS: I was a tad disappointed with these guys actually, although to be fair to them I was exhausted and thirsty from trying to stay upright throughout LTA, so I probably wasn't paying enough attention.

Sunday.

13) PULLED APART BY HORSES: 

I cannot recommend these guys more; this was my third time seeing them and I'd still love to see them again! I was about four rows from the barrier and they were one of my favourites of this years festival. I was particularly overjoyed when they played "I Punched A Lion In The Throat". Here's hoping I see them again soon!

14) BAND OF SKULLS: As with Enter Shikari I sat down for a lot of this gig, but I'm now rather keen to buy their album "Sweet Sour"; I definitely enjoyed what I heard and hopefully once I've listened to them properly I can see them again.

15) EAGLES OF DEATH METAL:

 Oh dear lord Eagles of Death Metal! I only knew "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News) but that didn't matter, they were good fun live and I'll definitely be looking into their other material. We managed to get on the barrier for these guys and yes, I had Jesse Hughes playing his guitar right in front of me. Exciting stuff.

16) THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM: 

We were also on the barrier for these guys, but I didn't enjoy them quite as much as I thought I would. I'm not sure why but I still think they're a brilliant band so no love lost there!

17) ALL TIME LOW: Not a massive fan of these guys and I was sitting eating my dinner at the back throughout the set, but they seemed like good crowd pleasers so I have to give them kudos for that. And I did find myself singing along when I didn't have a mouthful of halloumi and choritzo! 

18) BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE: Everything I wanted them to be and my second favourite set from the weekend (after the Foos naturally). It was just brilliant, and my favourite was when they got everyone to jump during "Scream Aim Fire". Would definitely love to see them again!

19) THE KAISER CHIEFS: I missed the beginning of their set but the place was packed and I enjoyed what I saw. Wouldn't say no to seeing them live again.

20) THE BLACK KEYS: Thoroughly enjoyed these guys and would love to see them again.

21) THE FOO FIGHTERS: The mighty, legendary Foo Fighters. They were everything I expected and more; if you haven't watched their highlights on BBC Three then get on it NOW!

That just about sums up everything; role on Reading 2013!