It all kicked off with Muse at the Etihad, possible one of the most musically tight and entertaining bands that you would be graced to see. Muse are one of those bands where you just don't fully appreciate them until you see them live. They surprised me with a floating lightbulb with a rope dancer dangling above the 40,000 plus crowd, a 20ft working robot dancing on stage and special effects that burned the microscopic hairs off the back of your neck. Along side the musical genius that they create, they manage to make their gigs one of the most eye-catching sets around and show exactly why they are not just only one of the best rock acts in Britain, but possibly the best band in the world.
After months of scrimping and saving, Leeds 2013 finally came about and once again it delivered on acts and entertainment, even if I didn't get to see most of it. The weather, with no doubt, put a downer on what could of been a fantastic weekend but it didn't shy away from the fact that the organizers have once again pulled in a great line-up. Unlucky for anyone who stayed in blue camp, I don't think we could actually see it by the end of the weekend, and congratulations to the woman that apparently gave birth whilst knee deep in 3ft of mud, even though she strangely didn't know she was pregnant. As far as the acts go, it was worth trotting through what seemed like a marathon of mud just to see them. Headliners Biffy Clyro with an epic set to silence any harsh critics. Green Days light show looked good from a distance, choosing Skrillex over them on the second night and even though he was good, Eminem was highly disappointing, but maybe thats just my music taste. Other stand out acts were Haim, who I think I fell in love with each of the girls, Chase and Status that never seem to fail and Foals, who I have been itching to see for the past few years now. All-in-all, Leeds obviously never fails to create memories and fulfill dreams with what it manages to produce year in year out.
There were many amazing music releases and good discoveries made over my summer. My highlights are of course, 'AM', the fifth installment in the Arctic Monkeys saga, which was just as good, if not much better than anyone expected it to be. Alex and co. don't half know how to belt out an album. Manchester band, The 1975, finally released their highly anticipated self-titled debut album.
After creating a massive following on the festival circuit over the summer and having a sell-out extensive UK tour, they were destined for glory, and their catchy indie-pop album just topped it all off. We are sure to be hearing much more of these lads in the next few months.
I also came across the psychedelic rock band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, who with their quirky rhythmic guitar, have managed to become the soundtrack of my summer. I managed to get hold of their second LP, courtesy of Piccadilly Records in the Northern Quarter in Manchester and it is just the perfect album to show that records should be more commercially produced. Now i've got tickets to see them at the Academy in November, obviously I can not wait. If you get any chance, give them a listen, you won't be disappointed.
Couldn't of possibly had a better summer, and music is just the underlying factor that makes anything good.
Charles
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