2013 is looking tasty...

   HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you lot all had a great new year and Christmas...
   Sorry guys i've not been able to post for a while. Been off my feet with Christmas, New Years and back to college work, so i'll start off with a quick update on what's to come...

   BOWIE'S BACK - I'll be giving mine and the worlds reaction to Bowie coming back and where he is expected to play over the summer!

   2012 NYE PLAYLIST - What I entertained my guests with as new year was upon us. (clearly not my party^)

   MY TIPS FOR 2013 - Giving you an insight on bands you probably know about, but are hotly tipped to be 2013's biggest bands and artist.

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   FESTIVAL LINE-UP REACTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS - Taking a look at the worlds best festivals of the summer.
   2013 is going to be a great year, with the many musical masterpiece albums that are to be released and the great thought of some breakthrough artists. Sure it will be as good for me as it will be for you.

Charles.

Gig review - Xfm's Winter Wonderland @ O2 Apollo Manchester 04/12/12

(Sorry for the bad pictures. Blurryness, odd lighting and shining bald guards with their heads in the way)

   Xfm have once again, smashed it. Their Manchester leg of the beloved Christmas gigs, often the pinnacle of winter gigs, over-stepped the mark this time round. A mixture of new and old classics created the most perfect night of raucous elbow bashing and crowd surfing. (Excuse the bad photos this time round, taken by myself amongst a crowd you couldn't expect to stand still)
   As you could probably tell by the endless articles I've written over the past month or so, I was just a little bit excited for Tuesday night, and so was everyone else that managed to get their hands on a ticket. Full to the brim, Xfm brought out Tim Cocker to flaunt his comedic ways and introduce the awaiting band.
   First up was Findlay, a band that not many people had heard of and weren't expecting much from. The four piece marched on and gave us an acapella piece to kick off the night. Taking her Mic, she belted every word out with passion to the Manchester crowd. An opening song that was nothing short of hipnotising, setting us up perfectly for the rest of the set. The second song of their short set was 'Your Sister', which grabbed the attention of the crowd. It displayed to us perfectly the grungy, gritty, rock style of Findlay. A few more tracks were played and sadly they had to leave. Once again Xfm have picked up a great new band that could and should be around for years to come.

   Second on the bill was the ever growing Spector. A treat for a band that was just second up. Once again, Spector displayed their edgey indieness, with floor fillers such as 'Friday Night...', 'Celestine', 'Chevy Thunder' the epic 'Never Fade Away'.

   Third on the bill were Manchester lads, Delphic, making their second Winter Wonderland appearance. These fellas have been on a bit of a break for the past few years after their debut album release back in 2009. In all fairness, a lot of people were confused on why they were above Spector on the bill, but they showed us just why they deserved that spot. After belting out signature tracks such as 'This Momentary' and 'Doubt' they managed to win the crowd over and give us a smashing set. Hopefully this time round the lads will stay in the limelight for a lot longer.

   Next up were the Everything Everything lot. Also playing their second round of Xfm gigs. Well armoured with new hits such as 'Kemosabe' and 'Cough Cough' it's was sure to be a high end set of indie-techno madness. Even though you pretty much can't understand what the lead singer is saying unless you know the words, it was a damn right top set. Past hits from their first album 'Man Alive' were a bit scarce throughout the set but he spots were filled in with new tracks that were surely going to go down as Everything Everything's top tracks. A highly rates band that will soon be at the top of everyone's lists.

   The penultimate act of the night was my favourite surprise, Maximo Park. There's not really a place this band haven't been. From up and down the globe, Maximo Park have cemented themselves as one of the most exhilarating bands around to date. To them this was probably another gig but I'm sure the crowd thought differently.A trademark energetic entrance from the one and only Paul Smith, was probably the perfect way to open up their set, getting the crowd shifting and shaping. New tracks from 'The National Health' and a mixture of classic tracks from 'Quicken The Heart', 'Our Earthly Pleasures' and 'A Certain Trigger' were enough for a legendary set from the Geordie lads. Probably my favourite act of the night and definitely someone I would go and see again.

   Oh yeah, last up, the highly rated, well deserving, boys from Cockney land, Bloc Party. Going off a set I saw in Blackpool about 7 years ago, I had high expectations for the London lads. This was where my love of gigs was born, and I have been aching to see them again since then. I was unbelievably excited when Xfm announced them as their headliners this year, and rightfully so. An amazing British band at the least. The two year hiatus the band went on to pursue 'other things' had its fairly painful times, and with only Kele's occasional solo tracks it was just too much to bare. But excitement grew in mid 2012, as the band announced their come back and the appearance of their fourth studio album 'Four'. After playing all over the world and the odd gigs in the UK, they were finally back where they belonged. On one of the most legendary stages in Manchester, the O2 Apollo. Footsteps on to the stage, they graced us with their presence to the high pitched screams and manly shouts. The lads gave us tracks from all four albums, with the infamous 'Hunting For Witches', new tracks 'Kettling' and 'He Begins To Lie and getting the crowd going with the ever loved 'Flux', 'Banquet' and 'Helicopter'. To be honest that's all I really need to say about this set. The band are at just such a high quality and at the peak of musical tightness, so every song was just as good as the last. Kele's charisma, Russel's magic fingers, Gordon's normality and Matt's I-can-see-your-ribs-mate sweaty body. What a perfect way to end the night.
   Xfm never fail to put on a top end gig, and this year was going to be no different. Apart from the short cut sets, it was such an amazing night to be involved with. Lets hope next years gets better (if that is possible).

Xfm's Winter Wonderland... what to expect.

   Tonight marks the first leg of Xfm's Winter Wonderland at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. As usual it's hyped up to every extreme and it will definitely be up and over the mark this time round.
   For me this is the most anticipated time of the year; bands announce tours, festival line-up's are leaked to the public and most importantly it's time for Xfm's Winter Wonderland. The highly anticipated gigs take place on both sides of the country, giving us a mixed night of madness and music.
   

   Emerging bands Findlay and Spector kicking off the night in Manchester, also Delphic, Everything Everything, Maximo Park and the headliners Bloc Party will top off the night. Spector being such a prolific indie band of 2012, and only on second shows just how good the line-up is this year. Delphic and Everything Everything are currently on their comebacks, and have both given us albums and tracks that are sure to get the floor moving and swaying. Maximo Park will be offering us hit after hit from their long and extensive career whilst feeding us new tracks from their latest album 'The National Health'. Then the most anticipated band of the night, Bloc Party. A high octane set is expected, with a mixture of songs from all four albums that we have been graced with over the last decade. The 2year hiatus the band took has left everyone wanting a taste of the indie floorfillers, and Xfm have managed to snap them up this time round.
   So we are clearly in for a treat, which in nothing short of what we expect from Winter Wonderland when it comes around. It's going to be mental. I'll be the one in the middle with a ginger mophead kicking everyone with my massive doc martens.

  

Everybody needs... Arctic Monkeys

   Well this week, my music listening has consisted of the whole back catalogue of the mighty Muse and the all ruling Arctic Monkeys. So I guessed it's just about time I wrote something the boys from Sheffield.
   Arctic Monkeys. Possibly the best live band in the UK. I'm sure some would disagree but there isn't much better. After 4 successful and completely different albums, they have become an electrifying band that are just as good live than they are on record. From playing tiny gigs back in 2003, to gracing us on the Olympic stage and playing Madison Square Gardens this year, they have become a band that rolls off everyone's tongues. Arctic Monkeys were the innovators in the whole internet stardom thing, which is now a path for pretty much anyone. In a sense that's a good thing (well we did get this spectacular band it), but it has definitely let some crap in over the past few years. Whilst that came through, the Arctic's have given us hit after hit, with the infamous 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor', to 'Teddy Picker' then 'Crying Lightening' and also 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala'. No matter what they give us, it has been ear grabbing and another album will be the same.
   To date, every album the Arctic Monkeys have released has been greatly in the public view. The raw edge of 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' was an obvious hit. The refined pop-rock of 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' was taken just as well. 'Humbug' was conceived in many different ways and 'Suck It And See' was probably the most accomplished of them all. Overall it's been a more than successful few years for the lads, but where are they going next?

   I think there are lots of people that want the Arctic Monkeys to go in many different directions, then again that doesn't take away from what the boys actually want to do. According to reports, recording for their 5th studio album is currently in progress in Joshua Tree desert, California, the place they partly recorded their 3rd album 'Humbug' with the rock god, Joshua Homme. Rumors suggest that an album based around the style of the gut busting 'R U MINE?' is in the works and that would be just spectacular. That track is just as orgasmic every time I listen to it as it was when I first heard it on that bus ride home with my good friends Eryn and Alice. A whole album of this will surely bring the boys into the legendary status. So legendary that their wish of giving Glastonbury another go could come true come next summer. It's possible, but with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, and Adele lines up to play this year, its may have a slight doubt to it.  Not that they couldn't match up to them in their own way. Praying their next option is Leeds festival. Along with many other far fetched hopes.
   Well i'm sure the band can do whatever they like now, as they are already established as one of the biggest bands in England, and possibly around the world. No matter what type of album they feed to us, there is no doubt it will be a smash hit number one album. If you've not got any Arctic Monkeys records they I highly recommend that you download them or go to a record shop and grab yourself a copy.   

Gig review - The Vaccines @ O2 Apollo

   Last night, I was lucky enough to see The Vaccines at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. I expected a lot from them, and actually expected to be overwhelmed. They didn't let me down, lets just say that.
   It's been an amazing past few years for The Vaccines. After hitting the ground running when they released 'If You Wanna' back in 2010, which quickly received praise from all walks of life, they have managed to work themselves up festival line-ups, make themselves a household name and even land themselves a number 1 album. 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' was the album that cemented The Vaccines in every day life, and the follow-up, 'Come Of Age' is just about doing the same job. With this being their biggest tour to date, apart from the arena tour next year, they are getting bigger and bigger, and no doubt within the next few years or so, they will be headlining small festivals and even subbing amongst the biggest names in music at major festivals.
   I have to admit I actually wasn't up for the gig yesterday, with a mixture of tiredness and genuinely just not being arsed, after all this would be the 3rd time i've seen them. The only thing that got me slightly in the mood was XFM playing 'Wetsuit' in the car on the way to college. Constant play of my Vaccines playlist on Spotify couldn't even shift my mood but it all changed when they graced us with their presence on stage. But first of course the supports. First up was Pale, who mysteriously I couldn't find any information on this morning. The duo mixed a techno drum with a heavyly reverbed guitar, which created an eerie effect. Their sound bounced off every wall. Even though they only played around a 15 minute set, they bashed out every track and left a lasting impression on me and i'm sure many other people. Great first support. Next up was a band called Deap Vally. I'd listened to them before last night, and I have to admit I wasn't much of a fan. When they walked on stage I wasn't expecting much, but I guess I was proven wrong in some sense. The lead singer didn't half know how to play guitar, the only let down was her Jack Black sounding voice. The drummer was top notch. She almost looked like she was dominating the drum kit but I guess that was just the way they both are. Overall the music was class but the singing was a letdown. The final support was DIIV. A band that mixed grungy psychedelica with melodic indieness. They were off their heads on whatever they had taken, that was clear, but they were the perfect set up for The Vaccines. The crowd was jumping, even mini moshpits were formed, getting everyone ready for what was to come from the headliners.

   The lights dimmed, the crowd roared and out came Justin, Pete, Arni and Freddie, with the overwhelming stench of weed following them. "Hello" said Justin, taking his guitar and thrashing out the intro to the raucous 'No Hope'. The floor absolutely erupted, as Justin belted every lyric angrily down the mic. Following it up with 'Wreckin' Bar' which sent people over the bar whilst Justin paced from side to side of the stage. The band continued to give us hit after hit, with the likes of 'Tiger Blood', 'Post Break-Up Sex', 'Blow It Up' and many other tracks from 'What Did You Expect...' whilst giving us new tracks such as 'All In Vain', 'Aftershave Ocean', 'Weirdo' and my personal favorite off 'Come Of Age', 'Ghost Town'. New tracks settled just as well as the old with the mix group of people that listened, watched and sung back every one of the lyrics. The night was toned down with new track, 'Change Of Heart Pt. 2' and the anthemic 'All In White' which made you appreciate how good of a live band The Vaccines actually are. 'Teenage Icon' became an instant hit amongst the crowd, passionate arms were thrown up in the air during the chorus and the floor moved and people danced and moshed with the music. We were left on a cliffhanger with signature track 'If You Wanna' which was just as mental as every other track played throughout the night. Often when your standing at a gig, you're unconsciously wishing that the set would end just so you could get away from the sweaty guys you're uncomfortable pressed up against, but their set passed in a flash and everyone just wanted more. Well that's just exactly what we got. Heads held high, the band strolled back on stage with the destined for fame 'Bad Mood' in tow. The audience bouncing, exhausted, but powering through for the final few tracks. Finally, we were given the exhilarating 'Norgaard'. The band and audience bouncing untill the last 'oohoohoohooh'. A well deserved bow was taken, the crowd showing their appreciation with screams and cheers.
   ELECTRIC. That's all I really have to say about these. They were on fire! They just manage to get better and better every time I see them, and i'm sure that will continue. Stepping up to the mark as usual. Take a bow lads, perfection of a set.
   Their UK tour continues throughout the last few days of November and the lads are back in May for their arena tour. So treat yourself. Buy a ticket. Buy their album. You definitely wont regret it.