Very bad quality but Snow Patrol - 12th Feb 2012, London O2. The level of talent they portrayed that night was indescribeable. If anyone ever has the chance to see them live they should grab it with both hands. Never fail to amaze.
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Wakey!Wakey! Night and Day Cafe 11th Oct 2011
From the moment lead singer Michael Grubbs climbed the stairs to stand on the stage, he had the audience eating out of his hand. An echo of claps and cheers of “OH YEH“‘s aroused at the long awaited arrival of Brooklyn band Wakey!Wakey!. As Grubbs’ eyes glistened, he looked down nervously with a slight hint of self pleasure, laughing slightly whilst introducing himself to his eagerly-anticipated fans. From five seconds in, I already knew this was going to be a night I would remember and brag about. I knew he was going to do nothing but please his audience.
The first bar of “The Oh Song” was played accompanied by a massive up-roar from the crowd. Considering it was such a small venue, the reaction was INCREDIBLE. I have never heard a sound so loud and so much excitement from a bunch of people! Those standing further back quickly yet subtly raced forward to get a glimpse of the main man in question - Michael Grubbs. At times I was thinking “Am I really here?”, clearly emphasising how faultless his vocals were. From each song the band played, the audience were able to effortlessly interpret the backstory through the lyrics and emotion the band put into it, leading me (and I’m sure the others?) to feel as though Grubbs’ was speaking singley to themselves. A rare feeling which makes it SO commendable for a band to create a sound so perfect that it leads the listeners to feel superhuman. It brings them into their own little world. A world where everything is entirely perfect and all worries have slipped away. Yet Wakey!Wakey have the ability to do this. Their deep emotional lyrics mixed in with an occassional record collection slow indie-rock make anything seem possible. Absolutely anything.
My favourite song of the night was “1876 - The Brooklyn Theatre Fire” and although I am embarressed to admit this, I had never heard it before! Standing in a crowd you wouldnt expect emotion to come across as stronly as it does in this song. Usually, to create such emotion it would take a twenty minute moan about what had happened, perhaps a sad video or the person telling the story shedding a few tears? But for this song - this AMAZING song - I was able to feel the emotion within the first ten seconds. I was able to feel the backstory, the pure soul and mostly the blistering pain. There is nothing more I can say than WOW, literally, it is a speachless ability. I wouldn’t even call it an ability, infact it is more of a gift. And Michael Grubbs has the gift to create this.
Now I have gone on and on about Grubbs, yet I havn’t once mentioned the rest of the band. To start off I would say I’m not a fan of the violin. Actually I’m far from a fan. I usually cant stand the screachy noise it makes like nails getting dragged down a chalkboard. However, I take that back - I absolutely take it back! The violin player played beyond the defininition of perfection (is that even possible?). Her solo in song “Take it like a man” had all the poise you’d expect from a violinist. HOWEVER, it had a twist - a dark analogue that kept the audience glued. Both the basist and backing singer were note perfect, and with the violinist and Michael Grubbs, a mindblowing harmony was created.
October 11th 2011. One of the most impressive nights of my life. The band deserve everything they achieve as their music is of true credibility. Masses of brilliance.
+Morning Parade
When you hear a good song you have this instant feeling of being complete for the 3 minutes its playing. Within the first 10 seconds of hearing it for the first time, you already know your going to love it. You cant sit still - have to pace along with the beat. It has the power to make you feel invincible, and lets you rock-out in a hazey mist of sudden perfection. I don’t think it took me even five seconds to realise that ‘Under the stars’ would overcome all disruption in my life.
The songs sequencing is perfect, - the contrast between the quite climate of the bands sinister synthesised basslined beginning, steadily changing into a more heavy up-tempo end is mesmerizing. Its incredible that a song can operate on a level of such subconsious infiltration, taking over all the thoughts you mind was currently occupying. The underground obscurity of the band adds a hidden mystery, as if your entering some sort of unexplored beyond where anything can happen. Its instant feel-good factor gives Morning Parade an encapsulating step-ahead of other music produced. Merging emotional resonance with a beautiful ballad, the band are slick and ready to take on whatever hits them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyv45K0AivE - Morning Parade, Under the stars
The band have recently released a new song, A&E which can be bought on iTunes now, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vcZ5tc0llQ&feature=relmfu
+Arlis Moon
Everyone has a song. A song that lifts your feet off the ground and takes you to some distant planet where everything is perfect. A mix of romantic ode and exuberant, blissful pop, that sends your heart racing, your mind blowing and your feet-a-tapping.
This is my song
“Here with me” is an accelerating track by the oh-so-amazing Arlis Moon. With such a beautiful sounding song - simplistic and bare boned - the natural aura of his music making comes across perfectly. You can tell that with each note strung and each word sang that he believes passionately about his music. The song follows a story of love, and teaching someone not to be afraid of falling for someone. But lastly, just being happy to be yourself. The mix of acoustic melodies compliments his language, melody, and simplicity his music portrays. Its a bittersweet journey of sweet, simple and subtle music.
Everyone also has an artist. An artist who should be signed because they have such admirable lyrics, and plausible talent. Who should be in the charts rather than all the boy-band heart-tugging studio-edited singers. An artist who has such raw unseen talent.
Arlis Moon is my artist
Arlis is currently producing a new single, which is set to be released in the summer, http://www.myspace.com/arlismoon
+The Daylights
Very mellow easy listenig band - the lead singer has a b-e-a-utiful simple yet husky voice. I’d put them in the pop indie rock genre, and having recently released a new self-titled album in 2010 I thought now would be the perfect opportunity to introduce them to you lot! Probably my favourite song is ‘happy’ because it has an amazing mix of vocals, acoustic guitar and piano. The use of his soft voice contrats stunningly with the lyrics and its just an overall a heartwarming, emotional track. The new 2010 album has a varied mix of rock and lighter pop-rock tracks - the track ‘black dove’ is a lot more rocky with a fair use of electric guitar and drums, mixed in with the male vocalists husky, stigato voice, which overall brings out an amazing rock piece! Me, myself is shocked that they’re not bigger here in the UK because they have the sound and potential to be massive! Take a listen.
+The Wombats
I dont even mind that these arn’t a new band, and I know for a fact everyone who reads this will already have heard them - yet still, I’m going to write an account on them! They’re a three piece indie band and are from Liverpool but met at a performing arts institute (showing they have obvvvvvious talent) and are releasing a new album next month which is very very vair exciting news. Plus they’re touring in March (Playing Manchester Academy on the 4th - I WILL BE THERE) so you should get yourself a ticket as its only a tenner! The last song they released is called ‘Jump in the fog’ and i promise you its beautiful. Yes, the lyrics are a bit odd but it has a great melodic feel to it - it’s kind of slow and he has the typical indie-vocals, whilst the backing music is clearly processed and generated at a studio, yet its still a b-e-a-utiul track - just listen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpadYhXHgwA
+Rifles
Yet another indie rock band to sweeten your ears my lovelys (however on their myspace they claim to be Ska/Punk/Rock.. No idea how though). They have released two albums - ‘No love lost’ and ‘Great escape’. The older one (No love lost) is my personalle favourite. However, ‘Great escape’ did top at number 2 in the indie charts proving its popularity and amazingness! Lead vocalist, Joel Stoker has a typical indie-husky voice and a similar sound to those of The Courteeners and Libertines. As much as they dont have MASSIVE airplay, it doesnt really matter to the band, and it doesn’t really matter to the bands loyal followers. Having 2263 followers on Twitter shows a certain level of commitment to the band and the number of the people harrassing the band for tour dates is ridiculous. They are releasing a new single in May and an album to follow which I, for one, am very stunningly excited for! Certainly a band to listen to. They plant a flag for real ‘indie-rock’ music and are one to inspire smaller bands. “Peace and Quiet” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY74RmVucYg
+Little Comets
Gorgeous is one word. They have a techno-indie-rock sound with many key changes! Like for ten seconds it could be a heavy beat,then the next ten seconds they could have slowed it down and to be honest it really works for them! At first they were one of them bands i was unsure if i really liked that much. But once you dose up on them more and more they become addictive - almost like a drug. “Friday dont need it” is easily their best track. The others - especially “One night in October” - has a bit of a crazy start to it,hence the reason they’re quite techno. They’re touring around quite a bit,at the end of January they’re playing Manchester so grab yo’self a ticket. See you there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtkIUqfTidU LISTEN<3
+Switchfoot
I know i’ve already wrote about these,but im gonna do it again to drum it into all your heads. They are bliming FANTASTIC. They’re apparently a ‘rock band’ but tbh I dont think they sound that rock,I guess they’re more of a mellow rock band… Go see them in concert because they put on an amazing show,howevs this only goes out to my followers from America as they dont seem to be coming over to the UK anytime soon,which,to put it one way,is slightly annoying! So take a litttle listen, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c863ojmaucc
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