Florence + The Machine live

Last night I went to watch the spectacular Florence + The Machine in The Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. I have to say it was one of the best gig's I have been to. I have wanted to see florence ever since I first heard 'Dog Days' back in about 2009. And she did not let me down.
The opening act were the band Spector, which was a great band to open the show with. As my flatmate Abbi put it, they sound like 'the editors and the killers had a baby'. Definitely a compliment i'd say. The vocals of the lead singer were amazing and what I loved about them was despite playing some brilliant music, they were very humble and made an attempt to connect with the audience.
The Horrors came on after Spector, and I have to say I was a little disappointed. I was hoping to here some of the Horrors older stuff, like Sheila is a Parasite. It's not everyones cup of tea, very raw and edgy, but it's much more distinct than their newer stuff, which was of course all they played. Some might say their newer stuff is brilliant, but personally I find it dull and boring, and their stage presence matched. They closed with Still Life, which I have to admit was played perfectly, but I much preferred Spector as a support act.
When Florence came on, it felt as though all the crowd fell in love. Her voice was like complete heaven. Some of the highlights were when she played Shake It Out, You Got The Love, Rabbit Heart, and Ceremonials. She came back on for an encore where she played Never Let Me Go and No Light, No Light. There were a couple of disappointments. I wish she had played Howl as thats one of my favourite songs, but other than that, it was an amazing performance. When she played Never Let Me Go and Breaking Down it made me get goosebumps. Her voice is amazing and she looked so elegant and beautiful. Plus the lighting and backdrop made it complete. The whole atmosphere was electrifying. One of the best nights I've had in a long time.

NME awards tour, Cardiff 2012.

Last night I went to the NME awards tour at the Cardiff Student Union, with Azealia Banks, Tribes, Metronomy and Two Door Cinema Club as the headliners. It's safe to say it was definitely one of the best gig's i've been to!
Despite being to gig's at the student union in Cardiff before, I hadn't been to see anyone perform in The Great Hall, which was where the NME tour was held, and it was the perfect venue. If anyone is in or around Cardiff I recommend trying to see a band or artist there because there was such a good atmosphere. Of course the acts definitely helped to create that atmosphere.
We went into the venue just after Azealia Banks started playing, which was a little disappointing because I was really excited about seeing her, but we got to see most of her set. Some people in the crowd clearly didn't know of her music, but she still managed to get the crowd going. I don't think I've ever had such admiration for a female rap artist. I've heard people say she disappoints live, but I didn't get that feeling at all. Despite her speedy rapping she still made me dance and err, attempt to rap along! especially when she rapped 'Liquorice'. She finished her set, suitably, with 212, and wow she really did it justice live. Everyone who knew that song was jumping and dancing along. It was an amazing performance and left me feeling high! After seeing her start the gig last night, I'm going to make sure I get tickets for her headlining tour in October.

After Azealia was Tribes, another band I was really excited about seeing. Their indie rock and roll really got the crowd going and was an amazing way to debut their new album, Baby, to Cardiff. Some of my favourite songs they played last night included Whenever, Coming of Age, and Sappho. They played a sadder, more melancholy song, 'Halfway Home', which was quite an emotional song and was beautifully performed. Another amazing song they performed was 'When My Day Comes', which I think is a song which really sums up Tribes' music and what they're all about. A new fave song for me after seeing it live. They finished with 'We Were Children' which was the perfect way to finish the set. By this point the crowd were really lively and raring to go.

Metronomy were a band that I wasn't too fussed about seeing. I initially thought they were a good band with some quite catchy songs, but I wasn't overly fussed about seeing them live. I'm glad I did though. Their performances were very upbeat and they incorporated a dancy, electro feel in to all their songs. The lighting and general atmosphere was really good for metronomy as well. I think they are well worth seeing live and are actually much better live than on their recordings. Shamefully, I felt before I saw them that their music was a little bit, well, boring. Just the kind of music I'd play in the background while painting my nails. But live they are definitely not boring. They make the effort with the crowd and make sure that their songs have that dancy feel which makes the crowd want to move. Which was perfect really, because during Azealia Banks and Tribes, what really got to me was the fact that not many people were moving. I had during Azealia, two couples stood stock still in front of me kissing, then during Tribes, a girl just stood, not moving at all. Even if you don't know the music that well, there is nothing wrong with swaying or dancing or putting your hands up in the air at gigs. I think it's what it's all about. So take note!!

Of course, what everyone was really waiting for was Two Door Cinema Club. I had seen them live once before, at Reading Fest 2011. I already knew they were a great live band, but I wondered if they would be any different indoors as opposed to on a main stage at an outdoor festival. I wasn't disappointed. When Two Door came on the whole crowd got really into it, jumping dancing and singing a long. I remember getting really excited when 'Undercover Martyn' came on, as it's one of my favourite songs by them. They also performed a couple of new songs from their second album which is still in the making, and from the sounds of it it's going to be a  very good record, so thats something exciting to look forward to later in the year. Two Door were definitely a great experience seeing live. I got pushed in to a mosh pit and my shoe fell off, which was all a bit traumatic, especially considering i'm only 5ft and was slightly (very) under the influence, but Two Door are so upbeat I couldn't help but laugh about it!

Overall, none of the acts disappointed. In fact all of them exceeded my expectations of the night. A lot of people go to gigs like that just to see one or two of the bands but I felt that every single act was amazing in their own right. Plus I got an awesome Azealia Top, pictured below, so I can forever remember that amazing night.

My awesome Azealia top... hope no one gets too offended ;)

Skrillex Grey Daze Tour - Bristol 16th Feb.

So on thursday night I ventured in to Bristol with my lovely flatmate Abbi to see Skrillex at the o2 academy. Only just got round to writing this gig review as yesterday, to be quite honest, I was far too hungover!
To be honest,  I feel like i'm going to struggle to write this, because the gig has pretty much rendered me speechless... so to try to put it into coherent words is going to prove quite difficult!
I hadn't been to Bristol's o2 academy before, and I loved the atmosphere. Despite not rushing to the front like many, we still managed to get pretty much right to the front, although it was a sold out gig. There was a really good atmosphere, everyone was lively and while there were moshpits, I didn't suffer from too many rowdy people pushing which was good. Skrillex was supported by Alvin Risk and Zane Lowe. I hadn't actually heard of Alvin Risk before and was pleasantly surprised. He was a great warm up act. He really managed to get the crowd going without the same intensity as Zane and Skrillex.
When Zane Lowe entered the stage, you could feel the excitement in the room physically build. I've seen Zane Lowe perform once before, at my freshers ball in the Cardiff Student Union. He was good then, but I didn't get the opportunity to see the whole set, so I was really looking forward to this. Zane played some awesome remix's, including an awesome remix of I Got The Power. He also played Internet Friends by Knife Party which made me very excited. He was the perfect act to introduce Skrillex to the stage.
When Skrillex came on the whole crowd went mental. Seeing Skrillex live is an opportunity that should not be missed by any dubstep fans. He played favourites like First of the Year, and new material like Bangerang and Breakin' a Sweat. as well as some other favourites such as Promises by Nero and, like Zane Lowe, Internet Friends by Knife Party. He also played his remix of Cinema which was a real highlight for me. He ended with an amazing remix of Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites and Promises. It made the crowd go wild and literally gave me goosebumps. What a performance! I was desperate for an encore but unfortunately didn't get one. I think the only way it could of been improved is if he had came back on stage for an encore, simply because I did not want the gig to end. It was one of the best gig's i've been to and has left me desperate to re-live it. I will definitely be getting tickets straight away for his next tour and recommend anyone and everyone to do the same. Skrillex is an act not to be missed live.

a couple of the photos I took... they aren't the best quality but still manage to capture the atmosphere!

Azealia Banks CAN be the answer

So, there the world was, happy and content in the music around, when out of no where, like a hurricane, comes Azealia Banks. This is the controversial rapper whose hit 212 has gone viral, and is taking the world by storm. NME love her, and she will be performing on their tour (which I will be seeing in Cardiff this coming sunday, how exciting!) and she's constantly being talked about all over the internet. Azealia, with her somewhat vulgar yet cheeky lyrics, is a controversial rapper, there is no denying it, and in another time or place she may not have worked. But right now, it seems everything is working in her favour. It's like everyone subconsciously knew something different was needed... a breath of fresh, if not a little bit intense and somewhat bitter, air.
People always say, how this band or this artist is different. So what is it that makes Azealia so unique, so worth talking about? Well she's a black Harlem rapper who swears like a trooper, and can't get enough of the words 'cunt' and 'nigga'... nothing new there then. I think it's more to do with the fact that she's doing all this,  but doing it in a way which is clear is not meant to be taken seriously or offensively. Oh and she's female. Yes other black female artists may swear and say the N word, such as Nicki Minaj and Rihanna, but Azealia comes along and does it with a different zest. She's so upfront and in your face about it it's hard to ignore. As in her song 212 she makes it clear 'I'm a ruin you cunt'. She can't be ignored. You just have to take it. You may hate it, take it offensively, and thats what makes her so irresistible, it leaves you questioning, how does this girl do this? I think it also helps that she's not afraid to pick on herself, as in her song Liquorice she raps 'hey i'm the liquorice bitch, you know i'm looking for these niggas if these niggas be rich'. with her different take on lyricism she draws you in. Plus it doesn't hurt that she has an awesome voice, is an amazing rapper, and a hilarious person. Every interview I have read with her I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Azealia's songs might never be played on Radio One in the middle of the day, how can they be? Something would surely break to bleep out that much swearing. Yet Azealia is STILL the next big thing. She is the future. The fact she doesn't tone down her music or take any shit for anybody yet still is a huge success already gives a lesson everyone, rapper or not, can learn.

Wet Nuns

Finally; a rock band thats modern, edgy, and not compromising anything. 'Wet Nuns' (who also have a name everyone can enjoy as well as making awesome music) are on to something. This fantastic duo are creating the kind of rock music you just don't hear much of any more; it's raw, like it's been stripped to the bones. and it sounds so good. They aren't attempting to overshadow their music with anything too creative or experimental, it's just plain good.
Plus, the other thing I love about this new band, is they aren't afraid of doing anything too controversial. Their video for 'Heavens Below' (which is quickly becoming my new fave song), when watching, feels so wrong, yet in all the right ways. It's a little blasphemous, and theirs a pigs head and cutting meat involved. None of these things should be okay yet they somehow are. I think what makes it enjoyable to watch and listen to is that they've done something a little different from other rock bands. Other rock bands could do these things... but make the mistake of doing it in a serious manner. From watching the video you can tell that, while Wet Nuns seem raw and controversial, they aren't being wholly serious, or taking themselves too seriously. It's satirical, and enjoyable.
While Heavens Below is a firm fave, I also enjoy their other songs such as 'All the Young Girls' and 'Don't Wanna See Your Face No More'. This band is moving on to bigger and better things and i'm excited to see an album release. They're going on tour this February/March and unfortunatly I can't go to their gigs this time round as they aren't coming to Cardiff, but I can imaging they're insane live, so hopefully the oppertunity to see them live will arise soon. Wet Nuns are truly rock at it's finest in 2012.

Howler

If you haven't listened to Howler yet... you should. They are my new fave band. Their debut album, America Give Up, is constantly on repeat on my itunes. And that's because quite simply, they're bloody amazing.
Howler are the next big thing to come out the U.S. Their music is raw, pure and influential. Their album demonstrates rock music at it's best, and I can almost guarantee that by the end of the year, everyone will know exactly who Howler are. Their edgy rock music clearly has influences of The Strokes, and I even dare to say that this band could be the new 'Strokes'. Howler seem to skilfully blend the 90's grungy American rock with old school Rock n Roll with the more modern sounds heard in bands like the Vaccines, all the while creating something new and fresh in the music scene. Their lyrics are catchy, with hints of irony and satire. Of course it also helps that Jordan Gatesmith, the lead singer and mind behind the band, has the sort of voice which simply commands attention, and everyone falls in love with.
Howler are definitely one to watch, and if you don't already own their album then I strongly recommend you get on itunes right now and download it. If you only buy one album this year it should be this one.



Top tracks from America Give Up:

1. This One's Different
2. Told You Once
3. Back of Your Neck
4. Beach Sluts
5. Back to the Grave

Lana Del Ray - the face of what's to come?

When I first heard Lana Del Ray's hit tracks, 'Video Games' and 'Born to Die', I fell in love. In love with her lyrics, voice, meloncholy tone, image, oh all of it. So when her album 'Born to Die' was released yesterday, I immedeatly downloaded it.
Many of her songs, I have to admit, have a very similar sound. There is no variety, and therefore, some tracks seem to blend, without a real stand out track. Thats not to say that each track, when taken individually good.  Lana does something different with music. And the thing she does which is different, ironically, is that despite seeming edgy and different from other female artists, shes quite traditional. While some sounds in her music are modern, many ring of an older era. In 'Million Dollar Man' parts of the song could have been taken from a singer in the 30's or 40's, while other songs such as 'Off to the Races' seem to have a slight ring of Kate Bush.
Lana's lyrics are very meloncholy, and seem to ring of love. Sometimes I'm unsure of what Lana is doing. She doesn't seem very full of 'girl power' when she sings lyrics like 'This is what makes us girls, we don't stick together because we put love first'. Is she part of the sisterhood at all? or maybe, is she simply speaking a secret truth. I think there is a lot more to Lana. Her music wouldn't put me in the party mood, it is laid back, it is deep, and yet also refreshing. While it can seem repetitive, I never the less enjoy what she's bringing to the music scene.

Top Tracks from 'Born to Die'

1. Video Games
2. Born to Die
3. Blue Jeans
4. Summertime Sadness
5. Dark Paridise