T in the Park 2010

HERE WE, HERE WE, HERE WE FUCKING GO.
...Got to love the Scottish.

A lot of the time, when I visit a place for the first time, it's for music. For example, I'd never been to Manchester or Sheffield before, but just had to see Green Day. I'd never visited Birmingham until Machine Head were touring, and most recently, I went to Scotland for the very first time for their biggest music festival, T in the Park. So we arrived in Balado, leaving the rare Geordie sunshine in exchange for rain. I know I shouldn't of been, but I hold Leeds Festival close to my heart, and was comparing every little thing about T to it. First off, why is the walk so far from the drop of point to the campsite entrance? And it was badly organised, while queueing after a two hour walk a barrier collapsed and hundreds pushed in, sort it out T.

Now rain's not exactly idealistic weather to pitch a tent in to start, but try adding the most horrific cold ever and a stomping headache. Lovely. A nap and a bite to eat put us all in the right frame of mind to see some bands, 2010's line-up consisted of some of the greatest and most jaw-dropping acts around today. It is easily one of the most impressive line-ups of the year. And while standing in the cold, after having a quick flick through the programme, I remembered why I was so excited to be there.

Friday 9th July 2010.
To start the weekend off, we ventured to see a man who shares a name with the festival - Mr Jamie T. Just a straight up rock show with no strings attached, he never disappoints. Having seen Florence and the Machine at Leeds last year, and completely enjoying her performance, I was keen to see it again. However, she was shocking. Yes Florence we all know you can sing, and we all like your songs, so there's no need to wail for an hour. Had it not been for the two Glaswegian people teaching my friend and I Scottish slang, I'd of gone back to the tent. "Ah dunnae ken."

The Friday night headliners, Muse, are known for their spectacular and futuristic live shows. They are massive, and I'd never fully understood why. I do like them, I originally thought it was only a few songs - yet after seeing them, I realised I had heard, knew all the words to, and enjoyed most of their back catalogue. But wow. I was fully impressed, and spellbound by their performance. Matt Bellamy is a dynamic and electrifying front man. Their music sounds fantastic and the lighting and effects just make it a spectacle.

Saturday 10th July 2010.

Fun, poppy and summery are Vampire Weekend. If only the weather could have been the same. A-Punk still got the biggest cheer, despite every word to new album Contra being screamed back to the boys from the Big Apple . Everyone was dancing in the gloomy rain and mud to one of the most feel-good bands on the line-up, proof that us festival goers don't care about the forecast. Next up is one of Scotland's best, Paolo Nutini. Loved by almost everyone (including my grandparents in their 70s,) he takes to the stage to an explosion of screams and cheers. Girls think he's hot, Grandma's think he's cute and wish he was their grandson. Aww how nice? And despite not understanding a word the scotsman is saying (Scottish is pretty much another language to me, and that's why I love it) his songs are beautiful. His smile is reflected in the audience's face.

Taking the half an hour to forty minute break between Paolo and next act the Stereophonics, we decided to have a good old look round T's arena. Conclusion: it's huge. There's nine stages, the ones with the main stream acts, the ones with the up and coming, and the one to host traditional Scottish music. Honestly. Even if it is pretty much just a field, for a first time visitor this is a cultural experience. After a wander around the site, sitting on beds, eating chocolate cake and drinking tea, time had flew by. Believing we were late for Eminem, we headed back to the main stage, but there was no Eminem to be seen. HE WAS LATE. Late, to his first festival appearance since 2001.

A while later and he takes to the stage with his band D12. Although I'd never class myself as an Eminem fan, there's no denying his stage presence, performance and his impressive back catalogue. There are die hard fans enjoying his show as much as those who had nothing better to do, and that just proves how brilliant Slim Shady is. He plays his well known classics, comedic mess-abouts and moving heart-felts with equal passion and precision.

Sunday 11th July 2010.

Frank Turner's music is magical. So his live performance is clearly going to be amazing. He just plays. One man, his guitar and band - no extravagant lighting or backdrops, his songs make the show what it is. When people say music is art, this is the man they are talking about. And everyone at the stage knows it.

Having to stand through Skunk Anansie was the all time low point of T in the Park - beating rain, expensive food, warm cider and grotty toilets by miles. The reason for enduring this horrible band was to see The View, and it was worth it in the end. taking to the stage to a chant of "The View are on fire! these home-town heroes got straight into those songs we love. The View are better in Scotland than England... I put it down to patriotism. Also, I was on the BBC for The View! YES!

Time for a hero now, Peter Doherty and his band Babyshambles. With The Libertines reforming the following month for the Reading and Leeds festivals, Babyshambles have taken a back-seat somewhat, as Pete and Carl and John and Gary relight the fire. Non the less they were fantastic, giving the crowd an entertaining, and emotional set list.

Another Scottish band,Biffy Clyro are about to play the main stage. Like The View, this is something of a home gig and the scots are going mad for them. Their set is a timeline from the very firsts right up to tracks from latest album Only Revolutions.

It's not everyday that Leicester-natives Kasabian can say that jay-Z is supporting them, but today, this is true as the Jigga Man himself is playing next. He oozes cool, his swagger is like no other. Could anyone else in the world completely mess up a rap and get an overwhelming applause in return, then laugh about it? Probably not. His live show is electric. This is a BIG GIG, he is a BIG DEAL.
Kasbian are a fantastic live band, and a great way to end the weekend. The only downfall being I had to choose between them and Madness (who I heard were also fantastic.) The band have a vast back catalogue, yet the audience know the words inside and out - which is good as the sound isn't exactly brilliant. Kasabian can be summed up as a good live rock band. BUT! They're not the final act. No, no, no. It doesn't end here. There's a bagpipe player! Well I've never felt more English in my life, I don't know the words... In fact I didn't even know the song. But that's why I love the Scottish. Fireworks and bagpipes to end a great weekend.

Off home in the morning...

The Greatest Live Band In The World. Round Three.

"Now this is a fucking gathering!" Screams Billie Joe Armstong to 36,000 people as the sun still shines on a fine summer evening. It's around 7:50pm at Lancashire County Cricket Ground in Manchester, and the world's greatest live band, Green Day, have just took to the stage. Previously, Britain's very own punk/folk troubadour Frank Turner had played a beautiful half an hour set to a semi-full stadium, as punters begin to fill the largest venue he's ever performed to. Later, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstong will describe Mr Turner as "a fucking brilliant song writer." One can only imagine a complement from such an amazing musician, along with a personal invitation to support them on these two stadium shows will make Frank feel a little more than special - especially since he's used to playing pubs and small academies.

Frank delivers a live show unlike what you'd expect to support such an event. Armed with what appears to be only his acoustic guitar, Turner may seem a little small and irrelevant compared to the size of the stage, audience and headline act. However his inventory of impressive songs are not out of place. He won't sit down and he won't shut up - so you best all listen. It strikes me that Frank Turner is a man who'll play wherever he has a chance to. A man who holds his music so close to his heart that if busking were the only way that people could hear it, he'd be there on the street, putting in 100% and everything else he has. He's dedicated, and it shows.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts are the second and final support act to play. Although she was once considered a punk icon, her sound is more plain ol' rock n roll (but doesn't she love it!) than the earlier days of her musical career. 'I Love Rock and Roll' goes down well with the crowd, but I still think Frank Turner is better.

Green Day are fantastic. Just the greatest live band in the world - BAR NONE. Their setlist covers everything from the popular monumental ones such as "Basketcase," modern favourites like "American Idiot," and surprise covers including "Iron Man" and "Champagne Supernova."

As always the crowd are as much apart of the show as the band themselves. They frequently pull them up on stage to sing along. During "East Jesus Nowhere" Billie Joe picks out a little American girl to "save" in a mock religious ceremony. The girl's name is Alison, making the frontman serenade her with Elvis Costello's "Alison." (Fitting.)

Forty-three songs is an impressive setlist for any band, but Green Day wouldn't have it any other way. You really do get your money's worth when seeing this band live. People actually laugh at me for loving them as much as I do at the age of seventeen, but until you see them, until you experience them, you'll never understand. For me, this was round three, and still I can't put into words how amazing they are. Round four can't come soon enough.

Setlist:
Song of the Century
21st Century Breakdown
Know Your Enemy
East Jesus Nowhere
Alison (Elvis Costello cover)
Holiday
The Static Age
Give Me Novacaine
Are We The Waiting
St. Jimmy
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
2000 Light Years Away
Nice Guys Finish Last
Burnout
Coming Clean
Geek Stink Breath
86
Hitchin' A Ride
Master Of Puppets (Metallica cover)
Welcome To Paradise
When I Come Around
Iron Man (Black Sabbath cover)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N' Roses cover)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
Brain Stew
Jaded
Longview
Basket Case
She
King For A Day
Shout (The Isley Brothers cover)
Shout /Teenage Kicks / (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction / Champagne Supernova / Hey Jude
21 Guns
Minority

Encore:
American Idiot
Jesus Of Suburbia

Encore 2:
When It's Time
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Winston ♥

I'm going to drift away from the usual music topic of my blog, just so I can tell you about my lovely puppy Winston.
He's adorable and I love him.

The Sound of The King Blues

The King Blues with Mouthwash, Moral Dilemma and The Meow Meows. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne O2 Academy 2. 13th April 2010.

Years since their last show in Newcastle, The King Blues returned last night as part of their first ever headline tour. Playing at Academy 2 - a more intimate, upstairs section of the O2 Academy with a capacity of only four hundred - they were welcomed to what must have been a sell out crowd, who by-passed the celtic punk group Dropkick Murphys in favour of the Londoners.

First up on the tiny stage were Brighton native, eight-piece The Meow Meows. Delivering only what can be described as a short set of sunshine, the room became a bubble of happiness. Mixing ska, rock, pop, and just about everything else, this greatly unknown band made their mark on the dancing, bouncing audience. They opened the evening perfectly.

Things got a little more heavy when Moral Dilemma took the stage. Mohawk gelled and studs in place they oozed cool as they set up. A few songs in and it was clear they weren't happy with the sound guy, the vocals and drummer were too quiet for their standards and the frontman eventually resorted to asking mid set if he could "TURN IT THE FUCK UP PLEASE?" Although, the crowd were giving no signs of complaint. Circle pits and pogoing erupted as the punk/hardcore/metal fused on stage. There's no denying the band's talent. Every note, every chord, every beat was precise. Fast fingers and hands with a hell of a lot of attitude. A song about police brutality raised the extremely unfortunate incident of Ian Tomlinson and everyone in the venue either raised their drinks or applauded as a mark of respect.

The final support came from Mouthwash. A fantastic ska (mixed with) hip hop (mixed with) punk style band, who like The King Blues wave the flag for London and everything that entails. Although being around for near enough fifteen years, and despite their musical genius, they seem like the kind of lads who could be your mates. A band to drink to, be merry and just have a good time. Friendships came to mind as frontman Nipa Fry sings "aslong as you're around me I got no fear" - this band could just become the soundtrack to the summer.


Next up are the band everyone came for. It's not the first time we'd seen them that night, they'd been in the side lines watching all three support acts, and even came up on stage to sing and dance along with Mouthwash. The King Blues first song got everyone's adrenaline pumping as Intro from first album Under The Fog lead into Blood on my Hands - a hard hitting anti-establishment anthem. Let's Hang the Landlord describes frontman Itch's life as a teenager, he sings about the rough time he went through, selling The Big Issue while living on the streets in the most cheerful way possible. "This ain't no sob story, so don't reach for the tissue" he chants and 400 people scream it back to him. The story the lyrics tell see a young Itch enter a squat where he and his comrades would get up to all kinds of mischief, charging tourists a pound for a photograph, blagging their way into gigs and so on. It's a feel good song proving that every cloud has a silver lining.

After new song Kissing Frogs, the opening to very first single Mr Music Man receives a hearty response as the reggae feeling tune continues. The crowd knows every word by heart - the dedication is almost visible - and it's obvious that all those years with no Newcastle KB gigs were a sad time for geordie fans. Headbutt is the new song which more people know, what with both Mike Davies and Zane Lowe from Radio 1 giving it generous air time. Never the less, Itch goes through the chorus, "the lyrics go 'when she kissed me if felt like a headbutt' " he said, "so when I say 'it felt like a' you say.." "HEADBUTT!" The crowd know their stuff.


But the main feeling is always love. The band give a short talk on how there are groups such as the BNP which deliver a message of hate, and have racist, fascist views - groups which we will stand against. "Although I know anyone clever enough to buy a ticket to one of our gigs would be clever enough to know these people are not ones we want representing us." Itch says to which cheers are the response. Both band and audience know that the BNP have a so called ideology which should of been abolished in the previous millennium, they both know that they are a group who feed on fear and manipulate innocent people. And so I Got Love was welcomed to screams and cheers, the crowd yet again reciting every word in perfect unison.

The samba style song The Streets are Ours got everyone in a revolutionary mood before slowing down the set with Out of Luck and Underneath this Lamppost Light, a tale of love in the capital. Following are more songs of camaraderie, friendship and love with My Boulder and Save the World, get the Girl. As always, the band have giving this evening their all.

The encore was greatly needed, as the audience clearly hadn't been prescribed the full dosage required. Itch came on stage to recite an empowering poem about women entitled Five Bottles of Shampoo, before stating, "We've just realised that it's been so long since we were in Newcastle, that we should of played more old ones." He laughs, "So if you can put up with one more poem...?" It was What if Punk Never Happened? a poem present on the band's second album. A poem to describe what life would be like if punk wasn't around, how corporation had taken over, made the poor even poorer, taken away civil liberties, "they made them carry ID cards to state where their from, a if by being born they had done something wrong." the poem has a motivational end, "don't let anyone tell you you've got to give in, cos you can make a difference, you can change everything."
The King Blues are possibly the most inspiring and uplifting band to emerge since punk began.

SUMMER TWO THOUSAND AND TEN.

How excited can a person get? Part one of the Reading & Leeds line-up made me speechless, a very hard challenge for anyone. They've outdone themselves. Everyone's raving about The Libertines, and yes I do love them, but come on! Blink 182 to headline! I'm smiling from ear to ear.

Cast your mind back to 1999, the ever hilarious Blink 182 released "All the Small Things" and even at the age of seven, I knew they were brilliant. Then in 2004/2005 (whatever it was) when I heard they were splitting up, I actually cried. Ahh Blink and your funny faces, the songs about sex, shit and the girl at the rock show, you made my childhood. And now they're back, at a festival I am attending. The line-up is great, but even if it were terrible, I'd endure it all for Blink 182, San Diego heroes and quite possibly the only band we've heard of who can say Green Day supported them.

T in the Park should be pretty good too, although I've heard it's a pain to get to. Looking forward to seeing Kasabian and Jay-Z, but whoever they've got playing, it'll have nothing on Blink 182... Or The Libertines. Back in August last year I created a post, clearly stating the rules of a Libs reunion. Guess someone saw it as Pete, Carl, Gary and John are together. No missing old members, no new members - just the way we wanted it to be.

Summer's going to be amazing. I can feel it, shame about all the exams really.

Music Fans = Musicians Everything.

The headline should pretty much sum it up - and it sounds obvious. Without their fans, bands and musicians wouldn't get very far in their career. As a music fan, you keep the artist in demand, you're the one who attends their gigs, you're amongst the many buying their CDs and you're the chump who'll spend fifteen quid on a T-shirt you could of made better yourself. (But yes, this is my favourite tee and yes, I'll wear it till it rips.)

With twitter you can send a message to your favourite musician and they can reply, should they want to. Every so often there's 'meet and greet' sessions like the ones HMV host or the NME signing tent at Reading and Leeds. NOTE: When meeting 'love-metal' band HIM in HMV many, many years ago the singer was an ignorant git. When meeting MGMT in the NME signing tent, Leeds Festival 2008, both Andrew and Ben were very nice and friendly. Most music fans would agree that when a band hangs round after a concert, stops and says "hello," snaps a picture or signs your ticket, it gives you a fantastic buzz that no amount of sugar - or drug of choice - can. The annoyance you feel towards the flying booze inside the venue, (cider hurts when it gets in your eyes) or the pouring rain outside just disappears. A feeling of comfort and bliss wraps your cold, wet body and things seem brighter. It may seem silly to the indifferent or uninterested, but for the die-hard, the dedicated and the right out obsessed, it's these little experiences which reassure us fans that the bands we love actually give a shit. That they acknowledge our existence, yes that's us down the front getting our ribs smashed by the steel barrier. Yes that's us who save up X number of pounds just to see and hear you while being in the same room.

As a music fan it makes me angry when I hear about rude bands who ignore their fans while they wait outside a venue... Or when a musician is accepting their award for whatever and they thank everyone - but the fans. It sounds predictable, and may be that's why bands sometimes don't thank us, yet it needs to be said. As much as I dislike Lady Gaga, I read that she bought pizza for her fans who standing in line for one of her concerts - that's lovely, heartwarming in fact.

Coming up next month is one of my favourite bands UK tour. The King Blues. And I've decided to cancel a holiday to Gibraltar to go and see them instead. (Please realise I decided to cancel after booking the tickets, hello cancellation fee.) That's dedication, I've got nothing but love for music, and there are so many people just like me in that respect.

ANOTHER NOTE: Jamie Jazz, guitarist of The King Blues actually replied to me on twitter when I mentioned my holiday cancellation. Acknowledging Bands + Fans = Happiness all round. Watch this space for my review of the gig! Haha.

What a Yawnfest.

For whatever reason, new music seems to be a little 'hit and miss' to me. Obviously there are a few exceptions (Mumford and Sons are such a good band). But as a whole, fresh artists should take note: variation is a very good thing.

With all new music sounding so sickeningly similar, it feels as though you're at the pick 'n' mix in Woolies with nothing but a lemon or strawberry bon-bon to choose from... Nice, yet extremely alike, there's just something missing. La Roux, Delphic, Ellie Goulding, even Marina and the Diamonds with her Kate Bush style vocal all sound the same or there about. Now, although I understand that this genre of (dominantly) female-lead synth pop may be popular, it's just not something I find too appealing.Perhaps I'm just a little old fashioned and prefer bands. Real bands with guitars, percussion, bass - throw in a ukulele or a harp, just minimal synthesiser please.

Oh and well done La Roux for winning Best Dance Floor Filler at the NME Awards the other week, must be a great feeling to win an award because of a remix and not the original version of that terrible song. So, I'll correct myself. Well done Skream.

Music NEEDS a Venue.

I feel down. I feel sad, and this post - which is arguably a memoir - is driven more by my feelings and emotion than any other post I've ever wrote. I remember in 2005 when I visited New York City. It was October and it was very cold. If you know anything about the history of some of the greatest bands in the world (Ramones, Blondie, Misfits to name a few) you'll know about CBGB and OMFUG. At the age of twelve, I knew I had to see it. The musical mecca.

Obviously, being tourists, my parents and I didn't really have any idea where 315 Bowery was located. But I forced my Dad to drive around the alien streets in search of finding such an iconic place. Eventually, I spotted it. Needle in the haystack. The white awning oddly already so familiar to me, despite this being my first (and so far only) visit to the Bowery.

We popped our heads in the door as a few guys were hustling up and down past the bar carrying amps and mic stands - I couldn't help but smile. The smell of booze, stale sweat, puke and piss filled my nostrils; not unbearably, but most would be uncomfortable yet I felt like I was in my element, I wanted to stay forever. This was the aroma of a real venue. We turned to a man with long hair and chunky black glasses sitting at a computer by the entrance. "Hi," I timidly began, "We're English tourists who are huge fans of this place, would you mind if we had a little look around?"
"Oh yeah, go ahead." He replied, smiling broadly, "Yeah of course, come in!" The rest of the staff smiled and said hi as I looked left, right, up, down and any which way I physically could. I was in awe, shocked that I was actually here. I was in the same room where so many sensationally incredible and inspiring bands and artists had once been. Where icons like Joey Ramone or Debbie Harry had sang, laughed, and most importantly, made the history which silly kids from Newcastle wished they'd been apart of.

It was more than I expected it to be. Small, yet not cramped, important, yet not pompous. It felt homely, cozy and comfortable. There was graffiti covering every available space, posters pasted to the walls and then I saw the best bit... The tiny, legendary stage of Country Blue Grass & Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers. (Yes, that's what CBGB and OMFUG stands for.)


On the stage were the two men who were bringing in equipment at the same time as we made our appearance. As it turned out, they were two out of three members of the band TON who were performing that night. We got talking to them and they gave us some free CDs, took some photos and then we left.

It wasn't exactly a long visit, and obviously I've not see a live band at CBGB, but it was worth it, worth my whole trip to New York. I've been there. I saw it, smelt it and felt it. I'm content to just say that I've walked through it's doors, sat on a bar stool and stood on the stage. This a memory which I hold dearly because music is so important to me and some bands which started at CBGB are some of my favourites. Visiting the Bowery was such a breath-taking and monumental moment for me, I'm surprised I can partly articulate how I feel. Basically, from what I remember, for the extremely short time I was inside the club, I was possibly the happiest person who is resident to the Milky Way.


Live music is something which will always be close at hand, and the best live music is that which is shared. I personally wouldn't know what to do if I was told that I could never go to a gig again, and I know that there are hundreds of others who feel the same. So a few months after my trip to CBGB, I read that owner Hilly Kristal was in a spot of bother with back rent. ($91,000 to get into financial detail,) and therefore the club may be forced to close... And it did. On 15th October 2006 CBGB closed it's doors for the last time. Goodbye to the music, only your memories may remain.

It's such a historical place. In it's thirty-three years of existence, it's been host to some of the finest musical talent in the world. Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Bad Brains, Misfits, Agnostic Front, Murphy's Law... I could go on. It's sad that it's no longer here, in it's place sits a high-end men's fashion store. Standing on top of the fallen club, a prime example of the corporate millionaire fat cat. Oh, how very punk rock.

Music NEEDS a venue. No matter how nice your shirts are Mr John Varvatos, you can never replace our favourite one.