Does exactly what it says on the tin: The best singles of 2011.
Cold War Kids - Royal Blue (Cooperative Music)//Cold War Kids returned with their third album Mine Is Yours in February, and the standout track from that record was this scorcher. Nathan Willett's soaring vocals mixed in with groovy basslines and hand-clapping percussions, showed the Kids at their damned good best.
The Horrors - Still Life (XL)//The Southend band's transition from goth rock to shoegaze continued in 2011, with their critically accliamed ablum Skying. The atmospheric basslines are evident of Joy Division influences, plus the dream pop vocals of Faris Badwan will help you drift off into the sunset.
Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down, 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair (Domino)//The Sheffield band dropped the casual lad rock to a deeper grunge/psychedelia sound for their fourth album, Suck It and See. Alice In Chains would be proud of those kind of basslines that Nick O'Malley sported in this song. A definite return to form after the mixed Humbug.
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks (Columbia)//You couldn't escape this song in the summer. After being used in a mobile commercial, the LA trio scored the catchiest hit of the year, with the re-release of "Pumped up Kicks." Despite it's catchy chorus and dancefloor vibe, the song had much darker connotations, written from the point of view of a high schooler wanting to go on a killing spree. Yikes.
The Antlers - I Don't Want Love (Transgressive Records)//From it's opening chords, you can feel the tears beginning to fall and this track doesn't get any happier after that. Peter Silberman's voice will break your heart, yet remains beautiful and poignant. A great song that makes you look back on past regrets.
The Black Keys - Little Black Submarines (Nonesuch)//The Akron duo's El Camino became an eleventh hour contender to the "album of the year" ranks. With tracks such as this, you can see why. Starting off with a "Stairway to Heaven"-style riff, the blues rock number gradually builds up pace and noise levels, before launching into a psychedelica-garage rock chorus and excellent solo from Dan Auerbach.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Seen It>>Smashing Pumpkins at Brixton Academy - 16.11.2011
Billy Corgan and the new Smashing Pumpkins ensemble - consisting of guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Nicole Fiorentino and drummer Mike Byrne - descended onto London for the second night at Brixton Academy, for an intimate UK tour of new material and old favourites. The majority of the crowd seemed to be young adults and teenagers getting their first taste of the Pumpkins and the line up didn’t seem to bother anyone. For the first time since the original line up, it seems that the Smashing Pumpkins have a sound that gels incredibly well together and the craftsmanship they process is one of a band who have been together for years, not just a matter of months.
The one complaint seemed to stem from the lack of big singles -”Today”, “Disarm”, “1979” and others were missing - which was exactly why this was a show for the most ardent of Pumpkins fans. B-sides from the album Pisces Iscariot, “Starla” and “Frail and Bedazzled”, made the setlist along with Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness tracks, “Muzzle” and “Thru the Eyes of Ruby”, and Siamese Dream’s “Geek U.S.A”, “Soma” and “Silverfuck.” Even at 44, the older and still balder Corgan showed he could still handle the long and pounding solos, shredding the shit out of the guitar at every opportunity. New songs from upcoming album Oceania and online album Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, included “Quasar”, “Panopticon”, “Lightning Strikes”, “Oceania”, “Pinwheels” and “Pale Horse.” The songs’ blend between heavy guitars riffs and long solos, prog rock and shoegaze, dream pop was the typical mixture of genres that the Smashing Pumpkins became known for.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest cheers of the night came for the singles, “Siva,” “Cherub Rock”, “Zero” and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings.” However, undoubtedly the highlight of the night was the surprise inclusion of “Tonight, Tonight” into the setlist, the only time on this current tour that it was performed. It drew the biggest singalong of the night, drawing some passionate screaming with arms aloft and, played even without the orchestra, remained as beautiful and poignant as always. The transition from “Thru the Eyes of Ruby” (which included an extract of “I Am One”) to “Cherub Rock”, into “Tonight, Tonight” and “For Martha”, was an excellent showcase of the band’s altering back catalogue, from head banging and air guitar grunge to moving and delicate singalongs. It was the prefect way to send the audience home happy.
They returned after the encore, covering “Stephen” by Gene Loves Jezebel along with two of the band members, before the audience got what they were waiting for; the angry, fist pumping anthems “Zero” and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”, which were full of sweaty mosh pits and teenage angst.
A beaming and grinning Billy Corgan even had time at the end for a bit of US v UK banter with the crowd. Much like Corgan and the rest of the band, the crowd left with grins across their faces. A fine welcome back to the UK for the Pumpkins and a great send off at the same time.
Setlist:
Quasar
Panopticon
Starla
Geek U.S.A
Muzzle
Window Paine
Lightning Strikes
Soma
Siva
Oceania
Frail and Bedazzled
Silverfuck
Pinwheels
Pale Horse
Thru the Eyes of Ruby (plus I am One)
Cherub Rock
Tonight, Tonight
For Martha
Encore:
Stephen (Gene Loves Jezebel cover)
Zero
Bullet With Butterfly Wings
The one complaint seemed to stem from the lack of big singles -”Today”, “Disarm”, “1979” and others were missing - which was exactly why this was a show for the most ardent of Pumpkins fans. B-sides from the album Pisces Iscariot, “Starla” and “Frail and Bedazzled”, made the setlist along with Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness tracks, “Muzzle” and “Thru the Eyes of Ruby”, and Siamese Dream’s “Geek U.S.A”, “Soma” and “Silverfuck.” Even at 44, the older and still balder Corgan showed he could still handle the long and pounding solos, shredding the shit out of the guitar at every opportunity. New songs from upcoming album Oceania and online album Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, included “Quasar”, “Panopticon”, “Lightning Strikes”, “Oceania”, “Pinwheels” and “Pale Horse.” The songs’ blend between heavy guitars riffs and long solos, prog rock and shoegaze, dream pop was the typical mixture of genres that the Smashing Pumpkins became known for.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest cheers of the night came for the singles, “Siva,” “Cherub Rock”, “Zero” and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings.” However, undoubtedly the highlight of the night was the surprise inclusion of “Tonight, Tonight” into the setlist, the only time on this current tour that it was performed. It drew the biggest singalong of the night, drawing some passionate screaming with arms aloft and, played even without the orchestra, remained as beautiful and poignant as always. The transition from “Thru the Eyes of Ruby” (which included an extract of “I Am One”) to “Cherub Rock”, into “Tonight, Tonight” and “For Martha”, was an excellent showcase of the band’s altering back catalogue, from head banging and air guitar grunge to moving and delicate singalongs. It was the prefect way to send the audience home happy.
They returned after the encore, covering “Stephen” by Gene Loves Jezebel along with two of the band members, before the audience got what they were waiting for; the angry, fist pumping anthems “Zero” and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”, which were full of sweaty mosh pits and teenage angst.
A beaming and grinning Billy Corgan even had time at the end for a bit of US v UK banter with the crowd. Much like Corgan and the rest of the band, the crowd left with grins across their faces. A fine welcome back to the UK for the Pumpkins and a great send off at the same time.
Setlist:
Quasar
Panopticon
Starla
Geek U.S.A
Muzzle
Window Paine
Lightning Strikes
Soma
Siva
Oceania
Frail and Bedazzled
Silverfuck
Pinwheels
Pale Horse
Thru the Eyes of Ruby (plus I am One)
Cherub Rock
Tonight, Tonight
For Martha
Encore:
Stephen (Gene Loves Jezebel cover)
Zero
Bullet With Butterfly Wings
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Seen It>>Jeff the Brotherhood - The Lexington 14.11.2011
Nashville’s Jeff the Brotherhood, a pair of brothers (though none are called Jeff), descended onto London’s The Lexington as part of the mini-European tour. The duo have been garnering mass critical praise in the last couple of years, thanks to albums Heavy Days and We Are The Champions.
Jake (guitar, vocals) and Jamin (drums), who were both former members of Be Your Own Pet, brought along their Southern-fried psychedelic punk rock anthems, which have seen them be compared to the likes of The Black Keys, Weezer, The Ramones and Sonic Youth.
Jake’s guitar may have only had three strings, but that didn’t stop him from belting out Prog drones such as “Heavy Days”, “Shredder“, “Heavy Krishna” and “Hey Friend.” Meanwhile opener “Bone Jam”, with its danceable grooves and ‘wooos’, helped get the crowd involved from the off. Jake was busy modelling the porno moustache look that Caleb Followill had sported in the Youth & Young Manhood days and his frequent dash into the crowd saw him go missing on occasions. Jamin brought along a torch light and was busy waving it around, while drumming one handed to closer “U Got The Look.” His pounding drum beats add a heavier touch to the bands sound. Their drum kit, which had sported the name “Jeffro Tull” was nowhere to be seen, as their equipment had been stolen in July.
The crowd had been headbanging constantly all night, but it looked as though this gig was an introduction to the band, rather than a crowd of fans. It looked as though they were here to see the excitement and hype behind the band. All in all, it was a great introduction for the band to make and a relentless surge of energy on stage, which transpired back onto the crowd.
Jake (guitar, vocals) and Jamin (drums), who were both former members of Be Your Own Pet, brought along their Southern-fried psychedelic punk rock anthems, which have seen them be compared to the likes of The Black Keys, Weezer, The Ramones and Sonic Youth.
Jake’s guitar may have only had three strings, but that didn’t stop him from belting out Prog drones such as “Heavy Days”, “Shredder“, “Heavy Krishna” and “Hey Friend.” Meanwhile opener “Bone Jam”, with its danceable grooves and ‘wooos’, helped get the crowd involved from the off. Jake was busy modelling the porno moustache look that Caleb Followill had sported in the Youth & Young Manhood days and his frequent dash into the crowd saw him go missing on occasions. Jamin brought along a torch light and was busy waving it around, while drumming one handed to closer “U Got The Look.” His pounding drum beats add a heavier touch to the bands sound. Their drum kit, which had sported the name “Jeffro Tull” was nowhere to be seen, as their equipment had been stolen in July.
The crowd had been headbanging constantly all night, but it looked as though this gig was an introduction to the band, rather than a crowd of fans. It looked as though they were here to see the excitement and hype behind the band. All in all, it was a great introduction for the band to make and a relentless surge of energy on stage, which transpired back onto the crowd.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Seen It>>Reading Festival - Sunday 28.8.2011
12.45-13.25//Fucked Up//The Canadian art-punk band brought their anthems to the NME stage for an early afternoon slot. Frontman Pink Eyes even managed to break his microphone in amidst the circle pits and the moshing crowd.
14.05-14.20//Frank Turner//The singer-songwriter has built up a cult audience at Reading following his 5-year consecutive span at the festival. The former Million Dead frontman had been upgraded to Main Stage this year and his legion of fans joined him by singing along to his plethora of tunes, such as "I am Disappeared" and set-closer "Photosynthesis."
14.35-15.20//Cage the Elephant//The Kentucky quintet were up for causing hell on the NME stage, bringing their alt-grunge tunes back to Reading, including "In One Ear", "Back Against the Wall", "Ain't No Rest fr the Wicked" and "Shake Me Down." Matt Schultz, vocalist of the band, went into the crowd and disappeared for ages, before returning and then being knocked out by a crowd-surfer and resurfacing again at the end. Bonkers, but brilliant.
16.45-17.30//Warpaint//The Los Angeles all-girl four-piece played a lazy Sunday afternoon set on the NME stage. The drug-fueled anthems such as "Elephants", "Warpaint" and "Undertow" had the crowd in raptures, whilst it was hard not to space out during the set thanks to some odd smells.
17.50-18.20//Hot Water Music//Chuck Ragan and co returned to the Lock Up stage, after a long hiatus. Launching into "Remedy" had the mosh pits already forming, whilst the band later covered The Bouncing Souls' "True Believers."
18.35-19.30//Interpol//The New York-based band returned to Reading after an absence of four years, but this time returned without mesmeric bassist Carlos D. However, even without him, Paul Banks and co gave another solid performance to the crowd, including songs such as "Evil", "Slow Hands, "C'Mere" and "Obstacle 1." The only downside being fashion-conscious Banks' odd choice of Adidas jacket, black trousers and sunglasses.
19.00-19.45//Death From Above 1979//The re-formed duo from Toronto were back on the Line Up for the first time in six years. A nasty clash with Interpol, unfortunately meant a loss of some of their set. However the crowd were rowdy for the duo's electro-punk anthems, including "Blood On Our Hands" and "Romantic Rights."
20.00-20.50//Frank Tuner (Special Guests)//The biggest kept 'secret' at Reading 2011, was in fact the special guest on the Lock Up stage, was another set by Frank Turner. His army of fanaticals were treated to his back catalogue alongside a cover of Queen's "Somebody to Love" which was the festivals biggest singalong of the weekend.
21.10-22.00//Flogging Molly//The Celtic-Punk band were the penultimate band of the weekend on the Lock Up and they sure as hell made it so the party continued. "Seven Deadly Sins", "Drunker Lullabies" and "Float", drew the usual casual and drunken attempts at Irish jigging, inside a packed crowd.
22.30-23.30//Descendents//The Californian pop-punk legends closed the festival on Sunday and were the Lock Up stage's headliners. A somewhat small crowd, competing against Muse's 'Origin of Symmetry' set, were delighted and bellowing out every word of the band's set, including "I'm the One", "Everything Sux" and "I'm Not A Loser." A giddy Milo even fell off the stage a couple of times, but was quick back to his feet.
14.05-14.20//Frank Turner//The singer-songwriter has built up a cult audience at Reading following his 5-year consecutive span at the festival. The former Million Dead frontman had been upgraded to Main Stage this year and his legion of fans joined him by singing along to his plethora of tunes, such as "I am Disappeared" and set-closer "Photosynthesis."
14.35-15.20//Cage the Elephant//The Kentucky quintet were up for causing hell on the NME stage, bringing their alt-grunge tunes back to Reading, including "In One Ear", "Back Against the Wall", "Ain't No Rest fr the Wicked" and "Shake Me Down." Matt Schultz, vocalist of the band, went into the crowd and disappeared for ages, before returning and then being knocked out by a crowd-surfer and resurfacing again at the end. Bonkers, but brilliant.
16.45-17.30//Warpaint//The Los Angeles all-girl four-piece played a lazy Sunday afternoon set on the NME stage. The drug-fueled anthems such as "Elephants", "Warpaint" and "Undertow" had the crowd in raptures, whilst it was hard not to space out during the set thanks to some odd smells.
17.50-18.20//Hot Water Music//Chuck Ragan and co returned to the Lock Up stage, after a long hiatus. Launching into "Remedy" had the mosh pits already forming, whilst the band later covered The Bouncing Souls' "True Believers."
18.35-19.30//Interpol//The New York-based band returned to Reading after an absence of four years, but this time returned without mesmeric bassist Carlos D. However, even without him, Paul Banks and co gave another solid performance to the crowd, including songs such as "Evil", "Slow Hands, "C'Mere" and "Obstacle 1." The only downside being fashion-conscious Banks' odd choice of Adidas jacket, black trousers and sunglasses.
19.00-19.45//Death From Above 1979//The re-formed duo from Toronto were back on the Line Up for the first time in six years. A nasty clash with Interpol, unfortunately meant a loss of some of their set. However the crowd were rowdy for the duo's electro-punk anthems, including "Blood On Our Hands" and "Romantic Rights."
20.00-20.50//Frank Tuner (Special Guests)//The biggest kept 'secret' at Reading 2011, was in fact the special guest on the Lock Up stage, was another set by Frank Turner. His army of fanaticals were treated to his back catalogue alongside a cover of Queen's "Somebody to Love" which was the festivals biggest singalong of the weekend.
21.10-22.00//Flogging Molly//The Celtic-Punk band were the penultimate band of the weekend on the Lock Up and they sure as hell made it so the party continued. "Seven Deadly Sins", "Drunker Lullabies" and "Float", drew the usual casual and drunken attempts at Irish jigging, inside a packed crowd.
22.30-23.30//Descendents//The Californian pop-punk legends closed the festival on Sunday and were the Lock Up stage's headliners. A somewhat small crowd, competing against Muse's 'Origin of Symmetry' set, were delighted and bellowing out every word of the band's set, including "I'm the One", "Everything Sux" and "I'm Not A Loser." A giddy Milo even fell off the stage a couple of times, but was quick back to his feet.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Seen It>>Reading Festival - Saturday 27.8.11
12.00-12.40//The Joy Formidable//The Welsh alternative rockers opened the Main Stage on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The trio launched into many tracks from their debut, "The Big Roar", including 'Austere' and 'Whirring.'
12.45-13.15//Title Fight//Pop punk from Kingston, Pennsylvania, the quartet were lively and had the mosh pits forming on the Lock Up stage.
13.50-14.35//Seasick Steve//The 70-year-old bluesman brought along his homemade guitars and instruments. Oakland, California's finest was joined on stage by Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones, joined by a backup drummer, and the trio created old-fashioned and enjoyable blues on a sunny Main Stage. Props go to the drummer and his broom.
14.55-15.35//OFWGKTA//The hip-hop collective from California, were greeted by a large and insane NME crowd, playing all sorts of hits from Tyler the Creator's 'Yonkers' to Earl Sweatshirt's 'Earl'. Sadly, an over-the-top bass interrupted the sound, and unless you were right at the front, it was hard to hear much.
15.45-16.20//Mariachi El Bronx//The band's usual hardcore five-piece were in action on the Lock Up, which meant a welcome return for the Mariachi side-project. They previewed songs from new album, self-titled "Mariachi El Bronx" (much like the first), alongside old favourites such as 'Cell Mates' and 'Slave Labor.'
17.25-18.15//Jimmy Eat World//The quartet from Arizona returned to Reading and the Main Stage, for the first time since 2007. The unleashed new tracks such as 'Coffee & Cigarettes', whilst launching old favourites including 'Bleed American', 'The Middle' and 'Sweetness', which drew one of the loudest singalongs of the festival.
18.45-19.45//The National//The Brooklyn-based five piece have slowly but deservedly worked their place into mainstream recognition, following a strewth of critically acclaimed albums, the last of which being 2010's "High Violet." Third from top on the Main Stage and a setting sun in the background, gave the perfect backdrop to the band's tales of loneliness, isolation and love. A fantastic performance saw tracks such as 'Abel', 'Fake Empire', 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and 'Terrible Love' given the applause they so richly deserved. The only down point was the rather small crowd that gathered to watch them in action.
20.00-20.50//The Bronx//Without the Mariachi suits this time, the Los Angeles quintet were a totally different experience this time around. Launching into straight-out hardcore punk on the prepared Lock Up crowd. Frontman Matt Caughthran disappeared into the crowd and the ensuing mosh pits, whilst screaming out the words to 'Knifeman', 'False Alarm' and 'The Kill Us All (Without Mercy).'
22.30-23.30//The Mighty Mighty Bosstones//Following Jane's Addiction cancelled headline performance on the NME, it was going to be hard to be cheered up. However, the ska punk legends and Lock Up headliners were a great alternative. The Boston based 8 piece had the crowd skanking along to old favourites such as 'Where'd You Go?', 'The Rascal King' and 'The Impression That I Get.' A great way to end the penultimate night, with many crowd members leaving the gig with large grins etched across their faces.
12.45-13.15//Title Fight//Pop punk from Kingston, Pennsylvania, the quartet were lively and had the mosh pits forming on the Lock Up stage.
13.50-14.35//Seasick Steve//The 70-year-old bluesman brought along his homemade guitars and instruments. Oakland, California's finest was joined on stage by Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones, joined by a backup drummer, and the trio created old-fashioned and enjoyable blues on a sunny Main Stage. Props go to the drummer and his broom.
14.55-15.35//OFWGKTA//The hip-hop collective from California, were greeted by a large and insane NME crowd, playing all sorts of hits from Tyler the Creator's 'Yonkers' to Earl Sweatshirt's 'Earl'. Sadly, an over-the-top bass interrupted the sound, and unless you were right at the front, it was hard to hear much.
15.45-16.20//Mariachi El Bronx//The band's usual hardcore five-piece were in action on the Lock Up, which meant a welcome return for the Mariachi side-project. They previewed songs from new album, self-titled "Mariachi El Bronx" (much like the first), alongside old favourites such as 'Cell Mates' and 'Slave Labor.'
17.25-18.15//Jimmy Eat World//The quartet from Arizona returned to Reading and the Main Stage, for the first time since 2007. The unleashed new tracks such as 'Coffee & Cigarettes', whilst launching old favourites including 'Bleed American', 'The Middle' and 'Sweetness', which drew one of the loudest singalongs of the festival.
18.45-19.45//The National//The Brooklyn-based five piece have slowly but deservedly worked their place into mainstream recognition, following a strewth of critically acclaimed albums, the last of which being 2010's "High Violet." Third from top on the Main Stage and a setting sun in the background, gave the perfect backdrop to the band's tales of loneliness, isolation and love. A fantastic performance saw tracks such as 'Abel', 'Fake Empire', 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and 'Terrible Love' given the applause they so richly deserved. The only down point was the rather small crowd that gathered to watch them in action.
20.00-20.50//The Bronx//Without the Mariachi suits this time, the Los Angeles quintet were a totally different experience this time around. Launching into straight-out hardcore punk on the prepared Lock Up crowd. Frontman Matt Caughthran disappeared into the crowd and the ensuing mosh pits, whilst screaming out the words to 'Knifeman', 'False Alarm' and 'The Kill Us All (Without Mercy).'
22.30-23.30//The Mighty Mighty Bosstones//Following Jane's Addiction cancelled headline performance on the NME, it was going to be hard to be cheered up. However, the ska punk legends and Lock Up headliners were a great alternative. The Boston based 8 piece had the crowd skanking along to old favourites such as 'Where'd You Go?', 'The Rascal King' and 'The Impression That I Get.' A great way to end the penultimate night, with many crowd members leaving the gig with large grins etched across their faces.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Seen It>> Reading Festival - Friday 26.8.2011
12.00-12.35//Pulled Apart By Horses//Opening proceedings on the new NME tent, were Leeds alternative rock quartet PABH. The boys played host to several tracks from their debut self-titled album, as well as launching new songs such as "Wolf Hand" and "Shake Off the Curse."
12.55-13.40//The Blackout//The Welsh post-hardcore rockers returned to the Berkshire festival, with a new album, "Hope", in tow. It was earlier tracks such as "Children of the Night" and "ShutTheFuck Uppercut" that had the teenage audience starting the circle pits. Vocalist Sean Smith also directed the crowd to throw mud at each other, which they did.
14.30-15.15//Mona//The Nashville, Tennessee based indie band made their Reading and Leeds debut in the NME tent. Their debut self-titled album borrows heavily from U2 and fellow Nashville band, Kings of Leon, but that didn't stop the crowd from singing along to tracks such as "Teenager" and "Listen to your Love."
15.45-16.20//Cerebral Ballzy//The New York punk band brought along bundles of attitude and spiky tunes from across the pond. The Brooklyn quintet were intent on tearing up the Festival Republic stage, which perhaps they could have done, had their songs been longer than 2 mins or so.
16.10-16.55//Rise Against/The Chicago punk band's set was beset by sound problems, cutting out the vocals of Tim McIlrath. However, their energetic Main Stage set included "Help is On the Way", "Prayer of the Refugee" and a Clash cover of "White Riot", inspired by the recent England riots.
17.20-18.15//Deftones//The Californian quartet returned to the festival, with another blinding set on the Main Stage. The mosh pits opened for "Back to School (Mini Maggit)", while frontman Chino Moreno entered the crowd and almost lost his shirt in the process. Moreno also dedicated "Minerva" to bassist Chi Cheng, who has been in a coma since a car accident in November 2008.
18.35-19.35//The Offspring//The Californian punks were back at Reading, for the first time since 2004. One of the best bookings on an overall weak line up, it's fair to say the majority of the crowd weren't too up for their set. However, a large mosh pit opened for "Come Out and Play (Keep 'em Separated)" and stayed open, until "Self Esteem" at the end. Unsurprisingly though, the somewhat subdued crowd truly awoken for party anthem "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)".
20.10-21.10//30 Seconds To Mars//Whether Jared Leto thought he was filming a movie or not is another thing, but the theatrical set from the LA trio was strange and an unwelcome sight to say the least. From Leto entering the stage from the floor, to singing their biggest hit (The Kill) all by himself acoustically, the set was always going to be dominated by Leto's ego, as opposed to watching the band perform. A complete waste of a sub-headline spot.
22.00-23.30//My Chemical Romance//The emo-rockers have much to prove for their headline appearance, given how criticised their booking had been. Playing a host of classic tracks that had the crowd singing along, "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", "Helena", "Teenagers" and "Welcome to the Black Parade", whilst a few bland songs from new album "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys" also made the cut. While the set was OK at best, and not the mediocre performance many were predicting/hoping for, it's fair to say, the majority of the crowd cheered once Brian May was announced on stage for the encore. A cover of "We Will Rock You" and the aforementioned, "Welcome to the Black Parade", rounded off the set and first day.
12.55-13.40//The Blackout//The Welsh post-hardcore rockers returned to the Berkshire festival, with a new album, "Hope", in tow. It was earlier tracks such as "Children of the Night" and "ShutTheFuck Uppercut" that had the teenage audience starting the circle pits. Vocalist Sean Smith also directed the crowd to throw mud at each other, which they did.
14.30-15.15//Mona//The Nashville, Tennessee based indie band made their Reading and Leeds debut in the NME tent. Their debut self-titled album borrows heavily from U2 and fellow Nashville band, Kings of Leon, but that didn't stop the crowd from singing along to tracks such as "Teenager" and "Listen to your Love."
15.45-16.20//Cerebral Ballzy//The New York punk band brought along bundles of attitude and spiky tunes from across the pond. The Brooklyn quintet were intent on tearing up the Festival Republic stage, which perhaps they could have done, had their songs been longer than 2 mins or so.
16.10-16.55//Rise Against/The Chicago punk band's set was beset by sound problems, cutting out the vocals of Tim McIlrath. However, their energetic Main Stage set included "Help is On the Way", "Prayer of the Refugee" and a Clash cover of "White Riot", inspired by the recent England riots.
17.20-18.15//Deftones//The Californian quartet returned to the festival, with another blinding set on the Main Stage. The mosh pits opened for "Back to School (Mini Maggit)", while frontman Chino Moreno entered the crowd and almost lost his shirt in the process. Moreno also dedicated "Minerva" to bassist Chi Cheng, who has been in a coma since a car accident in November 2008.
18.35-19.35//The Offspring//The Californian punks were back at Reading, for the first time since 2004. One of the best bookings on an overall weak line up, it's fair to say the majority of the crowd weren't too up for their set. However, a large mosh pit opened for "Come Out and Play (Keep 'em Separated)" and stayed open, until "Self Esteem" at the end. Unsurprisingly though, the somewhat subdued crowd truly awoken for party anthem "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)".
20.10-21.10//30 Seconds To Mars//Whether Jared Leto thought he was filming a movie or not is another thing, but the theatrical set from the LA trio was strange and an unwelcome sight to say the least. From Leto entering the stage from the floor, to singing their biggest hit (The Kill) all by himself acoustically, the set was always going to be dominated by Leto's ego, as opposed to watching the band perform. A complete waste of a sub-headline spot.
22.00-23.30//My Chemical Romance//The emo-rockers have much to prove for their headline appearance, given how criticised their booking had been. Playing a host of classic tracks that had the crowd singing along, "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", "Helena", "Teenagers" and "Welcome to the Black Parade", whilst a few bland songs from new album "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys" also made the cut. While the set was OK at best, and not the mediocre performance many were predicting/hoping for, it's fair to say, the majority of the crowd cheered once Brian May was announced on stage for the encore. A cover of "We Will Rock You" and the aforementioned, "Welcome to the Black Parade", rounded off the set and first day.
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Preview>>Reading and Leeds Festivals 2011
This summer's festival season has almost come to an end, meaning that Reading and Leeds is up next. The twin festival will be headlined by My Chemical Romance, The Strokes and Muse. This year's festival has come under criticism with regards to the line up and choice of headliners, with the festival failing to sell out for the first time in many years.
Headliners on the NME/Radio One stages are Liam Gallagher's new band 'Beady Eye', Los Angeles' Alternative legends 'Jane's Addiction' and Belgian electronic duo '2manyDJs', respectively. Britpop legends Pulp will perform under The Strokes at Reading, but will headline Leeds' version.
Also appearing over the three days are Elbow, Thirty Seconds To Mars, The Offspring, Interpol, The National, Madness, The Streets, Friendly Fires, Two Door Cinema Club, Deftones, Crystal Castles, White Lies, Death From Above 1979 and Frank Turner. The dance tent will be headlined by UNKLE Sounds, with ska troupe The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and pop-punk legends Descendents the Lock Up stage's headliners. The Horrors, The Midnight Beast and Peter Doherty will headlined the FR Stage, where new bands and bands with less mainstream appeal play.
The action will be covered by BBC3 and BBC Radio One from Friday at 7.
Headliners on the NME/Radio One stages are Liam Gallagher's new band 'Beady Eye', Los Angeles' Alternative legends 'Jane's Addiction' and Belgian electronic duo '2manyDJs', respectively. Britpop legends Pulp will perform under The Strokes at Reading, but will headline Leeds' version.
Also appearing over the three days are Elbow, Thirty Seconds To Mars, The Offspring, Interpol, The National, Madness, The Streets, Friendly Fires, Two Door Cinema Club, Deftones, Crystal Castles, White Lies, Death From Above 1979 and Frank Turner. The dance tent will be headlined by UNKLE Sounds, with ska troupe The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and pop-punk legends Descendents the Lock Up stage's headliners. The Horrors, The Midnight Beast and Peter Doherty will headlined the FR Stage, where new bands and bands with less mainstream appeal play.
The action will be covered by BBC3 and BBC Radio One from Friday at 7.
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