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Live Reviews

Beans On Toast

Three Wise Monkeys, Colchester

Friday 3rd December 2021

Beans On Toast

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BEANS ON TOAST – COLCHESTER – LIVE REVIEW

This is our first visit to Three Wise Monkeys in Colchester and we discover a fantastic little venue above the pub on a vibrant and Christmassy Friday night in the town centre. Our reason for visiting is cult folk singer Beans On Toast, as he hits the road to support new album, ‘Survival of the Friendliest’.

The support slots tonight from local singer Benjamin Brown and main tour support Kitty Liv sail by, which is a complement to both for their delightful performances.

Soon enough it’s time for the man himself to grace the intimate stage and for this tour he is joined by Liv, and Mystery Jets bassist Jack Flanagan to fill out his sound during portions of the set.

The first portion of the show sees the three-piece serenade the audience with a mixture of old and new tracks. New songs ‘A Beautiful Place’, ‘Blow Volcano Blow’ and ‘Not Everyone Thinks We’re Doomed’ take centre stage and showcase his wonderful new album ‘Survival of the Friendliest’.

Read our review of ‘Survival of the Friendliest’

As with all Beans On Toast shows, there are sing-a-longs galore with ‘Watching the World Go By’, ‘I’m Home When You Hold Me’ and ‘The War On War’ all coming early on. Soon its left for Beans alone to break out a number of favourites and rarities such as ‘A Whole Lot of Loving’ and ‘Peter Pan’s Playground’.

Towards the end of the night Liv and Flanagan return for another superb collaboration on songs such as ‘Humans’ and ‘Let’s Get Married Again’ from that new album.

At the end of his encore, Beans On Toast is joined on stage by long time friend and collaborator Frank Turner for ‘The Album of the Day’. A great treat for fans, and evidence that you should expect the unexpected at a Beans show.

A fantastic evening of songs, stories and laughs is closed out with ‘On & On’ which sees the main man backed by Flanagan, Liv and Turner for a truly spectacular finale. Tonight was just further evidence that Bean On Toast is an underground national treasure!

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Check out Episode 3 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with our guest Beans On Toast!

Audio Options here

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News Report

We roundup the best music news from the past week!

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

2000trees Festival gets bigger!

Welcome to another weekly News Report from Full Pelt Music. We start this week with a handful of 2022 festival line-up announcements and first up is this beauty from 2000trees Festival.

Added to the event this week were the likes of Dream State, Tigercub, Ginger Wildheart, ROAM, Never Not Nothing and WITCH FEVER.

They join the already announced IDLES, Jimmy Eat World, The Amazons, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Young Guns, Royal Republic, Lonely The Brave, Crossfaith, Vukovi, Bob Vylan, Beans On Toast, Will Varley, Press To MECO, Lauran Hibberd, Haggard Cat and so many more.

To be at the loaded event, you can grab your ticket here.

Check out The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Press To MECO ?

Bearded Theory announce more acts for 2022 Festival

Some of the best UK Festivals are the smaller independent variety that can feature real strength and depth in their line-ups. Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering was already looking packed, but this week they’ve added even more incredible acts!

New acts include Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, The Hives, Yonaka, Working Men’s Club, Billy Nomates, John, Do Nothing, Bob Vylan and Little Comets!

They join Placebo, The Flaming Lips, Patti Smith, The Mission, Shame, Peter Hook & The Light, Wilko Johnson, Ferocious Dog, Lauran Hibberd, The Ninth Wave, Nova Twins and more!

Grab your tickets here.

Read our review of Lost Evenings Festival

Boardmasters reveal 2022 line-up

Another festival revealing their 2022 line-up this week is Boardmasters. Headlining the surf and music event will be George Ezra, Disclosure and Kings of Leon!

They’ll be joined by the likes of Bastille, IDLES, Declan McKenna and Tom Grennan with hundreds more still to be announced.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of IDLES live in Kingston

BST add Eagles and Adele to 2022 bill

British Summer Time in Hyde Park has added two more superstar names to it’s 2022 bill this week. First it was announced Adele would perform two now sold out shows. It was then announced that the legendary Eagles will also perform the event.

They join already announced headliners Pearl Jam, Elton John and Duran Duran. Tickets for the shows are here.

Check out our Spotify Hot List!

Stereophonics to celebrate 20th anniversary of ‘Just Enough Education to Perform’

Our News Report moves onto tour announcements now and we start with a celebration from Stereophonics. The band will be playing some intimate ‘Just Enough Education to Perform’ shows to celebrate the albums 20th anniversary.

Any remaining tickets can be found here.

Listen to our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast

PVRIS announce UK return

Another tour announced this week will see the return to the UK of PVRIS for huge shows in Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.

Tickets are here.

Frank Turner debuts ‘Non Serviam’

Frank Turner – ‘Non Serviam’

New music now as our News Report continues. Ahead of his upcoming album, ‘FTHC’, Frank Turner this week debuted the latest track from the record, ‘Non Serviam’.

Check the song out above and pre-order the album here.

Watch Frank Turner on The Full Pelt Music Podcast ?

Nova Twins unveil ‘Antagonist’

Nova Twins – ‘Antagonist’

Nova Twins this week unveiled their latest track ‘Antagonist’, which you can check out above or here.

Read our review of Nova Twins with Bring Me The Horizon at O2 Arena

Blood Red Shoes debut ‘Morbid Fascination’

Blood Red Shoes – ‘Morbid Fascination’

Finally this week we conclude our News Report with the latest single from Blood Red Shoes. You can check out ‘Morbid Fascination’ above ahead of the release of their new album ‘Ghosts On Tape’ which arrives January 14th!

Pre-order the album here.

Read our review of ‘The Myth of the Happily Ever After’ from Biffy Clyro

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Read our review of Thumper live in Norwich

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Live Reviews

Lost Evenings

Roundhouse, Camden

Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th September 2021

Lost Evenings

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LOST EVENINGS – ROUNDHOUSE, CAMDEN – LIVE REVIEW

Few musicians command such a passionate and dedicated fanbase as Frank Turner does. Since 2017, he has held an annual pilgrimage known as Lost Evenings. 4 days of activities based on the man himself punctuated by 4 headline sets each offering something different.

Last years event in Berlin was cancelled for obvious reasons and with the world not out of the woods yet Turner has chosen to return to the spiritual home of the event, Camden.

Whilst the main event takes place at the legendary Roundhouse, the festival takes over most of Camden. There are multiple stages of music, pop up gigs, panels, tattoos and much more.

THURSDAY

So let’s start unpacking the events of Lost Evenings 4! The event commenced on Thursday for the solo show of the weekend. No Sleeping Souls (well, just one – Matt Nasir on mandolin), as Turner explores some of the hidden gems of his back catalogue.

There are two fantastic support slots on the main stage from Emily Barker and Grace Petrie. Two incredible musicians who both manage to grab the audience with both hands, each joining the other during their sets as they encapsulate the spirit of the event.

Throughout the weekend Beans on Toast acts as master of ceremonies introducing each act. Next he welcomes Turner for the first of four occasions!

Turner and Nasir proceed to serenade the partisan audience who relish the opportunity to hear a few lesser played numbers. Turner states that he will endeavour to repeat only a few songs over the weekend.

Thursday highlights include new single ‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’, the emotional ‘A Wave Across A Bay’, rarer numbers ‘Losing Days’, ‘Substitute’, ‘Tattoos’, ‘Josephine’ and special sing-a-long cover ‘Somebody To Love’ with Turner joined by Petrie and Barker. All in all a great way to start the festival.

FRIDAY

Friday sees Turner joined by his band The Sleeping Souls for a set billed as “the first three albums plus new songs”.

As far as support goes we start with the new – PET NEEDS. The young band from Colchester showcase tracks from their brilliant debut album including ‘Toothpaste’, ‘Pavlovian’ and ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’, which receive big reactions from the crowd.

Read our review of ‘Fractured Party Music’ from PET NEEDS

Next up it’s something old with longtime Turner contemporary Jamie Lenman joining the party. Given the theme of the evening you’d assume those in attendance would be aware of Turners hardcore past, but there are more than a few deer in headlights reactions to Lenman’s hard and heavy outing. It is however an excellent performance that ensures any first night hangovers are blown away.

It’s then Turner time again and tonight we get a carefully curated set of early favourites. Fans again get some rarer tracks from the vault including ‘Live Fast Die Old’, ‘Once We Were Anarchists’, ‘Back In The Day’, ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the One of Me’, ‘To Take You Home’, ‘Nashville Tennessee’, ‘Imperfect Tense’ and ‘Sons of Liberty’.

There is also a special section where fans get to hear three new songs from upcoming album ‘FTHC’ in the shape of ‘Non Serviam’, ‘Punches’ and ‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’ again.

Listen to ‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’ on our Spotify Hot List!

The night is rounded off by ‘I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous’, ‘Father’s Day’, ‘St. Christopher Is Coming Home’ and ‘Photosynthesis’ sending the crowd home happy.

SATURDAY

Saturday now and we first head to the Lock Tavern for an Xtra Mile Recordings takeover with special acoustic sets from PET NEEDS, BERRIES and Johnny Lloyd.

Both BERRIES and PET NEEDS play delightful sets to a packed room which go down very well. Sadly it is then announced that Johnny Lloyd is unable to make it. Thankfully master of ceremonies Beans On Toast is on hand to play an impromptu set.

As expected Beans On Toast has the audience in the palm of his hand as he regales them with tales and songs relating to Camden. A lovely afternoon that represents all that is great about Lost Evenings.

It’s very quickly time to head to the Roundhouse for round number three, which on Saturday sees Turner play his seminal album ‘England Keep My Bones’ in full.

Watch Frank Turner on Episode 1 of the Full Pelt Music Podcast!

Before we get there we have two more fantastic support acts. First up this evening is the highly entertaining The Lottery Winners. With their catchy songs and endearing onstage banter, the group are a delightful opening act.

Next the incredible Nova Twins take to the stage and initially elicit somewhat of the same response as Lenman the day before. However by the end of their set they have captured the imagination of the whole crowd. Nova Twins future is bright and on the evidence of tonight it shouldn’t be long before they are headlining venues this size.

The next may well be the most hotly anticipated performance of the entire weekend. The main man playing, in full, an album that catapulted his career and won a legion of fans. Those in attendance know that this will be special…

..And special it is! Not just said album in full but all accompanying b-sides and associated tracks. From the moment Turner takes to the stage and opens with ‘Sailors Boots’ the energy in the room of immense. This is only amplified when playing the likes of ‘I Am Disappeared’, ‘One Foot Before the Other’, ‘Peggy Sang The Blues’, ‘Redemption’ and ‘I Still Believe’.

Joined at times by string and horn sections the finale sees everything come together with ‘Eulogy’, ‘If Ever I Stray’ and ‘Glory Hallelujah’ delivering a memorable and worthy finale to the evening.

SUNDAY

The final day of the festival is billed as the greatest hits day. Turner who has kept to his promise to limit repeats, has held back some of his most loved songs. But first, Guise! Fronted by Jess Guise, the band do a great job warming up the crowd. They may be on home turf with Guise married to Turner, but it’s their music that earns the fans adoration come the end of their set.

Our last support act of the weekend is another band Turner fans are familiar with. Skinny Lister are possibly the perfect band to raise any tired spirits after a busy weekend. They bring the party, get the crowd moving and ensure the stage is set for Turner to close out the event in style

Read our review of Frank Turner live at Coda, Colchester

Tonight’s mission statement is clear from Turner – send the fans home happy. ‘Get Better’, ‘1933’ and ‘Little Changes’ kick off a set full of fan favourites.

In a well structured set list Turner includes some lesser played favourites such as ‘Thatcher Fucked The Kids’ and ‘Glorious You’. From start to finish he has the audience in the palm of his hand.

The encore of ‘The Ballad of Me and My Friends’, ‘Photosynthesis’, ‘Recovery’ and ‘Four Simple Words’ provides just the ending required to what has been another incredible weekend.

As we said at the start, not many artists could create and sell out a weekend like Lost Evenings, but Turner has built something very special and Lost Evenings 5 is surely in the pipeline already!

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Read our feature on the ‘Independent Venue Love’ series from Frank Turner

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News Report

We roundup the best music news from the past week!

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

Frank Turner announces new single, album and UK Tour

Frank Turner News Report

Welcome to another edition of our weekly News Report where we roundup the best music new from the past week including single, album and tour announcements.

This week one artist has ticked all three of those boxes, as Frank Turner begins the next era of his career. Turner has revealed that his new album, ‘FTHC’ will arrive February 11th. You can pre-order the album here.

Those that do pre-order will be given priority access to tickets for his ‘Never Ending Tour of Everywhere’! Yes Turner will play a staggering 29 date tour in early 2022, dates for which you can see above.

Finally, giving fans a sample of what’s to come, Turner has debuted his latest single, ‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’, which you can check out below.

For ticket and album details head here.

Frank Turner – ‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’

Check out Frank Turner on our Full Pelt Music Podcast

Primal Scream celebrate 30 years of ‘Screamadelica’

Primal Scream News Report

Continuing on the tour announcement front, Primal Scream this week announced plans to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ‘Screamadelica’. They will do this with a special tour and re-release of the album.

Tickets are here, and you can pre-order the album here.

Read our review of ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’ from Manic Street Preachers

Alice Cooper and The Cult announce UK Tour

Alice Cooper The Cult News Report

Two iconic rock acts will join forces for a UK Tour next spring, as Alice Cooper and The Cult announce an arena run starting in Swansea and finishing in Leeds.

Find tickets here.

Read our review of ‘The Cycle Repeats’ from Planet Fatale

Turbowolf announce special tour

Another anniversary tour announced this week will see Turbowolf celebrate 10 years of their debut album. The band will play shows in Bristol, Manchester and London this November where they will also preview some new music.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Royal Blood live at Norwich UEA

Bowling For Soup set for acoustic UK Tour

Jaret and Rob from Bowling For Soup will be heading to the UK this December for an intimate run of acoustic shows.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Pilot Festival

TRNSMT Festival unveils 2022 lineup

On to the Festival portion of our News Report and following a successful 2021 event, Glasgow’s TRNSMT has already revealed the first acts for the 2022 edition.

Taking place from 8th to 10th July, Glasgow Green will welcome The Strokes, Paolo Nutini, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Wolf Alice, Jimmy Eat World and The Snuts!

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Blue Weekend’ from Wolf Alice

Lytham Festival reveals stunning 2022 bill

Lytham Festival has revealed details for 2022 including the rescheduled 2021 dates. 2021 acts Diana Ross, Lewis Capaldi, Snow Patrol, Duran Duran and Lionel Richie will play Weekend 1.

Weekend 2 will include a date for The Strokes with guests Fontaines D.C. and a date featuring Tears For Fears, Alison Moyet and Natalie Imbruglia!

Tickets are here.

Listen to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Bring Me The Horizon debut ‘DiE4u’

Bring Me The Horizon – ‘DiE4u’

New music releases now as our News Report continues. First up is the new track from Bring Me The Horizon. Ahead of their upcoming UK Tour, the band this week debuted ‘DiE4u’ which you can check out above.

More ‘DiE4u’ listening options here.

Listen to ‘DiE4u’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Placebo return with first new single in 5 years!

Placebo – ‘Beautiful James’

Placebo returned this week with their first new single in 5 long years! You can check out ‘Beautiful James’ above. There are more listening options here.

Listen to ‘Beautiful James’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Dead Man’s Whiskey debut ‘Never Ever’

Dead Man’s Whiskey – ‘Never Ever’

Finally this week, new music from a great young band, Dead Man’s Whiskey. The band debuted ‘Never Ever’ this week ahead of the release of their EP ‘Breakout’ which you can pre-order here.

Check out our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast

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Read our review of ‘A Funeral For Youth’ from Miss Vincent

Categories
Live Reviews

Frank Turner

Coda, Colchester

Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th August 2021

Frank Turner Coda Colchester

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FRANK TURNER – CODA, COLCHESTER – LIVE REVIEW

Having already attended and reviewed the Download Pilot Festival and Seasick Steve since the reopening of the live music sector, we want to stop referencing the pandemic. The problem is that nights like the two that Frank Turner serves up at Coda in Colchester simply act a reminder of what has been missing for the past almost 18 months.

Thankfully, mercifully, cautiously, live music is back. For two consecutive evenings, fans cram into the awesome independent venue in Colchester known as Coda. The reason? If any opportunity for a gig isn’t excuse enough, the one and only Mr. Turner is introducing himself to an area of the country he now calls home.

Whilst more likely to be found in much larger venues these days, Turner still has the grassroots familiarity to instigate a hot, sweaty drunken sing-a-long session. Everybody packed into this bar knows every word to every song and passionately sings them back in unison. It’s like live music never went away.

Playing the two shows in the same venue, Turner mixes his set list each night. Realistically the man has enough in his arsenal to cover many more nights here, as he demonstrated with his Independent Venue Love series during Lockdown.

Read our feature on the ‘Independent Venue Love’ series

All the fan favourites are on tap for those in the bar with ‘Long Live The Queen’, ‘1933’, ‘The Road’, ‘The Way I Tend To Be’, ‘The Ballad of Me and My Friends’, ‘Be More Kind’, ‘The Next Storm’, ‘Photosynthesis’, ‘Recovery’, ‘Get Better’ and set closer ‘I Still Believe’ amongst the songs available both nights.

The guest ales such as ‘Polaroid Picture’ and ‘If Ever I Stray’ on Tuesday and ‘I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous’, ‘I Am Disappeared’ and ‘Four Simple Words’ on Wednesday help to differentiate the shows for those in attendance both nights.

Having started out his solo career on his own (and still performing solo regularly), Turner is now often accompanied by The Sleeping Souls. In recent times solo shows have been billed as duo shows and see Turner joined by Sleeping Soul member Matt Nasir. This dynamic works extremely well both for musical accompaniment and also for onstage banter.

As mentioned, Turner now resides in Essex. He has a song called ‘Wessex Boy’. Yes, he did the obvious switch, which for every other artist would have been incredibly tacky, but somehow for Turner here it works and elicits a proudly fierce reaction from the crowd.

THE FULL PELT MUSIC PODCAST

Check out Episode 1 of our Podcast with guest Frank Turner

A new album is on the horizon for Turner and over the two nights fans are treated to glimpses of the record in the shape of ‘The Work’, ‘Muhammad Ali’, ‘Little Life’, ‘Fatherless’ and new single ‘The Gathering’.  There certainly appears to be plenty more to come from an artist for whom their next album will be their ninth solo effort.

The future appears bright. Over two nights the stage was graced by four support acts with bright futures with Wilswood Buoys and Jess Guise on Tuesday and Gin Twins and Josiah Mortimer on Wednesday all impressing the packed audience.

So, yes, the future does indeed appear bright. Bright for Turner, bright for a great new venue, bright for young musicians, and bright for live music! There really isn’t anything better.

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Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. Read the latest here

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Magazine

News Report

We roundup the best music news from the past week!

Full Pelt Music Weekly News Report Roundup

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

Slam Dunk Festival reshuffles line-up one final time

Slam Dunk Festival News Report

Welcome to another edition of our weekly News Report. We start off on the festival front with some news from Slam Dunk Festival. All events have been hit hard by the pandemic, perhaps none as badly as Slam Dunk however.

One of the first events to postpone due to the very first lockdown, the event has been postponed multiple times since. Each change has also seen changes in line-up. Some bands have been added, then dropped out and then been added again!

Now, with the event just a month away, organisers have finalised the line-up. That has seen the loss of headliners Sum 41, but the additions of the likes of Creeper.

The final line-up now features acts such as Don Broco, We Are The In Crowd, Creeper, Roam, Frank Turner, Alkaline Trio, Funeral For A Friend, Trash Boat, A, Normandie, Vukovi, Wargasm and many more.

Tickets are available here.

Read our review of ‘American Noir’ from Creeper

Reef announce the ‘Shoot Me Your Ace’ Tour

Reef A News Report

We shift the focus of our News Report now onto tour news and first up is the newly announced ‘Shoot Me Your Ace’ Tour from Reef! The band will be embarking on a UK Tour next April starting in Newcastle and finishing up in Norwich.

Helping to make this tour a must see extravaganza are the always great A. To join the fun, pick up your tickets over here.

Read our review of A from Download Pilot Festival

The Vaccines set for ‘Back In Love City’ shows

The Vaccines News Report

Vaccines have helped the country head back towards ‘normal’ (whatever that is), and now The Vaccines will be helping music venues come back to life!

The National Lottery’s #ReviveLive Tour with the Music Venue Trust sees fans get a second ticket free for lottery players. There are many great acts playing these shows, and that now includes The Vaccines.

Tickets available here.

Read our review of Seasick Steve as part of #ReviveLive

Wargasm announce debut UK Tour

Wargasm

One of the hottest new bands to emerge over the past year, Wargasm, have now announced their debut tour of the UK. The shows are booked in for November this year and tickets are available here.

Read our review of ‘Wargasm’ from Download Pilot Festival

Zuzu reveals UK Tour dates

Another new act hitting the road later this year is Zuzu who will play 13 shows across the UK in December. Tickets for this tour are available from here.

Guns N’ Roses release new music

Guns N’ Roses – ‘ABSUЯD’

We move onto new music releases now in our News Report and another band moving on is Guns N’ Roses. As the band move onto the next phase of their mega reunion, we arrive at a point whereby we get new music from the legendary act.

This week the band debuted ‘ABSUЯD’ which has now also featured in the bands live shows in the United States. Check out the new single here.

Don Broco debut ‘One True Prince’

Don Broco – ‘One True Prince’

Don Broco continue to build towards the release of their next album, ‘Amazing Things’. This week the band debuted their latest single, ‘One True Prince’, which you can check out above.

You can pre-order your copy of the album here ahead of its release on 17th September.

Listen to ‘Manchester Super Reds No. 1 Fan’ from Don Broco on our Spotify Hot List!

PVRIS unveil ‘Monster’

PVRIS – ‘Monster’

This week also saw the unveiling of the latest single from PVRIS as they band debuted ‘Monster’.

Check out the latest from PVRIS here.

Listen to ‘Monster’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Twin Atlantic ‘Bang On The Gong’

Twin Atlantic – ‘Bang On The Gong’

There is plenty of new music releases this week to sink your teeth into. Next up is Twin Atlantic who have just debuted their latest track, ‘Bang On The Gong’.

You can comply with that request here.

Read our review of Twin Atlantic at Download Pilot Festival

Alien Weaponry debut ‘Buried Underground’

Alien Weaponry – ‘Buried Undergound’

Finally this week for our News Report, one last new release to enjoy. Alien Weaponry have debuted their new track ‘Buried Underground’ ahead of the release of their new album, ‘Tangaroa’, which is out September 17th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Buried Underground’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Spotify Playlist!

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Read our review of ‘Seize the Power’ from Yonaka

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Magazine

News Report

We roundup the best music news from the past week!

Full Pelt Music News Report Weekly Roundup

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

Latitude Festival given ‘Pilot Event’ status

Latitude Festival News Report

We start our News Report this week on the topic of festivals. There is presently a overriding sense of doom as the Government Roadmap remains in doubt.

One festival did go ahead last week, and that was the pilot version of Download Festival. We were there and you can read our review here. The question now remains what is the possibility of other festivals going ahead?

That question has been answered for Latitude Festival, as it has now been confirmed as another pilot event for the Governments research programme. That gives Latitude the guarantee that it will go ahead.

The lineup is typically eclectic for Latitude with headline sets from Wolf Alice, The Chemical Brothers, Bastille and Bombay Bicycle Club. You can also catch the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Supergrass, Fontaines D.C., Black Honey, Dream Wife and Shame.

Tickets are available here.

Read our review of ‘Blue Weekend’ from Wolf Alice

Slam Dunk reshuffle line-up

Slam Dunk Festival News Report

For all other events, scepticism remains. Events taking place later in the summer are still holding out hope however. One such event is Slam Dunk Festival who have recently reshuffled their line-up once again. The events take place on the 4th & 5th September from Leeds and Hatfield.

The event is scheduled to be headlined by Sum 41 & Don Broco. The stellar line-up now also includes Frank Turner, Alkaline Trio, Funeral For A Friend, Trash Boat, A, Normandie, Hacktivist, Vukovi and Wargasm.

Tickets are available here.

Read our review of ‘Dark & Beautiful Secrets’ from Normandie

Limp Bizkit announce UK dates

Limp Bizkit News Report

The iconic Limp Bizkit have announced a couple of UK dates for next year. The band will takeover Manchester Academy and Brixton Academy in July 2022.

Tickets will be available here.

Check our our Spotify Hot List!

Blood Red Shoes reveal 2022 tour dates

More tour news as our News Report continues. Blood Red Shoes this week announced a huge European tour including a string of dates in the UK. With the tour set for early 2022, you can pick up tickets here.

Fozzy announce UK Tour

Americans Fozzy have announced that they will return to the UK later this year for a UK Tour. The band will be joined on tour by The Treatment and Stitched Up Heart.

Tickets will be available here.

Read our review of ‘Waiting For Good Luck’ from The Treatment

Lotus Eater set for lengthy tour

Lotus Eater will be hitting the road hard later this year as they celebrate the release of their new record ‘Where The Body Goes’. Support will come from Gutter and you can pick up tickets from here.

Check out our Spotify Hot List!

Bullet For My Valentine return with new single, album and tour

The latest era for Bullet For My Valentine has started with a bundle of announcements. The band will tour the UK later this year following the release of their new self-titled album on October 22nd.

The band this week released the first single from that record, ‘Knives’.

Bullet For My Valentine – ‘Knives’

For pre-order information and ticket details head over here.

Read our review of the ‘Download Pilot Festival’

The Wildhearts unveil ‘Remember These Days’

The Wildhearts – ‘Remember These Days’

The Wildhearts continue to gear up for the release of their latest album, ’21st Century Love Songs’ on September 3rd. This past week the band unveiled their latest single ‘Remember These Days’.

You can pre-order the album here.

Read our review of ‘Below’ from Beartooth

Wayward Sons debut new single

Wayward Sons – ‘Faith In Fools’

To conclude our News Report this week we have news from Wayward Sons. The band are preparing to release their third album ‘Even Up The Score’ and this week released their latest single, ‘Faith In Fools’.

Pre-order details here.

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Check out The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Frank Turner

Categories
Live Reviews

Download Pilot Festival 2021

Donington Park

Friday 18th – Sunday 20th June 2021

Download Pilot Festival Poster

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DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL 2021 – LIVE REVIEW

The live music industry is built on togetherness, built on shared experience and built on the power of emotion. The last 18 months have been highly emotional for all the wrong reasons. Together the world has shared an experience that has terrified and devastated us.

The events of the last 18 months have taken an incomprehensible toll on humanity. The pandemic has destroyed lives and livelihoods. The live music industry was obliterated overnight. The people that make the spectacles that we enjoy happen were forgotten about.

While the world attempts to peek through the curtains at a “new normal”, the live music industry is left waiting. Waiting for support, waiting for proper guidance, waiting for a chance. Well, just four weeks ago that chance arrived.

A Government trial event to test the viability of the return of packed festivals and events you say? Spring into action the incredible people behind the scenes who make the live music industry work! In a short period of time, heaven and earth have been moved and here we are at Download Festival.

A much smaller, makeshift, Pilot version of Download Festival at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park. 10,000 people in a field, no social distancing, no masks, no inhibitions.

Credit goes to all involved for creating an event of that scale on such short notice, and to all the acts playing with no preparation. As the gates open, one thing is for sure, the fans want this, no, the fans needs this.

The reality of the situation is that the organisers could have put an old man playing the spoons on stage and the fans would have lapped it up. The opportunity after all that everybody has been through to witness live music is cathartic.

DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL – FRIDAY

The fact that this may be the most exciting Download Festival line-up of all time only helps to amplify the anticipation as fans gather in the tented second stage for Death Blooms. Almost every person on site crams in to witness that first taste of live music in far too long.

The band make the most of the atmosphere with a storming set that sees the audience let go of all remaining inhibitions. I doubt the majority of those in the tent knew of the band in advance, but they certainly left with a memory that will last forever.

For this special event there are just two stages. Next to the tent is the outdoor main stage which opens with a raucous set from Hot Milk. Kicking off with their latest single ‘I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead’ the band show the crowd just what they’ve been missing.

Listen to ‘I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead’ from Hot Milk on our Spotify Hot List!

There is no need to worry about those dreaded clashes at Download Pilot Festival. That’s because the acts on the two stages alternate, allowing the music starved fans the opportunity to watch every single band if they so wish to.

Every band this weekend gets a good sized crowd and a warm reception with it, especially the early bands on Friday. Malevolence are next to grace the second stage and assist the audience in releasing their pent up energy with a heavy hitting set.

A repercussion of the pandemic has been the amazing new albums that have been released without the showcase of the live setting. One such album is ‘Glue’ from Boston Manor. That wrong is righted next however as the band storm the main stage and air the likes of ‘Everything Is Ordinary’.

An early standout performance from the band sees them mix new and old with ‘England’s Dreaming’, ‘Laika’ and ‘Halo’ eliciting some of the first full blown sing-a-long moments of the weekend.

Those sing-a-long moments continue with Holding Absence on the second stage as they get to unleash tracks from their sensational album ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’. ‘Afterlife’ in particular is a contender for song of the weekend as the band present their credentials for superstardom!

Read our review of ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ from Holding Absence

The Friday action continues with two bands with extremely dedicated fanbases. Neck Deep get the main stage bouncing before Sleep Token captivate the second stage.

It is then down to Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes to bring the first day to a close on the main stage. Always an unstoppable force of nature on stage, the band make the most of the platform to make a statement. That statement says that this band is ready to headline the regular event.

With a setlist spanning their three albums, the band even treat fans to a selection of new tracks including the catchy ‘My Town’. There are guest appearances from Joe Talbot, Cassyette and Lynks, there is a giant circle pit around the sound tower and there is even a cover of ‘Ace of Spades’.

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes saw an opportunity to headline a festival, to headline the first festival back, and they grabbed it with both hands. This was one of those sets that will be talked about forevermore!

Listen to ‘My Town’ from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes on our Spotify Hot List!

After hours entertainment comes from a silent disco as the hastily arranged festival shows the skills and creativity of the music industry. You have to stand back and admire the achievement of those involved to create an event on this scale in the time given.

DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL – SATURDAY

On to Saturday now and the musical delights continue as Lotus Eater, Conjurer, As Everything Unfolds and Bleed From Within blow the cobwebs of the early morning audience.

Next two young bands with big futures introduce themselves to festival audiences. Both The Hara on the second stage and Wargasm on the main stage elicit strong reactions from those watching.

Listen to ‘Your Patron Saints’ from Wargasm on our Spotify Hot List!

After a solid showing from Tigercub, one of the veteran acts of the weekend, A, school the up and coming bands on how to engage an audience. An age appropriate walking circle pit being a nice change of pace in the midst of a hectic weekend. Finishing with ‘Nothing’, A show why they are the perfect festival band.

Two things become apparent as the weekend progresses. When dissecting the hastily put together line-up, the quality of British rock music is put in the spotlight and it more than holds its own. Secondly a good deal of that talent is female. Vukovi and Yonaka both deliver set of the weekend contenders next.

Listen to ‘Seize the Power’ from Yonaka on our Spotify Hot List!

Those Damn Crows, Twin Atlantic and Stone Broken all put in crowd pleasing performances before While She Sleeps attract and entertain a huge crowd on the main stage.

Soon though it’s time for the scorecard for band of the weekend to be thrown out the window. Creeper are able to deliver an out of body experience as they headline the second stage. There are goosebump raising moments galore as the band turn the festival into their own theatre of oral and visual magnificence.

Listen to ‘Midnight’ from Creeper on our Spotify Hot List!

It is then left to Enter Shikari to bring the Saturday night party and they don’t disappoint. If there was ever a band born to get you moving it’s Enter Shikari. They do just that as they also get to showcase newer songs live for the first time.

‘satellites**’, ‘{ The Dreamer’s Hotel }’ and ‘THE GREAT UNKNOWN’ fit in perfectly with classics like ‘Sorry, You’re Not A Winner’, ‘Juggernauts’ and ‘Mothership’. Much like Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Creeper, you can see the special treatment Enter Shikari have given this opportunity and that makes for a stunning spectacle.

DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL – SUNDAY

Come Sunday you’d imagine fatigue would be setting in. All this action after so many barren months, you could forgive the crowd for tiring and the festival atmosphere sapping. Instead energy is pumped in by bands such as Static Dress, Saint Agnes, Cassyette and Employed To Serve.

The fans reciprocate said energy as they continue to let loose to Chubby and the Gang, Loathe and Higher Power. The passion and pure joy of both fans and musicians to be at a festival is at times overwhelming. This event was destined to be an emotive affair but even through that emotion the quality of the music on offer shines.

Next on the main stage is Lonely The Brave complete with change in singer. A set mixed with fan favourites and new tracks from ‘The Hope List’ shows the band are still an exciting prospect. Can the band now finally take that next step? On their showing here, yes they can!

Read our review of ‘The Hope List’ from Lonely The Brave

For those fans catching every band the pace is relentless and it’s to the second stage next for Jamie Lenman. Lenman powers through a sublime set that gets the crowd moving and features another appearance from Wargasm.

The quirky goodness of Elvana attracts a huge crowd to the main stage as the festival heads towards its climax. The band show just why they are perhaps the perfect Sunday afternoon festival act as they get the crowd singing along to every word.

Massive Wagons are able to take the second stage by storm before a sadly technically challenged The Wildhearts limp off stage. The Wildhearts are a top quality band and the issues with their sound perhaps show the effects of an enforced hiatus for musicians and crew members alike.

It’s on that note that once again praise must be heaped on the organisers, the crew members, the festival staff and yes the bands for making this event such a success. That is only amplified by the incredibly short timescale.

Realistically this has been a once in a lifetime event (we hope). Download Pilot Festival as an event is excellent and would be a great addition to the main Download Festival. It’s the atmosphere and camaraderie however that makes this festival so special.

We are down then to the final four bands, the final acts before reality is set to strike again. Up first on the second stage are Trash Boat who get the tent bouncing, especially with a stunning cover of Linkin Park classic ‘Given Up’.

If there is a perfect festival band it’s Skindred. Put them on any stage in any slot and they will attract a huge crowd. With a sub-headline slot on the main stage, the field is full as Benji Webbe and co put in a seamless lesson in crowd engagement.

The final act on the second stage is also no stranger to the festival scene. Although Frank Turner has played Download Festival in the past, even he acknowledges he may not be the typical Download act. Nobody cares though, as he puts in a typically euphoric performance.

The crowd are not just treated to the set staples but also to new song ‘The Gathering’ and heavier version of ‘Little Changes’. There are sing-a-longs aplenty as Turner does what he does best and that is entertain!

Check out The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Frank Turner!

That just leaves Bullet For My Valentine to close out Download Pilot Festival. A festival which we wish was never needed but are so glad that it happened. Bullet For My Valentine are long time Download favourites and they deliver an apt conclusion to the event.

We are treated to a unique take on ‘Run To The Hills’ from Iron Maiden complete with a perplexing vocal contribution fron Benji Webbe. We get new material in the form of ‘Knives’ and of course we get favourites such as ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and ‘Tears Don’t Fall’.

‘Waking The Demon’ is the final song to ring around Donington Park, and we can only hope and pray that this event can wake the demon that is the festival scene. The fans may have been lab rats, but what a stunning lab it was! Thank you Download Pilot Festival for such a cathartic weekend.

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We roundup the best music news from the past week!

Full Pelt Music News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

Lost Evenings to return to Camden Roundhouse

Lost Evenings News Report

We start our News Report this week with our sole Festival entry. Frank Turner has announced that his festival, Lost Evenings, will return home to the Roundhouse in Camden.

Featuring multiple stages and various other activities the four day event will feature four unique sets from the man himself. Joining Turner on the main stage will be Grace Petrie, Emily Barker, Jamie Lenman, Pet Needs, Nova Twins, Lottery Winners, Skinny Lister and Guise!

For more information, head over here.

We recently launched The Full Pelt Music Podcast, and our first guest was Frank Turner! Watch and Listen here.

Read our review of ‘Fractured Party Music’ from Pet Needs

The Darkness return with new album and tour

The Darkness News Report

We have a few tours to tell you about in this weeks News Report including this huge one from The Darkness. The band have unveiled a massive run of dates for later this year. Support for the tour comes from Iron Maiden leader Steve Harris and his band British Lion.

Tickets will be available here.

That’s not the only news from Lowestoft’s finest however, as the band also announced a brand new album will arrive on October 15th. You can pre-order ‘Motorheart’ here.

Read our review of ‘Blue Weekend’ from Wolf Alice

Biffy Clyro announce huge Cardiff show

Biffy Clyro News Report

Biffy Clyro have announced that they will be heading to Cardiff Bay on September 16th. They will be joined by very special guests Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes at what promises to be a huge show.

Tickets will be available from here.

Listen to ‘My Town’ from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes on our Spotify Hot List!

Blackberry Smoke to return to Europe in 2022

Blackberry Smoke News Report

Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke will be returning to Europe in early 2022. The run of dates will conclude in the UK with shows in Birmingham, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Manchester and finally London.

Tickets are available here.

Read our review of ‘The Ides of March’ from Myles Kennedy

Vukovi set for UK Tour

Vukovi have announced a massive tour around the UK set for this October. The tour is set to be a highlight of the touring season as the band will be joined by both Press To MECO and Delaire The Liar!

You can grab tickets here.

Listen to ‘Another Day’ from Press To MECO on our Spotify Hot List!

Black Spiders reveal short run of dates

The reformed Black Spiders have announced a handful of dates around their appearance at Steelhouse Festival. The band will grace stages in Chester, Leeds, Southampton and Milton Keynes.

Tickets are available here.

Volbeat return with two new songs

Volbeat – ‘Wait A Minute My Girl’

Volbeat kick off our new music section of our News Report. The band have released not one but two new songs this week. ‘Wait A Minute My Girl’ and ‘Dagen Før’ arrive ahead of the bands latest album.

Your listening options are here.

Read our review of ‘Nowhere Generation’ from Rise Against

Creeper announce new EP and single ‘Midnight’

Creeper – ‘Midnight’

Creeper conclude our News Report this week. The band returned to their old ways with a number of cryptic posts before announcing their latest EP, ‘American Noir’.

The EP will arrive on July 30th and you can listen to the single, ‘Midnight’ on our Spotify Hot List. Pre-orders are available now from here.

Read our review of ‘Salem II’ from Salem

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News Report

We roundup the best music news from the past !

Full Pelt Music News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

Huge lineup revealed for Live At Leeds!

Live At Leeds News Report

We start our News Report this week with some festival news. Up first is this huge lineup revealed by Live At Leeds.

The event will feature Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Sports Team, The Big Moon, Dream Wife, The Orielles, Vistas, Feet, Life and many more.

It all goes down on Saturday 16th October and tickets are here.

Listen to ‘My Town’ from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes on our Spotify Hot List!

Download Festival to act as pilot event

It has been announced that Download Festival will take place this year after all. That’s right rockers will grace the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, but just the 10,000 of them. The pilot event will test the viability of music festivals this summer – not much riding on it then!!

Attendees will be able to mosh freely inside the event, but will need to take negative tests prior to and after the festival. Tickets will be available here.

Headline acts for the event will be Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine. They will be joined by the likes of Boston Manor, Holding Absence, Hot Milk, Creeper, Stone Broken, Twin Atlantic, Yonaka, A, Wargasm, Frank Turner, Skindred, The Wildhearts, Massive Wagons and Lonely The Brave!

Read our review of ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ from Holding Absence

Latitude Festival unveils line-up

Following a lengthy delay in announcing their line-up, Latitude Festival is finally on track to go ahead. This week organisers revealed the festival will be headlined by the likes of Wolf Alice, The Chemical Brothers, Bastille, Bombay Bicycle Club, Rudimental and Bill Bailey.

Also on tap are acts such as Kaiser Chiefs, Fontaines D.C., Dream Wife, Shame, Squid, Willie J Healey and Tim Burgess. There will also be lots more from the worlds of comedy, arts and literature.

Tickets are available here.

Burn It Down add extra day

Burn It Down News Report

Devon event Burn It Down has announced an additional day. The festival will take place on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th September in Torquay.

The fantastic line-up includes Dinosaur Pile-Up, Jamie Lenman, Hacktivist, Nova Twins, Wargasm, Vukovi, Bob Vylan and many more.

You can grab tickets here.

Listen to ‘Your Patron Saints’ from Wargasm on our Spotify Hot List!

Nottingham Arboretum to host summer shows

Arboretum Sunsets News Report

Arboretum Sunsets is set to grace Nottingham Arboretum this summer. Last year our Gig of the Year saw Frank Turner grace the Arboretum and this year will see live music return to the park.

The line-up of shows includes Beans On Toast, Ferocious Dog, Grace Petrie, Lucy Spraggan, The Futureheads, Turin Breaks and many more.

Tickets are here.

Check out Episode 1 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Frank Turner

Bowling For Soup add more dates

Bowling For Soup News Report

A little tour news now as we continue our News Report. Bowling For Soup have added some extra shows to their tour with Lit and The Dollyrots. The seaside tour will now head inland to Glasgow, Birmingham and London.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Van Weezer’ from Weezer

Levellers grow their ‘Levelling The Land’ Tour

Levellers have also added additional dates to their tour. The band will be celebrating 30 Years of ‘Levelling The Land’ later this year.

You can pick up tickets here.

Kasabian announce return with intimate tour

Kasabian have announced their return to action with an intimate tour of the UK. The lengthy run will finish up at Brixton Academy in November. Tickets will be available here.

The Virginmarys set for the road

The Virginmarys will be hitting the road later this year for their first shows since confirming their intentions to continue as a two-piece going forward.

Pick up your tickets here.

Black Honey share new video for ‘Fire’

Black Honey – ‘Fire’

New music now in our News Report. This week saw Black Honey unveil their latest video for ‘Fire’.

More from the band here.

Read our review of ‘Written & Directed’ from Black Honey

Creeper debut new track ahead of EP release

Creeper – ‘Midnight’

After some typical Creeper teasing the band has this week released a new single, ‘Midnight’. More than that though, the band has also announced a brand new EP! ‘American Noir’ will arrive July 30th and you can pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of ‘Salem ii’ from Salem

Vistas release new single ‘Dayglow’

Vistas – ‘Dayglow’

Vistas released their latest single this week in the shape of ‘Dayglow’. More from the band here.

Will Varley unveils ‘The Hole Around My Head’

Will Varley – ‘The Hole Around My Head’

Finally this week, news from Will Varley. He has unveiled his latest single, ‘The Hole Around My Head’. More here.

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Read our review of ‘Eye To Eye’ from The Datsuns