THE HELLA MEGA TOUR – LONDON STADIUM – LIVE REVIEW
The mass hysteria of excitement over the initial announcement of The Hella Mega Tour was something to behold. Of course, multiple unpredictable delays have occurred since then and these shows take place now almost three years later.
That initial excitement naturally dimmed by the events of the past few years soon returns however as you approach the impressive London Stadium in Stratford. Spirits are high as fans funnel into the venue ready for three iconic acts.
Before then though, they are greeted by opening act Amyl and The Sniffers who christen the stage with their unique brand of punk rock. Punk was built on rebellion and spite so itâs refreshing to see a band going back to those roots after the genre has become somewhat safe over the last decade.
WATCH ‘SECURITY’ FROM AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS
Some fans get it, others look on in bemusement, but one thing is sure and that is that playing a potentially poisoned chalice of a support slot, the group deliver something memorable.
Any opening band was always going to be overshadowed by what follows on The Hella Mega Tour. Itâs soon time to start the feast of music on offer today, and the crowd has piled in early for the first of our three headlining acts Weezer.
What makes The Hella Mega Tour special is that each of the three main acts get not just a headline set length but also full production. Weezer take full advantage of that with a stunning stage setup, but for me the appeal of Weezer live has always been the music, and today the fans are treated to a stunning setlist.
Opening with âHash Pipeâ, âBeverly Hillsâ, âMy Name Is Jonasâ and âPork and Beansâ, the band instantly have the packed audience in the palm of their hands. The band proceed to mix old, new and covers. By the time they take their leave with âBuddy Hollyâ, the band have set the bar very high for their contemporaries to follow!
Thankfully for both those following bands and the fans in attendance, both are more than capable to keeping pace with the very best. Next to grace the stage are Fall Out Boy who again waste no time in plying the crowd with huge hits.
âThe Phoenixâ sees the band flex their muscles with pyro galore and the extravagance of the band never really fades with their set designed to tell a story. There is no real lull in pace by the band today as they blast out hit after hit; the only short respite coming due to an issue in the crowd.
Fall Out Boy are slightly younger than their tour buddies but with their performance today they show that they have reached that iconic status already. You really could go home happy at this point following three great performances, but thatâs the beauty of The Hella Mega Tour, itâs mega and there is a final performance remaining from global superstars Green Day.
WATCH ‘BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS’ FROM GREEN DAY
By this point anticipation from the crowd has reached a fever pitch and after years of delay and hours of acts behind us, fans are ready to explode. Imagine the response then when the band open with âAmerican Idiotâ and âHolidayâ!
Yes, itâs clear that the band are prepared to make up for lost time and itâs an old fashioned rocker of a show from Green Day. Perhaps they are trying to keep up with Fall Out Boy or justify their position on top of the bill, but their performance is slick and removes some of the bloatedness of latter year Green Day.
Of course, the band has the hits for a situation like this and hearing a packed stadium sing every word of the likes of âBoulevard of Broken Dreamsâ, âMinorityâ and âBasket Caseâ just shows what we have missed over the past couple of years.
We may have had to wait an awful long time for The Hella Mega Tour but wow was it worth the wait. Every band brought their A game, and the show as a whole will become a thing of legend from here on out!
Welcome to another edition of our weekly music News Report, where we check out the best stories from the past week. We start this week with a host of huge tour announcements.
Up first, fresh from headlining Download Festival, are Biffy Clyro who have announced a huge Arena Tour for this November. Support comes from Architects.
About the tour, Biffy Clyro said â “It’s been way too long… we are so excited to announce our tour of UK/Ireland this November and over the moon to have Architects join us on what is going to be a very special tour. You will not want to miss itâ.
Black Stone Cherry & The Darkness team up for UK Tour
Another huge tour revealed this week will see Black Stone Cherry and The Darkness team up for seven arena shows early next year. They will be joined by Danko Jones for what promises to be a tour to remember.
Mr Justin Hawkins – âLegend tells of a night, some ten or more years ago, upon which The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry serenaded the nocturnal creatures of Thetford Forest, receiving generally favourable reviews in the woodland press. Like the owls and squirrels of that fabled evening, we give to you an opportunity to stand beaks and mouths a-gape in awe and wonder at the awesome power of power chords played by the very same fingers, but within the convenient shelter of an arena instead of in a moon-dappled forest clearing.
There may be some seating so you wonât have to sit on toadstools. Also, modern flushing toilet facilities, not just tree trunks and bushes. Remember what the Thetford fauna say – “The music of Black Stone Cherry and The Darkness is TREEmendous, and Never LEAVES you.”
Black Stone Cherry – “The rock n’ roll history books will tell you that on a summerâs night in 2012, tucked way back in the English countryside, two bands, from different parts of the world, came together to bring people a night of high energy, pedal to the metal, in your face unscripted rock ânâ roll. A bond was formed that could only have been blessed by the wizards of said forest.
While discussing each otherâs outfits and stage moves, a tour was spoken of, put into the galaxy if you will, and now we are honored to say the stars have finally aligned and we will be joining forces with The Darkness for what will be the UKâs most exciting tour of the season! We absolutely cannot wait to create more magic and release the lightning that both bands caught in a bottle so many years ago. Grab your friends, grab your family, but hold on to your asses because this tour is going to ROCK!”
More good news in our News Report this week as Bob Vylan have announced their largest headline show to date will take place this December at the Electric Ballroom in Camden!
Their was some bittersweet news for fans of ROAM this past week as the band announced their imminent split. Fans will however get one last chance to dance with the band as they also revealed their final shows.
Our News Report moves onwards now to the best new releases from the past week.
Up first are The Wonder Years who debuted their latest track, ‘Wyatt’s Song (Your Name)’, which you can listen to above. The song will feature on new album, ‘The Hum Goes On Forever’, which will arrive September 23rd.
The single is a song singer Dan Campbell wrote for his oldest son, Wyatt. “Itâs about the polarising forces of love and anxiety that come with being a new parentâsimultaneously being so overjoyed that theyâre here, about the miraculous nature of their existence, but afraid of all the ways you could fail them,” Dan explains.
“Itâs about raising children in a world that feels like itâs actively ending and how to make them feel safe and cared for despite that. It tries to breathe in the small, beautiful moments and exhale all of the invasive thoughts of despair.”
There was also more new music this week from Nothing More as they prepare to release their upcoming album, ‘SPIRITS’, on October 14th.
This week they debuted the title track, which you can listen to above.
âIsnât it interesting that we give the same name to something holy and something wholly intoxicating?â asks Nothing More frontman Jonny Hawkins.
âThe song âSPIRITSâ describes that very conundrum. When you drink liquor, it has been said that you are welcoming that pneuma (spirit) into your body. Most of us have seen and experienced how alcohol (or rather âal-ghawl,â which means demon/spirit) can make us feel. Itâs almost as if we turn into someone else when too much of the spirit has been consumed.Â
Sometimes itâs eye opening and can lead to wondrous life-changing conversations or bonds that would never normally happenâŚand sometimes it can lead to the exact opposite. It may turn us into Dr. Hydeâs Jekyll and cause us to do or say horrific things we would never normally do sober. Spirits are both a little bit heavenly and a little bit sick.âÂ
Ozzy Osbourne also had new music to share this week as he debuted his latest effort ‘Patient Number 9’. You can listen to the track above which will feature on a new album of the same name.
Lastly for our News Report this week we have Spiritbox, who debuted new music this week including the track, ‘Rotoscope’, which you can listen to above.
‘Happening’, the debut album from Launder arrives on July 15th, and this week saw the release of single, ‘Intake’.
On his new single âIntakeâ, Launder aimed to record something uplifting, he explains, ââIntakeâ carries the rhythm of someone and something new, anticipating all the best and all the worst. These themes inspired a faster tempo and ascending chords. I let this track be indulgent in all the best ways and really leaned into all of the cleaner guitar sounds and single note guitar interplay similar to the early Launder songs. For those reasons, this track is a total joy for me and was a lot of fun to rehearse and record.â
Blight Town – ‘Swerve’
Exploding onto the UK Alternative Scene is Nottingham based outfit Blight Town. The progressive post-hardcore band have today unleashed their infectious new single âSwerveâ to the world.
“Swerve is a reflection on how the difference between medicine and poison is often in the dosage. It plays with the idea that to be truly happy and content, you sometimes have to court the darkness a little. This single explores the idea that depression is something to be wallowed in, to allow it to wash over you completely. That you might feel the disparity all the more fiercely when you come out of the other side.â â Vocalist, Jake Hough.
Northern Captives – ‘Distraction Or Cure’
Continuing their sonic shift, Northern Captives have released a brand new single titled âDistraction Or Cureâ.
âDistraction or Cure is a song about how many of us find ourselves heavily lead by our own egoâs. How weâre viewed by others feels more important than anything, and influences our decisions and occupies a lot of our mental space. You spend your teens and a lot of your twenties assuming people are observing you and passing judgement a lot more than they really are.
Thereâs a huge satisfaction in the realisation that people are often far too preoccupied with themselves to notice you. âKill your egoâ is a chorus about living for yourself, not trying to project an image for those around you at the detriment of your well-being.â – Sam Cook, Vocalist
Welcome one and all to another edition of our weekly music News Report, where we roundup the best news from the past week. We start off this week with the best tour announcements.
Up first are Shinedown who have announced a UK Tour for later this year which will include a date at Wembley Arena. Support comes from Asking Alexandria and Zero 9:36.
Frontman Brent Smith states, âWe have always been inspired by the UK and European audiences. Their passion for music is extraordinary. We are beyond excited to be returning as headliners, with our biggest show yet!”
“We are overwhelmed by the love and support of our new album, ‘Planet Zero’ and look forward to sharing our new songs, along with all of your Shinedown favorites!!! Cheers!!!â
Music Venue Trust reveal new wave of #ReviveLive shows
As the music industry continues to strive for a return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance, the incredible Music Venue Trust has announced another wave of #ReviveLive shows.
With support from The National Lottery attendees can bring a friend for free to a plethora of newly revealed shows.
Acts taking part this go around include Everything Everything, Paolo Nutini, The Amazons, The Coral, Baby Dave, Coach Party, Sick Joy, The Goa Express and Thumper!
Inglorious will also be touring later this year with a lengthy trek planned in across the UK. Support comes from A New Tomorrow.
Frontman, Nathan James, comments âI am so excited to get back out on tour with the guys . Over the pandemic we were not able to tour as much as we usually would, but we were able to release albums. So we did! We recorded the We Will Ride album, The Heroine all female covers album and the 1st ever Inglorious live album and dvd. It’s amazing now to be able to pick songs from all of those albums to make the ultimate inglorious set.
On this tour we will be bringing something totally different set wise and we’re really looking forward to playing songs from across all of our albums. Inglorious has always been a strong live act and now more so than ever. Tighter, harder and more determined to show people what we are about.
We hope to see everyone on the âUntil We Die 2022 UK Tourâ and cannot wait make some noise for you all again.â
Burn It Down Festival takes over Torquay again this September and the event has confirmed their stacked line-up for this year.
Headliners Trash Boat and Deaf Havana will be joined by the likes of Static Dress, Our Hollow Our Home, Haggard Cat, Cassyette, VUKOVI, Tigercub, Salem, As December Falls, Death Blooms, Pupil Slicer and more.
We move our News Report on now to the latest new releases, and we start with Deaf Havana.
As the band gear up to release their sixth studio album, ‘The Present Is A Foreign Land’, on 15th July they have debuted new track, ‘Nevermind’, which you can check out above.
LIFE continue to gear up for the release of ‘North East Coastal Town’ on August 19th. You can listen to their new single, ‘The Drug’, above.
Speaking on the new single vocalist Mez Green says: âThe Drug is a love song. I wrote the lyrics in the cold mountains of Italy before taking them into the room with the band. ‘The Drug’ I needed has always been here, the drug I needed has always been near” is, for me, realising that loved ones and those that love you, no matter where you are, can always be present.
I’d never really believed this before and whilst this purity is at the lyrical heart of the song musically the band decided to inject flecks of dance, pop, harmonics, and dirty pulses to give the song drive, repetition and jerk-ability.â
Norway’s Sløtface return with the news that the group’s figurehead Haley Shea will now be leading the band, with Lasse and Tor-Arne leaving to focus on new passions outside the group.
To signal this era beginning they have released a double a-side of ‘Beta’, and ‘Come Hell Or Whatever’. You Can listen to ‘Beta’ above.
“”Beta” was the very first song Mikhael and I worked on together in his studio. It should be listened to while wearing sunglasses, even on cloudy days!
The song is about wanting to connect with people on a deeper level, but feeling like social media sometimes gets in the way, with things becoming somewhat intimidating, shallow and superficial. The song is a confidence booster for myself where Iâm trying to be cooler than I am. It was written at a time when I really, really missed the rush of playing live, and I needed to find some of that spark and edge in myself that only really comes out on stage.”
Finally, this week Twister shared their latest single, ‘Own Worst Enemy’, which you can listen to above.
Singer and guitarist Stevie Stoker comments: âTwister are evolving and progressing with every release and the momentum weâre building on the road is really driving us to bigger and better things in the studio. Itâs such an exciting time.â
Indie rock band Sunsleeper have shared their newest track, ‘Blemishes’.
ââBlemishesâ is about the slow unraveling of a deeply important friendship, as well as the acceptance of the relationshipâs end,â shares vocalist Jeffery Mudgett. âThe freedom in letting go of a toxic relationship is underrated. Sometimes thereâs no need to mourn the end, but rather we should celebrate leaving that toxicity behind.â
cheerbleederz – ‘notes app apologies’
London indie punk trio cheerbleederz reveal their latest single ânotes app apologiesâ.
Commenting on the track and video, the band say: âThis song is about letting go of an abusive relationship. Thereâs a lot of fear and doubt that comes with separating yourself from somebody who manipulates you, and it leaves behind feelings of anger, as well as guilt and doubt.
You end up questioning everything while simultaneously harbouring a lot of resentment for the person who treated you that way. We wanted this song to feel cathartic and unapologeticâit ultimately feels very healing.â
MODES – ‘Infamous’
Kent’s MODES deliver their new single, ‘Infamous’.
MODES frontman Ted Berry reveals that the new singleâInfamous is a song we wrote to reflect on anger and past trauma that we have experienced. We wanted to put this into words to help others feel understood and seen. It’s only human to have been in situations that lead to feeling hurt, angry, and even disappointed in how you have been treated by others.â
Foo Fighters announce special Taylor Hawkins tribute shows
Before we get into our News Report proper, we start we something really special.
As the world still mourns the tragic loss of Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters have revealed that two special Tribute Concerts will take place in September.
The first date will see the band return to Wembley Stadium in London.
As we bang our heads in Donington Park, we welcome you to the latest edition of our weekly music News Report. We therefore start with some rocking tour announcements.
Up first is the news that Black Star Riders will be touring the UK in February to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. A special throwback line-up will include Scott Gorham and Jimmy DeGrasso.
Frontman Ricky Warwick had the following to say, âCan you believe 2023 is 10 years of Black Star Riders ⌠How time flies while you are having fun! We decided to do something special to commemorate this occasion. For the UK tour only, to co-incide with the albumâs release, we will be bringing back the legendary Scott Gorham (guitar) and Jimmy DeGrasso (drums) for the dates to make them extra special!â
The BSR news doesn’t end there however, as the band will also be releasing a new album, ‘Wrong Side of Paradise’ on January 20th.
The first single, ‘Better Than Saturday Night’ was shared this week and you can check the video out below.
Warwick shares, ââBetter Than Saturday Nightâ is a feel-good, uplifting tune about staying strong in the face of adversity, being true to yourself, and the power of positivity. I wrote it for my kids, but subliminally I think I also wrote it for myself and everyone for those days when we need to find a little bit of extra strength.”
He continues: âWe wanted to reflect the positivity, power, attitude and strength to endure sentiment in the lyrics of the song. And no better way to do that than Black Star Riders rockinâ out with the Los Angeles Roller Derby Dolls.â
About the album Ricky adds âI am very proud of this record, Black Star Riders fifth release and the first with our new and exciting relationship with Earache Records. As with all BSR albums, âWrong Side Of Paradiseâ is an anthemic statement of intent, driven by ferocious guitars and thundering drums. I can only write about my own personal experiences, my families, my friends and how I see a world that is unraveling and changing faster than we can comprehend. That being said, Iâm a firm believer in the power of positivity, something that echoes throughout this albumâ
Scots The View will be returning for their first show in more than five years. The band will play Glasgow this December.
Kyle Falconer says, âItâs an honour to still be able to play our songs to audiences who love them. The View are probably in the best position they have ever been to play live. Taking some time to refocus has given us all the drive and the hunger to release more hits and blow everyone away again. Itâs gonna happen so we hope youâre ready. We are!â
New releases now as our News Report continues and we start out with the latest news from the Editors camp.
The band debuted new single, ‘Karma Climb’, this week whilst also revealing a new album, ‘EBM’ will be released September 23rd. Listen to the new track above, and pre-order your album here.
We turn to PIXIES now as our News Report continues. This week the band debuted a new track, ‘There’s A Moon On’, which you can listen to above.
The track will feature on a new album, ‘Doggerel’, which is out on September 30th.
Guitarist Joey Santiago says, âThis time around we have grown. We no longer have under two-minute songs. We have little breaks, more conventional arrangements but still our twists in there.â
Vocalist/guitaristBlack Francis adds, âWe’re trying to do things that are very big and bold and orchestrated. The punky stuff, I really like playing it but you just cannot artificially create that shit. There’s another way to do this, there’s other things we can do with this extra special energy that we’re encountering.â
There was also new music this week from The Blue Stones. The band shared their new single, ‘Don’t Miss’, which you can check out above.
Discussing the single, the duo noted, âWe wanted every listener to feel just as confident as we did while recording this song, and give them a theme to revel in their own accomplishments with. This song is the smirk you give to anyone who thinks you aren’t worth the hype.â
Asylums this week shared their latest single, ‘Scatterbrain’, which you can listen to above.
The single will feature on new album, ‘Signs of Life’, which is due for release on October 14th.
Producer Dave Eringa on âSigns Of Lifeâ:
âWhen Luke said he wanted to do an album at Rockfield in 8 days – all played live & to integrate big strings into their sound – it sounded so ridiculous I thought âletâs do thisâ! Only a band that can really play can do this kind of recording. No clicks, no tricks – all live off the floor, a few judicious overdubs, some amazing string arrangements from musical polymath Henry & a bizarre interruption from Countryfile – it was a pretty intense week and I couldnât be prouder of them for what they achieved! Theyâve really taken themselves to the next level!â
Tynesideâs Pit Pony have shared new single âSinkingâ – taken from debut album ‘World To Me’ out 1st July 2022.
âThereâs a lot more layers and textures to this than most on the album and it was a welcomed contrast and learning curve as itâs not something weâd really done some much with previous tracks.â, says singer Jackie Purver. âWe have a lot to thank Chris MacManus and his production for with this one. The doubled 60s girl group style vocals in particular were his idea, and itâs something we all instantly loved being such big fans of that genre and its sound.”
She adds, “I think that on the surface this is influenced in its imagery by the fact Iâm from a coastal town (South Shields) and have always been by the river so the whole album has a theme running through it with water (see what I did there?). I think when all we were allowed to do was go on walks we spent a lot of time walking our beautiful North East coast and that seeped into the writing.â
Neversaid – ‘BRAVE’
London Alternative outfit Neversaid have unleashed their brand-new heart-hitting single âBRAVEâ to the world.
âBrave is about social anxiety. Itâs about feeling completely alone and isolated, and feeling like everyone around you is out to get you. Neversaid is all about self – expression. Every Neversaid song is an explosion of emotion, be it anger, frustration, hope, anxiety or depression.â â Logan Samuel (Lead Singer)
Fitzroy Holt – ‘Medicine’
Fitzroy Holt has released a new single, ‘Medicine’, as he begins a new deal with This Feeling Records.
Fitzroy says, ââMedicineâ is a love song with all the good bits and all the sometimes not so good bits. Itâs about that special someone or something that makes your day brighter by just being there.”
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report! We start this week with the best tour announcements from the past week, and up first is the above run of dates from Kasabian.
Fresh from playing Knebworth with Liam Gallagher, the band has announced four huge shows set for later this year. Support for the shows comes from The Lathums.
Kasabian also debuted their latest single this week ahead of their new album, ‘The Alchemist’s Euphoria’ on August 5th. Listen to ‘CHEMICALS’ below.
âIt is me telling myself that it is going to be okayâ Serge Pizzorno said of the track.
âIt was me seeing myself in those few weeks when everything kicked off. It’s the future me saying to that person: ‘This is shit, but don’t worry, it will get better.â So having a song about talking to yourself is universal, I think. We all have to find a way to deal with the complications, the mess and the mortality of life.â
Of the new album Serge adds: âOne thing about this record I feel over the other ones, is it definitely feels like a body of work that belongs together. It was a beautiful moment in mastering hearing it as a piece. I think it really holds up in our seven albumsâŚ.The Magnificent Sevenâ
Also hitting the road in September will be hotly tipped newcomer Cassyette. The ‘Sad Girl Summer’ Tour will hit six venues including the O2 Academy in Islington.
We move now onto the best festival announcements as our News Report continues.
With Live at Leeds holding this first outdoor event this week, they also revealed the line-up for their traditional city based event.
Acts includes Pale Waves, Working Men’s Club, Sea Power, Dinosaur Pile-Up, The Skinner Brothers, Anorak Patch, Chappaqua Wrestling, The Native and many more.
Speaking about headlining Live At Leeds: In The City, Heather Baron-Gracie of Pale Wavessaid: âWeâre super excited to be headlining this yearâs Live At Leeds: In The City! Itâs always been a great city for us and a fun one to play, we canât wait to be back to play some tracks from our new album âUnwantedâ.â
Speaking about Live At Leeds: In The City 2022, Festival Promoter Joe Hubbard said: âAs we get ready for the inaugural edition of Live At Leeds: In The Park, weâre delighted to announce the first wave of names for the festival that started it all – Live At Leeds: In The City.
Itâs been formative for so many artistsâ careers and weâre excited to be criss-cross across Leeds City Centre this October to discover more of our favourite new artists who are set to takeover in 2023 and beyond! Headliners Pale Waves are a great example of this, having stormed the Brudenell Social Club back in 2018 for an unforgettable set – so having them return to headline the festival as a whole is sure to be a real moment.
With many more to be announced, itâs going to be an incredible day and we canât wait to see everyone this October!â
More names were added to Y Not Festival this week with the Scruff of the Neck TV stage announcing the likes of BILK, October Drift, All The Young and more.
We move our News Report onwards now to the best new releases from the past week.
Where else to start other than Muse? The band debuted their latest single, ‘Will of the People’ this week. You can listen to the track above, which comes ahead of the album of the same name on August 26th.
Matt Bellamy says, ââWill of the Peopleâ is fictional story set in a fictional metaverse on a fictional planet ruled by a fictional authoritarian state run by a fictional algorithm manifested by a fictional data centre running a fictional bank printing a fictional currency controlling a fictional population occupying a fictional city containing a fictional apartment where a fictional man woke up one day and thought âfuck this.ââ
Bury Tomorrow release new single ‘LIFE (Paradise Denied)’
Next up in our News Report, we have Bury Tomorrow. The band this week released their latest single, ‘LIFE (Paradise Denied)’, which you can check out above.
Frontman, Dani Winter-Bates admits âas we head into this new era of Bury Tomorrow we want our fans to be as excited as we are and equally as we head into festival season and this yearâs touring we hope this track gets people ready to go wild and celebrate the âreopeningâ of the live music industry. Life and Death were recorded as stand-alone singles and a small taste of whatâs to come next.”
The accompanying music video was directed and produced by the band’s long time friend, Aaran McKenzie (bassist in While She Sleeps). “Aaran is super-talented, proving his skills time and time again, we are grateful he could work his magic on such short notice and create such an awesome, raw video, that really suits everything the song is about.”
Speaking of the new era, the band share: âWe have all collectively faced the craziest upheaval in both our personal and professional lives over the last few years. However, this time has given the band a chance to focus on what Bury Tomorrow means to them, and has equally provided a chance to channel influences, creatively expand and move forward with a new, driven direction.â
This week also saw Hot Water Music share the video for their track, ‘Turn the Dial’, which you can watch above. The song features on their new album, ‘Feel The Void’.
Guitarist/vocalist Chris Cresswell had the following to share about the song itself: âTurn the dial for nothingâ is in reference to searching for something thatâs out there, while knowing that nothing youâll find will ever make you as happy as what you can create yourself. Finding yourself so tapped and so exhausted by all this kind of life entails, but also never being able to put that fire out. The search always continues.â
London duo WOOZE have announced their return with a propulsive new single titled ‘Bittersweet Timpani’.
Speaking on the new single, the band say the track is, âA song about walking home alone, dejected and rejected. We thought the pitiful, pity-party lyrics would juxtapose nicely with the muscular glam-rock bravado of the music.â
Headshrinkers – ‘The Sea Has No Friends’
Black Country-based newcomers Headshrinkers, release their new single, ‘The Sea Has No Friends‘, a stately slice of poetic rock that arrives in tandem with new EP, ‘Doorway Conversations’.
Of the story behind the track, vocalist and songwriter Garran Hickman explains:
âIt was quite the reflective day when I wrote that piece. Words and melody were both written in half an hour. Itâs just two entwined memories really: one is of my older relatives sharing stories of their loved ones in the war, and secondly the opening line, âthe sea has no friendsâ, are words my dad used to describe the sea.â
Final Stair – ‘Dreamhunter’
Berlin based three-piece Final Stair announce the launch of their new single and video, ‘Dreamhunter’.
The band comments: âEvery person pursues big goals, ambitions or a lifelong dream. But these are not always achievable, as they are made more difficult by hurdles or fate. Even if you fail in striving for your goals and dreams, you are always first and foremost a wonderful and unique person.â
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report, where we share the best music news from the past week. We start this week with a real smorgasbord of tour announcements.
First up, is the above special set of shows from Ash. The band will play 3 ‘Free All Angels’ 21st Anniversary Shows in Manchester, Birmingham and London this September!
Drummer Rick McMurray had the following to say: “We’re delighted to announce that we will be commemorating the 21st anniversary of the release of our 2001 classic, Free All Angels. Not least because we will be joined by the fourth member of Ash, guitarist extraordinaire, all-round Shining Light, the one and only, Charlotte Hatherley. Can. Not. Wait.”
Another band celebrating a special anniversary is Idlewild, who this week announced 20th Anniversary shows for ‘The Remote Part’ in Manchester and London.
The band also announced a reissue of the seminal album on vinyl, which is available for pre-order now.
Bullet For My Valentine also announced a huge UK Tour this week. Taking place early next year, the band will also be stopping off at the Roundhouse as well as a massive Swansea Arena show.
Coheed and Cambria team up with Thrice for European Tour
The tour announcements continue in our News Report as we look now to Coheed and Cambria. The band have teamed with Thrice for a European tour with support from TouchĂŠ AmorĂŠ.
We move our News Report on now to festivals and we begin with Steelhouse Festival in Wales.
This week the event finalised their line-up with Europe and Von Hertzen Brothers joining the party.
They join the likes Ace Frehley, Michael Schenker, Inglorious, Graham Bonnet Band, Orange Goblin, Black Spiders, Green Lung, The Hot Damn! and many more.
Manchester’s Neighbourhood Festival has this week unveiled the line-up for this October with The Snuts, Everything Everything and Sundara Karma at the top of the bill.
Also playing are the likes of Lauran Hibberd, Louis Dunford, Ten Tonnes, The Goa Express, The Skinner Brothers, Anorak Patch, Courting and more.
We move on now to the new releases of the past week in our News Report. We start off with Skid Row who have unveiled the video for their new single ‘The Gang’s All Here’, which you can watch above.
ââThe Gang’s All Hereâ for me represents the brotherhood of this band. And with the addition on Erik our bond is more solid than ever. Our fans have always been part of the family, so when it was time to shoot a video, we handed the camera work over to them. After all, they have the best perspective to capture the excitement of a Skid Row show.â – Scotti Hill
âIâm so fâing psyched to finally release this video! This video is by the fans for the fans. A big shout out to all the fans who made this video happen. Thank you!â – Erik GrĂśnwall
The song is the title track of their upcoming album which is released on October 14th.
October Drift release new single ‘Webcam Funerals’
October Drift released their latest single, ‘Webcam Funerals’, this week ahead of their new album, ‘I Don’t Belong Anywhere’ on September 23rd. You can listen to the track above, and pre-order the album here.
“I donât want to go into too much detail out of respect,â begins Kiran, âbut this song was written at the time of losing a friend during the height of the pandemic and lockdown. She passed after a long battle with cancer. Her son, a very close friend of mine, was living with me at the time of the funeral.
I watched online from my front room, while many others did the same from their homes. This song was a response to the strangeness and sadness of friends and family members not being able to be at the funeral or there for each other at that time.”
Kiran talks further about the track and album with us on The Full Pelt Music Podcast, which you can watch below.
TV Priest have shared new single, âIt Was Beautifulâ, taken from forthcoming album ‘My Other People’ out 17th June. You can listen to the track above.
Vocalist Charlie Drinkwater says of the single, ââIt Was Beautifulâ is a love song about the past, present, and future. A reminder that love is the most essential thing. The words came fast; it was recorded in a single emotive session, the first song we wrote together after my family had gone through a difficult experience and I think you can hear that in the kind of melancholy euphoria that plays out as the song progresses. In some ways itâs a coda to the whole album; a reminder to guard your hope fiercely.â
APHYXION have released their latest single, ‘Not Gonna Make It’, which you can check out above.
The band elaborate on the theme of the track:
“‘Not Gonna Make It’ is a song about broken love â a sad reflection of a relationship that once was – and trying to clutch at a straw while drowning in emotions. We never really touched the subject of love in our songs before. While our lyrics have constantly been circling around dystopic subjects both on a worldly and on a personal level, we simply wanted to embrace our emotions and thoughts from a new perspective.
While trying to leave a very black and white way of seeing things, we want to explore the polarity of emotions â where both love and hate co-exist because of their mutually dependent nature.â
We close this segment of our News Report with the latest single from Just Mustard. You can listen to ‘Seed’ above, and order their new album, ‘Heart Under’here.
Guitarist Mete Kalyoncuoglu shares more on the songâs inspiration: âAlong with a lot of electronics and noise, I was listening to a lot of music which featured bowed string instruments. I had finished reading âThe Rest Is Noiseâ by Alex Ross around the time we started writing and I was revisiting a lot of the 20th century composers that I first discovered watching Kubrickâs films, like Krzysztof Penderecki. The rising tempo strikes at the beginning of âSeedâ were inspired from the rising and falling xylophone in BĂŠla BartĂłkâs âMusic for Strings, Percussion and Celestaâ.â
As always we close out our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist! Joining this week:
The Native – ‘Changes’
The Native return with their latest single, ‘Changes’, ahead of the band’s upcoming EP.
Singer Charlie Noordewier says, â‘Changes’ is about breaking out from the mundane cycle of life that so many find themselves stuck in, and pushing back against the people that put you down for trying to do something different.â
Chappaqua Wrestling – ‘Full Round Table’
Chappaqua Wrestling have shared their first new single of 2022, and first with new label EMI, âFull Round Tableâ.
The band explains: âWe wrote Full Round Table as a reaction to the endless negativity put in our faces about our generationâs future. So much news is greeted with the response of how screwed we are – hopeless views from unhelpful people.
Negativity about youth is relative per generation but today it feels stronger. We want to ignore the cynicism, get together, appreciate what really matters, and not let people tell us what we can’t do. The Full Round Table is full of our friends, and thatâs not changing.â
Fixation – ‘More Alive’
As Fixation prepare to release their debut album, they return with new single, ‘More Alive’.
âI wanted to highlight the negative effect social media can have om human relations. It’s harrowing how we spend more time maintaining our online facades, than taking care of our real-life relationships.
With âMore Aliveâ we hope to bring attention to this topic and help our listeners make conscious decisions on how they interact with social media.â – Jonas Hansen / Vocals
In the week that the Music Venue Trust launches their new #OwnOurVenues campaign, itâs somewhat fitting that we find ourselves at The Portland Arms in Cambridge.
Not only does the venue signify everything that the organisation seeks to protect, but they have themselves benefitted during lockdown from the Frank Turner led Independent Venue Love series.
It is venues such as this that act as the lifeblood for artists and music fans alike and The Portland Arms is a particular favourite of mine.
We find ourselves here tonight to catch the brilliant Fatherson, as the band tour their latest album, âNormal Fearsâ. As it appears are many others who fill the venue despite the favourable Spring weather outside.
BLACK FOXXES
Opening tonight is a band that has been building a solid reputation over the past decade, but one that is emerging again after large structural changes. Black Foxxes released their third album mid-pandemic shortly following major line-up changes.
Tonight they show that this refreshed version of the band is still a viable prospect with huge amounts of potential. A raw and intense performance is underpinned by the quality of musicianship, which ensures that the crowd are suitably enthralled.
FATHERSON
Soon enough it is time for the headliners Fatherson to step onto the intimate stage, and they do so by bursting straight into âDiveâ, âCharm Schoolâ and âLost Little Boysâ. This trifecta is a superb opening salvo which gets the audience into high spirits.
Singer Ross Leighton then introduces âNormal Peopleâ and their fourth studio album, âNormal Fearsâ, gets to come to life in the live setting. The new tracks slot in seamlessly with older favourites, and demonstrate the impressive back catalogue that the band has now amassed.
Throughout the evening the band show their quality as a live act, with Leightonâs vocals particularly captivating at times. Once you catch Fatherson live, you will be hooked moving forward such is their power as a band.
Picking a set list with four quality albums behind them must be a tricky conversation now for the band, but tonight they come up with a good mix from across all albums. Older favourites are present such as âCat Stevensâ and âGhostâ, with newer tracks like âBetter Friendâ and âHonest To Godâ also serving a highlights.
All in All, as the band finish with an encore of âMaking Wavesâ, fans can leave the venue reflecting on another fantastic night of music. It really is nights like this, in venues like this where music truly thrives.
Tonight is one of those rare occasions where you get to catch a big band in a smaller venue; this intimate show helping Volbeat to celebrate their latest album, âServant of the Mindâ.
Sold out instantly, itâs not a surprise to see the queue worming its way around the shopping centre that the O2 Academy Islington is held within.
Once inside, fans are already packed in like sardines before support act Benediction take to the stage. Once they do they are entrusted with a whole 45 minutes, which is handy given their lengthy back catalogue.
During this time, the band do their best to entertain and warm up the baying, crammed and sweaty crowd. By the end, theyâve done enough to earn themselves a solid round of applause.
Clearly though those in attendance are here for Volbeat and the band are given a heroes welcomes as they arrive on the stage. Diving straight into âThe Devilâs Bleeding Crownâ and âPelvis on Fireâ, it doesnât take them long to have the audience on a string.
Volbeat are a phenomenal live act with the addition of Rob Caggiano in 2013 really helping to take them to the next level. Newest member, bassist, Kaspar Boye Larsen is also now fully established and watching them move around the stage along with Michael Poulsen, you canât help but feel the band has achieved optimum status.
The setlist tonight is a good career-spanning mix, but with an understandable focus on âServant of the Mindâ. âWait A Minute My Girlâ, âTemple of Ekurâ, âShotgun Bluesâ and âSay No Moreâ all help to showcase another quality release from the group.
There are naturally huge responses to the likes of âLola Montezâ, âSad Manâs Tongueâ, âDead but Risingâ and âBlack Roseâ. But really the entire time the band is on stage, the audience are lapping it up.
As we said at the start, itâs really great when you get to witness a big band in intimate surrounds and tonight has a special feel to it. A memorable night for fans is finally ended with a rousing rendition of âStill Countingâ.
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report! We start out this week with a run through of this weeks best tour announcements, and first up is a huge European Tour for Sum 41.
The band will be celebrating 20+ years of both ‘All Killer No Filler’ and ‘Does This Look Infected?’ this Autumn. For UK fans, the show will be hitting Alexandra Palace in London, with support from Simple Plan!
âWe’ve been having such a great time on our tour with Simple Plan in the States and cannot wait to bring the party over to Europe,â shares vocalist Deryck Whibley. âWe’re so excited to celebrate the anniversaries of some of our favourite albums along with other hits and favourites with you on the “Does This Look All Killer No Filler” tour!â
Next up is Dub War who this week shared their latest single, ‘Vibes In The Place’, which you can listen to above.
Speaking on the track Benji Webbe says, “Vibes In The Place was one of the first songs we wrote when we got back in a room together. It features that old little Yamaha ha ha ha ha keyboard that we use live right up to this day. Whatâs particularly special about this song is that a massive friend and fan mixed this track – Mr Rick Will. Rick was down to mix the whole album but due to one thing or the other we went with Richard Jackson.  For me this song is inspired by Talking Heads – Iâm sure many will say âwhat are you on aboutâ, but for me itâs definitely got a flavour of David Byrne (I guess itâs the part where I say âhold the doorâ!)  âVibes In The Placeâ definitely captured Dub War from back in the day – this track is one of the songs we actually wrote with a drummer in the room, Mikee âKRUPA” Gregory.Â
This song captures the live element of Dub War and once itâs known by the âWar lovers, it will for sure be a live favourite..  Sadly after mixing this song, Rick Will past away⌠So this is a track that means so much to me, Jeff and Richie.â
The track will feature on new album, ‘Westgate Under Fire’, which is out August 5th.
There was also new music this week from Gun. The band debuted new single, ‘Backstreet Brothers’, which you can listen to above.
The band will be releasing a new album, ‘Calton Songs’ on October 14th.
Jools Gizzi says, âWhen the pandemic hit we realised that it was the perfect time to try and counteract the bleakness that was all around. It felt like we couldnât write anything, or of course tour. Out of that darkness came a desire to completely rework these songs that we know the fans love, and bring a different, stripped down vibe. âBetter Daysâ was the first one to get the treatment, and that really brought all our enthusiasm back and relit the creative firesâ.Â
Dante Gizzi added, âItâs ironic that those feelings of negativity led to something so positive, a celebration of our career up to now. It turned into something great, and “Backstreet Brothers” really sums up that unalloyed enthusiasm that has been brought back into the heart of the bandâ.
The Wonder Years share new single ‘Summer Clothes’
There is plenty of new music to share in our News Report this week and next up is The Wonder Years.
The group has shared new single, ‘Summer Clothes’, which you can check out above. The tracks comes ahead of a new album later this year.
Vocalist Dan Campbellexplains: “it’s a love letter to a time when your sadness was most conspicuous by its momentary absence, when the low hum quieted enough for you to realise it was nearly gone, when you did stupid, dangerous shit because, well, why not?”
Another band supporting My Chemical Romance on their UK Tour, is Witch Fever. The band have been building their reputation and recently featured on our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist.
This week the band announced their debut album, ‘Congregation’, will be released October 21st. They also released the title track as a single, and you can listen above.
On the single, Amy Walpole said, âThis is Alishaâs personal fave! It marks a new step in our development as songwriters as itâs something different from what weâve done before. We allowed ourselves to experiment with space and dynamics and we love it!â
Walpole says on the album, âAs our first album weâre really excited to just get it out there. We feel that itâs a step above what weâve done before as we had a chance to experiment with sound and structure. It was our first opportunity to explore writing a body of work which was challenging but has been so rewarding!â
She continues, âIt pushed our creative process because we also had to think about the songs sitting side by side on an album! We tried to break out of what makes a typical âwitch feverâ song whilst still being true to what makes our sound what it is.â
Listen to ‘Fantasy’ above, and check out the band on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with the episode dropping on May 23rd!
âThe pandemic and the lockdown was a long period of questioning. When you try to realize your dreams, your projects, you put so much energy into it that nothing can stop you,â says the band. âBut when everything stops, it’s a hard blow. And this time, it was the whole world that stopped! So you start to question your life, your choices and even think about giving up and you say to yourself, âthat would only be proving the people who never believed in you right.â So when you finally realize that you can’t give up who you are, you start to find a new energy where this time you want to fight even harder to reach your goals because âthis time you want it all.ââ
Eli Hurts, the project from songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Eli Hirsch (courtship), has released a new single and music video for the song ‘Runts’.
“When I played this riff for the first time I was sure I stole it,â says Eli on the new song. âI donât think I did, but who knows. I love this song. I really wish I wasn’t a runt, and in some areas, Iâm not but in many I am. There’s not much to do about it except embrace it. and find other runts. and take over the world. I love you my runts”
Sunsleeper – ‘Currents’
Indie rock outfit Sunsleeper have a new music video for their track ‘Currents’.
âThe music video reflects the theme of feeling stuck in a routine. The character grows increasingly distraught with their mundane cyclical lifestyle, until a chance encounter helps push them out of their comfort zone,â shares vocalist Jeffery Mudgett.
âThe song is about feeling stuck in a cycle that we have no ability to break. Grappling with the fact that life is like currents, forever undulating from crests to troughs. Nothing is linear, especially not existence,â says Mudgett.
Mexican Dogs – ‘When It’s Gone’
‘When Itâs Gone’ is the latest offering from rambunctious Liverpool trio Mexican Dogs.
Frontman Gaz Wilcox explains of the track:
ââWhen Itâs Goneâ is about when you think you donât have enough in life, but then you lose what you had and realise you actually had everything you needed. The track shows a heavier, more alternative side to the band, and this gusty sound goes down well at our live shows. As a band we do try to make each song different from the next â itâs important to us as it keeps things fresh and makes writing music exciting.â
Itâs March 2013 and the following statement appears on the website of My Chemical Romance, breaking hearts around the world:
âBeing in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing. We’ve gotten to go places we never knew we would. We’ve been able to see and experience things we never imagined possible. We’ve shared the stage with people we admire, people we look up to, and best of all, our friends. And now, like all great things, it has come time for it to end. Thanks for all of your support, and for being part of the adventure.â
My Chemical Romance statement – March 2013
Fast forward to October 2019 and those hearts are sent racing with news that the band will reunite for a show in LA that December. Following that show many more shows are announced including three dates at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes. Of course just weeks later the world stopped as the pandemic took hold, and those shows fell by the wayside.
Finally, now in May 2022 the band can make their long awaited return to the UK; their show at the Eden Project just days ago being their first show on these shores since headlining Leeds Festival in August 2011.
So with the magnitude of these shows established letâs get into it! Stadium MK is the home to MK Dons Football Club, but has also become a popular destination for live music following an appearance from Rammstein back in 2019.
There is a great supporting bill in place this evening, with the hotly-tipped Witch Fever opening up proceedings. The band are able to grab the attention of the early crowd and hold it throughout their short but impressive set. The band will release their debut album in October, and after this performance that is certainly one to watch out for.
Another reunited band is next as LostAlone return having split back in 2014. The band toured with My Chemical Romance early in their career, so itâs a nice touch to have them back on this show. Frontman Steven Battelle does a fantastic job getting the crowd warmed up and the band leave the stage victoriously having conquered their big return.
Main support comes from the incredible Placebo who have just released their first album in 9 years, âNever Let Me Goâ. In true Placebo fashion the band donât cater towards the crowd and for the first thirty or so minutes stick with a mix of new songs and obscurer tracks from their back catalogue.
As a huge fan of the band, their set is fantastic, but from the audience reaction those in attendance clearly want the hits. Finally the band oblige and close out their set with the likes of âFor What Itâs Worthâ, âThe Bitter Endâ and âInfra-redâ. Placebo are defiantly going to do whatever they want to do, for some the results are stunning, for casual bystanders the results are somewhat lacklustre. Thankfully Iâm in the first camp!
One thing for sure is that audience response levels are guaranteed to be high as we prepare now for our headline act. After a decade of inactivity and a couple of extra years of delay, itâs finally time for My Chemical Romance to hit the stage.
The stadium erupts as they do, with singer Gerard Way taking the stage in blood spattered all white suit and mask for their new single, âThe Foundations of Decayâ. The noise levels then go through the non-existent roof with classic tracks âHelenaâ and âGive âEm Hell, Kidâ.
With the band mixing the setlist up every night, fans are kept on their toes and that just adds to the general excitement, making the atmosphere inside the stadium as hot as it comes.
There are huge moments within the set, with âTeenagersâ, âNa Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)â, âWelcome to the Black Paradeâ and âThe Ghost of Youâ all getting the entire stadium on their feet singing.
Then there are moments for the old school fans with deep cuts such as âItâs Not a Fashion Statement, Itâs a Fucking Deathwishâ and âSkylines and Turnstilesâ featuring tonight.
It almost feels like the band has never been away, with the group typically cohesive yet brash. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, yet those with the band in their heart already hold them up as aloft as a godlike entity.
This return is only going to amplify that, but with showings like this the band are only going to solidify their position as one of the biggest on the planet.
âFamous Last Wordsâ and âIâm Not Okay (I Promise)â both feature towards the end and the band finally send fans home happy with âVampire Moneyâ. My Chemical Romance are back, hearts are healed and there are big things to come!