Outside the venue its wet, miserable and 2022 is kicking our ass. Once inside Alexandra Palace in London however, well, its summer 2001, weâre with our friends and we donât have a care in the world!
Yes, tonight the venue plays host to not just headliners Sum 41 but also special guests Simple Plan as we all get to relive our youth. But up first, some fresh blood and local artist Cassyette, who has been busy making a name for herself over the past couple of years.
With tonightâs show sold out well in advance, there is a decent crowd in early for her to impress and impress she does. Owning the stage like a seasoned veteran, she is able to stir up that early crowd and get them engaged fully in proceedings.
Tracks such as âDear Gothâ and âMayhemâ sound huge in this large venue and intimate that hers is a name that will become more familiar for the masses in the future.
WATCH ‘DEAR GOTH’ ON YOUTUBE
Cassyette – ‘Dear Goth’
After a short gap, Simple Plan are ready to launch into a barrage of pop punk goodness. With a full production behind them, and the audience lapping up every moment, youâd be forgiven for thinking that Simple Plan were the headliners tonight.
All the fan favourites are present as the band commence our journey back in time. This is an immensely fun show that reinforces just how iconic Simple Plan are in their field.
Finally itâs time for headliners Sum 41 to arrive on stage to huge levels of expectation. With the band celebrating the anniversaries of their first two albums, âAll Killer No Fillerâ and âDoes This Look Infected?â, fans are ready for a party.
And itâs a party that they get with barely any lull in pace or atmosphere. Fan favourites such as âMotivationâ, âThe Hell Songâ, âWeâre All to Blameâ, âWarâ and âUnderclass Heroâ dominate the setlist.
Whilst those two early albums are focused on, itâs a career spanning set from the band. Add to this pyro galore and you have a sensational show. âIn Too Deepâ, âPiecesâ and âStill Waitingâ all feature later in a relentlessly good set.
By the time the evening ends with âFat Lipâ, the band have succeeded in removing all our cares and have done their legacy justice.
When the industry is always looking for the next big thing, The Snuts have certainly thrown their name in that hat over the past couple of years. A huge debut album has now been followed up with a brave, adventurous and importantly well received sophomore record.
To really breakthrough though artists need to back up what they do on record when taking to the stage. Tonight we head to the UEA LCR in Norwich to see what progress the band have made on this front.
Up first however are local favourites Youth Killed It who command the stage as if they were the headliners. Full of genre-bending rifftastic sing-a-long anthems, the band control the stage with utter ease. Whilst just the opening act tonight, there would be worse bets to place than one predicting that Youth Killed It will return to headline this stage.
Next, the audience are serenaded by young singer-songwriter Heidi Curtis who is able to charm the baying crowd with her uplifting performance. Curtis is most definitely one to watch in the coming years.
Finally the venue get the group that theyâve been waiting for as The Snuts arrive onstage to a powerful politically charged video. Yes, video⊠the band instantly showcase their intentions to raise their live credentials with a elegant stage set up.
Itâs not all style and no substance however, as The Snuts are able to back it up with a stunning performance full of effortless cool swagger. The audience are held in the palm of their hand as they mix material from their two albums.
Fan favourites such as âGlasgowâ, âAll Your Friendsâ and âAlwaysâ sound absolutely huge while newer tracks âThe Rodeoâ and âZuckerpunchâ show that new album âBurn the Empireâ is also full of anthems.
If tonight The Snuts were auditioning to be the next breakout indie megastars then theyâd have been given the part before they even finished their routine!
An encore of âBurn the Empireâ and âFatboy Slimâ is really just the icing on what has been a delicious cake. The Snuts it would appear are ready to take over the world.
Perennial contenders Pulled Apart By Horses have just released the fifth studio album of their near fifteen year career. âReality Chequesâ features a more streamlined sound and tonight in Norwich we get to see how that translates on stage.
MAGNOLIA PHOTOS
Opening the early evening show at the Waterfront Studio are local newcomers Magnolia. Itâs difficult to find much about the band online and even harder to pigeonhole them into any genre.
Describing themselves as psychedelic post-punk, there are certainly elements of those genres present in amongst their experimental sound. There are also many others as killer riffs segue into moments of pure randomness. There are times of brilliance and times of dreadfulness in their short set. Only a young act, there is something here, Iâm just not sure what it is yet!
THE HOWLERS PHOTOS
Next up are a band clearly further along their discovery path. Londoners The Howlers recently released new EP, âFurther Down the Lineâ and songs from that record are highlights tonight.
The group own the stage like they are industry veterans and the crowd are left in awe of a top quality support slot. These are the shows where newer acts can win new fans and build their audiences and the likes of âThe Boy I Was Beforeâ and âEl Doradoâ will have done some excellent building work tonight.
PULLED APART BY HORSES PHOTOS
Finally, our headliners Pulled Apart By Horses take to the stage and from the first angry guitar strum the intimate audience are raucous! To say that both band and crowd are up for it tonight would be an understatement and that makes for a fantastic atmosphere on this Saturday night.
New album, âReality Chequesâ, naturally features heavily in the set list for Pulled Apart By Horses and as they open with âPipe Dreamâ and âFirst World Problemsâ itâs clear that the album passes the live test. The new songs sound massive as do older tracks such as âThe Hazeâ and âThe Big What Ifâ.
During a cost of living crisis, small shows such as this are superb value for money and our headliners deliver an energetic and engaged display from start to finish â something often found lacking with arena shows.
As Pulled Apart By Horses close their set with fan favourites âV.E.N.O.M.â, âI Punched A Lion In The Throatâ and âHigh Five, Swan Dive, Nose Diveâ, they reaffirm themselves a standout live act and rubberstamp the fact that five albums in they remain a creative force.
You know that gig season is in full effect when you head along to a Frank Turner show. Yes, the man that is always on tour is on his rearranged âNever Ending Tour of Everywhereâ. Tonight that means the Junction in Cambridge and another sold out show.
Itâs almost a guarantee at a Turner show that youâll be greeted by some fantastic support acts and this tour is certainly no different. Up first are Truckstop Honeymoon who serenade the crowd with their entertaining bluegrass folk sound, and their whimsical quips! The duo will be picking up many new fans on this tour as they introduce themselves properly to the UK.
The main support act on this tour is non-other than Pet Needs, who have featured on both our âDiscoverâ New Music and Full Pelt Music Podcasts. The band are intrinsically linked to Mr. Turner at the moment. He has produced both their albums and taken them on tour around the world. That said, it really feels like the band are breaking out and solidifying their own name.
Shows like tonight will go a long way towards that and itâs telling the amount of Pet Needs merchandise on display in the audience. Early fan favourites such as âTracey Eminâs Bedâ and âKayakâ intermix with new songs âIbiza In Winterâ and âFear for the Whole Damn Worldâ as the band showcase their enormous potential.
Closing their generous time on stage with âOvercompensatingâ, âToothpasteâ and âGet On the Roofâ, anybody not yet alert to Pet Needs now surely are. The crowd give the band a huge ovation as they depart ready to continue to plot for world domination.
The audience is hot tonight and as Frank Turner takes to the stage the atmosphere is palpable. Imagine then the reaction as Turner bursts straight into a run of âFour Simple Wordsâ, âThe Gatheringâ, âPhotosynthesisâ, âPunchesâ and â1933â â hardly time for band or audience to breathe!
Turnerâs latest album, âFTHCâ, is a punk record and that ethos is certainly captured on this tour. Thankfully for Turner his audience are open to this change in pace and band and crowd are one tonight making this a great Friday night out.
Frank Turner is known to take particular care over his setlists and tonight is a typical career spanning affair with fan favourites, deep cuts and new tracks all on offer. Highlights tonight include âA Wave Across A Bayâ, âBe More Kindâ and âNon Serviamâ.
At this point you know what you are going to get from a Turner show, and thatâs an amazing time. Realistically that makes him a very difficult person to review, his consistency and endurance are unrivalled and you never really get a misstep.
Tonight the show climaxes with an encore of âI Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famousâ, âRecoveryâ, âTry This At Homeâ and âI Still Believeâ, which drains every remaining drop of energy out of the venue. Donât take Turner for granted, get down to a show and have a great night!
Tonight is a hot ticket, with venue staff stating that they couldâve sold the venue out four times over, and that people had been inquiring about just listening from outside the venue.
The reason for the excitement is that tonight indie rock standouts Hard-Fi will be playing their first show in eight years. Not just that but it takes place in the intimate surrounds of one of the UKâs premier independent music venues â the Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes (or Wolverton as singer Richard Archer points out).
Yes, the return of Hard-Fi is very welcome and given the lyrical content of some of their early material, itâs somewhat apt that the band responsible for âCash Machineâ return during one of the most tumultuous weeks of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Tonight serves as a warm up for their big return shows in Manchester and London, but before Hard-Fi arrive on stage we have the warm up for tonight. Eddz channels his inner Ian Brown, performing solo to a backing track. In front of a baying crowd, Eddz styles out the performance well and certainly leaves the stage with more fans than we he arrived.
The venue is rammed tight by the time the returning heroes arrive on stage and opener âMiddle Eastern Holidayâ instantly engages the crowd. The atmosphere is electric as the band find their feet through the likes of âCanât Get Along (Without You)â and âI Shall Overcomeâ.
There is a slightly misguided rendition of The White Stripes classic âSeven Nation Armyâ early in the show which feels oddly placed and generally unnecessary, however the next tracks âTied Up Too Tightâ and âGood For Nothingâ ensure that the crowd remains firmly onboard.
A run of âBetter Do Betterâ, âBring It Onâ, âFire In The Houseâ and âCash Machineâ is fantastic, and just shows the depth of the bands back catalogue. Despite only having 3 studio albums to their name, Hard-Fi certainly have the proverbial bangers for days!
Whilst there are times that itâs clear this is their first show in a very long time, the band shake off any gremlins to deliver a memorable night for their fans. âSuburban Knightsâ and âHard To Beatâ close out the main set for a three song encore which ends of âLiving For The Weekendâ.
The band are living for this weekend and their big return shows, but after this performance, fans will be hoping that Hard-Fi stick around for a while longer!
It feels like an eternity ago that Lonely The Brave burst onto the scene with their incredible early EP, âBackroadsâ. Thatâs probably because that actually was almost a decade ago, and wow has the world been through some tough times since then.
It hasnât all been smooth sailing for the band either, with the switch of vocalist in 2018 a major hurdle. Thankfully the band secured the talented Jack Bennett to fill the very big shoes of David Jakes.
The problem for the band now is that just when they would need momentum the most, the world stopped moving. The pandemic disrupted all people in all walks of life with the music industry hit very hard. Imagine then the impact on Lonely The Brave as they looked to move seamlessly into their new era.
New album, âThe Hope Listâ, was released in the midst of lockdown in January 2021 and plans to tour in support were naturally delayed. That time has belatedly arrived now and tonight they play a special hometown show at the Junction in Cambridge.
There are two support acts on tap with VLMV up first, captivating the early audience with a sonic smorgasbord of guitars, synths and vocals. Cult icon Jamie Lenman then blasts though a short set of new material which ramps up the intensity in the venue. Both acts have done a good job warming up a slightly lethargic crowd ready for the hometown heroes to arrive.
Welcomed warmly onstage Lonely The Brave instantly mix new tracks such as âKeeperâ and âDistant Lightâ with old favourites like âBlack Mireâ and âTrick of the Lightâ. This is a theme that continues throughout the evening.
Bennett as we say has had big shoes to fill vocally and he manages to do those old favourites justice tonight whilst also adding new layers both sonically and corporeally.
There is an unusual tense atmosphere in the venue tonight, which feels highlighted by this being a hometown show. Itâs only really when the likes of âThe Blue, The Greenâ, âBackroadsâ and âBlack Saucersâ appear towards the end of the show that the audience relaxes a bit.
Performance wise the venue witnesses three strong sets tonight from three acts at varying stages of their careers. The industry is in a tough spot right now, but youâd hope there is enough talent on show here that these acts can kick on from here.
The cost of living crisis currently strangling the UK has become the latest threat to the future of our independent grassroots music venues. The Music Venue Trust had already engaged with The National Lottery for the #ReviveLive campaign in answer to the pandemic, but now it takes on even greater meaning.
Itâs venues such as the Portland Arms in Cambridge where we are tonight that are vital to the music ecosystem. No introductory venues – no cultivating superstars. No regional venues â unsustainable travel to gigs for fans. No new superstars and unaffordable costs for fans â the collapse of the music industry! That may seem dramatic, but itâs the short, sharp and real threat that we are facing.
Tonights #ReviveLive show features Scottish rock band The Xcerts and has been pushed back a day to avoid the Queenâs funeral. Despite the change and the lack of a support act, the venue is suitably stocked with audience members come the time for the band to hit the stage.
The setlist tonight comprises tracks from all four of the bands studio albums but focuses heavily on latest effort, 2018âs âHold On To Your Heartâ. âDrive Me Wildâ and âDaydreamâ from that album start us off and ease the audience into the show, before âShaking in the Waterâ really gets things moving.
That album is a masterpiece so fans are more than happy to hear multiple tracks from it. There is an audible delight however at the presence of two brand new songs in the set tonight. Both âEverything I Cannot Live Withoutâ and âJealousyâ sound promising for more stunning work to come from the band.
The Xcerts deserve all the success in the world and the final run of âShow Me Beautifulâ, âThere Is Only Youâ, âCrazyâ, âHold On To Your Heartâ, âAberdeen 1987â and âFeels Like Falling In Loveâ is a real testament to their quality.
There are great nights like this happening in every major city and town in the UK every night of the week. The venues these are happening in and the bands killing it onstage need your support now. If you are able to, get yourself to a show and ensure that when all our problems hopefully dissipate, we still have venues and bands to enjoy!
Disillusioned and close to bankruptcy, it is fair to say that 2001âs âFree All Angelsâ, was a make or break record for Ash. Whilst debut album, â1977â, had hit the number one spot and made the band a household name, sophomore release, âNu-Clear Soundsâ had seen the bands momentum stall.
Having seemingly hit rock bottom, a refreshed approach saw the band write and record what would be their saving grace, âFree All Angelsâ. Returning the band to the top of the charts, and serving as a springboard to greater success, it is again fair comment to say that the album rescued the groupâs career.
This week has seen the band celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the album with three very special shows. Rejoined by guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, who departed the band in 2006, Ash have played the album in full first in Manchester, then Birmingham and finally tonight at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London.
On the eve of the funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there is a perfectly observed minutes silence at 8pm.
Shortly thereafter opening act The Gulps take to the stage and do a suitable job of raising spirits and getting those in attendance ready for our headliners.
WATCH ‘SHINING LIGHT’ ON YOUTUBE
Ash – ‘Shining Light’
A mighty roar greets Ash and particularly Hatherley to the stage and the band proceed to play the entirety of âFree All Angelsâ. The quality of the record is borne out with opening trio, âWalking Barefootâ, âShining Lightâ and âBurn Baby Burnâ, with even frontman Tim Wheeler commenting on the run.
The singles, naturally, played a large role in the success of the album but it is the overall quality that ensures that remains as revered today as when released in 2001. âCandyâ, âSomedayâ, âSometimesâ and âThereâs A Starâ are all glorious before âWorld Dominationâ brings the run though to a close.
This doesnât end the evening however as Wheeler quips about making the most of their time with Hatherley, before introducing the first song that they worked on together, âA Life Less Ordinaryâ.
Ash are a fine live act, but tonight the addition of Hatherley really ratchets things up a notch or two. The added layers and intricacies level up the band and the likes of âGoldfingerâ, âOrpheusâ and âClonesâ sound absolutely huge tonight.
Towards the end of the night the band break out tracks such as âNumbskullâ, âKung Fuâ and âGirl From Marsâ much to the delight of the audience.
Tonight has been a reflection of a period of time not just for Ash but in British music. Itâs an evening drenched in nostalgia but for those in the venue itâs all about the immediacy of the performance. Itâs only fitting that a final airing of âBurn Baby Burnâ closes out what has been a successful celebration of a truly great album.
With the nights drawing in and the first full festival season in three years now completed, itâs time to head back indoors for our live music fix. And where better to start than in one of the UKâs many incredible intimate independent venues!
That brings us to Norwich at The Waterfront Studio for a sold out show from Canadian acts Arkells and Lights. Getting to welcome international acts such as these back into venues such as this is another reminder of the progress live music has made to return this year, and the venue fills up early with fans eager for an evening of great music.
Whether or not theyâd be in receipt of such was never really in doubt considering the acts present. Up first is the multi-talented Lights who clearly has her fair share of diehard fans in attendance. Thankfully for them she has a whole hour to showcase her genre-bending indie pop, to the delights of those in the venue.
Latest album, âPEPâ, features highly throughout a career spanning set list and album tracks such as opener âProdigal Daughterâ, âBeside Myselfâ and âOkay Okayâ are highlights in a consistently powerful and uplifting show.
Yes, the bar for tonight is set very high by Lights, and many seasoned professionals would flounder in their attempts to follow such a performance. Luckily for both the band and the packed venue, Arkells are more than up to the challenge.
The Opening trio of âPast Lifeâ, âLeather Jacketâ and âMichigan Leftâ set the stage for another top tier performance from this well-oiled touring machine. At this stage of their career, the group have songs for days so itâs refreshing that they are willing to accept audience requests such as âHand Me Downsâ which occurs next.
Arkells provide another career encapsulating set list with a particular focus on recent efforts âBlink Onceâ and âBlink Twiceâ. Big hitters such as ’11:11â, âKnocking At The Doorâ and finale âYou Can Get Itâ all elicit huge reactions from the crowd, however the highlight of the night comes from something special and unique.
Frontman Max Kerman regales the crowd with the tale of a young married couple having their first dance to âAnd Then Someâ, with the track being performed by a local covers band. Kerman proceeds to recreate the moment of the first dance with the couple in the crowd, even bringing out the singer of said band, Counterfeit Brits, to sing.
Another memorable moment comes via ABBA cover, âGimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)â. Expect the unexpected appears to be the theme of the night as Lights also returns to the stage to perform âHuman Beingâ with Arkells; much to the delight of an audience who will remember this night for years to come.
Live music is well and truly back, and our independent venues are leading the charge with amazing shows such as this taking place every night of the week. The tickets to catch these two fantastic international acts in intimate UK venues are surprisingly inexpensive. Thankfully for you there are a number of shows remaining on this tour, so do yourself and your local venue a favour and head along to one!
Reading & Leeds Festivals are the traditional end of the UK Festival season, and this year is a milestone year as a full calendar takes place for the first time since 2019. Letâs not dwell on why, instead letâs head straight into the action on a packed and hot Saturday at Reading Festival.
Sold out well in advance, Saturday at this yearâs event is a particularly hot ticket with a stunning line-up throughout and topped by Arctic Monkeys and Bring Me The Horizon.
We are in the arena bright and early for surprise opening act Wargasm who storm the main stage with a set packed full of energy and attitude. The band appears to be on a world conquering mission, and nobody can argue their work ethic. Itâs also damn hard to argue with their captivating stage presence and musical outlay.
We then head into the âFestival Republicâ Tent for the next couple of acts. With the new two main stage structure at Reading & Leeds Festivals the separate âPitâ and âLock-upâ stage has sadly been a much missed casualty. There is much less choice now for the music connoisseurs amongst the crowd; which isnât a problem with a stacked line-up like today but is very evident on Friday and Sunday.
This change does mean there is less cohesion in the line-up with heavy rockers Static Dress followed by lad rock upstarts The Skinner Brothers in the tent. Despite their difference styles both deliver energetic and well-received performances for the early risers.
There is more indie-fuelled sing-a-long action next back on the main stages with The Lathums pulling in a decent crowd. Whilst there is nothing earth-shatteringly new about what they do, The Lathums do this modern stock-indie reasonably well.
WATCH POPPY PLAY ‘BLOODMONEY’ AT READING FESTIVAL
Poppy – ‘BLOODMONEY’
Whilst there were no moulds broken on one main stage, over on the other is Poppy, an artist who has broken every mould sheâs been in. Yes, originally a Youtube sensation, then a bubblegum pop idol and now a heavy metal phenomenon, Poppy crosses many boundaries. Today she oozes rockstar appeal as she owns the stage with their eclectic musical offerings, proving along the way that she retains a very bright future.
A bright future is also ahead for Sueco, who attracts a good sized audience in the tent next for his debut UK performance. Over the next thirty minutes Sueco has that crowd in the palm of his hands as he runs through fans favourites including TikTok sensation âParalyzedâ.
Enter Shikari are a band more concerned with the future of the planet than that of their career and they take a main stage next for a politically charged call to arms with epic musical accompaniment. New single, âThe Void Stares Backâ including guests Wargasm sounds absolutely huge as do tracks from previous album, âNothing Is True & Everything Is Possibleâ.
WATCH ENTER SHIKARI PLAY ‘{ THE DREAMER’S HOTEL }’ AT READING
A passionate speech is curtailed through either a power failure or for the conspiracy theorists – censorship. Either way even with a stifled end to their set, the band show once again that they are one of the best live acts on the planet.
Weâve mentioned the stacked line-up today and part of the reason for such excitement is the collection of a number of bands in the best live act conversation. Next up on the other main stage are Fontaines D.C. who receive a heroâs welcome by swelled crowd.
WATCH FONTAINES D.C. PLAY ‘BOYS IN THE BETTER LAND’ AT READING
New album, âSkinty Fiaâ, takes centre stage as the band deliver the likes of âI Love Youâ, âJackie Down the Lineâ and âRoman Holidayâ. A young fan coming out the crowd to ace guitar on âBoys in the Better Landâ provides one of the highlights of the festival, and the band leave the stage having proven themselves to be in the pool of future headliners.
Another band no doubt destined to headline Reading Festival in the not too distant future is Wolf Alice. Whether rocking hard on âSmileâ, serenading us with âSafe From Heartbreak (If You Never Fall in Love)â or showing their all round brilliance on âThe Last Man on Earthâ, Wolf Alice are a band that can literally do it all.
WATCH WOLF ALICE PLAY ‘HOW CAN I MAKE IT OK?’ AT READING
A twelve song set absolutely flies by this evening and with a rammed field of fans left desperate for more, surely a full headline show from the band is a must next time they come to town.
Thatâs one thing Reading & Leeds Festivals have always excelled at â giving new headliners their shot. Thatâs exactly what they do next with heavy hitters Bring Me The Horizon finally being given the main stage headline festival set they earned years ago!
What those who gather for the performance are greeted with is a band at the peak of their powers, both creatively and as a live act. The band proceed to deliver a memorable set for all the right reasons. This is a victory for Bring Me The Horizon and for heavy music and the band do all in their powers to fulfil all expectations.
WATCH BRING ME THE HORIZON PLAY ‘BAD HABITS’ WITH ED SHEERAN AT READING
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Bad Habits’ feat. Ed Sheeran
The setlist is flawless, the visuals are stunning, the crowd interaction is on point and the band sound incredible; this is a real moment. A moment made even bigger by the band bringing out Ed Sheeran for a dose of âBad Habitsâ to the ear-piercing sound of teenage girls screams.
This is the sort of performance that you donât want to follow but thatâs just what Arctic Monkeys have to do next. Being one of the most hotly anticipated acts of the weekend and one much craved by fans in recent years, surely this would be easy for megastars such as Arctic Monkeys.
WATCH ARCTIC MONKEYS PLAY ‘R U MINE’ AT READING
Arctic Monkeys – ‘R U Mine’
Sadly for those in attendance what the band deliver is a lukewarm showing. The opposite of Bring Me The Horizon, the setlist is poor, the visuals are basic, the crowd interaction is nearly non-existent and the sound is too low. A stunning day such as this needed a big finish and that should in hindsight of been Bring Me The Horizon.
Arctic Monkeys are a huge act with a back catalogue you can hold against anybody else, but today it feels like a phoned in effort. It isnât a bad show by any stretch of the imagination; itâs a good show that shouldâve been a great show.
Hopefully the band can rediscover their spark with new album, âThe Carâ on the way, but tonight belongs to a different Sheffield band!
