All Points East has now firmly established its place in the UK festival calendar having already brought some huge names to Victoria Park in London in recent years.
Those names included The Strokes in 2019 when their headline set was struck by sound issues. That perhaps is the reason for their relatively quick return this year, but fans also have the prospect of hearing material from 2020 release âThe New Abnormalâ.
But before we get there we have a lot more to get through, that is after we get through traffic issues outside of London which sadly means with miss both HotWax and FEET.
When we do arrive in the arena, we head straight to the East Stage (one of two huge outdoor main stages) for the reformed Be Your Own Pet. The band only reunited last year but they own the stage today as if theyâve never been away. With their fantastic performance, Jemina Pearl starts a theme of woman stealing the show today.
A brisk walk is then required to get over to the West Stage for another reunion! The Walkmen have recently returned and draw a good early crowd to the stage. The band return the favour with a career-spanning crowd pleaser of a set.
Soon though, itâs time for the woman to take centre stage again with Amyl and the Sniffers quickly making the West Stage their own. Frontwoman Amy Taylor already has the audience in the palm of her hand when an almighty downpour commences. For most acts this would kill their momentum, but the band are able to hold the crowd and ramp up the intensity, creating a moment that will last long in the memory.
Another short wait on the West Stage is all it takes for another incredible female artist to steal the show. The iconic Karen O leads Yeah Yeah Yeahs through a headline worthy performance which is absolutely enthralling.
By the time the band closes out their set with âMapsâ, âHeads Will Rollâ and âDate With The Nightâ, theyâve proven themselves to be one of the best live bands on the planet. Captivating, dazzling and glorious, you start your walk back to the East Stage wondering how on earth our headline act can match that performance.
Sadly for The Strokes the fateful enemy has a say once again with sound issues somehow a problem once more. Many in the crowd complain that the volume is too low, something perhaps not helped by the meandering pace of the setlist.
That said, when the band do dig out the hits the crowd comes to life. The setlist features many of the same staples as 2019 but we do get âOde to the Metsâ and âThe Adults Are Talkingâ from their latest studio effort.
Through their ninety minute set the band are able to evidence why they are one of the most acclaimed acts of the past two decades and it is far from a bad performance.
You just leave with the same disappointment as last time due to sound problems dampening the show. Perhaps that means the band will be back again in a couple of years, but either way All Points East continues to go from strength to strength and this year is another resounding success!
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week with the best new releases from the past week and up first are Enter Shikari with their new single, ‘Bloodshot’, which you can check out above.
On the track, lead vocalist and producer Rou Reynolds explains:
âEvery day, I seem to be asking myself âIs this article biased?â, âis this claim true?â, âShould I be more furious about this issue? Or less furious?â, âAm I being manipulated? Provoked? Radicalised by my own âtribeâ?
Bloodshot is about how hard it is to find truth, and how easy it is to stop thinking for yourself and simply repeat your âteamâsâ mantras.
Everyoneâs so fucking angry with everyone else and itâs exhausting. It seems like social mediaâs main purpose these days is to hypnotise us to hateâ.
The track comes of ahead of their upcoming new album, ‘A Kiss For The Whole World’, which is out April 21st.
Our News Report continues with the brand new single from DevilDriver! You can check out ‘Through the Depths’ above, with the single coming ahead of new album, ‘Dealing With Demons Vol.II’, which is out May 12th.
Frontman Dez Fafara says aboutthe single: “‘Through the Depths’ is a conversation between a higher power and humans regarding the power of thinking ideas into existence, but being very careful of being arrogant behind those wants and needs.
The first lines give this away: âAttention attention, youâre seeking, you’ve asked for, itâs given” (the higher power says)
Then the lines of the chorus are that same higher power speaking to humans, saying: ‘through the depths to the ascension, nothing you wouldnât do for my attention, held to the fire itâs not my crime, you’ve pinned it on me for the last time.’ Meaning – donât blame the Gods (pin it on them) for your fuck ups. Meaning – put it out there and take steps to attain goals and take accountability.
This track is the essence of ‘Dealing With Demons Vol. II’, and the conversations within the record get way deeper than even this.Enjoy.”
This week saw Therapy? debut their new single, ‘Joy’, which you can listen to above. The group also revealed that new album, ‘Hard Cold Fire’, will arrive May 5th!
Singer Andy Cairns says “Joy started with a term from ‘Waiting for Godot’, by Samuel Beckett, this wonderful line: ‘habit is a great deadener’. I just love that word, ‘dead-en-er’. It’s an amazing word. People get themselves into these habits, and the next thing you know, their life is over and they’ve only lived in a very small circle of experience, often through choice, which is scary.â
Another band having a great week this week were James and the Cold Gun who unveiled their new single, ‘My Silhouette’, which you can of course check out above!
The band also revealed that their debut album will arrive on July 28th.
IST IST share new single ‘Nothing More Nothing Less’
IST IST – ‘Nothing More Nothing Less’
The new music continues thick and fast in our News Report and up next are Manchester’s IST IST. The group this week shared their latest single, ‘Nothing More Nothing Less’, which you can listen to above.
Chiming with the overarching concept of upcoming album, âProtagonistsâ, out March 31st, the single finds the band stepping into the shoes of a character trapped in a complex relationship and at odds with her true feelings.
Frontman Adam Houghton explains: ââNothing More Nothing Lessâ is a simple love song really written from a womanâs perspective who isnât exactly sure what she wants.â
Closing out the new releases in our News Report this week are Problem Patterns and their brand new single, ‘Who Do We Not Save?’, which you can check out above.
Commenting on the single, the band say: âOur healthcare system has been falling apart for years due to cuts, and the pandemic only sped up the process. We constantly see campaigns telling people to ask for help, especially in regards to mental health, but the reality is that the services we need are under too much pressure. The line âWeâre one or two paychecks awayâ refers to the fact that many of us will be in a lot of trouble if privatisation becomes reality here. The title itself is lifted verbatim from Dominic Cummingâs photo of the white board used to plan the UK governmentâs early response to COVID. We thought it would be fitting to use it for the singleâs cover art, too.â
Our News Report moves on now to the best tour announcements from the past week and up first is the legendary John Fogerty.
This week saw Fogerty announce his return to the UK with two special arena shows in Manchester and London in May.
âAs of this January, I own my own songs again. This is something I thought would never be a possibility. After 50 years, I am finally reunited with my songs. I also have a say in where and how my songs are used. Up until this year, that is something I have never been able to do. I am looking forward to touring and celebrating this year! I want to thank Concord for helping to make all of this happen. And, I am excited for new ideas and a renewed interest in my music ⊠like a revival.â said Fogerty.
The rejuvenated Funeral For A Friend will be back on the road this October for a very special tour celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their debut album, ‘Casually Dressed and Deep In Conversation’.
Along for the ride will be very special guests Dashboard Confessional.
Another band coming to UK venues later this year is Highly Suspect who have revealed a run of dates this September. They’ll be bringing The Picturebooks along with them as special guests.
We move our News Report now across to the best festival announcements of the week. Following their bigger line-up reveal last week, 2000trees have now introduced Bullet For My Valentine as headlining this year’s event.
They join the likes of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Hundred Reasons, Skindred, Eagles of Death Metal, Deaf Havana, Bob Vylan, Electric Six, Empire State Bastard, Holding Absence, Black Honey, Cancer Bats, The Joy Formidable, Tigercub, Dream State, Press To MECO and so many more!
Maryland rockers Any Given Sin present their new single, ‘Calm Before The Storm’ ahead of their forthcoming debut album.
âItâs a song about perseverance,â says the front man Victor Ritchie. âYouâre standing up to whateverâs in front of you.â Guitarist Mike Conner adds, âYouâre not just surviving a traumatic experience though – Youâre also becoming stronger because of it.â
Bellwether – ‘Hurricane’
Sydney based Pop Punk band Bellwether have shared their new single âHurricaneâ featuring Brooklane.
âHurricane was inspired by the titular character of the Naruto series and is about wanting to prove the people who didnât believe in you or dismissed you wrong, and blow them away. While we took a lot from Naruto for the song, we also used our experience in the music industry to ensure that we were being honest and sincere in our performance and why weâre so excited to show off this track – To let people know weâre here and to show off our worth as artists.â – Heath Joukhadar (guitarist)
Hematite – ‘Run Devil Run’
Hematite release ‘Run Devil Run’, the final single before their debut EP ‘Speak of the Devil’.
âThis song was written at a time of my life when I felt like I couldn’t slow down or hell would catch up with me. That maybe if I keep pushing through the flames I won’t get burnt. It’s kind of a take on how we donât check in on ourselves until it’s too late. Until there’s hell to pay. The reality is once you put yourself into so many fires, you either burn out or become the flame yourself, burning everything around you. In this song, I felt like I was doing both.â -Hematite
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week by running through the best festival announcements made over the past week and up first we have Kendal Calling.
Topping the bill this year will be Kasabian, Royal Blood, Blossoms and Nile Rodgers & Chic! They are joined by the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Frank Turner, Circa Waves, The Enemy, KT Tunstall and The Amazons.
Also across the weekend will be The Hunna, The Murder Capital, Vistas, We Are Scientists, Lottery Winners, Black Honey, Newton Faulkner, October Drift, Jack Valero and many more!
Glasgow’s TRNSMT has added some fifty new acts to the bill for this year’s festival. The events features headliners Pulp, Sam Fender, The 1975, George Ezra, Kasabian and Royal Blood.
They are joined by Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, The View, The Kooks, Pale Waves, Hot Milk, Hamish Hawk, The Wombats, Nothing But Thieves, The Enemy, The Amazons, Bob Vylan, Dream Wife, Lauran Hibberd and many more.
Rock returns to Mote Park in Maidstone with the newly minted Maid of Stone taking place in July. The first headline act to be revealed are rockers Airbourne.
Joining the Aussies on the bill will be Skindred, The Hunna, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Kris Barras Band, Elles Bailey, Florence Black, Bad Touch, Black Spiders and more.
Wales is also able to attract rocks finest with Steelhouse Festival leading the way. This week the festival announced that Black Stone Cherry will be topping the bill alongside already announced Saturday headliners Airbourne.
They are joined over the weekend by the likes of The Answer, Blues Pills, Kris Barras Band, Florence Black, When Rivers Meet, The Cruel Knives and Dead Man’s Whiskey!
Another rock event getting bigger this week was Slam Dunk Festival who have added more bands to an already packed bill. Probably a good thing then that they’ve also broken down the stage splits.
Added to the event were PVRIS, Sueco, Millie Manders and many more. They join the likes of Enter Shikari, The Offspring, Billy Talent, Bowling For Soup, Yellowcard,Creeper and far too many others to mention!
Live At Leeds: In The Park has added The Hives, DMA’s, gengahr and more to an already packed line up headlined by Two Door Cinema Club.
They join amongst others, The Big Moon, Black Honey, The Beths, Skinny Living, Deadletter, Ellur, Low Hummer and Opus Kink.
Speaking about their appearance at Live At Leeds: In The Park 2023, The Hivesâ frontman Pelle Almqvist said: âSome festival names just have a ring to them donât they? Live At Leeds. It sounds like some upper echelon rock shit and if this yearâs edition wasnât before, now it is. The Hives are very proud and happy to join this upper echelon. They are coming for your money and dignity and in exchange they will deliver however long a show you will let them of life-affirming record-breaking rock â ‘ roll music. If you have never seen them before. imagine a rock show but to the 3rd power. Too much of everything. If you have seen them before, you know you will have to again.â
Skinny Living said: âLive At Leeds is one of our favourite festivals in the UK! The line up is always top class, so to be able to play the main stage as a local band this year is a proper moment for us and our people.â
Looking ahead, Festival Promoter Joe Hubbard said: âIt may be chilly outside, but weâre already incredibly excited about returning to Temple Newsam for an unforgettable summer festival celebration – with even more favourites and new faces joining the party at Live At Leeds: In The Park this year.
DMAâs and The Hives may just be some of the best festival bands going right now, and having phenomena like Cavetown and Crawlers join the party is truly special. At Live At Leeds, we always look to bring unmissable live titans together with fansâ next favourite bands – and this yearâs In The Park is the perfect example of that. All coming together on one day at Temple Newsam, thereâs nothing quite like it – and we canât wait to see everyone this May!â
Following a run of new solo singles, iconic guitarist Chris Shiflett this week revealed a run of UK dates this March including a tour finale at Scala in London.
Our News Report continues with news that Pierce The Veil will be in the UK next April. The band will play a number of large venues finishing up at Alexandra Palace in London.
Next in our News Report is the latest single from Willie J Healey featuring Jamie T. Listen to ‘Thank You’ above now.
The track comes from forthcoming album, ‘Bunny’, which is out August 25th.
Willie comments on the new single: “I was tired and flat and didnât know what to make & then my friend Jamie said ay willie Iâve got this drum machine it might inspire you.. I picked it up and wrote ‘Thank You’ the next day, it was my way of thanking Jamie for being a good friend. I dedicate it to anyone trying to do their own thing.”
Mimi Barks concludes this portion of our News Report with the new video for her track, ‘SAW’, which you can watch above!
The track features on their recently released mixtape, ‘DEADGIRL’.
Barks had the following to say, “SAW, the third song on the DEADGIRL Mixtape, marks the resistance, rage, and anger I experienced while seeking my identity and self-worth on an emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental level.â
She continues to mention – âWorking independently on set with a micro teamâjust me, and my videographer, and his cameraâit takes me back to my roots. No crew, no lights, and no screenplay. Itâs raw, industrial and dirty – with the walls of the derelict buildings captured in the music video reflecting the wrath and backlash of my internal war.â
Blondshell will release her self-titled debut album arrives April 7th and is preceded by new single, ‘Joiner’.
Describing the new single, Blondshell explains, âI was listening to a lot of Britpop when I wrote this song. A lot of those bands like The Verve, Pulp, Suede, and Blur channelled dark subject matter, drugs, and all this dirty stuff, but with a fun acoustic guitar under it. I was listening to The Replacements, too. Thatâs what this song was inspired by sonically. I wanted it to feel like youâre watching HBO, where even though itâs heavy, itâs still a good time.”
BLACKGOLD – ‘Boogeyman’
Masked Misfits BLACKGOLD are back at it again with new single âBoogeymanâ!
The band comment, ââBoogeymanâ is about that person that haunts your dreams. They have full control over you within your subconscious and it feels like you canât escape.â
Riyah – ‘Perfect’
Riyah is ready to unleash her first single ‘Perfect’, showcasing what is to come from her hands and lungs.
She comments, “I’m excited to see this new chapter roll out with this new EP. I’ve spent almost two years figuring out which way to go, and these songs might feel like baby steps to some, but for me it’s gigantic leap into my passion”Â
All Points East is once again taking over Victoria Park in London for a series of huge shows and community activities. The event which debuted in 2018 has brought some of the most critically acclaimed acts in the world to London over the years, and this year will include performances from The Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk, Tame Impala, The National, Disclosure and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Night one plays host to iconic ensemble Gorillaz, but first fans have to battle transport issues created by strikes affecting buses, overground, underground trains. Coldplayâs show tonight at Wembley Stadium is postponed to support fan attendance, but All Points East decide to press ahead with little acknowledgement of the issues.
Almost certainly some fans will have thought twice about the journey, however as we arrive at the festival site around dinner time it is clear that many thousands have managed to navigate the issues. Attendance today is far from full, however is far greater than we perhaps expected given the challenges.
This is a highly corporate festival and this comes across in the atmosphere. There are plenty of music fans in attendance but also more than enough people clearly just looking for a very expensive place to drink in the sun with their friends! With only cans of beer available from most bars, Iâd suggest a 24 pack from the supermarket, a decent stereo and a garden wouldâve been a better option for some.
Watch ‘Kerosene!’ from Yves Tumor on Youtube
Yves Tumor – ‘Kerosene!’
Upon arrival we force ourselves through the picnic benches and corporate sponsors to the âWestâ Stage where Yves Tumor is strutting their stuff much to either the delight or bemusement of those in attendance. Tumorâs eccentric electronic rock is a great way to get into the festival spirit and helps to remind us that we are actually here for some live music!
There are many stages of varying sizes at All Points East, but for tonight we need to dart between the two main stages. These are at opposite ends of the site, but we are able to get between them in under five minutes with the utilisation of a power walk.
Watch ‘TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION’ from Turnstile on Youtube
Turnstile – ‘TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION’
Itâs therefore to the âEastâ stage next for us and American hardcore punks Turnstile. This is a group making noise both literally and figuratively with latest album, âGlow Onâ, bringing new eyes and bigger audiences for the band.
The critical acclaim achieved by âGlow Onâ has certainly helped the band grow, but their live shows have ensured that once you take a look at them, you donât want to look away. Today the band feel at home on the big stage and their performance is once again captivating and engaging.
The setlist is dominated by âGlow Onâ tonight which is no surprise, and once their time is finished fans are left in awe of what they have just witnessed. So would we be if we didnât now need to race back to the âWestâ stage for another incredible live act, IDLES!
Watch ‘Never Fight A Man With A Perm’ from IDLES on Youtube
IDLES – ‘Never Fight A Man With A Perm’
IDLES are one of the most visceral and enthralling acts to emerge in the last decade. Four stunning albums into what promises to be a legendary career, the band attract a big crowd to the far end of the festival site.
Itâs also an impassioned crowd as they let go with their heroes to the likes of âMotherâ, âNever Fight A Man With A Perm’, âA Hymnâ and âThe Wheelâ. IDLES are a force of nature once they hit the stage and they somehow manage to make an enormous corporate field feel like a tiny little club show.
Their performance tonight is headline quality with closing duo âDanny Nedelkoâ and âRottweilerâ eliciting a rapturous response from the crowd. The connection between IDLES and their fans is a beautiful thing to witness and surely soon enough they will be the final act of these sized events.
Itâs a hard thing for any act to follow IDLES, but that is exactly what Gorillaz must do next. Thankfully for them they are the brainchild of Damon Albarn who has a natural ability to control a festival crowd.
Albarn is joined in Gorillaz by a collection of extremely talented musicians who together bring the vision to life. For over twenty years now the music of Gorillaz has pushed boundaries, experimented and brought together collaborators from all walks of musical life. Tonight the group showcase this to an expectant All Points East audience starting with âM1 A1â and âLast Living Soulsâ.
The overall setlist tonight is heavy on the âDemon Daysâ and âPlastic Beachâ albums, but it is a career-spanning set with early favourite â19-2000â arriving early in the show.
As youâd probably expect the bigger hits elicit the biggest reactions today, perhaps more noticeably so with this cosmopolitan crowd. Another influence on the crowd reaction measuring scale is the plethora of special guests that Gorillaz are able to bring out. The biggest surprise comes with Tame Impala joining Gorillaz and Bootie Brown on new song âNew Goldâ.
We are also treated to Shaun Ryder and Rowetta on âDAREâ, Paul Simonon on âPlastic Beachâ and De La Soul on âFeel Good Incâ, not to mention appearances from Popcaan, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Moonchild Sanelly, Mos Def and Sweetie Irie. Yes there is a real party feel to the show tonight as Gorillaz parade their friends.
All this makes for a very memorable evening that draws to a close with âClint Eastwoodâ. In just a few hours weâve witness four fantastic acts all presenting their art in their own unique ways. All Points East may feel overly commercial at times but nobody can doubt their ability to curate some of the most eclectic and quality line-ups on offer by UK festivals.
The 1975 drafted in to headline Reading & Leeds Festivals
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week with the latest festival news and we start with a controversial change to the bill at Reading & Leeds Festivals. Sadly, Rage Against The Machine have withdrawn from the events at short notice, with organisers drafting in The 1975 as their replacement.
All Points East add Mogwai ahead of two week event
Another festival on the horizon is the two weekend extravaganza known as All Points East. The organisers have also had to make last minute alterations with Mogwai joining the bill in place of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
We move our News Report on now to the best tour announcements from the past week.
Following their recent shows with both the Rolling Stones and Bryan Adams, West Country rockers REEF have announced a brand new string of UK headline shows for later this year.
Lead singer Gary Stringer comments, âIâm super stoked to be playing more shows this autumn and into the winter with REEF. Weâve had our most successful year in a decade and donât want to stop rocking!â
Enter Shikari return with new single ‘The Void Stares Back’ ft. Wargasm
Enter Shikari – ‘The Void Stares Back’ ft. Wargasm
We turn now to the best new releases from the past week, and we start with a collaboration between Enter Shikari and Wargasm. ‘The Void Stares Back’ is the first new Enter Shikari single in almost three years, and you can listen above.
Lead vocalist and keyboardist Rou Reynolds comments: “It is with elation, and more than a little nervousness, that we release this; our first track after over two years of dormancy. It is a roisterous journey made all the more so with the addition of our friends Wargasm. Thematically, the piece is about the forward march of social progress, and how, often, those with a more conventional archaic outlook on sexuality, gender, social design, economics etc, see those with differing ideas like bewildering, depraved creatures from another dimension.â
Wargasm add: âShikari were a big part of our growing up, so it was an absolute honour to be asked to collaborate with such an incredible and well-spoken band. They stand for the right things – we’re a little more pessimistic. It was fun playing the darker devil’s advocate to Rou’s light…where we’re going, you won’t need eyes to see…â
Nothing More share ‘YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS’
Nothing More – ‘YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS’
Nothing More have this week shared the latest single from upcoming album, ‘SPIRITS’, which is out October 14th.
You can watch the video for ‘YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS’ above.
âWeâre glad this song is finally getting out there so we can dig into the emotional and intimate side of the album,â says frontman Jonny Hawkins. âThe lyrics and tone of this one feels like it hits in a similar way that âGo To Warâ and âJennyâ did. Itâs going to feel huge playing this next one on tour.â.
The Subways debut new video for single ‘Love Waiting On You’
The Subways – ‘Love Waiting On You’
The Subways are another band with a new album on the way; ‘Uncertain Joys’ will arrive on January 13th. This week they shared the video for latest single, ‘Love Waiting On You’, which you can watch above.
Commenting on the gender-role-reversing video directed by animator Neil Whitman, front man Billy Lunn says: “When Neil initially presented us with the concept of the video as an 8-bit platform-style video game, our drummer Camille cleverly proposed that, given how the song is so obviously about yearning, why not instead have the rescuer and rescued gender roles reversed to change things up.â
âI saw myself as the Princess Peach character, with the love of my life (about whom the song is written) being my rescuer, fighting through the various obstacles and antagonists along the way. The sense of isolation, helplessness, and vulnerability within the song now made all the more sense to me.â
âWhilst it’s not always correct to assume that one person should come to the rescue of another in a relationship, my belief in the hopelessly romantic/pathetic notion that lifelong soul mates do in fact exist is woven into the very fabric of my being. And so, when at the end of the video my rescuer realises that it is only the will to love that is required to come to my aid, as opposed to having to fight through strife, battles, and failures, I knew that Neil understood the depth of my belief in this notion.â
âOur protagonist is trapped in his virtual cell waiting for the female heroine (the princess) to come to his rescue,â adds director/animator Neil Whitman. âI had great fun designing the band members as 8-bit characters as well as designing the princess and various levels for our heroes to venture through. Setting the game in mediaeval times helped me to subvert the usual tired traditions of the prince rescuing the princess and play around with audience expectations.â
The band have also announced their re-arranged tour dates.
The legendary Pixies shared their new single, ‘Vault of Heaven’, this week which you can check out above. The song comes from upcoming album, ‘Doggerel’, which is out September 30th.
Jamie Lenman has unveiled the video for his new single, ‘Talk Hard’, which you can watch above.
The first hint at a leaner and more mainstream leaning sound to come from his new material, commenting on the single Lenman says: âIâve been trying for a long time to do something a bit more melodic, and Talk Hard is the first flowering of that. People tell me they can hear Weezer in there which is great as theyâve always been heroes of mine, particularly the first two albums.â
âLyrically itâs about standing up for yourself, for making sure that your voice is heard by people you feel are ignoring youâbe that your friends, your family, your boss or even your government. Itâs about encouraging and empowering people, standing behind them and lending them your support. Very positive, after all the negative feelings from King Of Clubs.â
In a crossover into his alternate universe sideline stage-managing cabaret shows, the video for the track stars Lenman and hula-hoop performer Amazi Hoops. It was directed by Jen Hingley from Manchester alt-rock band False Advertising, who also plays guitar in Lenmanâs live band.
“I consciously tried to not cook up any ideas of my own for this track so that Jen could have free reign without my interference,â explains Lenman of the concept for the video. âShe came up with this tin can idea that I really liked. It seemed very similar to the kind of videos we used to make back in the band days, with a quirky concept and even a little mystery. We went and did it in one day, filmed in the same room where the band rehearse and the fields nearby, and it came out great!”
THE HARA have been busy making a name for themselves, including appearing on our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist. Now, the group are taking the next steps in their career with the news that their debut album, ‘SURVIVAL MODE’, will be released March 3rd.
This week the band shared the first single to come from the record and you can listen to, ‘Rockstar’, above.
Southend’s Asylums this week shared their soaring power-pop single, ‘Understand the Psychology’, which you can check out above. The song features on upcoming album, ‘Signs of Life’, which is out October 14th.
On producing the current single from âSigns of Lifeâ, Dave Eringa enthuses, âUnderstand The Psychologyâ is a great example of how Lukeâs songwriting has developed – it retains all the power that Asylums have always had but welds it to a pop melody with Cobain-esque panache!â
Danish industrial metalcore quintet The Interbeing, are back with their new single, ‘Eternal Eclipse’.
âEternal Eclipse is the final chapter on this album and we really wanted to symbolize the eclipse in the graphics in the video which starts and ends with an eclipse. The song is about the ultimate annihilation but also the need to revolt the eclipse and to overcome it. âI pray for no-oneâ is a repeating phrase which shows a rebellion against the religious perspective on life.
This song was fluent to write and record but the break-down piece in the middle was randomly written with our drummer who wanted a sub-level tone on the guitar. Finally we love the dystopian and melancholic vibes in the chorus and it is an epic resolution to close the album of Icon of the Hopeless.â -Dara Corcoran, vocalist
Krooked Tongue – ‘When the Beaches Bleed’
Bristol-based rock trio Krooked Tongue release new single, ‘When the Beaches Bleed’.
Speaking about the upcoming single, vocalist and lyricist Oli Rainsford says, âBeaches, to me, is the ultimate homage to something Iâve always been in awe of. Big wave surfing is next level crazy and itâs an art that carries with it, high risk. This song is a tip of the hat but also, I think, doubles as a notion to not be scared to take risks and also not to fear failure. Itâs a cosmic âfuck you, try it againâ that we often need to be encouraged to carry out. Confidence is key.â
Regent – ‘Just A Revolution‘
Regent have just released their debut album including the single, ‘Just A Revolution’.
Frontman Ben Rooke explains,âThis is a track I wrote when I first decided to get back into music seriously, and it came at a time when I was at my worst, taking lots of drugs and going through a bad break up.
The song is about moving away to the other side of town and into the countryside. It also quotes the start of Regent as a band/idea/thing I wanted to create.. I formed the band and current line up three years later, after getting clean from Class A drugs.â
Welcome to another edition of our weekly music News Report. This week we are starting off with the latest festival news, and first up is All Points East in London.
The Victoria Park event this week added new acts to the Gorillaz headlined day on Friday 19th August. Heading up the latest additions are Turnstile who join the likes of IDLES and Self Esteem and a packed bill.
RISEFEST has this week revealed their line-up for the Saturday 10th September event. Headliners Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes will be joined by VUKOVI, WSTR, Zand and many more.
On to the latest tour announcements now in our News Report and it was a big news week for The Subways. The band will be hitting the road later this year including a date at the Electric Ballroom in Camden.
Not only that, the band also debuted new single, ‘You Kill My Cool’, which will feature on their upcoming new album. Listen to the track below.
Puppy this week debuted the latest single from their upcoming album, ‘Pure Evil’. You can listen to ‘My Offer’ above, ahead of the album release on May 6th.
Australian pop punk duo 3REE have released their brand new single âSet This Place On Fireâ, featuring guest vocals from Sleeping With Sirens frontman Kellin Quinn.
âWeâre living our childhood dream!â, 3REE say about their collaboration with Kellin. âIt was amazing to collaborate with such an idol of ours.â  Continuing about how the collaboration came about 3REE drummer Sean Tighe explains, âWhen we were writing the song, we could hear Kellinâs voice as a perfect fit with Mitchâs. I simply messaged Kellin the song and asked if heâd be interested and how wonderful it would be. Kellinâs response was fantastic, saying âWOW! This song is a bangerâ and âI can track my vocals by the end of the weekâ. We had to pinch ourselves.â  About the meaning of the song 3REE vocalist and guitarist Mitch Volcan says, âWe built the song around the lyric âWhen the fire burns out we all come aliveâ; writing with the aim of connecting with the listener with the sense of rawness, energy and togetherness that you face during dark times.âÂ
‘PARIS WILL BE PAID FOR’ – ANORAK PATCH
With debut EP ‘By Cousin Sam’ out at the end of this month, teenagers Anorak Patch have shared new single âParis Will Be Paid Forâ.
On the new single, guitarist Oscar said, âParis will be paid for is a song of ours which combines pop hooks and more off kilter music. It’s at a constant tempo however it changes time signatures multiple times throughout the song. It makes it wonky and the more melodic parts can sort of too because of that.â
He adds, âThe lyrics, like the music itself, are absurd and silly. Nothing is taken too seriously and is all very tongue in cheek and a joke. We find lyrics don’t often have to be about much, as long as the syllables fit and there’s a nice melody.â
‘TENNIS’ – COURTING
Liverpool four-piece Courting have returned with a new single titled ‘Tennis’.
Speaking about the single, the band says, “Tennis is a paypigâs personal redemption narrative, set in âthe cityâ, and told in two parts. A twisted tale of two loversâ back and forth, bound by cricket, bodybuilding, and money. A story as old as time.
We named the song Tennis as a logical (but unrelated) sequel to our two previously released sports-related songs. To us, this felt like a natural ending to that idea. Dynamically, the second part of the song is supposed to represent a shift in tone for the character in which they realise their own worth and leave the situation that is set within the first part of the song.”
Welcome to another edition of our News Report. We start this week with a couple of huge 2022 Festival announcements.
Scottish event TRNSMT this week announced more acts for next years festival, which takes place 8-10 July in Glasgow. The event is set to be headlined by Paolo Nutini, The Strokes and Lewis Capaldi.
There are prominent spots also for Sam Fender, Foals and Wolf Alice. The rest of the bill includes The Regrettes, The Snuts, Fontaines D.C., Jimmy Eat World, Maximo Park, Self Esteem and Wet Leg.
All Points East will return to Victoria Park in London next August and this week unveiled their line-up across six days of music.
Headliners over the course of the event will be Gorillaz, The Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk, Tame Impala, The National, Disclosure and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Supporting acts across the event include IDLES, Self Esteem, Dry Cleaning, Fleet Foxes, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Michael Kiwanuka and Anna Calvi.
Bloc Party returned this week with the news that they will release a new album, ‘Alpha Games’ on April 29th. Not only that but the band will be touring the UK next Spring.
Another band announcing a tour for early next year this is Trash Boat who will hit the road in March. The intimate tour will see the band playing towns and cities not always on all touring schedules.
Our final tour announcement this week comes from Bob Vylan. The band will be hitting the road for a headline tour this May and June in support of new album ‘The Price of Life’ which is out April 23rd.
Fresh from supporting both Biffy Clyro and The Offspring, this is one not to be missed.
