HOLDING ABSENCE – THE NOBLE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION – ALBUM REVIEW
It has been quite a remarkable journey for Holding Absence, for example you probably wonât find many bands on their level this early in their career whilst technically featuring no original members. The band have come so far from their early beginnings though and to have the opportunity to marvel upon their evolution in recent years has been very special indeed.
Every challenge has been met head on, and the ability of the band to form such a strong, organic connection with their fans has been a pleasure to see. Hard work in the studio and out on the road has born beautiful fruit and 2021âs âThe Greatest Mistake of My Lifeâ was a true masterpiece.
The band now find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to follow that release and they do so with third album, âThe Noble Art of Self Destructionâ, which is perhaps more than a subtle nod at the obstacles that theyâve overcome.
As mentioned already, the evolution and growth of the band has been special to witness but their sound in particular has developed so elegantly over the course of their career. On this new record they are sonically soaring above the clouds with a majestic aura connecting each track.
The ten songs here will suck you in and youâll lose yourself to the honesty and richness of the lyrical content whilst be carried about by the gentle waves of the atmospheric soundtrack. Itâs impossible to cherry pick highlights here as the album will simply take you on a journey that youâll willingly follow.
Holding Absence are a band that appear to have found a magical formula for song writing because every time you think that theyâve peaked, they go ahead and surprise you all over again.
Festival season is in full swing and rock fans once again descend on Upcote Farm in Cheltenham for 2000trees! A true music fans festival, this year there is an absolute smorgasbord of the best new and established acts to savour across three full days of relentless entertainment.
However, before the event proper begins though those with early entry have an additional evening of music on tap in the beautiful forest area. The âForest Stageâ has always been a unique and special feature of this festival which is now on its fifteenth iteration.
Wednesday
The privilege of opening the festivities this year goes to Snayx who, despite playing whilst many are still pitching their tents, still attract an eager and excited crowd. The band are able to seize upon this excitement to whip the crowd up even further with their brand of punk rock. A benchmark is set for the weekend early here and thankfully the organisers have a bill curated to ensure that the quality never drops!
The other stage in operation today is the small âThe Wordâ stage which over the weekend will host various activities such as further bands, live podcasts, comedians and more. Over the next few hours we are able to catch delighted spots from B-Sydes, Masca, Polyanna and Gaz Brookfield.
Over on the âForest Stageâ though, the handful of selected bands combine to deliver a highly memorable evening. Delaire the Liar are up next and are able to continue to build their growing reputation with another assured performance.
A real special moment follows as one of the most talented yet underappreciated bands of the last decade Press To MECO play their final show. Such a moment really deserved a bigger stage and longer setlist but those present are able to bathe in those glorious riffs one more time with an emotional âA Test of Our Resolveâ a highlight of the whole festival.
Thank you for everything, we love you all. R.I.PTM đ@2000trees
Next are a band just getting started. Saint Agnes are tipped as the future of rock music by some, and again on the evidence of their set tonight those people are very much correct! Debut album âBloodsuckersâ canât arrive soon enough; thankfully we only need to wait on July 21st!
The latest Tigercub album is already out and next up the band bring âThe Perfume of Decayâ to life with a solid showing as the forest area begins to fill up in anticipation of the nights two headline acts.
Both Holding Absence and Bob Vylan will play two sets over the weekend but before gracing the main stage, they both thrill those packed into the woods! Holding Absence are first and they captivate the crowd with a cleverly selected mix of rarities and fan favourites. This band continues to grow and evolve and itâs scary how good they could be.
Bob Vylan also continue to elevate the game with their headline set tonight they bring carnage to the forest! A spectacular off the cuff collection of on point punk rock more than whets the appetite for their main stage appearance, even showing that they arenât too far away from being able to headline the biggest stage next time they play the festival.
THURSDAY
Each night the now infamous silent disco takes over the site as the party continues into the early hours, but come Thursday morning the arrival of the rest of the attendees ensure even the first act of the day, Blush Puppy on the âForest Stageâ get a good turnout. The duo perform a delightful run-through of adapted favourites which starts the first full day off perfectly.
With the outdoor stage, three tented stages and the âForest Stageâ all rotating throughout each day an avid music fan can fill their boots with live music and literally catch non-stop music for nigh on sixteen hours a day if they wanted to. We donât quite have that stamina but we give it a good go and are rewarded by great sets from Kite Thief, Beach Riot and Gaffa Tape Sandy.
Following that run we then head to first catch recent âDiscoverâ New Music Podcast guests CARSICK over on the âNEU Stageâ. The group proceed to smash through their set to the delight of those present with the likes of âAnaconda Frankâ showing real bite.
Another act to impress early in the weekend are Lake Malice in âThe Caveâ. The group have been winning over all who see them this summer and their future appears to be very bright indeed.
Thank you @2000trees_festival that was incredible đ€
You made our debut appearance a special one đ«¶
Next malicious festival is @rdrfestival on 30th July. Link in bio for đ«
Lambrini Girls, Graphic Nature and the official debut of new group Unpeople who have formed from the ashes of Press To MECO all follow and continue to hot run of great sets. Unpeople in particular are able to really tease what is to come and make a fantastic first impression.
The main stage soon literally takes centre stage as first Kid Kapichi and then Bob Vylan deliver two of the sets of the weekend. Kid Kapichi are effortless in their delivery of impassioned punk rock which sees an endless sea of crowd surfers on an inflatable burger! Bob Vylan then reinforce the message that their headline set sent last night, that the duo are as advertised â the most important band in the world!
We then head back to the two larger tented stages, firstly for Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun who preview their upcoming new album âColourâ. The record will arrive on July 28th and the band really do a good job of convincing those in attendance that despite the decade plus wait for a new album, the wait will be worth it. All the new material this evening sounds absolutely massive. Then in âThe Axiomâ, The Joy Formidable deliver a delightful little set that evidences the eclectic mix of rock music presented at 2000trees.
Soon enough itâs time for the final run of bands that will close out day one. Skindred are well established as a great live act and tonight they have the crowd at their whim. The Newport Helicopter needs no introduction either as the crowd make the most of the groups big finale.
Back in the big tent next for Eagles of Death Metal who give a festival friendly, crowd pleasing set including the likes of âI Only Want Youâ, âComplexityâ, âCherry Colaâ and âI Want You So Hard (Boyâs Bad News)’.
Finally itâs over to the returning Soft Play (the artists formerly known as Slaves) to close out the day. The duo pick up where they left off and play as if theyâve never been away. Itâs great to have the band back and fans revel in the likes of âCheer Up Londonâ, âFeed the Mantarayâ and âThe Hunterâ.
Friday begins with an early run of Beauty School, RXPTRS, The St. Pierre Snake Invasion, BLACKGOLD and New Pagans all of whom play their rules well and make the most of their short sets.
After an overcast first couple of days, today is a scorcher and the heat is intense as LostAlone arrive on the stage. The band donât let that phase them though as they pull out all the stops to get the crowd engaged. Itâs mission accomplished by the time they deliver the double header of âThe Final Call For Foreverâ and âThe Last Drop Of Foreverâ.
2000trees do very well to bring together the best new music from home and abroad and the next run of Militarie Gun, Zulu, Microwave and Kublai Khan TX shows the keen eye for upcoming talent that the organisers have.
Itâs this mix of new with the established acts that perfectly balances out the line-up and Hell Is For Heroes are a great nostalgic party next on the main stage. The quality overall is again on show when you can then head immediately to the âNEU Stageâ for an excellently run set from As Everything Unfolds, before returning to the main stage for a very enjoyable Dinosaur Pile-Up show and then jumping straight to the always intense Cancer Bats in âThe Caveâ!
Bullet For My Valentine are the act who close out the night with a huge headline performance. Attracting one of, if not the biggest crowd of the weekend, the band are in confident mood as they showcase their headlining credentials. Older tracks such as âScream Aim Fireâ and âHearts Burst Into Flamesâ naturally receive big reactions, but itâs telling newer tracks also are well received.
A surprise AxeWound reunion with Liam Cormier is another festival highlight before âTears Donât Fallâ and âWaking the Demonâ ensure that come the next morning everyone is talking about how great Bullet were tonight!
The festival has been a whirlwind as per usual for 2000trees and itâs a testament to the quality of line-up that to this point there hasnât been a bad performance. Of course some ultimately standout more than others such as that headline set last night or Bob Vylan destroying the forest but the chilled out atmosphere amongst attendees is reflected by the respect the bands pay the crowd. The reciprocal ambience creates a synergy that elevates every aspect of this event.
SATURDAY
Come Saturday the crowd may be sapped from the previous days heat but over on the âForest Stageâ Xtra Mile Recordings acts (and previous âDiscoverâ New Music Podcast guests) Hannah Rose Platt and Guise are serenading the early crowd with their beautiful music. They are both well received despite the heat being supplemented today by a lot of the wet stuff!
Xtra Mile Recordings has a great relationship and past with 2000trees and new Xtra Mile favourites (and double Full Pelt Podcast guests!) PET NEEDS attract a big crowd to âThe Axiomâ next. This is no doubt due to some guerrilla advertising from their fans, but everyone that ventures into the tent leave hailing the band as one of the bands of the weekend.
Thank you @2000trees_festival for the most insane midday slot.
Thank you FRACTURED PARTY PEOPLE (official PET NEEDS fan group) for being the best street team in the world.
That concludes three months of touring across 11 countries.
One of the elements that makes the âForest Stageâ so special are the sets from acts playing on the biggest stages which are often acoustic and unique. Next, Electric Six frontman Dick Valentine does a great job of distracting the audience from the deteriorating weather with a highly fun acoustic set.
After catching Dead Poet Society and Enola Gay strutting their stuff we are then able to catch Electric Six themselves who attract another big crowd to the main stage. The crowd lap up the likes of âGay Barâ and âDanger! High Voltageâ as youâd expect, and the band do their job with aplomb.
One Step Closer then cement their hype in âThe Caveâ before Black Honey demonstrate why they are one of the best newer live acts in the country. Tracks from new album, âA Fistful of Peachesâ sound massive as the band achieve another of those more memorable sets of the weekend.
The reshuffled Dream State then show that they still have a big future ahead of them in âThe Caveâ before Deaf Havana battle through a torrential downpour which decimates their crowd at the main stage. We brave the rain until the end before heading into the forest for a short but very fun set from Lynks.
Talking to people across the site, the opinion is unanimous that this has been a spectacular weekend. You feel as the weekend comes to a close that it canât get any better, but then Hundred Reasons deliver perhaps the best set of the weekend. The band get the audience onboard from opening number âIâll Find Youâ and never lose them despite more heavy rain. One of the moments of the weekend comes when Enter Shikari man Rou Reynolds joins the band for a superb âSilverâ.
Jamie Lenman then plays his latest masterpiece âThe Atheistâ in full over in the forest before Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes come out of hibernation to finish the festival with a welcome career-spanning set.
Whilst the band may lack a certain volatility of their early days they donât lack in swagger or controlled ferocity when required. The final run of âMy Townâ, âDevil Inside Meâ, âJuggernautâ, âLullabyâ and âI Hate Youâ is the perfect way to bring an incredible weekend of music to a close.
2000trees has established itself at the heart of the summer as a trusted and respected event. From their humble beginnings to now fifteen events later, the festival lays on the infrastructure but the audience makes the event the special weekend that it is!
From Stadiums, to Arenas and now some of the best intimate venues in the UK!
Circa Waves have announced details of a special run of UK live dates from which a portion of the profits will be donated to local foodbanks in each town they are touring through.
The band had the following to say about the decision to show their support.
âWeâre so happy to be supporting food banks on our next tour. In this current climate where the cost of living crisis is hitting everyone we know that being able to feed your family is no longer a given. We will be playing a handful of small intimate shows with a percentage of profits going to local food banks in each area. Canât wait to see you there.â
Greta Van Fleet this week shared their latest offering, ‘The Falling Sky’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on upcoming new album, ‘Starcatcher’, which is out on 21st July.
âAn unwavering warrior carrying on the endless, eternal, and impossible battle for salvation; these were the elements of symbolism associated with this particular track,â explains guitarist Jake Kiszka. âIn essence our fate is sealed, alike the stars that fall from the almighty heavens to the earth. This philosophy is carried through in the story of a bluesman, at the crossroads of the universe.â
Bowling For Soup announce ‘Songs People Actually Liked – Volume 2’
Bowling For Soup – ‘1985 (BFS Version)’
Bowling For Soup have revealed details of new collection, ‘Songs People Actually Liked – Voume 2’, which focuses on tracks from 2004 to 2009.
You can check out a new BFS version of their hit single, ‘1985’, above.
Here are some thoughts from BFS main man Jaret Reddick about the upcoming Volume 2 of their Greatest Hits:
“Having a âGreatest Hitsâ is one of things you sort of dream about as a kid, but deep down, itâs more if a fantasy really. Now here we are realizing our second and we have nearly made it to half way through our career.
I was nervous about these songs. Sonically, on the originals, they were already âthere.â But I think like everything in our band, the years add something to the luster, and it certainly happened here!
The songs are still intact with their original selves. But I think you will feel a different energy. In a good way.”
Holding Absence continue to build towards the release of upcoming new album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, which is out August 25th.
Recently the group share new single, ‘Honey Moon’, which you can check out above.
The band shared, “‘Honey Moon’Â is perhaps Holding Absenceâs most beautiful song to date! A track inspired by the Pixies and Deftones – this is a lovesick poem that looks to the stars to portray a deep, isolated yearning for the love of another.”
Underoath have shared their newest stand-alone single, ‘Lifeline (Drowning)’, which you can check out above.
Speaking on the new single, Underoath said ââLifeline (Drowning)â is a cry for help⊠I feel like weâve all been there, be it as simple as miscommunication or a full on toxic relationship – that very feeling that you cannot tread water like this any longer or you may end up drowning. We wanted to create a song centered around the melody that could still hold the energy of a full blown heavy song.â
Caskets, who recently announced their new album, âReflectionsâ, for an August 11th release, have released an affirming new single, âBetter Way Outâ, which you can check out above.
Speaking of the track, frontman Matt Flood says, âBetter Way Out is a song that relates to suicidal thoughts and tendencies. It’s a song about noticing and understanding the trials and tribulations of life, about rising above the feelings of depression and anxiety and knowing your self worth. To have somebody say that they see you and they hear you, or to have a community by your side while you go through these daily battles isn’t something afforded to everybody. So many of us can blindly walk through the barriers that we build inside our heads, alone without a shoulder to cry on or a friend to lend an ear.â
âNo matter what you’ve been through and might still be going through… there are always routes out of your situation.â he states. âYou are strong, you are beautiful, you are loved and you are enough. Don’t walk that road alone. We all need each other.â
Fixation have announced details of their highly anticipated debut album. ‘More Subtle Than Death’ will be released September 8th.
Fixation states: âWe didnât want to limit ourselves to one particular sound, although the album sounds like Fixation as a whole, there are songs that are more poppy, more heavy, more grandiose and symphonic and more straight forward rock songs. The subjects in the songs are things that frightens and worries us about the state of the world today. These are things that we want to see change in.â
You can check out the latest single from the band ‘Flat Earth’ above.
Grian Chatten has released his debut album, ‘Chaos for the Fly’, and ahead of the release he shared the last pre-release single, ‘All of the People’, which you can check out above.
On the single Grian explains: âAll of the people is the stiff collar tight-fisted hand to the grindstone written where all is blue and everyone is a liar. It is a line of chalk scratched around the world.â
Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble this week announced his new band Almost Nothing and shared their debut single, ‘Anything Whatever’, which you can check out above.
The band have also revealed their self-titled debut album will arrive later this year with pre-orders here.
Dragonforce singer Marc Hudson has revealed details of his debut solo album, ‘Starbound Stories’, which is out August 25th.
This week saw Hudson share lead single, ‘Astralive’, which you can check out above.
Hudson on the single, ââAstraliveâ is the first single from the album and takes the listener on a power metal journey through space and time. This song explores the cosmic mysteries of the universe and mankind’s eternal search for wisdom beyond the stars.â
Hudson adds, âIt is with great pride that I can finally announce my signing to Napalm Records. I’m very grateful for the label’s belief in me as a solo artist and can’t wait to have Napalm on my side to show Starbound Stories to the world!â
Illinois pop punk 5-piece Wilmette has released, ‘No One Knew’, the next single off the band’s long-awaited debut full-length, ‘Hyperfocused’, out on August 4th.
Vocalist Aaron Hailey says, âItâs about the guilt of not being able to help someone through a hard time, and the helpless feeling that comes with being there while they struggle.â
Guitarist Griffin Guge adds, “We tracked this song exactly halfway through the recording process. It was a point where we thought we knew where the record was going until we got to this song.
There was a lot of room to grow on the track, and we definitely got excited to experiment with a lot of cool guitar sounds. One of my favorites of which is in the bridge. We used a variety of unconventional guitar techniques as well as pedals to quite literally make it sound like the song is breaking and the building youâre in is coming down. I think it was very fitting for the part.”
Major Moment – ‘Overcome’
Pop-Metal band Major Moment are back with their new single âOvercomeâ!
ââOvercomeâ was inspired by our music journey and is about prevailing over difficult times and persevering against all odds. But if we zoom out and look at our everyday lives, full of conflicts, health issues, losses, financial struggles, aspirations, wins and failures, we see a similar theme everyone can relate to, the one of pain and, as a result of overcoming it, personal growth. âOvercomeâ is the anthem made for all creators out there struggling to get their voices heard, doubting every day if itâs worth fighting for.â – Vocalist, Sasha.
Crushed By Waves – ‘Won’t Get Out Alive’
UK alt-rockers Crushed By Waves have shared new single, ‘Won’t Get Out Alive’.
Crushed By Waves write from experience, with the new track being a statement of why they are putting everything into their art.  The band explain:
“Won’t Get Out Alive is all about keeping the faith, pushing through the hardest times, holding on, and never giving up, even if it kills us. When we see our music can bring a room full of strangers together, the energy in that room is worth dying for, it actually gives us life.â
Rock fans know that festival season is upon us when we get to the late May Bank Holiday weekend and Slam Dunk Festival brings rock and punk fans to Hatfield and Leeds.
This year that journey takes a little longer for some due to traffic issues, probably borne out of the fact that both events are sold out. Leeds in particular feels like the Temple Newsam is bursting at the seams today.
Queues are unimaginably long for merch, toilets, food or anything else, but thankfully the music (and weather) is very much on point!
We start the day in the ‘Knotfest’ tent for rising metallers Heriot, who attract a decent sized early crowd. That crowd is treated to a blistering set of gloriously heavy goodness and a spirited performance from a band on the cusp of bigger things.
Itâs then a short walk over to one of two outdoor main stages, the âAmazon Rock Sceneâ stage, where we will spend most of our day today. Taking this stage next are VUKOVI who absolutely own the stage and showcase their superb new album, âNULAâ. Singer Janine is able to hold the audience in the palm of her hand and orchestrate the first truly great set of the band.
Logistically the event may be remembered for the wrong reasons, but musically today is fantastic, with that set from VUKOVI one of many that will live long in the memory for all the right reasons.
Thinking, weâll go for a quick wonder around, itâs clear that nothing will be quick today, but we do catch a glimpse of girlfriends who are very impressive for the time we can stay. Soon though we must head back down the hill to catch Trash Boat.
This is a band that has grown significantly in almost every sense of the word over the past few years. Their latest album, âDonât You Feel Amazing?â, was one of the most surprising of 2021 as the band took their sound to new heights. Today they use the stage to bring many of these tracks to life and the crowd are clearly appreciative of another excellent performance.
Trash Boat are followed on stage by Holding Absence who have just announced that their third album, âThe Noble Art of Self Destructionâ, will be out later this year. Their set today is a good mix of old and new including brand new single, âFalse Dawnâ and fan favourite âAfterlifeâ, which gets a monumental response from the passionate crowd.
Soon enough itâs over to Wargasm who are becoming one of those marmite bands where itâs almost cool to hate them. The energy and ferocity that they put into their show however canât be denied and whilst the energy levels for some of the crowd starts to sap, the band push through with tracks such as âBackyard Bastardsâ and âSpit.â getting everyone back moving.
We then head over to the other end of the festival site (very slowly) to the âKerrangâ stage where the tent is overspilling already ahead of Boston Manor. The band are on top form right now and have every person singing along to their gargantuan anthems. As they conclude their time on stage with âHaloâ you canât help but think that Boston Manor deserve to be absolutely huge.
Itâs a blast from the past next as Slam Dunk keep up their track record of reformations with Kids In Glass Houses. Playing their first shows in almost a decade the band focus their set on âSmart Casualâ, which will be getting a re-release later this year. Songs like âSaturdayâ and âGive Me What I Wantâ still have it and so do the band who fly through the set like theyâve never been away.
Sticking to the same stage we are soon graced by PVRIS who deliver another really good performance which features a well structured setlist. Lynn Gunn leads the trio through a selection of their popular tracks with âYou and Iâ and âMy Houseâ both getting big audience responses. The band will return with their fourth album in July, and new track âGoddessâ goes down very well today complete with guest spot from Charlotte Sands.
We are at the business end of the day now and up next on stage are Billy Talent who are able to deliver a pure masterclass in how to make the most of a shortened festival set. Banger, after banger, after banger as the band deliver suckerpunch after suckerpunch. The crowd reciprocate the bands energy and by the time the set finishes with âRed Flagâ, the band have done enough to claim the band of the day moniker!
In the clash of the headliners, we opt to head to the âDickiesâ stage for punk icons The Offspring. The band have an endless stream of hit songs, and tonight the band focus more on their back catalogue then they did at Hatfield yesterday.
Their covers section in the middle feels a little too much considering their short time on stage but nobody can deny the final run of tracks which provides a great end to a packed day both musically and in terms of the volume of people on site!
Slam Dunk is a trusted brand these days and musically theyâve delivered once again, but there are undoubtedly some logistical issues that need to be fixed. Perhaps theyâve once again outgrown their homes and need to find bigger accommodation, one thing is for sure though and next May will again see a packed line-up heralding the dawning of a new festival season.
Welcome everyone to a special Bank Holiday edition of our weekly music News Report!
We begin this week with the best tour announcements from the past week and get things started with Black Stone Cherry!
The US rockers will release their new album, ‘Screamin’ At The Sky’ on September 29th.
To celebrate the group have revealed a short run of truly intimate UK dates around the release.
Revealing the dates the band said, “Calling all UK Cherryheads! We couldnât be more pumped to announce these shows in September and October. Weâre putting together an intimate show to play all our new music, and we want to see y’all there.”
Holding Absence have announced a full headline UK & EU tour, which will take place later this year.
The band said “We are ecstatic to announce our âThe Noble Art Of Self Destructionâ headline tour around the UK and Europe! Not only is this a well-overdue headline tour for our European fans, but itâll see us playing our biggest venues to date in the UK too! We are so excited for this tour, and to be able to play all the best songs from our first three albums.”
The news comes ahead of brand new album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, which arrives on August 25th.
Teenage Fanclub have shared details of the new album. ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is due out on September 22nd.
Ahead of the release, the band have also debuted new single, ‘Foreign Land’, which you can check out above.
Norman Blake on the single: âThe song is about moving forward, not dwelling on the past. We shot the video in Hamilton Mausoleum, near Glasgow. Given that the album is calledNothing Lasts Forever we thought it would be appropriate to shoot a video inside a tombâ.
To coincide with the release of their latest album, ‘Divine Machines’, Demob Happy have shared their new single, ‘Token Appreciation Society’, which you can check out above.
This week saw VEXED unleash their new single, ‘X My Heart (Hope To Die)’, which you can check out above.
The song comes ahead of anticipated new album, ‘Negative Energy’, which is out June 23rd.
The band on the single:ââX my <3 (hope to die)â was the catalyst for Negative Energy. After months of writers block and feeling like giving up, this song opened the floodgates for inspiration and creativity. Inspired by the victims of religious extremists, cults or abuse of power, this song is about how one person shouldnât be able to dictate other peopleâs lives based on their own personal opinions.â
Regarding the album,. the band says, âWe are so proud to present to you our second album. Since our first release, we have each endured traumatic experiences, surrounded by death, betrayal, pain and grief. In order to find any strength, we first had to accept that we werenât okay, then take our trauma and face it head on, sharing our vulnerability, fears and weaknesses. Instead of forcing ourselves to try and be positive we put all our negative energy into the album in order to begin our own repair and to overcome.â
Militarie Gun have shared their latest single, ‘Will Logic’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on upcoming debut album, ‘Life Under The Gun’, which is out June 23rd.
Speaking about the new track vocalist Ian Shelton says: â’Will Logic’ is meant to be pure spite, itâs the moment of realisation that someone is trying to take advantage of you and deciding you wonât allow it to happen. Thereâs some melancholy and fatigue in there, though ultimately itâs a desire for the world to be trustworthy.â
Finally in this section of our News Report, ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast alumni Daytime TV have shared a brand new single, ‘jessica’, which you can check out above!
Watch Episode 14 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Daytime TV
‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 14 – Daytime TV
Northern Irish metal outfit ARCHIVES haveshared a monolithic new single titled ‘Matriarch’.
âMatriarch is a song about how human beings process loss & grief in many different forms. Â In this case hiding away from the reality of losing someone even if it means you may never get to properly say goodbye in order to save your last memory of a loved one being a positive one & not bed ridden. Grief is difficult. The inevitability of someoneâs life decaying is something you can only hide away from briefly eventually you have to face the music.â â Vocalist, Adam Holland
Strange Company – ‘Overrated’
Welsh three-piece rock outfit Strange Company have shared their brand new single âOverratedâ.
“Overrated is all about perspective. If someone says “stay in your lane” or “no you can’t”, I’m instantly thinking “yes I can, just watch me” and dying to prove them wrong. But when these phrases are coming from my own thoughts, when the self-doubt creeps in, it really takes over and I find myself scared of trying for fear of getting burned. Realising this, seeing these patterns and learning how to deal with them to push beyond the fog of worry changed the game for me. So this song is really both of these rolled into one – it’s a middle-finger to the naysayers and at the same time it’s an awareness, acceptance and step forward through our own fears and doubts.” – Matt Davies
DEADSET – ‘The Art of Pointscoring’
DEADSET have released their highly charged, emotive debut single ‘The Art of Pointscoring’.
âThe song is an earnest outlook on the toxic environment that can be birthed when youâre struggling to coordinate mental health issues,â says Sam Mellors from the band. âThat apathy you experience in which you feel empathy but struggle to act upon it. Itâs an ugly subject but writing about it in a vulnerable and genuine way helps to process and accept your own falsities and mistakes; and the accepting of a situation you canât change when someone else is feeling the same, accepting both parties can make mistakes. It helps me learn vulnerability and forgive others whilst also learning how to change bad behaviour patterns myself.â
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week with the big news that Blur will be releasing their first new album in eight years!
As the group played a tiny hometown show in Colchester it was revealed that a new record, ‘The Ballad of Darren’, will arrive on July 21st.
The album is preceded by new single, ‘The Narcissist’, which you can check out above!
Damon Albarn said – âThis is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now.â
Graham Coxon said – âThe older and madder we get, it becomes more essential that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention. Sometimes just a riff doesnât do the job.â
Alex James said â âFor any long term relationship to last with any meaning you have to be able to surprise each other somehow and somehow we all continue to do that.â
Dave Rowntree said â âIt always feels very natural to make music together. With every record we do, the process reveals something new and we develop as a band. We donât take that for granted.â
Next, we turn our attention to Greta Van Fleet who continue to prepare for the release of their new album, ‘Starcatcher’, on July 21st.
This week the group shared their latest single, ‘Sacred The Thread’, and you can check it out above.
âI always like to think that some peopleâs first impression of Greta Van Fleet in concert is, âWow, these guys really like dressing to the left and blowing shit up,ââ notes frontperson Josh Kiszka, adding, âthis song is particularly important to me because itâs about my jumpsuits.â
Within Temptation treated fans this week to a brand new single, ‘Wireless’, which you can check out above. The track comes ahead of a hotly anticipated new album which is due later this year.
Vocalist Sharon den Adel comments, âWirelessâ is a song about a soldier who goes to war convinced that he is going for a good cause. Heâs indoctrinated by government-controlled media and thinks heâs going to be welcomed back as a saviour, only to find out he has been used. This has resulted in people seeing him as a brutal conqueror instead, and now he finds himself on the wrong side. His life and the lives of many are deceived and destroyed.â
Skindred also had new music on offer this week as they set free their summer reggae anthem, ‘L.O.V.E (Smile Please)’, which you can check out above.
The track got its first public airing last summer via Skindredâs incredible main stage performance at 2022âs Download Festival. There, 60,000 rabid fans turned Doningtonâs metal fest into one big, happy dancefloor. âWhat a way for us to bring that song to the world for the first time,â beams frontman Benji Webbe, âon a big stage, in front of a field of maniacs, doing what we do.â
The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Smile’, which will arrive August 4th!
The Dead Daisies this week revealed that they will be releasing a ‘Best of’ collection from across their career.
The rotating line-up has also seen the return of singer John Corabi ahead of a run of upcoming live dates.
“It’s been an amazing decade with The Daisies! We’ve rocked out with some of the best in the business, toured the globe, released eight albums and are thrilled to be showcasing the body of work from over the last decade with our upcoming âBest Ofâ Album release and tour. I’m excited to be welcoming John Corabi back to the band. Can’t wait to get back on the road again in 2023 to perform for our fans!” – David Lowy
Up next in our News Report are The Used who this week released new album, ‘Toxic Positivity’.
On the album, vocalist Bert McCracken says âHumans share such similar experiences and similar tragedies and everything in between. This record is quite tough for me to listen to, because itâs a reflection of times in my life that have been some of my lowest ever. I want people to understand that, no matter how bad it gets, you don’t have to give up. Everything always feels different no matter what. So what you’re feeling right now you will not feel later on.â.
The last pre-release single, ‘Giving Up’, debuted this week and you can check it out above.
The band adds, “We think this song is fun and cute. We hope you love it too.”.
To celebrate the decade anniversary of ‘The Greatest Generation’, The Wonder Years have shared a revived b-side called ‘GODDAMNITALL’, which you can check out above.
“‘GODDAMNITAL’ is a song that almost was, and then, for a long time, categorically was not, and now is,” vocalist Dan Campbell says of the track.
“When it came time to find bonus content for this box set, we went grave digging in old hard-drives to find the demos from TGG that didnât get finished and then exhumed and reanimated this one. It was the closest to being done at the time. All of the music was there. The chorus had lyrics and melody but, for budget and time constraints it got abandoned before it had verses and a bridge. Now, a decade later, itâs finally finished. We asked Steve Evetts to produce it the same way he would have if it were on the original album and it now stands as a spiritual and somewhat literal b-side to The Greatest Generation.”
Pre-order a new ‘The Greatest Generation’ box set here.
It was a big news week for Holding Absence as the group revealed that they will release their third album, ‘The Noble Art of Self Destruction’, will be released on August 25th.
In a message to fans the band said, “We feel like these songs are almost a love letter to everything Holding Absence. We can’t wait to show you just how much space we have managed to cover, and how hard we were able to push ourselves with these songs.”
The band also debuted their new single, ‘False Dawn’, which you can check out above!
On the song the group say, “This song is definitely a personal favourite for all of us on the record. A somewhat defeatist song about denouncing expectations, and coming to grips with failure – this song is a quintessential Holding Absence song, with it’s uptempo energy and downtrodden introspection. We hope you enjoy.”
TEMPT have shared new single, ‘Roses’, which you can check out above.
On the songâs meaning, guitarist Harrison Marcello says: âItâs a tribute to the people who uplift you and bring out the best in you. It’s about embracing their infectious energy, being drawn in by them, and becoming part of their spirit.”
“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved with ‘Roses,â shares vocalist Zach Allen. âIt’s a song that truly reflects who we are as a bandâhigh-energy, infectious and unapologetically rock n’ roll.â
Dream Wife continue to prepare for the release of ‘Social Lubrication’, on June 9th.
This week the group debuted their latest single, ‘Who Do You Wanna Be?’, which you can check out above.
The band note that the song is âabout running on the capitalist treadmill and falling face first on the pavement. Hollow slogans, social media activism without action, leftist infighting, monetising feminism, ‘girl boss’, all soul crushing nonsense. Capitalism consumes everything. We should tear down the unreachable anxiety filled idea of perfectionism and move from hyper individualised narrative to collective action to create hopeful, rebellious, collective, systems of care. This is a call to arms for change.â
The final new release in this section of our News Report comes from Meryl Streek.
You can check out standalone new track, ‘If This is Life’, above.
Commenting on the new single, Streek says: âIn my mind, it’s a straightforward pop song while still holding onto the same Meryl message. It’s written about the current state of Ireland and how the housing crisis is affecting families across the country on a massive scale. The eviction ban has been lifted and the landlords are evicting families onto the streets once again, with 11,754 people living in emergency accommodation at the start of this year and no sign of it getting any better. That includes 1,609 families, with 3,431 children in homelessness. 55% of them are single-parent families and we’ve still got the same corrupt government turning a blind eye and not admitting their mistakes. It’s an absolute joke, and people need to start speaking up about it.â
rock band from hell have announced that their debut album, ‘Music For Late Night Activities’ will be released on September 1st.
Alongside that news the group have shared their latest single, ‘Cloud9’.
The band comments:
â’cloud9â is a pop-rock anthem that screams out the agony of the outsiders. Itâs a song where Nirvana goes pop and Post Malone goes rock nâ roll. It rose from the feeling of being left outside â you feel like youâre not valued or appreciated, while others are living in cloud nine at the same timeâ.
EXTS – ‘Memories’
Post-hardcore newcomers, EXTS have announced their debut EP, âThe Fragile Space Betweenâ, is set for release on 23rd June. The group have also shared a brand-new single titled âMemoriesâ, which will feature on the EP.
âThe trackâs about dropping the pretence and owning the truth. Tragedy strikes everyone at some point and we make good and bad decisions in those moments. Life loves to throw us curveballs from time to time & finding a way to keep positive, when it feels like thereâs no break in the clouds, it is tough. The whole EP is about overcoming adversity & âMemoriesâ is no different. Lyrically it nods to the old cliche âwhat doesnât kill us makes us strongerâ, especially in those defining moments in time.â – Vocalist, Jack Flynn.
Lucky Hit – ‘Obvious Sucker’
Pop punk band Lucky Hit have returned with a brand-new single titled âObvious Suckerâ.
Many of us often romanticise the past. The lyrics focus on a couple and the way in which they spent their time together and how they felt. The memory of that person often stays with us years after. The song itself is not about an ex girlfriend or a summer fling, the song is about a time in our lives personified. Â The time we spend in our younger years enjoying ourselves and taking risks and the spend out latter years romanticising it.â – Vocalist, Lawrence Murphy.
Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!
We start this week with the return of Greta Van Fleet, who have shared new single ‘Meeting the Master’, which you can check out above.
The track will feature on their newly announced upcoming album, ‘Starcatcher’, which will be released July 21st.
On the single, the band notes, ââMeeting The Masterâ peers into an esoteric world heeded by the word of a wise teacher. Sung in the voice of a devout believer, and eventual group exclamation, the song details the love these fervent followers have for their teacher and their firm belief in his vision. Itâs an exotic spiritual journey. A dark comedy that inevitably ends in chaos.â
With regards to the album, âWe didnât really have to force or be intense about writing, because everything that happened was very instinctual,â Jake says. âIf anything, the record is our perspective, and sums up where we are as a group and individually as musicians.â
Throughout the ten-song collection the band explores the duality of fantasy versus reality and the contrast between light and darkness. âWe had this idea that we wanted to tell these stories to build a universe,â says Wagner. âWe wanted to introduce characters and motifs and these ideas that would come about here and there throughout our careers through this world.â
The band took multiple concepts from critically acclaimed second album The Battle at Gardenâs Gate and brought them into Starcatcher, although Samâs take on the new recordâs big ideas hint instead at new beginnings. âWhen I imagine the world of Starcatcher, I think of the cosmos,â he says. âIt makes me ask a lot of questions, like âWhere did we come from?â or âWhat are we doing here?â But itâs also questions like, âWhat is this consciousness that we have, and where did it come from?ââ
This week also saw Peter Gabriel share the latest taste of new album, ‘i/o’, with the release of the title-track.
Speaking about the new track, Gabriel says:
âThis month the song is “i/o” and “i/o” means input / output. You see it on the back of a lot of electrical equipment and it just triggered some ideas about the stuff we put in and pull out of ourselves, in physical and non-physical ways. That was the starting point of this idea and then trying to talk about the interconnectedness of everything. The older I get, I probably don’t get any smarter, but I have learned a few things and it makes a lot of sense to me that we are not these independent islands that we like to think we are, that we are part of a whole. If we can see ourselves as better connected, still messed up individuals, but as part of a whole, then maybe there’s something to learn?”
‘i/o’ as a potential album title has long-been known within fan circles, and is now the name of the current project, the album and the forthcoming tour, but as Gabriel says, âIt’s been around for a long time as a title for this project. I always knew I was going to write a song called “i/o”, but the title came first.â
Therapy? continue to build to the release of new album, ‘Hard Cold Fire’ on May 5th. This week saw the band share new single, ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’, which you can check out above.
The band say, âThis track started out as a hard take on how people lose themselves in narratives to the point that the myth takes on greater importance than the fact. Just like the old adage about the liar repeating the lie so much that they eventually believe it themselves, the culture around us is bursting with fairy stories we tell ourselves.â
There was also new music to savour this week from Holding Absence as they debuted their latest single, ‘A Crooked Melody’, which you can check out above.
Like Moths To Flames debut ‘Predestination Paradox’
Like Moths To Flames – ‘Predestination Paradox’
Like Moths To Flames have released their first new music in two years with return single ‘Predestination Paradox’, which you can check out above.
“I think there are a lot of things that we all commit to, where we know how it will end,” says LMTF’s Chris Roetter. “This song is meant to portray the experience of learning that almost everything has an inevitable expiration date. We never know how much time we are offered or how much time is left, yet we still immerse ourselves in these deep relationships.”
2000trees announce Soft Play as their final headliner!
We move our News Report on now to the best festival announcements from the past week and up first is 2000trees.
This week saw a wave of additions to the line-up including headliners Soft Play making their live return. Also added to the line-up were Dinosaur Pile-Up, Hell Is For Heroes, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Haggard Cat and more.
They join the likes of Bullet For My Valentine, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Bob Vylan, Holding Absence, Deaf Havana, Hundred Reasons, Skindred and many more.
The second wave of acts for Y Not Festival were revealed this week including Sea Girls, The Pigeon Detectives, Yonaka, Cassyette, Gengahr, Feet, Peaness, The Hara, DEADLETTER, Daisy Brain and more.
They join a bill featuring the likes of Royal Blood, Kasabian, Paul Weller, The Wombats, James, DMA’s, The Charlatans, KT Tunstall, The Murder Capital, Kid Kapichi, Beans On Toast and many more.
Our News Report looks now at the best live announcements of the past week and we kick off with Royal Blood who have revealed two intimate warm-up shows in amongst their packed summer.
Bristol-based rock multi-instrumentalist Lucky Thief shares his new single, ‘Silencer’.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the single, Lucky Thief explains, âSilencer is about being unable to control how we speak. So many people have opinions that are narrow minded, selfish and ill-considered; This song airs my frustration with them. It also looks at how hard it is for me to stay quiet, if I feel something deserves to be said, I will not be silenced.â
Harker – ‘Wasting Time’
Brighton, UK punk rock powerhouse Harker have released a new single titled ‘Wasting Time’.
The band comment, “‘Wasting Time’ is about the breakdown of communication in modern life – it’s easy to misunderstand and mislead when you only talk through a digital screen. Talk to your loved ones in person, debate face to face, and know when to set your boundaries if it’s not working. ‘Wasting Time’ is a back to basics, 4 chord postpunk pop ruckus track – heavy hooks and fuzzed out guitar walls, just how we like it.”
Cape Crush – ‘Sandwich Wars’
Cape Crush, hailing from Massachusetts, have unveiled their new single, ‘Sandwich Wars’.
Vocalist Ali Lipman, says “‘Sandwich Wars” is an emo pop anthem I wrote about not apologizing for yourself. I wrote it from the point of view of giving advice to a younger version of yourself. It was inspired by the advice of my former roommate Chelsea who left earth too soon about not being so quick to blame yourself. Our house was called Club Sammich, which is where the Sandwich Wars title comes from. It’s got some personal imagery in, but hopefully it conveys that your mistakes don’t define the person you become. I think Sandwich Wars is the band’s favorite song on the EP. This came together as a full band song with James really driving home the riffs and all those little musical moments that keep you listening (like the car crash), Jake’s bass and backing vocals in the last chorus, and Cody’s energetic beats. We love playing this one and we hope people enjoy listening!”
Watch Episode 42 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests ANGER PARTY!
‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 42 – ANGER PARTY
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!
Where else could we start this week other than with Glastonbury Festival and their initial 2023 line-up! We now know that Elton John will be joined in headlining the Pyramid Stage by Arctic Monkeys and Guns N Roses!
Also playing over the weekend will be Alt-J, Blondie, Manic Street Preachers, Nova Twins, Royal Blood, slowthai, Texas and Legends Slot filling Yusuf (Cat Stevens).
Another major festival dropping line-up additions this week were the August stalwart Reading & Leeds Festivals.
The likes of The Amazons, Frank Turner, Easy Life, Palaye Royale, Sleep Token, Sea Girls, Vistas, The Murder Capital, Normandie, Knocked Loose, Yonaka, Yard Act and Don Broco join the line-up.
They join the likes Sam Fender, Foals, The Killers, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, Wet Leg, You Me At Six, Nothing But Thieves, The Snuts and Hot Milk.
It was a good week for festival fans this week as our News Report continues with this stunning line-up from 2000trees Festival!
The absolutely stacked line-up now features added American Football, Eagles of Death Metal, Electric Six, Employed To Serve, Joy Formidable, Tigercub and Black Honey.
The full line-up also hosts the likes of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Hundred Reasons, Skindred, Deaf Havana, Rival Schools, Bob Vylan, Empire State Bastard, Holding Absence, Kid Kapichi, Cancer Bats, Dream State, LostAlone, Witch Fever, Blackgold, Guise, Mimi Barks, Pet Needs, Press To Meco and many more!
âFor us, seeing fans just as excited about the bands lower down the line up as they are about the bigger artists is what 2000trees is all about, and this announcement is no different. Heriot and Kneecap were big personal highlights from 2000trees 2022, so to be able to have Heriot return to smash the Main Stage and Kneecap bringing the carnage to the Forest Stage is going to be something special! And thereâs still two headliners to come sooner than you might thinkâŠâ – Festival booker James
Also unveiling more of their line-up this week were Standon Calling. The event is due to be headlined by Years & Years, Self Esteem, Bloc Party & The Human League.
Playing across the weekend will be the likes of Rick Astley, Squid, We Are Scientists, Bob Vylan, The Murder Capital, The Big Moon, Lottery Winners, KT Tunstall and The Sherlocks.
Sharing in the excitement of todayâs news, Rick Astley said: âI canât wait to head back to Hertfordshire for Standon Calling this July, hope to see you all there!â
Leicester’s The Long Road festival returns in 2023 with a line-up including Jon Pardi, Blackberry Smoke and many more.
Commenting on todayâs announcement, TLRâs Tennessee-born Creative Director Baylen Leonard said: âWe’re delighted to announce the first wave of artists for The Long Road 2023. Our festival is about offering a unique, inclusive experience for our visitors, with amazing music, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Our line-up reflects the very best in Country and Americana music today, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors to Stanford Hall for what is going to be a truly unforgettable bank holiday weekend.”
We move our News Report on now to the best tour announcements from the past week and we begin in Wales as Kings of Leon reveal two special dates at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham this May.
Also this week, pop disruptor Ashnikko announced her hotly anticipated world tour and debut album ‘WEEDKILLER’, which is out June 2nd.
Speaking on the announcement Ashnikko states “My bioluminescent heart is glowing. My post-apocalyptic fae world is here for you to journey into. My wings have been ripped out, but Iâve built them anew using WEEDKILLER machine parts. I am the one sent here to eliminate you, WEEDKILLER.”
British Lion next in our News Report as this week they announced a new UK and European summer tour including dates in Manchester and Nottingham.
Steve Harris comments, âWe just had a brilliant time on the January UK tour and itâs great to be heading out again in 2023. Iâm really looking forward to BOTH Summer tours this year!â
Our News Report looks now at the best new releases from the past week and we begin this week with Metallica!
The legendary band are readying their latest album, ’72 Seasons’, which is out April 14th. This week that meant the debut of new single, ‘If Darkness Had a Son’, which you can listen to above.
This week saw Underoath return with their brand new single, ‘Let Go’, which you can check out above.
In discussing the song, the band said, âThis is actually the first song we completed after recording (last yearâs) Voyeurist. It took a few different forms but we got it to a place where we knew this is what it should be. Itâs about letting go of whatever trauma or demons that might be holding you back. As hard as it is to make those decisions sometimes, I feel like we can never grow without stepping out of those toxic environments.â
DMA’S have this week shared their latest single, ‘Something We Are Overcoming’, which you can listen to above.
The track comes ahead of new album, ‘How Many Dreams?’, which is out March 31st.
“‘Something We Are Overcomingâ started as a moving ballad about perseverance but quickly morphed into a trancey anthem of a side quest that is slightly but steadily DMAâS. We hope you like it.â â DMAâS
Brighton’s snake eyes have shared new single, ‘no one is truly cool’, and you can check out the video above.
Commenting on the new single, vocalist Jim Heffy says: “I met a bloke in a band I like at a festival after separately having a really lovely chat with one of their bandmates. he was stand-offish and, to be honest, a bit of a prick, giving proper âtoo cool for schoolâ vibes. the whole exchange left a bad taste in my mouth.â
âthe fake cool guy thing can only go so far. no need for a fake personality. just be real, be yaself. even Keith Richards puts down the whiskey and cigs sometimes and watches âthe last of usâ in his pants with a bowl of nik naks like everyone else.â
The official video for the track was created by the bandâs drummer and visual director Thomas Coe-Brooker, who explains of the concept: “in keeping with the song, we thought it’d be fun to make a really cool looking video in the least cool of spaces – a family garage. kinda like when you’re having band practice as a teenager and you’re all really sending it like total bad asses…but ultimately, your mum’s seconds from bursting in to tell you it’s too loud and that your dinner’s ready. that, but with satisfying, nicely framed angles and dreamy in-camera long exposure, 90s style.”
Hell’s Ditch have shared new single, ‘Ghosts’, ahead of their debut EP, ‘Take Cover’, out March 23rd.
Vocalist Nick Davis explains: “Ghosts is about the hanging weight of the past, the present and the future. Capitalism puts a premium on individual success, which leads people to feel like their failing if they don’t achieve certain goals or milestones. It’s all too easy to plant trees, grow them, and then cut them down inside the confines of your own head. I wrote most of the lyrics while watching my cats seemingly stare at nothing on the ceiling”.
paradise fell. – ‘VICES.’
Alternative artist paradise fell has shared their debut offering âVICES.â.
âVICES. is a frantic confrontation of the irony; that something which kills us slowly, sets us free in the moment. It makes us feel alive. The bad habits we have are the only things that can save us from the drudgery of daily life. The very things that are killing us, become a cornerstone of our identity. They become familiar. They become part of who we are. A comfort in a chaotic world.â – paradise fell.
Hunch Power – ‘Eye for an Eye’
Hunch Power hits back with their new pacifist anthem, ‘Eye for an Eye’.
“I’d been wanting to write a pacifist song about revenge for ages. I was sure about borrowing Ghandi’s famous words for the title and chorus but I couldn’t find the right music to go with it. One day I remembered an old idea I never demoed and realised the music matched perfectly so I wrote new lyrics and the band loved it” – Singer Harvey Springfield
As Independent Venue Week continues we head to one of the countryâs finest, the wonderful Colchester Arts Centre. Seriously though, those toilets will have you feeling like royalty – toilet-circuit indeed!
In town tonight are Holding Absence who are towards the end of a tour of the UKâs off the beaten track venues and the locals are clearly excited with the show a sell out.
Most of the audience are in the venue early to catch the support (always a wise move!) and up first the crowd are treated to the ferocious Your Misery. Controlling the stage as if they were seasoned veterans, the band are able to not just warm up the crowd but fully win them over. Certainly one to keep an eye on, Your Misery couldnât have done any more tonight to make a statement.
Our second act, Australians Void of Vision, most definitely feel like a band that know how to make a statement of their own. The group burst onto stage and fill the venue with their huge sound. Itâs an audio onslaught for the next forty-five minutes as the likes of âDOMINATRIXâ, âTHE LONELY PEOPLEâ and âINTO THE DARKâ leave the crowd desperate for more.
There may not be any more Void of Vision tonight, but you can expect to hear much more in the future. With a new EP coming soon, this could be a breakthrough year for the band.
Our headliners, Holding Absence, have felt like they are breaking out for a few years now. Certainly not ones to rest on their laurels; their touring schedule has been intense. The majority of those shows though have been support slots, so itâs refreshing to catch them at a headline show finally.
The core fanbase of the band appear very committed and there is anticipation in the air in this old church tonight. That anticipation boils over as the band arrive on stage and quickly run through âMonochromeâ, âBeyond Beliefâ and âLike A Shadowâ much to the delight of those fans.
The setlist tonight is a real mix of the bands releases with highlights including âGravityâ, âIn Circlesâ and new song âAching Longingâ. Youâd perhaps expect a little more from a headline show, but I guess the old adage is to leave the audience wanting more.
After a finale of âAfterlifeâ and âWiltâ, Holding Absence most definitely do just that. With so many sing-a-long anthems or bangers as the kids would say, and an engaging stage presence youâd hope that the band will live up to their early promise.
Three bands at different stages of their budding careers tonight all make a valuable impression. Itâs worth remembering that nights like this are happening up and down the country, night in night out. Itâs tough out there and venues and bands need your support, so perhaps think twice on spending hundreds of pounds on those Beyonce tickets and pop down to your local independent venue instead!
