Tonight is a hot ticket, with venue staff stating that they couldâve sold the venue out four times over, and that people had been inquiring about just listening from outside the venue.
The reason for the excitement is that tonight indie rock standouts Hard-Fi will be playing their first show in eight years. Not just that but it takes place in the intimate surrounds of one of the UKâs premier independent music venues â the Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes (or Wolverton as singer Richard Archer points out).
Yes, the return of Hard-Fi is very welcome and given the lyrical content of some of their early material, itâs somewhat apt that the band responsible for âCash Machineâ return during one of the most tumultuous weeks of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Tonight serves as a warm up for their big return shows in Manchester and London, but before Hard-Fi arrive on stage we have the warm up for tonight. Eddz channels his inner Ian Brown, performing solo to a backing track. In front of a baying crowd, Eddz styles out the performance well and certainly leaves the stage with more fans than we he arrived.
The venue is rammed tight by the time the returning heroes arrive on stage and opener âMiddle Eastern Holidayâ instantly engages the crowd. The atmosphere is electric as the band find their feet through the likes of âCanât Get Along (Without You)â and âI Shall Overcomeâ.
There is a slightly misguided rendition of The White Stripes classic âSeven Nation Armyâ early in the show which feels oddly placed and generally unnecessary, however the next tracks âTied Up Too Tightâ and âGood For Nothingâ ensure that the crowd remains firmly onboard.
A run of âBetter Do Betterâ, âBring It Onâ, âFire In The Houseâ and âCash Machineâ is fantastic, and just shows the depth of the bands back catalogue. Despite only having 3 studio albums to their name, Hard-Fi certainly have the proverbial bangers for days!
Whilst there are times that itâs clear this is their first show in a very long time, the band shake off any gremlins to deliver a memorable night for their fans. âSuburban Knightsâ and âHard To Beatâ close out the main set for a three song encore which ends of âLiving For The Weekendâ.
The band are living for this weekend and their big return shows, but after this performance, fans will be hoping that Hard-Fi stick around for a while longer!
It feels like an eternity ago that Lonely The Brave burst onto the scene with their incredible early EP, âBackroadsâ. Thatâs probably because that actually was almost a decade ago, and wow has the world been through some tough times since then.
It hasnât all been smooth sailing for the band either, with the switch of vocalist in 2018 a major hurdle. Thankfully the band secured the talented Jack Bennett to fill the very big shoes of David Jakes.
The problem for the band now is that just when they would need momentum the most, the world stopped moving. The pandemic disrupted all people in all walks of life with the music industry hit very hard. Imagine then the impact on Lonely The Brave as they looked to move seamlessly into their new era.
New album, âThe Hope Listâ, was released in the midst of lockdown in January 2021 and plans to tour in support were naturally delayed. That time has belatedly arrived now and tonight they play a special hometown show at the Junction in Cambridge.
There are two support acts on tap with VLMV up first, captivating the early audience with a sonic smorgasbord of guitars, synths and vocals. Cult icon Jamie Lenman then blasts though a short set of new material which ramps up the intensity in the venue. Both acts have done a good job warming up a slightly lethargic crowd ready for the hometown heroes to arrive.
Welcomed warmly onstage Lonely The Brave instantly mix new tracks such as âKeeperâ and âDistant Lightâ with old favourites like âBlack Mireâ and âTrick of the Lightâ. This is a theme that continues throughout the evening.
Bennett as we say has had big shoes to fill vocally and he manages to do those old favourites justice tonight whilst also adding new layers both sonically and corporeally.
There is an unusual tense atmosphere in the venue tonight, which feels highlighted by this being a hometown show. Itâs only really when the likes of âThe Blue, The Greenâ, âBackroadsâ and âBlack Saucersâ appear towards the end of the show that the audience relaxes a bit.
Performance wise the venue witnesses three strong sets tonight from three acts at varying stages of their careers. The industry is in a tough spot right now, but youâd hope there is enough talent on show here that these acts can kick on from here.
The cost of living crisis currently strangling the UK has become the latest threat to the future of our independent grassroots music venues. The Music Venue Trust had already engaged with The National Lottery for the #ReviveLive campaign in answer to the pandemic, but now it takes on even greater meaning.
Itâs venues such as the Portland Arms in Cambridge where we are tonight that are vital to the music ecosystem. No introductory venues – no cultivating superstars. No regional venues â unsustainable travel to gigs for fans. No new superstars and unaffordable costs for fans â the collapse of the music industry! That may seem dramatic, but itâs the short, sharp and real threat that we are facing.
Tonights #ReviveLive show features Scottish rock band The Xcerts and has been pushed back a day to avoid the Queenâs funeral. Despite the change and the lack of a support act, the venue is suitably stocked with audience members come the time for the band to hit the stage.
The setlist tonight comprises tracks from all four of the bands studio albums but focuses heavily on latest effort, 2018âs âHold On To Your Heartâ. âDrive Me Wildâ and âDaydreamâ from that album start us off and ease the audience into the show, before âShaking in the Waterâ really gets things moving.
That album is a masterpiece so fans are more than happy to hear multiple tracks from it. There is an audible delight however at the presence of two brand new songs in the set tonight. Both âEverything I Cannot Live Withoutâ and âJealousyâ sound promising for more stunning work to come from the band.
The Xcerts deserve all the success in the world and the final run of âShow Me Beautifulâ, âThere Is Only Youâ, âCrazyâ, âHold On To Your Heartâ, âAberdeen 1987â and âFeels Like Falling In Loveâ is a real testament to their quality.
There are great nights like this happening in every major city and town in the UK every night of the week. The venues these are happening in and the bands killing it onstage need your support now. If you are able to, get yourself to a show and ensure that when all our problems hopefully dissipate, we still have venues and bands to enjoy!
Disillusioned and close to bankruptcy, it is fair to say that 2001âs âFree All Angelsâ, was a make or break record for Ash. Whilst debut album, â1977â, had hit the number one spot and made the band a household name, sophomore release, âNu-Clear Soundsâ had seen the bands momentum stall.
Having seemingly hit rock bottom, a refreshed approach saw the band write and record what would be their saving grace, âFree All Angelsâ. Returning the band to the top of the charts, and serving as a springboard to greater success, it is again fair comment to say that the album rescued the groupâs career.
This week has seen the band celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the album with three very special shows. Rejoined by guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, who departed the band in 2006, Ash have played the album in full first in Manchester, then Birmingham and finally tonight at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London.
On the eve of the funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there is a perfectly observed minutes silence at 8pm.
Shortly thereafter opening act The Gulps take to the stage and do a suitable job of raising spirits and getting those in attendance ready for our headliners.
WATCH ‘SHINING LIGHT’ ON YOUTUBE
Ash – ‘Shining Light’
A mighty roar greets Ash and particularly Hatherley to the stage and the band proceed to play the entirety of âFree All Angelsâ. The quality of the record is borne out with opening trio, âWalking Barefootâ, âShining Lightâ and âBurn Baby Burnâ, with even frontman Tim Wheeler commenting on the run.
The singles, naturally, played a large role in the success of the album but it is the overall quality that ensures that remains as revered today as when released in 2001. âCandyâ, âSomedayâ, âSometimesâ and âThereâs A Starâ are all glorious before âWorld Dominationâ brings the run though to a close.
This doesnât end the evening however as Wheeler quips about making the most of their time with Hatherley, before introducing the first song that they worked on together, âA Life Less Ordinaryâ.
Ash are a fine live act, but tonight the addition of Hatherley really ratchets things up a notch or two. The added layers and intricacies level up the band and the likes of âGoldfingerâ, âOrpheusâ and âClonesâ sound absolutely huge tonight.
Towards the end of the night the band break out tracks such as âNumbskullâ, âKung Fuâ and âGirl From Marsâ much to the delight of the audience.
Tonight has been a reflection of a period of time not just for Ash but in British music. Itâs an evening drenched in nostalgia but for those in the venue itâs all about the immediacy of the performance. Itâs only fitting that a final airing of âBurn Baby Burnâ closes out what has been a successful celebration of a truly great album.
With the nights drawing in and the first full festival season in three years now completed, itâs time to head back indoors for our live music fix. And where better to start than in one of the UKâs many incredible intimate independent venues!
That brings us to Norwich at The Waterfront Studio for a sold out show from Canadian acts Arkells and Lights. Getting to welcome international acts such as these back into venues such as this is another reminder of the progress live music has made to return this year, and the venue fills up early with fans eager for an evening of great music.
Whether or not theyâd be in receipt of such was never really in doubt considering the acts present. Up first is the multi-talented Lights who clearly has her fair share of diehard fans in attendance. Thankfully for them she has a whole hour to showcase her genre-bending indie pop, to the delights of those in the venue.
Latest album, âPEPâ, features highly throughout a career spanning set list and album tracks such as opener âProdigal Daughterâ, âBeside Myselfâ and âOkay Okayâ are highlights in a consistently powerful and uplifting show.
Yes, the bar for tonight is set very high by Lights, and many seasoned professionals would flounder in their attempts to follow such a performance. Luckily for both the band and the packed venue, Arkells are more than up to the challenge.
The Opening trio of âPast Lifeâ, âLeather Jacketâ and âMichigan Leftâ set the stage for another top tier performance from this well-oiled touring machine. At this stage of their career, the group have songs for days so itâs refreshing that they are willing to accept audience requests such as âHand Me Downsâ which occurs next.
Arkells provide another career encapsulating set list with a particular focus on recent efforts âBlink Onceâ and âBlink Twiceâ. Big hitters such as ’11:11â, âKnocking At The Doorâ and finale âYou Can Get Itâ all elicit huge reactions from the crowd, however the highlight of the night comes from something special and unique.
Frontman Max Kerman regales the crowd with the tale of a young married couple having their first dance to âAnd Then Someâ, with the track being performed by a local covers band. Kerman proceeds to recreate the moment of the first dance with the couple in the crowd, even bringing out the singer of said band, Counterfeit Brits, to sing.
Another memorable moment comes via ABBA cover, âGimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)â. Expect the unexpected appears to be the theme of the night as Lights also returns to the stage to perform âHuman Beingâ with Arkells; much to the delight of an audience who will remember this night for years to come.
Live music is well and truly back, and our independent venues are leading the charge with amazing shows such as this taking place every night of the week. The tickets to catch these two fantastic international acts in intimate UK venues are surprisingly inexpensive. Thankfully for you there are a number of shows remaining on this tour, so do yourself and your local venue a favour and head along to one!
Reading & Leeds Festivals are the traditional end of the UK Festival season, and this year is a milestone year as a full calendar takes place for the first time since 2019. Letâs not dwell on why, instead letâs head straight into the action on a packed and hot Saturday at Reading Festival.
Sold out well in advance, Saturday at this yearâs event is a particularly hot ticket with a stunning line-up throughout and topped by Arctic Monkeys and Bring Me The Horizon.
We are in the arena bright and early for surprise opening act Wargasm who storm the main stage with a set packed full of energy and attitude. The band appears to be on a world conquering mission, and nobody can argue their work ethic. Itâs also damn hard to argue with their captivating stage presence and musical outlay.
We then head into the âFestival Republicâ Tent for the next couple of acts. With the new two main stage structure at Reading & Leeds Festivals the separate âPitâ and âLock-upâ stage has sadly been a much missed casualty. There is much less choice now for the music connoisseurs amongst the crowd; which isnât a problem with a stacked line-up like today but is very evident on Friday and Sunday.
This change does mean there is less cohesion in the line-up with heavy rockers Static Dress followed by lad rock upstarts The Skinner Brothers in the tent. Despite their difference styles both deliver energetic and well-received performances for the early risers.
There is more indie-fuelled sing-a-long action next back on the main stages with The Lathums pulling in a decent crowd. Whilst there is nothing earth-shatteringly new about what they do, The Lathums do this modern stock-indie reasonably well.
WATCH POPPY PLAY ‘BLOODMONEY’ AT READING FESTIVAL
Poppy – ‘BLOODMONEY’
Whilst there were no moulds broken on one main stage, over on the other is Poppy, an artist who has broken every mould sheâs been in. Yes, originally a Youtube sensation, then a bubblegum pop idol and now a heavy metal phenomenon, Poppy crosses many boundaries. Today she oozes rockstar appeal as she owns the stage with their eclectic musical offerings, proving along the way that she retains a very bright future.
A bright future is also ahead for Sueco, who attracts a good sized audience in the tent next for his debut UK performance. Over the next thirty minutes Sueco has that crowd in the palm of his hands as he runs through fans favourites including TikTok sensation âParalyzedâ.
Enter Shikari are a band more concerned with the future of the planet than that of their career and they take a main stage next for a politically charged call to arms with epic musical accompaniment. New single, âThe Void Stares Backâ including guests Wargasm sounds absolutely huge as do tracks from previous album, âNothing Is True & Everything Is Possibleâ.
WATCH ENTER SHIKARI PLAY ‘{ THE DREAMER’S HOTEL }’ AT READING
A passionate speech is curtailed through either a power failure or for the conspiracy theorists – censorship. Either way even with a stifled end to their set, the band show once again that they are one of the best live acts on the planet.
Weâve mentioned the stacked line-up today and part of the reason for such excitement is the collection of a number of bands in the best live act conversation. Next up on the other main stage are Fontaines D.C. who receive a heroâs welcome by swelled crowd.
WATCH FONTAINES D.C. PLAY ‘BOYS IN THE BETTER LAND’ AT READING
New album, âSkinty Fiaâ, takes centre stage as the band deliver the likes of âI Love Youâ, âJackie Down the Lineâ and âRoman Holidayâ. A young fan coming out the crowd to ace guitar on âBoys in the Better Landâ provides one of the highlights of the festival, and the band leave the stage having proven themselves to be in the pool of future headliners.
Another band no doubt destined to headline Reading Festival in the not too distant future is Wolf Alice. Whether rocking hard on âSmileâ, serenading us with âSafe From Heartbreak (If You Never Fall in Love)â or showing their all round brilliance on âThe Last Man on Earthâ, Wolf Alice are a band that can literally do it all.
WATCH WOLF ALICE PLAY ‘HOW CAN I MAKE IT OK?’ AT READING
A twelve song set absolutely flies by this evening and with a rammed field of fans left desperate for more, surely a full headline show from the band is a must next time they come to town.
Thatâs one thing Reading & Leeds Festivals have always excelled at â giving new headliners their shot. Thatâs exactly what they do next with heavy hitters Bring Me The Horizon finally being given the main stage headline festival set they earned years ago!
What those who gather for the performance are greeted with is a band at the peak of their powers, both creatively and as a live act. The band proceed to deliver a memorable set for all the right reasons. This is a victory for Bring Me The Horizon and for heavy music and the band do all in their powers to fulfil all expectations.
WATCH BRING ME THE HORIZON PLAY ‘BAD HABITS’ WITH ED SHEERAN AT READING
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Bad Habits’ feat. Ed Sheeran
The setlist is flawless, the visuals are stunning, the crowd interaction is on point and the band sound incredible; this is a real moment. A moment made even bigger by the band bringing out Ed Sheeran for a dose of âBad Habitsâ to the ear-piercing sound of teenage girls screams.
This is the sort of performance that you donât want to follow but thatâs just what Arctic Monkeys have to do next. Being one of the most hotly anticipated acts of the weekend and one much craved by fans in recent years, surely this would be easy for megastars such as Arctic Monkeys.
WATCH ARCTIC MONKEYS PLAY ‘R U MINE’ AT READING
Arctic Monkeys – ‘R U Mine’
Sadly for those in attendance what the band deliver is a lukewarm showing. The opposite of Bring Me The Horizon, the setlist is poor, the visuals are basic, the crowd interaction is nearly non-existent and the sound is too low. A stunning day such as this needed a big finish and that should in hindsight of been Bring Me The Horizon.
Arctic Monkeys are a huge act with a back catalogue you can hold against anybody else, but today it feels like a phoned in effort. It isnât a bad show by any stretch of the imagination; itâs a good show that shouldâve been a great show.
Hopefully the band can rediscover their spark with new album, âThe Carâ on the way, but tonight belongs to a different Sheffield band!
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.
Festival season is in full swing, the weather is warm, and the women are setting the standard for football, in many ways life is good. Of course in many other ways things are tough right now.
Music has always been an escape from reality, and we certainly need a distraction right now, so as Y Not Festival open their gates for the first time in three years, itâs time for tens of thousands of fans to let their hair down and celebrate. That is once they can actually get in, with some enormous queues upon entry dampening early spirits.
Now, the last and only time I attended Y Not Festival was the fateful 2017 event which ended in cancellation midway through. I wrote a scathing review for another publication and swore never to return.
Well, watching from a distance the festival has put out some stunning line-ups since then, and organisational changes appear to have improved things and returned the events reputation to pre-2017 levels. This year is in fact billed as their first year back as an independent festival.
Having decided to give the festival a second chance on the basis of their 2020 line-up, Iâve since witnessed the line-up change multiple times for the worse based on my personal preferences. There is no doubting however the overall quality of the line-up at a tough time for festivals.
Iâm interested to see how the event will progress and whether it can change my opinion of the festival after the 2017 debacle, so the huge entry queues on Thursday and Friday arenât the best start.
Thankfully once inside, things pick up quickly! The general layout is well thought out in the main arena, with the main stage, the second stage (The Quarry) and numerous other attractions in the main section of the arena, and the third stage (The Giant Squid) and various other stages and attractions located in a smaller area.
This almost creates two distinct festival areas, with a busy walkway connecting them. The only issue here is that later on in each day this thoroughfare does bottleneck and makes movement very difficult. At one point on Sunday night, this reaches a near dangerous level as fans flood the area trying to catch an Oasis tribute band on one of the smaller stages.
Whilst I quite liked the two separate areas concept, in future additional access would need to be installed at the other end of the second area to avoid any disastrous incidents and make crowd movements flow better.
Now on to the music! Thursday is an add-on day and those to fork out and arrive early are given a splattering of acts to enjoy.
The first such act that we catch is Lucy Spraggan who does a great job in getting the audience into the spirit of things. Spraggan has the crowd singing along to the likes of The Proclaimers cover âIâm Gonna Be (500 Miles)â, and fan favourites âLast Night (Beer Fear)â and âWait for Meâ.
Next, The Hunna grace the main stage and also deliver a crowd pleasing set. The bandâs momentum seems to have stalled slightly, but that upwards trajectory is set to relaunch if the reaction to new single, âTrashâ, is anything to go by. âSheâs Casualâ and âBonfireâ serve as a reminder of what the band is capable of, and leaves the audience fully pumped up for our Thursday headliners.
WATCH ‘TRASH’ FROM THE HUNNA ON YOUTUBE
The Hunna – ‘Trash’
Those headliners are indie stalwarts The Kooks. The band have been celebrating their debut album, âInside In/Inside Outâ, whilst they have also recently released a new album, ’10 Tracks to Echo in the Darkâ. Itâs no surprise then that 15 out of 21 songs tonight come from those two releases.
The new tracks manage to hold up well with the hits such as âOoh Laâ, âShe Moves In Her Own Wayâ, âAlways Where I Need To Beâ and âNaĂŻveâ. All in all this equates to a fun headline show which sets the standard for the weekend to come.
Friday on paper is the best day musically for me heading in with a great mix of the new and established acts that Y Not Festival has managed to book so well.
Itâs a new act we start with on the main stage as Lauran Hibberd brings her charismatic indie pop to Y Not Festival. The early risers are treated to a glimpse of a star in the making and those that make the effort donât regret it. Hibberdâs debut album, âGarageband Superstarâ is out this month, and based on todayâs showing it will be a breakthrough record.
Hibberd has featured previously on our âDiscoverâ New Music Playlist, and next we headed to the âGiant Squidâ stage for the first time to catch fellow playlist alumni Daytime TV.
Daytime TV showcase their incredible debut album, âNothingâs On But Everyoneâs Watchingâ, as they quickly blast out the likes of âWe Canât Be Friendsâ, âHushâ, âUglyâ and âZombieâ. This is another band with a great future, and today they deliver the goods for the early crowd.
Watch our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Daytime TV
‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 14 – Daytime TV
Continuing the run of fantastic young acts we catch MarthaGunn in the âGiant Squidâ and The Skinner Brothers in the âAllotmentâ. Two very different acts, but two more acts that make the very most of their time on stage, clearly winning over any fans not already converted.
We then return to the main stage for another newer act, but one that already feel established. The Snuts burst onto the scene with their debut album, âW.L.â, and have dominated festival stages this year. Today fans are treated to a look at what comes next with new songs âBurn the Empireâ and âZuckerpunchâ sounding massive. Expect The Snuts to continue to climb festival bills over the next few years, and donât be surprised when they are eventually headlining the likes of Y Not Festival.
The Pale White continue what has been a consistently brilliant day of music with a powerful set in the âGiant Squidâ, before we head to the âQuarryâ for the first time this weekend.
Festival favourite and all round legend Beans On Toast assembles a huge crowd for a sing-a-long session. The heralded folk singer serenades his crowd with favourites such as âThe War on Warâ, âM.D.M.Amazingâ and âOn & Onâ. Really, there should be a law that dictates that Beans On Toast appears at every single festival.
Watch The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Beans On Toast
The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 3 – Beans On Toast
Even before the major issues struck in 2017, one gripe I had about Y Not Festival was the apparent disorganisation in relation to set times. I worry next that perhaps this issue hasnât been fixed as Manic Street Preachers fail to appear for their advertised start time. Eventually a message appears on the screens citing technical difficulties, and the band finally arrive almost an hour late on stage.
This of course has a knock on effect to our headliners Stereophonics, and also means when the Manics do arrive, they quickly depart again only playing for half their originally scheduled time. The technical difficulties seemingly continue to dog the band throughout their short time on stage, which causes more set changes on the fly. A lesser band may have given up, but Manic Street Preachers force their way through.
Stereophonics are a safe bet as a festival headliner, guaranteed to deliver the goods and give the audience a good time. Thatâs exactly what they do to close out Friday night, with a set mixed of hits and deep cuts from throughout their distinguished career.
The double header of of Welsh icons Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics was a major selling point for many fans, so itâs disappointing that the technical issues leave a sour taste in the mouth.
Saturday soon arrives and we start off on the main stage for another double header of established acts. The Futureheads and Levellers bring the crowds in early as the festival rights the wrongs of last night. Both bands deliver solid sets which the audience lap up, and the party is in full swing as we head deeper into Saturday afternoon.
We refocus next however back to the fresh new acts that help to make this festival so appealing. Do Nothing, King No-One and the excellent The Mysterines all draw big crowds to the âGiant Squidâ stage and all three acts are able to produce perfect festival sets to the delight of the packed tent.
Sea Girls are one of the bands leading the new wave of indie and they are next up on the main stage, where they are greeted by an army of their fans. The band and fans then reciprocate energy for the next forty-five minutes and the result is a very enjoyable watch.
Our Saturday night is then spent back in the âGiant Squidâ for two bands that personify the festival. First up is a hot new band on the cusp of greatness in the form of Yard Act. This is a band that has been touring solidly and making a name for themselves. Today they put the spotlight on debut album, âThe Overloadâ, which gets the entire tent bouncing along.
Lastly is an established act of indie folklore, We Are Scientists! The band finish out the night with a fan pleasing set full of favourites such as âItâs A Hitâ, âThe Great Escapeâ and âNobody Move, Nobody Get Hurtâ.
WATCH ‘THE GREAT ESCAPE’ FROM WE ARE SCIENTISTS ON YOUTUBE
We Are Scientists – ‘The Great Escape’
Itâs during this time that the heavens open for the first time. Back in 2017 it was the Saturday night when the festival organisers decided enough was enough, come Sunday morning the last day was cancelled and a disorderly evacuation of the site commenced.
One massive criticism of the event that year was a lack of foresight with heavy rain predicted well in advance, the site saw little or no preparation for the weather. Itâs great this year then that prior to the rainfall we see straw spread at key points in the arena.
The result is that despite a night of rain, the arena is still in good nick come Sunday morning and we are able to continue with the high quality entertainment. Kudos then to the present organisers for taking proactive action rather than waiting until the horse has already bolted!
So, onto my first Y Not Festival Sunday! We again are on the hunt for new talent early on and catch both Marty and Cucamaras in the âQuarryâ and Baby Queen capturing the imagination of the main stage. All three showing that the future is bright.
Sunday really sinks it teeth in on the main stage with back to back performances from Amy MacDonald and Jake Bugg. Two more established acts with stacked back catalogues, two more artists that are able to deliver polished and well received sets as the shine really starts to break through.
After some sing-a-long action with MacDonald and Bugg, itâs back to the fantastic new music offerings as The Hara and Rews in the âGiant Squidâ, and Vistas and Dream Wife in the âQuarryâ all deliver blistering performances which really rile up the audience.
Soon there is a great moment on the main stage where The Vaccines get to announce the incredible result of the Football mid-set. The atmosphere is electric as fans celebrate with more great music.
For us that great music sees us conclude our weekend back in the âGiant Squidâ, firstly with Blood Red Shoes, who have released one of the albums of the year in âGhosts On Tapeâ. Their belated set is an intense and ferocious explosion of rock which instantly enters the race for performance of the weekend.
Watch The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Blood Red Shoes
The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 4 – Blood Red Shoes
That honour is hotly contested as across four days of music we somehow havenât seen a bad performance. The pure quality on offer despite the multiple line-up changes since 2020 is a testament of the work of the booking team for Y Not Festival.
The last band of the weekend for us is Black Honey, who decide that the crown for set of the weekend belongs to them. They deliver an energetic yet majestic performance that is the perfect way to end what has been a great weekend.
I must admit scepticism coming into the event, and whilst I hoped that a great weekend would be had, I wasnât sure. The organisers have rectified the issues of 2017 and have earned themselves a clean slate from me.
Whether you just want to chill at the main stage, or go hunting for the best kept secrets in the tents, Y Not Festival had it all this year. The ghosts of the past have been put to bed by the acts of the future!
To say this week has been hot would be the understatement of the century. So, whilst the opportunity to cram into a sold out UEA LCR in Norwich isnât the most appealing; doing so to catch indie rock royalty Kasabian play an intimate headline show makes it unmissable.
The dust has firmly settled on the well publicised line-up change in the band, and massive slots at the Isle of Wight and Knebworth this summer have just solidified what fans discovered on the bands return tour last year â new look Kasabian remain one the best live bands on the circuit.
This show was originally set to be part of their lowkey return tour, but illness saw the show postponed to now. The show is in effect now a small warm-up for their headline set at Tramlines this weekend.
The band are given a heroâs welcome from the pumped up audience as they arrive on stage. The atmosphere in the venue tonight is as hot as the weather has been and it all goes off as Kasabian kick off with âClub Footâ, âIll Ray (The King)â and âUnderdogâ!
Sweaty bodies are everywhere as the band continue to showcase their reinvigorated live show. Newly minted frontman Serge Pizzorno stalks the stage like a man possessed, he controls the crowd with natural ease as he steps out of the shadows to the forefront of the band.
Kasabian always were a phenomenal live act, and the line-up switch doesnât change that. The genius step that the band has taken is to add The Music frontman Rob Harvey to their live line-up. Harvey fills the huge void left by Pizzorno in his previous role and adds a whole new level to the groups sound.
Nobody can doubt the quality of their back catalogue with tracks like âYouâre In Love With a Psychoâ, âShoot the Runnerâ, âstevieâ, âEmpireâ and âVlad the Impalerâ on offer tonight. What the band does in the studio next will be interesting but new tracks âCHEMICALSâ and âALYGATYRâ show they still have plenty to offer.
Any doubt that Kasabian remain a viable live entity has been dispelled and come this winter, the band will once again be gracing arenas across the UK.
They sign off this evening with an encore of âBless This Acid Houseâ, âL.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)â and âFireâ. Itâs been a night to remember for the audience and another statement made by a reinvented and rejuvenated band.
Itâs hot, hot, hot! Itâs British Summer Time and the hot ticket this year is a two night stay from Seattle icons Pearl Jam. Oh yes, Hyde Park in London is packed in like a giant sweaty sauna with a delicious soundtrack on offer so letâs dive straight in.
This is another event to have suffered multiple COVID postponements but finally the gates upon on a sweltering hot Friday and diehard fans man the barriers and merch stands as they await the arrival of their heroes.
Whilst the Pearl Jam name sits atop of the banner this weekend, there is actually a packed undercard to enjoy as well. First up for us is Simon Townshend on the main stage who plays a decent opening set despite appearing more concerned with the fact Eddie Vedder was going to join him for a song, but couldnât. When not awkwardly obsessing on the matter, Townshend showed why his own musical pedigree was actually sufficient. Very odd!
Townshend is followed on the main stage by The Murder Capital, who turn the intensity up a little. This is a band that has been winning man plaudits since their 2018 inception, and with performances like this you can see why.
It is then over to the âHard Rock Risingâ stage where the fantastic Daytime TV make an early bid for performance of the weekend. Our recent âDiscoverâ New Music Podcast guests stop early attendees in their tracks, as they pause to savour the likes of âWe Canât Be Friendsâ, âUglyâ and âZombieâ. Expect big things from this group.
WATCH ‘UGLY’ FROM DAYTIME TV ON YOUTUBE
Daytime TV – ‘ugly’
Perhaps itâs the sunshine, or the atmosphere and sense of occasion but there are some great sets this afternoon. Both White Reaper and Cat Power entertain the masses on the main stage, whilst sandwiched in between over on the âBirdcageâ stage are LIFE. LIFE attract a big crowd to the small stage and certainly make the most of their time on stage as they showcase their upcoming release, âNorth East Coastal Townâ.
The quality of the line-up shines through next with a run of Fatherson, Pixies and October Drift before our headliners Pearl Jam. Fatherson first deliver a superb set on the âBirdcageâ stage which spotlights latest album, âNormal Fearsâ with airings of âBetter Friendâ, âDiveâ and âLove For Airâ.
Pixies are a major draw over on the main stage and they donât disappoint playing a crowd pleasing set featuring âGouge Awayâ, âWhere Is My Mind?â, âMonkey Gone to Heavenâ and closer âDebaserâ. Stood in the early evening sunshine, this is surely the definition of the perfect festival set.
Tucked away on the âBirdcageâ stage however is perhaps the perfect opportunistic festival set. That is in sense of a band grabbing their opportunity and their audience with both hands and dragging them kicking and screaming into a moment.
One of those moments that you walk away from and say, âwowâ, that you tell your friends about. The band in question is October Drift who deliver a typically visceral experience for the audience, not least when singer Kiran Roy climbs a literal tree mid song.
WATCH THE FULL PELT MUSIC PODCAST WITH GUESTS OCTOBER DRIFT
The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 10 – October Drift
Itâs then finally time for Pearl Jam to take to the main stage much to the delight of those diehard fans still stood stoically. BST is typically a very corporate event with an often stagnant atmosphere, but the Pearl Jam fans help to bring some life this year.
There are upsides to these highly polished BST events such as the good facilities, but a downside can be the various VIP sections sucking the life out of the crowd. Thankfully they have minimal impact this weekend with fans clearly desperate to catch their heroes after a two plus year wait.
Pearl Jam for their part do exactly what they need to do, which for the most part is just play. Vedder does regularly take time to engage the audience but itâs the music that really does the talking tonight.
Fridayâs set list is well received and features the likes of âEven Flowâ, âJeremyâ and âAliveâ, before a finale of âRockinâ in the Free Worldâ with guest John McEnroe!
WATCH ‘ALIVE’ FROM PEARL JAM ON YOUTUBE
Pearl Jam – ‘Alive’
There can be no complaints from fans with the band on form, the weather absolutely cracking and the undercard on fire. Itâs good then that we get to do it all over again on Saturday!
Today is different however as we have a wholly different undercard, which starts for us today on the âHard Rock Risingâ stage with Tigercub. The Brighton band help to blow off any cobwebs and get the day started right, with a good rocking!
We are then back down to the main stage for The Last Internationale who have proven themselves to be an incredible live act. Today is no different with vocalist Delila Paz orchestrating the performance from the front. The bandâs tight bluesy rock goes down perfectly as the mid-afternoon sun beats down, and day two is already picking up where day one left off.
Itâs another day of darting between stages today due to the excellent booking across the stages. Both The Wild Things on the âHard Rock Risingâ stage and Imelda May back on the main stage continue the streak of solid performances next.
WATCH ‘SEVEN’ FROM JAMES AND THE COLD GUN ON YOUTUBE
James and the Cold Gun – ‘Seven’
Next we head back to the âBirdcageâ stage for another recent âDiscoverâ New Music Podcast guest, Welsh rockers James and the Cold Gun. The band has been honing their craft supporting various acts over the past year and recently undertook their debut headline tour. Each show that weâve caught from the band has been better than the last, and again today they hit new heights with a hard hitting show.
Johnny Marr belatedly takes the main stage next and rattles through a set mixed with solo material and Smiths classics that go down very well with the baying audience.
Back over on the âBirdcageâ stage Petrol Girls blitz their short time on stage leaving a trail of both awe and bewilderment. Those that get it, get it and those that donât, donât; either way the band make an impression, which is all they need to do both musically and politically speaking. Perhaps a little out of place amongst the BST elite, but an important set at a fragile time for this country.
Soon enough itâs time for Stereophonics to grace the main stage and showcase why they could probably headline this venue themselves with the right undercard. Stereophonics are national treasures that can still pump out quality new material. They are also of the best live acts around, so of course this performance was bound to be a huge success.
New material such as âHanging On Your Hingesâ and âDo Ya Feel My Loveâ more than hold their own amongst mega hits like âHave a Nice Dayâ and âDakotaâ. Sing-a-longs aplenty as the band set the stage for the grand finale.
WATCH ‘HANGING ON YOUR HINGES’ FROM STEREOPHONICS ON YOUTUBE
Stereophonics – ‘Hanging On Your Hinges’
Before Pearl Jam do their thing for a second time, we pop back to the âBirdcageâ stage one final time for Whispering Sons who are perhaps the only underwhelming performance of the weekend. Not bad for a festival whose undercards are usually a little tedious. Bravo to the booking team for these two days of fantastic acts.
To top it all off? Pearl Jam of course! Yes headline set number two from a band that always mixes things up. This weekend in London that means two nearly entirely different setlists, a real treat for fans.
Night two highlights include âElderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Townâ, âBlackâ, âYellow Ledbetterâ and an impassioned speech from Eddie Vedder on American gun culture prior to an airing for âThrow Your Hatred Downâ with Johnny Marr.
Closing out the double header with a cover of âBaba OâRileyâ, Pearl Jam have reaffirmed their status as one of the most vital bands of the past 30 years. Their legacy is built and they have legendary status, but there still feels like there is more to come.
These two days have been a delight with quality performances from top to bottom, plus British Summer Time came through with not a rain cloud in sight â could we have asked for any more?
