Categories
Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

Follow us on Social Media

News Report

Creeper share new single ‘Teenage Sacrifice’

Creeper – ‘Teenage Sacrifice’

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 is the latest single from Creeper.

This week saw the band share, ‘Teenage Sacrifice’, which you can check out above. The track comes ahead of the release of new album, ‘Sanguivore’, out on Friday 13th October.

Singer William ‘Von Ghould’ says: “The song introduces Mercy, the protagonist of the Sanguivore narrative. She’s deceptively innocent yet savagely violent, and her ability to make people fall under her spell is just one indication that Mercy is not all that she seems.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Teenage Sacrifice’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Lonely The Brave return with ‘The Lens’

Lonely The Brave – ‘The Lens’

Next up is the return of Lonely The Brave, the band this week sharing their brand new single, ‘The Lens’, which you can check out above.

The track will feature on newly announced upcoming album, ‘What We Do To Feel’, which will arrive on November 10th.

Guitarist Mark Trotter comments: “You can plan it out as much as you want, but you’re just along for the ride. That’s the most exciting part, seeing what it decided to be. With this album, we’re certainly more mature as people and as a band. That makes sense with everything that has happened since our last one.”

Singer Jack Bennett continues about the single, saying it “is a track about the way we value each other. It’s different for everyone and we each have a unique perspective towards the world.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘The Lens’ on our Spotify Hot List!

The Struts announce new album ‘Pretty Vicious’

The Struts – ‘Too Good At Raising Hell’

The Struts are next in our News Report as this week saw the band reveal details of their new album, ‘Pretty Vicious’, which will be out on November 3rd.

The band also shared a live visualiser for their recent track, ‘Too Good At Raising Hell’, which you can check out above.

“This record showcases each individual member’s strengths,” vocalist Luke Spiller says of their impending album. “It’s some of my favorite music, hands down, we’ve ever conjured up. It’s the record everyone’s been waiting for.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Too Good At Raising Hell’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Daughtry debut ‘Artificial’

Daughtry – ‘Artificial’

This week also saw Daughtry debut their new single, ‘Artificial’, which you can check out above.

“‘Artificial’ is about the potential nightmare that AI could become and the idea that everything and everyone could eventually be replaced, essentially to perfection, and rendered obsolete,” Chris Daughtry explains. “However, the heart and soul of humanity and the ability to feel love, sadness, and compassion can never be replaced. While there are plenty of applications where AI can improve our lives and assist in many areas of creativity, I feel it’s imperative that we find a way to protect our musicians, actors, writers, and all creative outlets from being destroyed.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Artificial’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Teenage Fanclub unveil ‘Back To The Light’

Teenage Fanclub – ‘Back To The Light’

Teenage Fanclub continue to gear up for the release of new album, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ on September 22nd.

This week saw the band unveil their latest pre-release single, ‘Back To The Light’, which you can check out above.

The track was written by Norman Blake who says: 

“I liked the idea of using being in a band as a metaphor for a personal relationship. They are not entirely dissimilar experiences. Like a few others on the album, this song has saxophone on it. The first time we’ve had that since Songs From Northern Britain. Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo) played those parts; we really like the richness it brings to the song. Steve will be with us when we head out on tour in October in Europe.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Back To The Light’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Saint Agnes share video for ‘Follow You’

Saint Agnes – ‘Follow You’

Saint Agnes recently released their new album, ‘Bloodsuckers’ and this week the band shared a video for the track, ‘Follow You’, which you can check out above.

The band will be joining us this week on The Full Pelt Music Podcast!

Subscribe here!

Order your copy here.

Read our review of ‘Bloodsuckers’ from Saint Agnes

The Pale White debut ‘Validate Me’

The Pale White – ‘Validate Me’

The Pale White have debuted new single, ‘Validate Me’, which you can check out above.

The track will feature on new EP, ‘A New Breed’, which is will released on October 20th.

“Ever felt like the world is against you? It probably is… Look around! We’re surrounded by social pressures of what is perceived as ‘normal’” say The Pale White.

“”Validate Me” explores the mental tug of war between following your true purpose, and conforming to what society thinks you should be. It was born during the pandemic when we all lost our social identity and this heightened self-sabotaging paranoia was just as contagious.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Validate Me’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Gen and the Degenerates share ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’

Gen and the Degenerates – ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’

Finally for this section of our News Report we have a big hit single from Gen and the Degenerates who have revealed their latest single, ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’, which you can check out above!

Speaking on their new single, vocalist Genevieve Glynn-Reeves comments:

“If you want the highbrow answer, then BIG HIT SINGLE is about the experience of creating art under late capitalism. If you want the lowbrow –and slightly more honest– answer, then BIG HIT SINGLE is me trying to wind up our label.”

“They’d made quite a reasonable request…‘Please can you write more songs like the song that did well and stop experimenting with every genre under the sun in a completely chaotic and hedonistic manner?’ Unfortunately, I have issues with authority…My parents often regale me with the tale of my Year 4 parent’s evening, in which my teacher described me as ‘too wild, in the bohemian sense.’

“If Mrs Baker couldn’t get me to behave, then what chance did Marshall Records have? Luckily, they have a good sense of humour over at Marshall.”

More here.

Listen to ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

News Report

Bloodstock reveal first names for 2024

Some festival news now in our News Report and whilst this year’s event was still in progress, Bloodstock organisers have confirmed the first wave of artists for the 2024 event.

Both Architects and Amon Amarth have been confirmed as headliners, whilst they’ll be joined by the likes of Malevolence, Clutch, Flogging Molly, Green Lung and more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Smile’ from Skindred

Live At Leeds reveal line-up

The city based version of Live At Leeds returns on October 14th and this week saw the event share a massive line-up of great acts.

You can catch the likes of Another Sky, Benefits, Big Special, Feet, Hamish Hawk, Hotwax, Jack Valero, Lynks, Pigs x7, Pip Blom, Shame, Snayx, The Mysterines and Wunderhorse.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of The Mysterines live in London

News Report

Neck Deep set for Ally Pally

Next in our News Report we focus on the best live announcements from the past week and we begin with Neck Deep.

The welsh band will be taking over Alexandra Palace in London on March 28th for a huge headline show.

Sharing the news the band said, “It’s been a long time coming but we’re stoked to be finally headlining Ally Pally. We’ve always loved the venue, now it’s our turn for our biggest headline show. We’re expecting it to be the best Neck Deep show ever, & you wouldn’t wanna miss that would ya?”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Neck Deep live in London

Conjurer join United By Music Tour

Kerrang have team up with the Music Venue Trust for Conjurer to join the ‘United By Music Tour’ next month!

Support will come from Unpeople.

Conjurer’s Brady Deeprose says: “Conjurer simply would not exist without the UK’s extensive network of Grassroots Music Venues. We cut our teeth playing everywhere from Merthyr Tydfil to Barrow-In-Furness for years, and we were lucky to be able to do so. The threat that GMVs are under is an utter travesty, and something that we are so thankful to MVT for getting involved in – without this network, everyone from fans to bands suffers. Throughout my childhood, I would go to The Roadmender in Northampton, The Vault in Rugby (RIP), The Flapper in Birmingham, and Corporation in Sheffield to both play shows and see my favourite bands – that thriving scene inspired me to pick up a guitar and start a band. If we don’t protect it, we lose the next generation of musicians. It’s that simple.
 
“To come full circle, Kerrang! putting us forward for this tour is a real privilege, their support for not just us but the UK heavy scene in general, has been untouchable over the last few years. We hope that MVT continues to have success, and that the UK can continue to foster exceptional talent with a strong roster of grassroots venues to support it.”

Luke Morton, editor of Kerrang!, says “The UK heavy music scene is thriving right now, thanks in large part to the community and support of grassroots venues up and down the country. I’m so excited and proud for Kerrang! to partner with the Music Venue Trust for this very metal incarnation of the United By Music Tour, featuring the mighty Conjurer – a band I’ve seen cause absolute chaos in some of our best independent venues over the years. As fans of rock, metal and alternative music, it’s vital we all champion the homegrown, grassroots venues that are the lifeblood of our scene. Support your local venue and make sure you catch Conjurer tearing it to shreds!”

Mark Davyd, CEO and founder Music Venue Trust, says: “It’s great to be teaming up with Kerrang on The National Lottery’s United by Music Tour. The team at Kerrang! were so supportive to Grassroots Music Venues during the pandemic, and the heavy music scene is such an integral part of what makes live music in the UK so essential and vibrant.”

Tickets are here.

Watch Episode 2 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Press To MECO

Vexed announce new tour dates

Vexed have revealed details of a headline tour taking place this October.

The band will be joined by special guests PULSE, as well as local supports at each show.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Festival

Empire State Bastard add live dates

Our News Report continues with Empire State Bastard who have now added live dates for November.

The dates come as the band continue to build towards their debut album, ‘Rivers of Heresy’, which is out September 1st.

Tickets and pre-orders are here.

Read our review of Biffy Clyro live in London

Baby Queen reveals headline tour

Baby Queen has revealed a full headline tour for this Autumn including a date at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.

The news comes as debut album, ‘Quarter Life Crisis’, is set for release on October 6th.

Pre-orders and tickets are here.

Read our review of Y Not Festival 2022

Zand sets up new tour

The final tour announcement in our News Report this week comes from Zand who will be hitting the road this October.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Slam Dunk Festival

News Report

Vocalist Elin Allan comments – “When we were writing ‘The Tide’, I don’t think I realised how much this song was a cry for help. It’s such an energetic, in your face song and I was so angry at this point in my life that I honed in on a very cutthroat approach to life. I had just gone through a huge, very tough break up and was having one of the lowest points in my life and with time, now it’s finally released, I think I have accepted that anger and turned it into power.

More here.

Read our review of 2000trees

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Little Thief – ‘Geronimo’

Bristol rock outfit Little Thief share their latest single ‘Geronimo’.

Vocalist and lyricist Charlie Fitzgerald states: “People do incredible things when up against it and true colours often show when everything falls apart. For me, it signifies sticking together through good times and bad. 

We spent a few days in the basement of our place on Albany road in Bristol working together on a bunch of new tracks and Geronimo came from that batch. It was one of the first tunes where the music came first and the lyrics followed. I really enjoyed writing the words for this as they are a bit cheesy, fun and simple with a very repetitive nature. We had the demo banging around for ages and really enjoyed playing it live.”

Swear Blind – ‘Still’

Alt-Rock Nottingham natives Swear Blind share new single ‘Still’.

Drew Lawson says: “a certain global event gave us the time to finish a project we’ve been working on for many years and to continue our writing. It gave us a new focus in doing the things that we love doing, plus it gave us a good reason to hang out! We’ve been mates for years so that wasn’t an opportunity we wanted to miss.”

News Report
Nevrlands – ‘Chemicals’

NYC-based trio Nevrlands share a second track “Chemicals‘ from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Timeless’.

“‘Chemicals’ is about catching yourself in the heat of the moment,” shares Neverlands collectively. “About painting a portrait of passion and finding that distinction between love and lust in real-time. There’s a very fine line that can sometimes be blurry, or sometimes it’s crystal clear. Is this real? Or is it just another fugazi? ‘Chemicals’ is all about questioning whether or not that perfect chemical connection will last once the moment ends.”

Share our News Report on Social Media

Read our review of ‘The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons’ from The Hives

Categories
Album Reviews

Saint Agnes

Bloodsuckers

Follow us on Social Media

SAINT AGNES – BLOODSUCKERS – ALBUM REVIEW

The rise of Saint Agnes to this point has been slow and steady, but post pandemic the band have certainly been growing their cult following and making an indent on the masses. If you’ve been following their development then it’s obvious that ‘Bloodsuckers’ is an important release for the band as it could smash down a considerable amount of barriers.

The pre-release singles such as the title-track and ‘Animal’ undoubtedly set the stall perfectly for the band to catapult themselves into the rock mainstream, and as soon as you hit play on ‘Bloodsuckers’ you have to sit back and admire a band taking things to the next level!

WATCH ‘BLOODSUCKERS’ ON YOUTUBE
Saint Agnes – ‘Bloodsuckers’

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

The record begins with a ferocious defiance interwoven between the gothic aesthetic and modern nu-metalesque sonic exploration. Lyrically this is an angry yet stubborn start with singer Kitty Austen full of hatred but offering hope such as “…never feel afraid to be the outsider, I promise you’re never alone, because what the fuck do they know…” on the biting ‘Outsider’.

As the album develops you begin to hear a more diverse palate of musical and lyrical delivery with the likes of ‘This Is Not The End’ and ‘At War With Myself’ and ‘Forever and Ever’ making this more of a well rounded record.

There is still plenty of rage on the second half of the album however with the double header of ‘Middle Finger’ and the Mimi Barks featuring ‘Body Bag’ offering a tonne of controlled fury to maintain the fierce pace.

If this album needed to be big and bold to continue the rise of Saint Agnes, then the band has delivered exactly the record that was called for.

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of 2000trees

Categories
Live Reviews

2000trees

Upcote Farm, Cheltenham

5th to 8th July 2023

Follow us on Social Media

2000trees festival review

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 ‘Forest Stage’ 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 ‘The Word’ 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 ‘Forest Stage’ 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 ‘A Test of Our Resolve’ a highlight of the whole festival.

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 ‘Bloodsuckers’ can’t 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 ‘The Perfume of Decay’ 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 it’s 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 aren’t 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 ‘Forest Stage’ 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 ‘Forest Stage’ 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 don’t 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 ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast guests CARSICK over on the ‘NEU Stage’. The group proceed to smash through their set to the delight of those present with the likes of ‘Anaconda Frank’ showing real bite.

Another act to impress early in the weekend are Lake Malice in ‘The Cave’. The group have been winning over all who see them this summer and their future appears to be very bright indeed.

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 – 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 ‘Colour’. 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 ‘The Axiom’, The Joy Formidable deliver a delightful little set that evidences the eclectic mix of rock music presented at 2000trees.

Soon enough it’s 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 ‘I Only Want You’, ‘Complexity’, ‘Cherry Cola’ and ‘I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News)’.

Finally it’s 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 they’ve never been away. It’s great to have the band back and fans revel in the likes of ‘Cheer Up London’, ‘Feed the Mantaray’ and ‘The Hunter’.

FRIDAY

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 don’t let that phase them though as they pull out all the stops to get the crowd engaged. It’s mission accomplished by the time they deliver the double header of ‘The Final Call For Forever’ and ‘The Last Drop Of Forever’.

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.

It’s 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 ‘NEU Stage’ 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 ‘The Cave’!

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 ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and ‘Hearts Burst Into Flames’ naturally receive big reactions, but it’s telling newer tracks also are well received.

A surprise AxeWound reunion with Liam Cormier is another festival highlight before ‘Tears Don’t Fall’ and ‘Waking the Demon’ 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 it’s a testament to the quality of line-up that to this point there hasn’t 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 ‘Forest Stage’ Xtra Mile Recordings acts (and previous ‘Discover’ 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 ‘The Axiom’ 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.

One of the elements that makes the ‘Forest Stage’ 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 ‘Gay Bar’ and ‘Danger! High Voltage’ as you’d expect, and the band do their job with aplomb.

One Step Closer then cement their hype in ‘The Cave’ before Black Honey demonstrate why they are one of the best newer live acts in the country. Tracks from new album, ‘A Fistful of Peaches’ 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 ‘The Cave’ 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 can’t get any better, but then Hundred Reasons deliver perhaps the best set of the weekend. The band get the audience onboard from opening number ‘I’ll Find You’ 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 ‘Silver’.

Jamie Lenman then plays his latest masterpiece ‘The Atheist’ 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 don’t lack in swagger or controlled ferocity when required. The final run of ‘My Town’, ‘Devil Inside Me’, ‘Juggernaut’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘I Hate You’ 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!

Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of Download Festival 2023

Categories
Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

Follow us on Social Media

News Report

Queens of the Stone Age set UK Tour

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

This week we start with the best live announcements from the past week and up first are Queens of the Stone Age!

The iconic rockers will return to the UK and Europe this November for an arena tour.

Special guests at the shows will be The Chats and Deep Tan.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘In Times New Roman…’ from Queens of the Stone Age

The Prodigy reveal new UK live dates

Another iconic group announce fresh live dates this week was The Prodigy, who will also be hitting UK arenas this November.

Special guests on the tour will be Soft Play (formerly known as Slaves).

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Festival!

Ash & The Subways announce co-headline tour

Ash and The Subways will combine forces for a special co-headline tour lat this year!

Also in a big news week for Ash, the group have announced that they will release a new album, ‘Race the Night’, on September 15th.

The band accompanied the announcement with the release of the title-track as lead single, and you can listen to the song below.

Ash – ‘Race The Night’

Wheeler comments: “Race the Night is the sound of the band reveling in the sheer joy of being a band after being separated by time and distance through the insanity of the early 2020s. Lyrically it’s all about seizing the crossroads moments in life with both hands. Take every chance as if it could be your last.”

Continuing about the video he says: “Race the Night video is the product from the fevered mind of long time friend and horror director Jed Shepherd. He’s taken a song about seizing the moment and had the band seized by a super fan who proceeds to force the band into doing her bidding. Enjoy the Misery…”

Pre-order your copy and grab tickets here.

Watch Episode 16 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests The Subways!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 16 – The Subways

Read our review of Ash live in London

The Struts announce new live dates

Continuing the fantastic live announcements this week in our News Report is a new run of UK and EU dates from The Struts.

Regarding the tour frontman Luke Spiller says, “Finally we are returning to the UK and Europe! We can’t wait to play you some new material and a new show we’ve been putting together for the last year.  Get your tickets as fast as you can! Love you all! X”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Darkfighter’ from Rival Sons

Stone announce UK Tour

Another band with fresh tour dates to announce this week were Stone, who will be on the road this October.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Arctic Monkeys live in Coventry

Saint Agnes announce UK Tour

This week also saw Saint Agnes reveal a new run of UK dates that will take place later this year.

The ‘Bloodsuckers’ tour will celebrate the release of their upcoming album of the same name which arrives July 21st.

Tickets and pre-orders are here.

Read our review of ‘Divine Machines’ from Demob Happy

As December Falls announce UK Tour

As December Falls revealed a spectacular new tour this week which will see then head out later this year with support from both Dream State and Lizzy Farrall.

The tour is in support of new album, ‘Join the Club’, which is out July 21st.

Tickets and pre-orders are here.

Read our review of ‘Untethered’ from Dream State

Guise and Hannah Rose Platt team up for UK Tour

The final tour announcement in our News Report this week comes from not one but two ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast alumni!

Guise and Hannah Rose Platt will be heading our together for a run of shows later this summer.

Tickets are here.

Watch Episode 19 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guest Guise

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 19 – Guise

Watch Episode 46 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guest Hannah Rose Platt

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 46 – Hannah Rose Platt

Read our review of the Xtra Mile Recordings 20th Anniversary show in London

News Report

Kasabian share ‘Algorithms’

Kasabian – ‘Algorithms’

We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and we begin with Kasabian.

The band have shared new single, ‘Algorithms’, which you can check out above.

On the track, frontman Serge Pizzorno says:

“Some tunes take months to write and some take 10 minutes. It’s as if they’ve already been written and all you’re doing is dictating your subconscious. That’s how Algorithms came together.

I’ve been thinking how important gigs are and how they make us all so happy through the good times and the bad and especially festivals, those moments when people get on shoulders and it’s glorious chaos. That’s what Algorithms is to me, we’re not here for a long time just here for a good time. That’s what separates us from the robots. We live in the moment and if we’re lucky enough to feel that, then we are in ecstasy.

What makes us special is that we can’t live forever, we have our time and then we are gone. It’s why real flowers are beautiful and plastic ones, are just plastic. Hope you enjoy the tune see you in the mosh pit”

More here.

Read our review of ‘The Alchemist’s Euphoria’ from Kasabian

Alice Cooper unveils ‘I’m Alice’

Alice Cooper – ‘I’m Alice’

The legendary Alice Cooper returned this week with news of a brand new album coming later this year.

Cooper confirmed that ‘Road’ will be released on August 25th, and accompanied that announcement with new single, ‘I’m Alice’, which you can check out above!

“For ‘Road’, I wanted the band to be involved in the foundation of all the songs,” says Alice. “I only see these guys when we’re on the road. So, I wanted them to be as tight as they are for the show but on all new material. When you have a band this good, I believe in showing it off, and this is my way of doing so.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘I’m Alice’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Spotify Playlist!

The Hives debut ‘Countdown to Shutdown’

The Hives – ‘Countdown to Shutdown’

Coinciding with their massive Arctic Monkeys Stadium tour slot, The Hives have debuted new single, ‘Countdown to Shutdown’, which you can check out above.

The track features on upcoming new album, ‘The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons’, which will arrive on August 11th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Countdown to Shutdown’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Duff McKagan shares ‘Lighthouse’

Duff McKagan – ‘Lighthouse’

Duff McKagan this week announced the release of new album, ‘Lighthouse’, on October 20th.

McKagan also shared the title-track from the album, which you can check out above.

“The crashing….the cresting waves, the falling through of all that surrounds you. Life sometimes tosses us around, and we feel the want of comfort and the pull of home.  A ship tossed like a toy through the Cape, sails ripped and the wood groaning with the scraping of its ballast….a soul trying with all its might to find peace and a center.  Find a lighthouse. I have my lighthouse….its beacon swirling in the darkness with her warmth and promise of nurture, love, laughter, and all that is true.  Won’t you be my lighthouse, give me light,…and bring me home.” – Duff

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Lighthouse’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Black Water County debut ‘The Only Life Worth Living’

Black Water County – ‘The Only Life Worth Living’

Next up in our News Report are Black Water County who this week debuted new single, ‘The Only life Worth Living’, which you can check out above.

The track begins a string of singles leading to the release of a new album of the same name later this year.

The Only Life Worth Living is about keeping an open mind, opening doors and moving forward,” explain the band, “The song summarises our feelings coming out of a hard couple of years for both the band and the industry as a whole. To us, it means full ‘balls-to-the-wall’ energy because life is too short.

As times have become tougher our writing has reflected some of these struggles and we’ve found ourselves focusing on what really matters to us. This track was initially conceptualized pre-covid but was refined over many video calls during lockdown, forcing us to think outside our normal writing process. Because of this, we think that it has grown into a track that longs to be shouted from the rooftops and, now that we’re back out on the road, we’re so thrilled to be performing again to our audience, knowing that they’re stoked to be back out in the wild too.”

More here.

Listen to ‘The Only life Worth Living’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Dream Nails debut ‘Good Guy’

Dream Nails – ‘Good Guy’

Dream Nails have announced details of their new album, ‘Doom Loop’, which will be released on October 13th via Marshall Records.

You can listen to the lead single, ‘Good Guy’, above.

“Doom Loop is an exploration of the repeated cycles we find ourselves in,” comments vocalist Ishmael Kirby, “from political injustice and patriarchal systems to the negative spirals of our minds. A doom loop is a crisis that starts to feed on itself. It feels like there is no escape. But there is. This album is a reflection of ourselves, the world we live in, and the one we want to create.”
 
“Specifically, Doom Loop delves into masculinity in its many forms” expands drummer Lucy Katz. “The good guy, the lads at school, the narcissistic politician, the incel, the sexual predator, the police officer. It looks into gender-based oppression from childhood; how isolation can breed violence against women and the rhetoric that spawns incels.”
 
Elaborating on the themes, guitarist Anya Pearson adds: “On the album we also celebrate masculinity by telling stories about butch and trans masculine identities. We show the shared responsibility we have in fighting misogyny. Empathy is hard to find in a divided world, but we seek it out, advocate for it, and ask how far it goes.”
 
The title of the riotous new single highlights the phrase as a fake ID used to lull people into a false sense of security. “It’s as if we couldn’t possibly believe there could be danger if someone describes themselves as the good guy.” says Ishmael. “It reinforces that gender-based violence and attacks are one-off occurrences, denying our lived experiences as women and non-binary people.”
 
Bassist Mimi Jasson recounts: “Incel terrorist Elliot Rodger killed six people in a stabbing and shooting spree in California in 2014. The final section of his manifesto, where the 22-year-old complained about not being able to get a girlfriend, Rodger declared ‘I am the true victim in all of this. I am the good guy’”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Good Guy’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Heavy Lungs share ‘All Gas No Brakes’

Heavy Lungs – ‘All Gas No Brakes’

Heavy Lungs this week shared new single, ‘All Gas No Brakes’, which you can check out above.

The song is the title-track for their newly announced upcoming album which arrives 29th September.

Of the news, the band say: “Well, well, well… they said it couldn’t be done, but look what just kicked you in the ass. Our debut album is coming out. It’s a dancer and it’s a prancer, and hopefully it’s a life enhancer.

We recorded it way back in 2021 with head wizard, Wiz, and his jester Stan for some extra magic and spice, and it’s been a long old wait, but only another 3 months and it’s yours!”

Commenting on the song, front man and vocalist Danny Nedelko says: “This high-octane, dance floor firecracker is all about giving it absolute beans. It’s about knowing you are the big cheese. You’re the main course.”
 

The official video was directed by good friends Holding Hands With Horses. “It’s a ‘70s B-movie, Paul Thomas Anderson-inspired depiction of a roller disco gone full Twin Peaks,” say the band of the visuals. “You are seriously in for a wild ride. 69% on Rotten Potatoes. The rewatchability of this one is off the scale. Let’s goooooo.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘All Gas No Brakes’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Dead Man’s Whiskey share ‘Island In The Storm’

Dead Man’s Whiskey – ‘Island In The Storm’

Dead Man’s Whiskey have shared their latest single, ‘Island In The Storm’, which you can check out above!

More here.

Listen to ‘Island In The Storm’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Jim Lockey & the Solemn Sun debut ‘Medicine’

Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun – ‘Medicine’

Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun are next in our News Report as this week saw the group share their new single, ‘Medicine’, which you can check out above.

The track will feature on new upcoming album, ‘Colour’, which is set for release on July 28th!

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Medicine’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Conquer Divide share ‘the INVISIBLE

Conquer Divide – ‘the INVISIBLE’

Finally for this section of our News Report we have the latest single from Conquer Divide. You can check out ‘the INVISIBLE‘ above.

The song is taken from upcoming new album, ‘Slow Burn’, which is out September 8th.

“the INVISIBLE.” has many lived-in, emotional layers that paint a picture that takes you right back to your youth, especially if you are part of an alt scene and made to feel like an outcast,” the band explains, offering insight into the song.

“It confronts the dynamic between your true self and your desire to be accepted by the ‘cool kids.’ One day, you realize that you don’t need to seek validation from those in a sad state of affairs. They project their insecurities onto others because they lack emotional maturity and self-esteem.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘the INVISBLE’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Listen to ‘They Didn’t Tell Me’ on our Spotify Hot List!

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

BIG SPECIAL – ‘THIS HERE AIN’T WATER’

BIG SPECIAL share their latest single ‘THIS HERE AIN’T WATER’.

The band says “It’s basically an inward sermon, when you’re stuck in your head egging yourself on about how rough times feel. It’s about media and politics. It’s about self-medication. It’s about a lack of options. It’s about the thinning of the common understanding between the social classes of England, and feeling stuck, watching it all happen.”

Keep This Up – ‘Lost’

Keep This Up share ‘Lost’ prior to new EP ‘Paper Houses’.

The band says “Lost is a song about the pain you face in a toxic relationship – be it a friend, family or relationship. It’s hard to understand why we care when we shouldn’t sometimes and lyrically this explores those feelings whilst ripping through some post-hardcore riffs, nice harmonic melodies and a very fast breakdown.”

Raisin Awareness – ‘Never Ending Story’

UK pop punk trio Raisin Awareness unveil their debut single, ‘Never Ending Story’.

In the words of Jo D, the band’s lead vocalist, and guitarist, “When you actually sit down and think about how fucked the world is and that you’re part of that mess, it can feel overwhelming. Some of us have gotten very good at justifying our actions due to their convenience, or some of us simply stick our heads in the sand.”

“Lyrically, Never Ending Story comes from my own battle with feeling helpless about the state of the world and not wanting to give up hope that if we come together in solidarity, we will prevail

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

Share our News Report on Social Media

Read our review of The Pearl Harts live in Norwich

Categories
Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

Follow us on Social Media

News Report

More acts heading to Reading & Leeds

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We get started this week with the latest from Reading and Leeds Festivals which as is tradition take place this August Bank Holiday weekend.

This week saw the likes of Lauran Hibberd, The Royston Club, Somebody’s Child and Bilk.

They will join names such as The Killers, Yard Act, The Amazons, You Me At Six, Frank Turner, Imagine Dragons, Don Broco, The Snuts, Hot Milk, The Murder Capital, Yonaka, Normandie and Sleep Token.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Truth Decay’ from You Me At Six

News Report

Blur announce intimate warm-up shows

Britpop icons Blur this week announced and then quickly sold out four very intimate warm-up shows ahead of their dates at Wembley Stadium this summer.

More here.

Read our review of ‘Who On Earth’ from Sean McGowan

Nothing But Thieves set UK Tour dates

Nothing But Thieves this week revealed a huge tour for this Autumn in support of their upcoming new album, ‘Dead Club City’, which is out on July 7th.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘A Kiss for the Whole World’ from Enter Shikari

The View announce Autumn UK Tour

The View recently announce that their new album ‘Exorcism of Youth’ will be released on August 18th. Now the band have revealed a full Autumn UK Tour in support of the album.

Kyle Falconer commented, “Touring has always been what we’ve done best, we just needed some time to refuel. Can’t wait to get back to it!” 

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Beans On Toast live in Norwich

The Pigeon Detectives reveal UK Tour

The Pigeon Detectives also had a new tour to announce this week with the band heading out on the road this November.

The tour is in support of their brand new album, ‘TV Show’, which is released July 7th.

Tickets are here.

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

The Xcerts unveil UK Tour

Next up in our News Report is another band with a new album on the way! The Xcerts will release ‘Learning How to Live and Let Go’ on August 18th.

The band will also be hitting the road to celebrate the release this Autumn.

Tickets and pre-orders and here.

Read our review of The Xcerts live in Cambridge

Lindemann announces Wembley Arena date

Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann will be bringing his solo project to the UK in December with a special show at Wembley Arena in London.

Support comes from Aesthetic Perfection and Phantom Vision.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Rammstein live in Coventry

Wolfmother heading to London

Wolfmother will also be heading to London for a one-off show at the O2 Islington Academy.

Tickets are here.

Check out our two Podcasts

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons set up new tour dates

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons have announced that new album, ‘Kings of the Asylum’, will arrive later this summer.

In support of the release the band will be out and about this Autumn for the ‘Kings of the Asylum’ tour.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘We’re the Bastards’ from Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons

The Answer reveal new UK Tour

The Answer will also be out on the road later this year with a small run of dates now confirmed for November.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ’72 Seasons’ from Metallica

Finch set for special UK shows

Next up in our News Report are Finch who will be playing two special UK shows in November.

The band will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their album, ‘What It Is To Burn’ in Manchester and London.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Fall Out Boy live in London

Hot Mulligan announce new UK Tour

Hot Mulligan have quickly announced their return to the UK later this year with support from Spanish Love Songs.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Hundred Reasons live in London

Malevolence set for UK tour

The final tour announcement for our News Report this week comes from Malevolence who will be hitting the UK and Europe later this year.

Support comes from Sylosis, GUILTTRIP and Justice For The Damned.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Pilot Festival

News Report

PJ Harvey debuts ‘A Child’s Question, August’

PJ Harvey – ‘A Child’s Question, August’

PJ Harvey has announced her new album, ‘I Inside the Old Year Dying’, will be out on July 7th.

Ahead of her first album since 2016, Harvey has also debuted brand new single, ‘A Child’s Question, August’, which you can check out above.

On the new single: “I think the album is about searching, looking – the intensity of first love, and seeking meaning,” says Harvey. “Not that there has to be a message, but the feeling I get from the record is one of love – it’s tinged with sadness and loss, but it’s loving. I think that’s what makes it feel so welcoming: so open.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘A Child’s Question, August’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Grian Chatten shares debut single ‘The Score’

Grian Chatten – ‘The Score’

Grian Chatten, vocalist of Dublin’s critically acclaimed band Fontaines D.C., has shared his debut solo single, ‘The Score’, which you can check out above.

Commenting on the track, Chatten explains, “‘The Score’ is a heavyweight bated breath of lust. I wrote it in Madrid between an electric fan and a dying plant and I intend to keep it there. It was inspired by sugar and sunset.”

More here.

Read our review of ‘Skinty Fia’ from Fontaines D.C.

The Gaslight Anthem debut ‘Positive Charge’

The Gaslight Anthem – ‘Positive Charge’

This week saw the return of The Gaslight Anthem with their new single, ‘Positive Charge’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Listen to ‘Positive Charge’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Lord of the Lost share ‘Destruction Manuel’ video

Lord of the Lost – ‘Destruction Manuel’

Very first German rock/metal Eurovision Song Contest representatives, Lord of the Lost, have released an official music video for ‘Destruction Manual’, which you can check out above.

The band on the new video: “A video where the whole band is represented by women. That is something I’ve wanted to do for half of my life. But it wasn’t the right time until now: the moment has come! Next to Louisa, we have four outstanding female musicians from all over the world at our instruments, and we love the energy that all five of them radiate here. What can I say? We’ve never looked so stunning!”

More here.

Listen to ‘Destruction Manuel’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

K.Flay releases ‘Raw Raw’

K.Flay – ‘Raw Raw’

Next in our News Report is K.Flay who this week released her latest single, ‘Raw Raw’, which you can check out above.

Regarding the single K.Flay says, “‘Raw Raw’ is the start of my next chapter. After losing half my hearing last fall, I was faced with a sudden and intense episode of fear and vulnerability. Like, could I even make music again? Once I got into my recovery and started writing and recording, I knew that I could. And what I wanted to create was music that felt properly rock but also properly future oriented. Uninhibited and different.

“With ‘Raw Raw’ I wanted to capture what vulnerability really feels like. Outwardly it might seem tender, but on the inside it’s messy and bloody and somewhat terrifying. It’s a chainsaw buzzing at your throat.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Raw Raw’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Loose Articles share video for ‘Sinead Loves Bitcoin

Loose Articles – ‘Sinead Loves Bitcoin’

Manchester indie punks Loose Articles this week shared new single ‘Sinead Loves Bitcoin’, which you can check out above.

“The song is about our pal and local legend Sinead Ferguson, who’s a band photographer,” say the band of the story behind the track. “She had her instagram account hijacked by Bitcoin hackers who were posing as her and trying to sell everyone Bitcoin for £10,000. For a split second everyone thought Sinead was a Bitcoin dealer, so we turned it into a song where she was stealing your wifi and hacking your social media accounts to sell Bitcoin.”

The band have launched a spoof NFT scheme to accompany the track, alongside Sinead’s Bitcoin Fund, which will offer fans the ability to donate money to the band to unlock perks.

Tiers range from £0–20+ and include incentives like a specially recorded B-side short story, a cassette tape of the release, a DTG Ape Loose Articles shirt, and more special gifts TBC.

More here.

Listen to ‘Sinead Loves Bitcoin’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

CARSICK share ‘Anaconda Frank’

CARSICK – ‘Anaconda Frank’

Salisbury punk rockers CARSICK have shared their latest single, ‘Anaconda Frank’, which you can check out above.

The band are also set to drop their forthcoming debut EP ‘Drunk Hymns’ on 30th June.

Anaconda Frank is our biggest rager yet,” the band said of the song. “We wanted to capture the chaotic energy of our lives right now and so we’ve drawn on a bunch of real experiences we’ve had recently – covering everything from addiction to giant exotic snakes. It’s about being in a transitional stage of your life and figuring out what exactly it is you want to do and the kind of person you want to be.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Anaconda Frank’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Saint Agnes share ‘Animal’

Saint Agnes – ‘Animal’

Saint Agnes shared their latest single this week and you can check out ‘Animal’ above.

The track comes ahead of the release of new album, ‘Bloodsuckers’ on July 21st.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Animal’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Salvation Jayne debut ‘So Dull, So Quiet’

Salvation Jayne – ‘So Dull, So Quiet’

Lastly in our News Report this week is the return of Salvation Jayne with their new single, ‘So Dull, So Quiet’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Listen to ‘So Dull, So Quiet’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Oxymorrons – ‘Last Call’

New York-based punk band Oxymorrons continue their genre-bending revolution with their latest single, ‘Last Call’ featuring Troi Irons.

When asked what inspired them to write such an honest song and share themselves so openly, the band explained, “‘Last Call’ is an exercise in vulnerability and using our music to help us better understand ourselves and our coping mechanisms. Too many times we’ve all found ourselves drowning at the bottom of a bottle, using alcohol to help us feel something different or feel nothing at all. Whether you’ve struggled in the past or are struggling right now, we hope this song helps you feel seen and plays a role in helping you not struggle in the future.”
 
Featured artist Troi Irons brought a different perspective to the track, sharing, “I’ve long been a fan of the Oxymorrons and what they do so I was thrilled to hop on this song. I don’t really drink but it’s more a metaphor for how humans tend to reach for the closest thing to help us feel less alone. It’s not always healthy. Hopefully people reach for the music to feel less alone with this one.”

DETHRXNER – ‘STAY COLD’

Copenhagen’s DETHRXNER share their new single, ‘STAY COLD’ featuring Aaron Matts of ten56..

“‘Stay Cold’  is a track about resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. The lyrics convey a determination to stick to one’s plan, despite past failures and missed opportunities – it’s ultimately a declaration of staying strong, staying true to oneself, and staying focused on success, no matter how tough the journey may be”  – Vocalist Neema Rad 

News Report
News Report
Tribe of Ghosts – ‘Sunburner (Deny the Rot)’

Tribe Of Ghosts share their brand new single ‘Sunburner (Deny the Rot)’.

“When my mental health began severely declining before my diagnosis, I always associated the Sun as some kind of aggressor or enemy as it would cause emotional and physical discomfort whenever I saw it… This discomfort would bring on these intense feelings of anxiety and intense physical pain that I would daily attempt to mask and ignore as I didn’t want to accept that I was mentally unwell.” – Guitarist Adam Sedgwick.

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

Share our News Report on Social Media

Check out Episode 21 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests The Pearl Harts

Categories
Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

Follow us on Social Media

News Report

Linkin Park share ‘Fighting Myself’

Linkin Park – ‘Fighting Myself’

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

This week we begin with the best new releases of the past week and up first are Linkin Park.

The iconic group are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their seminal album, ‘Meteora’. As part of these celebrations the band have now shared another unreleased track from that era. You can listen to that track, ‘Fighting Myself’, above!

Pre-order your copy of the re-issue here.

Listen on our Spotify Hot List!

Skindred debut ‘Set Fazers’

Skindred – ‘Set Fazers’

Skindred returned this week with, ‘Set Fazers’, the second single from their upcoming new album, ‘Smile’, which is out August 4th. You can check out the video for the single above.

Lead singer Benji Webbe states, “Star date 22.3.23: With this song we’re boldly going where no ragga-metal has gone before. We come in peace, L.O.V.E and unity, to bring Skindred’s outergalactic sound-system to the infinite expanse of the cosmos.”

Skindred drummer Arya Goggin continues, “The idea with the ‘Set Fazers’ video was to make a Sci Fi meets Dancehall epic! Through TikTok we met an amazing dancer called Shin (whose dance to our song ‘Nobody’ went viral earlier this year) and he’s added his unique style to the video too. We had so much fun filming it and can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen on our Spotify Hot List!

Empire State Bastard share debut single ‘Harvest’

Empire State Bastard – ‘Harvest’

Empire State Bastard, the new project from Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil and his long-time colleague Mike Vennart of Oceansize, have shared their debut single ‘Harvest’, which you can check out above.

The track features the legendary drummer Dave Lombardo and represents the first taste of what the project will offer with the band simply exclaiming “Empires fall, States rise, Bastards sing…it’s Harvest time motherfuckers!”.

More here.

Listen on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Saxon share ‘Razamanaz’

Saxon – ‘Razamanaz’

British heavy metal legends Saxon have released their second album of influences, ‘More Inspirations’, this week. Alongside the album came a new single, ‘Razamanaz’, which you can check out above.

Frontman Biff Byford comments “In the seventies we’d go and see Nazareth they were one of the premier touring hard rock bands. We were lucky to tour with them in 1980, they used to open the show with this song, it’s about the audience performed to an audience… brilliant stuff!”

Grab your copy here.

Listen on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Mammoth WVH debuts ‘Another Celebration at the End of the World’

Mammoth WVH – ‘Another Celebration at the End of the World’

Next up in our News Report is Mammoth WVH who has revealed that a sophomore album will arrive on August 4th entitled, ‘Mammoth II’.

Alongside that announcement came the lead single for the album, ‘Another Celebration at the End of the World’, which you can check out above!

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

The Pearl Harts share ‘Hypocritical’

The Pearl Harts – ‘Hypocritical’

There was more new music on offer this week from The Pearl Harts also as the duo shared their new single, ‘Hypocritical’, which you can of course check out above!

The track is the third single to come from their upcoming album, ‘LOVE, CHAOS’, which arrives on April 21st!

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen on our Spotify Hot List!

The Pigeon Detectives return with ‘Lovers Come and Lovers Go’

The Pigeon Detectives – ‘Lovers Come and Lovers Go’

This week also saw the return of The Pigeon Detectives with new single, ‘Lovers Come and Lovers Go’, which you can listen to above.

The band also announced that they will release a brand new album, ‘TV Show’, which will arrive July 7th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

Saint Agnes debut ‘Bloodsuckers’

Saint Agnes – ‘Bloodsuckers’

Saint Agnes also announced the release of their new album, ‘Bloodsuckers’, this week with the album set to arrive on July 21st.

The news was accompanied by the debut of a new single of the same name, which you can check out above.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

As Everything Unfolds unveil ‘Slow Down’

As Everything Unfolds – ‘Slow Down’

Closing out this segment of our News Report as As Everything Unfolds with their latest single, ‘Slow Down’, which you can check out above.

The single comes from upcoming sophomore album, ‘Ultraviolet’, which arrives April 21st.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

News Report

Incubus announce UK dates

Next our News Report takes a look a the best new tour announcements and up first are Incubus.

The band have announced a UK and EU summer tour which will conclude with dates in London and the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Hundred Reasons live in London

Coheed and Cambria reveals UK dates

Another band announcing summer UK dates this week was Coheed and Cambria.

The group will be playing in Glasgow and London with Soul Glo set to join them in London.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Dinosaur’ from Theory of a Deadman

Generation Sex set for Wolverhampton

Supergroup Generation Sex have added new shows to their summer schedule including a special one-off show at The Civic at the Halls in Wolverhampton this July.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘So Much (For) Stardust’ from Fall Out Boy

Billy Bragg announces UK Tour

Billy Bragg will once again be out on the road later this year for ‘The Roaring Forty Tour’.

A new collection of songs with the same name is also on it’s way with a release date of October 27th.

“Doesn’t seem like just that long ago that I was playing Thursday nights at the Tunnel in Greenwich, opening for whoever was headlining. I learned my chops there in late 82/early83 and I’m still putting those lessons to good use 40 years later. Hope to see some of you this autumn.” – Billy Bragg

Tickets and pre-orders are here.

Read our review of Beans On Toast live in Norwich

The Darkness reveal first wave of ‘Permission to Land’ shows

The final tour announcement in our News Report this week comes from The Darkness who will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of seminal album ‘Permission To Land’ with a load of tour dates!

Initial dates take the band across Europe with further world and UK dates on the way.

Frontman Justin Hawkins comments, “When Permission to Land landed, twenty short years ago, we were bathed in shock and awe. As if by magic, Rock wasn’t dead! Fun wasn’t banned! And Spandex was almost acceptable again…
 
“Well, guess what? Twenty years on, the same rules apply. So please to squeeze yourselves into those inappropriate leggings, back-comb your mullet, splash on a big handful of attitude, and come celebrate with us! We promise everything and we deliver, every time. Bring on the next twenty! 
 
“The Darkness. The best. For you. Forever.” 

Tickets and info here.

Read our review of The Darkness live in Birmingham

News Report

Final wave of acts join Neighbourhood Weekender

As our News Report turns to festival announcements we head over to Neighbourhood Weekender who this week revealed the final wave of line-up additions for May.

New names include The View, Kula Shaker, Gaz Coombes and more. They join the likes of Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, The Kooks, Pulp, The Wombats, Self Esteem, Ocean Colour Scene, The Enemy and Lottery Winners.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘A Fistful of Peaches’ from Black Honey

Bearded Theory makes line-up additions

Closing out our festival announcements in our News Report is the latest line-up additions from Bearded Theory.

This week saw the event reveal that Skindred, Kid Kapichi, Brix Smith, Loose Articles and more will join the line-up topped by Interpol, Primal Scream and Pretenders.

Tickets are here.

Watch Episode 17 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Millie Manders and the Shutup

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 17 – Millie Manders and the Shutup

Read our review of YUNGBLUD live in London

News Report

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube!

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Staff Party – ‘Dread

Brighton noise rock trio Staff Party reveal their new single. ‘Dread’, which is the title-track of their upcoming EP.

Commenting on the new single and themes on the EP, frontman Ed Lamb says: “I have tried—but am completely unable to—write happy songs. When I want to write about something, typically I take a look around and something which pisses me off, confuses me, or scares me, is usually what inspires me the most. It’s hard not to draw on the awful state and chaos the world is in at the moment, as well. Just browsing the Internet can be a rich and endless source of horror.”

“I also consider myself a fairly introspective, and potentially sentimental person, so much of what I write about is based on aspects of my own psyche and personality. It feels cathartic to articulate those thoughts in the form of loud, aggressive music. I enjoy the fact that ‘Dread’, with probably the most upbeat and bouncy sounding instrumental, still has these introspective dark lyrics to juxtapose it. I couldn’t even let the fun catchy song be nice.”

headcage – ‘nothing’

Newcastle Upon Tyne Alternative Post-Hardcore band headcage share their brand new single ‘nothing’.

“Lyrically the song details the struggle to overcome the feeling of uselessness and the everyday battles that come alongside living with ADHD and Anxiety. I wanted to state in layman’s terms the difficulty that I face to remain persistent or disciplined in many aspects of my life. The song itself acts as catharsis, a real and true personal expression of the negative aspects of these conditions that I have to face everyday”. – Vocalist – Leyum Pattinson

News Report
News Report
Civil Villains – ‘Mortuary Blue’

Brit alt-rockers Civil Villains have released their brand new single, ‘Mortuary Blue’, taken from upcoming album, ‘Motion Sick’.

The band remark about the record: “Like the nauseating sensory mismatch experienced from the passenger seat, ‘Motion Sick’ is largely about contradictory states and lost control. Born as a series of voice notes, written over webcam, developed via shared Logic Pro projects, and honed in snatched moments of lifted lockdowns, the album was recorded in the rolling countryside expanses of Oxfordshire.”

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

Share our News Report on Social Media

Read our review of ‘Glorious Sunset’ from Hundred Reasons

Categories
Magazine

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

Follow us on Social Media

News Report

2000trees line-up revealed

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

This week we begin with festival announcements and start off with the incredible first line-up reveal for 2000trees Festival.

Headlining the Saturday night will be Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. They’ll be joined across the weekend by the likes of Hundred Reasons, Rival Schools, The Wonder Years, Bob Vylan, Holding Absence, Cancer Bats, Dream State, No Devotion, Saint Agnes, Press To Meco and many more!

Tickets are here.

Watch Press To Meco on The Full Pelt Music Podcast

Boardmasters announce initial 2023 line-up

Another festival making their first substantial line-up announcement for 2023 this week was Cornwall’s Boardmasters.

The popular event will be headlined by Liam Gallagher and Florence + The Machine. Also on the bill are Bob Vylan, Cassyette, Kid Kapichi and more!

Tickets are here.

Read our review of C’mon You Know from Liam Gallagher

Burn It Down reveals initial line-up

Torquay’s Burn It Down Festival has this week revealed the first batch of bands performing at next year’s event including Loathe and Dream State.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Jamie Lenman live in Hertford

News Report

Duran Duran announce Arena Tour

We move our News Report on now to the best tour announcements from the past week and begin with the iconic Duran Duran.

The group have announced a run of UK and Ireland Arena shows for next year.

Simon Le Bon said: “2022 has been an extraordinary year for Duran Duran – mainly down to the incredible fans we have around the world. In July we celebrated our years together at Hyde Park as part of the British Summer Time Festival. Next Spring we will be back on home soil once again to continue the party. It’s remarkable to me that as a band, we are still hitting new milestones, still able to introduce the sound of DD to new generations of music lovers. We are truly grateful that we get to do what we do on a daily basis, and that we still love our job as much as we did when we started out some four decades ago.”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Evanescence & Within Temptation live in London

The Damned announce UK Tour

The Damned this week announced a lengthy UK Tour which will take place next March/April.

Support comes from The Nightingales.

Tickets are here.

Check out our two Podcasts

Massive Wagons reveal UK Tour dates

News Report

Another band that will be touring around the UK in April is Massive Wagons who bring their ‘Triggered!’ tour out on the road.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Download Festival 2022

The Sherlocks set for UK Tour

News Report

The final tour announcement in our News Report comes from The Sherlocks who will be out on the road later in the year with an October/November tour revealed this week.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of the self-titled album from The Hunna

News Report

Sean McGowan debuts ‘On The Up’

Sean McGowan – ‘On The Up’

We turn our attention now to the best new releases from the past week in our News Report. Just the one to highlight this week with the new single, ‘On The Up’ from Sean McGowan.

Listen to the track above, and head here for more.

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

Dancing On Tables – ‘So What’

Scotland’s Dancing On Tables have released their debut album, ‘Colour In The Grey’, including the single, ‘So What’!

The band says, “It feels like the last 3 years of our life have all been building up to this album. You can hear the journey that we’ve been on as a group as you go through the tracks, with stories of love, happiness, loss and frustration sang on top of a sound that we have worked hard to define by combining our original rock influences with our favourite modern music alt-pop styles.

The album is a collection of songs that were put together over a time where as musicians, we were suddenly stuck at home after being used to being on the road for most of the year. Like most people, it was tough for us to stay motivated during this, but working together (remotely) on music was the highlight of each day and left us with over 70 tracks to choose from for this album.

For us, writing and recording this album really was the ‘colour in the grey’ of every day life at this point.”

Humour – ‘Jeans’

Fellow Scots Humour have released, ‘Jeans’, the final single from their EP, ‘Pure Misery’.

The band had the following to say about the single:

“Jeans is about a character who is internally trying to build himself up and convince himself that he’s a successful and confident no-nonsense man. But he periodically has lapses in this forced self-assuredness and realises that he is not any of those things and is in fact quite a sad, pathetic and laughable character. Much like myself.”

Jamie Beale – ‘Champagne People’

Jamie Beale has released debut album, ‘Hello Nimbus’ featuring the single ‘Champagne People’.

Speaking about the inspiration for the single, Jamie says: “ I feel that we are living in this weird age where people are willing to do anything for fame. You see it all the time on social media – it’s so easy to put up a veil and hide all the realities and imperfections of life that ultimately make us human. Quite often, in these industries that promote the idea of fame as success, people surround themselves with an entourage of fake people; people that are only really there to further their own careers. On the outside looking in, it seems that no-one in these circles are truly content, but instead are lonely and looking to fill that void with possessions or short lived moments of attention and gratification. 

“I guess I can’t help but feel for these people, so I wrote a song about someone who’s trying to climb the social ladder, and ends up alone, hiding behind a pretty picture of how they want their life to look.”

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

Share our News Report on Social Media

Read our review of ‘Tyrants’ from IOTA

Categories
Magazine

News Report

We roundup the best music news from the past week!

News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week in our News Report. To stay up to date with the biggest news be sure to follow us on our social channels:

Coldplay announce huge World Tour

Coldplay News Report

Welcome to another edition of our weekly News Report. We start again this week with some huge tour announcements including the above behemoth from Coldplay.

The superstars will play a world tour in support of new album ‘Music of the Spheres’. The UK will get four shows with a Glasgow show following three in London.

Tickets and more here.

Read our review of Manic Street Preachers live in Cambridge

Bryan Adams reveals ‘So Happy It Hurts’ Tour

Bryan Adams News Report

The iconic Bryan Adams has this week revealed a huge run of UK dates through next summer. A mixture of arena dates and outdoor venues will play host to Adams as he celebrates the release of his newly announced album ‘So Happy It Hurts’.

The album arrives 11th March and can be pre-ordered here.

Tickets can be found here.

Read our review of Fontaines D.C. live in Cambridge

Tremonti announce UK Tour

Tremonti News Report

Tremonti will be coming to the UK early next year as the band tour in support of their latest album ‘Marching In Time’. The run of shows will conclude at Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Marching In Time’ from Tremonti

Pulled Apart By Horses reveal new tour dates

Our final tour announcement in our News Report this week comes from Pulled Apart By Horses who will return for a run of dates in April next year.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Vukovi live in Norwich

Saint Agnes debut ‘Uppercut!’

Saint Agnes – ‘Uppercut!’

On to the new music section of our News Report now and first up this week is ‘Uppercut!’, the latest single from Saint Agnes.

The release comes ahead of their UK Tour which commences this week, with tickets from here.

Listen to ‘Uppercut’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Will Varley debuts ‘Colour TV’

Will Varley – ‘Colour TV’

There was also new music on offer this week from Will Varley. Varley unveiled ‘Colour TV’ which you can check out above or wherever you stream music.

More from Varley including tickets to his upcoming shows here.

Listen to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Beans On Toast debuts ‘Not Everybody Thinks We’re Doomed’

Beans On Toast – ‘Not Everybody Thinks We’re Doomed’

Also releasing a new track this week was Beans On Toast. The folk singer previewed the release of his new album, ‘Survival of the Friendliest’ with single ‘Not Everybody Thinks We’re Doomed’.

Listen above and head here for album pre-orders and show tickets.

Listen to our Spotify Hot List!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast is back!

Episode 2 – Press To MECO

Finally in our News Report this week a little self-indulgence! The Full Pelt Music Podcast returned this week with guests Press To MECO. You can check out the video edition above with audio options here.

Remember to also check out our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast where we spotlight the best new music with guests so far including Smoke, Icarus, Project Renegade, The Damned Few, Planet Fatale, Mercutio, Miss Vincent and Freddie & the Fabs!

Check out our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast

Share our News Report on Social Media

Read our review of ‘Sticky’ from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes

Categories
Live Reviews

Download Pilot Festival 2021

Donington Park

Friday 18th – Sunday 20th June 2021

Download Pilot Festival Poster

Follow us on Social Media

DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL 2021 – LIVE REVIEW

The live music industry is built on togetherness, built on shared experience and built on the power of emotion. The last 18 months have been highly emotional for all the wrong reasons. Together the world has shared an experience that has terrified and devastated us.

The events of the last 18 months have taken an incomprehensible toll on humanity. The pandemic has destroyed lives and livelihoods. The live music industry was obliterated overnight. The people that make the spectacles that we enjoy happen were forgotten about.

While the world attempts to peek through the curtains at a “new normal”, the live music industry is left waiting. Waiting for support, waiting for proper guidance, waiting for a chance. Well, just four weeks ago that chance arrived.

A Government trial event to test the viability of the return of packed festivals and events you say? Spring into action the incredible people behind the scenes who make the live music industry work! In a short period of time, heaven and earth have been moved and here we are at Download Festival.

A much smaller, makeshift, Pilot version of Download Festival at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park. 10,000 people in a field, no social distancing, no masks, no inhibitions.

Credit goes to all involved for creating an event of that scale on such short notice, and to all the acts playing with no preparation. As the gates open, one thing is for sure, the fans want this, no, the fans needs this.

The reality of the situation is that the organisers could have put an old man playing the spoons on stage and the fans would have lapped it up. The opportunity after all that everybody has been through to witness live music is cathartic.

DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL – FRIDAY

The fact that this may be the most exciting Download Festival line-up of all time only helps to amplify the anticipation as fans gather in the tented second stage for Death Blooms. Almost every person on site crams in to witness that first taste of live music in far too long.

The band make the most of the atmosphere with a storming set that sees the audience let go of all remaining inhibitions. I doubt the majority of those in the tent knew of the band in advance, but they certainly left with a memory that will last forever.

For this special event there are just two stages. Next to the tent is the outdoor main stage which opens with a raucous set from Hot Milk. Kicking off with their latest single ‘I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead’ the band show the crowd just what they’ve been missing.

Listen to ‘I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead’ from Hot Milk on our Spotify Hot List!

There is no need to worry about those dreaded clashes at Download Pilot Festival. That’s because the acts on the two stages alternate, allowing the music starved fans the opportunity to watch every single band if they so wish to.

Every band this weekend gets a good sized crowd and a warm reception with it, especially the early bands on Friday. Malevolence are next to grace the second stage and assist the audience in releasing their pent up energy with a heavy hitting set.

A repercussion of the pandemic has been the amazing new albums that have been released without the showcase of the live setting. One such album is ‘Glue’ from Boston Manor. That wrong is righted next however as the band storm the main stage and air the likes of ‘Everything Is Ordinary’.

An early standout performance from the band sees them mix new and old with ‘England’s Dreaming’, ‘Laika’ and ‘Halo’ eliciting some of the first full blown sing-a-long moments of the weekend.

Those sing-a-long moments continue with Holding Absence on the second stage as they get to unleash tracks from their sensational album ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’. ‘Afterlife’ in particular is a contender for song of the weekend as the band present their credentials for superstardom!

Read our review of ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ from Holding Absence

The Friday action continues with two bands with extremely dedicated fanbases. Neck Deep get the main stage bouncing before Sleep Token captivate the second stage.

It is then down to Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes to bring the first day to a close on the main stage. Always an unstoppable force of nature on stage, the band make the most of the platform to make a statement. That statement says that this band is ready to headline the regular event.

With a setlist spanning their three albums, the band even treat fans to a selection of new tracks including the catchy ‘My Town’. There are guest appearances from Joe Talbot, Cassyette and Lynks, there is a giant circle pit around the sound tower and there is even a cover of ‘Ace of Spades’.

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes saw an opportunity to headline a festival, to headline the first festival back, and they grabbed it with both hands. This was one of those sets that will be talked about forevermore!

Listen to ‘My Town’ from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes on our Spotify Hot List!

After hours entertainment comes from a silent disco as the hastily arranged festival shows the skills and creativity of the music industry. You have to stand back and admire the achievement of those involved to create an event on this scale in the time given.

DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL – SATURDAY

On to Saturday now and the musical delights continue as Lotus Eater, Conjurer, As Everything Unfolds and Bleed From Within blow the cobwebs of the early morning audience.

Next two young bands with big futures introduce themselves to festival audiences. Both The Hara on the second stage and Wargasm on the main stage elicit strong reactions from those watching.

Listen to ‘Your Patron Saints’ from Wargasm on our Spotify Hot List!

After a solid showing from Tigercub, one of the veteran acts of the weekend, A, school the up and coming bands on how to engage an audience. An age appropriate walking circle pit being a nice change of pace in the midst of a hectic weekend. Finishing with ‘Nothing’, A show why they are the perfect festival band.

Two things become apparent as the weekend progresses. When dissecting the hastily put together line-up, the quality of British rock music is put in the spotlight and it more than holds its own. Secondly a good deal of that talent is female. Vukovi and Yonaka both deliver set of the weekend contenders next.

Listen to ‘Seize the Power’ from Yonaka on our Spotify Hot List!

Those Damn Crows, Twin Atlantic and Stone Broken all put in crowd pleasing performances before While She Sleeps attract and entertain a huge crowd on the main stage.

Soon though it’s time for the scorecard for band of the weekend to be thrown out the window. Creeper are able to deliver an out of body experience as they headline the second stage. There are goosebump raising moments galore as the band turn the festival into their own theatre of oral and visual magnificence.

Listen to ‘Midnight’ from Creeper on our Spotify Hot List!

It is then left to Enter Shikari to bring the Saturday night party and they don’t disappoint. If there was ever a band born to get you moving it’s Enter Shikari. They do just that as they also get to showcase newer songs live for the first time.

‘satellites**’, ‘{ The Dreamer’s Hotel }’ and ‘THE GREAT UNKNOWN’ fit in perfectly with classics like ‘Sorry, You’re Not A Winner’, ‘Juggernauts’ and ‘Mothership’. Much like Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Creeper, you can see the special treatment Enter Shikari have given this opportunity and that makes for a stunning spectacle.

DOWNLOAD PILOT FESTIVAL – SUNDAY

Come Sunday you’d imagine fatigue would be setting in. All this action after so many barren months, you could forgive the crowd for tiring and the festival atmosphere sapping. Instead energy is pumped in by bands such as Static Dress, Saint Agnes, Cassyette and Employed To Serve.

The fans reciprocate said energy as they continue to let loose to Chubby and the Gang, Loathe and Higher Power. The passion and pure joy of both fans and musicians to be at a festival is at times overwhelming. This event was destined to be an emotive affair but even through that emotion the quality of the music on offer shines.

Next on the main stage is Lonely The Brave complete with change in singer. A set mixed with fan favourites and new tracks from ‘The Hope List’ shows the band are still an exciting prospect. Can the band now finally take that next step? On their showing here, yes they can!

Read our review of ‘The Hope List’ from Lonely The Brave

For those fans catching every band the pace is relentless and it’s to the second stage next for Jamie Lenman. Lenman powers through a sublime set that gets the crowd moving and features another appearance from Wargasm.

The quirky goodness of Elvana attracts a huge crowd to the main stage as the festival heads towards its climax. The band show just why they are perhaps the perfect Sunday afternoon festival act as they get the crowd singing along to every word.

Massive Wagons are able to take the second stage by storm before a sadly technically challenged The Wildhearts limp off stage. The Wildhearts are a top quality band and the issues with their sound perhaps show the effects of an enforced hiatus for musicians and crew members alike.

It’s on that note that once again praise must be heaped on the organisers, the crew members, the festival staff and yes the bands for making this event such a success. That is only amplified by the incredibly short timescale.

Realistically this has been a once in a lifetime event (we hope). Download Pilot Festival as an event is excellent and would be a great addition to the main Download Festival. It’s the atmosphere and camaraderie however that makes this festival so special.

We are down then to the final four bands, the final acts before reality is set to strike again. Up first on the second stage are Trash Boat who get the tent bouncing, especially with a stunning cover of Linkin Park classic ‘Given Up’.

If there is a perfect festival band it’s Skindred. Put them on any stage in any slot and they will attract a huge crowd. With a sub-headline slot on the main stage, the field is full as Benji Webbe and co put in a seamless lesson in crowd engagement.

The final act on the second stage is also no stranger to the festival scene. Although Frank Turner has played Download Festival in the past, even he acknowledges he may not be the typical Download act. Nobody cares though, as he puts in a typically euphoric performance.

The crowd are not just treated to the set staples but also to new song ‘The Gathering’ and heavier version of ‘Little Changes’. There are sing-a-longs aplenty as Turner does what he does best and that is entertain!

Check out The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Frank Turner!

That just leaves Bullet For My Valentine to close out Download Pilot Festival. A festival which we wish was never needed but are so glad that it happened. Bullet For My Valentine are long time Download favourites and they deliver an apt conclusion to the event.

We are treated to a unique take on ‘Run To The Hills’ from Iron Maiden complete with a perplexing vocal contribution fron Benji Webbe. We get new material in the form of ‘Knives’ and of course we get favourites such as ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and ‘Tears Don’t Fall’.

‘Waking The Demon’ is the final song to ring around Donington Park, and we can only hope and pray that this event can wake the demon that is the festival scene. The fans may have been lab rats, but what a stunning lab it was! Thank you Download Pilot Festival for such a cathartic weekend.

Share our review on Social Media

Read our review of ‘Bodies’ from AFI