Gig Review: Elbow, Manchester Apollo, 6th February 2015

Elbow - I feel like they've been around forever, not like that annoying cold you can't shake off, but more like that warm cosy jumper you have worn every winter for the past 10 years. When I hear their music, when I hear Guy Garvey's voice, I feel that comfort and contentment.

This gig would be the 4th time I'd seen Elbow live, the first time was at my first ever festival, I was a keen 16 year old then and spent a solid 4 hours at the front of the stage, unable to drink in case I needed a wee and had to give up my prime spot! Now a little less dedicated to being a front rower at gigs, I'm happy as long as I've got a decent viewing spot and am not being dry humped by the person squeezed in behind me.

Six albums in and their talent shows no signs of fading, their sound is distinct - Garvey's vocals instantly recognisable on any song and some of their anthems make for some of the best British records of the past decade: 'A Day Like This', 'Grounds for Divorce', 'Lippy Kids' but a few to mention, these 3 unsurprisingly made it into their set at the Apollo. The Apollo in Manchester is a brilliant venue - the sloped floor a dream for anyone under 6ft as most of the time it means you can still see the stage - and the place is big enough to feel like you're part of something and small enough that you don't feel lost.

So despite this, having seen Elbow a few times before, this was my first time in Manchester - there's always something a bit special about seeing a band in their hometown, you can feel the shared pride between the band and the audience - a mutual understanding of what the city means to them. And you could certainly feel that in the atmosphere as Elbow took to the stage on Friday 6th February in Manchester.

Guy Garvey loved us and we loved him - every song they played sounded amazing and felt amazing to witness, the only odd choice was part of their encore - 'Birds', which in my opinion isn't the greatest track, so probably could have been scrapped from the set, but that slight grumble aside,  finishing on 'My Sad Captains' (arguably their best song to date) from their latest studio album was just right.

Garvey's humour and wit added to the shows charm - he joked about being reviewed in the MEN for the performance the night before and the writer describing him as a sociology teacher, he shouted "I'm too fucking mad and bad to be a teacher" we lapped it up, laughing along, putty in the palm of this sociology teacher's hands.

Highlights for me, as well as the obvious big hitters, were 'The Bones of You' and 'Switching Off'  - two gorgeous songs. They've got the British melancholy spot on, in the instruments, in the vocals and the lyrics are a poetry that entwines eloquence with street talk - there could be wording about the beauty of the world and getting pissed up in Salford all at once and somehow it works and it will continue to work, because the music is great and the fans are dedicated, especially the Northerners (of which I am an now an honorary one).

Switching Off - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxOWVmcZ2Y4  x

Gig Review: King Creosote - Manchester Academy, 27/01/15

King Creosote has over forty albums, forty! That's incredible. Although I imagine when you make forty albums at least a few might be a bit rubbish. Overall though, the songs and albums I have listened to are not that, quite the opposite - they are pretty lovely.

His latest album 'From Scotland with Love' was released in 2014 and it is truly gorgeous.

I only know a few of his songs well, well enough to be able to sing along too, but unlike for other artists or for other gigs when this can make me feel like a bit of a fraud fan, this didn't, it felt relaxed, comfortable, a captive audience not shouting or dancing about, but listening and engaging with the music. He's actually quite funny too, which was nice, and he seemed just like a guy you'd meet in the pub and have a chat about your dislike for the rainy weather and drink a few double whiskeys together.

On stage at the Manchester Academy 3 (a venue a bit like a school hall) he was joined  by a violinist, keyboardist, backing vocals, guitar, drums, chello, double bass - he basically had a full (but very small) orchestra there and it brought the place to life. Most of his songs are melancholy, gentle and full of emotion - matching his emotive voice greatly and turning them into wonders with the live band.

As far as singer-songwriters go he's up there with the best and I'm not sure he realises it, and that kind of makes it all the more special.

My new favourite song is 'Kirby Grips', which unfrotuntaely I cannot provide any links to, as I can't locate in on the usual youtube/soundcloud/spotify places, it features on an EP called 'On this Island' that was released last year. It's probably worth purchasing the EP for that song alone.

So, instead here's a great one from his latest album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGFnClH0E94

Records On Repeat

Tobias Jesso Jr - How could you babe

Soulful, bluesy, romantic without sounding cliched or too cheesy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu1Ko02P7vk

The Twerps - I don't mind

Possessing one of the catchy riffs I've heard in a while, simply tune and gravelly vocals.

https://soundcloud.com/mergerecords/twerps-i-dont-mind

Laura Marling - False Hope

The lyrics speak for all us outsiders:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nny4zzUlkSQ

Gig review: Kasabian, M.E.N 12/12/2014

I have seen Kasabian live many times, at small venues, medium venues and festivals and everytime they put on a good show.

They are one of the few bands that in recent years have shown they are in it for the long term, successful album followed by successful album and sell out tour followed by sell out tour.

I have been a fan of theirs since their debut album was released and wowed the music scene, more so as those were the days when I was completely obsessed with indie rock music and thought boys with guitars was the best thing to exist (it's still a pretty good duo).

Nonetheless, I hadn't really listened to much of the latest release 48:13 except for the singles such as 'Eez-eh", which on 1st listen I was a bit disappointed with, but after catching it on radio play, it grew on me and now is definitely a tune that'd get me in the mood for partying.

I was also a bit dubious about seeing them at such a large venue as the MEN; except for festivals I try to avoid big venues - I once saw Florence and the Machine at the NEC Birmingham and although Florence was still amazing, even her voice seemed to get a bit lost. I was even more dubious when my friend informed me we had seated tickets, as a rule I always make sure I'm standing.

All my pessimism aside, the gig ended up being the most fun, every person in the seated seats was standing the whole way through singing and dancing and the atmosphere filled the whole of the MEN eez-eh. Each song sounded like an indie anthem and although the old stuff was still the best stuff the songs off the new album were still crowd pleasers. The best moment actually came when the band performed a cover of the great Fat Boy Slim tune 'Praise You', pure excellence.

Overall, the gig just showed to everyone in attendance (including the slight doubters like me) that Kasabian have still got it, and some.


(keeping the Manchester crowd even happier with a Corrie reference:)

Gig Review: Temples, The Ritz, Manchester 06/12/2014

Firstly, lead singer James has the best hair ever, well since Marc Bolan at least, that is important information itself, you can't beat good hair.

Temples formed in 2012, so they are still quite a new band, they have released their 1st album in February his year - "Sun Structures" and gradually they seem to be getting musical recognition - supposedly Johnny Marr and Noel G are fans and unsurprisingly really when you listen to them - it's like stepping into a time machine and arriving at a summer festival in the 60s. Ahh bliss. 

I'd listened to their album quite a bit over the summer but hadn't seen them live before so the Ritz being the great venue seemed to be a good choice. But, while watching them perform I did feel their music would be a bit better suited to a small stage at a festival in the height of summer with flowers in their hair (see, back to the great hair again), however, it was still a really enjoyable gig. 

The gig did make me realise eve more though, that the band overall, without sounding too critical aren't particularly original, or bringing something new to music, nevetheless, they are bringing that nice feel of 60s vibes back into the modern day, so who am I to complain?

The songs with special strength are : 'Keep in the Dark' and 'Shelter song', if you haven't heard Temples before than begin with those. 

Ones things for sure they are a crowd pleaser, easy listening and fun to watch.

Might even get my hair permed now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99U9-zRHXf0

Records on Repeat

Whether it's a song about falling in love, falling out of love or losing love. Love songs can be the loveliest..



Jessica Prat - Back, Baby

https://soundcloud.com/drag-city/jessica-pratt-back-baby



Ben Howard - I forget where we were

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki5HBBEtfak



Natalie Prass - Why don't you believe in me

https://soundcloud.com/spacebomb/natalie-prass-why-dont-you-believe-in-me/

Gig review: Hundred Waters, Deaf Institute, Manchester 16/10./2014

The first song I heard of Hundred Waters was 'Down from the Rafters' when I was browsing on Pitchfork, and was taken aback by the instant impact it had - ghostly and sinister with the dark electronic sounds, haunting flute and the lead singers high echo-ey tones. 

I actually booked tickets to see them in Manchester (£8 bargain) at the Deaf Institute (great venue!) purely based on this one song I'd heard, a bit risky, 'cause you never know the rest of their album could have sounded like Jessie J. Thankfully it didn't.

I walked into the Deaf Institute, well a little early, the room actually only had roadies and bar staff about, I was a little surprised to find it quite as empty, however, by the time the support band Emprss came on stage about 10 people had finally made it. Emprss looked like the awkward alternative kids at school that never quite fitted in (giving themselves their own kind of coolness as a result) but not to be fooled by their image, the music was anything but awkward, downbeat electronic loveliness. I must check their EP out. 

Once Hundred Waters appeared the small room had almost filled, which was good for them - to be playing to a decent audience, and for me - the room was warmer and I could finally take my coat off. They opened with one of my now favourite tracks 'Murmurs' Nicole Miglis' vocals shone - from the gentle whispers to the amazing graceful high notes. As the gig went on everyone was mezmerised by the bands sound and particularly her vocals, you could glance round and see transfixed faces. One of the best moments came when Miglis sung 'Show me Love', it may be less than a minute and a half long, but it's a minute and 16 seconds of perfection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2Nh-gbEs5o

They're not a band you go to dance to, a band you go to mosh to, but they could be a band you fall in love to. 

Records On Repeat

Girl Power:

Jessie Ware - Kind of..Sometimes..Maybe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rvqJd6JBME#t=163


Rosie Lowe - Water Came Down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgCd32WH0#t=155


Rae Morris - Closer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBQQsqh6rL0

Gig Review: alt-J, O2 Apollo Manchester, 20/09/2014

I went away to Croatia and arrived back in the UK on the 16th of September and was back to work the following day, suffering from serious post holiday blues I was SO glad to have a gig to look forward to, especially as I was getting to see a band I loved but whom I'd never had the privilege of watching live before.

alt-J are one of those bands who's success and recognition happened very quickly, their 1st album release saw them awarded a Mercury Prize award and receive lots and lots of praise from music critics. And it deserved it "An awesome wave" was just that, awesome - new and fresh, it sounded so unique and one of my favourtite tracks of theirs is still 'Matilda'.


Their new album again has taken a new turn more bluesy and maybe more mature, it has similar sounds of some Black Keys stuff and hey they're pretty brilliant too. It also contains some brilliant collabs, including surprisingly Miley Cyrus on 'Hunger for the pine' it gives their songs a whole new dimension.

The gig itself was amazing, visually the lighting was powerful and glaring almost masking the view of the 3 piece and their touring bassist and sounding - was spot on. The crowd were buzzing and thankfully it wasn't just hoards of 15 yr old kids drunk off cider either (not that I'm dissing cider, I was there with my plastic cup in hand too)


Although the songs from the 2nd album 'This is all yours' were great for a gig - making you want to dance to the soul vibes, undoubtedly the best moment of the night came during the encore (which happened swiftly, well done boys I'm an impatient girl) when they performed 'Breezeblocks' probably their most well known from the 1st album, it sounded incredible and received the biggest cheers and waving of arms of the evening. High 5s all round.

RECORDS ON REPEAT

It's been a while, but Jamie T is back with a gentle lovely tune:

Jamie T - Don't you find

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tmoaFAT108#t=21

Piano and soft vocals. This is a bit Lennon 'Imagine-esque', which ain't a bad thing:

Tobias Jesso Jr - True Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baVveuLnoA4#t=328

Bluesy and melancholic (2 of my favourite things in a song):

She Keeps Bees - It is what it is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg0-FzmZA4Y#t=29