The Wild Boar Acoustic Night!

Last night I went to an acoustic event at The Wild Boar pub in Warwick. I haven't been to one of these before yesterday in what feels like years and I was pleased by the quality of the performers who played. The majority of singers seemed to be females but all the singers had different singing and playing styles which kept things interesting. The singer I liked the most was one of the featured artists of the night, a lady who went by Miss Ellie (https://www.facebook.com/MissEllieMusic). She played a range of her own material and covers. Over the night I can definitely say I preferred listening to songs the singers had written themselves. It just seemed that there was an extra something that was brought out in the playing of the song. Recently I can say I have had enough of listening to people doing covers of pop/top 40 songs on an acoustic guitar and thinking it is totally out there and different, I have heard enough of them and sometimes I just want to listen to a song that was made for acoustic guitar. Overall, it was a good night and next time I would like to stay later and see all of the acts. Great little venue, staff and location were brilliant.

YouTube Video Of The Week! 25/06/13

This week is a double hitter with music videos. Two videos sort of linked in terms of the punk rockish genre. One fairly new track and one track a decade and a bit older.

First is a track from a band called The Lunachicks which I found out about through reading the latest Inked Magazine special music issue. The track is called Say What You Mean and I really like the speed and catchiness of it. Also how there is basic instruments playing and shouty vocals fighting for space makes for a rough and ready listen. The track clocks in at just over 2 minutes long and it that time it can really get hooked in your head.

The second track is from The Orwells called Mallrats (La La La). It definitely has the same hook styles as the previous track with the la's repeating all the way through. Another thing I think it has in common is the scuzzy kind of guitar with what sounds like basic chords being played. All in all its a pretty cool song.

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I love both of these tracks and I think this kind of genre is one of my favourites to listen to, especially when I want to get pumped up or energetic for something. I'm definitely going to look further into The Lunachicks catalogue and further into this genre in general.

Gutted :(

Just a quick post to say how annoyed I am with how impatient I get when purchasing concert tickets for the next gig. A few weeks ago now I purchased a ticket to see Tonight Alive (pictured below) for a concert on the 1st of October and just yesterday I received a notification off of my SongKick app telling me that Laura Marling will be playing Birmingham Symphony Hall on the same date. Sooo annoying that there wasn't even one days difference between the two artists because even the amount that I want to see Laura Marling, I still want to see Tonight Alive. I think their album is a proper killer which I think I have mentioned in a previous post and I think they will proper rock the crowd. Their tickets are not sold out yet but they should be, they are that good.  I just hope Laura does more dates in my area. Please.

 

 

 

Bruce Springsteen Live at Ricoh Arena Coventry!

Last night I went to see Springsteen with my papa at the Ricoh Arena. This was my first stadium sized show I have been to and let me tell you it was brilliant. Driving there and back was a proper ball ache due to the amount of traffic but once we got inside the venue all was good. It was quite easy to get a decent spot in the crowd and we didn't have to wait too long before the main man came on stage. I was impressed with him not having a support act and doing the whole set which was roughly 3 hours long just himself and the band. He has so much energy, running all over the stage and putting so much effort into singing and guitar playing, it really is amazing. With The E Street Band I was sort of expecting a backing band like The Roots are on Jimmy Fallon's show but I was dead wrong. It was much more of a partnership, those guys are so talented and brilliant musicians and I was particularly impressed with the saxophonist, some of his solos really stood out for me. Another thing I really liked about the show was Bruce's interaction with the audience, either by picking people to come join him on stage or getting handmade signs from audience members he particularly likes, more bands should learn from this guy. On the set list side of things I think he had a decent mix of older tracks and stuff from the new album, there were both songs for me and my dad to sing along to. I can honestly say he kept me excited and pumped up the whole way through compared to some bands in the past where at points my interest wavers. He was easily worth the money paid for a ticket and I would for sure see him again.

YouTube Video Of The Week! 18/06/13

I haven't posted recently mainly because I have been busy with sorting out my stuff for when I move house but I'm for sure going to keep doing these YouTube video posts weekly. This weeks track is Jake Bugg - Seen It All. It is an acoustic session done for Radio 1's Live Lounge. I chose the acoustic version over the studio recorded one because I think the sound of a live acoustic guitar is really beautiful to hear, especially with his voice. Seen It All is in my opinion one of the best tracks from the album. Check it out:

YouTube Video Of The Week! 11/06/13

This is a bit of a throwback to 2008. The band being Red Light Company with track Scheme Eugene. The band are not together currently but this track and 1 or 2 others I have always liked. It is a rock song in the same vein as Snow Patrol, The Fray etc. I wish they were still together to keep producing tracks like this but I will just have to enjoy what I have been left with. See what you think:

The Darkness Coventry Kasbah Live!

Last night me and a couple of mates went to see The Darkness at the Kasbah in Coventry. Straight away one thing that annoys me about the Kasbah is that they don't let you keep your ticket. The main reason being because I collect all of my tickets for a scrapbook kind of thing. 

Their support was a band called Glass Guns. Not my cup of tea particularly but they got everyone relatively pumped up for the main act. When The Darkness got onto stage in my opinion they put on quite a show. Justins interactions with the audience was one of the best compared to bands I have seen in the past. Crowd surfing off of the balcony, joking around with the crowd and at one point even getting a guy to throw all his clothes on stage (literally he was just left in his gross pants and socks) he really made it a good time for everybody. I went into this gig not knowing the majority of the songs that were played but I really enjoyed the fact that I could sing along with them because most of the songs were pretty easy to pick up with catchy choruses or little hooks. After seeing this show I really rate Justin Hawkins as a lead singer and showman more than I used to. To me his personality is a mix of Jack Sparrow and Russell Brand, he is a great front man and he has really gone up in my books. Great show and would totally go see them again.

YouTube Video Of The Week! 04/06/13

In a follow up to my last post, this weeks video is from Laura Marling called When Brave Bird Saved. Its like a short movie in which the first 4 tracks from her latest album are played. She is such a talent that I felt I had to post a video showing her off even more. Its slightly long, around the 18 minute mark but if you have some time its definitely worth a listen.

Laura Marling fan boy (me)

Happy April!

 

I wanted to do a post on how much I admire Laura Marling and the amount of high quality music she produces. At the age of 23 she has made four albums and from making the first one in 2008, she seems to have kept extremely busy. The latest one being I Was Once An Eagle, which I have just finished listening to and I really am amazed at her lyrical quality. The stories she creates in the heads of the listeners with her music is an incredible skill to have at such a young age. I mean I've heard musicians a lot older than her trying to write powerful lyrics and not even coming close to her standard.

 

I'm also really envious of her lifestyle at the moment, she is currently in L.A. which is in the country that I would love to live and she seems to live her life very care free with nothing to tie her down which to me sounds a very relaxed way to be.

 

She is also a wonder on the guitar and her vocals are truly unique, so much so that even a syllable or single word you hear from one of her songs you know its Laura Marling. Also as I'm currently learning guitar and constantly trying to get better, her strength and skill in playing really motivates me and makes me strive to be as good as her one day (in my dreams). 

 

Unfortunately I have yet to see her live yet but I would love the chance to do. I've heard she is doing the BBC Proms 2013 but hopefully she will perform a bit closer to me soon.