The Libertines - Live at the o2 Academy, Bristol - 9th October 2024
It never looked like it was going to be this way.
Somehow, against all the odds, The Libertines have their happy ending in becoming one of the UK’s most consistent indie rock bands.
In what has been a busy 12 months with the buildup to then release of their excellent fourth album All Quiet On The Eastern Eplanade, the boys in the band have just quietly gone about their business.
After a rather wonderful and random introduction by Creed Bratton (from the US version of The Office), Pete, Carl, Gary and John somewhat wrongfoot the audience by opening with B- side ‘The Delaney’ – a hark back to their early days – before a thumping ‘What Became Of The Likely Lads?’ (answer = they’re doing just fine) recentres the crowd.
Peter Doherty appears comfortable centre-right of stage, while John Hassall is largely static, staring out the crowd while in contrast Carl Barat paces around the stage, his hands doing as little as possible on guitar as ever.
https://www.live4ever.uk.com/the-libertines-live-bristol-review/
Maximo Park - Stream Of Life
Maximo Park occupy a rarefied place in the music scene.
Intelligent, well-read and therefore respected, the group have consistently released albums – and especially singles – of high quality indie pop, straddling the gap between literary and primal with their customary classiness.
To put it another way, in their now 20-year career, the group’s musical textures haven’t especially evolved which, for an act held to such a high standard, could ordinarily be construed as a criticism.
Yet Paul Smith and company transcend any possibility of such barbs by virtue of their quality control. Take the opening track on Stream Of Life, ‘Your Own Worst Enemy’, announcing it through a clatter of drums, powerful guitars and soaring chorus.
https://www.live4ever.uk.com/maximo-park-stream-life-review/
Blitz Vega - Northern Gentlemen
Northern Gentlemen is the tale of two men.
One is the legendary Andy Rourke, the iconic Smiths bassist – whose dexterous musicianship powered the likes of ‘Barbarism Begins At Home’ and ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ (to name but two) – was cruelly taken last year.
His image adorns the cover of this album, a tribute to the work and effort he summoned to finish as much of it as he could before his passing.
The other is Kav Sandhu, himself a musician with a storied career with stints in Happy Mondays and co-creator of the Get Loaded club night and festival. For more than a half a decade, Blitz Vegaa has been his sole focus.
https://www.live4ever.uk.com/blitz-vega-northern-gent-review/
Deadletter - Hysterical Strength
Formed in 2020, Deadletter have been gradually building momentum through a series of singles and EPs along with a visceral live show. Having refined their sound and style, this debut album promises to be the culmination of their hard work.
Firstly, a warning: your enjoyment of this album will depend on your tolerance of the saxophone. For many years now, the sax has been underpinning numerous bands’ output, but here it is front and centre of everything, either guiding songs or dominating them, often in lieu of a lead guitar. Although it’s an excellent mood-setter, in truth it does get wearing at points, but fortunately there is much else to digest.
https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/deadletter-hysterical-strength/
Ride - SWX, Bristol - 14th September 2024
It’s been a busy 2024 for Ride.
Following the release of their latest album Interplay back in March, Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Steve Queralt and Laurence Colbert haven’t been off the road, hitting Europe, the United States, east Asia, and Australasia.
Indeed, following this UK tour they are heading back across the pond for some pre-Christmas shows, yet if they are tired after such excessive touring, there is no hint of fatigue on display during a buoyant Bristol set (September 14th).
While the crowd does take a while to warm up (likely due to the early start time because of a Freshers Night also booked in at SWX) it’s no reflection on the band, who open with a zippy, driving rendition of recent single ‘Monaco’ before the grizzled verse and glistening, dreamy chorus of ‘Portland Rocks’, both from Interplay.
Interview - Fat Dog
Image by Pooneh Ghana
South Londoners Fat Dog are in the eye of the storm right now. Their fine debut album WOOF. was released last week, after months spent cultivating their sound on the live stage.
This week, the five-piece are performing at record stores across the UK in what has become a key element of the promotional trail: a short performance followed by a signing session for all the delegates in attendance.
Sometimes, the amount of audience members surpasses three digits, and so – while it’s an excellent way for bands to connect with their fans – the whistlestop tour can also be quite gruelling.
Before their session and gig at Rough Trade Bristol, Live4ever was able to grab some time with three members of the group: saxophonist and keyboardist Morgan Wallace, Chris Hughes (keyboards and synths) and lead vocalist, guitarist and architect Joe Love. While the trio were in good spirits and happy to talk, it’s fair to say they were still suffering from the effects of the night before at Rough Trade East London.
Interview - Keyside
Keyside - Credit Unknown
Merseyside has done it again.
Stretching back even before The Beatles, the region has consistently been churning out great music, specifically great guitar bands. From Gerry & the Pacemakers to The Farm, Echo & The Bunnymen to The Coral, there’s also been something in that royal blue Mersey water.
Next in line is Keyside. While only two of the four-piece are actually from Liverpool (guitarist Ben Cassidy and singer/songwriter Dan Parker), their sound is quintessentially North-Western. More seriously, Parker’s lyrics cover matters which are horrifyingly prominent in the city but also across working-class areas in the UK.
The quartet – also made up of Max Gibson on bass and Oisin McAvoy on drums – release a new single today (September 6th). ‘Runaway’ is their most accomplished track yet, with an EP to follow in 2025. Recently they sat down with CLASH to give a bit of background on where they are now, and where they are going.
Fat Dog - WOOF.
‘I wanted to make something ridiculous because I was so bored,’ claims Joe Love, architect behind Fat Dog.
As a modus operandi it’s laudable for its lack of interest in po-faced, stifling sincerity, and based on the evidence of WOOF., Love has been true to his word. This debut album is truly ridiculous, in the most wonderful sense of the word.
Formed after lockdown – during which Love had been making demos to keep himself sane – he corralled Chris Hughes (keyboards/synths), Ben Harris (bass), Johnny Hutchinson (drums) and Morgan Wallace (keyboards and saxophone) for his band.
Fat Dog had two edicts: to be a healthy band who looked after themselves, and there would be no saxophone presence in their music. Kudos for both principles (particularly the latter) even if they haven’t stuck to them, but there is no way one can make this music without indulging in hedonistic pastimes.
Forwards Festival 2024
FORWARDS festival 2024, Photo by Eljay Briss
Now in its third year, Forwards Festival is slowly muscling its way up the food chain of the UK festival scene.
After eye-catching headliners The Chemical Brothers (2022) and Aphex Twin last year, organisers have once again delivered the goods with one old (LCD Soundsystem) and one new in the form of Loyle Carner for the 2024 iteration.
However, a gauntlet for weekend highlight is swiftly laid down by Hak Baker, whose skanking, knees-up ‘G-Folk’ approach sets out a stall, with the Londoner proclaiming the set his favourite of the festival season.
Considering he graced Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds and many more, it’s high praise and a positive start, capped with a buoyant rendition of the powerful-but-fun ‘Windrush Baby’.
Over on the East Stage, witnessing Romy direct the audience in confident and strident fashion is a reminder of how far she has come; a world away from the shy, softly spoken pop star of 2010.
Her dusky, intimate vocals soar across the field, juxtaposed against the massive rave-up she orchestrates, including a blissful, sky-kissing ‘Enjoy Your Life’. Four Tet follows suit, striking a perfect balance of ironic, tongue-in-cheek remixes and his usual pulsating electronica.
https://www.live4ever.uk.com/loyle-carner-forwards-fest-2024-review/
Interview - Courting
Image by Charlie Barclay Harris
In contrast to a scorching first day, the Saturday crowd at Reading Festival 2024 experienced torrential downpours all morning.
Liverpudlian indie rocks Courting were unlucky enough to be performing on the Main Stage as the heavens opened, but it didn’t dent a buoyant, cobweb-blowing set. Indeed, cheekily the band slipped in a cover of the Oasis hit ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ midway through their second number ‘Crass’.
After the set, frontman Sean Murphy O’Neill sat down with CLASH to discuss the set and what next for his group.
https://www.clashmusic.com/features/we-just-power-through-clash-meets-courting/
Interview - Wunderhorse
Image by Polocho
With their second album Midas about to land, complete with plaudits abound, Wunderhorse are in the midst of taking the next step up rock’s ladder. Their Autumn tour includes a date at Brixton Academy to precede a European tour and support slots for Fontaines D.C. in the U.S.
They are, in short, hot property right now. Their set in the Radio One Tent at Reading Festival last Saturday very nearly eclipsed their Dublin comrades for Act of The Day and their dusty, timeless rock music could be spearheading a new revolution.
Before the set, Jacob Slater (singer, guitar), Jaime Staples (drums), Harry Fowler (guitar) and Pete Woodin sat down with Clash to discuss the new album, the festival set and what comes next.
https://www.clashmusic.com/features/midas-touch-clash-meets-wunderhorse/
Yannis & The Yaw - Lagos Paris London
Back in 2016, a mutual friend pitched the opportunity for Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis to work with legendary drummer Tony Allen.
Long a fan of his work with Fela Kuti – demonstrable in his band’s fusion of rock and elaborate percussion – and with Foals taking a sabbatical after the monster success of What Went Down, Philippakis headed to a studio in Paris.
Joined by Allen’s regular collaborators Vincent Taeger on percussion, Vincent Taurelle on keys and Ludovic Bruni on bass and guitar, the musicians locked into a jam which would evolve into a track called ‘Walk Through Fire’, thereby setting a tone for the two-day session.
Though the sessions were fruitful, with Allen and Philippakis remaining friends, scheduling conflicts and the pandemic meant the project was put on the back burner, compounded by Allen’s death in 2020.
Now, over four years later, Yannis has put the finishing touch to what will be an ongoing project in the form of this Yannis & The Yaw EP, its Lagos Paris London title referencing the locations where the music was produced.
https://www.live4ever.uk.com/yannis-and-the-yaw-lagos-ep-review/
Lana Del Rey - Reading Festival, 24th August 2024
Lana Del Rey - Credit Unknown
RIP Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. Born 1985 – Died 2024 .
At least, if you were watching the screens on the Main Stage at Reading Festival on Saturday night, you could be forgiven for thinking Lana Del Rey had passed away. For the entirety of her set, the screens were filled with little else but her visage, a 75-minute montage of the singer’s life and times.
It must be nice to have such bullet-proof self-confidence, but to arrive 15 minutes late meant that Del Rey was already on the back foot. Not that she seemed remotely bothered, stating that she intended to sing two more songs after closer ‘Video Games’ before the organisers pulled the plug. Even her end-of-show fireworks were late.
https://www.clashmusic.com/live/lana-del-rey-headlines-reading-festival/
Fontaines D.C. - Reading Festival, 24th August 2024
Image by Simon Wheatley
Pros of announcing your festival lineup way six months before the event? Anticipation is allowed to ratchet up, punters have time to digest and make their decision, and a longer lead time to sell tickets.
Cons? Organisers run the risk of putting the hottest act in the world at 5pm on a Saturday afternoon.
Fontaines D.C. were announced as fourth down on the Main Stage back in February, a placing which always looked dubious. Now, post-’Starburster’, post-‘Favourite’ and in the thralls of rave reviews for fourth album Romance, the world is Grian and co’s for the taking. Only two days old, much of the material is box-fresh and ripe, and it shows. If ever it was a band’s time, late August 2024 belongs to this quintet. The only question mark is over how the band will going to condense their now hefty back catalogue into a preposterous tight 45 minute set.
https://www.clashmusic.com/live/fontaines-d-c-supply-reading-festival-with-a-defining-moment/
The Prodigy - Reading Festival, 23rd August 2024
The Prodigy - Credit Unknown
Much has been made of the new stage at this year’s festivals. Dubbed ‘The Chevron,’ organisers boast that it features ‘bespoke creative visuals, cutting-edge tech and a world-class sound system.’ Taking all that into account, Melvin Benn and company have chosen the perfect inaugural act on a clear late summer’s night.
Since the passing of Keith Flint five years ago, The Prodigy have been slowly but surely reclaiming their status as giants on the live stage. Essentially, their maxim (ho-ho) has been to continue doing what they do in Keith’s name, but harder. The void left onstage still exists, but Maxim has taken on the extra responsibility respectfully, judging which vocal gaps to fill tastefully while delivering his own lines with customary venom.
https://www.clashmusic.com/live/reading-festival-the-prodigy-stun-chevron-stage/
Pet Shop Boys - Their 15 Best Songs
Pet Shop Boys - Credit Unknown
Suburbia
One for those who lived in the towns based tantalisingly close to the bright lights of the cool city, but just that bit too far away. The samba percussion, keyboard-generated barks and brooding thud threaten one song before it explodes into something else altogether, gliding into the sky with a heavenly, sumptuous hook. Musically, ‘Suburbia’ makes town life seem exciting, yet the lyrics tell the truth. The frantic middle-eight, ‘I only wanted something else to do but hang around,’ says it all.
What Have I Done To Deserve This?
Possibly one of Neil Tennant’s most emotive vocals, with his delivery needy for the verse but downtrodden in the chorus. He must have realised he needed to up his game when they somehow convinced Dusty Springfield to participate, who sprinkles majesty and glamour on to an already sparkling piece of music. The frail, insecure keyboard riff works well against the confident percussion, with each section adding something new to the mix. It could only be created in the 1980s, yet it’s timeless.
Full article: https://www.clashmusic.com/features/pet-shop-boys-their-15-best-songs/
Kneecap - Reading Festival, 23rd August 2024
Kneecap - Credit Unknown
Despite the beautiful weather, there is undeniably a sense of fatigue around Richfield Avenue. With many having been onsite for 48 hours already, Reading Festival is struggling to wake up.
American country pop star Dasha does her best to raise the mood as she opens the Main Stage, but her singalong anthems – as pleasant as they are – merely keep a fatigued but crowd awake. Seb Lowe follows, receiving a similarly muted response, despite his best efforts.
But Kneecap won’t be denied. They may about to become movie stars, but the music still comes first and they take the stage – amid a tangible sense of anticipation – for the first BIG set of the day. As they have done so far all throughout 2024, the Irish trio rise to the challenge without even breaking sweat.
https://www.clashmusic.com/live/kneecap-just-tore-reading-festival-a-new-one/
Six New Bands To Check Out At Reading Festival 2024
Early it may be this year, but the August Bank Holiday can only mean one thing: Reading & Leeds Festival. For the last 30 years, the event has evolved from its rock roots to span the genres, and this year is no different.
While the 2024 edition includes some heavyweight headliners (Blink-182, Fred Again.. and Liam Gallagher), there is excellence to be found across the bill all the way down to mid-day on the BBC Introducing, as is tradition.
After much deliberation – countless other names could have been featured – CLASH has put together a list of six unmissable new artists across what will undoubtedly be another epic weekend.
https://www.clashmusic.com/features/six-must-see-new-bands-at-reading-leeds-festival-2024/