what makes a good venue?

What actually

Makes a great venue?

I have been round the country to see all my favourite bands, been to all different venues. Followed bands to a big gig in a park or somewhere that means a lot to them, but in this day and age we seem to be getting more and more obscure places. Kasabian recently played a gig on a plane. Now for anyone that has seen them play live, Tom likes his space to move around, a modern Mick Jagger if that’s how we are to describe his front man technique. These types of gigs are becoming more common than the stereotypical gig in a arena or other venue.

Every city has an iconic venue, or somewhere that was an iconic venue. But what actually makes it iconic? Is it that they played their most successful gig there? Was it their first ever gig? Or is it that the venue has played host to a number of great bands. My opinion it is a mix of all three, and more. Gigs, bands and venues get around through word of mouth. How many times have you been informed, that the band in the cockpit last night ripped it up? Or any other place in Leeds for that matter. It’s a good conversation who played well. Leeds has many of these venues, such as, Brudenell social club, O2 academy (formally the old town and country club) and the Well. Yes we have many more places but that could go on forever, couldn’t it. We have these just like Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and London have theirs. All with their own history and own iconic moments that have been cemented, in the bands history, the cities, and of course the venues.

Recently though we have seen an uprising in ‘different’ gigs. The Libertines are prime examples of this. They used to organise a gig form their flat or some other obscure place, and then let the world know, via the internet with only a few hours before the performance. All of these gigs have cemented the flat they shared (known as the Albion rooms) music history. So is it fair to call it an iconic venue? Yes and no really. Yes these gigs were something special, but they were done in a flat. Not a conventional venue to say the least, but it has brought fans across the country to see where these, monument-us gigs actually happened.

Not all gigs have to be obscure. Many bands and artists hold gigs and events at places, which are held deer to them. Kaiser chiefs held a gig at

Elland Road

, this being the home of their beloved football team Leeds United. This gig was a sell out and huge event to happen on the ground. Not the first time that it has held such events. It has hosted Queen, U2 and more recently Rod Stewart. Yes, it maybe not obscure but it is still unconventional as saying, we are going to play Manchester MEN arena. Kaiser Chiefs wanted to give Leeds and their football club something they could be proud of and also make it in history that they played there.

Knebworth is another example of something that is not obscure, but is certainly iconic now. On the 10^th August 1996 Oasis held a record breaking event in the park. 165,000 people each day flocked to the ground to hear their idols. This is still the highest amount of people to attend a concert at the venue. No it’s not obscure; Oasis could just play a number of arena tours to achieve those figures of people. But they wanted to something out of the so called ‘norm’. Don’t forget that these guys had not been around for decades, but only a few years, before they played to this size of a crowd. This then powered them further on in their careers, and made Knebworth more of an iconic venue that it had already been. Robbie Williams tried to compete with but managed 125,000 over two days, again making this a place for aspiring artists to play.

Forests have become a few bands recent, places to play. I think it’s the thought of playing somewhere that nobody else has, and being more creative than just within their music. The randomness of the venue creates excitement for both the band and the people that are going to attend. It’s the excitement of not knowing what is actually going to happen. The crowd are probably wary thinking, what the hell is going on. It is all good fun in general really. Sticking to what you know can be boring. It is about time that things became unconventional. Gigs need a shake up, it’s not all about getting to the front of a normal music venue; it’s about connecting to that band, and embracing the gift they are trying to give you. If you do ever get a chance of going to one of these weird gigs concerts, then fully take it up, break out of the norm and experience something new. It is knowledge and stories that you are able to pass down to the younger people as you get older. This way the younger ones can they draw their own ideas about where, they want to play, and start their own set of rules.

The Sound of the Future - Young Aviators

Hey there people,

what is to come is an amazing interview, with a band that are certainly something special please check them out.

Young Aviators

A band to who are

Going places.

Songs that are inspired by everyday life, and founded by a group of Irishman, who wanted to do something that was on the right side of the law, and wanting to increase their chances of “getting girls”, the Young Aviators are certainly ones to watch.

With an energy so raw and powerful that will, take over a room within an instant, requiring you to dance erratically like a teenager again, it is hard to see these guys not going places. If you like fast guitars, a bass beat that will get you bouncing and mesmerised and drum beats that will pierce your ears, then you need to have a listen. “Rabbit in a headlight” captures you from the opening

These guys grew up in Ireland, and have since moved to Scotland to further their music career, and show the Scots their witty banter. They previously have toured with the Subways then, a headline slot at the Captain’s rest in Glasgow. They are now returning to stampede venues across the nation, and gain more followers. If you only ever get one opportunity to see this band then do it they create fantastic funking anthems, which will certainly not disappoint. Below are a few words from the guys themselves.

1) Firstly how did you guys get together to form a band?
We started the band back when we were spotty, angst ridden teenagers. Growing up in a small Irish town meant that there wasn’t a whole lot for teenagers to do that wasn’t illegal, so music seemed like a healthy way to spend your time, which may also increase your chance of getting girls. We were roughly around 13 when we started jamming together in the basement of a local church.
 
2) What made you go from Ireland to Scotland?Primarily, University really. We took a year out to go on tour and concentrate on becoming a better band after our A-Levels, and after that was finished we all thought it would be a shame to split the band up, so we decided to go to Glasgow Uni together (also the only Uni that all three of us were excepted into). Plus, Scotland (much like Leeds) is good banter.
 
3) Markey, you have landed a part in a film. How did that come about?I did some things that I’m not particularly proud of to obtain that role. The film is called World War Z, starring Brad Pitt…and myself. Look out for the awkward bearded guy being chased by Zombies across the streets of Philadelphia wearing a suit and walking like John Wayne.

4) You recently toured with The Subways, and are now featuring on their up and coming tour. How did you find the last tour?The last tour was amazing! It was our first proper U.K tour and we felt like it was a success!! Obviously, no one knows who we are and we don’t have any singles out, so it was a real challenge to try and get people on your side in what was usually a 30minute set. 
 
5) For the people who have not heard of your music can you explain the style and what they would expect if they came to see you? Mmmh, the dreaded question. I would like to think they’d expect to be impressed on some level, even if they weren’t a fan of our genre. We’re upbeat, with plenty of harmonies, quite heavy at times and quiet at others…I guess they’d have to come and see us to make up their minds.

6) Who are your main influences that have given you the passion to be where you guys want to be? We all have varying influences, and our shared influences have obviously changed over the years. I’d say quality modern three-piece groups have always inspired us, bands with three members, who are louder and more impressive than bands with 5 or 6 members. Bands like Muse, The Subways, Green Day, BRMC& The Vines (when they were a three-piece), The Jam Etc…
 

7) Dead or alive who would you put into your super group?Awesome question!!! Right, on drums it has to be (drum roll please) Dave Grohl. On bass Guitar Chris Wolstenholme from Muse. On guitar, Paul Weller, and on vocals Freddy Mercury. What a band that would be.

8) What gives you the creative inspiration to make music?A hard question to answer without sounding pretentious. Everyday life is usually the inspiration, though most of our songs at the moment ‘False Education’, ‘Life in the Front Seat’ etc, are about being a young person in the 21st century, how things are all messed up and fast moving and jobless.
 
9) Can we have 3 facts on each of you so that new fans know a little about you?
Decky: I never travel in lifts by myself. I was born in Manchester. I really love Football.
Markey: I have a webbed finger. I have been a nude model and worked in the Disney Store. I’m a grade 8 tuba player.
Kyle: I am a male model. I only wear y-fronts. I’m terrified of commitment.
 
10) What has been the best gig you have played so far?
We played a gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds supporting The Subways this summer, which was a great show!! The crowd was awesome and at points it almost felt like a home town show.
 
11) You combine a bit of audience comedy banter when you play live, is this something that happens natural or is it something you make a point of doing?
We certainly don’t make a point of doing it, that would be detrimental to the purity of the banter. It arose originally though nerves in-between songs, we like it when crowds heckle us, its their way of getting involved and from growing up in Ireland we’re more than capable of giving it back. It makes the gig more honest and less pretentious, which is something we like.

12) What have the next few months have got in store for the Young Aviators?
We are hopefully going back out on tour this October, also doing some recording, writing new material and playing a host of Glasgow shows. Keeping busy, and trying to stay sober.
 

the average shelf life of a CD

Hi people,

recently I have been thinking baout the average shelf life a CD has in this soceity. As you read it you will gather that I do love my CDs ad hope that one day they will pick up on popularity again.

The average shelf life

Of a CD.

I don’t know about you, but I love nothing more than taking a trip down to HMV and browsing through the CD’s that are on offer. Also I will also take a stroll to crash and Jumbo records to see if anything takes my fancy there. But with the announcements that HMV are struggling, and that they are closing down a number of stores. It is hard to believe that this wonderful product may soon be gone, and replaced with the digital format.

Now I may be living in the past, but I love having the hard copy of an album, that the artists have put effort into making. It just feels lazy that we now, live in a society that lives on the digital copy of an album. It’s not only the digital versions that are putting the CDs out of business, it’s the illegal downloads. Recent research has shown that illegal downloads has dropped, but is this because now you have the video converters, rather than using the dedicated sites such as, bear share, pirate bay and lime-wire. It’s a scary thought to think that CDs could be no more in a few years because of this new digital society.

CDs overtook records, but CDs also survived the mini-disk (remember them) but it does not look like they will be able to survive this generation. We will still use them for making our own albums, and even to burn our digital version of the album we have just bought onto. But the age of record stores is slowly dieing. This is now why we have such days as national record store days. This is not for the huge companies, but for the small independent record stores, who rely on people to but the real thing from them.

The smaller bands, which have yet to score a record deal, will use this digital format, to save money and be able to get the music out to, record companies, magazines and bloggers. So in this instance this it is a good idea to move on from CDs, it allows bands with a low expenditure to broaden the horizons and allow music to be heard. On this level I do think that the digital way of life is a huge improvement, but I am still for the CDs. To me I think that it is just that feeling of being able to hold it and realise how much effort the artist has gone into making it, right down to the artwork.

So I am both for and against digital copies of music but my heart does, and will always lie with CDs. There is just something about them that, makes me happy. Being able to put them in order (yes I know a little OCD but it makes it easier to find them). The actual act of being able to go out and buy them knowing you are supporting what they have done. I think I will always be pro CDs, and I am not looking forward to the day that they, are to be no more. I think it will be a crying shame, and the generations after me, will have seriously missed out.  

Muse and playing that album

Were Muse right

To take the risk?

It was a risk to take, but were Bellamy and co right in taking it. Their headline slot at Leeds and Reading festivals was theirs for the taking it, but half the time was playing Origins of Symmetry in its entirety. Was this a good move or not?  Some people feel that this was a waste of a slot, that some of the people who attend the festival may not be sure on Muse to start with, so playing the album there in full was a way of alienating people from a show that could have turned their opinions of the band. But, on the other hand they were celebrating 10 years since the release of the album, so why shouldn’t they have done it in style.

It is a widely known fact that Muse are marmite you love them or hate them. There is no in between for this band. So obviously when it was heard what they had planned for their own set, people were very quick to shout out there opinions. I can understand fully with people who only wanted a mixed set, and not something that not everyone is going to no. But on the opposing side you can understand the people who wanted this album to be played. Origins of Symmetry is one of the timeless albums you should have in you CD collection. So to the fans it was only right that it should be played.

Whatever your opinion was on the matter the real question is, did they manage to pull it off? As I was at Leeds festival, I thought the set was pretty good. But you could sense that the atmosphere was not at its best whilst the album was played in full. This album is what their first album should have been and where best to do it, than at Reading and Leeds. The atmosphere was definitely dull, and could tell that the fans were mainly ones that have jumped onto the bandwagon, from the previous two albums. Yes they may have known the hits such as “Plug in baby” and “Feeling Good”, yes these songs were amazing. Bellamy powering though the riffs like a jack-hammer to concrete, but the rest of the album will have gone unappreciated by them. The little atmosphere that was there was indeed from the fans that realised and appreciated one of the best albums of all time being played.

This being said the set was still out standing. They still managed to make the show one to remember, even if you were one of the entry-level fans who didn’t know many songs, they can still play to a crowd and wow them. So the playing “Origins of Symmetry” was not a crowd pleaser and was not an entire success, it was a risk why shouldn’t they take them. The greatest hits part of the show allowed them to win the new fans back. “Uprising” was first to be heard and met with cheers, bouncing and singing along. This part of the set was a safety net knowing they would get all the adulation that they knew and deserved.

Overall the set was everything that Muse is and that is Marmite. I loved it and thought it was a risk worth taking. I enjoyed hearing the album played live, just as much as I heard all the hits being played live too. Muse will always be up there for me in the live stakes.

Leeds fest 2011 a short review

hello people,

I have now recovered from Leeds festival and felt the need to allow you guys into who made it for me.

Another year has gone by, I have now just recovered from Leeds scraped off the 4 inches of mud and put them away for next year (well until winter hits us again). What a festival it was, the only weather we did not experience was snow. We had glorious sun (yes my fair skin got burnt now I have a wonderful tan); we had horrendous rain, which turned the mud into the best workout you could get. Then finally on the Sunday when most of the mud had gone we had wind that would take you off your feet. Both me and my friend were one of the loyal Leeds festival goers that stuck it out for the whole weekend. Yes we may have complained and moaned like it was the end of the world but these aspects only make the experience a better one.

One of the first epic moments of this festival was The Streets. This was epic for a number of reasons, for one it was going to be first and last ever time that I would see them, because they were going to be no more in a few months time. Whilst waiting in the tent you could sense the atmosphere was electric. Mike Skinner was on form that night delivering the goods to each dedicated fan that had crushed into that tent. Storming through his classic hits of blinded by the lights, don’t mug yourself and of course you’re fit but you know it. All this gelled with Leo the lion brought together a fantastic show. Sweat, beer thrown and aching legs from dancing, and to top it off Skinner managed to get the biggest circle pit of the festival going.

As Muse had not made any secret of the fact that they were doing to play, Origins of Symmetry in its entirety, I was looking forward to it the most. I have always said that Muse of the marmite of the music world, but I still love them. Origins of symmetry was out of this world and proved that the album has stood the test over 10 years and is just as amazing on the first listen as it was live. Once the once in a lifetime opportunity had been finished, they then launched into the hits. “Stockholm Syndrome” was a pinnacle moment of the festival for me, as whenever I do hear that son, I get Goosebumps all over. Bellamy and the boys did not give us festival goers a disappointing show, they blew it away. Although I must say that a festival show is never the same as a personal one.

So after trekking through all the mud and earning quads like a body builder the first day was out of this world. Yes we did see other people but I could go on for days, how awesome they all were, or how crap they were, and even how they shouldn’t have made it to a main stage. But that would mean about 100 pages that nobody would actually ever read. One thing that I was disappointed in was the fact that I actually didn’t get to see anyone on the BBC introducing stage. This was through no fault of my own I might add. This was because of all the clashes that were happening on other stages. It is a very hard decision for a music fan to decide who to see over another band.

So Saturday comes legs are hurting and only just adjusting to sleeping in a tent, but all the people to see are in the radio one tent (result). As I have been making people aware Miles Kane’s debut album I was looking forward to this performance. He stormed through his set with the adulation from all the fans that tent. Sometimes with albums, you can love listening to them over and over again, but when it comes to the live version, it can be a let down. Not with this one, if anything it brought the album to life even more, with the dark tones that run through and Miles managing, to get his unique 60’s psychedelic riffs to become more powerful and reachable.

Mona was a band I was bit dubious about, this was mainly because the album is good and I would recommend it, but wasn’t sure how it would come across live. Now they were good but nothing I would shout about like previous bands I have seen. They seemed to lack enthusiasm on the stage and the songs sounded just like the album. Festivals are all about giving your current fans a good show but also making new fans too. Mona are probably amazing in there own space and show but I feel a smaller tent may have done them a little bit more justice.

Now if you are into your music, you will know that The Vaccines are one of 2011’s most talked about bands. They have only been together for a year and have earned so much. So I was really looking forward to this having read all other reviews, only one thing was stopping me, and this was that Justin the singer’s voice was under strain. They had already pulled out of shows and looked like they will be doing so for more shows. But given that his voice was bad he powered through giving the fans a show that would not be dampened by a broken voice. A packed out tent and a band perfectly formed and sounding like they had been doing this for years is something that you don’t often see or hear.

Beady Eye the headliner of Saturday was again something that I was a bit dubious about, but was something that I though I needed to see. Were they going to be just oasis but with 2 new band members? The answer to this was sort of. Noel was always the leader in oasis deciding what they were to sound like, where as Beady Eye was Liam’s baby. Sounding how he wanted, a much darker take on oasis but still a pretty good show. Maybe he is just more than a one trick pony, but will probably still take a bit more to get into them. Liam is and will always be a front man, and with him in a band there will always be a following.

2 bands that were a must see on the Sunday were Madness and Pulp. Along with all the other bands in the other tents these two were pinnacle for the final day. I grew up with Madness with my dad, and have always been told they are amazing live you need to see them. So here was my opportunity to. One step beyond was the opener and was only a start to an amazing show to come. Suggs and gang bringing the sound of ska to young followers, making them dance and bounce along with even a sing song, to accompany it. Perfect for a windy Sunday afternoon with a pint in hand.

Now all through the 90’s you were either Blur or Oasis, but people often forget about Pulp. Pulp is the posh version of both those bands, with lyrics that are as funny as Morrissey’s, even just as cynical. Jarvis has never been the most normal of front men but he gives the crowd a good show. It is windy and cold but he is leading you on a journey of a date as he wants to call it. Blasting out classics such as, Pencil Skirt, Disco 2000 and not to forget Common people. The band as tight as they were back in the day and Jarvis just if not more, eccentric as he used to be. This band were definitely a good choice to end this festival, he left us all on high craving and wanting more.       

These are only some of the bands that saw, I did see many more but would take forever to write about them. Also I was not there to review I was there to be festival goer and enjoy my yearly experience.

The Music's Last Dance

Hello everyone,

on Saturday the 6th August 2011, I happened to experienece on of the best gigs I have ever been to and this will be saved in memory forever. below is a review of the gig.

The Music’s

Last dance.

6^th August 2011 is day that the O2 academy in Leeds will never forget. This is the day that The Music ended their career after just over a decade of being together. So how could a sad day be as epic and as mind blowing as it was?

Well for a start the crowd were certainly up for it, gearing up to give a band that have given them so much in the past back and to five them the farewell that they deserve. Rob Harvey and the gang stormed on stage to a sell out crowd that were ready to dance. Getting straight into it without a second to spare, the band were as intertwined as they have ever been.

Next they went into “take the long road and walk it” perfectly formed and Harvey at his vocally best, the crowd went crazy and singing along like troupers, not letting the fact that this would be the last time they would see them perform this song live put them off. The band rave through all the amazing and delightful songs, they have given to their fans, with crowd pleasers such as “Drugs, Freedom fighters and Bleed from within” the band don’t fail in giving the crowd something to remember.

“The Spike” is dedicated to all the people behind the scenes that have allowed this band to progress and become what they have, and that is one of the best and finest Leeds’s bands to come around in a very long time.

The final and fitting song is one that is personnel to the band itself. With Harvey dedicating it to the fans saying “you are the people and this is for you, Thank you for fucking everything, without you, the people, we would not here.” The crowd goes wild, but there is an air of sadness that this is in fact the last dance. The band, the fans give it their all, giving them the send off they deserve and partying and dancing like they will never do again, because in fact they won’t.

Once the song has ended, an emotional Rob, and co all say thank you to the crowd. While the crowd still cheering away clearly wanting more, they all embrace each other with a hug. You could sense from the filthy warm crowd that they were emotional, and also somewhat grateful for the audience and reception that they have received, not only from this final gig but from there entire fan base throughout the years.

The atmosphere of the venue was scarily electrifying. Everyone was up for this gig and people had certainly traveled to apart of the history that was being created at the academy with hearing accents from Manchester, Liverpool and even Newcastle. You could feel the vibes bouncing off the walls, the ceilings and off of each other whilst dancing and showing our appreciation to this magical and wonderful band. This is a band that makes you feel every beat and every melodic rhythm in your heart as it is being played. A band that makes people dance and move like they have never moved before with just the opening chords of a song. All of these atmospheric attributes all created what was a wonderfully flawless performance from the boys. They were spot on note for note and did not let slip once, with Harvey having one of the best formed voice’s that I have seen in a long while, and working the stage like the demons of Leeds that they are.

This is going to be a night that will never be forgotten. The music world has lost one of the great bands of our generation. A band that may have had its up’s and down but certainly came back from them, to astound the fans even further. Yes something else may come out, but it will never be what The Music was. That night we waved off a band that was silently huge and influential to so many people and other artists in the industry. So thank you The Music for giving us that one last dance and a night that will certainly never be forgotten to your people. I am certainly proud that I was there that fine evening, to witness the end as sad as it may have been, it was extraordinary. Viva The Music.

a Tribute to amy winehouse R.I.P

A fitting tribute to someone

Joining the 27 club.

This past weekend has been one of loss. The Norwegian massacre was a terrible disaster and my thoughts and condolences are with families. How help never got to them poor souls sooner is something that should really be looked into. Then came the news that one of the talented artists of our generation had died. Amy Winehouse died in her flat on 23^rd of July. Now I know this is not as much of a tragedy as the Norway massacre, it is still a tragedy in its own right. A family have lost a daughter, a friend has been lost, and a talent and credit to the music world has been lost.

Amy has had a tough time recently, and pretty much through her entire career. Her problems being showcased nationally by tabloid newspapers, highlighting her drink and drugs problems. Not once stopping and thinking, how this may affect her family. Ok so she did take a hell of a lot of drugs, and because of this did not use her talent wisely. People should be remembering her for what she used to be not what she ended up as.

Amy had such a talent that has not been seen in long while. Her soul voice and lyrical ability was appreciated all around the world, also known for her powerful contralto vocals. After 2 albums people were aware that they were onto something special, something that they were able to relate to while they were singing along. Amy was amazing at pouring her heart out onto paper, such a shame she wasn’t able to do this and help her through her problems. When she was at her best artists wanted to collaborate with her and make even more beautiful music. “Frank” Winehouse’ debut album was a credit to her in the healthy days before the drugs and record companies took hold.

She won 6 Grammy awards. A British female artist has never won that many, but Amy did. She defied all the critics and created music that was appreciated and that had meaning. Her second and final album “back to black” was an instant hit, with hits such as “love is a losing game”, “back to black”, and of course “rehab”. All of these songs are Amy’s cry for help, but with a catchy tune. This woman has inspired so many people to do what they love the most and the world or music is not going to be the same without her. 

As the whole world has established she had drug problems, but like I have established we should not be remembering her for this. Remember this woman as someone who defied the critics. Who made soul music that took you right back to the 50’s. forget the drugs forget the tool of an ex-husband who will no doubt start cashing in on the death of a woman who would of gone onto bigger things if she had of dealt with her demons.

The media have also been highlighting that Amy has joined what is known as the “27 club”. Now if you are not sure what this is then here is the answer. The 27 club is famous people who have died at the age of 27. It is generally used to show the amount of people in the music world that have died at 27. A few of these are Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and now the wonderful Amy Winehouse. All of these people will be remembered fondly in the hearts and ears of music lovers around the world. It is just a shame that these people have had to go in to this to group. RIP Amy hope you can finally find happiness up there.