Little bands do matter

Hello everyone,

wow 2 blogs in one day this won't happen that much. this topic is something that I have been thinking of for a while. As my blog is mainly about music this is something that means alot to me. without supporting local bands we will end up with the same music just a different day. So please read and enjoy.

Little bands are

What matter

So with everyone moaning about the line up of Leeds fest, I for one think it is a fantastic one. I love the fact Muse are headlining the Friday night. Although I would prefer them to close it, but hey I am not going to complain, they are playing and that is all that counts. Upon first look at the main stage it is a bit weak but when you delve in to all the other stages you are in for a real treat.

The people who are moaning and complaining clearly have not heard the new and exciting debut album from Mona, the fantastic debut from Frankie and the heartstrings and not to mention the first solo album of Miles Kane, which is out of this world. All of these new albums and bands that are coming out are, our future headline acts at festivals. Muse had to start at the bottom and work their way up, so did Pulp, Coldplay and look how Oasis started out, yes once they were noticed they were catapulted to stardom, but before then little places small stages. All these big bands had to start somewhere, and these are what the smaller tents are for to build these acts up and get them bigger audiences. I will be the first to admit some bands just can’t hack it on the main stages. It is sad to see and even to say they just don’t have the material yet to make it. Notice how I said yet.

You will find that the average music fan does become out of tune with what is new and out in world at the moment. It does cost a lot of money to keep in touch, there is the constant release of new albums, and then there is the tour to follow and then magazines so you can find all of these exciting new things. The one thing that a true music fan will always do (even if they do get out of touch) is go and see the various stages at a festival, or even see the support acts at a gig, of their favorite this band. This way you are getting out there and seeing the new exciting things that are happening, in the music world.

This was evident for me when I recently went to see, The subways at Leeds. We were there just in time to see one of the best support acts I have seen in a while. This band were called Young Aviators, these guys certainly got the crowd going for the main act (who were also amazing). They had a presence on stage that I have not seen in a while from a 3 piece band. They were interacting with the crowd as if they were playing a home crowd, and even brought an onlooker to the stage to become their dancer. It is these attributes of a band that will see these guys go far and accomplish things within the music world, which others will not. Most people that night found that these Irish wonders were an incredible act and couldn’t wait to see more.

So for the people who seem to just sit in the main arena of festivals, to just go see the main headline act, and not experience the full essence of what bands are like before they get to that main stage headlining slot, do not complain about the line up being “crap” or that it’s “same line up again”. If you do not like it then simply do not go. You can not argue that ticket prices are extortionate when you only aim to go to see 3 bands out of the entire weekend, when there are all these little gems hidden away, for you to find and experience. A festival ticket on average costs £200 you break this down over the 3 days and see the little bands you will get your moneys worth. More often than not also the small stages have the better crowds who make the gig even better.

Next time you’re at a gig and you think I will have one more beer, the headline isn’t on until 9, think again and go see the small bands. You will soon see what you are missing out on. These gems are the ones that will be shaping our musical future and the way we listen to music. Don’t get stuck with the old, keep experiencing new things. Music is a wonderful tool that can be appreciated in many ways. These little bands are what are creating the new innovative sounds; you won’t find people like Coldplay changing. They will stick to the Radiohead era for as long as they can (and no I am not slating Radiohead, but they are depressing). Same with the likes of U2 they won’t change, same album time and time again, it gets tiring. So get out there and enjoy your local band, because there will be one rehearsing like mad, just to play that small stage, keep that in mind when you see one of them.