Noel Shows Rock'n'Roll Star Status at Royal Albert Hall

Strolling on stage in his signature casual jeans and shirt, Noel Gallagher coolly poised himself on his stool, offered the audience a quick nod and hello before strumming into opening track It’s Good to Be Free. This man didn’t muck about, and rightly so. His charged audience were ready to soak up a setlist packed with classic B sides and fan favourites, the simple beauty of which was only too clearly emphasised by an acoustic delivery. There were no surprises, no showcased new tunes...just Noel and his masterpieces.

Written by: Bryony Clare | Date: Monday, 12 April 2010

We Have Band - WHB (Album Review)

Hype can often ruin a band. Much like too much of a good thing; pile on heaps of praise and expectation upon the head of a new act, and the wheels can come off before they’ve even got into second gear. London trio We Have Band are one such collective. Winning Glastonbury Festival’s 2009 Emerging Talent Contest and creating a buzz the size of a giant 10 foot angry mutated bumblebee, the bar of anticipation has been raised for debut album WHB.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Friday, 09 April 2010

I Was A King Fail to Fizzle With Flat Second Album

Norwegian trio I Was A King, follow up their widely acclaimed 2007 debut ‘Losing Something Good for Something Better’ with a self titled second album that includes many a collaboration, featuring Gary Olson (Ladybug Transister), Surjan Stevens and Emil Nikolasien (Sereena Maneesh), as well a mixing by Nick Terry (The Libertines, Primal Scream, Klaxons).

Written by: Dan Clark | Date: Wednesday, 07 April 2010

LIVE: Bad Company And Joe Perry - Cardiff CIA - 5th April 2010

Forget eggs and the old James Bond film on the television, for me, this Easter Bank holiday was all about another bearded man. Paul Rogers returning to the stage!

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Tuesday, 06 April 2010

Motion City Soundtrack Finally Step Up To The Plate

Minneapolis quintet Motion City Soundtrack have spent an eternity in the pop-punk/emo-rock underground in the shadow of mainstream acts such as Fall out Boy and All American Rejects.

Written by: Daniel Clark | Date: Tuesday, 06 April 2010

Editors Live at the O2 Academy Bournemouth

Birmingham quartet Editors took to the stage at Bournemouth’s O2 Academy full of the dark and brooding attitude that has established them as one of the countries top Indie bands. Starting with the title track from new Album ‘In This Light And On This Evening’, the Editors moved and soothed the crowd in equal measure, playing a mix of new songs as well as some more established favourites.

Written by: Daniel Clark | Date: Thursday, 25 March 2010

General Fiasco Rock Islington's o2 Academy

Hailing from Northern Ireland, the trio, Strathern brothers Owen and Enda and Stephen “Leaky” Leacoc have slowly but surely began their breakthrough into the UK Indie scene since the release of their single Rebel Get By in 2008. Having formed in 2007, the band don’t appear to have stopped pushing their sound – from their initial performance at their local Glasgowbury Festival, to supporting esteemed bands including The Pigeon Detectives and The Enemy, as well as playing the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury 2008. With such considerable achievements already under their belts, this small, intimate bar then at the top of Islington Academy, offered the perfect atmosphere in which to capture the showcase of their forthcoming debut album ‘Buildings’.

Written by: Bryony Clare | Date: Tuesday, 23 March 2010

ALBUM REVIEW: Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

In an interview shortly after the release of the hugely successful second Gorillaz album ‘Demon Days’, founder and chief musical contributor Damon Albarn proclaimed: “It’s quite a hip-hop thing to do, isn’t it? To retire and come back.” He was, of course, suggesting that Gorillaz may return at some unknown point in the future, but also that the cartoon group were to disband for some time. Following the reception of ‘Demon Days’, both critically and commercially, there seemed little point for them to continue. With Gorillaz, Albarn and co-founder Jamie Hewlett had previously stated that they wanted to create something that could work in the mainstream, but would give them the freedom to be experimental. It seemed that they had done what they had apparently set out to achieve.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Thursday, 11 March 2010

Marina's Aren't Just Any Jewels, They're Conflict Diamonds

It seems the new wave of contenders for the ‘Pop Princess’ title of 2010 is well and truly upon us, and Greek-Welsh beauty Marina Diamandis has certainly made her presence in the battle known. Despite ending runner-up to her biggest competitor, cutesy Ellie Goulding, in both BBC Introducing and Critic’s Choice awards, Marina and the Diamonds prove that she's not out of the game just yet with her glittering debut record, The Family Jewels. Packed with tracks extravagantly decorated in electronic beats that lend themselves to the likes of Little Boots and La Roux, these unavoidably infectious jewels are guaranteed to hypnotise your feet.

Written by: Bryony Clare | Date: Thursday, 25 February 2010

Bombay Bicycle Club Shine on NME Awards Tour in Bournemouth

Typical of the magazine, NME’s yearly Awards Tour in association with Shockwaves was packed full with the cream of the crop of the the indie world. Bournemouth’s o2 Academy played host on this occasion, treating its guests to an evening of spilt beer and sweaty teenagers, as the The Drums, The Big Pink, Bombay Bicycle Club & Maccabees showcased their songs in style.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Thursday, 25 February 2010

Local Natives Soar To New Heights With 'Airplanes'

The Local Natives debut album Gorilla Manor is a wonderful collection of guitar hooks and layered percussion, warmly draped in lovely melodies and singer Taylor Rice’s tender voice. And latest single Airplanes is without doubt one of the strongest tracks from that album.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 24 February 2010

LIVE: Hayseed Dixie @ Belfast Limelight 22/02/2010

Belfast’s Limelight rapidly filled up last night for the return of bluegrass rockers Hayseed Dixie. The packed venue was welcome refuge from the cold and the crowd was in a buoyant mood by the time the night’s support took to the stage.

Written by: Daniel Lynch | Date: Tuesday, 23 February 2010

REVIEW: Chiddy Bang Impresses With MGMT Classic

Heralding from the rap-happy US city of Philadelphia, Chiddy Bang burst onto the scene, loaded and sights set on a quick ascent up the gold plated hip hop ladder. The duo, comprised of Chiddy (emcee) and Xaphoon Jones (DJ/Producer) have released a 3 song EP, promising smart rhymes, punchy tunes and enough variety to spawn a diverse album.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Thursday, 11 February 2010

REVIEW: TeenagersinTokyo Like a Lil' Goth Disco

Neither from Japan, nor between the ages of 13-19, Aussies TeenagersinTokyo fly into view, or rather, menacingly swoop, with brand new single Peter Pan.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 10 February 2010

REVIEW: Two Door Cinema Club Tee Up an Exciting 2010 with Tourist History

Another pupil from the school of BBC’s Sound of 2010 shortlist, Northern Irish trio Two Door Cinema Club are set to smash the new decade wide open with their lively electro-indie pop debut album Tourist History.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Tuesday, 09 February 2010

REVIEW: Hollywood Promises Stardom for Marina and the Diamonds

Skipping down the yellow brick road of 2010 comes ‘next big thing’, and Britain’s own, Marina & the Diamonds. A flurry of Welsh and Greek, packed into a 24 year old bundle of bite and attitude, chomping at the bit of indie cool. And with her debut single out now - Hollywood, the BBC Sound of 2010 runner up is destined to clamber all over your attention.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Tuesday, 09 February 2010

LIVE: Iglu & Hartly @ Ibar Bournemouth 08/02/10

Iglu and Hartly bounded onto the basement stage at Ibar on Sunday night full of energy and promising a performance of blood, sweat and tears.

Written by: Daniel Clark | Date: Monday, 08 February 2010

Editors Show Their Class At XFM's Live Sessions

Rare is it that a big UK indie band with three albums under their belt to play a small gig at the back of a pub in King’s Cross. So it was rather a special treat for the Editors to grace the boards at London’s Monto Water Rats, in aid of the XFM Live Sessions.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Thursday, 28 January 2010

Guillemot Man Fails To Shine At London's Scala

Scruffy charmer Fyfe Dangerfield pleased a packed London Scala last week. Busy promoting new album Fly Yellow Moon, the Guillemots man poured his soul out to the King’s Cross crowd. Aiming his guitar like a modern day cherub armed with a bow & arrow, Fyfe had upset on the mind and his heart on his sleeve.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Vampire Weekend Wow With Their Wonderful Contra

Back and better than ever, US indie champions Vampire Weekend rock the roost with a second album that follows the same formula as their 2008 debut, but takes V.W to a higher plateau. Operation “Rule 2010” is in progress and Vampire Weekend look set to steal our hearts and minds.

Written by: Matt Hamm | Date: Friday, 22 January 2010