Starry Eyed: Stereoboard's Reading And Leeds Setlist

Reading and Leeds, you beautiful things. For the lucky few the August bank holiday will ring to the sounds of alternative music's finest, with nary a thought to washed out barbecues with the in-laws.

Written by: Sam Jones | Date: Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Stand Up, Punk: Introducing Drones

It used to be that playing fast and loud carried with it certain expectations. Punk was tied up with social commentary and political awareness, a musical field for those seeking to put their own stamp on their surroundings. Drones still think that way.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 16 August 2013

Avicii Lands At The Top Of Stereoboard's Hot Ticket Chart

Dance superstar Avicii has toppled Reading Festival from the summit of Stereoboard's Hot Ticket Chart. The DJ will hit the UK for two August dates – in Glasgow and Belfast – and demand has surged as the clock ticks down. Reading has held firm in second spot though, with only a matter of weeks until the annual spectacular.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 15 August 2013

The Stars Of A 40-Year-Old Virgin Records

In November, Virgin Records will celebrate its 40th Birthday with a series of events and gigs at Koko in Camden. Founded in 1972 by Richard Branson and his business partners, Virgin's first release followed a year later as Mike Oldfield's prog beast 'Tubular Bells' landed.

Written by: Sam Jones | Date: Wednesday, 14 August 2013

Go Green Man: Stereoboard's Best Of Beautiful Bunch

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Black Mountains, Green Man is one the most visually stunning festivals on the circuit and that, when combined with its eclectic line up of established acts and future stars, makes it a yearly highlight for many returning attendees.

Written by: Dave Ball | Date: Monday, 12 August 2013

Return To The Weird And Wonderful Boomtown Fair

The maddest town in the UK is once again welcoming visitors for what will be the maddest weekend of the year. With new districts and new attractions, tourists will be flocking in, while the regular citizens get ready for another bout of artistic wizardry, creative innovation and of course, a lot of skanking. We are of course talking about Boomtown Fair.

Written by: Adam Holden | Date: Friday, 09 August 2013

Reading Festival Tops Stereoboard's Hot Ticket Chart

Leading the way in the latest edition of Stereoboard's Hot Tickets chart is that famous old girl, Reading Festival. The event will once again wow fans of rock and indie over the course of the August bank holiday, with Green Day, Eminem and Biffy Clyro set to headline this year. Huge sets from Nine Inch Nails, System Of A Down and Foals are also set to spice up the main stage.

Written by: Stereoboard.com | Date: Thursday, 08 August 2013

Lemuria: Past And Present Collide

The '90s are so hot right now. At every turn, Madchester revivalists are battling for space with Sonic Youth-aping indie rockers. Amid the chaos, Lemuria have pieced together a jigsaw of influences from the decade's alt-rock and emo explosions, repurposing them into their own charming, off-kilter tunes.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 08 August 2013

Beautiful Blues: Aynsley Lister And The New Breed

It may seem like a contradiction, but it's a marvellous time to have the blues. At present, the scene is awash with precocious youngsters and seasoned pros expertly dragging the howling sounds of the Delta into the 21st century. Few have contributed to the resurgence in blues music with the same quality as guitarist, singer and songwriter Aynsley Lister.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Tuesday, 06 August 2013

The Levellers: Folk, Longevity And Festivals

To most, the Levellers require no introduction. Coming straight out of Brighton, the band have been part of the UK music scene for 25 years, racking up a chart-topping album and 15 Top 40 singles since their debut, 'A Weapon Called The Word' landed in 1990.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Monday, 05 August 2013

ArcTanGent: The Countdown Begins

We’ve just caught our collective breath from 2000trees, and now the countdown begins in earnest to August’s ArcTanGent. Brought to you by members of the same festival team and taking place on the last weekend of August near Bristol, ArcTanGent focuses on the more leftfield side of the musical spectrum.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 02 August 2013

Pop Stars: Introducing Common Mama

Sometimes all it takes is a chance meeting. Common Mama – the new project from Italian composer Ferdinando Arnò – clicked into place thanks to a snatch of vocals overheard in a tube station.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 02 August 2013

High Roller: The Evolution Of Sub Focus

Sub Focus has long been one of the major players in drum and bass. First releasing a track in 2003, with Down The Drain/Hot Line, he quickly climbed up the ladder to become one of the scene’s biggest forces, and soon found himself on the full RAM Records roster. 

Written by: Elliott Batte | Date: Thursday, 01 August 2013

Ring The Changes: Killswitch Engage And A Metal Tradition

Following the recent cancellation of Hevy Fest, Killswitch Engage stepped up and decided they’d bring their influential metalcore attack to the UK anyway. The band announced an intimate show at the Garage in London for August 4, as well as a date at Nottingham's Rescue Rooms, with their fans set to revel in the opportunity to welcome the band’s original vocalist, Jesse Leach, back to these shores once again.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Vuvuvultures: Finding The Human Element

The music industry has chewed up plenty of bright young things, moulding and re-purposing their initial charm before reserving a place for them on the scrapheap. Independence is something worth fighting for, then, and Vuvuvultures have made sure that they're the ones in control.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 30 July 2013

The Month In Reviews: July 2013

Well, that was the month that was. It was a pretty good one, we'd say. There were good times had at 2000trees and NASS, Frank Ocean got all intimate at Brixton Academy and Bruce Springsteen sent his latest UK jaunt out with a bang with some stone-cold classic shows.

Written by: Stereoboard.com | Date: Friday, 26 July 2013

Sparks Of Inspiration: Ron, Russell And Their Fans

Later this year, Sparks will fly. Not in a literal sense of course, but more in a...forget it, this would never have happened to Ron Mael. One half of Sparks, alongside his brother Russell, the lyrical genius will hit the road in November and December for a run of UK dates in support of the band's first live record.

Written by: Sam Jones | Date: Thursday, 25 July 2013

Emily Barker: Record Stores, Dear River And More

Armed with her acoustic guitar and a harmonica, Emily Barker is an arresting presence. As she held court during a brief instore at Spillers Records in Cardiff on July 22, her fans brushed shoulders with stacks of albums as well as stripped-back renditions of songs from her latest release, 'Dear River'.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Tomorrowland Set To Continue Rapid Rise

During the next seven days, the Belgian town of Boom will be overtaken by ravers from all corners of the globe for the next chapter in Tomorrowland's journey.

Written by: Adam Holden | Date: Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Global Gathering: The Stereoboard Setlist

Global Gathering is almost here. A massive celebration of all things electronic, the festival will take over Long Marston Airfield on July 26 and 27.

Written by: Elliott Batte | Date: Monday, 22 July 2013