LIVE AT MILLENNIUM SQUARE + BEST NIGHTS FOR FRESHERS + AUTUMN/WINTER GIG GUIDE + FESTIVAL REVIEWS + HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED! + Metronomy review, Natalie McCool interview, Spotlight on TWIN KIDD plus Notts’ best venues!
The Mic Issue 41
with special thanks to The Committee Gabriel Burrow (President) Luke Matthews (Editor in Chief) Betty Owoo (Publishing Director) Lok Yee (Editor) Emilio Cruzalegui (Editor) Ellie McCall (Marketing and Social Media) Ashley Kippax (Communications) Archie Banks (Communications) Ceryn Morris (Social Secretary) Luke Barnard (Treasurer) Contributors Luke Barnard Archie Banks Gabriel Burrow Claire Chambers Katie Clubb Ashley Kippax Lok Yee Luke Matthews Ceryn Morris Betty Owoo Musicians/Interviewees Natalie McCool Sponsors
And to all labels, venues, managers, promoters and PR companies who provided us with gig, interview and promotional opportunities. We look forward to meeting you all in Welcome Week! Our next magazine (Issue no. 42) is due for release in December. Join The Mic for just ÂŁ4 for the year! For any review, gig, or interview requests, email us at: themic@themicmagazine.co.uk @themicnotts
@TheMicNotts
@themicnottingham
www.themicmagazine.co.uk
CONTENTS 20 The Cribs are on fire. With seven albums under their belt (their most recent being For All My Sisters), these Yorkshire boys are going from strength to strength. We sent The Mic’s Archie Banks along to their gig at Millennium Square - and he had an incredible time. Turn to page 20 for the full review...
INSIDE THIS ISSUE FRESHERS GUIDE TO NOTTS
2016: SUMMER OF MUSIC
FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
...INTRODUCING
GIG GUIDE Societies 101: The A - Z Guide The Bucket List Best Nights out for Freshers Spotlight Venues Hockley Hustle
6 8 10 11 14 18
Review: Metronomy’s Summer 08 19 THE CRIBS: LIVE 20 Interview: Natalie McCool 22
Nos Alive Dot To Dot Splendour in Nottingham Truck Festival Diary of Creamfields Leeds Fest
TWIN KIDD
THAT’S A WRAP! Meet The Committee
25 26 28 30 31 33
34
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Did you know? Nottingham plays host to some incredible festivals throughout the year, including Hockley Hustle (pg 18) and Dot To Dot (Pg 26).
Autumn ‘16 sleaford Mods
MØ laura mvula
NOTTINGHAM sundara Karma The front Bottoms
Jack Garratt Bondax & Friends the fratellis Crosa Rosa
Honne Bastille The Kills
Frank Turner Blossoms bugzy Malone
you me at six
MAdness Rizzle Kicks Let’s Eat Grandma
Spring King Eliza & the Bear
JakeGorgon Bugg city
gig guide September 19
th
Chuck Mosley
20th
Howie Payne
22
nd
The Hunna Oscar
23rd
The Urban Voodoo Machine
24th
King No-One
26th
Benjamin Francis Leftwich Pretty Vicious
27th
Sundara Karma The Magic Gang
28
th
Against The Current Only Shadows
29th
Milburn INHEAVEN
30th
Thousand Yard Stare Johnny Lloyd
October 1
st
Louis Berry
2nd
The Kills
3
rd
Of Mice & Men Mura Masa Pinegrove
4th
Jake Quickenden
5th The Eskies
6th
The Mission Anti Nowhere League Marc O’Reilly
7th
Blossoms Ugly Kid Joe Sorority Noise
8
th
Buzzcocks Royal Republic Alvarez Kings
9th
Turnover All Them Witches
10th
White Denim Lonely The Brave Augustana
11th
Fifth Harmony Gun All Tvvins
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Overwhelmed by the number of gigs in Notts? Never fear, the Mic’s Gig Guide is here to show you what’s happening when.
12th
Nickelback Gavin James Nimmo Estrons + The Bay Rays
13th
You Me At Six The Mezingers Flight Brigade
14th
Feeder The Sunshine Underground Skinny Lister
16th
UB40 MØ
17th
Walter Trout Raglans
18
th
JP Cooper The Duke Spirit
19
th
The Specials Bad Company Allah-Las Kiko Bun
20
th
Gorgon City Joanne Shaw Taylor The Vryll Society + Hidden Charms
21st
De Staat
22nd
Billy Talent Spring King
Khruangbin
23rd
Sunset Sons Saint Leonard’s Horses
24th
Bondax and Friends Teleman Leo Stannard
25th
Band Of Skulls The Four Tops & The Temptations Steve Mason Palace Winter
27
th
Tail Feather
28th
Jake Bugg Kunt and the Gang Clean Cut Kid
29th
FM Tail Feather
31st
HONNE Let’s Eat Grandma
Rock City Motorpoint Arena Rescue Rooms The Bodega
November 1st
The Japanese House The Big Moon
2nd
Bring Me The Horizon Field Studies
3rd
Sleaford Mods Matt Berry and the Maypoles The Shimmer Band
4th
Sleaford Mods Crosa Rosa Whitney
5th
Y&T Bastille The 69 Eyes Margaret Glaspy
6th
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes
7th
Bugzy Malone Tigercub
8th
The Cinematic Orchestra Dance Gavin Dance Foy Vance
9th
Saxon The Wytches Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers
10th
The Low Anthem Joseph Arthur
11
th
Jack Savoretti Will Varley Scott Matthews
12th
Paul Simon Fingathing
13th
Rag n Bone Man
22nd
The Courteeners Anne Marie Honeyblood
23rd
Slaves Simply Red Farro
24
h
White Lies
December 2nd
Cast Larkin Poe
3rd
Kula Shaker The Orb
5th
Tyketto Eliza & The Bear
25th
Rizzle Kicks
The Saw Doctors Placebo Truckfighters
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26
7th
Roam Glen Hughes and Living Colour Sarah Jaffe
15
th
Architects Jesus Jones Hooton Tennis Club
16
th
Jack Garratt Ian Siegal Band
17
th
Laura Mvula
18th
Reckless Love The Symths
19th
Airbourne Mowbeck
20th
The Front Bottoms Cigarettes After Sex
21st
Walking On Cars
th
The Fratellis Alter Bridge Secret Affair
27th
The Levellers Sharon Needles Ben Montague
28th
Teenage Fanclub Last In Line MC Lars
29th
Pierce The Veil Beans on Toast
Join The Mic for £4 this year and get free guest-list entry to review and interview your favourite artists. Email themic@themicmagazine.co.uk and we’ll do the rest! Join The Mic Members Facebook group and follow us on Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date with the gigs that are available and to find people to go with. @themicnotts
6th
The Damned Wade Bowen + Willy Braun th
free entry?
Devilment
8th
@TheMicNotts @themicnottingham
top picks:
Black Grape Status Quo Raja & Milk
Sundara Karma
9th
Rock City - 7th Oct
Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls
10th
New Model Army Rod Stewart Frightened Rabbit
11
th
Rescue Rooms - 27th Sept
Blossoms MØ
Rescue Rooms - 16th Oct
Gorgon City
Rock City - 20th Oct
Spring King
Rescue Rooms - 22nd Oct
Bondax and Friends Rock City - 24th Oct
Against Me!
Jake Bugg
12th
Crosa Rosa
Madness
14th
Lissie
15th
Hot Arttt
16th
Super Furry Animals
Rock City - 28th Oct Rescue Rooms - 4th Nov
Bastille
Motorpoint Arena - 5th Nov
Jack Garratt
Rescue Rooms - 16th Nov
The Front Bottoms Rock City - 20th Nov
The Fratellis
Rock City - 26th Nov
Madness
Motorpoint Arena - 12th Dec
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societies 101: A Cappella
Blow Society (BlowSoc)
Bandsoc
CD LIbrary
We have one of the largest a cappella societies in the country. It serves as an umbrella for various smaller groups with different specialities and interests; with names like “RadioOctave”, “Aca-pocalypse” and “Chordally Invited” any fan of singing would be a fool to miss out.
BandSoc is the easiest place to meet like minded individuals and form a group. They put on various gigs throughout the year, catering to both casual jamming and performances from more well established bands. They even host a battle of the bands competition that has its final in Rock City!
Bass Society (BassSoc)
For the bass addicts amongst you, Bass Society encompasses the full spectrum; from jungle to house, reggae to dubstep, garage to trance, if there’s a heavy beat behind it, someone at Bass Soc will appreciate it.
Bellringing
This one’s pretty self explanatory. Founded in 1958, Bellringing is one of the SU’s oldest affiliated societies, and they welcome people of all abilities from complete beginners to the advanced.
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BlowSoc is the University’s society for wind players and percussionists. They run 8 ensembles that rehearse weekly. They vary from a 70-strong Wind Orchestra to the revered Moonlighters Big Band! The society also boasts an exciting social calendar and an unforgettable Easter break European Tour.
The CD Library have an extensive catalogue of both CDs and records. They open around lunchtime and you can drop in for a relaxed browse. They’re always playing great music and the CDs are only 50p a pop.
DJ Society (DJ Soc)
Want to learn DJing, improve your production or just jam with like-minded people? Of course you do! Attend sessions to brush up on mixing skills or learn from the beginning. They’ll be putting on house parties and club nights in Notts, giving you the opportunity to play out.
Folk Society
Do you have a passion for all things folk? FolkSoc gives you the chance to explore your interest to the fullest. Socials are held fortnightly and they revolve around live gigs in Nottingham, “folk sessions”, ceilidhs (barndances) and rapper sword dancing (Youtube it)!
The Mic’s a-z guide of UoN’s music societies High Society (HighSoc)
Revival Gospel Choir
Music Society (MusSoc)
Rock Society (RockSoc)
Musicality
Song Writing Society
Rumour has it that The Mic was formed by members of High Society. We’re proud to be the lovechild of such a society - they run a great range of socials based on alternative nights, gigs and general merriment. A must for alternative/indie fans.
MusSoc is comprised of student-run auditioned and non-auditioned music ensembles. There’s something for everyone; including Sinfonia our symphony orchestra, Coro Sorelle our all female choir and Collegium Musicum our early music ensemble.
Musicality is a thriving, Gold Award society at the University of Nottingham. It brings together all aspects of musical theatre, including singing, acting, dance, production, directing, costume… and pretty much any other theatrical role you can think of.
Punk Society (PunkSoc)
PunkSoc accommodates the music tastes of everyone in the punk rock, alternative, ska, emo, and hardcore scene. A friendly group of people who enjoy going to and hosting gigs. Expect Punk pizza - our social hosted every fortnight at an alternative bar in town with pizza, regular gigs, barcrawls and excellent socials with other music societies.
Our Gospel Choir is the perfect society for anyone and everyone who loves to sing, perform, and have fun doing it. We perform songs from a huge range of genres, from gospel and soul to jazz and pop, so there’s something for everyone!
Rocksoc is primarily a social society, where students that enjoy Rock and Metal music and the alternative culture associated with it can get together and experience both rock and non-rock events in a relaxed environment, getting the chance to meet like minded people!
This society offers lessons to help you hone your craft, opportunities to perform at open mic nights and most importantly a great community in which to socialise and share ideas. They run informal jam sessions where members split off into groups and relax and play music with each other.
URN
URN is the University’s multi-award winning student radio station. They broadcast live from University Park Campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Getting involved with URN will give you all the training you need to make it on-air in a professional studio. It’s also a great opportunity to share your passion to listeners on air.
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the bucket list by Lok Yee
Here at The Mic we’ve decided to create a bucket list to help Freshers and Re(re)Freshers alike make the most of Nottingham.
Go all out for Ocean Baywatch
The famously sticky club Ocean will hold a very special place in your hearts from day one. Love it or hate it every student must take part in a frantic top whipping session to the Baywatch theme tune - just hold on to your clothes. Bonus points for getting a selfie with Andy Hoe.
Visit Rough Trade
Nottingham’s Rough Trade in Hockley is a treasure trove of music; from new releases to classic vinyl they have it all. They also host album signings and gigs so keep an eye out for their events. Make sure to use their photo-booth.
Visit the Nottingham Sign
Yes, it looks suspiciously like the Glastonbury sign and had one of its letters stolen but it’s a classic landmark of our beautiful campus, and offers great opportunities for squad photos.
Go to an Alternative Night Out
After a while you may want to venture beyond Crisis and The Big O. Why not try indie night Hockney at the Bodega? The night is every other Thursday and often hosts live bands before the night, which will leave you covered in a LOT of glitter. Try Hey Hey Hey at Rock City for your alternative bangers and for a pop punk party.
Enjoy an Open Mic Night at the Studio/Mooch
From BandSoc to Musicality, Mooch hosts a variety of open mic nights and showcases the best of UoN’s music. Enjoy the performance with a pint and a burger.
Go to a Gig in Nottingham (with The Mic)
From Capital Arena to the Bodega, there is a venue and band for everyone in Nottingham’s city centre. You could even go for free with The Mic and get a chance to review the gig!
Go to a Festival in Nottingham
Commit to the Nottingham music scene and go to a festival. Dot to Dot, Splendour and Detonate are just a few of the events that take place in the city. Why not volunteer and gain some experience while you’re at it.
Visit the Lakeside Arts
Take a trip to the art museum on campus and soak in the culture. They hold exhibitions and talks to fill your intellectual desires.
Go Boating on Highfields Lake
Be a romantic and take a boat out onto the lake. Our campus is famous for its greenery and scenic views - just avoid rowing over a duck.
Get Involved with The Mic
There are loads of areas you can get involved in in The Mic. From reviewing gigs to discussing new releases The Mic is a great place to meet new people with similar music tastes to you.
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The Mic’s
s t h g i n t s be s r e h s e r f for by Betty Owoo
We here at The Mic love a good night out. Whether you want to drown in cheese, jump around to the latest indie tracks or cut some shapes to deep house, Notts has it all. Here are our top picks for a quality night out (picked especially for freshers!)
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(1) Ocean Friday Soundtrack to.... Ocean I’m Always Here (Baywatch Theme) Jimi Jamison Best Song Ever One Direction Breaking Free Troy and Gabriella Do go: if cheese music and colourful VKs float your boat Don’t go: if you’d rather die than listen to another T-Swift song
(2) Crisis
Mr Brightside The Killers Drop It Like It’s Hot Snoop Dogg
Soundtrack to.... Crisis Shake it Off Taylor Swift Work Rihanna Cheap Thrills Sia
Do go: if you want a big night out with all your friends Don’t go: if you don’t want to rub shoulders with 2500 other students
I Took a Pill in Ibiza Mike Posner Can’t Feel My Face The Weeknd
Ocean. It’s not just a club, it’s an institution. Ocean Friday isn’t just a night out, it’s a way of life. Run by the local legend that is Andy Hoe (Britain’s best club promoter according to The Tab), Ocean has divided opinions of Notts students for years because it’s like marmite – you either love it or hate it. For those of you that adore cheesy music, cheap drinks and a good time, once you’ve taken a dip you’ll never look back. It’s definitely worth going a couple of times - if you don’t get the Ocean bug on your first visit, by the third or fourth time you’ve stepped onto Ocean’s legendary sticky carpets, you might just find yourself falling in love.
Crisis has it all – it isn’t Britain’s biggest student club night for nothing. Held every Wednesday at Rock City, Crisis is the domain of UoN sports teams and those in search of a good time. And boy, is it a crowd-pleaser. There really is something for everyone, with tunes playing in three different rooms. The Main Room is a mix of commercial, chart and party music. If hip-hop and RnB are more your bag, head to the renowned Black Cherry Lounge (though it is hotter than the sun down there). Or if you’re more into house, The Basement is the perfect spot to cut some shapes. Make sure to grab tickets to Crisis’ legendary All Nighters, where the party doesn’t stop til 6am.
best of the rest Souljam @ Stealth
Souljam’s goal is to bring the best in boogie to the masses as they play the best authentic Soul, Funk & Disco all night. One-off nights at Stealth
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Bopp @ Red Bar
Get ready to get down and jive to the best motown, soul, rock n roll and indie in Notts. Every Friday at Red Bar.
Shapes @ Market Bar Serving up the finest house, garage and hip-hop all night long. Every Thursday at Market Bar.
(3) Ink Mondays Soundtrack to.... Ink Magnets Disclosure Desire (Gryffin Remix) Years and Years Sorry Justin Bieber Do go: if you like bar hopping and a multi-room experience Don’t go: if you can’t handle traipsing up and down stairs
(4) Hockney
Panda Desiigner One Dance Drake
Soundtrack to.... Hockney This Charming Man The Smiths Elephant Tame Impala Pedestrian At Best Courtney Barnett
Do go: if you like glitter and good times Don’t go: if you want the commercial club experience
Caramello
At Caramello, peace, love and funk is the mission. Don your best wavy garms and get ready to groove all night. Once/twice a term at Rock City.
Close Your Eyes Run The Jewels Kill V. Maim Grimes
Cirque Du Soul
Stairs. Everywhere. Once you get over the different levels you can start to make the most of what Ink has to offer. And boy, does it offer a lot. Spread over 4 different levels, Ink has 4 club rooms, 8 bars, and the freshest cuts of music around. From the main room Trash Mansion, all the way up to Parlour, the penthouse RnB room, there’s something at Ink for everyone. Ink is definitely the club for serious audiophiles and techies - the club boasts a top of the range Funktion-One sound system and incredible light and digital art displays. All this comes together to create an immersive club experience that is unlike anything else on the Notts scene.
Not into commercial or chart music? Not a fan of huge clubs with flashing lights and hordes of people? Well, Hockney could be the night out for you. Taking place every other Thursday at the quirky Bodega, Hockney is a night dedicated to the best alternative music. Upstairs is dedicated to newer indie tunes, whilst the downstairs bar is given over to classic soul and funk. If you get tired of dancing, check out what is possibly the cutest smoking area in Notts. Strictly good vibes only, a night out at Hockney feels like being at the best house party in the world. Look out for their special live events (Hockney Live), where upcoming bands perform before the club night kicks off.
Every few months the legendary Cirque rolls into town – and they bring the best residents and a carnival atmosphere with them. One-off nights at Rock City.
Gin and Juice
If you want old school hip-hop and RnB, Gin and Juice is the place to be. One-off nights at Stealth/Rescue Rooms.
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spotlight on...
Nowhere else in the world can offer a venue with more personality. Rock City is the gem of the East Midlands, attracting the biggest names from pop to rock, indie and beyond. Since opening in the 80’s, Oasis, Blur, Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine are but a few of the eye-watering names to have christened the infamous stage - there’s no wonder why Kerrang! consistently award it ‘Venue of the Year’.
Notts really is a musician’s mecca. In our Spotlight Venues feature, we take a closer look at seven venues which have really made an impact on the face of Nottingham’s music scene.
spotlight venues by Luke Matthews
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spotlight on... Petite and quirky, what The Bodega may lack in capacity is more than made up for in both character and atmosphere. Regularly hosting the best in up and coming talent, it seems that over the years the venue has become a bit of a soft spot to return to for those musicians who hit the big time. Coupling this sensational venue with a gorgeous beer garden and alternate club nights have resulted in it being a favourite for students and locals alike.
spotlight on... Regularly welcoming DJ’s and producers from all over the world, you’ll frequently find the likes of Skream, Hannah Wants and others gracing Stealth’s stage. As the UK’s ‘dance Mecca’, week in week out crowds of music lovers will flood the venue ’til the early hours of the morning; proving why, for the last 4 years running, DJ Mag has pronounced Stealth as one of the Top 100 clubs in the world.
spotlight on...
BRICKWORKS
The Brickworks carefully selects and only allows the most intriguing and respected DJ’s through their doors. Popular record labels such as Wigflex and Detonate will showcase some of their best talent, with every ticket being seen as gold dust as each night sells out within minutes of going on sale. Expect to see the likes of Dusky, Tensnake and more as The Brickworks leaves it’s mark on Nottingham’s music scene.
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spotlight on... Rough Trade epitomises Nottingham’s nationwide reputation for epic music talent. As the only Rough Trade store outside of London and New York, the small venue will regularly host acoustic evenings, album signings and exclusive sets from some of the world’s most sought after acts; whilst also highlighting some of the region’s freshest musicians and giving those just emerging the recognition they deserve.
spotlight on... With over 100 gigs a year, Rescue Rooms has played host to a hefty catalogue of talent. The Killers, Bloc Party and The Libertines are just a taster of the standard of bands that you can expect to witness grace the 450 capacity venue. Consider Rescue Rooms as the venue that catches musicians just as they hit the big time, whilst also accommodating some of the best in up-and-coming talent.
spotlight on... By far Nottingham’s biggest venue, the Motorpoint Arena attracts the most star-studded of acts. A regular stop off for international artists, this arena boasts the perfect blend of jaw dropping performances and big bold sound whilst no seat is unfavourable. You must be organised however; expect each show to be a sell out as tickets are snapped up well in advance of each gig on the eye-watering calendar.
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by Ceyrn Morris Is there a better way to explore Nottingham’s vibrant Hockley area than through music? Join us on the 9th of October for the brilliant Hockley Hustle – a day filled with music all in the name of charity. On its 10th anniversary this year’s Hockley Hustle music festival is set to be the biggest one yet, filling the venues and streets of Hockley with festival attendees. Encompassing over 25 venues including Rough Trade, The Hockley Arts Club, Das Kino’s and Jam Café the area will play host to over 250 Nottingham acts, proving to be a day not to be missed. Over the years the festival has expanded in both popularity and size whilst also succeeding on raising over £100,000 for local charities. The festival is well known for spotlighting new talent including Jake Bugg who played the Broadway café bar in 2010, and the likes of Natalie Duncan, Saint Raymond and Liam Bailey all making appearances in the past. 2014 saw Mr Switch (DMC World DJ Champion 2014) headline the Broadway Café Bar and Amber Run close the BBC Introducing stage at Nottingham Contemporary with a stand out set, and in 2015 the festival came alive in the streets creating a carnival atmosphere with samba bands, stilt walkers and jugglers whilst the Jam Cafe hosted Natalie Duncan’s intimate set which included a string quartet. Each venue holds a different host curating a different line up; expect DJs and sick beats in Bad JuJu, Revolution, Suede Bar and The Bowery Club; Acoustic sessions in the Bodega; Slam poetry in Edin’s; and a variety of bands from all genres across the numerous other venues. It’s best to book your tickets in advance as its set to sell out early on the day. This is definitely one of the music highlights of the year and is not to be missed.
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break-beat indie-pop before fading back into a subdued resolution. This is an album that has a lot more to offer after the first listen.
by Gabriel Burrow
Joseph Mount’s electro-pop act, Metronomy, have a lot going for them. The four piece have gained recognition for their winning blend of professionalism and pouty sass, and with their latest album they build on this formula to great effect. Summer 08 is an unashamedly enjoyable album. In interviews Mount has discussed how memories of partying in the late-naughties were prevalent in his writing on the record – it’s a nostalgic dip into the last decade. It cannot, however, be deemed a simple glorification of summer living in the 2000s. Satirical lyrics poke fun at “signet rings” and a fixation on earning money. It’s also worth mentioning that this is the first time Mount has undertaken both recording and producing the entirety of a Metronomy record since his debut, Pip Paine (Pay the £5000 You Owe Me). Yes that really was the title. This sees him playing a Kevin Parker-esque role; he brings in no end of studio trickery and the departure from a full band tracking process is deftly executed.
The fact that Mount takes sole responsibility for the recording process does unfortunately result in the noticeable lack of Olugbenga Adelekan – the bass player’s adept fingered and slap playing were standouts on previous releases. This isn’t to say that the basslines on the album are in any way lacking, but in a number of cases Mount favours simpler picked licks, for example on “Miami Logic”. In fact the only other artist to feature is Swedish singer Robyn. Her addition to the 5th track, “Hang Me Out to Dry”, proves refreshing and is complimented well by lush synth lines. This is clearly a record that Mount just really felt like making. He isn’t afraid to let a section sit. He’s not always in a hurry to introduce you to the apex of a song, but the confidence with which they’re constructed assures you that these moments will be forthcoming. Is Summer 08 the best we’ve heard from Metronomy? Probably not. Is it an engaging listen from start to finish? Definitely. Metronomy’s Summer 08 is out now.
It is immediately apparent that this is the expertly crafted pop music that fans have come to expect from Metronomy. Mount has once again proved that he can deliver hooks without comprising the complexity of a song. Tracks like “My House” and “Night Owl” could have passed as cuts from English Riviera, but are all the more refined. The arrangements feel vibrant but not excessively busy, with some sections and grooves indulgently drawn out. Despite the title, it feels as though the album draws more from the 80s than the naughties. His liberal use of drum machines, particularly on the tracks “Old Skool” and “16 Beat”, firmly ground them in the pop of that decade – pulsating synths, disk scratching, and hooks aplenty. This is not to say that Summer 08 is conventional in its approach to pop music. Mount makes use of his fair share of unusual melodies and arrangements. The album’s opener, “Back Together,” features quirky chord progressions and a hilarious mock exchange between two parties in a pretentiously unfurling romance,“I’ll see if I can book us a table somewhere really really good”. The final cut, “Summer Jam,” is a primarily instrumental track that builds groove-upon-groove into a dense crescendo of
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The relationship a band has with its local following is always special. The size of the band is irrelevant to the overall perspective - from the Beatles and their special, legendary rapport with the city of Liverpool to, in the modern age, Nottingham’s very own Jake Bugg whose support on the streets of Clifton and the local area is unmatched. For such relations to remain evident requires two main factors - for the people of the area to continue to identify with the band or artist in times of both overall success, and for the band to never forget their roots. Rarely can this be seen more strongly in evidence than between The Cribs and the unwavering support they have always had in their home county of Yorkshire. Their homecoming show at Millennium Square, right at the heart of Leeds City Centre, was not only the culmination of their years of work, but also a reward for all the fans that had followed them from the days of The Cribs and The New Fellas, through the Johnny Marr-era of Ignore the Ignorant up to their most recent release For All My Sisters. The crowd was packed early, many turning out to see the support acts, and there was limited space at the front by the time the Jarmans emerged and broke into Men’s Needs track ‘Ancient History’. The singalong ‘I’m a Realist’, followed by the jangly catchy riff of ‘Different Angle’ set the tone for a memorable night as the sun set in the background of the church tower in the square.
Scratching for a negative, the setlist could have been better. An issue with being a fan of The Cribs is they could play for four hours and you would still be waiting for ‘just that one song’. When one song craving is satisfied you think of another! That said, the inclusion of ‘Wish I Knew You in the 90s’ ahead of other, more popular b-sides was questionable - as was the decision to open with ‘Ancient History’ over their usual approach of ‘Mirror Kissers’. Notable crowd-friendly omissions were ‘You’re Gonna Lose Us’, ‘Girls Like Mystery, ‘You Were Always The One’ and ‘It Was Only Love’. Let this not intrude on the fact that highlights of this memorable gig were plentiful - the ever-frantic ‘Our Bovine Public’, the acoustic ‘Shoot The Poets’, the emotive ‘Pink Snow’ to name a few. However, the two that stood out for yours truly were the nod to Johnny Marr when ‘We Were Aborted’ and ‘We Share The Same Skies’, both from the ‘Ignore The Ignorant’ LP, were played back to back, or the first outing of ‘Leather Jacket Love Song’ since 2013 which was met with a raucous, resoundingly positive response. The conclusions? The Jarmans aren’t going anywhere. I attended Millennium Square that day expecting it to feel, as I stated earlier in the article, as a culmination of their success, almost reaching the end of the book. Instead, I left expecting, and hoping, that extra chapters are to be written in the story of this fairytale relationship between a band and fans. Watch this space.
the cribs
@ millennium squarehie Banks by Arc
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a peek into the world of
Natalie McCool by Luke Matthews
Singer/songwriter cum “Perfect-Pop” princess Natalie McCool is about to embark on the biggest journey of her career so far. Tomorrow marks the release of her hotly-tipped sophomore album ‘The Great Unknown’, a follow up to her self-titled debut back in 2013. In our exclusive interview, we hear of how her music has developed over the last 3 years, how social media plays an important role in her creative identity, and what we can expect from her upcoming month-long tour. You have 3 hashtags to sum up Natalie McCool and her music, which would they be? Oh my god, this is hard. Ok, #popwithabrain. The next one would be #liltpop, and then the last would be #newmusic. Speaking of hashtags, I’ve noticed you’re a fan of social media. How important is social media to you in terms of getting your name out there and also interacting with fans? It’s great for interacting with people, I like replying to people; once someone tweets you, I think it’s nice to reply instead of just liking the tweet, and actually engage in a conversation. It makes
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your world a bit more conversational, instead of just putting music out there, you’re creating relationships with people and I think that’s really nice. I’ve got really into Instagram over the past couple months, I’ve never really used it that well before but now I’m really enjoying it! Also, I’ve been posting loads of videos to Facebook; I’ve been doing a countdown to my album by doing a strip-backed video of each track each day, that’s been great. If you could only keep one form of social media, which would it be? I love all 3 that I use equally, but I think … I’m really into Instagram at the moment so I’m going to go for Instagram. I think it’s because it’s not so much about being an artist, it’s more about what you can show the world; what bits of your world can you show to other people. It’s quite artistic; I’m really into that. Moving onto Merseyside, how much of an influence has your upbringing had on both you being a musician and your musical tastes? Yeah, quite big! I grew up in Widnes, which is
going to be part of Merseyside, I think it’s part of Cheshire currently but they’re making it part of Merseyside which will be weird. I used to play a lot of youth nights where you could go along every Saturday morning, rehearse in bands and do whatever music you wanted, then at the end of the month they’d have a big gig and it’d be quite cool. Aside from those, there used to be a lot of 14+ pub nights where you could go along and play in your band – that would be cool. That really influenced me when I was around 14 and getting into writing music and songs. I used to play a lot of folk nights and ‘Open Mic’ nights too, which was really nice. All of my friends used to do music as well – it was quite a big thing where I was from. Also, going to uni and moving to Liverpool, I used to put on my own gigs. When I was 17 I put on my own gig and I played and all my friends’ bands played as well. So your new album ‘The Great Unknown’ is released on the 16th September. I’ve had a cheeky listen but I’d like to know what we could expect from the album? How does it differ from your self-titled debut? It’s really quite an honest album; it’s about my own growth over the past 2 years. It’s about issues that I have – not necessarily bad ones. It’s about my mind really, my conscious and subconscious, whatever’s in there as I’ve been writing it. That’s like the biggest overarching theme. It’s basically about relationships that I have with other people and myself really. From that perspective, it’s quite raw and edgy and very honest. It’s quite different from my first album, which sounds quite mature in comparison. You can expect quite quirky, pop-production – there are a lot of cool guitar sounds and hard textures. There’s a range of different songs; there’s one that sounds quite indie-rock ballad whereas it goes straight into bubbly pop. It’s a really varied album, I always worry that it could be too varied but everyone who’s heard it has said, “no, you can tell that it’s all from you”. Where did inspiration for the name emerge? It’s a lyric from one of the songs ‘Oh Danger’, which on the surface is about my fear of flying (which obviously now I’ve overcome). On a bigger scale, the album is about the risks you take in life and how everything in life could be a risk but it doesn’t matter because that’s what life is about. It’s about this ‘great unknown’ that you have to go through to really live your life and make the most of it.
Huw Stephens, Clash Magazine and others have been quoted as saying you’re “pop perfection”. Would you agree and how does today’s music industry affect your vision of how a song will sound when you’re writing? Yeah, that sounds great; I mean I love “perfect pop” songs. There’s something magical about having a perfect pop song. One of my all-time favourite pop songs is New Radicals’ ‘You Get What You Give’; that is just an amazing song because everyone knows it and everyone loves it. Another song for me that’s perfect is ‘Black Magic’ by Little Mix – amazing! It’s such a well-written song but it’s fun and always new when you listen to it. It’s just a never-ending experiment. What can we expect from your show in Nottingham? I think one thing is you’ll just remember the songs. You’ll probably go away singing one of the songs definitely. I think people don’t really know what to expect when they see me live because on the record there’s so many ways that you could perform each song live; you could do it with backing tracks or you could do it with a live band. I think when you come see it live it’ll make a lot more sense. So yeah live we play in a trio with James the synth player, I sing and play the guitar and then Laura the drummer plays a mixture of acoustic and electric drum kit. It’s a real mix of beefy electronic sounds, big synths and also the acoustic element; although I’ve got my guitar, I’ve got a lot of pedals which for anyone who plays guitar will be interested in watching it as well. If you were forced to pick just one to play for the rest of your life, would you choose festivals or your own tour and why? Ooh, that is so hard. I’d probably pick my own tour, just because no matter what, everyone in that room is there for you and your music; which is really cool. My last question’s one I ask everyone. If you could headline a gig anywhere in the world with 3 support acts (past or present), where would it be and which 3 supports would you choose? Oh wow, PJ Harvey, Jeff Buckley and The Weeknd. That’d be cool, that feels so weird that they’d be supporting me. You know what, I’d choose that big canyon in America; I think it’s in Colorado. It’s a natural rock formation but they use it for gigs as well, it looks so cool. I think it’s called Red Rocks.
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NOW BOARDING
S UMM E R
‘ 1 6
Destination: Live Music
by Gabriel Burrow Nos Alive (formerly Optimus Alive) is a Lisbon based festival that boasts excellent line-ups year after year. 2016 was no different, with acts like Radiohead, Arcade Fire and Chemical Brothers performing lengthy main stage sets. If you’ve done the rounds of English festivals a few too many times Nos is an excellent way to branch out - you might even come by some decent weather. There’s something to be said for milling around a muddy field, but a woodland campsite with a pool and the music starting at five each temperate evening is a winning combination. There were a number of stand-out moments at Nos. Father John Misty’s set was brimming with charm and wit. Tillman singing and shouting his way through the jealousy ridden anthem “Nothing Good Happens at the Goddam Thirsty Crow” was a masterclass in showmanship. More withdrawn in their manner, but no less enjoyable, Radiohead were exceptional and even reluctantly played “Creep” near the end of their set - Thom Yorke sarkily asked “what do you think” in a manner that made it clear that they’ve been obliged to play the song a few too many times. Grimes delivered what was in some ways a remarkable set. Between songs
she repeatedly thanked fans for their support in her high pitched Canadian speaking voice and explain that she wrote this next one with a “dear friend” of hers. She would then let out a feral shriek and burst into maniacal singing and dancing. The most notable example of this was her delivery of Taiwanese rapper Aristophanes’ feature “SCREAM” off her most recent record; she proudly announced that she would be performing the version with Russian lyrics, which proved equally hard to decipher. Some of the crowd were visibly perplexed and the few who had mistakenly expected a reserved pop set from start to finish promptly left. The combined effect was unsettling, amusing, and made for something uniquely captivating. The festival offered a somewhat streamlined experience. As the campsite was not part of the main festival ground shuttle buses ran regularly between the two. This had both its advantages and disadvantages; on one hand pitching in a wooded area complete with swimming pool was perfect, but attempting to get a bus to the main arena at a busy time resulted in being stuck in traffic without much in the way of air conditioning. When we did arrive at the festival we were greeted by local bands playing on a large ring that served as the entrance. It was a novel way of allowing lesser known groups to play to thousands of people, if only for a few minutes as they came in. Nos Alive was an excellent summer getaway and definitely worth considering for people who want to see some of the world’s best bands while catching some sun.
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by Katie Clubb The annual Dot to Dot festival was a fantastic day giving the opportunity to explore a plethora of quirky venues in Nottingham which were showcasing a wealth of talent. Walking around the town centre on the bank holiday you could feel a buzz in the air, and with the European Archery championships staged in the old town square as well, the streets were saturated with people, many of whom were carrying parts of drum kits and lugging around an assortment of instruments. Early in the day one could have been seen at Rough trade for their first act Jamie Moon, an acoustic folk artist accompanied by his band. They gathered a large crowd in the intimate space however the crowd were shy to move to the front and politely listened leaving an open semi-circle. The songs were fairly reflective but seemingly uplifting at the same time, coupled with delicate guitar arrangements and finger picking. It was very easy listening and could be closely compared to Ben Howard’s most recent album “I Forget Where We Were”. They played the unexpectedly upbeat song “Cold Hands” towards the end of the set which changed the mood dramatically. This was a crowd favourite and got everyone bobbing along. The Bodega is probably the venue that holds the most gigs in Nottingham on a day-to-day basis, and can host a couple hundred people comfortably. Into The Ark, a duo playing acoustic soul were playing the packed Bodega bar. Their voices blended wonderfully and it was a really feel good performance, with pain passion and groove in every song. Later on in the day Warhaus quickly filled the bar of Bode-
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ga with passers-by enticed by the sound. With big sounds assisted by an array of instruments including a trumpet, he managed to recreate in a live setting his sultry, film-noire inspired music. A solo project fronted by Maarten Devoldere of the Belgian band, Balthazar, showed how his years on the stage have served him well. He confidently took to the stage with just one supporting member. There was limited interaction with the crowd, possibly due to the language barrier, but either way Devoldere did a good job of not only attracting people but retaining them, staving off their curiosity for what lies in other venues, which can be a difficult feat at festivals like D2D when there are so many acts on at once. The headline slot at Rock City was occupied by the wonderful Mystery Jets, a 5 piece guitar-indie band. They delivered a surprising setlist that gave both a view to the past, with tracks from early albums such as ‘Twenty one’ and ‘Serotonin’, as well as a few from the latest album ‘Curve Of The Earth’ that was released in January of this year. Blaine opened with ‘Telomere’ from this album, which took major influences from Pink Floyd. It seemed a bit shaky at first but got progressively stronger and more powerful throughout the song. Feel good crowd favourite ‘Serotonin’ immediately captured the audience and had them stamping their feet and screaming back the lyrics. ‘Flash a hungry smile’ featured early in the set too and is a track not often played at live gigs, an excitable song you can whistle along to, with the witty line “Have you heard the birds and bees have all got STDs”! ‘Bombay Blue’ and and ‘Bubblegum’ steered the mood in
a different direction, introspective and emotive with twangs of sadness after the upbeat ‘Half in Love with Elizabeth’. This did, however, give us a good opportunity to sway and catch our breath. The Mystery Jets united the crowd in the second to last song, calling for entire crowd participation to sing out the chorus of ‘Two Doors Down’ It created a fantastic atmosphere, everyone belting out “I think I’m in love with a girl who lives two doors down”. Some were therefore left feeling a little disappointed after this massive high by the choice of ‘Alice Springs’ as the show closer, a slow reflective song from the album Serotonin which isn’t as memorable compared to other overlooked favourites. Over at Trent SU, the headline slot was occupied by none other than the fantastic Temper Trap. Known for their hit single ‘Sweet Disposition’, they have so much more under their belt and this has only been embellished by the release of their most recent album, Thick as Thieves, from which they performed new songs ‘Burn’ and ‘Fall Together’. Since forming in 2005 the band have gone from strength to strength, honing their music through years of touring; this was highlighted by a smashing performance of ‘Drumming Song’ which the packed room sung in almost perfect synchrony. No inch of Nottingham was left unaffected by the dulcets sounds of music coming from even the most unusual of venues, including a Bakery and a Christian café. The magic of D2D is the ability to stroll between venues and soak up some local talent, hence each branch of the festival has its own roster of city-specific bands which may not have otherwise received the attention. Many rumours were circulating as to who the much anticipated ‘secret headliner’ could be. It’s always been known to be a local band, and tonight this came in the form of Crosa Rosa, a stunning psychedelic rock band, who despite the late hour did a solid job of waking the crowd up through their high-energy
performance which saw them crowd surfing and a fan scaling the speakers for the final number ‘Turn Me Around’. With grungy, distorted guitars and lead singer Joe’s coarse vocals, the band are certainly on to something and could very well go on to follow the same path of success as other D2D alumni. Mt Wolf were a perfect way to wind down the night after seeing the various headliners. Playing Stealth, the venue most renowned for its intimate feel. This provided a good backdrop for the band to showcase their slimmer lineup as a trio following the loss of lead vocalist Kate Sproule last year. Despite the fewer members they still managed to fill the room with their brand of beautiful noise for which they are becoming well known. With soaring, Sigur Ros-esque vocals over the sounds of the guitar, songs like Anacrusis are stunning and have a Bon Iver feel to them. The band are a sound of summer, almost a shame that they played so late in the night as they provide the sort of music anyone would enjoy while sitting under the sun, though they will certainly have opportunities to do this when they tour the festival circuit, playing festivals including Secret Garden Party and Tramlines. A tremendous set from a really unique band whose music speaks for itself and is as such attracting fans in those who stumble across them. Lastly Baba Naga played a late night set at 2:00am. This was a very unique act, hugely different from anything some may had seen that day. Lead guitarist Dan Booth describes their sound as a “strange psychotropic trip, a communion of continual frequency on a cosmic paradox, a sonic bombardment of the senses.” It was just that, with the unstructured performance causing you to lose yourself in the music. A great end to such an eclectic day. Read the full review online at themicmagazine. co.uk.
by Claire Chambers Splendour 2016 returned to the grounds of Wollaton Park on the 23rd July for the eighth year running, promising a great line-up. The festival was a sell- out with 23,000 spectators turning out for the self- billed family festival. There was glorious weather with not a drop of rain and many festival goers arrived anticipating an excellent day ahead. As well as three music stages, there was a comedy stage and kids area, providing plenty for all the punters attending to enjoy. Despite the queues, nothing could dim the excitement of attending a festival at Wayne Manor. Heading over to the main stage at halfone, the crowds had already started amassing to begin the day and local act Ady Suleiman provided the chilled out vibe required, with his slick, sunny blend of soul, hip hop and reggae. His music provided the perfect opportunity to relax and prepare for the fun and festivities ahead in the heat of the day and was warmly received by the crowd. He was followed onto the main stage by South African singer- songwriter Jeremy Loops, who deftly merged growling beats with rhythmic folk. Jeremy has stated previously that he prefers playing live because he likes getting the crowd involved – something that was clear to see here. Turin Brakes kept up the momentum, fusing together a tapestry of sounds and soothing the
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crowd with their indie sensibilities, their 2003 hit “Painkiller” was a particular winner. The Confetti stage also had its fair share of enjoyable acts, namely Nottingham duo These Your Children, with their lilting melodies and gorgeous, soaring harmonies. This couldn’t be more at a contrast to another act that performed on this particular stage, Stiff Little Fingers. The punk rock band from Northern Ireland thrilled the crowd with their spiky, jagged vocals, coupled with energy and anger to spare. Their upfront style has always pleased their fans and this set should have won them a whole bunch of new ones. For those who stayed out in the sun a little longer, Ellie’s Keegan’s set later on in the afternoon was a treat. Originating from Warsop, Ellie cites artists like Ed Sheeran and the Nashville music scene as inspiration for her sound and these influences came across in her music. Her tune “Change Your Ways” was a delightful ditty and the tender performance style and her sweet awkwardness added a rawness and charm to the performance. Hopefully we will be seeing more from Ellie in the future. One of the anticipated highlights of the festival, UB40, provided a backdrop to the party that was unfurling across the grounds and supplied
a few singalong hits, amongst them “Red Red Wine”. Their performance at the main stage was the first time the band had played Splendour, after a sell-out show at Rock City in 2014. The atmosphere over at the Confetti stage for Glaswegian trio The Fratellis was throbbing and the band smashed it. The crowd’s reception to their two top ten hits “Whistle for the Choir” and “Chelsea Dagger” was epic and provided a memorable moment as the evening kicked in and left those assembled with huge smiles on their faces. For those who were in the mood for 80s nostalgia, Sheffield band The Human League delivered in droves, performing their back catalogue of synthesizer-drizzled pop hits. They were pretty spectacular and frontman Phil Oakley knows how to work a crowd. Those who resisted the lure of leaving early to see The Darkness start their set over on the Confetti stage were rewarded with a rendition of “Electric Dreams”, followed by a version of the classic “Don’t You Want Me” in which the audience filled in the lyrics. The Darkness’s set reminded us what a fantastic rock band they are. They may have separated and since re-reformed, however for those who loved them first time around, or even those who are fresh fans (like the eight year old in the crowd), their raucous brand of joyous, spiky rock and roll shows how fortunate the world is that they reformed. Their energetic performance of “One Way Ticket” was probably
heard across Nottingham (if not the whole of the county). They also performed their wellknown hits such as “Love Is Only a Feeling” and “I Believe in a Thing called Love”, before Justin Hawkins launched himself into the crowd, riding aloft on an adoring public’s shoulders, before finishing their set off with an amazing guitar riff. And so to the final act; the headliner, Jess Glynne. Having seen her perform at previous festivals, I had doubted her ability to transform herself into a mainstream star. I shouldn’t have doubted her. Performing for the first time in her role as a headline act, she brought her polished brand of shimmery pop to the grounds at Wollaton and proved what a fine performer she is. She entertained with several of her hits, including “Right Here” and the emotional “Take Me Home”, before finishing with the electrifying “Hold My Hand”, which probably lingered in most people’s heads long after her performance had ended. Her act proved a fitting finale to a superb day of music. There are so many other acts to mention, but it is difficult to talk about them all. The Rifles and Jamie Lawson gave particularly excellent performances and I will be checking them out on Spotify. Splendour 2016 was an enjoyable summer day out. Like the confetti from which the stage took its name, the acts were varied and there was plenty at the festival for everyone, regardless of musical tastes.
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by Ceryn Morris In its 19th year Oxfordshire’s Independent festival seems to soar with popularity, selling out its 3 day event weeks in advance, and hosting some of the best indie and rock acts on the current scene. This year boasted the festival’s biggest headliners yet – Catfish and the Bottlemen, Manic Street Preachers and Kodaline – whilst also spotlighting the best of the UK’s up and coming acts. Each stage had its own style – the Truck Stage hosting the headliners alongside a mixture of bands including Band App winners and the legendary Mr Motivator; The Market Stage also hosted some of the most popular bands of the weekend including Mystery Jets, Soak, Eliza and the Bear and the Switch DJs; The Nest stage (a new addition to the festival) had a more hard rock and punk vibe hosting bands such as NeckDeep, Spring King and Spector. There was also an array of smaller stages including the Great Western Saloon Bar which is famed for its western style and swing doors; the Veterans and Virgins stage which hosted a mixture of styles including bands who have stuck by the festival for the past 19 years and others who play the festival for the first time; and finally the Palm City and Horizon stage which had its own unique club vibe.
Despite growing in size Truck has kept its intimate and unique style catering for both families and teens/ twenty-somethings. The general atmosphere was one of joy – partially due to the glorious sunshine that lasted the whole weekend – and hilarity whilst also being completely laid back. There was no exclusivity at all and the artists themselves seemed to enjoy and stay to soak up the infectious atmosphere after their sets, enabling us to mosh away to Catfish whilst stood next to the Eliza and the Bear boys, bumping in to Izzy B from the brilliant Black Honey after Sundara Karma’s set and dancing with the BandApp winners Judas in the Silent Disco. The festival also held its annual paint fight staining the grass including the clothes and skin of the attendees and colouring the block letters at the entrance of the arena. Its signature Helter Skelter and Ferris Wheel allowed festival goers views of the whole site whilst also providing ‘Coachella-esque’ photo opportunities. From discovering our severe sunburn in the mosh pits, decorating ourselves with endless amounts of glitter, dancing to DJs creating beats from decks fitted in wheelie bins, receiving a free Christian healing and devouring glorious burritos, pizzas and rustic kebabs from the numerous food stalls – the weekend was definitely one to remember.
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diary of
creamfields by Ashley Kippax
Set in the surrounding fields of Daresbury, Creamfields 2016 can take great pleasure in claiming its title as the UK’s best dance music festival. Get set for The Mic’s 4 day review of this incredible festival.
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Day 1
Amongst many other keen Creamfields fanatics, we arrived bright and early on Thursday August 25th ready for a long weekend of mud, intoxication and sleep deprivation. Of course, in true bank holiday fashion, it was raining upon arrival- fortunately this didn’t hinder our excitement and after 2 long hours attempting to pitch a tent, we were sipping Strongbow Dark Fruits with hundreds of campers in the brand new Silver & Gold Campsites. Thursday night, comprising of a silent disco, was the best kick-start to the weekend. DJ SKT certainly got the crowd buzzing when he dropped his most popular track ‘Take Me Away’.
Day 2
Friday night saw the brand new Arc Stage in all its glory! Aussies NERVO had the crowd lit from the beginning, followed by Knife Party who didn’t disappoint. Sad to have missed him, Armin Van Buuren was the talk of the campsites the following morning after an incredible performance. Instead for me, it was off to the newly hyped up ‘Steel Yard’ to witness Eric Prydz in his first of two appearances as ‘Cirez D’ and what a venue for such a top guy! The Steel Yard was on fire, and that fire started blazing when Chase and Status turned up the heat and performed fan favourites including ‘Machine Gun’ and ‘International’.
Day 3
Saturday, the day that wouldn’t end until 4am Sunday morning, started with a hint of disappointment- word on the street was that Martin Garrix couldn’t make it #gutted. However, without dwelling on the negatives, AVICII certainly made up for it with his LAST EVER UK performance! ‘The Nights’ and ‘Wake Me Up’ were insane and his finale song ‘Levels’ ended in an emotional array of fireworks and a ‘Thank- You’ speech never to be forgotten. The end of his act was just setting the foundations of the rest of the night. Jack U undoubtedly ‘Took Us There’. And although, sadly for us he never endured another 24 hour DJ set, garage legend DJ EZ tore it up in what was proven to be the ‘Jam Packed’ Stage.
Day 4
Sunday, the line-up I was waiting for - Hannah Wants, Calvin Harris, Annie Mac, Tiesto (to name a few). The clashes on this final day were enough to bring a tear to your eye, but none-the-less, it remains to be the most memorable night of my life. Eric Prydz, once again in the Steel Yard, was hands down the most incredible scene. With ravers flocking in from all over the Creamfields site, he was well worth jumping the barriers and being chased by the security for. The stage production in this brand new super-structure was off the scale- in fact you’d never have another opportunity to witness LED lights and lasers like it, it was absolutely epic.
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The Verdict
Overall, Creamfields 2016 was top class. I mean camping wasn’t great (although FYI, the Silver/Gold upgrade was completely worth it - mainly due to the pamper tent), of course the food was under-cooked and not to mention the exploitation involved in charging £4.25 for a cold carton of orange juice! But who eats at festivals anyway? In all honesty, you should be 100% gutted if you missed Creamfields 2016. I’m not even sure you can consider yourself a true raver until you go. Don’t miss out next year, see you in Silver!
by Luke Barnard As someone who has never experienced Leeds festival before I had no idea what to expect; it turned out to be an explosion of rain, mud and one of the best music experiences of my life. As soon as the festival kicked off there were great bands performing. US pop punk band State Champs kicked off the festival on the main stage, providing a stellar start to the festival. One act that struck me as one to watch for the future was Spring King. This was illustrated by how their show on the NME stage attracted more and more passers by who had heard their music wafting out of the tent. However, show of the day had to go to Fall Out Boy. They combined their great standard of live performance with fireworks, aerial dancers and fire performers - a unique show you just wouldn’t find anywhere else. Likewise, regular performers at Leeds Biffy Clyro showed just why they are always asked back with an excellent performance. Saturday brought a whole new experience to the festival as Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes introduced a very different attitude to the table. Around their set time the day before festival goers were treated to Tonight Alive’s lead singer giving a short speech on always being who you are despite what others think. Frank Carter took a different approach. He decided to start a circle pit, jumped into the crowd and shouted out “ if any of you crash into me i’ll deck you!” Good music though. As the day went on grime was showcased by a number of its biggest artists in the UK - Boy Better Know put on a decent show despite being a bit out of place at Leeds. The music on the main stage soon returned to business as usual with Foals taking over. Their set was entirely different to that of their co-headliners Disclosure and they were a welcome change of pace. Instead of staying for Disclosure’s full set I decided to head down to the Festival Republic Stage to see Maximo Park and Pulled Apart by Horses. Whilst the latter wasn’t a festival highlight, Maximo Park were outstanding. It was odd for such
a good band to be on a smaller stage - another one to check out if you haven’t heard them. After 2 great days of music it was a bittersweet experience to approach the sunday and the last day of Leeds. This was, however, the best day of the festival. I started the day with Sundara Karma on the main stage, but wasn’t until Slaves came on that the day really kicked off. They were slightly delayed due to the lead singer and drummer for the two man band having dislocated his shoulder an hour before the set. They still managed to play the full set without it letting it hinder their performance - a massive show of how much the band cared about their fans and everyone who had come to see them play. Eagles of Death Metal followed, providing a classic rock show filled with the whole band showcasing their incredible instrumental talent in the form some absolutely blistering solos. An entertaining set all round. Then came The Courteeners, which was without a doubt my personal favourite performance of the festival. I had heard about how passionate their fans were, but it wasn’t until I was surrounded by smoke grenades, flares and people losing their minds for the beginning of every song and singing every word did I see what they meant. Their performance was amazing as well if you could see past all the smoke. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers set was the biggest example of the problem with festivals - the clashes. After debating whether we should stay for the full RHCP set or leave for Two Door Cinema Club I chose TDCC and was not disappointed. The organisers have gone on record that TDCC and The 1975 were possible future headliners and after seeing their show I could easily see them as headliners for Reading and Leeds sometime in the next 5 years. An amazing end to an amazing 3 days. If you’ve never been can’t recommend enough that you go. It’s an experience every music lover should have.
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spotlight on...
TWIN KIDD by Luke Matthews In recent years, talent has oozed from every corner of Nottingham. We’ve witnessed bands form from the most intriguing of situations; one in particular having caught our eye... Introducing TWIN KIDD, a delightful trio comprising creative individuals Stef Williamson, Rich Lyon and Sam Davies. Stef’s ardour for music stems back into childhood, but it is only really recently that she has revealed her talent to the world. Although TWIN KIDD are undoubtedly the fresh faces on Nottingham’s scene - having only started gigging in February of this year – you can’t deny their ability and this has shown through their debut single ‘Fade’ receiving national airplay on BBC Radio 6. With the recent release of their sublime debut
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‘Fold’, TWIN KIDD continue to go from strength to strength. The four-track EP unveils an experimental blend, which majestically bridges the gap between alternative and pop. Stef’s subtle swagger is evocative yet delicately settles on the resonant bass and plucky electronic notes. The sky’s the limit in terms of how far they will continue to grow, hoping to win over the far reaches of the nation, only time will tell just how rapid their rise will be. We’re sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of TWIN KIDD this year; rumour has it ‘Fold’ will be receiving a live recording and we’ll also be treated to a video for ‘Fade’. If you can’t wait that long though, be sure to catch them at Hockley Hustle this October.
meet the committee!
Communications
Name: Ashley Kippax Course: Sociology & Social Policy Year: 3rd Music Tastes: Mumford and Sons to Eric Prydz! EDM is my favourite. Fave Night Out: includes Sambuca, a decent venue and my bffs. Best Music Memory: I had one of the best nights of my life, front row at Mumford and Sons last year!
Editor In Chief
Name: Luke Course: Maths Year: 4th Music Tastes: Indie, House, Cheese & 00s Fave Night Out: Ocean Best Music Memory: Having a beer with You Me At Six at Reading 2014
Social Secretary
Communications
Name: Archie Banks Course: Criminology and Sociology Year: 2nd Music Tastes: How do you answer this one? Fave Night Out: Bopp Best Music Memory: Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines headlining Leeds in successive years - impossible to split!
President
Name: Gabriel Burrow Course: History Year: 3rd Music Tastes: Broad, like me some Flaming Lips Fave Night Out: Stealth or Ocean - both have their merits Best Music Memory: A sweet serenade from Father John Misty
Name: Ceryn Morris Course: English Year: 2nd Music Tastes: Indie/Folk/Rock Fave Night Out: Bopp/ Stealth vs Rescue Best Music Memory: Seeing Mumford and Sons with Ben Howard, The Vaccines and Edward Sharpe in Phoenix Park
Treasurer
Marketing
Name: Ellie McCall Course: Management Year: 2nd Music Tastes: Psychedelic Indie Rock Fave Night Out: Bodega / Rescue Rooms with live music Best Music Memory: Getting on stage at 30 Seconds To Mars / Interviewing Mystery Jets
Name: Luke Barnard Course: Finance, Accounting and Management Year: 2nd Music Tastes: Pop Punk, Rock, Indie Fave Night Out: Sugar Ape at the Bodega Best Music Memory: The Courteeners at Leeds Festival 2016
Editor
Name: Emilio Cruzalegui Course: Hispanic Studies and History Year: 2nd Music Tastes: Pretty much anything and everything Fave Night Out: Hockney Best Music Memory: Going to my first big arena gig in Paris to see Coldplay. Was a pretty magical experience for sure.
Editor
Name: Lok Yee (Loxy) Course: English Year: 2nd Music Tastes: Indie/Rock Fave Night Out: Ocean Best Music Memory: Yannis from Foals jumping off the balcony at Rock City
Publishing Director
Name: Betty Owoo Course: Architecture Year: 3rd Music Tastes: Indie, Nu Disco, Hip Hop, High School Musical Fave Night Out: Ocean/Caramello/ Hockney/Bopp Best Music Memory: Meeting Lucy Rose after her show at the Bodega
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