Week In Review

Our week in Lisbon for Web Summit 2016!

Latest News, Week In Review

Last week we took our first ever trip to Web Summit; Europe’s Largest Technology Marketplace. The event, which was previously held in Dublin has grown considerably over the last 5 years, starting from a 400 capacity event to now attracting over 55,000 people in 2016.

Having read stories online we had an idea of what to expect but we soon found they were far from the truth as soon as we arrived, for all the right reasons. The event was huge.. not only in one arena but also 3 other pavilions conveniently aligned with the MEO Arena. To get to the main arena you had to pass through all the other pavilions – so you didn’t miss out on any aspect of the event; something greatly supported by the startup businesses exhibiting and pitching.

We flew from Manchester to Lisbon and went a day early so we could do some sight-seeing of this old but really beautiful City. Wherever you looked there was mentions of Web Summit and branding all over. Taxi drivers and bar owners told us about how the City was going to be so busy over the next week or so.

On the first night we were greeted by an opening talk from Paddy Crosgrave the brainchild behind Web Summit and the Portuguese Prime minister. They were joined by 200 Portuguese start up businesses that were exhibiting at the event across the 3 days. This opening ceremony was electric as 15,000 crammed into the arena. An additional 3000 people watched on a big screen outside the venue.

14955812_1826685190886127_1076600022311545771_n
The rest of the week was jam packed with talks from some of the biggest names in technology and business, celebrities, musicians and world famous footballers. Then there was the exhibition day which was ridiculously draining but so positive and engaging at the same time.

We met thousands and thousands of people throughout the day and made some brilliant contacts. We saw a surge in downloads after the event (We think it was the freebies that helped!). In our area we were the only music type business so it attracted lots of attention. We even managed to appear on a Facebook live video with our Founder; Dane Swindells being interviewed by Product Hunt Founder Ryan Hoover!

After the exhibition day it was time for the Night Summit and Pub Crawls, something which we tried to put off all week due to having to be awake really early to exhibit! It was brilliant to get to chat to people from all over the world and just enjoy a few drinks whilst chatting about the madness of the last few days. We truly believe we have made some friends for life and brilliant contacts and partnerships we can use moving forward.

We are hoping to head back out to Lisbon next year for Web Summit 2017.

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #15: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

It’s safe to say we’ve just about passed most of the way through the music awards season, after the BRITs the other week with lots of live performances and no real drama (apart from Drake grinding on Rihanna, obvs) and the Grammy’s where T-Swizzle finally stood up to the one and only Yeezus, Kanye West. Now that’s out the way, we can get back to the real deal, as many artists and bands across March will be heading across the UK and Europe on their own headline tours. We’ve handpicked our top five for this weeks Gig Pic Guide, which we think are worth heading down to…

 

ADELE

There was absolutely no doubt in the fact that Adele pretty much cleaned up at the BRITs last week, and rightly so. The singer-songwriter who hails from Tottenham, wiped the floor with the rest of the nominees as she went onto triumphantly win the awards for Global Success, Best British Female Artist, Best Album and Best British Single of the year. Some may say this is well deserved, after Adele made a comeback after the star went on a five year hiatus, pushing back her album after claiming she wasn’t ready to release. And perhaps this was a positive thing, as when she was finally ready, Adele came back with arguably the biggest hit of all time in the world of pop, which of course was Hello. Hello has racked up over 1 billion views on YouTube, and is still climbing as she stormed the VEVO Record title and stole the crowd from Taylor Swift and her video for Bad Blood. Not too shabby, eh? Despite claiming she would never do an arena tour… Well, she is now! Adele is about to currently embark on a mammoth tour across the UK, playing multiple dates for various cities and she’ll start off this week in Manchester. You can buy remaining tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE 

 

THE 1975

The 1975… You either love them, or hate them. Despite their hugely successful start in the music industry back in 2013 with their debut single Chocolate, they were dubbed as one of the UK’s most exciting bands. Skip to 2016, and we as music fans seem to have very divided opinions on the Manchester and Cheshire born-band, who consist of Matty Healy, George Daniels, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. With a little bit of arrogance and swagger thrown in (usually with a bottle of red wine) people are usually quick to slate frontman Matty Healy, son of Denise Welch and Tim Healy. But what people forget is their ability to make brilliantly catchy tunes, albeit usually more on the poppy side – but still pretty damn good. With a huge following all over the world, it seems like The 1975 are the ones who are laughing now. The four-piece have just released their extravagantly named second album ‘I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it’ (Erm – what a mouthful!) which has hit number 1 around the world, and are now celebrating the success of the new record with a UK tour, which started off in London, before heading round the rest of the UK. To buy remaining tickets, click here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

CLEAN CUT KID

Liverpool-based band Clean Cut Kid seemed to have arrived on the music scene fully formed and ready to roll, since appearing in our lives last year. Comprising of Mike Halls, Evelyn Halls, Saul Godman and Ross Higginson, the four piece have graced us fans and critics alike with their infectious melodies and poetic lyrics, creating hit tracks such as Vitamin C (which was recently performed in Radio 1’s Live Lounge) and more recently Jean, which was released towards the end of 2015 last year. After supporting the likes of Fickle Friends and Shura in recent months, Clean Cut Kid are about to embark on a mini tour, visiting Liverpool, Manchester and London. There are only a handful of tickets left for each show, so make sure you snatch them up whilst you can here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

MODEL AEROPLANES 

With hints of Vampire Weekend and Two Door Cinema Club running throughout their tracks, Model Aeroplanes are the perfect Scottish alternative to fall in love with. The band from Dundee, who formed back in 2013, have had a whirlwind of a journey so far since starting out. Made up by Rory (vocals, guitar), Grant (lead guitar, vocals), Ben (bass) and Kieran (drums, vocals), they’ve released a collection of fun and fresh tracks laden with plenty of hooks and choruses to get you singing along. Despite still being in their late teens, the four-piece have been supported by the BBC continuously over the past couple of years, playing on the introducing stages at both T in the Park and Radio 1’s Big Weekend, which shows just how skillfully talented the four lads have come to be in their younger years. And if their recent EP Something Like Heaven is anything to go by, they’re set for a huge career. Model Aeroplanes are currently on tour, stopping off in Bristol tonight before making their way further up North and ending in Leeds. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

JAKE ISAAC

If you’re looking for a soulful and absorbingly honest voice, chances are, Jake Isaac is the guy you’re looking for. The singer-songwriter who originally hails from South London, has won the hearts of many music fans with his rare talent and humble persona. And not only music fans love him, Jake Isaac went onto support the likes of Paloma Faith, Ella Eyre and Josh Record. Despite being unsigned for a little while as he started out, he went on to be snapped up by Elton John’s management and label, just a week before he made his debut at Glastonbury Festival. Good timing, right? A few EP’s later, Isaac is now setting off on his own tour, continuing in Bristol tonight and Leeds tomorrow before heading off to gig around Europe. You can buy your tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

Photography by EST. 1987

 

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #14: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

We’re nearly at the end of February now, which can only mean one thing… We’re one month closer to festival season! To get us warmed up for the summer months, here at Gig Pic we have sourced the best gigs for you to get down to this week. Without further a do, here is this weeks Gig Pic Guide:

 

FOXES

Pop sensation Foxes has had quite the journey since starting out way back in 2011. The Southampton-born star caught the attention of Zedd back in 2012, which subsequently led to her starring on one of his tracks Clarity, which went onto be a massive hit in the US, reaching number eight on the Billboards Top 100. Fast forward from there, Louisa Allen, who goes by the stage name Foxes, wowed fans and critics alike with her ethereal vocals, showing just how good she was with her tracks including her earlier hit Holding Onto Heaven, Let It Go and also Youth. After a successful first album which debuted at an impressive number five in 2014, she has recently released a new album which goes by the title All I Need. To celebrate the new release, Foxes goes on tour this month with support act Izzy Bizu, and will be stopping off in Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

COASTS

If you enjoy dancing round your room and rocking out to anthemic songs in your pyjamas – then look no further than these five boys. Coasts – who are made up by: Chris Caines (Vocals), Liam Willford (Guitar), James Gamage (Bass), David Goulbourn (Keyboards) and Ben Street (Drums) all formed back in 2011 after meeting at Bath University. After being signed to Warner Music in the UK and Capitol Records over in the US, the five-piece have gained international attention with their tracks Oceans and A Rush Of Blood, and have built up a pretty huge legion of fans. Over the past couple of years, they’ve also been supported by pretty every Radio 1 DJ and have even had their tracks featured on Made In Chelsea. Impressive, right? Despite not having a great amount of media coverage over here in the UK, the indie-pop boys have sold out numerous shows across the country and have most recently released their debut album and announced a US tour. Tonight they play a special one-off show at the Roundhouse in London, before they move onto gigging across Europe. To get those last minute tickets, click here.

TWITTER FACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

ROO PANES

Over the past few years, the world of music has seen a resurgence in folk-pop – from Mumford and Sons to The Lumineers – it has paved the way for the genre’s new lease of life. Although saying that, Roo Panes isn’t reminiscent of any of these galloping, fast paced bands. The singer-songwriter gives the impression of someone beyond their 25 years –  with slow, wise words which create a warm feeling amongst the never-ending harmonies. He’s had a whirlwind of a journey so far, with copious amounts of BBC airplay, also becoming the face of a Burberry campaign and filling support slots for the likes of Rae Morris. He now heads across the UK to perform on his own headline tour, playing at venues in cities such as Bristol, London and Manchester. He also has a cracking support act from newcomer Jack Watts, who is definitely worth heading down early for. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

SUNDARA KARMA

Whether you love or hate indie music – there’s one thing for sure, you cannot deny the talent of newcomers Sundara Karma. Tipped for big things in 2016, the four-piece have faced the new year head on and gone straight in with a nationwide tour. The Reading-born band, who consist of  Oscar Lulu (vocals, guitar), Haydn Evans (drums), Ally Baty (guitar) and Dom Cordell (bass), have shown fans and critics that poetic lyrics and catchy choruses can make some bloody good tunes. Their tracks are usually always upbeat and infectious but tend to cast a shadow of something more deeper, an undertone which suggests there is a more of a meaning to the song than just poetic lyrics and great guitars riffs. The quartet have done their rounds of filling support slots, playing for the likes of Liverpudlians Circa Waves and old-school The Wombats. But now is there time to shine on their own headline tour, as they play a whopping 17 date tour across the UK. Next up, they’re heading towards Brighton and Glasgow as they reach the half-way point. If you fancy catching them at a show, you can buy your tickets from here. (Expect lots of stage invasions, of course.)

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

 

TOR MILLER

If you don’t like the usual UK indie scene, how about something from across the pond? Introducing Tor Miller, Brooklyn born singer-songwriter who defied the university career path to pursue his career in singing. The twenty-something year old is the second youngest person to be signed to independent label Glassnote Records, which shows just how sought after he is at his young age. Tor released his first EP last year, which goes by the title of Headlights – full to the brim with beautiful piano playing and soulful vocals. He notes in interviews that his EP has been influenced by the likes of Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, and the late David Bowie. Not bad, hey? The talented piano-player is now over in the UK, playing at several venues across the country, including Manchester tonight. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOK YOUTUBE

 

 

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #13: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

January is slowly becoming a distant memory, which means we’re officially done with the first month of 2016 and its blues. February is looking to be quite the exciting month in terms of gigs and music, with many tours starting across the UK. So look no further than this weeks Gig Pic guide, where we have hand picked a selection of the best gigs happening up and down the UK this week.

 

TAME IMPALA

Aussie rockers Tame Impala, who hail respectively from Perth on the west coast, have been keeping the genre of psychedelic pop-rock alive since way back when in 2007. Perhaps best known for their dreamy hits The Less I Know The Better and Let It Happen off their latest record Currents, the five-piece have gone onto win 5 ARIA Awards solely from their latest release, along with several other prestigious winnings. The band – who are made up of lead Kevin Parker, Dom Simper, Jay Watson, Cam Avery and Julien Barbagallo, are now on the road touring, bringing their 60’s progressive rock over to the UK, continuing down South to London this weekend. Don’t miss out on the chance to see spectacular live music at its best – buy your tickets from here whilst you can.

TWITTERFACEBOOK YOUTUBE

 

ALL TIME LOW

If there are ever any bands that take you back to your younger emo days, it definitely has to be All Time Low or Good Charlotte. You look back at your teen years with fondness, remembering the times you stomped around your room singing to Dear Maria, Count Me In, or shouting along to The Anthem. Well now is your chance to relive your youth, as All Time Low and Good Charlotte are teaming up to go on tour together. Baltimore lads All Time Low are no strangers to sharing the stage, after co-headlining with good friends You Me At Six back last year in March. This tour celebrates their latest album, Future Hearts, so expect to hear lots of the newer pop-punk hits along with a few of the old-school classics. The continue their tour, heading to Birmingham this Saturday and ending in Dublin next Tuesday. You can buy your tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

LITTLE SIMZ

Simbi Ajikawo, better known as her stage name Little Simz, has made quite the impression on the revived world of rap and hip-hop throughout the UK. What started as acting for the 22 year old – a childhood of CBBC which eventually led to the MC stepping up to a role on E4’s Youngers – has paved the way for her return to the ever evolving music industry. A mixtape of hers was debuted on Jay-Z’s Life and Times website, which subsequently led to several MOBO nominations and a lot of labels vying for the then 19 year old’s attention. Fast forward to now – Little Simz is on more “Big in 2016” lists than you can shake a stick at, guaranteeing her an exciting career over the next couple of months. After all, you wouldn’t be put on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for no reason, would you? You can still catch her tour in Glasgow, and later on as she ends in her hometown of Islington. Buy your tickets from here.

TWITTER FACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

THE LOTTERY WINNERS

Fancy a bit of Morrisey influenced indie-pop, with a bit of romance on the side? Then look no further than The Lottery Winners – a four piece indie band that hail from somewhere between Leigh and Salford, (from what we understand, anyway) right in the heart of the North-West. You may not have heard of them just yet, but their dedicated seven years together as a band shows just how much they have worked for their success, having played extensively live. They’ve worked their way around the annual festival circuit, playing Kendal Calling, OS Fest and Hard Rock Calling. The quartet have even gone on to fill support slots with The Chartalans, The Futureheads and even Jamie Cullum… A pretty big feat for any band in their career so far by any means! Whilst working on new material, the band are currently touring too. They played Band On The Wall in Manchester last night, before heading down to Stoke tonight to play a show. You can buy your tickets from here – grab them before they go.

TWITTER FACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #12: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

 

It’s nearly the end of January (how fast has this month gone?!) and it’s safe to say we’re still trying our best to stick to the New Years resolution of going to more gigs. But perhaps you’re not so sure exactly what the best gigs are this week…? Well, fear not! The Gig Pic Guide is back for 2016, with a hand-picked selection of gigs and music events across the UK that we think are worth going down to. It’s also ‘Independent Venue Week’ this week, so do make sure you support your local venues and celebrate all things music!

 

HOZIER

It’s probably fair to say that Hozier was easily one of the biggest breakthrough artists of 2013, after coming out of nowhere with his number one hit Take Me To Church. But this wasn’t all new for the Irish man – who’s full name is Andrew Hozier-Byrne – as he spent the first few years of his career in a chorale ensemble, and later going onto tour internationally in 2012. Fast forward a few years, the Irish musician entered the world of soul and blues, and is now the proud owner of a debut album that went up to 6 times platinum in his home country. His most popular records off the self-titled album such as Take Me To Church, Work Song and Someone New have seen him gain worldwide success, and also to be invited to perform on shows such as the Victoria Secret Fashion Show, Saturday Night Live and Late Night With Seth Meyers. And to go one better, his husky and powerful voice also saw him nominated for a Grammy Award last year in 2015. It’s been a massive couple of years for Hozier – but to kick 2016 off, he’s currently gigging across the UK in cities such as Manchester, Cardiff and Portsmouth and you can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOK YOUTUBE

 

DAUGHTER

You might not know who the band Daughter exactly, but chances are – you’ve probably heard one of their many haunting yet heavenly records. The trio, who respectively hail from all over Europe, have made quite the impact since forming back in 2010. The indie-folk group – who have been likened to other bands such as the indie quartet The XX, have just released their second studio album titled Not To Disappear. This is the follow-up from their top 20 charter debut If You Leave which featured their most critically acclaimed tracks Youth and Amsterdam; which have been used for countless advertisements and programmes since it was released back in 2013. With Elena Tonra’s hard hitting lyrics, and themes of broken relationships and family issues, the three-piece really do know how to make you a bit weepy. The band are currently in the middle of their UK and Europe tour, with a few remaining dates in England before moving onto France and Germany. You can purchase tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE 

 

NINA NESBITT

With an envious amount of blonde hair and angelic vocals, it isn’t hard to see why Scottish singer-songwriter became a household name back in 2014 after the release of her debut album Peroxide. Edinburgh lass Nina Nesbitt made her mark way back when she supported ex-boyfriend Ed Sheeran in 2012, and ever since she has become one of Scotland’s national treasures. The multi-instrumentalist has performed the National Anthem in front of thousands and even has her own recording studio – all at the age of 21. Impressive, right? Fast forward to 2016, Nesbitt is all about new hair and new music. With a second album set for release in the next couple of months, the singer has given fans a taste of what’s to come, after releasing her new EP Modern Love, which she describes as “a new state of mind, a new person and a new life.” And with new music comes much anticipated gigs, and Nesbitt embarks on a small three date tour this week. You can get tickets from here.

TWITTER FACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

LISBON

Lisbon: the four piece who hail from Whitley Bay, rather than the capital of Portugal – have burst onto the music scene in a riot of colour over the past year with their dreamy aqua pop sounds. The alt-pop band is made up by Matthew Varty, Joe Atkinson, Gaz Turkington and Alex Wright, who have collectively made quite the impression on music critics and gurus alike, with their sound described as “A perfect mix of hazy electronic backing track loops, catchy guitar riffs, drums and honest vocals.” They’ve even gained fans such as Huw Stephens – who has often championed the quartet on his Radio 1 show. With nearly 2 million listens on Spotify, and even a cheeky feature on hit TV show Game Of Thrones last year with their track Khaleesi, it’s almost guaranteed that 2016 is going to be a cracking year for the Geordie lads. And what better way to start off the year than with a tour? The group are currently gigging around the UK, with dates in Guilford, Sheffield and London still to come. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOK YOUTUBE 

 

DUA LIPA

Having recently signed to Lana Del Rey’s management team, Dua Lipa has quite literally burst onto the music scene in a riot of colour and bubbliness. The 20 year old English-Albanian singer-songwriter has gained quite the following since starting out last year, amassing over 40,000 followers on both Facebook and Twitter. What started as song writing and posting song covers on YouTube at the young age of 14, emerged into something special as her big, smoky vocals began to gain her recognition – which ultimately led to Lipa being signed by Warner Bros Records. And if that wasn’t already enough, she was announced as a contender on the BBC’s Sound Of 2016 long list. Which can only mean that she’ll go onto be a huge hit for fans of her dreamy pop. She’s currently on tour, hitting Manchester, Birmingham and London this week. You can get tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

 

Picture by Josh Wardle.

 

 

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #11: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

The world of music and gigs is starting to get just a little bit quiet, now that we’re coming up to the middle of December and towards Christmas – but there are still some top notch gigs to be seen this week across the UK. Here is this weeks Gig Pic guide, on who we think is worth checking out over the next seven days – and who knows, you may even find a new favourite in time for next years tours!

 

DON BROCO

Hailing from Bedford, Don Broco are an alternative rock band comprised of four members: Rob Diamani, Simon Delaney, Matt Donnelly and Tom Doyle. They may be unheard of for some, but ever since forming nearly ten years ago they have gathered huge crowds wherever the four-piece have performed, especially after supporting American pop punkers Four Years Strong back at the beginning of 2012. But there must come a time where artists are to evolve and mature into a new sound of music, and this was definitely the case for Don Broco. Their first album Priorities was catchy and punchy, with relatable lyrics and heavy guitar riffs. Yet their second studio release Automatic varies massively – the tunes are still there, but it seems the quartet have taken on the trend of shiny pop; following in the footsteps of the likes of The 1975 with more upbeat and funky melodies. They’re currently touring their new album, finishing off in Manchester, Birmingham and London. You can buy remaining tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

THE COURTEENERS

It’s a pretty big feat and honour for any band or artist to make it big in their hometown, and that may come as a slight understatement when it happens to be The Courteeners in question. In the past year, the classic Indie band sold out Heaton Park in Manchester, and this month have put on a whopping seven shows at the Manchester Apollo. Surely that has to be some kind of record?! Some may say it has been a long time coming – as the band have steadily worked their way up since all the way back in 2006, gathering a loyal fan base that have remained with Liam Fray and his band mates throughout. Best known for their hits Not Nineteen Forvever, Are You In Love With A Notion et al, the quartet have expressed their excitement in having a large residency at the Apollo, as it is giving them chance to vary their set list from night to night. So expect to hear some old classics and possibly some new tunes on the horizon, and if you aren’t going already you can buy remaining Manchester tickets and other tour dates from here.

TWITTER FACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

LIANNE LA HAVAS

Lianne La Havas, once a backing singer for Paloma Faith, has had a whirlwind of a career so far. The 26 year old is now onto her second studio album, named Blood, which hints at her Greek and Jamaican heritages. Sometimes it is hard to pigeon-hole and compare artists, especially certain artists such as Lianne who can ace such a wide variety of genres. The singer-songwriter and guitarist from London, since starting out has had the ability to mix up heaps of different styles of music to produce such gorgeous sounding songs. Armed with her trusty guitar and the occasional keyboard, both of her albums have had a huge range of sounds that vary from folk to pop. She’s also teamed up with the likes of Willy Mason and Alt-J – her talents are never ending! To see these talents, you can buy tickets from here to see her on her UK tour, which ends in under a weeks time.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

EL VY

Duo El Vy, made up of members Matt Berninger and Brent Knopf, are no strangers to the world of music. El Vy has become a side project for the two musicians, as Berninger takes break from his respective band The National, who shot to fame over in their homeland of the US with album ‘Alligator.’ Berninger has stated that the new venture of El Vy is in no way a replacement for The National, but states that there is a huge difference between the two bands. It seems it has been a long time coming for this project to surface, as they both revealed the writing process has been going on for five years. Finally, they have released their studio album ‘Return To The Moon’, and features songs such as ‘Paula Is Alive’ and ‘Sleeping Light’, which have gone down relatively well with past and present fans. They have recently finished several sold-out shows over in America, and are now taking on Europe. They finish in Dublin soon – but fear not! There are still several dates left and you can find tickets here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

THE TAPESTRY

There are hundreds of bands making their way round the Manchester music scene at the moment, with the revival of psychedelic pop and old-style indie; so it’s always a pleasure to see those few bands that manage to build up their crowds and grow as musicians. The Tapestry, who hail from Manchester, are made up of: Liam on vocals, Katy on bass, Zara on drums and Dyna on guitars. They happen to be one of these rare bands that manage to get your foot stomping and dancing around to their funky melodies and post-clash guitar riffs, showcasing that forgotten feeling of post-punk pop. They’ve supported the likes of the Courteeners, The Strypes and Pete Doherty, and are doing their final headline show of 2015 this Saturday at the Islington Mill over in Salford. Tickets are on sale at £6 and you can grab them here – it’s definitely a show not to be missed out on.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

 

 

 

Continue reading …

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #10: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

We’re slowly creeping into Christmas now, but that definitely doesn’t mean the music stops! There’s plenty going on around the UK over the upcoming days, so check out this weeks Gig Pic Guide below, to see what gigs and tours you can pop along to –  and treat yourself! Who says you can’t buy Christmas presents for yourself?!

 

KODALINE

Irish quartet Kodaline have been knocking around for over ten years now, with a considerable amount of success under their belt – not forgetting two top five albums. They’ve been very much likened to the greats such as Coldplay and Snow Patrol, but that hasn’t deterred the Dublin rockers from accumulating a dedicated fan base.  After an impressive run of some of the UK and Europe’s biggest festivals; such as T in the Park, Isle of Wight festival and Pukkel Pop, they’re now embarking on a tour across the UK and Ireland to close 2015. And it almost goes without saying that they’ll blare out some of their biggest hits, such as High Hopes, All I Want and Love Like This. With support from up-and-coming artists The Beach, ALL TVVINS and Seafret, it’s guaranteed to be a great night.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

CRAIG CHARLES’ FUNK AND SOUL

He may be known best for his career in Television – notably in Red Dwarf and in Corrie, but that hasn’t stopped him dabbling in music here and there. The BBC 6 Music DJ has had his own radio show since all the way back in 2003, which is one of the longest serving shows with higher rates than ever – and in recent years his DJ stints have really taken off. He’s played some pretty good gigs over the past years, including local festivals Parklife and Tramlines in Sheffield.  He’s now travelling across the UK to play shows across December, including his residency at Band On The Wall in Manchester. If you fancy seeing some extra awkward Dad dancing and grooving, or just fancy having a listen to his funky remixes – you can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOK 

 

BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE

Chances are, you might not have heard of this chap before he won the Mercury Prize. British-French Benjamin Clementine describes himself as a poet, songwriter and pianist – with the ability to write albums that have seen him not just scoop the prestigious award, but to also be previously nominated too.  His winning album At Least For Now, is described as a one man show with his piano; featuring beguiling melodies with bits of classical, soul, opera and street folk all combined together to produce what could simply be described as a beautiful record. He’s certainly one to look out for in the upcoming year, but for now he plays one more show in London before moving onto a tour across Europe. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

PIXEL FIX

They were on the bill of Communion’s ‘New Faces’ tour last year, along with Kimberly Anne, Fyfe and Amber Run, which is ran by the music label to showcase up-and-coming artists and bands. It’s been just over a year since the series of gigs, and they’re still relatively unknown on the music scene. But don’t let that taint your thoughts on their stunning music – they truly are hidden gems in the world of Indie music. The Oxford four piece have more recently released a second EP ‘I Want You The Same’ which followed on from their earlier EP’s ‘Running Thin’ and ‘Fall’. They’re playing a one-off show in London, and you can buy tickets from here.

TWITTER – FACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

 

 

 

 

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #9: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

There’s a plethora of gigs and tours going down this coming week across the UK, and it really has been hard to whittle it down. But here it is – this weeks Gig Pic Guide on who we think is worth checking out. And you never know, you might find a new favourite!

 

CHVRCHES

They’ve had a whirlwind of a career since starting back in 2011 – one that has gained them international success and awards branding them ‘the most promising new talent’. The Scottish synthpop trio, made up by Lauren Mayberry, Martin Doherty and Iain Cook – have captured the interest of thousands of fans with their disarmingly ethereal vocals and catchy electronic beats. Yet their stage presence comes across as more unconventional in comparison to their records, with Mayberry appearing as a more self-effacing and temperate figure during performances. The band are now onto their second studio album ‘Every Open Eye’, which was released back in September. To celebrate the release of their album, they’re currently getting under way on a UK tour, which started on Monday night in Brighton. Grab tickets whilst you can from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING

To make it simple – you’re either a fan of Everything Everything, or you just haven’t heard of them yet. It’s almost impossible to define who they are as a band, with influences of rock, R&B, electronica with a few psychedelic vibes chucked in. But that’s why they work so well – their distinct sound and unique lyrics are what sets them aside from every other band, not to mention their carefully colour coordinated jackets. Amazing. They’re finishing off their UK tour this weekend, ending in both London and Manchester. You can get the final remaining tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

JOHN NEWMAN

He’s laid down his powerful vocals on some of the biggest songs of the decade, including collaborations with dance music legends Calvin Harris and Rudimental. And John Newman has showed no sign of stopping any time soon, after releasing his second studio album called Revolve just over a month ago with stellar reviews. Gone are any signs of soppy ballads, making way for his retro-pop styled records drenched in the sound of guitar. His UK tour is unfortunately coming to an end, but you can catch him a couple of more times, as he plays his concluding shows in London and Manchester. You can purchase tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

MAX JURY

He’s supported Lana Del Rey extensively at a number of her gigs across the US and Europe, and it isn’t difficult to see why. Jury, who reigns from Iowa over in America, has a voice beyond his 21 years – his records just exude a gentleness that stands out from most artists around right now. His old soul and powerful lyrics have combined together to produce records such as Christian Eyes, Home and Great American Novel; all of which were influenced by some of the greatest American singer-songwriters, including Bob Dylan and Gram Parsons. He’s now doing a small tour across several UK venues including Nottingham, Bristol and Manchester – and you can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

ALL TVVINS

Irish duo Lar Kaye and Conor Adams are no strangers to the Indie band scene, after both having successful careers in bands such as Adebisi Shank and The Cast Of Cheers. Both were known for their feverish and energetic pace, but they’ve now evolved a new sound – the one that subsequently became ALL TVVINS. Now, there are definite hints of synthpop within their tracks, alongside a little bit of melody of groove – all which goes perfectly with Adam’s dark vocals. The twosome are now gracing the UK on a full tour, including cities such as Brighton and Glasgow. Tickets can be bought from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

 

 

THE GIG PIC GUIDE #8: This weeks must see artists and shows

Latest News, Week In Review

This weeks edition of our Gig Pic Guide, on who is worth discovering and seeing live this week.

 

IMAGINE DRAGONS

Everyone knows Imagine Dragons – whether that’s from repeatedly hearing and singing along to Radioactive, or whether you were sat in front of a screen getting way too emotional to It’s Time after Gossip Girl used their song in the finale of the programme. The Las Vegas born rock band have had a steady career since back in 2008, and have even managed to rack up a few prestigious awards including two AMA’s, a Grammy and five Billboard awards. Impressive, hey? The four piece have made their way over to the UK in the past week to take on a hefty arena tour, with their London dates already complete. But fear not! You can buy tickets from here to see them at other venues across the UK.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

LAWSON

They’ve been knocking around since 2009, after making their break into the music industry the real and hard way. Lawson, named after the surgeon who performed a life threatening brain operation on lead singer Andy Brown, have had a successful career to date with at least five of their heartfelt pop tunes making it into the top ten of the charts. After a lengthy break Andy admitted he’d sadly fall ill again much to the inquisitive questions from fans, they’re back with a new album in the pipeline and a UK tour currently on the cards. They visit Manchester and London towards the end of this week, and tickets are available from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE 

 

BILL RYDER-JONES

He was once a member of the Wirral-based band The Coral, who were famed for their British ska-pop and Merseybeat style. But after suffering from severe panic attacks before he was due to perform live with the band, he made a swift exit from their live shows. A solo career soon took shape for Ryder-Jones, and the singer-songwriter is now on his third solo studio album, with recognition for his hushed tones and rock vibes. He’s now back on the road touring his new album West Kirby Country Primary and is playing across the North West this weekend including Liverpool and Manchester. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

TUFF LOVE

Glasgow duo Tuff Love, made up by Julie and Suse, have been championed by pretty much everyone in the music industry ever since starting out a few years back. Tuff Love are adored by the likes of Lauren Laverne and Huw Stephens, and have the one and only Paolo Nutini as a fan. Their latest EP is Dregs, and it has not disappointed with their cheery guitar pop songs and mesmerising lyrics. The pair are now on tour with their drummer Iain Stewart, visiting cities including York, Brighton and Leeds. Grab your tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOKYOUTUBE

 

HIDDEN CHARMS

Hidden Charms: the four piece from London, who make you wonder if you’re listening to a band from the 60’s – yet with a brilliant modern twist. The quartet have a soulful edge to their records, and you can really feel the depth of the rhythm and blues. What was once two separate musical projects has seen them join forces and they haven’t looked back since. And good on them! Their tour commences on Monday night, starting off in Manchester and ending in Leicester on the 28th. You can buy tickets from here.

TWITTERFACEBOOK YOUTUBE 

 

 

 

WEEK IN REVIEW

Latest News, Week In Review

Amber Run @ Koko, London
Amber Run start us off this week and bbrophoto caught this amazing shot at their set at Koko in London. Amber Run started to gain attention after playing the BBC introducing stage at Reading and Leeds Festival in 2013 and signed to RCA Records shortly after. Currently on a busy UK tour, the Nottingham five-piece are proving to be a popular live act and this climactic finale uploaded by bbrophoto shows just how much of a party their gigs are.

 

image

Catfish and the Bottlemen @ O2 Apollo, Manchester
More often than not, Catfish and the Bottlemen are playing a venue somewhere and they are back in the UK after a stint across the Atlantic. This week mattjones caught them at one of their back to back gigs at  Manchester’s O2 Apollo. Catfish and the Bottlemen are arguably the biggest guitar band around at the moment and they’re definitely the noisiest. Their debut album The Balcony was a huge hit and their tracks dominated the radio over the past year. Frontman, Van McCann has a knack for writing big choruses designed to be sung back at him from huge crowds which was certainly the case at the Apollo this week. Those lucky enough to attend the sell out shows were able to hear their new song 7 as well as unmissable live versions of their many hits.

 

image


Darlia @ Academy 2, Manchester
annieball26 caught Blackpool rockers Darlia at Academy 2 in Manchester this week. Formed in 2013, the band ooze 90s grunge with a modern edge and their three EPs and album Petals demand to be listened to from start to finish. If you’ve missed them so far, you can catch their upcoming show at London’s Electric Ballroom.

 

image

Hello Operator @ The Sugarmill, Stoke on Trent
The Sugarmill in Stoke played host to Hello Operator as part of their Autumn UK Tour and dorisdoritos was in attendance to snap this photo. They have been playing with some great bands including Blossoms, the aforementioned Darlia and, on this particular night, The Virgin Marys. A packed summer of festivals saw Hello Operator earn themselves some new fans who have been able to catch the band again on this tour.

 

image

James Bay @ Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
James Bay got in on the Halloween fun at Victoria Warehouse last week. As part of Vevo Halloween, Years & Years, Nothing But Thieves, Wolf Alice and Lil Sims joined James to entertain thousands of zombies, vampires, werewolves and, er, Spice Girls. In full skeletal disguise, James Bay performed a selection of songs from his album Chaos and the Calm including a big singalong of Hold Back The River. georgialitherland9721 captured this terrifying image.