Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know?' Single Review

Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know?'

      Just when you thought they’d fallen off the face of the earth, Steel City’s finest returns uninvited into the heart of Britain’s music scene with the spine-chillingly electric second single from their fifth upcoming studio album, ‘Do I Wanna Know?’

       Drummer Matt Helders immediately feeds a thread of strong and steady beats, enabling O’Malley’s bass and Turner’s ominous guitar riffs to speak volumes with their brooding and surly tone that ooze sex appeal and are sure to entice the hearts of thousands in a live audience. At once, it is clear that this is a song crafted with the intention of following a heavier and darker route for a more mature and experienced band that has surfaced from the depths of light-hearted songs such as ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor’ and ‘My Propeller.’ This is shown perfectly when the song climaxes into a chorus of ‘crawling back to you…’ complete with falsetto call-and-response from Helders and infectious twangs of Alex Turner’s guitar that hang heavy with subtle angst, artfully mirroring the tenor of ‘R U Mine?’, the debut single from their forthcoming album ‘AM.’

     Still, Alex Turner sticks to his Yorkshire roots with sullen colloquialisms such as, ‘do you ever get the feel that you can't shift the tide that sticks around like summat in your teeth,' - a reminder that yes, this is still the humble band from Sheffield that had a fast track to fame in 2005. 

     Consequently, this is a promising taste of the long-awaited album set for release on 9^th September. It is saturated in depth and torment yet is still easy on the ears with its infectious rhythm that will surely imprint itself upon the minds of many. This is a mellow and easy-going tune which may not tickle the fancies of everyone, least of all those who are still yearning for ‘the old Arctic Monkeys,’ but it is undeniable that Arctic Monkeys have more than proved themselves over the years and this end result is remarkable for the little band from Sheffield that have definitely earned their stripes. 

Young Guns - Leeds Met Uni 16/10/12 Live Review

Young Guns – Leeds Met Uni 

16^th October 2012

     It goes without saying that 2012 has been Young Guns’ year as the band prepare to take to the stage tonight after returning home from their successful attempt at conquering America.

     Yorkshire-rooted band Marmozets enter the room with only one or two fans throughout the crowd and their set is disappointing to say the least. Dubbed as ‘the most exciting young band in Britain’ by Kerrang, the ‘family band’ fail to live up to this statement as the crowd remain silent and unmoving. Their substandard performance was not for lack of trying, but it is clear that Marmozets still have a lot to learn before embarking on any more                                                                                         live shows.

     With not a lot to outshine, Your Demise arrive on stage and immediately strike into action, much to the approval of the audience. Frontman Ed McRae jumps around being his usual, mouthy self and evokes movement within the crowd that tonight’s show so desperately needs. Launching himself into the mass of fans at his feet, his reckless attitude radiates throughout the crowd and encourages a flock of crowd surfers that set the tone for Your Demise’s set. Still, there isn’t much for Yankee five-piece We Are The In Crowd to outdo.

     The pop-punk band from Poughkeepsie receive an enormous reaction from the crowd as soon as they step on stage and there is no doubt that this band will finally bring something more to the night than just shouty vocals and give the performance of a lifetime. Kicking off their set with a popular song 'Better Luck Next Time' from their debut album 'Best Intentions', We Are The In Crowd clearly know how to please the audience and the revel in the reaction from the crowd. Female vocalist Tay Jardine conducts the entire set and eventually the band win over even the most sceptical minds with their catchy songs and charismatic stage presence. There is no doubt that We Are The In Crowd don’t have any other way to go than up and as they leave the stage, the atmosphere is thick with excitement to see what Young Guns have in store.

     As the lights dim in preparation for Young Guns’ appearance, the audience go crazy and the band begin their faultless set with 'Dearly Departed', a song from their latest album 'Bones'. The five-piece band from East London started their night as they meant to go on, flawlessly performing songs both old and new to perfection. The balance of tempo throughout the night was impeccable, with melodic songs such as 'You Are Not' and 'Broadfields' bringing a more intimate feel to the sold-out venue whilst still maintaining a heavier feel with songs such as 'Crystal Clear' and 'Towers' that drove the crowd wild. As usual, the band put on a show-stopping performance that outstripped their support acts by far and their enthusiasm and confident demeanour set the stage alight, leaving no room for speculation that they are one of the best British bands to date.

     Finally, as the night drew to a close, Young Guns unleashed the full force of their unquestionable proficiency upon their adoring fans and ended their encore with powerful hit single Bones that filled the room with its infectious chorus and ended the night on a complete high. 

Of Mice & Men - The Cockpit, Leeds 14/10/12 Live Review

Of Mice & Men – The Cockpit, Leeds

14^th October 2012

     Of Mice & Men are without a doubt one of the greatest metalcore bands to date and there seems to be no stopping the California five-piece as they embark on the most anticipated UK tour the band has ever seen.  Along with Secrets and Memphis May Fire, Of Mice & Men seems set to storm The Cockpit and there is an obvious sense of excitement from the moment that Secrets take to the stage.

     Beginning their set with only a few fans in a sold-out venue, Secrets seems eager to impress and frontman Xander Bourgeois immediately insisted on several mosh pits, much to the approval of the audience. Slowly gaining the approval of a few more heads within the crowd due to drummer Joe English completely tearing up his drum kit, Secrets were shameless and fuelled the anticipation for Texas band Memphis May Fire.

     It is clear from the moment frontman Matty Mullins steps on stage that their set will tear up the entire venue and as they jump immediately into 'The Sinner', Memphis May Fire revel in the overwhelming reaction from the crowd. The band pull out all the stops to deliver a performance worthy of a headlining act and secure their place as one of the greatest live bands this venue has ever seen. The crowd loved every minute of it and as the five-piece close their roof-raising performance with a fiery track from their new album, 'Prove Me Right', they leave with significantly more fans than they entered with.

     Finally, the agonising wait is over and the roar of the crowd is enough to quench any doubt that Memphis May Fire have stolen the show tonight. Launching into 'O.G. Loko', they tear up the venue with a presence so dominant that it’s impossible to deny the fact that Of Mice & Men have come back better and stronger since the departure of guitarist Shayley Bourget in February. In his place stands Aaron Pauley who finds no difficulty in establishing his title as a worthy replacement and fulfilling a role that not many others could achieve.  Chiefly playing songs from their latest album, 'The Flood', the band annihilate the stage and the reaction from the crowd is nothing less than what they deserve with frontman Austin Carlile completely smashing his vocal cords in a successful attempt of putting on one of the greatest shows of their lives. As they play hits such as 'Let Live' and 'Product of a Murderer', the atmosphere is unbeatable, with every eye on the band and not a single person standing still. Songs from their re-issue of 'The Flood' go down a storm and the crowd all gladly participate in crouching on the floor upon Austin Carlile’s demand for 'The Depths'.

     However, everyone within the venue knows that the best is yet to come and the wait for the encore in unbearable before Of Mice & Men set the place on fire with phenomenal hit 'Second and Sebring', bringing Austin Carlile and half of his fans to tears before exiting the stage to an overwhelming applause from the crowd.  It is clear that the night had been a complete success and things can only improve for a band that, as of yet, know no limits. 

Mayday Parade - The Cockpit, Leeds 8/10/12 Live Review

Mayday Parade – The Cockpit, Leeds

Monday 8^th October 2012

Embarking on their seventh tour in the UK since the band started in 2006, Florida five-piece Mayday Parade had quite a turnout at The Cockpit in Leeds.

     The night was kicked off by an almost unknown band, Natives, and the crowd were hesitant as to what to expect. However, Natives’ short-lived set had the crowd roaring within ten minutes, leaving a great anticipation rippling throughout the crowd for indie rock group For The Foxes. The band domineered the stage and had the entire venue cheering for them after vocalist Nicholas Dungo performed a heart-felt acoustic song that won the crowd over before ending their set with a rockier tune that left an eager audience for Arizonian pop-rock band The Summer Set.

     The Summer Set stormed the stage, kicking off their set with popular song 'Chelsea' that had every fan in the audience singing along and every person in the venue joined in with their catchy tune 'Fuck You Over', a song  that got the whole crowd moving and swaying to the music. The Summer Set left on a high, leaving the crowd roaring to go in the wait for the most anticipated act of the night, Mayday Parade.

     Mayday Parade began their set with 'Oh Well, Oh Well', a song from their latest self-titled album that sent a shiver of exhilaration through the crowd and continued their set throughout the night that consisted mainly of songs from their second album, 'A Lesson in Romantics'.  Of course, 'Miserable at Best' and 'Stay' conjured a few tears in the audience before the band  completed their set with explosive songs such as 'When I Get Home You’re So Dead' and 'Black Cat'.
    Overall, there could be no complaints to be made about the night. The support bands were definite crowd pleasers, Derek Sander’s vocals were flawless and the band as a whole  were charismatic and enthusiastic, making full use of the stage and manipulating its potential to create an atmosphere so  dynamic that the night was a complete success.