Stupid Things That Stupid People Do At Gigs

 

I was inspried to write this whilst at The Heartbreaks' gig a couple of weeks ago and if you read my post on that then you'll know that the crowd were at their worst, so I thought I would run through some gig etiquette.

 

1. I don't mind people taking photos during gigs because we all do it - I only do it for this blog so I can prove that I actually went. But when you whip out your IPad and hold it up for the ENTIRE gig, I just want to punch you. It baffles me why some people pay to go to a gig when they could watch blurry footage in the comfort of their own home on YouTube? This happened to me when I saw Ellie Goulding and Nada Surf last month. SO ANNOYING.
2. Farting. Farting in a large crowd should be illegal. You can't move to catch your breath. Why do people think that this is acceptable? You have a couple thousand people surrounding you and the farts have nowhere to go.

3. You get to the show early. You get a good spot in the crowd - somewhere in the center, near the front of the stage. You're happy for 15 or 20 minutes then a late-arriving straggler is coming from behind. There's little you can do to stop them. Now, instead of watching the band, you're counting hairs on the back of your rival's head. In my case this is even worse because i'm a short arse at 5ft 3 and can hardly see anything anyway!

These are just a few of the things that irritate me at gigs, i'm sure there are a lot more!
 

The Vamps!

 

I have been following this band for quite a few months now but i've only just had a chance to blog about them. They're an acoustic driven pop band who, with only 5 covers on YouTube have at present over 3.5m views - which is bloody brilliant really. They've not even done any original songs yet and they've got tumblr pages dedicated to them and all that malarkey that fangirls do.
The Vamps are made up of 3 guys, Brad, James and Tristen all of which are 17/18. You could compare them to a band that I absolutely love, Park Bench Society, sort of, although they are completely different genres. So you probably couldn't actually.
Their covers have consisted of a few One Direction, Taylor Swift and Conor Maynard songs as well as a bit of Justin Bieber. They're playing right into the hands of teeny boppers who love that sort of stuff, they do have incredible vocals though and always make songs sound their own, i'd love to hear them doing something more rock based. But I don't think thats their 'thing' really.
I do love their Bieber cover, they have completely slowed the song down and you actually listen to the lyrics. In my opinion its better than the original - but i'm not a huge fan of the biebs anyway!

The Vamps cover... Justin Bieber - As Long As You Love Me
 

The Vaccines @ Manchester O2 Apollo

 

 

Second row! Yessss!

Despite the large circle pit that streched from the left to right side of the Apollo it was incredible!
I had seen them twice before but never at one of their own gigs - Once at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend and supporting Arctic Monkeys. They came on quite late (for the Apollo anyway) at like 9.45pm which meant they only did an hour set, which was disapointing because we had to wait ages after the support acts finished at 9pm.
They had a few support acts, one of which was Deap Vally who I have been loving for the past few months. They really put on a solid performance for a fairly new band. The set was short but it got the crowd really pumped. The Vaccines came out and the crowd went insane - well we were just relieved they were actually coming after that wait. They started strong with No Hope and then into Wreckin Bar and Tiger Blood right after. One of the best parts of the night was All In White. It was powerful and took over the crowd. Everybody was singing along. The night ended with the brilliant Norgaard. Although the set was shorter than most would have liked, it was an amazing set by a band that won’t be playing the Apollo next time round, they'll be onto the arena!
Plus, I definitely got eye contact with Arni, result!
 

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25th November 2012 Rhye - The Fall

I'm really ill this week so i'm not gonna write much but I love this song and I quite like how in the video it's the same person, the older woman just when she was younger and he's thinking back to what she used to be like when they fell in love and had fun together. Now they're older they have lost that somewere along they way and he is falling out of love with her.

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18th November 2012 Ben Howard - Esmerelda

If you read my blog (There won't be many of you) then you'll know how much I love Ben Howard, I went to his gig on Monday and it was one of the best songs of the night, the whole Apollo just went silent to listen to his voice, it was a beautiful moment. I still haven't been able to get hold of The Burgh Island EP as its only available on download I think - I went into HMV to look for it as well :(
Esmerelda is a cold, autumnal track that definitely contrasts with his work on Every Kingdom. Even though he lost out on the Mercury Prize to Alt J, Ben Howard continues to prove his worth.

Ben Howard @ Manchester Apollo

Ahh Ben Howard! I had been waiting for this gig since about March and I really didn't want it to disapoint! Although the support was pretty nonchant it was a decent gig. It was Willy Mason on first, and I only knew one song, and that song was the only one that was any good - supports are always crap though aren't they.
I saw Ben Howard at V Festival earlier on in the year and he was absolutely incredible, although I do think I would have enjoyed Monday night more if that hadn't of occured. He was brilliant and all but I did think the time he was on stage was a little too long, he seemed to be dragging songs out a bit and somebody needs to tell him not to sit down on stage, half the audience couldn't see him for about 15 minutes!
I really didn’t expect the Apollo to be as packed as it was. I take it that Ben and his bandmates were also a little taken back and pleasantly surprised by the turnout as well.  There was a fair bit of enthusiasm on display from the audience and more than a few shouts of 'I Love You Ben!' and 'Happy Birthday' - although it wasn't his birthday so it got quite awkward, the support act's guitarist (also named Ben) was 21 that day and quite a few misunderstood. By which Ben corrected by numerously saying 'It's not my fucking Birthday' in his lovely accent. He swore more than I thought he would - is it only me that loves hearing posh people swear?
Also, his band are incredible! They play so many instruments between the two of them, you look to the back of the stage the drummer will be sat there playing the guitar! India Bourne and Chris Bond helped create Every Kingdom, with India playing cello, Keys, Ukulele, Bass and contributing vocals and Percussion wheras Chris plays Guitars, Bass, Double bass, Drums, Percussion, Keys, Acoordian and also contributing to Vocals. Wow.
He did loads off the album as well of his new EP Burgh Island that has just been released, overall a very good gig and once he's got a second album under his belt I think he'll be unstopable.

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11th November 2012 The Lottery Winners - Pillows

New favourite band! I saw The Lottery Winners last Friday when they supported The Heartbreaks in Manchester and they are definitely one of the best supports i've seen! Club Academy has the capacity of around 300 and at first everyone was near the back and it looked like there was about 50 people in the room. But after the lead singer had shouted some abuse at those stood at the back, the room completely filled up. Their sound has been described as 'Happy Music' - you couldn't stand there listening to it with a frown on your face. I've been looking for days now to find their album, cause I know they have one out but I just don't know where to buy it. If anyone has an insight to where I can get it - please let me know!

Maximo Park @ Manchester Ritz

 

 

Terrible photo again, SORRY.
I saw Maximo Park on Tuesday and AHHH it was amazing! They played the Ritz in Manchester which i'd never been to before and I didn't realise how small it was, I panicked a bit going in through because the woman on the door scanned my ticket and just said bluntly it's fake. My heart just dropped then I ignored her and walked through anyway, dick head. We ended up getting second row so I had a lovely view of Paul's dancing. I have never seen anything like it - the keyboard player has a bit of a move as well but the rest were just stationary! I've heard a couple of times that Maximo Park's live shows are always incredible and they were so right! Some lad got headbutted next to me though, I felt so bad on him as he had an ice pack on his nose for the rest of the gig.
The support were some shitty French band, who had one song in English and although I did do a GCSE in the language there was no chance of me working out what was happening, and the wait for them to come on seemed like the LONGEST ever. I think it was because i've loved their albums for so so long and this being the first time seeing them I just wanted them to get on with it!
When I first looked at the set list a couple of days ago I thought that there were a lot more suff on there than most gigs - but then I realised that they didn't speak to the crowd much at first and each song ran into eachother, which I liked.
The gig itself was INCREDIBLE (if I haven't used that word enough already) Except for the songs off of the second album which i've never really liked, the band did Graffiti which is my favey and a load of others which you can read above ^ Overall a brilliant gig and I would definitely encourage anyone to see them if you have a chance!

Ed Sheeran @ Manchester Apollo

 

Last night was the fourth time that i've seen Ed Sheeran and as always he was brilliant, it was virtually the same gig i've seen before really - a man with his guitar but with a few extra songs and better staging. His supports weren't as good as they had been before though. In January, Abandoman played and did an amazing rap, the audience would throw items onto the stage and he would freestyle with them - it sounded so good! But this time there was a man that was virtually an older (crapper) Ed Sheeran. He was pretty boring to be honest. Although he did have an amazing voice as later on into the gig Ed collaborated with him. He was called Foy Vance they sang 'Kiss Me' which sounded incredible, he went onto do a cover of Nina Simone's 'Be My Husband' - every time I see Ed Sheeran I always wish he would do some of his old stuff. I'd love him to sing Cold Coffee, One Night or Sofa cause they are amazing songs, the last tour he did actually sing 'Homeless' which is my favourite but I suppose he has so many now the old ones just get forgotten about.

I always have trouble at gigs cause i'm so short but last night I had an incredible view! It's great when most of the crowd are your age and height, plus at the Apollo (because it is an old cinema) the floor is on a diagonal angle so wherever you're stood you get a good view. I can never get over how much control he has of a crowd, if you've been to an Ed Sheeran gig before you'll know what I mean! All the way through you're shouting stuff out and he incorporates us in the songs using a loop pedal. He really is a talented musician. Amazing!

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4th November 2012 The 1975 - Sex

This is the first new band that i've been obsessed with in ages and I think they could turn into something big. Their EP 'Facedown' is a mix of genres with electronic sounds and poppy vocals in songs but then you get to this one 'Sex' which i've heard a lot recently on the radio and it takes you in an entirely other direction. It a much more rock based track with big drums and guitar riff. It could be an entirely different band, though it is a brilliant song!

The Heartbreaks @ Manchester Club Academy

 



Apologies for the shit photographs but I feel awkward with my camera so I just have to use my Blackberry.
If you have read my blog over the past year (I don't think theres many of you) you'd know how much I love this band and how much i've wanted to see them live, and last night I finally did! I thought it would be brilliant in such a small venue but the crowd just pissed me off - It has actually inspired me to do a 'Stupid Things That Stupid People Do At Gigs' post, you should be expecting that very soon. Just constantly there was a stream of people walking infront of me and then turning around just being prats, other than that it was incredible!
The support act were 'The Lottery Winners' who were actually the best support i've seen. I was aware of them because theres a lad in my English class who wore a t-shirt of theres a couple of weeks ago and I had been meaning to figure out who they were since then. The lead singer looked like the front man from Of Monsters And Men and overall they were a really great band! And I thought it was great that they then went into the crowd and stood behind me for the rest of the gig.
Then it got really packed and The Heartbreaks came on stage, just as a 6ft man decided to stand in front of me. Great. But he soon moved and they ended up being brilliant playing most off their album 'Funtimes' and a few that I hadn't heard of. They did a version of 'Jealous Don't You Know' with just the guitar and ended on 'I Didn't Think It Would Hurt To Think Of You' with a rendition of the Whitney Houston song 'I Wanna Dnace With Somebody' - why not.

Alt J win Mercury Prize!



Alt J won the Mercury Prize and beat 11 other bands and their albums at the awards ceremony held last night in north London!
I knew Alt J would win - I said this in my post a few months ago when it was announced. I thought this because
1. Their album is definitely one of the best of the year
2. They're an obscure artist that not many people have heard of.
It is ALWAYS someone like this like last year PJ Harvey won instead of Elbow or even Adele!
I absolutely love Alt J though and they definitely deserved the award - I am going to see them in May and it should be epic!

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28th October 2012 Feed Me and Crystal Fighters - Love Is All I Got

Feed Me and Crystal Fighters have joined forces for an unexpected collaboration on where electro-house is going. I had heard of Feed Me before as he recently took on the BBC Radio1 essential mix and has released 3 EPs. Although Crystal Fighters I am unaware of. It's a great song though and I heard this earlier in the week on Fearne Cotton's Radio 1 show!

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21st October 2012 Willy Moon - Railroad Track

I watched Willy Moon on Jools Holland this week and thought he was suprisingly good. He is supporting Ben Howard on his upcoming tour which i'm going to - his dancing will not be able to be contained to the Apollo stage!

Nada Surf @ Manchester Academy 3

I went to see Nada Surf on Sunday, I know this post is a little over due but i've had so much college work to do over the past week i've had no time. I have loved this band for so so long and they definitely lived up to my expetations! The last time I was at Academy 3 was to see Viva Brother who I also albsolutely loved - but they've now split up unfortunately :(
They have added a new memeber since the last time they were in Manchester a few years ago and although this new member didn't speak much they were sounding better than ever. If you've never heard of Nada Surf then i'd definitely recomend you listen to some of their stuff because they are brilliant! (Listen to Beautiful Beat or Popular)

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14th October 2012 Palma Violets - Best Of Friends
Iv'e known of Palma Violets for quite a while now and they're a great new indie/rock band from London. Their sound is similar to The Libertines so if you like that sorta stuff, this is the band for you!

Ellie Goulding Album Launch - Manchester



(apologies for how blurry one of the photos are, it looks like it isn't my photo but it definitely is)
I went to Ellie Goulding's Album Launch yesterday in Manchester and it was great! I've always been a fan but I didn't expect to be going really. I've been to these signings before and thought that i'd have to get up really early if I wanted a wristband for the gig, as it was split into two where you didn't need a wristband for the album signing.
My friend went in the morning and got up at like 5am to try and get one of the 300 wristbands available. She got one, but there was only 150 people there in the queue (the people who were there since 4 must have been so gutted) As then I strolled in when i'd finished college at 1pm to find a wad of wristbands left. Plus, there was so many the man gave me two because he was trying to get rid of them!
So we got there and packed into this tiny room at the back of HMV Manchester. I instantly regretted wearing a jumper. It was like a gas chamber in there or something. She didn't come on until 5.30pm but when it started she sounded so lovely and grateful for us being there we didn't care for the 30 minute delay. The acoustic set started with two new songs off Halcyon called My Blood and another which I reckoned took inspiration from her relationship with Greg James named I Know You Care Then she went onto Starry Eyed off her debut and the short but intimate gig in the basement of HMV drew to a close with newly released single Anything Could Happen - which debuted at No. 5 in the single charts on sunday. She didn't really sing the last song as the croud did most of it - she looked so overwelmed by it all.
There was this man though, with an IPad in the air the whole time. Who does that?! I might as well have not gone to the gig and just watched his videos after - because he got it all on there! (So now most of my photos have an IPad in the middle of them unfortunately) Coming off stage she said 'This is actually one of the funnest things i've done in a while.'
A few minutes later she came back to sign albums, I always get so awkward when I go to these things so I kinda just shuffled along and didn't really say much. I really enjoyed it though and more bands/singers should definitely do this as I get to go to free gigs!

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7th October 2012 Nada Surf - Always Love

I have known about this band for years but they have a tiny following in the UK and need to be acknowledged. I just found out that they're coming to Manchester next week so i'll definitely be there! They have so many amazing songs that I just picked one of many, give a listen to their other stuff as well!

Marina and The Diamonds @ Manchester O2 Academy

 

Marina and The Diamonds played Manchester's O2 Academy last night and it was bloody brilliant! The place was packed which I was surprised by and it was such a mixed crowd! The ages ranged from about 15 - 55! I was so so chuffed when she did quite a lot of songs off her first album because I love it so much, I have listened to it that many times I probably know every single word. If you have never listened to 'The Family Jewels' I definitely recommend it!
She came on stage at bang on 9pm dressed in pink with a bridal veil on singing one of the two songs that I didn't know of the night. She then went onto 'Oh No!' which was one of my favourites off her debut and I got all emosh. There was a range of old and new songs and my favourite was defintely 'Bubblegum Bitch' as it always sounds amazing!
Every song she sang brilliantly and I loved every second of it!

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30th September 2012 Jake Bugg - Two Fingers

When I first heard of Jake Bugg in like April I really didn't like him. I don't know why but his voice on Lightning Bolt just irritated me, and people were so shocked when I said that because everyone thought he was the 'future of music' - according to Noel Gallagher anyway.
My opinion completely changed of him when 'Taste It' came out and I then realised why everyone loved his voice! He does sound miserable though. I was listening to his interview with Fearne Cotton on Wednesday for Radio 1 and he sounds so bored. But he's decent singer songwriter so that doesn't matter really does it (plus he's from Nottingham so it's probably his accent)
This new single is brilliant and it really speaks volumes, which are shown even more when you watch the video!