News: Reading & Leeds Festivals make first line-up announcement

Last night, Reading and Leeds Festivals announced the first few acts confirmed for next year’s line-up, including one of the three headliners: the mighty Muse.  The festivals will be held over the August bank holiday weekend next year, from the 25th to the 27th.

Alongside Muse, some of the other heavier acts announced include Architects, Against The Current, While She Sleeps and At The Drive In, plus who could ignore the pop/electronic giants Bastille.

Overall I’m fairly impressed with this announcement, but it’s quite difficult to guess how good the festivals’ line-up is going to be overall judging from these eleven acts.  The announcement spans a number of genres, so as someone who would only be interested in seeing heavier bands, I can’t judge how much I’d enjoy next year’s festival.

Compared to the last Download Festival line-up announcement, I’m definitely much more enthusiastic about the Donington Park festival.  Download have announced all three headliners, and it must be said knowing all of the headliners makes a festival a much more exciting prospect.

Hopefully we’ll be hearing more from Reading & Leeds soon, but until then this latest news is enough to tide us over.

What do you think about the announcement? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

Advertisement

News: First half of 2017 ram-packed with fantastic UK tours

For those of you, like myself, who enjoy attending concerts, the first half of 2017 is set to be an amazing few months of live music.  These acts are absolutely fantastic, so if you manage to get tickets for a few of these tours your bank balance could end up being in serious trouble. Today I decided to round up some of the best tours coming up next year.

January 2017 – Avenged Sevenfold, dates here

This tour is the only tour on my list which I already have tickets for, and I am extremely excited to be able to see Avenged Sevenfold for the second time.  I’ll be attending the Nottingham date, and although I was already looking forward to the date, my excitement pretty much quadrupled after reviewing the band’s latest album, The Stage.

January 2017 – The Pretty Reckless, dates here

After reviewing the band’s latest record Who You Selling For, my love for The Pretty Reckless has seriously increased.  I’m hoping to be able to attend their Nottingham date on January 19th, because it promises to be a fantastic night.

February 2017 – Deaf Havana, dates here

I’ve seen these guys perform twice and I thoroughly enjoyed myself both times, so I’d love to make it a hat trick.  Again, I’d probably have to make the journey to London to catch these guys live, but it would be worth it!

February 2017 – Kings Of Leon, dates here

I’m really excited at the prospect of seeing Kings Of Leon live, considering how long I’ve been a fan of theirs.  Even if you weren’t a massive fan of their last two albums, their great live performances would make attending one of their shows worth it.

March 2017 – Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, dates here

Not wanting to rest on their laurels for too long, even though The Rattlesnakes have only just finished up a string of UK tour dates, the band announced this week that they’ll be touring yet again next March.  I’m gutted that they haven’t announced a Nottingham date, but I’m willing to make the trek to London to see these guys perform live.

March/April 2017 – Mallory Knox, dates here

I’ve been a big fan of Mallory Knox since their first mainstream success, and I really enjoyed seeing them perform live at Leeds Festival in 2014.  Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to see them live again since, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to attend either the Cambridge, or one of the London dates.  Plus, Lonely The Brave is one of their support acts, and I’d love to see them perform live again too.

March/April 2017 – Pulled Apart By Horses, dates here

Even though I’m a fan of this band, I have yet to see Pulled Apart By Horses live, so it would be great to see them next year.

April 2017 – You Me At Six, dates here

I really enjoyed You Me At Six’s latest single, Night People, so I’d really like to see them perform it live next year.  Plus, I’ve been a fan of the band for a long time, so it would be great to hear them perform some older songs alongside the new on tour.

Are you attending any of these tours?  Are there any other awesome tours planned for 2017 that I missed off this list? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: Mallory Knox return with single, album and tour announcements

It’s official: everyone’s favourite Cambridge rock band is back with new music.  Mallory Knox released a pretty simple video for their latest single, Giving It Up, yesterday, and I really enjoyed the track.  You can listen to the track here:

The vocals are a little rougher around the edges than the band’s usual fare, and the bass sounds a little louder than usual which gives the song a more grungy feel.

Giving It Up has made me pretty damn excited to hear the band’s upcoming third full length album, Wired.  The record is due out next March, and I’ll be looking out to see if any more singles are released, to give me a better idea of what direction the band will be heading in.

Mallory Knox will also be heading out on tour during March and April next year to celebrate the release of their new record.  This band is absolutely fantastic live, so I definitely recommend attending one of these shows if they visit a venue near you.  Helpfully, here is the list of dates for your viewing pleasure:

• 20/3 – O2 Academy, Bristol
• 21/3 – Tramshed, Cardiff
• 22/3 – UEA, Norwich
• 24/3 – O2 Institute, Birmingham
• 25/3 – Leadmill, Sheffield
• 26/3 – Corn Exchange, Cambridge
• 28/3 – Garage, Aberdeen
• 29/3 – Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
• 31/3 – University Students’ Union, Newcastle
• 1/4 – O2 Academy, Liverpool
• 2/4 – Pyramids, Portsmouth
• 4/4 – O2 Academy, Oxford
• 5/4 – KOKO, London
• 6/4 – KOKO, London

What did you think of Mallory Knox’s latest single?  Will you be heading out to see them on their UK tour next year? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: Avenged Sevenfold release new track, tease next album

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Avenged Sevenfold, so you should be able to imagine the screams of excitement when I saw the band’s latest update.  First off, I noticed this intriguing post on my Facebook timeline:

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAvengedSevenfold%2Fposts%2F10153776085585583&width=500

The link to the band’s website lead us to the music video for their latest single, The Stage.  It’s an eight and a half minute long anthem which has obvious influences from Iron Maiden and Metallica, and to me sounds like the logical follow-up to their 2013 album Hail To The King.  The music video takes a damning look back at the history of mankind, how we the public are merely pawns to politicians and the human race is doomed to constantly repeat history.  You can check it out for yourself here:

The website also contains a semi-hidden link to Doombot, an application which answers questions typed in by the user.  When I asked it some questions it told me to look out for November 18th, so I’ve marked that date down in my calendar as the time to expect more Avenged Sevenfold news.

This single was also the first time we’ve heard from the band’s new drummer, Brooks Wackerman.  The drumming throughout The Stage is much more complex than throughout Hail To The King, which is of course a stylistic choice of the band’s and no reflection on previous drummer Arin Ilejay’s talent.

Overall I’m very excited at the release of Avenged Sevenfold’s new single, but I definitely cannot wait to hear more from the band about a future record, especially because I’ll be seeing them on their upcoming UK/EU tour in January.  Here’s hoping there’ll be tracks from a new album to hear performed on tour.

What do you think of Avenged Sevenfold’s latest track? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: Every Time I Die release new album, feature Brendon Urie in video

The New York metalcore band, Every Time I die, returned with a new full length record, titled Low Teens on Friday.  To celebrate, the band also released the music video for It Remembers, featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco fame.  You can watch the video here:

The video and track share some pretty heavy symbolism about escaping the stresses and troubles of the real world and attempting to find oblivion, but if you don’t care about that kinda thing the track is great and stands up by itself.

If you like the sound of that track, or are a long term fan of the band, Every Time I Die are coming across the pond in December to put on a string of live performances across the UK.  If you fancy treating yourself to an early Christmas present, check out the dates below:

• 8/12 – Chinnerys, Southend
• 9/12 – Owl Sanctuary, Norwich
• 10/12 – Brooklyn Bowl, London
• 11/12 – The Haunt, Brighton
• 12/12 – Globe, Cardiff
• 14/12 – The Venue, Derby
• 15/12 – Vintage Bar, Doncaster
• 16/12 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
• 17/12 – Gorilla, Manchester
• 18/12 – King Tut’s, Glasgow
• 19/12 – Riverside, Newcastle
• 20/12 – Parish, Huddersfield

What do you think of the latest Every Time I Die Album? Are you planning on seeing them on tour? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: Deaf Havana announce new album release date

English alt rockers Deaf Havana have announced the release date for their next album in a less than conventional way.  All These Countless Nights is set to be released on the 27th of January next year, following the release of new single Sing earlier this month.  You can watch the video for that track here:

The band’s announcement was made whilst they played the above single during their set at Reading Festival last weekend.  During the performance, an artist spray painted the album title and release date onto the band’s stage backdrop.  If you’re in the UK and want to watch their full performance, you can check it out on the BBC iPlayer here.

Rather than pulling a Beyoncé and dropping a new album with no lead-up, announcement or publicity, or announcing a record the old fashioned way, I appreciate that Deaf Havana have shaken things up and done things a little differently.  Their new track sounds a little different too: the chorus is big and punchy, and it sounds like they’re stepping away from their slightly poppier sounding previous record.

Did you enjoy Deaf Havana’s Reading Festival track? Are you looking forward to their next album? Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes announce UK tour

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a massive fan of everything Frank Carter puts his name to. From Gallows, to Pure Love, and now to Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes, in my eyes this man can do no wrong.  I honestly have to restrain myself every time I write about one of his musical ventures just in case I sound too much like a rabid fangirl.

The band celebrated the first birthday of their debut album, Blossom, last Sunday: if you still haven’t heard this record, you can check out my review here.  They’ve been headlining gigs and playing festivals across Europe this summer, that is until Frank majorly messed up his back in Berlin.  You can see his Facebook post about the incident here.

Even though Frank’s back ended up so messed up the band had to cancel a handful of festival appearances, I’m certain that he’ll be back at full strength in time for their November UK tour, announced on Monday.  Unfortunately it looks like I won’t be able to attend: I’m in Bournemouth for my graduation on the Nottingham date, but I leave Bournemouth before the band play The Winchester. Needless to say, I’m absolutely gutted at missing out on another chance to see this fantastic band live.  Here are the tour dates: hopefully you’ll be more fortunate than myself and be able to attend your nearest date!  Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning from 10am.

• 2/11 – Gorilla, Manchester
• 3/11 – Bongo Club, Edinburgh
• 4/11 – Tunnels, Aberdeen
• 6/11 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
• 7/11 – Key Club, Leeds
• 8/11 – Fleece, Bristol
• 10/11- Electric Ballroom, London
• 11/11 – The Winchester, Bournemouth
• 13/11 – The Bullingdon, Oxford
• 14/11 – Concorde 2, Brighton
• 15/11 – Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

The band will also be playing at Reading & Leeds Festivals later this month, but if you’re still unsure about whether to attend, you’ll have to choose Leeds as Reading has sold out!

Are you excited for Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes’ upcoming tour? Are you planning to attend any of the above dates? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: The Lion And The Wolf announces second album ‘The Cardiac Hotel’ and new label

If you’re a long term altrocklife reader, then you’ll know that I’ve been a big fan of The Lion And The Wolf AKA singer-songwriter-guitarist Thomas George for quite a while.  My love affair started when I reviewed his first full-length record, Symptoms, for Scene Better Days, and the musician has only improved from there.  He’s played dozens of live shows in the UK and Europe, both in support of PJ Bond and his own headline gigs.  Basically, I think he’s a real talent, and I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground, ready to report back on any news from him.

Imagine my delight when yesterday The Lion And The Wolf made not one, but TWO announcements!  First off, the musician has now been signed to a new label, Xtra Mile Recordings.  Like myself, the record label were impressed with George’s DIY outlook and drive to produce his debut record, and have now decided that this is the time to add him to their roster.

Not only that, but The Cardiac Hotel, George’s second full length record, will be released on October 2nd through Xtra Mile Recordings and Grand Hotel van Cleef. During the announcement on his Facebook page, The Lion And The Wolf said:

The idea that both of these labels are behind me and believe in The Lion and the Wolf makes my heart swell with pride and sets my weathered soul alight.

This latest record was heavily inspired by his father, who unfortunately has been the victim of illness over the past couple of years.  Such emotional and heartfelt subject matter is standard fare for The Lion And The Wolf, who describes his genre as “crushing melancholy”.  The first single from the upcoming record is entitled Find The Time, and was inspired by repeated hospital visits where the outcome is uncertain.  You can listen to the track below:

What did you think of The Lion And The Wolf’s latest single? Are you looking forward to The Cardiac Hotel?  Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: A Day To Remember announce Bad Vibes world tour

A Day To Remember fans have a lot to look forward to over the next few months.  They announced their follow up to their 2013 record Common Courtesy, named Bad Vibrations, will be released on August 19th.  They’ve already released two singles, including Paranoia, and you can see the video for the track here:

This song got me extremely excited for their next album: Common Courtesy had a lot more acoustic influences which meant, for me, that it didn’t pack the same punch as their previous records Homesick and What Separates Me From You.  From the sound of Paranoia and Bad Vibrations I’m already expecting big things from A Day To Remember this year.

Their latest announcement is that A Day To Remember will be setting off on a world tour in December, which will continue until February of next year.  The ‘Bad Vibes’ tour will take the band to Australia, the UK, and a number of countries in mainland Europe including Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Support for the UK and EU legs of the tour hasn’t been announced yet, but the band will be supported by Of Mice & Men throughout the Australia leg.  Unfortunately it’s unlikely that OM&M will be supporting during the UK/EU legs, because they will be on their own headline tour of the UK and EU in October and November.

Here are the dates you can catch A Day To Remember on tour in the UK – I’m hoping to attend the London date, because I have yet to see the band play during a headline tour and I reckon it will be a fantastic experience.

• 22/1 – International Arena, Cardiff
• 23/1 – SSE Hydro, Glasgow
• 25/1 – Barclay Card Arena, Birmingham
• 27/1 – SSE Wembley Arena, London
• 28/1 – Leeds Arena

You can also see whether the band will be visiting a European or Australian venue near you here.

What did you think of Paranoia and Bad Vibrations?  Are you planning on attending any of A Day To Remember’s tour dates?  Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: ALLUSONDRUGS announce August headline tour

Ever since I saw them supporting Enter Shikari at Portsmouth Pyramids last year, I’ve been following the progress of Yorkshire band ALLUSONDRUGS pretty closely.  Their music has a unique grungey-shoegaze sound which has seen them receive coverage from Kerrang!, Rock Sound and Radio 1.  You can watch one of their more popular music videos for the track I Should Have Gone To Uni here:

However, it appears that the band will no longer be performing under the name ALLUSONDRUGS.  A band spokesperson explained:

The Allusinlove Organisation hereby wish it to be known that these engagements shall be the full and final musical undertakings of the entity known as Allusondrugs. Please await further communications on this situation in the coming weeks for details of future works.

Does this mean the band will be changing their sound, as well as their name?  Well it seems likely that ALLUSONDRUGS will be testing a number of new tracks on their August headline tour, which head in a more focused direction away from their more low-fi origins.  It will be interesting to find out how these tracks are received by their audience.

Here are their tour dates, supported by the London alternative/indie band Massmatiks (except for dates marked with an *).

• 3/8 – Black Heart, London
• 4/8 – Boileroom, Guildford
• 5/8 – Lady Luck, Canterbury
• 6/8 – Humber Street Sesh, Hull*
• 7/8 – Joiners, Southampton
• 8/8 – Underground, Plymouth
• 9/8 – Cobblestones, Bridgewater
• 10/8 – Firebug, Leicester
• 11/8 – Sticky Mikes, Brighton*

Are you heading out to see ALLUSONDRUGS on their tour?  What do you think of their music?  Tell me what you think on Facebook or Twitter, or in the comments below.