Congratulations to both Adele and Coldplay on their awards at the Brit Awards. Got both your albums and you both deserved to win. Coldplay and Adele, I salute you.
Adam J Humphreys
The Singles Review
The Last Shadow Puppets
“Bad Habits”
An amazing hit tune courtesy of Alex Turner’s (Arctic Monkeys), Miles Kane’s, James Ford’s and Zach Dawes’s super group . Incredible rock tune and just can’t get enough of it and is yet another reason why these five lads are worthy of your playlist this year alone. The lyrics are catchy and the song itself is both addictive and a joy to listen to. I absolutely love this.
The Pink Slips
“Foxy Feline”
Direct from Seattle, this band have one fully energised song that can prove to be addictive listening. For anyone who likes their power/punk rock this is one for you. With the repetitive She’s a femme fatale, she’s a foxy feline, she’s a femme fatale, she’s a foxy feline going round your head a few times you’ll understand why this can be some seriously addictive listening pleasure. I’ve seen the video to this on YouTube and if the video doesn’t get your fancy, chances are the song will.
Lower Than Atlantis
“Get Over It”
For anyone who’s a fan of Brit rock and happens to love these guys get this one on your playlist now. I’ve heard this song a few times and it’s reassured my love of this band. The song is both captivating and raw and the lyrics are great. Get over this song and time soon…. I think not.
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Bitter’s Kiss review: ‘Love Won’t Make You Cry’, enjoy
Adele review: ‘When We Were Young’, enjoy
Nottingham Post article for MacMillan Fest 2015
A review I did for the Nottingham Post covering the recent MacMillan Fest. My first professional piece for a local paper which I’m proud of. I look forward to doing more for them in the near future.
http://www.nottinghampost.com/MacMillan-Fest-2015-Review-pictures/story-27750564-detail/story.html
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Load of Old Meat @The Maze, Nottingham 22/3/2015
The Maze played host to the official Meat Fest 15 and there was a days’ worth of music and meat to go around, and all under one roof. A lot of fresh new talent and definitely worth the entry ticket alone.
Numerous artists from both Nottingham and surrounding areas performed in every corner of the venue, and with much BBQ and new music on offer, there wasn’t too much to complain about. Playing upstairs were Harrison Rimmer and Issac Bloomfield who gave an intimate gig to small crowds of people, some of whom were lucky enough to grab a space of the sofa amidst a slightly smoky room. Brotherly duo of two names We Are Kin/The Davies Brothers and Adam Zareba put on performances in the acoustic corner put on amazing sets. Zarebra managed to pull off a trick with the infamous ‘Friends’ theme tune and made an entire room clap. The two amazing female solo artists Laura Allison and Lauren April gave off flawless performances.
Remaining downstairs Same Streets, Creatin’ Havoc, Billy Reynolds and Green Hill Zone kept the atmosphere going and everyone rocking with both rock and bass, the smell of sweat, adrenaline was in the air and there was buckets of energy going around. It was official headliners of the night Our Saving Day who helped finish the night and showed people how to rock the Nottingham way.
The Singles Review
Maroon 5
“This Summer’s Gonna Hurt…”
This is one amazing single and is one of the reasons why you remember why you loved Maroon 5 and after the first few seconds you’re already hooked and that’s before the first lyric. Very catchy and upbeat song and after more than a decade in music this band’s music just gets better and better and Adam Levine’s vocals are absolutely fantastic. This is definitely one for the summer playlist and one you can help but love. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing ‘This Summer’s Gonna Hurt’ from the top of your voice.
Example
“Whisky Story”
One full on energised tune, just incredible listening and you’re going to want to listen again and again. Example’s vocal are as amazing as ever and is a reminder why he’s an amazing artist in the British music scene and is just sheer proof that he just seems to get better and better. If you thought ‘Change the Way Kiss Me’, ‘Looking for Love’ were amazing then ‘Whisky Song is a move in another direction. Just stick this one your playlist and be amazed by what you hear.
TS7 ft Taylor Fowlis
“Heartlight”
This northern lass has got one of the most haunting yet soulful voice that you’re going to hear in a while, and even the bass is just spot on. The song itself is brilliant and the first lyric ‘Couldn’t escape if I wanted to’ is catchy. All the way from Liverpool and yet still unknown to many this woman’s got a catchy dance/R&B track that’s just too good to ignore. Just listen and after the first 15 seconds it wouldn’t at all be surprising if you hit the repeat button on this one.
An Empire Will Fall @The Maze, Nottingham 16/02/2015
An Empire Will Fall
Famous for Nothing
Our Saving Day
The Great White
We Are Tyrants
New upcoming band An Empire Will Fall released their album and showcased some impressive material at The Maze, with support from four other bands, and it was definitely a good night out. There was a lot of amazing, fresh new artists on tonight has each of them had their own fresh, full-on energetic sound. It was a great night to see new guitarists, drummer and singers live in front of venue, and after listening to all five bands play Nottingham once again proves it’s a hotspot for the freshest music. An amazing atmosphere of excitement was felt by all as Great White, We are Tyrants, Famous for Nothing got into party spirit and Empire got in on the moshing action with the crowd and you definitely smell both the sweat and adrenaline. One of the highlights, apart from seeing a whole room of people get excited for five new bands was the lead singer of Left with Regret passing the mic round and getting into one-to-one sing-a-longs with the crowd. Definitely a great night for new the undiscovered bands of Nottingham.
Words and photos by Adam J.Humphreys
Further photos from the night
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Oxjam Festival, various venues, Beeston, Nottingham 18/10/2014
The Face That Boils Itself
Simon Oldboy
Shapes & Things
Rosh
Rick Donoghue
Oldish Spice
Fusor
Fun With Numbers
Bohop & Jeanie Barton
Jim Dunn
Colin Tucker& Steve Ploughwright
Al Appleby
The Irish Chemists
Beeston, Nottingham played host to this years’ Oxjam festival in support of Oxfam so I went over to check it out and explore the numerous venues to see and hear what bands and artists sound like. And I have to admit it I was somewhat impressed. My trek led to around venues such The Bar, Star Inn, Malt Shovel and Hop Pole.
The Face That Boils Itself, The Irish Chemists, Shapes & Things and Fusor. I came across a shanty band called Oldish Spice at the Crown Inn who consists of up to nine members and the Beeston Folk stage that took place over at the White Lion. Now I admit that though I’m not big on Shanty bands and some folk music but I was intrigued by what I saw and heard,. During my trek from one side of Beeston when I got to see the talented Rosh a great vocal talent with acoustic skills to match. I bumped into Rick Donoghue, a DJ, whilst I made a short stop at the Bartons and I got to see a couple of performances from The Irish Chemists and Shapes & Things, two rock groups who both sounded great and I could even feel the bass not just hear it. My night ended at The Bar venue where I saw Simon Oldboy perform his set, though he did tell me that he wasn’t actually on the bill but was allowed to perform anyway. A talented guy and he sounded good. Upstairs rock band Fusor got the rooms full attention with their own brand of great music. Definitely a great night.
Other Pictures from the day:
MacMillan Fest, various venues, Nottingham 6/9/2014
Bleed From Within
Anavae
Adelphia
A City Alike
The Great White
Human Teeth
Famous for Nothing
Enormity Falls
Cabin Boy Jumped Ship
The Inside is Live
Kaizen
These Skies
As December Falls
Yesterday Nottingham played host to the annual Macmillan music festival that took place in many venues, and from what I saw it was enormous. Started up in 2010 Macmillan Fest is a music event that helps raise money for the Macmillan charity and has been going strong ever since. The Rescue Rooms, Rock City, Stealth, Spanky Van Dykes and the Red Rooms played host to 37 bands, both up-coming and mainstream such as Adelphia and Bleed From Within. I pretty much spent most of the day going back and forth from venue to venue seeing the many live bands in action which included a couple whom I’d seen before from previous gigs; a couple of these were Teenage Cancer Casket and Rik Gilbert formerly of Goodnight Astronaut, now Adelphia.
Other bands I managed to see during the day were Human Teeth, Anave, The Great White and The Inside is Live at Stealth, all of whom were fantastic. I caught a glimpse of acoustics performers As December Falls and Kaizen and I got to see further acts including Cabin Boy Jumped Ship and Famous for Nothing that have got to be amongst some of the most energetic bands I’ve seen live. Heading over to Spanky Van Dykes venue I saw performances by These Skies and Enormity Falls who were electrifying and bumped into three of the guys from Teenage Cancer Casket along the way. As my time at the event came to an end I went out of my way to see Scottish Rockers Bleed From Within before I left and it was definitely worth it as they were amazing and got the crowd completely hyped. And believe me I could smell not just the sweat but could also sense the adrenalin in the room and feel large amounts of bass.
Adam's Journal 