Adam’s Journal

The Singles Review

February 25, 2016 — Leave a comment

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.

 

 

Nottingham Post article for MacMillan Fest 2015

November 24, 2015 — Leave a comment

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

 

 

 

Load of Old Meat @The Maze, Nottingham 22/3/2015

September 25, 2015 — Leave a comment

LOOMFEST LOOMFEST2 LOOMFEST3 LOOMFEST5 LOOMFEST6 LOOMFEST7 LOOMFEST8 LOOMFEST9 LOOMFEST10 LOOMFEST11 LOOMFEST12

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

August 27, 2015 — Leave a comment

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

July 13, 2015 — Leave a comment
An Empire Will Fall

An Empire Will Fall

Famous for Nothing

Famous for Nothing

Our Saving Day

Our Saving Day

The Great White

The Great White

We Are Tyrants

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

_MG_5774 _MG_6026 AEWF28 AEWF33 LWR2 OSD2 OSD3

Oxjam Festival, various venues, Beeston, Nottingham 18/10/2014

February 3, 2015 — Leave a comment
The Face That Boils Itself

The Face That Boils Itself

Simon Oldboy

Simon Oldboy

Shapes & Things

Shapes & Things

Rosh

Rosh

Rick Donoghue

Rick Donoghue

Oldish Spice

Oldish Spice

Fusor

Fusor

Fun With Numbers

Fun With Numbers

Bohop & Jeanie Barton

Bohop & Jeanie Barton

Jim Dunn

Jim Dunn

Colin Tucker& Steve Ploughwright

Colin Tucker& Steve Ploughwright

Al Appleby

Al Appleby

The Irish Chemists

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:

Al Appleby2 Rosh Rick Donoghue The Irish Chemists2

MacMillan Fest, various venues, Nottingham 6/9/2014

November 7, 2014 — Leave a comment
Bleed From Within

Bleed From Within

Anavae

Anavae

Adelphia4

Adelphia

A City Alike

A City Alike

The Great White

The Great White

Human Teeth

Human Teeth

Famous for Nothing

Famous for Nothing

Enormity Falls

Enormity Falls

Cabin Boy Jumped Ship2

Cabin Boy Jumped Ship

The Inside is Live2

The Inside is Live

Kaizen

Kaizen

These Skies4

These Skies

As December Falls

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.

 

Acoustic Night @The Vic Inn, Derby 15/9/2014

November 5, 2014 — Leave a comment
TheVic

Jake Manning

Phil Matthews

Phil Matthews

It was a game of two halves at The Vic last night as there was music from two acoustic artists, courtesy of Dodgy Strawberry Promotions. Before the sessions began I was informed that there was supposed to be a third person on the bill who never showed up. Armed with a guitar and some jokes Phil Matthews got the crowd going.During his set he told numerous stories about growing up in Liverpool in the 60’s and covered a couple of their hits including ‘Hard Days’ Night’ as well as some material of his own. This guy was really good and had a soothing voice. Now don’t let the name, Jake Manning, deceive you into thinking it’s a solo artist, this Lecister-based four-piece band played some soothing melodic music, though only three made it on the night. What really struck me during their set was the amount of raw emotion in the lyrics and singing, these guys were good. Jokes about sausages being their inspiration, also there was food being served on the night. Thank you staff of The Vic Inn, that filled a hole. . The Manning band ended their set with a song called ‘Don’t Let The Devil Take Your Blues’ before ending the night on some sausage and potatoes, yummy.