I listened to Rihanna’s latest track ‘Sledgehammer’ which is the theme tune to the upcoming Star Trek film Star Trek: Beyond earlier on today and I really like it. I’ve heard it on BBC Radio 1 numerous times and Rihanna just seems to get it each time you listen to her voice. The lyrics are just haunting and her voice is just captivating and the composition of the song works perfectly. Now I admit I’m not a huge Star Trek fan but I’m tempted to see the film after hearing her song.
Not long finished watching Red Hot Chilli Peppers close the second day of T in The Park on BBC4 as presented by Edith Bowman, they were as energised as ever and have lost none of their touch. Over two hours filled with one of the hottest bands to come from the States , (thank you America) their performance was electrifying and worth staying up till the wee (early) hours for. During their two they many of their infamous hits including Under The Bridge, By The Way, Universally Speaking, Go Robot, Goodbye Angels including their one of their earlier hits, Give it Away. There are a few words I can use to describe tonight, ‘well and truly amazing guys, come back soon’. As a fan of RHCP I absolutely loved tonights’ gig.
America, thank you for giving us one of the coolest bands tonight. We, or at least I salute you.
Just finished watching world renowned DJ/Producer Calvin Harris headline at T in The Park tonight on BBC4, as presented by Edith Bowman. And it’ll be the second time he’s performed there since 2014. Over two hours of sheer musical bliss and stage effects this was one headline you’ll be glad if you caught it. I know I am. The set tonight included remixes and collaborations from Rhiannon (Found Love), Ellie Goulding ( I Need Your Love), Ne-Yo (Let’s Go), Ayah Mara (Thinking About You). Further tracks included samples by Adele (Hello) and Daft Punk (One More Time). Definitely worth staying up for.
Further coverage included performances by Bastille, Travis, Kaiser Chiefs, Jack Garratt, Tom Odell, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Last Shadow Puppets. Overall it’s been a great night so far.
Today was the start of the infamous musical mecca of T in The Park and this time from its new location at Strathallan. With coverage presented by the incredible Scotswoman Edith Bowman on BBC4 (glad she’s not left the BBC) saw today’s highlights jam pack with live performances by Disclosure, Fun Lovin Criminal, The Courteeners and Jamie XX, all absolutely incredible. There was a new band on called Frightened Criminals who, I have to say, where just amazing. It was Alesso who stole the stole as the main headlining act with his electrifying set. Also there was an aftershow gig featuring a new duo called Roderigo Y Gabriela who were really good.
Brit rock veterans Coldplay closed the amazing three day festival as Glastonbury and as always they played an amazing set. As seen on BBC2. There was a small technical glitch with the instruments which meant that Chris Martin performed Everglow solo on the piano, still a good song though. The festival veterans played several of their hit tracks including Yellow, A Head Full of Dreams and Adventure of a Lifetime. They were joined by Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb for two of their songs including their hit track Stayin’ Alive. They ended their set performing another duet with festival organiser Michael Eavis CBE to sing a cover of the Frank Sinatra classic My Way. An amazing night and great way to end a festival. I look forward to next year.
Just watching Adele finish doing her closing song ‘Someone Like You’, having opened it with ‘Hello’ and for the past hour and a half inbetween all I can say is that she is just amazing. Adele pretty much did much of the songs that you’d have wanted her to sing including ‘Rumour Has It’, ‘Set Fire to The Rain’ and . There a couple of incidents when she suffered a mishap and when the performance had to be stopped because someone in the crowd fell ill. For me the icing on the cake was when she performed ‘Skyfall’. All I can say is that, like many, I watched something truly magically. The other pinnacle was when she went on to the smaller stage and sang ‘Make You Feel My Love’ which she dedicated to her late granddad. Adele has set the trend on how to end live shows; normally rock bands finish with firework/pyrotechnics, Adele did by leaving the stage and letting the crowd finish singing the last song whilst the piano played.
Just been watching Tom Odell perform his latest single ‘Magnetised’ on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1, what an absolute tune. I loved it. Odell is an amazing artist in the making and that was one fantastic live performance tonight. Tom will be performing at Glastonbury the is year, look forward to hearing him singing this song. Taken from his new album Wrong Crowd, if any of the other songs are as good as Magnetised then I’m definitely getting the album.
Watched two amazingly talented women on TV tonight; Alicia Keys perform her new single ‘In Common’, live on the Graham Norton Show on BBC1. And Laura Mvula on The One Show. Ms Keys was as great as ever and her new single sounds fresh and different to what she’s originally done in the past. For me, what made this even more raw was that she had no make-up whatsoever. Other than that the new song’s actually quite good, I look forward to hearing more of it.
Laura Mvula performed live from the Eden Project in Cornwall in front of an audience of hundreds, and it was just incredible. Her new song ‘Phenomenal Woman is the perfect blend of rock and R&B with a little bit of soul in the mix. The lyrics were energetic, fresh and all in all, lively. This is one woman who’s talents and music I admit I am drawn to, despite being more of a rock/soul and dance guy.
It’s first day of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Exeter and it’s been great so far. With live streams presented by Radio 1’s Annie Mac, Nick Grimshaw, Alice Levine and 1Xtra’s Mistajam providing backstage coverage from the BBC Introducing stage. Nick Jonas opened the events on the main stage. Current highlights have included live, energetic performances by Slaves, Chvrches, Paloma Faith who even did her hit duet with Sigma. There were new videos from Biffy Clyro of their new single ‘Wolves of Winter’ and Desiinger with his new video ‘Panda’. Both videos looked pretty good. There was a live streamed set by The Hunna on the BBC Introducing stage which unfortunately had to be cut after 15 seconds due to bad language. Pity really, they did seem quite good on first appearances. Mumford & Sons however stole the show as the headliners on the main stage over on BBC4.
As a dedicated music and festival fan I personally am disappointed that I could only access most live performances, backstage gossip and interviews via the red button service. This is what was great about BBC3 when it was a TV channel as they showed over 6 hours of non-stop coverage. The BBC made a huge mistake taking the channel off the air, they should reverse their decision even if on a temporary basis. As a channel you knew where it was. No music fan should have to rely solely on the Radio 1 website or red button service for coverage. And they definitely shouldn’t have to wait till 22:30 just to catch that one televised act.
Just watched over four minutes of Corinne Bailey Rae performing her new single ‘Stop Where You Are’ on The Graham Norton Show right now on BBC1. What a performance and an amazing song. She’s one talented woman who’s got that soulful, soothing voice that can speak emotions and is incredible to listen to. I love it. For a song that’s over 4 minutes long you’re gonna like it after just one. If soul/R&B is your thing, then I’d definitely recommend Bailey Rae for your playlist. Taken from her new album The Heart Speaks in Whispers. I’ve absolutely loved her since she released her very first debut single and still love her now. If her new single’s anything to go by then I’m definitely going to get the album.
Adam's Journal 