BBC4

Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend: Belfast

May 25, 2018 — Leave a comment

It’s day 1 of Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend and what a day it’s been so far, and all the way from Belfast. The day was a music-packed extravaganza filled with some of the hottest acts from both the British music scene and beyond. Public Service Broadcasting, a band who need no singer and always seem to pull off a great show had the crowd in their hand were just incredible. They’re were some lively performances courtesy of 6Music Recommends that look set to provide a breath of fresh air this year. They’re were amazing to watch, the crowds were just loving it.

Now this is one performance you couldn’t miss, the indie legends that can’t to do wrong, Manic Street Preachers, just stole the show and sang several of their classics including International Blue, Stole The Sun, Tolerate, You Love Us and treated both the fans and crowd to their new single Hold Me Like a Heaven. Just awesome viewing pleasure to say the least. They did however pay tribute to band-member Nicky Wire who had to pull-out due to family reasons. The Manics bring back many memories of the Brit Pop era.

Whilst the Manics owned the stage it was legendary duo it was the DJ duo, Orbital, who owned the night. Phil and Paul Hartnoll effortlessly manage to create an ever-changing musical landscape which just gets the crowds energized and pumping with adrenaline. The brotherly duo treated the crowd to hits such as Lush, Impact, P.H.U.K, Wonky, Tiny Foldable Cities, Satan and even treated the audience to a special track named after the city, Belfast. They did do a special number for the audience, The End is Nigh. It makes seriously additive listening after just a few seconds. Now, there’s only a small handful of DJ/Dance duos who can create an energetic, hypnotic, musical landscape with sheer magnetism using very few words in-between, Orbital is that group and long may they rule.

Live links courtesy of Lauren Laverne and Colin Murray.

🙂 😉

Biffy Clyro @Reading (R+L)Festival 2016

August 29, 2016 — Leave a comment

So, after three days of sheer music madness the North/South music mecca of Reading+Leeds has come to a close, and only on BBC4. Tonight’s headliners, Biffy Clyro, made their second appearance on the Main Stage, three years since their last one, and it was just amazing. Led by frontman Simon Neil the Scottish trio sang many of their infamous hits including Rebel Chord, 57, Bubbles, Black Chandelier, The Captain, Many of Horror and Stingin’ Bell to name but a few. For me it was just sheer bliss to watch and to hear some of my favourite songs by Clyro was definitely worth staying up for (armed with a glass of JD &coke). So, that wraps it up for next year, see you again next year R+L.

RHCP @Reading (R+L) Festival 2016

August 28, 2016 — Leave a comment

Not long finished watching RHCP play the main stage @Reading on BBC4, and this will have been their fourth time now, it seems that we just can’t get enough of them. With a jammed-packed set crammed full of hits including Californication, Under The Bridge, The Getaway and By The Way this was just the perfect reason to stay up till the wee (early hours). As always stage antics aren’t too far away the it comes to the Chilli Peppers as at one point, Flea, hand-walked across the stage with a small person (either one of the band members’ kid’s or a fan). However they saved the best till last and performed their monster hit Give it Away, just fantastic to watch. RHCP feel free to come back anytime.

T in The Park 2016: Red Hot Chilli Peppers

July 11, 2016 — Leave a comment

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.

 

T in The Park 2016: Calvin Harris

July 10, 2016 — Leave a comment

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.

 

T in The Park 2016: highlights

July 9, 2016 — Leave a comment

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.

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Exeter: The Highlights

May 29, 2016 — 26 Comments

One Republic opened the second day of the weekend on the mainstage kickstarting another day of live music presented by Scott Mills, Annie Mac, Cel Spellman and Greg James. With coverage featuring live perfomances by The Last Shadow Puppets (as well as an interview), Alessia Cara and The Weeknd. DJ/Producer Alesso treated everyone to an impressive set in the In New Music We Trust stage, and what a performance it was. There was live radio coverage of Iggy Azalea which unfortunately had to be cut short due to strong language. Pity, it was on my favourite song. There were new videos from Nick Jonas for his new single ‘Close’ with Tove Lo; Tinie Tempah & Zara Larsson’s ‘Girls Like’ and Jake Bugg ‘Gimme The Love’. There was also a special video from Taylor Swift featuring Greg James (lucky beggar) for her single Blank Space. Panic At The Disco did an amazing cover of Bohemian Rhapsody, whilst shirtless (I kid you not). However all attention goes to Coldplay who stole the show as the headlining act closing the weekend event with an amazing set on BBC4.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Exeter: The Highlights

May 29, 2016 — Leave a comment

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.