Live music

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.

Coldplay @Glastonbury 2016

June 27, 2016 — Leave a comment

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.

Adele @Glastonbury 2016

June 26, 2016 — Leave a comment

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.

Muse @Glastonbury 2016

June 25, 2016 — 1 Comment

Just finished watching Muse headline the Main Stage at Glastonbury and my god it was absolutely awesome. As a band they are simply fantastic and practically set the stage alight when performing live they are that good. Introduced by Lauren Laverne and reintroduced by Huw Stephens and the woman who I describe as the 1st Lady of Glastonbury Jo Whiley. They performed many of there hits including Uprising, Supermassive Blackhole, Starlight including their ever infamous (in my opinion) Knights of Cydonia during which they managed to get the crowd to sing along to; I even had a Jack Daniels and Coke at hand (very rock and roll). All I can say is that Muse are one band that I’d happily stay up late for.

Yes, okay I admit that I switch back and forth between this and Graham Norton to catch a glimpse of Iggy Pop. I liked Iggy but I JUST LOVE MUSE!!!!

Iggy Pop on The Graham Norton Show

June 24, 2016 — Leave a comment

Just been watching Iggy Pop on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 performing his new single, Sunday. All I can say his that even after 4 decades in the music industry he’s still got it. Total rock and roll and I have to admit that I had to switch back and forth between BBC 1 & 2 to catch a live glimpse of him. And for all of two minutes it was worth it, and he even gets right in there with the audience. Seriously, not many artists actually do that these days which is a bit of a shame, just makes the performance worth watching

Christine & The Queens on The Graham Norton Show

June 17, 2016 — 2 Comments

Just finished watching Christine & The Queens perform their new single ‘Tilted’  live on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1, and as far as live performances go it was both distinctive and fascinating. The performance itself was an eye opener as it was like watching a music video right in front of you (and on TV). I genuinely would listen to that song again . If other French artists are anything like as good as what I’ve just seen with Christine & The Queens then I’m interested to see what other artists France has to offer. Keep an eye out for at Glastonbury as she’s said she’ll be live on The Other Stage. Can’t wait to see that.

 

Preview article for Nottingham Post

June 14, 2016 — Leave a comment

A small preview piece that I did in the run up to this years’ MacMillan Fest in September. Read and enjoy

 
More than £20,000 has been raised for good causes since Macmillan Fest first started seven years ago and this year organisers are hoping to add another five grand to the total. The one day…

Tom Odell on The Graham Norton Show

June 10, 2016 — 4 Comments

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.

Alicia Keys on The Graham Norton Show and Laura Mvula on The One Show

June 3, 2016 — 5 Comments

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.