The debut album from new artist Stevie McCrorie who won the fourth series of The Voice UK (team Ricky). For a debut album this is brilliant and demonstrates what a great artist @steviemccrorie is in the making. 11 tracks, McCrorie is an artist to keep your eye on. For more detailed review go to Album Reviews page
Currently watching Coldplay perform their new single Everglow right now on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1, absolutely incredible. Well it’s mainly him and his guitarist Jonny Buckland playing but still give as good. It’s a bit like having your very own personal gig. This is just another reminder of the musical genius that is Chris Martin and the band. Soothing, melodic and as always Chris vocals are both haunting and captivating. Nice touch with the flowers and candles on the piano.
Currently watching Sting perform his new single I Can’t Stop Thinking About You on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 at the moment, it’s a great song to kick back to. For me this is another reason why I’m a fan of both Sting and his band The Police, total rock legend. Sting has got one hell of a set of lungs on him and knows how to play a guitar. Total legend.
Been watching American singer LeAnn Rimes perform her new song The Story on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 and I admit it wasn’t that bad, better than her earliest stuff. The Story starts soft in a similar way to your basic ballad before becoming more upbeat and energized and her voice carries the rest of the song, in a modern-day soprano. She’s got on of those voices where she that carries numerous emotions. I’ve noticed that she’s doing what other country stars do and gone more ‘rock’ than ‘country’ which is actually quite good. She can only sound better at the end of the day.
The latest from the One To Watch from the Nottingham Post. New band Eyre Llew. For the full read go to the Published Pieces page
Not long finished watching Kings of Leon perform their latest single “Waste a Moment” on The Graham Norton Show, with a nice glass of JD & coke in my hand (tasty combo). Absolutely amazing and just another reminder why I love these guys so much. Jared, Caleb, Nathan and Matthew may you never change. The live performance was as good as you’d expect, raw and energised, worth those 3 minutes (and anyone else’s who watched) Thank you America for giving us the Kings.
Give the video a try, it’s like a mixed medical and cop drama with a couple of abstract scenes inbetween, featuring both a woman with a blindfold, a crashed car and three cheerleaders.
Finished watching Niall Horan, formerly of One Direction from his debut single This Town on The Graham Norton Show and considering that a pop-band this new song of his is surprisingly different and didn’t sound that bad. A nice sounding acoustic soul number with a small bit of Irish influence in it. Unfortunately as good as I found if I’m afraid I won’t be rushing to download the single anytime soon. I know I’m probably being biased here as I wasn’t a fan of One Direction but I don’t approve of anything that’s a product of the Walsh/Cowell machine either and every time I see Niall I just end up thinking of that band.
This is the first of a new feature for the Nottingham Post, it’s sole idea being to focus on new artists from Nottingham, it’s called One To Watch. For full review go to the Published Pieces page. Here’s Evil Scarecrow
Party Like a Russian, the name of Robbie Williams new track and I’ve just heard it on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 and I’ve got to admit even I liked it. The song itself sounds raw, energised and abstract. A female member of the audience got a pleasant (ish) surprise when Robbie sat on her lap, some people get all the luck don’t they. The performance itself was eye-catching and had some authentic Russian vocals on it, even the backing band looked authentic in their attire. If anything you could almost class this as a potential Bond song. Even though I’m not much of a fan I quite liked it.
The annual event known as MacMillan Fest returned for another year and both Rock City and Rescue Rooms played host to event this year. With 67 acts on the bill the event organisers have pulled out all the stops to make this the best event to date yet. MacMillan Fest is organised by IKE Promotions, courtesy of its head organiser, Kris Davis. The event attracts big names every year to headline its festivals.
This years’ main headlining acts consisted of Seafret and Sikth, whom individually, managed to pull full crowds on both the main stages. Headlining duo Harry Draper and Jack Sedman who make Seafret have only been on the music scene since 2014 and have been making a name for themselves since, closed the night at the Rescue Rooms. Over at the main stage at Rock City, rock metal veterans, Sikth, helped bring the night to a close.
Other acts that appeared were High Tides, Chasing Dragons, Continents, The Mocking Jays, Inme, The Mitherhead and Black Cats & Magpies raised the roof, you could practically smell the sweat, adrenaline and energy. Returning bands were Our Saving Day and Eyre Llew. Over at the acoustics area at the main bar were Billie, Joseph Knight, Bethany Jowett and Ellie Keegan, who proved that acoustics are just as good as rock/metal bands.
Overall it was a successful day with many musicians, both local and from further afield, playing at all seven venues with plenty of food, drink and merchandise to go around, and oddly enough people willing to get their hair cut for the cause. Don’t ask.
The annual music event which takes place every year in September is to raise both awareness and money for the MacMillan Cancer charity and also helps support local artists at the same time.
Adam's Journal 