GIGSANDTOURS

Gigs and Tours talks to Roots Manuva

2012-01-16T12:02:00.001Z

Roots Manuva, aka Rodney Smith is an influential figure in British Hip Hop and British Music - he will be taking his talent on the road where he will showcase every style from wonky reggae through pop-funk, street spitting, straight up hip hop, sung ballads and epic death-disco. Gigs And Tours chats to Roots Manuva ahead of his UK tour which kicks off later in the month at The Arches in Glasgow...

What are you up to at this moment?

Right now I am sat at the laptop answering these questions whilst trying to be witty, engaging and sincere with a smile and a big hug for human kind. In general I am trying a keep a decent balance between being creative and being a considerate human being.

You’re touring this month what can the audience expect?

You can expect the best live renditions of my Thirties – this year’s gigs are my good bye to the Thirties gigs. And yes, my Thirties were dirty but I am now looking forward to my naughty Forties. This is because being naughty in my mind is being dirty but more calculated with it - clean funny fun times.

Will you be playing any new material or a mixture of your back catalogue?

The new show is based on the latest LP: 4everevolution so naturally the set list will be made up of a great deal of new songs but there will also be lots of old favourites. At this stage in my creative career I have over five albums worth of song to choose from, and over 20 other guest appearances that I put on the set list from time to time. Tour travel often brings out an investigative listen of new and old, released and unreleased Roots Manuva songs. I try to pre warn my twitter and facebook friends that

they should be prepared for nice surprises here and there.

What is your favourite song to perform live?

My favourite song to perform is a bonus track on the new CD that was pre-leaked from my bananaklan website two years ago called ‘Snakebite’. I remember playing it to my land lady while playing her lots of other demos that I was working on and this was what she found most striking. It's a noisy relentless groove and I love to play it loud and pretend I am about to invade a small island with a fleet of war machines - it's my marching song.

Where has been your favourite gig?
Favourite gig is a real hard one because I have been blessed with so much cosmic moments. I have an abundance of highlights. On the "Run Come Save Me" tour, I was the first UK Based Hip Hop act to tour with a proper string section. It was extremely expensive and I had no experience of taking session players on the road. But it worked a treat. A very brave take on a traditional Hip Hop show with four strings, Drum machines, bass, turntables and microphones. That was back in 2001. I took this tour all over the U.K. and Europe and at every show someone in the audience shed a tear of joy. Since then I have numerous other amazing sonic experiences. I try to chop and change the line-up of musicians from album to album but now am at a stage where I have to keep an honest balance and not test the coffers for the sake of it. I do a "one man show" to a larger set up of "Turntables and Musicians” and I have learnt that what matter is the heart of performance... (Rambling here, bare with me) I recently bought a sound system and have been playing at small underground venues in East London. Often it just a back to basic rapping over a Drum machine or Instrumental and these little events have been up there with the more traditional gig formats and venue. As I was saying it is far too hard to say what the ultimate best gig is because every show has its very own beauty.

Which song do you wish you had written?I wish I wrote "Killer" by Seal and Adamski - I love the fact that I do not know what is being sung about and I do not wish to know the exact meaning behind it. For me it communicates a very rich context of sincerity. The notes, the tone and primal voicing are very haunting but very alive and living.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

The first gig I went to was "The Cold Chilling Tour” at Brixton Academy - it was 1989 and it was a package of Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane Master Ace, Cool G Rap and others. They called themselves the Juice Crew and were from New York. They were like a Wu tang Clan but as a business management touring operation.

Plans for the rest of the year?

This year should see the making/ finishing of the First Roots Manuva Live/ Documentary DVD. In the meantime I will tour and record new songs with my crew The Bananaklan Sound system. We are known for Ragga Hip Hop fusions but I really want to make a traditional Rock Record. You can see the project unfold by visiting bananaklan.co.uk.

Tour Dates:

26/01 - The Arches - Glasgow
27/01 - The Ritz - Manchester
28/01 - Met Uni - Leeds
30/01 - HMV Institute - Birmingham
31/01 - Concorde - Brighton
01/02 - Waterfront - Norwich
03/02 - Anson Rooms - Bristol
04/02 - The Roundhouse - London

GIGS & TOURS TALK TO fiN

2012-01-12T15:26:00.001Z

Headline Show Announced at London Borderline

Single The Artisan / It Changes Everything – out now

Ahead of their hotly-tipped show, Luke Joyce of fiN gave Gigs & Tours this exclusive interview on behalf of his fellow band-members and former schoolmates Jonny Garner, Simon Harding and Kerry Lambert…

After supporting Incubus on their massive tour earlier this month fiN have announced a headline show at London's Borderline in February 2012.

What are you up to at this very moment?

Luke: Right now I'm putting the finishing touches to our behind the scenes video for rapture that we will be giving away with our second single Everybody Dies Alone / Rapture.

You’re playing the Borderline in February what can the audience expect?

Luke: We are really looking forward to the single launch. It’s a big night for us so we are going to make it special. As always we will be giving it all we have. We always play each show like it’s our last. You can expect a celebration that’s for sure.

You supported Incubus last year on their European tour how was that for you?

Luke: It was an incredible experience and a fantastic opportunity for fiN. I learnt so much from those dates. It was such a big tour for us, very daunting. The crowds made the tour for me. They welcomed us with open arms.

What is your favourite song to perform live?

Luke: It changes ever night for me. I really enjoy playing Everybody Dies Alone at the moment.

Where has been your favourite gig?

Luke: Alexandra Palace, London was a big show for me. For all of us intact. Playing in front of 10,000 people was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Which song do you wish you had written?

Luke: There are so many great songs but I’d love to have written Jeremy by Pearl Jam. That track is incredible.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Luke: My parents took me to see Michael Jackson when I was about 12 years old. I still remember that show till this day. His early records are fantastic. He was a great showman.

Plans for the rest of the year?

Luke: We plan to spend a lot of the time touring and releasing the six 7" singles. I’m really excited to get out there and show the world what fiN can do.

Wed 01-Feb-2012 London Borderline 0870 060 3777

Tickets are £6.00 and are onsale now at www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051

BBC Sound of 2012!!

2011-12-08T15:37:00.008Z

Fifteen of 2012's most promising and exciting stars have been named on the BBC Sound longlist. The list, compiled by critics, radio DJ's, presenters, editors and producers, presents artist from all different genres across the globe, and is famed for turning little known artists into national stars. With previous winners including Jessie J, Adele, Little Boots and 50 Cent there is no doubt that this years nominees are going to be the sound of 2012 onwards.

Fresh from topping NME's 2011 'Cool List', being added to the BBC Sound list is just another achievement to add to notorious rapper and singer Azealia Banks' acolades. Her debut song 212 became one of the years most talked about tracks, being named 'Record of the week' by Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1 and also being ranked as the highest ever rated song on The Singles Jukebox. Proving to be one of the most talented people to emerge from the music scene in years, it is hard to believe that Azealia is only 20. After being compared to a young Lil' Kim, there is no doubt that 2012 belongs to Azealia Banks.

English dubstep producer and DJ Flux Pavillon also graces the list after going from being relatively unknown to dubstep's brightest hope in less than 12 months. With hip-hop royalty Jay-Z and Kanye West sampling his track 'I Can't Stop', and fresh from working in the studio with Nero, Flux Pavillion has more than earnt his place.

Last week he was nominated for a grammy, and now US dubstep megastar Skrillex is one of the front runners to win BBC's Sound of 2012. Famed for his unique sound, mixing heavy dub and electro and taking influences from metal bands such as Korn, Skrillex has taken the dance world by storm and seems set to get bigger and better next year.

Other nominees include Dry the River, Spector, Jamie N Commons and Micheal Kiwanuka.

Watch Skrillex's fab single 'First of the year' here!!!

NME Awards 2012 Tour!

2011-11-17T10:33:00.005Z

The title says it all, the infamous NME Awards Tour is back with this years most electrifying upcoming acts. Renowned for giving the freshest new acts their first taste of national notoriety – past alumni include Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, Florence & The Machine, Crystal Castles and The Vaccines – 2012’s line-up captures the spirit of 2011 and sets the agenda for an explosive forthcoming year of music.

Britains best loved band Two Door Cinema Club have bagged the top slot, headling the widely anticipated tour. Since releasing their debut album 'Tourist History' in March 2010, the band have quickly become one of the leading acts in the music industry, selling out tours everywhere from the UK to Austrailia. The band are more than worthy of the headline title after earning a devoted word-of-mouth live following and reciving huge critical acclaim.

Two Door Cinema Club say: "It feels great to be headlining the NME Tour and be amongst what feels like a great line-up as well. We had a taste of the tour when we did the local support slots when the Tour came to Ireland with the Maccabees when we were pretty much just starting out as a band. We feel a real sense of achievement to have made it this far and be one among the incredible list of headliners on the NME Awards Tour."

Also on the bill for the show, which kicks off in February, is Metronomy, one of the most visionary electronic bands in the country. Metromony say: "It's pretty exciting to be part of a travelling tour, a bit like a circus or something. It's been a while since we did a tour this long with the same bands for the whole thing, so hopefully there will be some camaraderie between the bands. Failing that there should be some incredibly violent 'beefs' which will make for good reading in the magazine."

Fresh from prodigious slots opening for their idols The Pixies, London quartet Tribes are pleased to announce their place on the tour. It's bound to be lively with this mad lot as they say: “We're really f***ing excited to be going on the NME Tour. We're really happy to be part of it, considering the history of the tour, and the fact the likes of The Vaccines and The Horrors have done it before. Hopefully there'll be some good after parties too – we're all about the partying.”

New York producer and MC Azealia Banks has landed the coveted opening slot for the NME Awards Show. Azealia has been making a name for herself and perfecting her craft for years, and it certainly shows. Her angelic voice will provide an unbeatable opening for the show. Azealia Banks says: “I've been reading NME since I was old enough to ride the trains, where I’d buy it on newsstands... it's almost surreal that I’ve been selected to participate in this tour... it's such an honour.”

Watch Azealia's notorious single 212 here

Tickets for the tour are on sale now with a 50p donation from each ticket going to Teenage Cancer Trust.

Little Roy

2011-11-10T14:11:00.004Z

Legendary Reggae singer Little Roy delivers a series of refreshingly original Nirvana covers on his highly praised new album 'Battle For Seattle'. The courageous album features classics such as Sliver, Polly, Lithium and Heartshaped Box. Little Roy's lively tonal range compliments Cobains lyrics perfectly, providing an amazing crossover between the Reggae and Grunge genres. He says of his new album “When these Nirvana songs hit you, you’ll feel the music, and no pain. You have to listen deep to get it.”.

'Battle For Seattle' has had the nod of approval from the Nirvana camp, with Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic having been reported to love it and Charles Peterson, who's responsible for the cover shot of Nirvana's 'Bleach', providing the cover image for Little Roy's release.

With such high praise coming from above, I can't wait to catch Little Roy at the Scala in London next week! Get tickets at www.gigsandtours.com

Reviews for 'Battle For Seattle'

"A refreshingly offbeat homage to greatness. Glorious!" The Telegraph

"The arrangements are visionary. Deconstructive genius." Mojo

"Daring and brilliant" BBC Online

Watch Little Roy's unmissable performance of Lithium live on Jools Holland

GIGS AND TOURS SPEAK TO WHITE LIES

2011-10-27T13:30:00.012+01:00

1. What are you up to at this moment?

I’m about forty five minutes into a thirteen hour flight from Singapore to London. I’m hoping this interview will bring us up to a clear hour by the time I’m done but you never can be too sure. I might get distracted. It’s a pretty empty flight and the stewardesses in flowered Asian dresses have been coming around interrupting people reading or listening to music go tell them that they’re free to move seats to somewhere else if they want. That a dangerous thing to say to people on a plane because it’s a dog eat dog world up here a million miles in the air and everyone wants to be comfier than the next person. I have enough trouble choosing a seat online from those diagrams, but seeing it all in real life and up for grabs is pretty turbulent for everyone’s sanity id say. Either way I stayed where I was originally as I thought that was pretty British of me and I’m as comfortable as I can be having only flown out here yesterday. Jack and I had a dj set in another half empty club owned by some millionaire or something and now were coming home very slightly richer but with slightly less soul and hair than I had when I arrived.

2. What can fans expect to experience at one of your shows?

Depends really on what you get up to during the show really. Some venues have a pretty lax policy on restroom gender policing so perhaps you could use that to your advantage. Generally speaking the most common thing people experience though at our shows is the songs they may or may not have heard on a cd by us played about 50 times louder than their personal boom box could. We all like to splash a bit of cologne on before a show just at the off-chance that the venue will be so small that we might be able to offer that evening guests the gift of pleasant scent.

3. What is your favourite song to perform live?

The shortest ones a pretty fun. Just kidding. Right now I’m excited to start playing 'come down' off our newest record and 'from the stars' from our first record which we haven't played in over a year. It’s a pretty good song if you ask me.

4. When you’re not performing what do you do to keep yourself busy when you’re on tour / on the road?

I've been told that I have a fidgeting problem so to be truthful I expect I spend s lot of time playing with things like keys or cutlery, whatever is lying around on the table in the bus or dressing room. I once did nothing on a 12 hour flight. That might not sound dramatic first but I really do mean nothing. I didn't sleep, eat, read, listen to music, watch movies or ANYHING. I was in a foul mood the whole flight because id been given an aisle seat next to a ma. Of the larger size but when I got off the plane in South America id never felt more refreshed. So perhaps I should do more 'nothing' when I'm touring but in reality apart from fidgeting I like to watch movies, sightsee and eat well.

5. What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

You'd really have to ask an impartial judge who has seen every show we've done as my take on a good show is very different to anyone watching. I like shows were everything feel easy and I can really lie into the music like a sofa and not be aggravated by people playing bum notes or some sound or another not being exactly how I like it in my headset. I will say though the shows we play in countries with fairly cold climates are memorable. Poland and Russia for example always great us with nothing but enthusiasm.

6. What was the first gig you ever went to?

Penguin cafe orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Bourge-wha???

7. Which other artists are you listening to at the moment?

I’m pretty bloody fanatical about Camel right now. But also I am listening to big mouth USA by Jim Ford and the new skeleton witch record.

8. Which song do you wish you wrote?

Christ. I’d have to say 'no more I love you's' by that Lennox girl because I do think it’s an incredible song but also so I could have vetoed the balls off that insanely naff spoken word middle section. Also whispers and moans by crowded house are up there. Then again...I’d probably be better off wishing I wrote a song which has made loads of money but is a bit rubbish. So I’d go for anything by simply red or Alanis Morrisette.

9. Who would you most like to collaborate with?

A decent cobbler right now! I’ve got a pair of boots which need fixing before we go to Japan and I have no idea where to find a cobbler. Musically, gosh I don’t know. Someone old...I like people who have been doing something a long time. Neil Finn from crowded house then maybe, or someone like Ethan johns.

10. Plans for the rest of the year?

Touring and touring. I’m going to take a few days holiday in Paris and hopefully celebrate the birth of my favourite superhero later on in December too.

White Lies are coming to the Manchester Apollo on Tuesday 13th December, get your tickets from http://www.gigsandtours.com/

Gigs and Tours speak to Crystal Fighters

2011-09-08T10:09:00.001+01:00

Gigs and tours pinned Crystal Fighters down for an interview in the run up to their 3 headline shows this month - O₂ Shepherds Bush Empire on 14th; Manchester University on 15th; and Stereo, Glasgow on 16th...

What are you up to at this moment?
Thinking about how bright the sun is, while recuperating from an epic weekend of shows.

You’re playing Bestival this weekend what can the audience expect?
They can expect fire, emotional turmoil, knee wobbling bass, and love. Bestival is a particularly special festival to us, so we are counting down the days.

You’ve played a lot of great festivals year, which was the best so far?
This question is always difficult to answer because each show we play is unique and exciting to us in its own way. A few standouts are Lowlands in The Netherlands, Opener Festival in Polland, Dia de la Musica in Spain, and Glastonbury, but we have played so many amazing festivals over the last few months, it's unfair to only choose one.

What is your favourite song to perform live?
I really love playing In The Summer at the moment. There is something about the tempo that throws me into orbit.

Which song do you wish you had written?
Seven, by Prince. Everything about that song makes me happy and sad at the same time.

What was the first gig you ever went to?
I saw Dr. John when I was one year old, on a small island off of Massachusetts. Unfortunately, I cannot remember any of it.

Plans for the rest of the year?
We have a handful of gigs left, including our headline show at Shepherds Bush Empire in London on the 14th of September, and then we are going to focus all of our energy towards the creation of our
second album. We have not had a chance to really put our heads down yet, so we are very excited to have the chance to do so soon.

Buy tickets for their shows here.

2011-09-08T09:41:00.000+01:00

GIGS AND TOURS CHAT TO AZARI & III

2011-08-10T13:34:00.005+01:00

WE had the pleasure of catching up with Azari & iii in the run-up to their gig at London's XOYO on August 11^thand there's still a chance to grab your tickets from Gigs and Tours.

What are you up to at this very moment?

Alixander III: We're 200% live right now, it's an ever evolving and mutant experience, come say hello soon we're all over the place!

Your show at XOYO is next week, what can the audience expect?

Alixander III: It looks like Sex Pistols 1978.

What is your favourite song to perform live?

Dinamo Azari: Reckless (With Your Love) or Manic always gets the best reception

Which song do you wish you had written?

Dinamo Azari: Songwriting is a very personal emotion, words find their way into peoples hearts. On a non-house edge I relate to people like John Lennon who had the right idea, Aldous Huxley stimulates my curiosity, Jimi Hendrix was high & Madonna was provocative. We try and bring all these elements together when we can.

Plans for the rest of the year?

Alixander III: Stay sane, go crazy...

Dinamo Azari: Keeping ourselves interested and inspired to create pieces of art that help people to think, relate & act. To continue to explore music together. Travel the world with it and remain future neutral in the process!

AZARI & iii - YOUR NEW FAVOURITE DISCO/ HOUSE BAND

2011-08-01T11:20:00.003+01:00

House and disco favourites AZARI & iii & are set to play their gig at London's famous XOYO on 11th August - and to coincide with the night, they have just released their hotly-anticipated debut self-titled album today on Loose Lips Records.

The Toronto four-piece, comprised of vocalists Fritz Helder and Starving Yet Full with producer/ musicians Dinamo Azari and Alixander III are a unique bunch, with a sound unlike anything else you are likely to have heard. Described as moody electronica with dark vocal choruses and analog-thick rhythms means that the band have managed to maintain their underground sound, whilst finding a gap in the market to take their music beyond the clubs that they once played. Their infusion of future sounds with elements of past house music makes this band fresh, and the ones to watch over the next year or two...

To get a feel for the boys, listen to tracks like 'Hungry For The Power', 'Reckless For Your Love' and 'Stay Here' with Friendly Fires - all with an equally brooding beat and sordid-pop edge.

There is no escaping these guys, and after listening to them, I assure you that you won't want to. Make sure to get your tickets soon for the XOYO gig here at gigsandtours.

“…Kind of disturbing but utterly genius.” Electroqueer

“Skiddling into the realms of being full-blown electro-pop smashes, while retaining a classy club credibility.” NME

An intro to the group...

KAISER CHIEFS TO PLAY AT LEEDS KIRKSTALL ABBEY

2011-07-26T10:19:00.003+01:00

Kaiser Chiefs make a long awaited return after taking a break to make fresh material for their fourth, and much anticipated, album 'The Future is Medieval'.

And to coincide with its release, the band are to play two massive stadium gig in their hometown of Leeds this September (10th and 11th). The boys will no doubt have another rip-roaring performance that they are so famed for, and prove to everyone that they are back and here to stay!

Support for the gig on Saturday 10th will be Gruff Rhys, Pete And The Pirates, and The Neat. Whilst on Sunday 11th The Cribs, Frankie And The Heartstrings and Spector are confirmed as special guests.

This will be a gig to remember so make sure you get your tickets now from gigsandtours before it sells out. They boys will be warming up in the summer at a number of festivals so be sure to experience them at their loud and boisterous best when they come to Leeds.

Have a listen to new single 'Little Shocks' and uudoubtedly another smasher of an anthem which will have everyone humming along to - and watch out for the new album released later this year.

Rumer and Arctic Monkeys winners at Mojo Awards!

2011-07-22T10:26:00.007+01:00

Last night saw the return of the Glenfidditch Mojo Awards. The ceremony, which is hosted by the magazine, brings you all the biggest and best names in the Indie world.

Soul singer Rumer scooped the 'Breakthrough Award' after what has been an unbeliveable year for her. So far she has released her debut album 'Seasons Of My Soul', which sold over half a million copies in the UK alone, sold out several venues, played at Glastonbury and Latitude and headlined the iTunes Festival. She has such a soft yet powerful voice which can't help touch anyone who listens. Mojo editor Phil Alexander said of Rumer '"It has been a remarkable 12 months for Rumer. It's all about the songs with her. That's what's made Seasons of My Soul one of the biggest-selling British albums in recent memory." With such high praise coming from above she's set to make it big anytime soon, and after the years of struggle which she has faced to get to where she is now she more than deserves it. Catch this musical wonder on tour in November!

Arguably the biggest band in Britain, Arctic Monkeys won yet another award for the bathroom shelf, picking up 'Best Album Of The Year' at lasts night awards for their brilliant new album 'Suck It And See'. You may have read my blog a few weeks ago on the Sheffield lads (If you didn't then what have you been doing?!) singing their praises on the new album, it's a real treat for the ears. Ever the avid Arctic's fan I can't wait to see them at the V Festival in August and also 0n tour this Winter!!

Other winners last night included Primal Scream who won 'Classic Album Award' for 'Screamadelica', Beatles legend Ringo Starr who picked up the 'Icon Award' and 'Song Of The Year' winners Grinderman with 'Heathen Child'.

Watch Arctic Monkeys new single, the brilliant 'Hellcat Spangled Shalalala' here!

Buy tickets at www.gigsandtours.com

MTV Music Awards '11

2011-07-21T15:13:00.002+01:00

The hottest music awards around is back, with a brand new selection of superstars ready to fight each other for the top prizes.

Everyone's teenage dream, Katy Perry, has been nominated for a jaw dropping 9 awards, including 'Best Pop Video' and 'Best Female Video'. She might as well start practicing her acceptance speech now! The shocked star shouted 'I have nine nominations! Nine? I thought that was a typo or something!'. No Katy, just proof of your hard work and dedication. I can't wait to see her at the MEN Arena in October!

The sweet, soulful voice that belongs to Bruno Mars has made him a worldwide star over the past year, and now it's earned him 4 nominations at this years awards ceremony. This comes as a latest high for Bruno, who helped pen Cee Lo Green's smash hit 'F*** You', after two number 1 singles and 7 Grammy nominations. Kickstarting his UK tour in August, this year is set to get even bigger for the Hawaiin star.

Up for Best New Artist is hot Indie band Foster The People. Their debut single 'Pumped Up Kicks' is shaping up to be the anthem of the Summer making them more than worthy nominees. As well as playing Ibiza Rocks this Summer, Foster The People start their UK tour in November, and I can't wait!!!

Watch Foster The People's fab video for 'Pumped Up Kicks' here!

Buy tickets for all these shows at www.gigsandtours.com

Example just won't go quietly!

2011-07-21T11:06:00.008+01:00

Pop sensation Example may not have been around long, but he sure knows how to make an impact. He's got the whole world dancing to his electro beats and it looks like there's no chance of him stopping soon, thank God!

With a huge array of hits under his belt, including Watch The Sun Come Up, Kickstarts, Won't Go Quietly and number one single Changed The Way You Kissed Me, he has built up a huge legion of loyal fans who adore his quirky style and amazing onstage presence.

I was lucky enough to catch him at the V Festival last year and it was one of my highlights of the whole weekend. He had the crowd jumping up and down for the whole set and the atmosphere was just electrifying! I can't wait to watch him again at V this Summer and also on his Winter tour later this year. He's bound to set those cold nights alight!

Watch his new single, Changed The Way You Kissed Me, here!

Get tickets at www.gigsandtours.com

Mercury Prize 2011

2011-07-19T14:19:00.008+01:00

Prestigious awards ceremony 'The Mercury Prize' is back again with a hot new list of nominees. It is considered the ultimate honor to even be nominated and is famed for sending the said artists career sky high.

Chart dominating Adele has been nominated for the second time, the first being for her debut album '19', and now for her platinum selling album '21'. She is being tipped as the favourite to win and no wonder! The flawless Brit has been jumping from success to success since she burst onto the music scene in 2008. She faces fierce competition from previous winners Elbow, whom she lost out to 3 years ago.

Musical chameleon PJ Harvey is also up for the award for her critically acclaimed album 'Let England Shake'. The hybrid genre artist is no stranger to The Mercury Prize awards, having won in 2001 with the beautiful album 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea'. I can't wait to catch her in Manchester in September!!

With a huge spotlight being shone on Urban artists this year it would be no shock if new girl Katy B walked away with the prize. The Brit School graduate is up for the award with her debut album 'On A Mission', which debuted at number 2 in the UK. With The Guardian calling her 'A pop star in her own right' and NME declaring 'She's the British pop debut of the year', expect big things from Miss B!

It's going to be a tough competition with other nominees including: Anna Calvi, Everything Everything, Ghostpoet, Gwilym Simcock, James Blake, King Creosote & Jon Hopkins, Metronomy and Tinie Tempah. With such a wide variety of artists who knows who will come out on top!

Watch Katy's brilliant single 'Katy On A Mission' here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tHw4yIDok

THE STRAITS - UK TOUR IN OCTOBER!!!

2011-07-18T11:10:00.008+01:00

Following their critically acclaimed debut gig at the RAH, Alan Clark, Phil Palmer and Chris White from the legendary Dire Straits are to play 11 gigs across the UK in October. They will perform the band's much loved catalogue of amazing songs to their adoring fans who felt they never went away!

This compelling live rock band are not to be missed as they recreate the past, performing huts from their classic albums which spanned three decades: Dire Straits (1978), Communiqué (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love Over Gold (1982), Brothers In Arms (1985) and On Every Street (1991.

Songs will include unforgettable hits - Sultans of Swing, Romeo and Juliet, Tunnel of Love, Private Investigations, Money for Nothing, Walk of Life, So Far Away and Brothers in Arms.

I assure you, this will be one gig to remember, Get tickets here!!!

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Twitter

BLINK182 RELEASE NEW SONG 'UP ALL NIGHT'

2011-07-15T12:57:00.007+01:00

Blink 182 are back following a 5 year hiatus from making music, and a 7 year hiatus since their last headline tour! I find this crazy to comprehend as it feels like Blink never went away - I guess that's testament to the staying power of the group who will always have a legion of adoring fans.

There were many disappointed fans when the boys had to reschedule their 2011 European Summer tour due to scheduling issues and limited time to finish their new album in time. Rather than playing a 'Greatest Hits' Tour, of which they have done time and again, they wanted to have fresh material to perform and so thougt it best to wait until they could carry this out. With a statement that read: "Frankly, it's what needs to continue for us to remain vital. The three of us are working very hard to do what we set out to do when we re-formed...get a new blink-182 album recorded. Apologies to all of our fans who have bought tickets and were looking forward to the Summer shows but we'll be back soon with the rescheduled dates in Summer 2012, have a new album out and be able to play new songs for you all".

And they stuck to their word, as the pop punk pioneers will be hitting the road along with yet to be released (but yet to be amazing) support! To whet your appetitite for their Summer tour, the boys have just released (this morning, to be precise) their new single 'Up All Night' on the official Blink 182 website - the song will be made available to buy on iTunes this Sunday.

For those die-hard Blink 182 fans, I'm sure this is going to excite you a helluva lot as it has been, what? 7 years since they last released a song!? Well, you're in for a treat...

Check it out here:

http://youtu.be/72BE-j1iNcw

CRYSTAL FIGHTERS

2011-07-14T13:08:00.004+01:00

Crystal Fighters are a colourful bunch, infusing traditional Basque folk music with electronic beats and synthesisers has enabled them to cement their place in UK music today!

With a nod to The Klaxons, CSS and Dolereon, Crystal Fighters have adapted the early-noughties sound of said bands and given it a refreshing edge.

The 5-piece East London/ Spanish band are set to release the Deluxe version of their high praised debut album 'Star of Love', including popular tracks like 'Follow’, ‘Xtatic Truth’, ‘Champion Sound’, ‘Plage’,‘At Home' and a brilliant cover of the cult Spanish song ‘Fiesta De Los Maniquins’ - released on 1st August.

“an irresistible whirlwind of unhinged joy.......infectiously, chaotically, totally brilliant.”
NME

'One of the most adventurous albums of last year'
Big Issue

So to commemorate the release, the band will be embarking a summer of festival jaunts, taking in Benicassim, Exit, Melt, and The Montreaux Jazz Festival.

In the UK they will be performing at Glastonbury, Latitude, Underage, The Big Chill, Reading & Leeds, Bestival, Wireless and the Moseley Folk Festival.

But don't fret if you are missing out on the festival season as you can buy tickets to see them play at London o2 Shepherd's Bush on 14th September.

HURTS

2011-07-12T11:07:00.007+01:00

Hurts have had an enormous rise from obscurity to the dizzy heights of acclamation and stardom. In fact, it's only been 12 months since the Manchester duo released their debut single "Better Than Love" and since then the boys have just got better and better!

The synthpop duo have gone on to break a record as the fastest selling new UK band in the world, with 1 million singles sales and 700,000 album sales. Along the way they have attracted a fair amount of attention from megastars like Kylie Minogue and The Scissor Sisters, collaborating and supporting the artists respectively.

Accolades include "New Best Band" at the NME Shockwaves Awards, beating off stiff competition from the likes of Beady Eye, Two Door Cinema Club, Everything Everything and The Drums. Further, their album has gone platinum in the likes of Germay and Switzerland as well as Gold in the UK and Eastern Europe. It is no real surprise then that the album "Happiness" was voted the NME and Popjustice's Readers Album Of The Year. If that's not enough to prove their worth then I don't know what is.

Find out for yourselves when they go on a massive world tour which spans 6 countries over 3 months. They will be rocking up in Germany, Russia, Croatia, Austria and Switzerland before coming back to their hometown to play to their adoring UK fans.

Their videos have been compared to the notoriously funny Flight Of The Conchords' Pet Shop Boys spoof 'Inner City Pressure' whilst maintaining a serious undertone to them. With their wet look hair and their incessant need to be suited and booted, they have an edge to them which sets them apart from the rest.

They are bringing the 80's back with their synth-pop sounds with emotional lyrics and hooks that have you singing at the top of your lungs in a Karaoke-esque fashion. Such ballads are what makes the band different to the norm, they aren't afraid to ressurect the somewhat cheesiness of the past decades and move away from all the indie music that is so prevalent in todays charts.

This is pop music at its best and despite the demeanour and serious manner of the boys, its music not to be taken too seriously and to put a smile on your face no matter how you feel!

Support on the tour comes from Nikki & The Dove: a band from Stockholm, Sweden with two members, Malin Dahlström and Gustaf Karlöf. Getting together in February 2010, Malin and Gustaf have spent the time since writing together, figuring out just how pop music works and then discovering new ways to break it.

As well as Jess Mills: Alternative / Pop / Psychedelic artist hailing from London and tipped for the top!!

Check them out in action at TITP 2011 here:

And head over to gigsandtours to buy tickets for their UK tour of Brighton, London and Glasgow.

A personal favourite of mine:

Arctic Monkeys 'Suck It And See'

2011-07-08T12:01:00.005+01:00

'You're rarer than a can of dandelion and burdock, and those other girls are just post-mix lemonade' croons Alex Turner on the title track of their fourth studio album 'Suck It And See'. It's not exactly the same as the laddish lyrics that first shot Arctic Monkeys to fame in 2005, but it shows a more mature side to the band, with tracks such as 'Love Is A Lazerquest' and 'Reckless Serenade' showing that they are finally confidant enough to break out of the mould that was built for them and prove to their critics that they still can be Britain's favourite rock band albeit without all the sarcasm and wit. Catch them ahead of their October UK tour at T In The Park this weekend or at the V Festival in August!!

T in the Park!

2011-07-06T15:24:00.009+01:00

So it's this time of year again. The sun is out which means festival season has well and truly started. With Glastonbury out of the way it's T in the Park's turn in the spotlight this weekend, and don't expect to be dissapointed. With a stunning line up that includes Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Beyonce, The Strokes and Pulp the only thing that could make the weekend any more perfect would be the weather.

With NME naming them one of their '20 Must See Acts' make sure you catch Metronomy on the Red Bull Stage on Sunday. Also on the Red Bull Stage on Sunday is folk band Noah and the Whale who will be performing hits such as 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N' and '5 Years Time'.

Kings of drum and bass Chase and Status will be performing in King Tut's Wah Wah Tent on Sunday. I guarantee they will put on an amazing show, as usual, so get down there quickly as it's bound to be busy!!

The ones to watch out for this weekend is new band Crayons, at the TBreak Stage on Friday. They haven't been around for long but they sure know how to entertain and put on a good show!

You have to end the weekend on a high, and for me there is no one other than Professor Green that could ensure that you do. The chart topping rapper, whose hits include 'Just Be Good To Green' and 'Jungle', wows the crowds everytime with his upbeat and energetic style, I can't wait to see him on the Radio 1/NME Stage on Sunday!!!

Watch Chase and Status' impressive set at Glastonbury!

Arcade Fire at Hyde Park!!

2011-07-01T12:55:00.008+01:00

Arcade Fire performed at London's Hyde Park last night and recieved rave reviews from practically everyone with The Daily Mail saying "Arcade Fire are proving to be a band to go on everyone's must see list" and Metro declaring "They more than delivered with a phenomenal set that was euphoric and spine-tingling". The award winning Canadian rockers transformed Hyde Park into a suberb themed festival for the day with a cinema tent showing the bands new short film 'Scenes From The Suberb', a whiskey tent and an arcade tent.

With help from an amazing support line up of English bands The Vaccines and Mumford and Sons, it was always going to be an unmissable show. With the bright orange sun setting behind them as they started to play, they couldn't have chosen a better time to take to the stage. The setlist included all of their greatest hits including 'Ready To Start', 'Wake Up' and 'Rebellion'.

I can't wait to catch Win Butler and co in Manchester later this year, with Noah And The Whale supporting, it's set to be an incredible show full of surprises!

Check out Noah & The Whale's cracking set at Glasto last weekend.....

Glastonbury 2011!

2011-06-27T15:49:00.007+01:00

The mud and the rain may be over for another year but the excitement surrounding Glastonbury certainly isn't. From Beyonce to U2, Morrisey to Friendly Fires and The Horro rs to Noah and the Whale, this years line up didn't fail to impress.

Not even a broken leg could stop pops new sensation Jessie J from giving a spectacular performance, even telling fans in between hits such as 'Price Tag' and 'Do It Like A Dude' that 'I had this thing, my fans- I don't let them down.

Indie legends, The Kaiser Chiefs, made a welcome return to Glastonbury on the Sunday showcasing hits from their widely anticipated new album 'The Future Is Medival'.

Huge hits including 'Ruby' and 'Oh My God' gave the show an electric atmosphere and had the crowd jumping. You won't want to miss them playing at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds on Sunday the 11th of September.

I can't wait to see some of these bands in Autumn! You won't want to miss out!

GIGS AND TOURS CHATS TO BIG COUNTRY

2011-06-03T13:26:00.032+01:00

Gigs and Tours has been lucky enough to snag an interview with Tony Butler of Big Country in the run up to their gigs at Southampton The Brook on 9th June and Exeter Phoenix on 11th June. And don't forget to read our earlier blog on the band to find out more about them!

What are you up to at this moment?

Mixing the Edinburgh Live DVD audio - It’s taking a long time.

You’re playing festivals and doing surprise gigs soon what can the audience expect?

The festivals are going to be really interesting. So far, the new line up has played to the Big Country faithful, this is going to be our first time out in front of audiences that will barely remember us or never seen us before. This is a real challenge.

Will you be playing any new material or a mixture of your back catalogue?

The festivals and surprise gigs will feature a mixture of back catalogue and new material. We are about to record a new single so that song will feature to start with.

What is your favourite song to perform live?

All of them.

Where has been your favourite gig?

It is difficult to distinguish favourite gigs, the whole deal about us being together again with Mike and Jamie has been one massive bundle of joy. Just to be able to go out and play the songs in the way we've always been able to play is awesome.

Which song do you wish you had written?
Redemption Song.

What was the first gig you ever went to?
Chuck Berry supported by The Animals at Hammersmith Odeon, I was 8 years old.

Plans for the rest of the year?

To dedicate all my efforts to Big Country.

PRIMAL SCREAM ‘SCREAMADELICA’ - Special Warm Up Shows

2011-06-02T11:14:00.002+01:00

“Do not miss it” - NME

You may have read our blog about Primal Scream’s ‘Screamadelica’ tour; if you haven’t, where have you been?

Well, now we bring you more meaty goodness from one of the biggest UK bands on the planet! They have just announced that they will play two special warm-up shows in Leamington and Cardiff in June, as they prepare for their busy summer festival schedule.

So for those of you needing to be refreshed on the infamous 1991 ‘Screamadelica’ album and what it represents, let me take you on a journey back to when Primal Scream were the Kings of the music scene:

1) It has received critical acclaim for being one of the best albums of the decade, going on to win the first ever Mercury Music Prize in 1992, as well as numerous nods of appreciation from media sources over the following years.

2) The classic album 'Screamadelica' was renowned for being innovative and pioneering with its mix of acid house, indie, gospel and soul sounds. It is perhaps appropriate then, that the band has chosen to re-launch it in the current melting pot of musical genres that fill the charts today. The 'masterpiece' of an album is set to catapult the band back into everyone's heart when they fill out venues across the country to their adoring fans.

3) The album was produced by the famed dj Andy Weatherall, and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its release, he supported the band on their entire Screamadelica tour. He is the man responsible for giving it the house music spin, and thus, cementing Primal Scream into the 90's rave scene. Anyone who was lucky enough to see the last gigs will know that this summer is going to be a damn site better with Primal Scream in it!

Come Together!!!!

These dates and festival appearances follow their recent sold out tour in March. The 20th anniversary edition of ‘Screamadelica’ the LP is out now.

Tickets for Leamington and Cardiff are £25 and are on sale now – www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051

www.screamadelica20.com

WE ARE THE IN CROWD

2011-06-01T16:37:00.002+01:00

For those of you who do not know the pop-punk group We Are The In Crowd, let me divulge you in a few facts:

1) They were formed in 2009 in Poughkeepsie, New York by Tom DeGrazia and a female who's identity is shrouded in mystery (both members are no longer in the band).

2) They were signed to Hopeless Records with a completely new line-up consisting of: Taylor Jardine, Jordan Eckes, Mike Ferri, Rob Chianelli and Cameron Churley.

3) Their Hopeless Records debut EP, 'Guaranteed to Disagree' was recorded with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (Jimmy Eat World, All Time Low, Cartel) and got released on June 8th, 2010.

4) In their short history they have already played at the Vans Warped Tour, 2010; whilst supporting the likes of Hey Monday, Cartel, Mayday Parade, Breathe Carolina and Forever the Sickest Kids.

5) In Summer 2011 they are set to support Taking Back Sunday and Thursday on their tour as well as playing the Australian Soundwave Revolution Festival in September.

6) Their music isn't meaningless, they are trying to tell a story with their lyrics - culminating in honest and emotional pop-punk music.

And, in Taylor Jardine's own words on the band: "With two vocalists, we think it's a great way to illustrate two opinions because you can clearly hear the difference between our voices. We based a lot of the songs around two opinions to every situation."

CATCH THEM THIS FRIDAY 3rd @ LONDON BORDERLINE - TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!!!!!

A STELLAR LINE-UP OF GIGS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY!!!

2011-06-01T12:31:00.006+01:00

Well, what a stellar line-up we have just announced to go on sale in the next week. Friday 3rd June is a date for your diaries as we will be releasing tickets for some heavyweights in the music scene right now. We have something for everyone, from: pop, r&b and soul; hip-hop and rap; operatic pop' alternative and indie rock; punk rock and dance punk; new wave and electro rock; to post hardcore.

So whether you are a fan of your female performers, your bands, your opera or your rap - we have it all. Just check out who is on tour over the next few months and be sure to be the first in line to get your tickets.

Jessie J - Since rightfully winning the BBC's Sound of 2011, Jessie J has gone on to have a string of successes in both the UK and USA. This is a feat that not many UK artists manage to achieve, but one listen to Jessie's powerful and soulful voice gives you all the reasons why. With hit singles like 'Do it Like a Dude', 'Price Tag' and 'Nobody's Perfect' all reaching the top 10 charts, Jessie is most certainly shaking up the music scene today.

This is one lady you do not want to miss - catch her perform 11 gigs across the UK in November.

Wiz Khalifa - Best known for the catchy single 'Black and Yellow', Wiz is an American rapper who won MTV's Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010.

He has done it his own way and refused to sell-out, so whilst he has been gaining quiet attention, he is set to explode as he goes on his headline tour, kicking off at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on November 2 and will include a London show at the prestigious O2 Brixton Academy on November 7.

Rumer – with her dulcet tones being likened to Karen Carpenter, Rumer is embarking on her biggest UK tour this winter. She will be showcasing her guitar-playing skills along with her jazz and soul voice in a tour that begins on November 10^th at Blackpool’s Opera House, before moving on to Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham, Cardiff, Sheffield and London.

Il Divo – Put together by the one and only reality tv music mogul, Simon Cowell, who signed them to his label Syco, Il Divo are set to play an incredible gig at the iconic London Coliseum accompanied by world-renowned Royal Philarmonic Concert Orchestra on August 2^nd

This spectacultar one-off gig will be their first for almost two years, where they will be debuting music from their new album, set for release in November. Famed for singing in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Latin, these four guys are not your average boyband. They will once again prove that they have raw talent and are untouchable when it comes to operatic pop.

Pj Harvey – the guitar-playing singer-songwriter is not a one trick pony, for she is in possession of an exceptional music talent unlike few others - she can play the piano, organ, saxophone, bass and autoharp. She was always destined to become a musician then, and since she formed her band in the 1990’s, she has showcased a number of different styles, from: pop to rock; blues to indie; and electronica to pop. She is also famed for having a unique style which makes her an icon for many of her loyal fans.

She has received a wide-range of awards and nominations for her incredible yet unique talents. So lucky for you, following the release of her critically acclaimed eighth studio album ‘Let England Shake’, PJ Harvey has announced two new UK live shows for September, coming to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 4^th and Manchester O2 Apollo on 8^th.

The Feeling – The indie-pop favourites are back with a new single ‘Set My Word on Fire’, a new album ‘ Together We Were Made’ AND a new tour which will see them take in eight UK dates in October.

The band start their autumn UK tour in Bournemouth on October 3^rd, before finishing up in Manchester on the 12^th, with stops in Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow on the way.

The band will also play a previously announced London date at Kew Gardens on July 6^th.

Incubus – the alternative rockers are landing on UK shores on 14^th June for a one-off gig at the HMV Forum in London. The band have been around since the early-nineties and have since notched up 4 number one’s whilst releasing 6 studio albums, soon to be 7 when they release ‘If Not Now, When?’ in July.

Death From Above 1979 – Now this is one gig I am particularly excited for, as my childhood will be re-lived as one of my favourite bands reform to drown out the deafening cries from their fans demanding they get back together. Despite only having one studio album ‘You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine’, they made such a big impact with their unique punk-dance-thrash music that their legacy was to live-on through other projects like MSTRKRFT and Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains.

But to my great pleasure, they’re back at last, and after two sell out London gigs at London HMV earlier this month, DFA 1979 are back to play two shows at Manchester and London in October.

THE ARTERY FOUNDATION ACROSS THE NATION EUROPEAN TOUR 2011: Miss May I, Chelsea Grin, Abandon All Ships & Chunk! No, Captain Chunk – Ohio metallers Miss May I will be making a very welcome return to Europe this October for their first headline tour! Having successfully stormed through the UK in both December 2010 and April 2011 supporting Asking Alexandria and We Came As Romans respectively, the band have been going from strength to strength, with their latest outing taking them to Australia as main support to Parkway Drive. They will also be re-releasing a deluxe CD and DVD version of ‘Monument’ featuring 3 new studio tracks, 1 B-side and a DVD with all of the bands music videos, live concert footage, interviews and more out 4^th July 2011 on Rise Records.

CSS – After three years apart, the Brazilian new-wave/ new-rave/ electro-rock/ call them what you-will group are back! Yes, everyone’s favourite neon/ glitter/ lycra-weaing (you get the idea) pop starlets have taken some time to recuperate and are now here to shake-up the world of music once again with ‘ La Liberación’ with collaborations ranging from Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream to Ratatat.

They will be going on tour in August, taking in Brighton, London, Birmingham, York, Manchester and Glasgow along the way. And this time around, they have a much more mature sound that has aged much like their their teenage/ neon/ glitter/ lycra-wearing fans!

There's certainly something for everyone! So make sure to get your tickets:

THIS FRIDAY, 3rd JUNE @ GIGSANDTOURS.

SAMI YUSUF speaks to Gigsandtours

2011-05-12T13:16:00.000+01:00

British singer-songwriter, composer & producer Sami Yusuf has sold out 7 million records worldwide and played live to quarter of a million fans in a single setting!

On 1st June Sami is coming home to London for a special intimite show at O2Shepherd's Bush Empire in aid of War Child. Today he took some time out of his busy schedule to speak to Gigsandtours...

Q) What are you up to at this moment?
A) Busy with the promotion of my latest album, 'Wherever You Are'.

Q) You’re touring soon what can the audience expect?
A) Sami Yusuf at his best.

Q) Will you be playing any new material or a mixture of your back catalogue?
A) New material and a mixture of back catalogue dotted with surprises.

Q) How long did it take to record your new album and what where your main inspirations?
A) Almost 2 years. My life from 2007 onwards.

Q) What is your favourite song to perform live?
A) Currently, it is ‘Worry Ends’ from my latest album, 'Wherever You Are'.

Q) Where has been your favourite gig?
A) There have been quite a few. From the recent ones, it was in Norway. I loved the intimate setting and it was just cool. I'm hoping London will be even better.

Q) Who has released a stand out album this year?
A) "21" by Adele.

Q) Which song do you wish you had written?
A) Hmm. Probably one of Lennon's work.

Q) What was the first gig you ever went to?
A) I don't know whether it can be classified as a "gig" but it was a classical music concert at the London Barbican - sorry, not cool enough. I was a Classical Music geek growing up!

Q) Plans for the rest of the year?
A) To inspire and be inspired.

INTRODUCING: WU LYF

2011-05-11T12:14:00.010+01:00

WU LYF are not your average indie group, the Manchester group are not about being part of the scene or being loudmouths like fellow Mancunian bands before them (I am naming no-one). The appeal of this band is that they are mysterious and prefer to let their music do the talking rather than making too much of the performance and showmanship that goes hand-in-hand with being in a band.

Let's start with the full meaning of their name, World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation, speaks volumes about the marvel and strangeness of this group. It is perhaps not too infathomable that they are shrouded in mystery when they have profoundly poetic ramblings on their website about who they are, and what they represent.

Upon researching them further, I am no closer to figuring out either of those things.

In fact, search the net and you will only find their music, but nothing much else really. It goes to show that they are genuinely seriously about making a name about their music, and not letting anything get in the way. It just makes everybody that little bit more curious to delve into their lives and discover what they are about. Notoriously shy of performing and playing gigs has also made the eagerness of their fans (including me) grow to epic proportions. Luckily then, they will be playing a few gigs in June to loosen the mystery ever so slightly and show everyone that they are worthy of the hype!

For those of you who want me to divulge what I can, well their music is atmospheric, moody and symphonic whilst the singer's voice can only be described as grizzly. Their latest single is LYF and it has all the elements of a heavy-pop tune that will have you captivated and yearning to hear more, and ultimately, know more.

Perhaps I am harking on too much about the mystery of this band, but my intrigue will only grow unless I don't find out. For now I only have my imagination, as they less they say, the more I say. Here is one of their cryptic riddles posted on their website:

WU LYF is nothing, four dumb kids calling out heavy longings for a place to call home, two brothers greet two brothers and play heavy pop. I don't feel at home in this place, like your hearts drunk on kerosene and all you need is a spark. A lil' flare of Lucifer. And in blind faith they believe what they are told to believe and exploit your true mamma until her blood runs blue. The wind on the mountain laps tame, its wild years replaced by an air-conditioning unit, sleek and metallic, molded perfection. And in efficient regulation the people were conditioned and were told there's no alternative son. To tell fire is to question, to bring fuel to the fires started by kids no longer blinded by spectacle glare.
So go tell fire.

It can only be a good thing that this band want to make music that we want to listen to, their priorites are right. But in this day and age, our fascination with celebrities and demand for gossip is huge (whether you like to admit it or not). And so the fascination continues with WU LYF.

Their album Go Tell Fire To The Mountain is said to be out on Jun 13th, but who knows with this band!

THE RISE OF DUBSTEP

2011-05-10T13:16:00.002+01:00

Dubstep has been making waves in the UK underground music scene since the beginning of the noughties. It was born out of the garage, jungle, dub, drum and bass, breakbeat and 2-step style that was so popular in the South London in the nineties. The appeal of dubstep is that it is an innovating and fresh genre which is completely different to any other type of music already out there. There is no mistake of it being different, whether you are a fan or not.

The club Forward>> is very important to the development of the genre as it provided a space for dubstep dj's to play their new music. The founder of Forward>> and Rinse FM 'Geeneus' is responsible for kickstarting the careers of so many big names in the business like Plastician, Kode9, Skream and Benga, and more recently, the name on everyones lips Katy B. He has championed the superbly talented singer right from the start, when she was just an occasional singer at Forward>> all the way to her mega-stardom of 2011.

Dubstep has also been backed by Radio One dj's Mary Anne Hobbes and Annie Mac who frequently played the genre on their radio shows. Dupstep then began to get more popular as it became quite commercial and was infused with pop music like the Skream remix of La Roux's 'In for the Kill'. But it is only in the last year or so that it has really gained attention with the hype of Chase and Status, Magetic Man, Katy B and James Blake.

If you want a taste of the dubstep movement which is shaking up the mainstream music scene, then you're in for a treat as Annie Mac will be hosting a night that features the best in the genre at the o2 Academy Brixton on Saturday 28th June. The line-up includes: Skream and Benga, Youngman, Breakage, Shy Fx, Donaeo and many many more.

James Blake is another artist who is helping to raise the profile of dubstep, with his original sounds being inspired by his love of the genre after being a regular at FWD>>. This was the catalyst for change for the young producer, as it was what made his music so unique and thrusted him into the scene, albeit with a completely new spin on the genre that may not even be classed as dubstep. Fast forward a couple of years, James Blake has released his debut single and album to critical acclaim and will now be embarking on another tour across the UK in June.

Or how about catching Katy B on her UK tour in October, who will undoubdedly deliver a storming performance of latest hits that have won the hearts of so many. Combining her confident swagger, impressive vocal ability and funky sounds has garnered her much attention from the underground and mainstream music scene, whilst putting names like Magnetic Man, Benga and Geeneus on the musical map.

Chase and Status are also gaining a lot of recognition, breaking out onto the mainstream and developing a global fanbase thanks to their more pop collaborations with the likes of Plan B, Liam Bailey and Dizzee Rascal. Their second studio album 'No More Idols' peaked at #2 in the charts behind the phenomenal Adele, so this gives you an idea of how big the once underground producers have become. Catch them play a string of UK dates in October.

And rounding up the upcoming dubstep gigs, we have Flux Pavilion who will be playing his debut headline UK gig at London Scala this August. For those of you unsure of this guy, he is responsible for some of the most manic basslines with a high-energy tempo and that will leave you shaking in your boots. Drawing inspiration from the Prodigy, Basement Jaxx and Rusko will give you an idea of the performance that he is set to give when he plays his show.

GIGS AND TOURS CHATS TO CASCADA

2011-04-21T10:09:00.005+01:00

Cascada are one of the biggest dance acts in the world, with over 11 million worldwide sales spread out over 3 years. They have gone on to win several international music awards and released top-selling singles to their adoring fans. And with their upcoming tour in July, the group will be once again proving their worth!

Gigs and Tours chats to Cascada...

What are you up to at this moment?

- Things are definitely very busy at the moment, as we're getting ready for the release of our next single and fourth album - always an exciting time, too!

You’re touring soon what can the audience expect?

- We're really looking forward to our tour,as it's been a about a year since we were on British stages. The audience can expect a fast pace show jam-packed with songs of old and new.

Will you be playing any new material or a mixture of your back catalogue?- As I mentioned above, it will be a mixture out of our old material and some new tracks off of our new album.

How long did it take to record your new album and what where your main inspirations?- I'd say we've taken about a year and a half to two years to complete this album... It's always a relief to finally say "we're done"! Can't wait for everyone to hear it, it's been quite a journey.

What is your favourite song to perform live?- To be honest there is no answer to that question:) one always enjoys performing a new song as its different to what you're use to but on the other hand, performing our hits like an everytime we touch always gives us a warm feeling a the crowd reacts in such a fabulous way.

Where has been your favourite gig?- There are most definitely too many great gigs to be able to choose one, but I guess an important performance for me was right at the beginning of my career when I was asked to perform the ballad version of everytime we touch on swedish television accompanied by a real classical orchestra - That experience will always stick in my mind as being very special.

Which song do you wish you had written?- I absolutely love beyonce's song 'Halo',so let's choose that one:)

What was the first gig you ever went to?- The first gig I ever went to was one of my father's as I grew up around that jazz scene...I remember my sister and I falling asleep during the concerts when we were very young, even though the drums are so loud!

Plans for the rest of the year?
-Well, as we're in the middle of our new releases we'll be doing a lot of promotion and shows, of course - and travelling, travelling, travelling, as usual! Can't wait to see everyone at the gigs, it's going to be really fun :)

COACHELLA FESTIVAL 2011

2011-04-20T14:58:00.007+01:00

From 15-17th April, The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival took place in the Empire Polo Field of Indio, California with performances from some of the world's best bands.

Set in the Californian desert, temparatures can reach a sizzling 38 degrees - it's no wonder then, that people from around the world flock in their thousands to attend the festival where sunshine is guaranteed. Granted there is the long flight across the Atlantic as well as the small matter of expense, but from the glittering reviews it has garnered in its 12 year history, I think it's well worth it. I better start saving for next year!

The stellar line-up was comprised of music heavyweights Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Duran Duran, Big Audio Dynamite, The Kills, Death From Above 1979, Two Door Cinema Club, Scissor Sisters, Kanye West, Interpol, Mumford and Sons, Erykah Badu, Robyn, Cold War Kids, Foals, Empire of the Sun, Tame Impala, The Joy Formidable, Two Door Cinema Club, Wiz Khalifa, Tinie Tempah & many many more...

As I was not able to attend this year, I have had to rely on grainy footage on youtube, and reading online reviews to get an idea of what it was like. What I found was nothing but high praise, with many deeming it as the best yet! With flawless performances and magical stage set-ups, this years Coachella was nothing short of incredible.

Fashion was as much part of the festival as the music was. Not a minute went by without gossip websites commenting on what the likes of Katy Perry, Rihanna, Paris Hilton and Dita Von Teese were wearing. Their every move and outfit was snapped by the waiting photographers, and so you would be forgiven for thinking the festival was more about them than the music. I guess there is more emphasis on the fashion when you can dress up as much as you like without running the risk of getting wet and muddy (like our UK festivals). The celebs were channelling the 50's to the 70's era's if you must know, with pretty flapper dresses as well as hippy-inspired (Woodstock-esque) looks too.

In fact, Coachella could well be the closest thing to Woodstock we have, with many people losing all their inhibitions and letting themselves go for a 3-day partying extravangaza (judging by the pictures of half-naked ladies with just flowers to cover their modesty).

And for those of you, like me, who missed out on the festival, we have an exclusive download of Duran Duran's live promo gig for all our lucky readers. It is only available until 23rd April, so get it now before it goes - and start getting excited for next year's Coachella!

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL 2011

2011-04-15T13:20:00.009+01:00

YES, The biggest and the best festival that the UK has to offer is back, and its bigger and better than ever!!

Glastonbury is once again upon us and this one is set to blow all past line-ups out the water with the most eclectic bunch of performers yet. It is an impressive line-up which features the most desirable old and new acts from pretty much every genre. Instead of it only being about the headliners (which by the way, include Beyonce, Morrissey, Coldplay & QOTSA to name a few) it is very much about the festival as a whole. It's pulling power is that it caters for everyone, and with hundreds of acts on thirty or so stages spread out over 3 days, your every desire will be guaranteed.

I simply cannot wait, I will be counting down the days until the 22nd June is upon us and I can live out my fantasies whilst watching some of my favourite acts. So to satisfy my extensive music taste and ensure that I don't miss out on some of my favourite acts, I will be running around like a mad person all weekend as I attempt to get from one side of the world's largest festival to the other ... pheewww I best pack my running shoes then.

The artists I would highly recommend and am particularly looking forward to seeing are: Biffy Clyro, Elbow, Primal Scream, Paulo Nutini, Beyonce, Wu Tang Clan, The Kills, DJ Shadow, The Noisettes, Two Door Cinema Club, Fleet Foxes, TV On The Radio, The Vaccines, Friendly Fires, London Afrobeat Collective, Cee Lo Green, Chase & Status, Jessie J, Little Dragon, Aloe Blacc, Janelle Monae, Kool & the Gang, Jamie Woon, Caribou, James Blake, The Walkmen, Lykke Li, Yasmin, Jamie XX, Crystal Fighters, Hercules and Love Affair, Esben and the Witch, Metronomy, Soul Clap, Floating Points, Neneh Cherry, Bonobo, Mount Kimbie and

so on...

Ok you can tell I like A LOT of the line-up and I could definitely continue as I run through my favourites on the more obscure stages like 'Pussy Parlure', 'Wow!', 'Clubhenge', 'The Hub', 'Club Dada' and 'Common'... but to I will not divulge every single act as I don't want to bore you all... so check out the full line-up on the Glastonbury Website and ponder how exactly you plan to see all of your favourites as you attempt to make your way through the 200,000 strong crowd.

And if you want a break from the music (yeah right) then all your other needs are taken care of in the form comedy, cinema, theatre, poetry, literature, circus, cabaret, tattoo area, kiddies area, underground rabbit holes, silent disco, cider bus, food hall and so on and on and on... This is a festival beyond the wildest of dreams, its everything that I could ever want all in one place - it is probably the closest thing to heaven! We'd love to know who your highlights of the festival are.

The countdown begins!!

But for those of you missing out, don't worry because some of your favourite artists will be touring this year and there are still many tickets available!

KATY B: THE RISING STAR OF 2011

2011-04-14T12:16:00.000+01:00

2011 is undoubtedly the year for Katy B, standing out as the perfect popstar with the killer combination of sass, swagger, lyricism, a uniquely powerful voice and immersion in the London club culture.

Tipped as 'the Florence of Funky' this girl is about to shake up the underground with her soulful uptempto music produced by heavyweights in the UK dubstep, garage and grime scene. She has created irrestible pop-dubstep that has garnered fans from all ages and all backgrounds due to its new-found accessibility and credibility.

Katy is bringing the alternative to the mainstream, as she popularizes dubstep by collaborating on tracks with Magnetic Man, Geeneus, DJ Zinc and Benga on smashers like Perfect Stranger, Lights On and Katy on a Mission.

She encapsulates everything that is British youth culture today, with a voice and looks to boot. Katy has an immensely raw talent that has already guided her to the top of the charts with songs that define the first half of this year - but make no mistake, she is only set to get bigger and better. Mark my words!

So if you know what is good for you then you will not miss the opportunity to buy tickets for her upcoming tour in October.

official site/ twitter/ facebook

"Mature, insightful lyrics wrapped in the richly soulful texture of her voice" – Camden Crawl 2011.

FOSTER THE PEOPLE

2011-04-13T12:17:00.004+01:00

The alternative LA 3-piece group 'Foster The People' are set to play in London next month.

If you don't know too much about this band, then think MGMT, as these boys are set to carry-on (maybe even eclipse) the success of the indie/ psychadellic-rock group who remain to be one of the biggest bands of the noughties.

With catchy tunes like Houdini, Kids and Pumped up Kicks that are guaranteed to stick in your head for days, this group are sure to be the soundtrack to your summer.

So if you're a fan of the likes of MGMT, The Drums, The Klaxons, Foals and Late of The Pier - then this band is for you.

If you were unlucky enough to get tickets for the sold out shows at CAMP and Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, then fear not, as the lads are returning to play a headline show at London Kings College on Tuesday 17th May.

Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday 15^th April at 9am.

The band have also announced they will play two shows at this year’s Great Escape festival in Brighton on Thursday 12^th May at The Haunt and Saturday 14^th May at Coalition.

ANNIE MAC PRESENTS...

2011-04-06T11:09:00.005+01:00

Everyone's favourite Radio one DJ Annie Mac is once again proving that she has more strings to her bow than just hosting a radio show and mixing music - she has got some of her favourite electro, disco, dubstep and drum & bass producers and DJ's together for an 8 hour party at the o2 Academy Brixton.

This will be the first time playing and hosting a gig at the o2 Academy, following years of her successful residency nights at Camden Koko.This will be one to remember with 17 of the finest acts in alternative dance music spanning 8 hours of raving in 4 separate rooms. it will be an epic night which is more akin to a mini festival than a club night - so definitely not one you want to miss!

Famed for championing up and coming artists in the underground music scene, Annie has a habit of unearthing a few gems who become the name on everyones lips and the sound on everyones stereos. So why not bring some of these acts together for a night of dance music heaven, tipping the bill are heavyweights like: Skream & Benga, Fake Blood, Youngman, Breakage ft. Jess Mills, Shy Fx, Riva Starr, Zombie Disco Club and many many more!

What are you waiting for? This is a night NOT TO BE MISSED!!!!

To get an idea of what's in store on the night, check out her latest Koko event:

THE PRODIGY MILTON KEYNES BOWL IN CINEMAS

2011-03-31T12:13:00.019+01:00

World’s On Fire - The Prodigy Recorded Live at their own Warrior’s Dance Festival, Milton Keynes Bowl, July 2010

I had the absolute pleasure of being one of the 65,000 fans in attendance at this show-stopping gig last summer in Milton Keynes. This was to be my second time at a Prodigy gig - the first was at Exit Festival in Serbia three years previous where I lost all of my friends, my bag and shoes in the stampede that ensued as soon as the band opened with 'Breathe' - so you must forgive me for feeling a little apprehensive about seeing them perform in a venue three times the size.

But after taking up a nice spot with space to breathe and dance with my friends, I prepared myself by watching the awesome warm-up acts of Chase & Status, Pendulum, Enter Shikari, DJ Zane Lowe and Does it Offend You Yeah? The crowd were loving it, I was loving it, all was forgotten about the space I created to breathe. There was no space. I could not breathe. But I didn't care. The support acts only made me more excited for the imminent onslaught that was coming as the Essex dance-rockers took to the stage to play their endless bone-shaking hits. A day of solid dancing and partying would normally destroy the most hardcore of people, but the crowd still had bucket loads of energy.

'World's On Fire' - the perfect song to ensure nobody was going to be throwing in the towel too soon. If the crowd weren't at their best before the band came on, they were certainly whipped up into a frenzy now. It was the perfect song for sending the 65,000 fans into absolute chaos, and the perfect song to guarantee losing your friends, bag and shoes again. Yet somehow I didn't care one bit this time. If I wanted to be dancing with my friends all night in the same space then I would have gone to a Michael Bublé concert, not a band led by the crazy Keith Flint. I was jumping around without a care in the world and experiencing one of the most incredible yet ferocious live perfomances I have EVER seen. This was a real gig, not a poor imitation with the band turning up late, strumming a few tunes then walking off again. These guys know how to do it in style, arriving on stage with two ambulances suspended from the roof before belting out 17 tracks with classics like 'The Omen', 'Firestarter', 'Breathe', 'Faders Must Die' and on and on and on (I don't want to give too much away!)

It was full-on destruction from start to finish, and one gig that I will never forget. And with 'Outer Space' sounding out as the crowd thinned out, I'm pretty sure I too, was in outer space.

"Nothing can prepare you for the sheer ferocity of The Prodigy" (KERRANG).

"A Warrior's Dance of epic proportions... not a single stationary body in the audience" (Rock Sound).

"Vulgar, garish and perfectly old school... as incendiary as ever" (NME).

So for those of you who have never seen The Prodigy Live, this gig is the ultimate in their history, if not the ultimate gig in the history of any band. ever. (I think you get the idea of how much I loved it). So what an absolute treat that this showcase will be shown in cinemas up and down the country for one night only, TONIGHT!!! The film was directed by award-winning director Paul Dugdale who shot the film with close direction from the band. They also played a part in engineering the audio, which will be in 5.1 surround sound. The film also has unseen footage of the band in Brazil and exclusive behind the scenes shots.

DO NOT MISS OUT on this incredible opportunity to witness the untouchable live performance in a unique cinematic surround.

Find out more at The Prodigy's Official Website, and make sure to buy tickets before they sell out... you do not want to miss the chance.

Tickets are available now from the box office, online at www.showcasecinemas.co.uk or via the 24 hoc ticket hotline on 0871 220 1000, with Insider Members receiving a special priced of only £7 - Join now for free at: www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/programmes/insider.asp. General tickets are priced at £10.

Watch the preview here:

The Prodigy - World's On Fire - cinema trailer from The Prodigy on Vimeo.

THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT

2011-03-31T09:49:00.004+01:00

The LA indie-rock quintet are pitching up on our shores in April for a string of gigs in Manchester and London. The band will be debuting their brand new album 'All at Once', the follow-up to their first album: the self-titled 'The Airborne Toxic Event'. It will be released through Mercury on 18th April, with the single 'Numb' being the first to be aired from the album.

And in a unique spin, each track from the album will be revealed with a series of accoustic videos every Tuesday in the run up to its release - you can watch the exclusive live previews that have been running since 15th February on the band's website now!!

What sets the group apart from the rest is the incredible writing talents of lead singer Mikel Jollet, who has the ability to have the listener hanging off his every word with his articulate and emotional lyrics free from any trace of ego. It is perhaps not too hard to believe then, that he was an aspiring novelist before forming the band.

You could say that The Airborne Toxic Event happened by chance, it was only after Mikel went through some dark days in his personal life that he began playing the guitar as a way of forgetting his troubles. He recalls that it was when he penned around 50 songs in a month that he realized he had the ability to become a singer-songwriter, thus quickly setting about forming the band - and aren't we mighty glad he did!

Check them out for yourselves when they come to the UK in April.

N-Dubz set to sweep the nation!

2011-03-28T10:58:00.012+01:00

N-Dubz announce that they will be doing their first UK arena tour for spring 2011 starting the tour off in Grimsby on Wednesday 13th April 2011 and ending it in London on the 30th of April 2011.

For all you people out there that don't have a good knowledge on N-Dubz, I am going to run you through some basics about the band.

N-dubz is a band made up of three members, Dappy, Tulisa and fazer. They are from London based around Camden town. They have had eight UK top 40 singles with the producers ''all around the world records'' with ''I need you'' being the most successful charting at number five. They released their first album 'Uncle B' on November 17th 2008 and went to number 11 in the UK albums chart. They then released a second album named 'Against All Odds' which was released 16th November 2009, and went to number 6 in the UK albums chart, it then went on to go platinum within around two months of release.

The four times MOBO award winners, on their UK arena tour they will be performing the latest album, their third album, ''love.live.life'', Plus special guest Professor Green who will be playing at the shows from 21st April.

N-dubz, without question, are one of the most culturally significant groups in British pop music, they sold over 1 million copies on their debut album 'Uncle B' and the album 'Against All Odds' followed up. Get your tickets now you would be sad to miss it.

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN

2011-03-24T11:45:00.001Z

The Glaswegian indie favourites are going on a bit of a European tour in April taking in cities across Sweden, Germany and Spain. But for fans in the UK, make sure to catch them when they play in Leeds and Leicester in June as it will be your only chance to see them in the North of England this year - and possibly the last time you will see them perform in the UK for a while.

For those of you who don't have much knowledge on Belle and Sebastian, let me give you an introduction into one of the leading Scottish bands of the nineties:

The band were formed in in Glasgow in 1996 and have gone on to release eight albums, seven EP's and seventeen singles. Their latest album 'Belle and Sebastian Write About Love' was released in October 2010 and reached the top ten charts, whilst their latest single 'I Want The World To Stop' from the album was released this year. The band have always been under the radar and never had much commercial success, music to the ears (excuse the pun) of their loyal fans who don't want the band to sell out and become mainstream. Part of the reason why they have such ardent supporters is because their music is of an acquired taste which is completely unique to other bands of a similar indie and folk-pop genre.

I am definitely very excited about seeing the band play as they always put in a great live performance, with their catchy tunes sticking in your head for days.

So don't forget to get your tickets before they go.

I am particularly looking forward to hearing my favourites:

Get them on their official homepage/ twitter/ myspace/

WE ARE THE OCEAN: NEW VIDEO FOR THE WAITING ROOM

2011-03-23T12:49:00.001Z

For those of you that are big fans of the British Post-Hardcore band We Are The Ocean, we have a treat for your ears and eyes with the brand new video for their forthcoming single 'The Waiting Room' released on April 18th.

The band are favourites amongst top rock websites like Kerrang and Rock Sound with their debut album 'Cutting Our Teeth' receiving plaudits for it's similarities to the Canadian megastars Alexisonfire - a mean feat for a relatively new band. To get another slice of We Are The Ocean, they will be going on a UK-wide tour in April and May, so get excited by listening to their new stuff before buying your tickets.

And if you're itching to hear more stuff from the boys, you don't have to wait much longer as their new album 'Go Now And Live' will be released on April 25th.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2011

2011-03-17T11:20:00.007Z

Top o' the mornin' to you, boys and girls!!!

As you all probably know 17th March marks the annual Saint Patrick's Day - a day where Irish culture is embraced and celebrated the world over. For me it's a day (or few days) where drinking is acceptable as the pub becomes my home along with hundreds more people getting in on the Irish spirit.

Bars and clubs across the country will play host to the festive day, with Irish music, dancing, funny hats, green clothing and shamrocks being the norm for those wanting to get involved. My hometown of Manchester is notorious for its love of Saint Patrick's Day - possibly because of the vast amount of students who love an excuse to hit the pub - it hosts a two-week festival that encompasses a parade as well as Irish markets to bring people together and learn more about the Irish Culture. The festival will run until Sunday 21st so you have ample time to immerse yourself in the Irish spirit. So for many (like me) it will be an excuse to drink guiness and paint the town green whilst putting on a dodgy Irish accent!

Here are a few facts about the big day:

Blue was the colour first associated with Saint Patrick, not green.
Believe it or not, but the popularisation of St. Paddy's Day did not start in Ireland, it was America that held the first celebrations with Irish immgrants throwing huge parties in the likes of New York, Boston and Chicago. Ireland treated it as a minor religious event up until 1970.
The traditional meal to eat on the day is cabbage and corned beef.
An astonishing 13 million pints of Guinness will be consumed today!

And for those of you looking for some Irish music, look no further than Andrea Corr who has gone solo following the end of everyones favourite family folk band 'The Corrs'. She will be playing 3 dates between May and June in Birmingham, Salford and London.

If you can't wait that long then The Script will be touring all this month, with a few tickets left for their London gigs at Wembley Arena and The o2 Arena. But don't worry if you miss out, they will be back again in July at the Brighton Centre.

And the last of our Irish groups playing soon are the Irish Supergroup The Saw Doctors at the o2 Academy Islington 23rd April. The band will be playing a one-off gig following their triumphant 2010 tour.

So don your best green and gold clothes and get down to a gig, the pub or a street party for your own taste of the Irish.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

Big Country April Tour

2011-03-16T11:57:00.005Z

Thirty years after they first broke onto the scene with their Celtic rock music, Big Country are going on the road again. April will see them touring across the UK with new lead singer Mike Peters taking the place of the tragic Stuart Adamson who sadly passed away in 2001 after battling a long alcohol addiction.

The original line-up haven't toured since their 'Final Fling' in 2000, which ended in their adopted hometown of Glasgow before the untimely passing of Adamson. But due to popular demand from their cult following of fans, the band have re-formed and are due to play a string of dates up and down the country.

After exploding onto the scene in 1983 with classic songs such as 'Fields of Fire' and 'In A Big Country', Big Country went on to release 8 studio albums all of which entered the top 10 charts. Their best remembered album was 'The Crossing' which gained them worldwide recognition and made critics draw comparisons between them and U2.

They haven't released a single since 'Fragile Thing' with Eddie Reader in 1999 but the band remain in the consciousness of their fans because of their unique rock music and anthemic songs. They want to make a tribute to their friend, celebrating his life by leaving a space for him onstage where he would have stood. 'Mark's in goals at the back and then Jamie and Tony are the wingers and Mark and I are like inside right and left. We leave the centre-spot vacant. It'll always be vacant coz nobody will take his place. The audience - they can be centre stage cos they sing the loudest' says band member Bruce Watson.

They will be supported by Mike Marlin on all their dates, whilst Crowns will be joining them when they perform at Portsmouth, Manchester and Oxford. Station Parade will be performing with the lads at Cambridge, London and Sheffield; whilst Sam Lloyd will be there for the Bristol gig.

Get your hands on tickets to see Big Country when they come to a city near you next month.

Exclusive Interview: Saves The Day

2011-03-11T17:22:00.003Z

Saves The Day is evolving once again. After the departure of long time member David Soloway in 2008, along with Mannuel Cerrero and Durijah Lang in 2009 (who left the band to focus on former group Glassjaw), Saves The Day hit the road rocking all their classic tunes with a brand new look. Arun Bali, Rodrigo Palma and Claudio Rivera, now join Conley to round out the Saves The Day lineup. It is with these new members that the band will record Daybreak.

Saves The Day are coming to London's Electric Ballroom on Tuesday 26th April, onsale now.

Saves The Day speaks to Gigs and Tours.....

What are you up to at this moment?

I'm currently listening to the Violent Femmes while marvelling at the beauty of our magnolia tree.

You’re touring soon what can the audience expect?

We play a variety of songs from our catalogue, reaching back to our first few albums while rocking new and obscure songs as well.

Will you be playing any new material or a mixture of your back catalogue?

Since the band has over 100 songs, it can be tricky to select the right amount of old and new material to play. I'm proud of all our releases, so we rarely leave an album unrepresented at a live show, and our fans have come to look forward to hearing a cross section from all the eras of Saves The Day.

How long did it take to record your new album and what where your main inspirations?

I believe we spent a total of 3 months or so tracking the album. we referenced a lot of 90s indie rock records in the studio, going for certain guitar sounds or searching for the right attack for the drums. it seemed appropriate to honour the sound from our favourite records from the 90s, since I was listening to a lot of Smashing Pumpkins, Archers of Loaf, and Sunny Day Real Estate while composing the songs for the album. after figuring out the right angle for production, we focused on putting our collective heart into the performances, really feeling the emotional content of the lyrics, and reaching for the higher aspects of our inner selves at the same time.

What is your favourite song to perform live?

My favourite song to perform live is "Where Are You?" from In Reverie. It's an odd composition with a heavy backbeat and haunted melody.

Where has been your favourite gig?

My favourite concert to date was our show at Madison Square Garden with Green Day and Blink 182

Who has released a stand out album this year?

I think Anthony and the guys from Bayside did a killer job on their new album Killing Time.

Which song do you wish you had written?

I wish I had written "Live And Let Die" by Paul McCartney.

What was the first gig you ever went too?

The first show I saw was Aerosmith at the Spectrum in Philadelphia when I was 13 or 14. To this day, Aerosmith is the best live act I've ever seen.

Plans for the rest of the year?

We're excited to tour in support of our album Daybreak and we'll continue writing new material for an album to be recorded in 2012.

V FESTIVAL 2011

2011-03-11T15:40:00.004Z

It's approaching that time of year again, when we don our wellies in a muddy field and watch our favourite bands take to the stage in a festival of music. Yes, Summer is not too far away and that only means one thing: the return of the legendary V Festival.

V festival will run from the 20th to 21st August with an identical bill playing at Chelmsford and Staffordshire respectively. Artists from Britan and the rest of the world will come together to entertain the crowds in a musical extravaganza that is bound to be one to remember with the most eclectic bill yet. For our viewing and listening pleasure we will be treated to music from the likes of: Primal Scream; The Script; Manic Street Preachers; Pendulum; Duran Duran; Chase and Status; Tinie Tempah; The Courteneers; Bruno Mars; Ellie Goulding; Jessie J; N-Dubz; Big Audio Dynamite; Hurts; Squeeze; Katy B; Wiz Khalifa; Ocean Colour Scene and many many more!

“V Festival was our first ever UK show three years ago. It was a baptism of fire but we survived it. We love to play V; it’s a real party for both festival goers and bands. We can’t wait for it.” Danny O'donoghue, The Script.

Originally masterminded in 1996 by Pulp's frontman Jarvis Cocker, V festival is now one of the longest-running and hugely respected UK festivals. The festival is bigger and better than ever, with entertainment from your favourite artists as well as comedians. And for those of you averse to camping, both Weston and Hylands offer luxury camping with ready built Pod Pads, Cloud Yurts, Hearthworks Tipi's and pop-up hotel rooms - and you don't have to lift a finger as it's all built for you on arrival whilst you relax in the bar or treat yourself in the spa. Toilets and showers are also provided, with beauty rooms to ensure that you are kept preened and powdered. Who said festival-goers had to rough it eh? You certainly won't be missing the usual slumming it in a campsite once you've done it in style!

So get yourselves excited by listening to a few of the artist that will be performing at the show-stopping festival, and August will be here before you know it!

Carl Barât April Tour

2011-03-10T13:40:00.001Z

Following the enormous success of his bands The Libertines (alongside the iconic Pete Doherty) and Dirty Pretty Things, Carl Barât has gone solo and will be embarking on a UK tour this April. His tour will take in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Oxford where he will be showcasing material from his debut album 'Carl Barât'.

As the more private member of The Libertines, Carl has managed to carve an impressive music career by not letting personal troubles get in the way of his job. He shows his real musical education with lyrics that are peppered with dramatic and poetic musings on life, in an infectious album unlike anything he has done before. He proves he can do solo just as well as he can do the band thing: standing alone as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is a passionate musician who wants critical acclaim for his talents, not because he wants the fame. From a personal viewpoint, this makes him very endearing and likeable, his music is what I want to listen to, not publicity-hungry statements to get him in the press.

It is vastly apparent that he is a born musician and performer who will not back down to pressure from those who believe the best of Carl is over. Following the rollercoaster of a journey with the Libertines, who became more well-known for their public feuds than for their musical ability, Carl has mellowed and now let's his music do the talking. He has a strong work ethic with a magnificent résumé that is brimming with his musical achievements as well as his recent foray into writing and acting.

This is a man of many talents who will be sure to make a strong and lasting impression when he starts gigging around the country next month. Make sure to grab your tickets before they sell out soon.

Primal Scream: Screamadelica Tour

2011-03-03T18:01:00.000Z

The alternative rock gods Primal Scream are once again set to blow everyone away when they embark on their Screamadelica UK tour later this month. The band are recreating the past by taking their fans on a nostalgic trip with music from their early 90's album being the focus of the tour. It has receieved critical acclaim for being one of the best albums of the decade, going on to win the first ever Mercury Music Prize in 1992, as well as numerous nods of appreciation from media sources over the following years.

'Screamadelica' is one of this era's most beautiful, far-reaching pieces of musical adventure...pretty much a perfect album' NME 1991

The classic album 'Screamadelica' was renowned for being innovative and pioneering with its mix of acid house, indie, gospel and soul sounds. It is perhaps appropriate then, that the band have chosen to relaunch it in the current melting pot of musical genres that fill the charts today. The 'masterpiece' of an album is set to catapult the band back into everyone's heart when they fill out venue's across the country to their adoring fans.

The album was produced by the famed dj Andy Weatherall, and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its release, he is set to support the band on their entire Screamadelica tour. He is the man responsible for giving it the house music spin, and thus, cementing Primal Scream into the 90's rave scene. Anyone who has been lucky enough to see both artists play will know that together, this will be a show to remember.

And in an exclusive for the Brixton O₂ Academy gig on Saturday 26th March, Primal Scream will also be joined by the Orb Soundsystem and dub music specialist Adrian Sherwood in Dub "EchoDek session" to provide you with a spectacle of sound sure to make the evening even more special.

Click here to buy tickets for their tour.

The 20th Anniversary Edition of Screamadelica is released on 7th March in two exciting new formats: Deluxe Remastered CD and a bonus packed Collector's Edition boxset. Click Here or visit http://www.screamadelica20.com/ for more information.

Brother: the rebirth of britpop?

2011-03-02T12:54:00.002Z

Meet Brother, the self-proclaimed 'lad band' comprised of Leonard Newell, Josh Ward, Samuel Jackson and Frank Colucci. Brother are making waves for their confident swagger and raw edge to their music, which has been dubbed 'Gritpop'. The boys are set to embark on a UK tour in May to show their fans that they are bringing back Britpop with aplomb.

They remain true to the meaning of Rock & Roll, with no need to create new sounds just to please the alternative music scene. Paying homage to the 90's rough and boorish music scene, these four lads are here to create noise with their anthemic songs and self-assured attitudes. You would be forgiven for feeling like you had been transported back in time, when Oasis and Blur were competing for best rock band and a cocksure belief in their talent was overly apparent.

Despite their likeness to 90's bands, it is refreshing to have them bringing it back and providing us with music that will have us singing the catchy choruses and emulating their confident airs. With honest and gritty lyrics set over loud guitars, their gigs are set to be boisterous and lively affairs to show that these boys mean business. They are here to revive the lost age of true British Rock & Roll, and will certainly make noise in 2011 when they go on their first tour!

Let their music do the talking here:

Shockwaves NME Awards 2011

2011-03-02T11:50:00.004Z

Last Wednesday night we were graced with another music Ceremony to award the best in altnernative UK and International music. The hotly anticipated Shockwaves NME Awards were held at the Brixton o2 Academy, South London, where rock royalty filled the room for a night of musical entertainment.

In the music calendars most credible award show, fans voted in their millions for their favourite artists and bands. Muse, Foals, Hurts, Laura Marling and Biffy Clyro were amongst some of the winners on the night. And much like the Brit Awards held last week, the might of UK talent has once again proven its worth and made us all proud to to be British.

Kicking off the show, American rockers My Chemical Romance took to the stage to perform their bit-of-a-mouthful single 'Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na') and Vampire Money to the star-studded crowd. They proved a popular choice when they went on to scoop two awards for Best Video for the former performed single and Best International Band.

Another performer on the night was the incredible PJ Harvey who performed songs from her new album, and was later presented with the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution To Music Award.

Other honours went to Muse, who picked up the coveted Best British Band Award over heavyweights Kasabian, The Arctic Monkeys, Foals and Biffy Clyro. Lead singer Matt Bellamy also received the award for Sexiest Male due to his legion of female fans. The band have had a very successful four-year-run of wins, showing just how highly regarded they are in the music business.

Despite losing out on Best British Band, Scottish-rockers Biffy Clyro did not miss out on an accolade when they were awarded Best Live Band for their show-stopping gigs. They will be performing at the Teenage Cancer Trust event at the Royal Albert Hal, London on 23rd March to show the crowd just how much they merited the award.

Arcade Fire continued their run of success, picking up their third Best Album Award in a matter of weeks. The canadian rockers must be riding on a high after winning a Grammy, two Brit Awards and now an NME Award for their inspiring album The Suburbs.

Performers Hurts claimed Best New Band, fighting off stiff competition from Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye, Everything Everything, The Drums and Two Door Cinema Club. This prize is particularly sought after as it gives massive kudos to upcoming fresh talent looking to do bigger and better things!

Following Dave Grohl's award for Godlike Genius, The Foo Fighters closed the show in similar style to the opening, going out with a bang to show everyone that they are still the Kings of Rock!

Other categories which were not as revered as the music were awards for: most stylish, least stylish, sexiest female, best film, hero, villain, worst band, worst album and so on. Winners (or not) of such categories went to: Brandon Flowers, Justin Beiber, Allison Mosshart, Inception, Lady Gaga, David Cameron, The Jonas Brothers and Justin Beiber respectively. Not surprisingly, those voted the worst in their category, were not there to collect their 'awards'.

It was typically a raucous affair which always creates a bit of drama, but to see it for yourself watch the show in full hosted by Alexa Chung over on 4od now.

Everything Everything: Best New Band of 2011?

2011-02-23T15:07:00.003Z

These four lads epitomize everything (everything) that Contemporary British indie music is today! With impressive vocals and guitar riffs set over sublime synths , their upcoming gigs in Birmingham, Manchester and London are bound to be something to remember. They specialize in rock, but they have a certain brilliance in their music which taps into a new 'future pop' genre. Their songs show the vocal ability and songwriting talent of the lead singer Jonathan Biggs, with heavenly harmonies that you will be singing for days.

Despite having the quintessential 'British' sound, they also represent a fresh and exciting new wave of indie music which is unlike anything you have heard in the early noughties!

They have had high praise for their debut album 'Man Alive' with critics giving it plaudits such 'the debut album of 2010' - get your hands on it now to whet your appetite for their impending UK tour. Everything Everything have had acknowledgement from The BBC Sound of 2010, The South Bank Awards and The Xfm Awards. Tonight they are up aganst Two Door Cinema Club, Beady Eye, Hurts and The Drums for Best New Band at the NME awards. So just watch this exciting new group take over 2011 as the band everyone wants a piece of.

“The British four piece made a sensational debut album of arresting unpredictably and melodic beauty and subtlety, melding art-rock and the dance floor. This song paints a picture of someone trapped inside a twisted mind/body and dreaming of escaping it, with powerful and moving results.” A Song of the Year, Sunday Times Culture

Expect the release of their next single 'Final Form' on April 4th and while you wait, listen to their first single that rose them to prominence here:

Exciting talent for 2011: Janelle Monáe and CocknBullKid

2011-02-23T11:31:00.015Z

Janelle Monáe has been generating a lot of hype recently for her unique androgynous style and refreshing uptempo soul music. She has been hailed as one of the most exciting up and coming talents of her generation; and when she embarks on her UK tour she will be sure to prove this acclaimation to everyone lucky enough to see her perform.

Deemed to be the female André 3000, she is a born performer who can sing and dance, with a stage presence that sets her apart from her R&B and Soul contemporaries. Many people have praised her for bridging the gap between R&B and indie, enabling her to amass new fans along the way. Her enthusiasm and determination to succeed has been rewarded with nominations from prestigious awards shows like The Grammy's and The MTV Awards. And with her new sci-fi inspired album The ArchAndroid making waves, it's only a matter of time before she starts winning the awards.

P. Diddy was one of the first to recognise the Kansas native's talent after discovering her music on Myspace: he was so blown away by her distinctive voice that he signed her to his label Bad Boy Records. And proving her worth to everyone, she is in such demand that she has also been signed to Atlantic Record.

Janelle is destined for big things and her gradual rise to prominence will help her fresh-sounding music grow at its own pace, ensuring that she is not just a one hit wonder. Her black and white themed look is instantly recognisable and confirms that she is not just another generic singer who changes according to what is popular in todays music scene. This is why Janelle deserves all the hype she is getting: it's only a matter of time before she is the talk on everyone's lips!

Check out the video for Janelle here:

On her UK tour she will be supported by the hotly-tipped 'next big thing' CocknBullKid who has been praised for her impressive vocal range in her fresh pop music. She is set to take the charts by storm with her sixties-inspired single Hold on to your misery which is on the soon-to-be release album Adulthood. Her individual sound and inspiring lyrics are supported on the album by dubstep, electro and steel-drum productions; and influences come from Madonna, Morrisey and electro-pop groups.

Her live vocals are superb, and on stage she has a confidently cool swagger about her which instantly draw you in - making you aware that she means business and will show everyone who listens that she is indeed 'the next big thing'.

Catch these two incredible acts when they commence their UK tour at the end of this month; you will be guaranteed to fall in love with both of them!

In the meantime, check out the video for Cock&BullKid here:

Tinie Tempah: Teenage Cancer Trust 2011 Performer

2011-02-18T13:42:00.001Z

This rapping sensation has had a meteoric rise to fame in such an astonishingly short space of time, proving to be a breath of fresh air in the UK urban music scene.

As a grime artist in the beginning of his career, he found it difficult to gain much attention with the genre being dismissed as too aggressive and not for mainstream music ears. But with a cross-over to a more electronic sound - à la 'Pass Out' - Tinie became an overnight hit and the name on everyones lips. With a remarkable 51 weeks on the charts, Pass Out has catapulted the South-East London rapper to the very top. Gathering fans from the very biggest stars such as Snoop Dogg, Kylie Minogue and Rihanna has demostrated his sheer capabilities to be the next UK superstar. Oh and then there are the awards he has picked up from The Brits, The Mobo's and Urban Music Awards along the way, which obviously help too!

He has been described as the UK's answer to Kanye West, and with such rapping intelligence as well as a confident stage presence and a suave dress sense, it's easy to see why. What separates the two, however, is the humble and level-headed attitude that Tinie harbours on his young shoulders. He is an entertainer who has a really appealling manner when he performs; with an enthusiasm that makes you want to get on your feet and dance. It's probably because his music is so catchy and imprints itself in your head, that the need to dance to his music is conceivable. This was demostrated in his performance at The Brit Awards where he had the entire audience on their feet with his awesome stage production featuring spectacular strobe lights which took over the entire room.

With chart-topping hits like 'Pass Out', 'Written in the Stars', 'Frisky' and 'Miami 2 Ibiza' it appears that he is here to stay. He is savvy in that he knows how to work the music scene, collaborating with other successful artists and producers like Kelly Rowland, Ellie Goulding, Labyrinth and Swedish House Mafia ensuring the liklihood of having a hit. Despite the assistance from others though, it could not be achieved without his absolute musical excellence!

With a series of number one singles as well as a number one album 'Disc-Overy', his upcoming gig for Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall in London is certain to be a really enjoyable and lively gig; which will once again have everyone wanting to dance.

The gig is bigger and better than ever, with money being raised for such a great cause and supported by big artists like Tinie Tempah, Biffy Clyro and Editors!

Adele: The Sweetheart of Soul

2011-02-17T11:30:00.005Z

Following on from the Soul songstress' mezmerising performance at the Brit Awards there has been constant chatter about just how incredibly talented Adele really is. And aren't we all mighty glad that she is back to fill our lives with her angelic voice and beautiful lyrics.

As the BBC's Sound of 2008 and another graduate of the Brit School, Adele is just one of many of the breathtakingly fresh talents to have emerged over the last few years. Fellow graduates in the form of Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Jamie Woon and Katy B have all gone on to achieve critical acclaim and success in their own right. It just proves the might of UK talent, and goes to show that we can compete with the best of the rest.Testament to this is shown in the seven awards that Adele has under her belt from prestigious award shows like The Brits, The Grammy's and the Urban Music Awards; as well as nominations from The MTV Europe Music Awards, The Q Awards and the coveted Mercury Prize.

With a sound much older than her twenty-two years, Adele is a rarity who is loved by people of all ages; men and women alike. She is an example of genuine and raw talent, doing it her own way without the need to conform to what is popular in today's music scene. Her confidence on stage gives her a certain power akin to the likes of other soul megastars Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey. But she is not shy to exposing her vulnerabilty, as shown at the Brits on tuesday when she put in a tearful performance of her single 'Someone Like You'. It was a show-stopping performance which had everyone completely hooked on her every poignant and lasting word. Accompanied only by a piano, she had the audience captivated from start to finish, and her display of emotions only enhanced the affection we have for her. As a result, she demonstrated her worth as the country's reigning queen of soul when the song was catapulted to the top of the iTunes download chart within hours of her performance.

There has been an enormous rush to buy her debut album '19' as well as her latest offering '21'... Now just watch tickets for her 'just announced' UK tour fly out when they go on sale this friday!!

Have another listen to her stunning Brit 2011 performance:

THE BRITS 2011: THE BEST BITS

2011-02-16T12:29:00.007Z

So it was that time of year again, everyones favourite music event show was once again upon us, occupying our usually boring Tuesday evening with music from the UK's best talent.

And what talent we appear to have: from the spine-tingling vocals of Adele; to the harmonised intimate show by folk favourites Mumford & Sons; the mesmeric performance by the ultimate male rapper Tinie Tempah; and the dramatic stage-production of Plan B. It seems that there is no end to the genius of British music.

For the first time ever, artists had the chance to vote alongside record company executives and industry figures to make the show more 'about the music'. There was no room for manufactured pop this year, no reality tv girl and boy bands cluttering up the stage and robbing awards from real raw talent like the lovely Laura Marling. Her shy and mumbling acceptance speech proved just how genuinely in love with music she is, it's not about the winning or the need to play up for the cameras. Quality music was thus celebrated like it should be, and there was no more of the bubblegum pop music and cheesiness that was once typical of the Brits.

It was great to see the Take That boys back together, winning best band 21 years after they made their debut. With a storming perfomance of their new single 'Kidz' the boys showed everyone just why they are once again at the top of their game.

Best British Album was awarded to the four-piece folk band Mumford & Sons, another example of musicians who play because of their love for music. They also put in a captivating performance which had the effect of drawing the viewer in with their melancholic harmonies and quiet stage presence, proving once again that the music comes before the in-your-face spectacle that the Brits were once responsible for.

And where there was a storming and loud performance, it was coupled with excellent live vocals in the form of Plan B. His stage show featured a mash-up of two of his hit singles 'She Said' and 'Prayin' whilst having a riot acted out on stage in a lively display to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. He was thus, quite rightly awarded Best Male Solo Artist.

Another male who done extremely well on the night was Tinie Tempah, winning British Breakthrough Act and British Single for 'Pass Out'. His stage-production and medley of hits also went down well with the audience, proving he was another worthy winner.

To take the focus away from the boys for a second, the incredible Adele must be praised for her stripped-back performance of 'Someone Like You', accompanied only by a piano to show off her vocal range. She has paved the way for fresh female talent to emerge, with 'Sound of 2011' winner Jessie J being presented the award for Critic's Choice. It is obvious why the fresh new talent has sold-out her upcoming debut tour.

Make sure to get your tickets for Adele's upcoming shows from Gigs and Tours when they go on sale this Friday 18th as they will sell-out fast!

Away from the brilliancy of the British artists, International perfomances and awards were dominated by Arcade Fire, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Cee Lo Green. After their success at the Grammy's, Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire triumphed by receiving awards for International Group and Album, followed by the perfomance of the night where they showed off their musical brilliance.

For tickets to their two UK gigs, order them here at Gigs and Tours.

All in all, it was a great night to celebrate British music with polished perfomances and no gaffes taking the shine off the deserved winners and performers. The theme that it was 'all about the music' was mastered perfectly and UK music deserves a pat-on-the-back for the talent that has emerged over the years. We can't wait for the Brits 2012!!

For more information on the artists and to purchase tickets from Gigs and Tours make sure to click on the appropriate highlighted link.