MALKA - New Single 'Breakout'

Scottish experimental alt-pop songstress MALKA has unveiled the video for her new single ‘Breakout’, which is out now through Tantrum Records. ‘Breakout’ is a triumphant anthem, which sees MALKA enlisting hypnotic handclaps and warped guitars to lead by example with her social commentary.

The colourful and mind-bending visual features a kaleidoscopic, glitter-drenched MALKA leading her dancers in a space-age routine. “This video was a real collaborative effort with my long time team and video director Lee Bamsey,” she explains. “The intention was to portray a feeling of how I am as a live performer, we came up with a strong visual style and dance routine, which I choreographed with some friends of mine, to create lots of movement and atmosphere.”

‘Breakout’ is the first single to be taken from MALKA’s forthcoming second album. Regarding the new album MALKA says,“The new album has a lot of political references - it is impossible to sit back and see what is happening with the plight of refugees, the dismantling of the NHS and the political changes in the UK and US and not feel affected. This single is about hope, striving for a better life and believing/dreaming that things might change.”

MALKA is building a dedicated tribe of followers with her feel-good living mantra. Challenging the current retrogressive mind-set of many across the world and urging them into a forward-thinking paradigm, the Glasgow singer is set to lift spirits with her thoughtful new music.

NOTS Tour New Album 'Cosmetic'

Memphis' NOTS will be bringing their ferociously urgent live show back to the UK and Europe for the first time since the release of their acclaimed new album, Cosmetic, dates below.

Nots are neither content with the smug "stare at your shoes" approach of bands from both coasts, nor an Earth-hugging "we need to get back to nature" hippie copout. There might not be any answers here. That might be the point. Nots have arrived at the next level of their attack with a confidence and a music that lays waste to the wasteland without romantic attachment to a thing. Above and below the guitar, bass and drum pound, Alexandra Eastburn's analog synth blurps melodies and nonsense, teasing squiggles of freedom which defy the false grid of modern life. Check out the video for 'Inherently Low' here:

Thursday 1st June - Primavera Festival, Barcelona, Spain
Friday 2nd June - Primavera Festival Free Show, Barcelona, Spain
Saturday 3rd June - Point FMR, Paris, France
Sunday 4th June - Green Door Store, Brighton
Monday 5th June - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Tuesday 6th June - Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
Wednesday 7th June - Cafe Oto, London
Thursday 8th June - Antre 2, Lille, FranceSaturday 10th June - Bitterzoet, Amsterdam
Sunday 11th June - Ms HEDI, Hamburg, Germany
Monday 12th June - Urban Spree, Berlin, Germany
Tuesday 13th June - King Georg, Cologne, Germany
Wednesday 14th June - Mudd Club, Strasbourg, France
Thursday 15th June - Manufaktur, Schorndorf, Germany
Friday 16th June - Le Nouveau Monde, Fribourg, Switzerland
Saturday 17th June - B-Sides Festival, Lucerne, Switzerland 

DOWNLOAD ANNOUNCES A MAMMOTH 48 BANDS

Download Festival,the world’s premier rock and metal event has made an unprecedented announcement, adding over forty of the world’s biggest bands to an unparalled bill including Steel Panther, A Day To Remember,The Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicidal Tendencies and In Flames.Download Festival takes place on 9 - 11 June 2017 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets are on sale now at downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

Download Festival’s Andy Copping said:“We’re committed to delivering the best in rock and metal year on year for the Download fans, and this year is no exception. We’re thrilled to have core acts in the likes of Steel Panther, A Day To Remember, Dillinger Escape Plan, The Cadillac Three, Suicidal Tendencies and more, along with some of the most exciting new talent in the game such as Creeper, Red Sun Rising and Hacktivist. Right through from The Dogtooth Stage, all the way to the top, fans are guaranteed to witness an incredible weekend of music from their trusted favourites, and discover new favourite bands of the future.”

Download Festival’s Dave Bradley said:“We’re stoked to represent the many facets of rock in this announcement. We’ve always been invested in booking bands across every stage that have the grit and determination to step up and be headliners of the future. The Avalanche Stage is really exciting this year, promising three days of unapologetic rock, pop punk and metal from the likes of State Champs, As It Is, Moose Blood and Trash Boat. Festival goers better get in that tent early - we’ve got face melting riffs and one hell of a weekend in store.”

creeper

Glam superstars Steel Panther will be hitting the Main Stage with their tongues firmly in cheek. The crew renowned for their debaucherous live shows are back to melt faces and hearts once more. Steel Panther frontman Michael Starr said:“I'm so happy to be back at Download Festival. Download Festival 2009 was our very first show in the UK, so this Festival holds a special place in my heart! Hell yea.”

Following a sold-out Wembley show last week, arena smashers A Day To Rememberwill be bringing the party to Donington, buoyed by the triumphant success of their new albumBad Vibrations. Following the announcement of their retirement, pioneersof their genre The Dillinger Escape Plan will be making their last ever UK festival appearance at Download this year. The genre defining legends have been pushing musical boundaries and demolishing stages with assured anarchy for 20 years – this is a set not to be missed.

The fathers of cross-over thrash, Suicidal Tendencies have been leading the charge and inciting mosh pits for over 30 years; the hardcore hall of famers are back to tear Download apart this summer. Rising punk stars Creeper will capitalise on a year of huge successes and deliver the biggest horror-punk set of their lives as they take to the Download Festival Main Stage. Joining them are Baroness, whorightfully earned themselves a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Metal Performance’ with their intensely progressive heavy metal masterpiece ‘Shock Me’; andthe enigmatic and ever-evolving Anathema, who areready to dish out their lithe and muscular alternative metal to the Download Festival crowd. Legendary forefathers of melodic death-metal outfit In Flames also join the bill; having toured the planet countless times and influencing many of today's biggest metal acts.

dinosaur pile-up

Wednesday 13 –also known as legend Joseph Poole of Murderdolls fame – is returning for the first time in 12 years for all the zombie themed, horror-punk that fans can handle. Scottish pirate metallers Alestorm will be regaling Download fans with tales of unforgettable swashbuckling adventures, whilst it’ll be riffs aplenty as Nordichard rockers Kvelertak pack a truly head banging worthy punch following the release of last year’s anthemic album Nattesferd. The Charm The Fury are one of the brightest prospects in metalcore, and are set to take the crowd on a ride of crushingly heavy breakdowns and high-energy monstrous anthems this June.

Australian metalcore mob Northlane have instilled themselves as one of the most exciting acts to emerge in the genre, rapidlygrowing their international fanbase with their groove laden technical take on the scene. Straight out of Ohio; metalcore legends The Devil Wears Prada return to Download with their incomparable powerful sound - they’re set for one hell of an exciting live show. Joining them will be grime-metal crew Hacktvist who are set to rage Download with their fiery, genre-melding anthems.

As It Is are one of the hottest current names in pop punk. Led by Patty Walters, the Brighton four-piece’s popularity has sky rocketed after touring with the previously announced Sum 41 and Sleeping With Sirens.State Champs are ready to rock Donington Park with their energetic and infectious party vibes, whilst Trash Boat will provide amped-up fast paced punk bangers and posi jumps galore. Emo revivalists Moose Blood will deliver their unapologetic heartfelt hooks for the Avalanche Stage masses, whilst pro wrestler Mark Andrew will be making his Download musical debut in his pop punk outfit Junior.

London activists The King Blues are officially back and will be sending the Download crowd wild with anthems like ‘I Got Love’. Swedish alt-rock act Normandie are destined to fill arenas in the future havingimpressed with their soaring and hugely ambitious sound.Post-hardcore stalwarts Touché Amore have been capturing the hearts and minds of the rock world over the last few years witha leaden mix of serrated guitar leads and frontman Jeremy Bolm’s impassioned screams. They join the incomparable line up, alongside the uplifting and hard-hitting Southern rock sound of The Cadillac Three, South London’s alternative rockers Wallflower, and Grove Street Families;theserious thrash crossover unit who’ll be bringing hardcore hooks and buckets of bounce to Donington Park.

creeper

Everyone’s favourite rock chanteuses, The Lounge Kittens are making their grand Download return, bringing with them their unique jazzy spin on metal’s biggest hits. Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics will blow the lid off Download Festival in style, featuring the show-stopping vocals of the former Heaven’s Basement frontman in his new outfit. Leeds three piece Dinosaur Pile-Up are sure to shake things up with their alternative riffs and grunge tinged melodies, whilst Bristol up-and-comers IDLES are set to unleash a torrent of brashand belligerent post-punk on their debut Download appearance.

The Contortionist will deliver an explosive set with expert precision and intensity, igniting a djent spark sure send the Download crowd wild. With a raucous mix of death and doom metal, Venom Prison’s righteous set will put them up there with the Download Festival greats, as will the effervescent rock ‘n’ roll of Fizzy Blood and the unique black metal sounds of She Must Burn.

London-based rock ’n’ roll four-piece M O S E S will have fans revved up with their boisterous and visceral sound. Casey are a tour de force of experimental post-hardcore who’ll be taking to the Download stage for the first time, as will the chunky riffs and stadium-sized choruses of Stone Broken and the London based group who are quickly establishing themselves as one of the hottest modern metal band of the moment; Brutai.

The LaFontaines will bring their socially-aware hip-hop infused rock to Donington, whilst melodic hardcore sounds will come from Cardiff’s Holding Absence and the fist-pounding circle-pit-ready metal of Dead Label. Get ready for a masterclass in head banging anthems from New Zealand hard rock behemoths Like A Storm. They’ll be joined by their fellow countrymen Devilskin, led by the incredible Jennie Skulander.

Lincoln mob Blood Youth, are ready to bring a set of high-octane and visceral melodic hardcore, alongside San Francisco quartet I The Mighty,who are guaranteed to impress with their blend of pop and piercing post hardcore. Hotly tipped as ‘ones-to-watch’, Emo punks Dead! are ready to show Donington what they’re made of, as are Swedish power-metal machine Sabaton and the grunge-tinged alt rock sounds of Red Sun Rising.

THE GREAT ESCAPE ADDS 100 ARTISTS TO 2017 LINE-UP INCLUDING A SPOTLIGHT SHOW SPECTACULAR FROM SLAVES

Having already signed-up some of the most hotly tipped musicians for 2017 back in September including Rag’ n’ Bone Man, Ray BLK, Cabbage and Nilüfer Yanya, The Great Escape today announces a further 100 artists playing the festival for new music this year.

Slaves return to TGE for their ‘Slaves Pier Party’ a Spotlight Show Spectacular! We thought we’d seen it all when they last played TGE in 2015. A raucous and high powered show saw the dynamic duo unleash a crowdsurfing Manta Ray on their fans before they upstaged their pal with an astonishing display of standing-up crowdsurfing…while still paying their instruments. This year they go further still, completely taking over Brighton Palace Pier and fairground, where they will play one of the most unique shows we have ever staged. Ticket holders will be able to enjoy the fairground delights at the end of the pier as part of their entry to the show with ride tokens included as part of their ticket. Festival goers will be able to register for the chance to receive free tickets for this unmissable spotlight show. Standalone tickets can also be purchased to guarantee entry. This show is presented by DIY.

Other acts added to the line-up today include Stefflon Don who is currently conquering the UK rap scene with her effortless crossover between dancehall, hip-hop, grime and RnB, and Tottenham lyricist Avelino, whose warm tone, smart wordplay and intricate productions have garnered praise from the likes of DJ Semtex and Stormzy. Elsewhere, Cosima’s rich, soulful sound stirs audiences with its honesty and intimacy, while African-Australian poet and singer-songwriter Sampa The Greathas made waves with her slick, confident mix of rap and hip-hop, and as an agent for positive change in the world.

Having worked with the likes of The 1975, Amber Bain comes to The Great Escape with brand new project The Japanese House in which she blends synth harmonies and ambient sounds with androgynous vocals to create beautifully minimalist, melancholic electro pop. Joining her on the line-up is folk-rock sensation Marika Hackman who’ll showcase tracks from her hotly anticipated upcoming album, which features a heavier sound sure to add an extra dimension to her live show, and Native Dancer– who use acoustic instruments, synthesizers and samplers to fuse elements of pop, soul, jazz and electro funk.

Having started out as an art project, Dream Wife have garnered attention for their bold aesthetic, distinctive alt-grunge sound and immersive shows, while HMLTD will bombard the senses with their experimental punk, outlandish visuals and chaotic live shows. Synth-pop trioOff Bloomfrom Copenhagen have been splitting their time between studios in Denmark and London creating catchy electronic tracks with the likes ofAlunaGeorgeandTwo Inch Punch, whilst Salen offer infectious pop tracks with sugary sweet vocals, light instrumentation and dark lyrics, and Tom Grennan has already provided vocals forChase and Statusand is making a name for himself with his bluesy, soulful tone.

Formed in Brighton, The Magic Gang craft soulful, pop-driven songs with a 60s feel, whilst Australian punk-rockers Tired Lion have been gaining high praise for their intense, infectious melodies, gritty vocals, loud guitars and a heads-up to their 90s forebears and Belfast duo Picture This have already had a debut EP number one hit in the Irish album chartsand sell out tour with their energetic pop rock songs. The Magic Gang said: “As we’re based in Brighton The Great Escape is always an event we look forward to playing . It’s a really great opportunity to see 20 bands in one night"

Working alongside this year’s international partner Swiss Music Export, The Great Escapehave also picked out some of the hottest artists from Switzerland including French based artist Buvette whose burgeoning reputation comes from his rap, reggae and dub-infused electro pop. Baba Shrimps’ concise synths, earthy folk, driving beats and catchy tunes will delight festival goers, while Zeal & Ardor the brainchild of Manuel Gagneux fuses blues, black metal and African beats to create striking, textured, atmospheric melodies.

Kevin Moore, Event Manager said: “It’s brilliant to be able to get out of the traps in January announcing 100 of the best new bands around joining the line-up for TGE 2017. And we cannot wait for Slaves to perform at the end of Brighton Palace Pier for what is going to be one of the biggest shows we have ever produced at the festival – it’s going to be one of those legendary “were you there” moments, no doubt about that. Roll on May!”   

67 /ADAM NAAS / ÁINE CAHILL / AINSLIE WILLS / AVELINO / BABA SHRIMPS / BALOJI / BELLY SQUAD / BETTY WHO / BOKITO / BRYDE / BUSTY AND THE BASS / BUVETTE / CATHERINE MCGRATH / CHARLIE STRAW / CHEAP MEAT / CHILDCARE / CLUB DRIVE / COCOA FUTURES / COSIMA / DAGNY / DAN CROLL / DEAD PRETTIES / DIANE BIRCH / DREAM WIFE / FAZERDAZE / FRANCOBOLLO / FREAK / FROTH / GABRIELLA COHEN / GORDI / HARE SQUEAD / HMLTD / HOMESHAKE / HORSE THIEF / HUSKY LOOPS / ILL / J. BERNARDT / JAKE HOULSBY / JERKCURB / JESSE TERRY / JOHN K. SAMSON / JORDAN MACKAMPA / JUDAS / KANE STRANG / KING NUN / KOJO FUNDS / KOLARS / KUDU BLUE / LIKE A MOTORCYCLE / LISA MITCHELL / LOWLY / MAMMÚT / MARIKA HACKMAN / MAUNO / MC SNIPER / MOLLY / MOSA WILD / MULLALLY / NATIVE DANCER / NOGA EREZ / NORTH DOWNS / OCTOBER DRIFT / ODD BEHOLDER / OFF BLOOM / OLYMPIA / ONE SENTENCE. SUPERVISOR / OUR GIRL / PARCELS / PAULI. / PICTURE THIS / PIXEY / PUMAROSA / ROSBOROUGH / SÄLEN / SAMPA THE GREAT / SHOGUN / SLAVES / SOSHE / STEFFLON DON / STEVE JAMES / STEVIE PARKER / SULTAN OF THE DISCO / SWIMMING TAPES / TENDER / THE BAY RAYS / THE GOON SAX / THE JAPANESE HOUSE / THE MAGIC GANG / THE PARROTS / THE RHYTHM METHOD / THE SANDINISTAS / TIRED LION / TOM GRENNAN / TSAR B / WILL JOSEPH COOK / YELLOW DAYS / YOUNG BLOOD / YOUNGR / YOWL / ZEAL & ARDOR

VICTORIOUS - SATURDAY & SUNDAY HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED

Just Announced ... Stereophonics, Elbow and Madness Headline Victorious Festival

The first wave of acts include Jake Bugg, Feeder, Franz Ferdinand and Slaves.

Having previously revealed Madness as the headliner for the all-new Friday night Opening Party, the festival is proud to announce legends Stereophonics and Elbow as top of the bill for Saturday and Sunday.

Support comes from indie-folk troubadour Jake Bugg, power pop trio Feeder, folk rockers Frightened Rabbit, alt-rock upstarts Sundara Karma, feted grime artist and rapper Lady Leshurr and lo-fi London four piece Palace.

Headlining Sunday and providing the perfect finale to the best Victorious Festival yet are Mercury-winning Mancunian maestros Elbow. Enjoying critical acclaim for imminent new album Little Fictions, Elbow’s beautiful ballads and life-affirming indie-rock anthems will make for a sublime crescendo.

Also appearing on Sunday’s bill are art-rockers Franz Ferdinand, nu-punk duo Slaves, multi-award winning singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, Tanzanian rapper Tiggs Da Author and garage punk outfit Crows.

Festival director Andy Marsh said “We are immensely proud of this year’s line up. We’ve worked really hard to secure the very best acts – band and artists we personally love. We literally have the crown jewels of the British music industry night after night and we still have so much more to announce."

RUSSELL BRAND - 2017 Tour

Following a series of sold-out preview shows in November and December 2016, Russell Brand announces a new stand-up tour of UK and Ireland.

"What is real? Who are we? Where did this baby come from?" In RE:BIRTH, Russell Brand wrestles with these questions while unravelling the matrix of modern media, politics, sex, fatherhood and death. Join one of comedy’s fiercest talents as he tries to make sense of life having just made a new one.

Russell, re the show: "How do we make sense of the madness of our lives once we become parents? What am I going to tell my daughter about conformity and responsibility? What happens if she grows up to be like me or, worse, date someone like me?"

Since rising to fame in 2003, Russell Brand has established himself as one of one of the world’s most celebrated stand-up comedians. His acclaimed tours include 2006’s SHAME, 2007’s ONLY JOKING, 2009’s SCANDALOUS (which marked his US live debut) and 2013’s critically acclaimed and hugely successful MESSIAH COMPLEX, which was also a best-selling DVD.

Aside from stand-up, Russell is also a phenomenally successful broadcaster, actor, author, podcaster, columnist, political commentator as well as a mental health and drug rehabilitation activist. RE:BIRTH will begin in April 2017 and visit every corner of the UK and Ireland, finishing in November 2018.

Tickets for RE:BIRTH go on sale 10am, Friday 3rd February 2017. For a full list of tour dates, more information and to book tickets visit russellbrand.com

PHOTO credit Matt Crockett Photography

DARKO - Tour / new album

Darko are on tour in support of the new album, 'Bonsai Mammoth', dates below. Frontman Dan Smith said "We are insanely excited to get back on the road. We've got a full set of mostly new songs and some sick shows lined up to play them at. Actually, insanely excited is a bit of an understatement..."

Echoing the intensity of their music, the subject matter of the Guildford, UK skate-punks’ new record suitably shines a light on the big issues we all currently face, and encapsulates all of the modern age frustrations that are now ripe for exploitation by our best and brightest punk bands. This time around, the band have taken a step back from the narrative weaved through earlier EPs to focus inwardly on more personal subject matter, although they aren’t ruling out returning to their familiar concept-style records any time soon.

Hitting the studio with a whole new perspective Darko worked with producer Daly George (Creeper, Milk Teeth, Giants), who helped them navigate through their new approach to song-writing and to experiment with new sounds and ideas. The final touches were provided in the mastering process by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Iron Reagan, Poison Idea, Stranger Things), “we felt a lot more relaxed recording this album compared to last EP's and hopefully that comes across,” explains guitarist Chris Brown “It certainly made things run smoother for me. We also had more time to mess about with sounds and effects that we don't normally do, as well as giving me time to work on my right-hand technique for the technical sections.”

On the new album, Darko’s signature duelling guitar engines increased the intensity and intricacy of their playing once more. Out to prove that the band are not just a speed-driven, one-trick pony, they’re intent on proving themselves to be musicians skilled enough to make layers of mind-bending, racing guitars mesh cohesively with impactful songwriting. Couple that with their versatile rhythm section rumbling along at a heart-racing pace, and front man Dan Smith’s vocals stretching to their limit with a coarse delivery, it’s an album that’s packed full of all the satisfying choruses, mosh-pit moments and gang-vocal sing-a-longs that you’d expect from a fun-filled Darko live performance.

With musical salutes to riff-thrashers like Protest The Hero, straight-up skate punk legends Strung Out and the melodic hardcore of Comeback Kid, Bonsai Mammoth delivers wholeheartedly and shows a real progression to the band’s sound, a continuation of a journey this band of DIY brothers are only just beginning. They’ve refined their sound, toured worldwide and grown a frenzied fan base, and whilst the positive moments might have been punctured by recent world events, disrupted by dark politics and tinged with a forbidding sense of general unease, this record serves as an audible barometer for exactly what’s going on right now in our troubled world. This era and this album combine to create the perfect coming of age conditions for Darko’s particular brand of punk. 'Bonsai Mammoth' is out now!

Tour Dates:
03/02/2017 - Guildford, The Star
18/02/2017 - Nuremberg Germany, Desi Nürnberg
17/03/2017 - Portsmouth, The Birdcage
18/03/2017 - Manchester, Retro Bar
14/04/2017 - London, New Cross Inn (Dugstock)
16/04/2017 - Hastings, The Tub
07/07/2017 - Novi Sad Serbia, EXIT Festival

Also confirmed for Punk Rock Holiday 2017!

Peaness Sign To Alcopop! Records For New EP Are You Sure?

Alcopop! Records are over the moon to announce the signing of three piece indie-pop band Peaness with the news that the band are set to release their new EP Are You Sure? later this year, with further details to follow. "Signing with Alcopop! has already been such a joy” say the band of the news “Jack is totally on the same page as us for what we want as a band, which makes everything super easy and positive. We're really happy to become part of team Alcopop! PEAS AND LOVE."

Commenting on the signing, Alcopop! Records overlord Jack Clothier enthuses: "To put it frankly, Peaness are pretty much THE best band I've heard in the last few months - and working with them already has been a total joy! They've achieved stacks already, and we're really excited to get on board and help out. The EP hasn't left my head for weeks. It's infectious, brilliant, DIY-influenced indie-pop genius, if you ask me - which you probably didn't."

Formed in Chester in late 2014, their debut EP No Fun was self-released in 2015 and was, ironically, loads of bloody fun, packed with feel-good, sunshine indie-pop the likes of which it was impossible for Alcopop to ignore. The resulting furore saw the trio gigging extensively up and down the country alongside the likes of PAWS, The Spook School, Mammoth Penguins, Chorusgirl, Sauna Youth, Vangoffey, Yak, Goat Girl and The Lovely Eggs.

Be good and eat your greens this year, the world needs a little more peas and love.

Peaness 2017 UK Live Dates:
06.2.17 – London – Paper Dress
10.2.17 – Liverpool – The Magnet
17.2.17 – Chester – Telford’s Warehouse
19.2.17 – Cardiff – Four Bars
21.2.17 – Bath – Komedia
23.2.17 – Sheffield – Old Crown
07.3.17 - Manchester - Castle Hotel
11.3.17 - Leicester - Indiepop All Dayer - Firebug
22.3.17 – Manchester – Soup Kitchen (Record Store Day)
23.3.17 - Chester - Alexanders
30.3.17 - Liverpool – FestEvol – Invisible Wind Factory

Freeze The Atlantic Announce Third Album The People Are Revolting

The People Are Revolting, the third album from UK alt-rock band, Freeze The Atlantic, which is set for release on 14th April 2017. The band will also be hitting the road in April on a run of headline tour dates in support of the record, on the new albu, they said, “We felt this time we wanted to try something different and we’re super glad we did” explains vocalist Liv Puente “We don’t like to repeat ourselves much so this was a new challenge, which pushed us all as musicians ... We added a few overdubs there and there, and the vocals were recorded in the evening so I had something to sing to, but everything else is just the band in a room, playing as we would live. It’s quite risky and ballsy but we think the result is by far the most honest and raw record we’ve made so far.”

April 2017 UK Tour Dates:

12.04 - Birmingham - The Flapper
13.04 - Glasgow - Nice N’ Sleazy
14.04 - Nottingham – Bodega
15.04 - London - The Borderline
16.04 - Bristol - The Louisiana

If anything, Freeze The Atlantic are a perfect example of the sort of band the UK has a special knack for producing – a humble and hardworking bunch of music lovers with a social conscience, and a desire to use their voice and their art to really say something about the world which we live in, and address some of the issues our faltering society all too often tries to gloss over. “We all have day jobs and most of us have families to support. None of us really have the time to fit any of this in our lives, but we make time for it because we love it, simple as that. And for as long as it’s fun and fulfilling, we’ll keep doing it! We’re just grateful we can still do this, one album and tour at a time.”

THE COURTNEYS - 'Silver Velvet' Video

Vancouver's The Courtneys have unveiled the new video for "Silver Velvet", taken form their upcoming album The Courtneys II due in February on Flying Nun. A tribute to '90s Flying Nun/Matador band Bailter Space's "Splat" video, The Courtneys devised the concept before realising they'd be releasing the record with Flying Nun. They say of the video:

"At the time we made the video, we didn’t even know we’d be working with Flying Nun! We were just big fans. Ryan Dyck of Hockey Dad Records did the cinematography, and the video features cameos from our recording engineer Jordan Koop, “Curly Courtney” (Hugo Noriega), and members of our friends bands Dead Soft, B-Lines, Dead Ghosts, Woolworm, Flyin’, Nervous Operator, Needles//Pins, plus vehicle cameos from our old van “the courtneymobile”, Courtneys convertible, and Macy's van with the mushroom window, which is basically famous for appearing in most Vancouver music videos. Plus, a dog cameo from Lady Dog." Watch it below...

The Courtneys drift back to the sound of the early ’90s, drawing from strong influences including Teenage Fanclub, Pavement, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, and The Clean. Courtney Loove's dreamy guitar riffs add a timeless powerpop element to the punk backbone formed by Sydney Koke's driving basslines, while drummer/lead singer Jen Twynn Payne delivers heartfelt lyrics with a powerful vocal style. These components come together through a passionate collaborative songwriting process to deliver a special blend of fuzzy “artisanal grunge”.

Energy - 'Apparition Sound' Album / UK Tour

Energy formed in February of 2006 in the town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Over the last decade, Energy’s signature style of somber, melancholy melodies and introspective lyrics combined with infectiously poppy hooks has truly cemented them as one of Boston’s most unique bands.

The band were unveiled as special guests on the Creeper headline tour in support of the 2017 UK release of new album, 'Apparition Sound'.

'Apparition Sound' features 8 tracks of melodic punk rock, that are the full creations of frontman, T?NK. Speaking on 'Apparition Sound', T?NK said, "This album represents a rebirth within the band. It was the first time in the band's history where I was left entirely in charge of songwriting. Music, melodies, lyrics, everything. Honestly, this was not something that I wanted at all, but since both of the other primary songwriters had left the band - I was on my own for the first time."It was terrifying, but I was determined to climb out of the hole I had been thrown into by releasing what I felt was Energy's strongest work yet."

25.03.17 - Academy 2 , Manchester

26.03.17 - Garage, Glasgow

27.03.17 - Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne

28.03.17 - Stylus, Leeds

30.03.17 - Electric Ballroom, London

31.03.17 - 1865, Southampton

01.04.17 - Institute 2, Birmingham

02.04.17 - Tramshed, Cardiff

All dates with Creeper, Milk Teeth and Puppy

Declan McKenna – New Single / Tour Dates

Building on his meteoric 2016 this year Declan McKenna is off on a UK Headline Tour as well as out on the road supporting with Cage The Elephant. Last year he was included on the BBC’s Sound of 2017 poll, performed on Later… With Jools Holland and performed ‘Brazil’ live on Conan who exclaimed “that was fantastic … this guy’s going to rule the world”.

Coming to prominence with his early singles; Paracetamol, Bethlehem and Isombard as well as Brazil, we are looking forward to Declan’s debut album which is due out spring 2017. 

His new single 'The Kids Don't Wanna Come Home' again draws on his own experiences, frustrations and thoughts. The song was reportedly inspired by a series of events that occurred over the span of 2015, and was a work-in-progress until the Paris attack on the 13th of November left him with a very real sense of fear and vulnerability. Declan’s expression of the powerlessness of a young person in today’s world, experiencing the shock and the terror, and helplessly watching those in positions of power cause so much uncertainty for the future. Despite those very real frustrations, The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home is a song that elicits a feeling of hope, and how ultimately the youth want to positively fight for change through both art and conversation.

Declan McKenna Live - Tickets at: http://www.declanmckenna.net:

16th January - The Academy, Dublin (w/ Cage The Elephant)
19th January - Albert Hall, Manchester (w/ Cage The Elephant)
20th January - O2 Brixton Academy, London (w/ Cage The Elephant)
23rd January – Waterfront Studio, Norwich
24th January - The Cookie, Leicester SOLD OUT
25th January - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
26th January- Studio 2, Liverpool SOLD OUT
28th January - Think Tank?, Newcastle
29th January - Brudenell Club, Leeds
30th January - The Leadmill, Sheffield
31st January - Patterns, Brighton
21st March - O2 Academy 2, Oxford
22nd March - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
23rd March - The Garage, London SOLD OUT

Victorious Announces Offsite Campsite Details

•New for 2017 - huge offsite camping facility at Portsdown Hill.
•Free shuttle bus service
•Great campsite facilities- port-a-loos, port-a-showers, campsite food stalls & traders

Victorious Festival 2017 is set to be bigger and better than ever with over 60,000 festival goers last year and even more expected to attend this year. 

Portsdown Hill Campsite is a family friendly, relaxed campsite located just 8 miles from the festival site and has stunning scenic views. On one side see the expanse of the sprawling seaside city and on the other take in the beautifully British countryside view.

Free Camp and Ride services mean Campers can enjoy the festival experience fuss free. Shuttle buses will be running between the campsite and festive site throughout the event so campers can come and go all the time, anytime meaning they don’t miss a minute of the action. The campsite will be full of all the facilities you could need throughout the weekend to enjoy the camping lifestyle from essentials such as port-a-showers & toilets to cooking and BBQ zones, food stalls and traders offering general store items, lockers, mobile phone charging and non-alcoholic refreshments. Car parking is available at an additional cost:

Adult 18+ Weekend Regular Camping (per person)- £49.50 (inc.booking fee)
Adult 18+ Weekend Family Camping (Per Person)- £49.50
5-17 Weekend Family Camping (Per Person)- £22.00
Under 5 Weekend Family Camping (per Person)- £1.00
Campsite Car Parking- £11.00
For tickets and details go to: www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

Victorious Festival Reveals Madness as First Headliner

Victorious Festival Reveals Madness as First Headliner, the Ska legends to play new Friday night Opening Party ...

Victorious – the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival – has announced that it will start on a Friday for the first time with ska-pop masters Madness kicking-off the new three-day format. 

Billed as an Opening Party, Friday night will feature a huge headline show from Madness with support from Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club and many more heavyweight acts still to be announced. 

Said festival director Andy Marsh: “Heading into our sixth year we wanted to shake things up a bit and what better way than to open proceedings with a massive party. We wracked our brains for the best party band out there and the answer was literally a no-brainer, it had to be Madness. 

“We’re delighted that the guys have agreed to headline our new Friday night slot, its going to be incredible, and when Craig Charles opens his trunk of funk there’s no doubt it’ll be a night to remember!”

Madness can’t wait to get involved. Madness Said: “We’re really looking forward to this show and it’s an absolute honour to play the very first Victorious opening party. Now we know Portsmouth likes to party but they better start preparing, cos we’re gonna blow the doors off!” 

Friday’s opening party will start at 6pm and close at 11pm. The event will include the Castle Stage, Real Ale Village, Southsea Castle and the Champagne Bar. 

With Friday tickets currently set at the unbeatable price of £20, Victorious Festival continues to be one of the best value festivals in the UK.

For tickets and details go to: www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

Stone Roses Add 2017 Leeds Shows

The Stone Roses will play two shows at Leeds First Direct Arena on the 20th and 21st June 2017. 

With a prolific tour next year there are rumours that they may be festival headliners too ... 

Tickets go on sale at 9.30am this Friday, December 9.

These two live shows are added to the already announced dates in Belfast, London and Glasgow.

2017 dates as follows:

Tuesday, June 13        BELFAST, SSE ARENA

Saturday, June 17       LONDON, WEMBLEY STADIUM connected by EE

Wednesday, June 20  LEEDS, FIRST DIRECT ARENA 

Thursday, June 21       LEEDS, FIRST DIRECT ARENA  

Saturday, June 24       GLASGOW, HAMPDEN PARK

Tickets will be available from: Eventim.co.uk / gigsandtours.com/ ticketmaster.co.uk

www.thestoneroses.org

Donnie Darko - Re-release

28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds ... or thereabouts. Yep, Frank the 6ft bunny is back as Donnie Darko returns to cinemas this December to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the cult classic. Arrow Films have announced that a special exclusive run at the BFi will kick off on December 16, followed by a nationwide release on December 23.

Pissed Jeans - New Single 'The Bar Is Low'

Pissed Jeans have released their snarling new track 'The Bar Is Low', singer Matt Korvette describes that it's about "how every guy seems to be revealing themselves as a shithead". The bass tone is awesome as ever, winding and swaggering around the gravelly vocal and general scuzzy-ass punk vibes. Somehow cleaner and refined it still retains that edge we love them for. Honestly, their bar is high.

We are super excited to see what the new album 'Why Love Now?' brings, their 5th album, produced by no wave legend Lydia Lunch, along with Arthur Rizk is due for release on Feb 24th on Sub Pop.

Check out The Bar Is Low here ... how's this album cover for click-bait?!

Margaret Glaspy - Emotions And Math

Margaret Glaspy’s breakout 2016 continues with the release of her new music video for her debut album’s title track, “Emotions and Math”. A video that shows the longing that comes with a long distance relationship, Clare Marie Vogel directed Glaspy in the new clip.

"I've never worked a desk job and this was my one opportunity,” Glaspy said of the video’s concept. “At some point in your life you miss someone with all your heart, whether it be your mom on the first day of school or a long distance relationship. Touring constantly, I know this feeling well. I wrote the idea for this video in the back of the van on tour, naturally, and flew out to LA between tours and shot it with the director, Claire Marie Vogel, who was a joy to work with."
  
 Vogel also spoke about the making of the video, adding, "Immediately after hearing the song, I knew I had to make a video for it. Being in a long distance relationship myself, I couldn't help but relate to Margaret's lyrics and felt inspired by my own similar experiences.”

Having made her way from California, relocating to the east coast, Glaspy spent much of her time playing in various bands whilst harbouring thoughts of a solo career. The first fruits of the newly forged partnership heralds the emergence of a remarkable songwriter with the release of her debut album ‘Emotions And Math’.
  
‘Emotions And Math’ depicts an array of emotions, wonderfully tempered by Glaspy’s impassioned vocals, and bolstered by some exquisite guitar accompaniments that harbours an underlying defiance from a personal perspective. Having recorded the album several times in her bedroom, Glaspy self-produced the record, knowing these songs inside and out. A remarkable album from a new artist that was suitably summed up by one critic, thus; “whatever expectation you might form for her, she will upend it.”…
 
‘You And I’, crashes into earshot, raw guitar riffs countered by a vocal that bristles, a captivating but no bullshit tale of heartbreak that nonetheless tugs at the human emotions, delivered with a captivating honesty that encompasses the album.

Photo: Ebru Yildiz

RADIOHEAD FIRST HEADLINE ACT TO BE CONFIRMED FOR GLASTONBURY 2017

Radiohead today became the first headline act to be confirmed for Glastonbury 2017. The band will top the bill on the Pyramid Stage on Friday, June 23rd.

This will be the band’s third time headlining the Pyramid Stage following previous headline appearances in 1997 and 2003.

Rockaway Beach - Who Not To Miss!

In no particular order here are our top 3 acts not to miss at this weekend's Rockaway Beach!

We Are Scientists: great indie rock melodies, great banter ... always a good show, what more could you ask for?! *not actual scientists

Wire: Highly influential highly covered art indie punk legends grace the Reds Stage at 7:15 on Saturday...

Black Honey: always a great show, catch them at 8pm on the Reds Stage

So many other great acts on the bill for this weekend check out the line-up below: