READING FESTIVAL TWENTY FOURTEEN

Reading Festival was TWO WEEKS ago? Have I really had that much sleep?

I had a BLAST at Reading Festival this year. I saw around 35 bands and artists in total, and even brought a nice bout of festival flu back as a souvenir. Being from Reading, the festival always feels just that bit extra special, with 2014 being no exception. While walking out of the festival last year, I remember saying something along the lines of "I hope I have a job by next year so I can pay for a ticket myself" and I did it!! Go me!! Those £50 instalments were painful (and that like, £6 shipping fee was VERY painful) but all very worth it in the end.
This year I took a more laid back approach to who I saw, rather than having a meticulously organised schedule. Although I didn't see as many bands this way (I didn't manage to top last year's total of 39) I felt like I enjoyed the whole atmosphere and experience more, and had more time to enjoy the ridiculously overpriced food. (I think I'm having withdrawal from those cheese garlic bread baguettes from the pizza place near the NME tent already)
Line up wise, I didn't think it was as good as last year's, and a lot of the artists I wanted to see I had already seen at least once before. But on the other hand, I had the chance to see some larger bands that I may not have necessarily gone to see under normal circumstances. I also saw a few bands that I will definitely be listening to more of now, which is good! 

Sets I managed to catch over the weekend:
Friday:
We Are Evergreen
Blood Red Shoes
Drenge (2nd time)
Fat White Family
Sweethead
The Orwells
Catfish And The Bottlemen
King Charles
Vampire Weekend
Jamie T
Paramore
Bipolar Sunshine
Palma Violets (3rd time)

Saturday:
DZ Deathrays
Marmozets
Royal Blood
Peace (3rd time)
Bear Hands
Wolf Alice (2nd time)
Don Broco (2nd time)
Circa Waves
Happyness (2nd time)
Chvrches (2nd time)
Jake Bugg
Bombay Bicycle Club
Arctic Monkeys

Sunday:
Flyte
The Neighbourhood
Jungle
Drowners (5th time)
The Kooks
The Horrors (2nd time)
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
The 1975
Disclosure

Blood Red Shoes! I have waited what feels like forever to see them live, and it's finally happened. Although I didn't manage to catch their whole set because someone, somewhere, decided that it was a fantastic idea for them to clash with Drenge.

Drenge's Festival Republic set last year was amazing, so I was super excited to see them again. Obviously, they didn't disappoint. Outfit or music wise. Lovin' those dresses

Rowdiest crowd I was involved in all weekend was The Orwells. As soon as they stepped on stage I found myself being (literally) swept away. I was 100% fearing a repeat of FIDLAR's Reading 2013 set, in which I almost broke a tooth. I made it out with all teeth intact for all those wondering, but I did nearly lose my glasses. I wonder what valuable thing I'll come close to losing next time!

"I lost my mind I lost my shoe" Or in this case, glasses.

Funky crowd shot! At Bipolar Sunshine, before Palma Violets. Palmas were definitely one of my highlights, as I'd predicted. After seeing them smash an afternoon slot in the NME/Radio 1 tent, I was very excited to see them headline Festival Republic, my favourite stage. I have come to the conclusion that Best Of Friends is my favourite track to hear/see live. There's just something about it that gets you every single time.

Back in the NME tent for Royal Blood. There was a good reaction from the crowd even though this performance was prior to the release of their self titled debut (which is also good)

☮ ✌ ☮ ✌ ☮ ✌ ☮ ✌ ☮ ✌ ☮ ✌ ☮ ✌ ☮ ✌

A highlight that I didn't originally think would be a highlight was Don Broco's late afternoon set in the NME tent. Long story I didn't really like their music, saw them live and completely changed my mind. (I love it when live performances can change your opinion!!) Anyway, I totally regret not liking them this time last year, as I was right down the front in a great crowd and I know I would have enjoyed it. This was one of my favourite crowds of the weekend, everyone singing along made it even better.

Cool sunset! P.S sorry if you were fortunate enough to witness my embarrassing dancing at Jake Bugg, Chvrches or Bombay Bicycle Club (not really)

Me lookin' really excited to see Drowners with Mollie

Drowners!! This was my fifth time seeing one of my favourite, favourite, favourite bands this year, but this was extra special since it was in my hometown. I think the fact that they only play for half an hour just makes me want to see them over and over again. I feel super lucky that I have been able to see one of my favourite albums performed live this many times.

The Horrors were amazing as usual but the crowd definitely did not do them justice. Although, the massive pit that opened up during the last couple of minutes of Sea Within A Sea (AKA PRETTY MUCH THE BEST BIT OF ANY SONG EVERRR) was interesting to see, and also a bit odd. Still Live live was gorgeous, as per.

There were also some other strange happenings across the weekend, including the ridiculous amount I spent on that overpriced food and someone forcing me to go up on their shoulders during King Charles' set, (HELLO if you're out there) which is something I never saw myself doing. You do get quite a good view, though. I guess that's another one ticked off your typical festival bucket list, along with things like appearing on the stage screens (#claim2fame) and being at the main stage barrier.

We also met some (very drunk) women while watching Disclosure, and although their friend couldn't speak much English, they managed to get her to swear at everyone who walked by. Then she started doing forward rolls. It was, weird.

ALL IN ALL READING FESTIVAL 2014 WAS SO FUN I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE WOOOOP WOOOOP!!

More photos (film and digital) on my Flickr

Really good long songs perfect for people who prefer really good short songs

Long songs aren't really my thing. With snappy short songs like Wreckin' Bar by The Vaccines and Parquet Courts' Careers In Combat taking over my playlists, why should I bother with long songs? It takes a pretty special long song to win my heart. Firstly, what do I regard as a "long song?" We'll go with over 6:30. Here are some of my favourites that I actually have the patience to listen to all the way through:

The Horrors - Sea Within A Sea
The Horrors are the band to turn to for very good long songs. In the case of Sea Within A Sea, it's the last two minutes or so that just make it. That's what you're waiting for. The whole song builds up to that do do do do DO DO DO bit. It gives you chills doesn't it? Amazing. Obviously the whole song is pretty incredible but it's all about the last bit.

The Horrors - Oceans Burning
Similarly to Sea Within A Sea, the best bit of Oceans Burning is arguably the last bit. The whole thing is this swirly, luxurious build up to that bit that makes you think "oh my god man, The Horrors are the best band ever!" You're probably lying if you say this song hasn't made you even a bit #emotional and it is just the most perfect closer to the sophisticated swoosh of Skying.

Drenge - Let's Pretend
This is probably a great long song because it doesn't actually feel like it's that long. It feels like a few songs sandwiched together, keeping you interested the whole way through. The fact that it's also very good helps too.

Muse - Citizen Erased
I completely forgot all about this one until I was sifting through iTunes looking for any tracks I'd missed. This doesn't feel like seven minutes at all, courtesy of some whirring and pretty in your face guitars and some interesting lyrics. The last three minutes or so feels like some kind of rebirth or something I dunno man how else would you describe it

Girls - Hellhole Ratrace
This track KILLS. Arguably one of Girls' best songs, the one that makes everyone feel a lil' bit sad and like they should do more with their lives than sit in the dark listening to Girls illuminated only by the glow of their laptop screen. Owens' lyrics here are so fantastic that the length of the track becomes irrelevant. It could be four hours long and still be the most amazing song.SO COME ON COME ON COME ON COME ON AND DANCE WITH ME

Parquet Courts - He's Seeing Paths
Another track that doesn't feel as long as it is thanks to some cowbell and other funky sounds. The cowbell and the buzzer just makes this song.

MONEY - Goodnight London
None of Money's songs are particularly short, but Goodnight London is in fact the longest on debut The Shadow Of Heaven. Money are the best at making the most chilling, hauntingly beautiful songs and this is certainly no exception. Discussing New York and London, this track thrives on piano and eerie, amazing lyrics.

(Other honourable mentions include Spanish Sahara by Foals, Left Myself Behind by TOY and Colours Fade by Blood Red Shoes but I can't be bothered to write about any more)

Sweet tunes I can't stop listening to

The rate at which I update this blog is abysmal and I'm sorry but today I was feelin' pretty pumped to write a blog post so what better than a list of great songs (there are probably a fair few things better but this will suffice right)

Blood Red Shoes - Wretch (featuring Eoin Loveless and Ian Clement)
How amazing is this?! My initial reaction when I saw that this new Blood Red Shoes track (the B side to new single An Animal) was a Drenge collab was just "noooooooooooooo way." After several listens, I'm still pretty much the same. It's just so good I don't even know what to say

Puzzle - I'm Not One To Talk
Fletcher Shears' solo project Puzzle takes on a much synthier and more dancy sound in comparison to The Garden. This song is so funky and groovy and sounds a bit like one of the generic ringtones that comes on your phone. Not a bad thing. It's simple vocals and lyrics wise but the do do do do dooooo bit balances it out perfectly. (very technical term that)

Enjoy - Gold
Similarly, Wyatt Shears' solo project is pretty different from The Garden. Gold is pretty chilled but also pretty groovy like it kind of sounds like a Jaws track crossed with a DIIV one. A bit. Like, a tiny bit.

Say Lou Lou - Better In The Dark
This is just a really good pop song with some Icona Pop vibes. Icona Pop vibes are very good vibes. 

Gorgeous Bully - Stamp
Gorgeous Bully have been around longer than I thought and I'm pretty shocked I didn't hear about them sooner because they just feel like one of those bands that like, everyone likes. Stamp is probably my favourite track by them and it's just really COOL

Froth - General Education
I've always been one for checking out music used in runway shows (mainly because they are obviously a good walking speed and I feel important and cool when I walk and listen to them) and General Education by California based Froth is plucked straight from Saint Laurent Menswear FW14. Which was a really great show (as expected) btw/fyi. This is just one of those songs that makes you feel all like the sunglasses emoji when you listen to it.

Seventeen songs to make you feel like you're in an American high school movie

I don't wanna go to school I don't wanna take the call: A playlist

There are the perfect walking songs, then there are the perfect walking into school/college songs. The ones that make you feel like you're in a stereotypical American high school movie or TV show, walking in slow motion through the doors and down the corridors. I have spent many months testing songs in this situation to bring you this definitive compilation of fabulous tracks. (I haven't really)
Stick these on when you're walking around school or college for maximum movie vibes.

Tracks:

1. The Strokes - You Only Live Once
2. The Orwells - Who Needs You
3. SKATERS - Are We Just Doomed?
4. DIIV - Follow
5. Splashh - Vacation
6. Swim Deep - Francisco
7. Dom - Living In America
8. Temples - Colours To Life
9. Cults - We've Got It
10. Girls - Honey Bunny
11. Mac Demarco - Ode To Viceroy
12. Drenge - Backwaters
13. Tame Impala - Mind Mischief
14. Melody's Echo Chamber - I Follow You
15. Solange - Losing You
16. Foals - Inhaler
17. Parquet Courts - He's Seeing Paths

Listen on 8Tracks

(Image from digitaljournal.com)

The somewhat obligatory favourites of 2013 post: part two

Tracks time! I chose 40 favourites even though there were a fair few more, 2013 seems to have been a great year for individual songs, albums not so much. But you can read about my favourites here if you wish. I included a couple of my favourite videos too. Consider it a Christmas present.


Christopher Owens - New York City
Cults - I Can Hardly Make You Mine
Drenge - Bloodsports
Astral Pattern - Sitting In The Sun
Foals - Inhaler
Metronomy - I'm Aquarius
Let's set the scene. It is late 2013. After the absence of Metronomy at Reading/Leeds, (the band had played something like seven years in a row) everyone is left wondering what happened to them. A short clip of some "shoop doo doo aaahhhs" appears online, and the people continue to speculate. The first taste of Metronomy's fourth album "Love Letters" only adds to the theory that if you open a dictionary and look up "groovy" you will in fact just find a picture of Metronomy. 
Wild Smiles - Tangled Hair
Spector - Decade Of Decay
SKATERS - I Wanna Dance (But I Don't Know How)
Tripwires - Spacehopper
A dreamy, whirring title track from one of Reading's new(ish) bands(Also see Sundara Karma.)Never mind Spacehopper, this is a real head bopper. 
Parquet Courts - Stoned And Starving
JAWS - Gold
Crystal Fighters - You & I
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - So Good At Being In Trouble
MONEY - Goodnight London
Drowners - Long Hair
My absolute favourite track of the year, and quite possibly, ever. At just under two minutes long, it's tough not to hit repeat again and again. Carefree, catchy and charming. That may be a lot of Cs but this track gets an A* from me.
Best Coast - Fear Of My Identity
Temples - Colours To Life
White Lies - Big TV
Cults - So Far
Kanye West - Bound 2
CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Peace - Lovesick
Drenge - Face Like A Skull


This is the song that made me change my mind about Drenge, and the video is simple yet works pretty well, and I can't quite pinpoint why I like it so much.
Wavves - Sail To The Sun
Parquet Courts - You Got Me Wonderin' Now
Drowners - Luv, Hold Me Down
Palma Violets - Step Up For The Cool Cats
Superfood - Superfood
MS MR - Fantasy
Christopher Owens - Love Is In The Ear Of The Listener
Splashh - All I Wanna Do
I don't actually care that this came out in 2012, it had a re-release, making it acceptable to list it in my favourites of this year as well as last year. To be fair I would put it in my favourites of every year. Very fun to whistle to.
Swim Deep - She Changes The Weather
Foals - My Number
MONEY - Hold Me Forever
Palma Violets - 14
Vampire Weekend - Diane Young
White Lies - There Goes Our Love Again


There is something about really nice choreography that makes me want to like, cry. This is a prime example and every time I watch it I am just mesmerised by the routine and it makes me really want to take up dancing again.
The Orwells - Who Needs You
Icona Pop (ft. Charli XCX) - I Love It
That one you hate to love. Or love to hate. The brutal simplicity of lines like "I crashed my car into a bridge / I don't care I love it" almost make you want to adopt this way of thinking. Once you've played it a few times, you don't care and you do in fact, love it.

The somewhat obligatory favourites of 2013 post: part one

It's nearing the end of 2013 wow yes it's flown by etc etc but now is the time where everybody and their non existent pet ostrich bust out lists of their favourite albums, songs, videos, gigs, whatever. I am not exempt from this and making lists is so much fun so here are my favourite albums of 2013!
In my opinion there haven't been that many great albums this year, but a handful were outstanding and some others a bit disappointing. But we won't talk about those. (Yet, at least)

White Lies - Big TV
White Lies' third album was always going to be amazing. White Lies can do no wrong. White Lies are the best thing since sliced bread. And I appreciate the concept of sliced bread a lot considering I cannot cut bread straight. After an incredible debut and an equally good follow up album full of atmospheric anthems that make you want to dash to your nearest mountain and shout at the top of your voice, Big TV certainly had a lot to live up to. But it definitely didn't disappoint. Like, at all. Even after the opening seconds of Getting Even, the first glimpse into what's on Big TV (oh yes what a pun) you just knew that this was gonna be one of the best albums this year. Big TV totally lives up to it's name see it's bursting with big choruses, big vibes and in general big tunes that enhance the White Lies live experience even further.
Favourite tracks: Mother Tongue, Big TV, Goldmine, There Goes Our Love Again

Drenge - Drenge
Drenge appear to be one of those bands that you either love or just aren't your cup of tea. You can either absolutely love them and feel like, proper #hardcore or something when you listen to them, or a bit like "what on earth is this noise up in my grill?" Admittedly, to begin with I was feeling the latter. But after a few more listens of Bloodsports I eventually came around. The album itself sealed the deal for me, as well as many other people I assume. A whole 38 minutes of mosh pit worthy anthems, (oh my god that is the cringest thing ever but it's the only way I can describe them)from the rowdy sounds of Bloodsports and Gun Crazy to the frankly quite incredible Let's Pretend (I'm not much of a fan of longer tracks so that is saying something) and the enthralling Fuckabout, there is something for everyone. Well, almost I guess.
Favourite tracks: Face Like A Skull, Bloodsports, Backwaters

Cults - Static
Cults are another band that to me can do no wrong. After an amazing 60's infused debut in 2011 (a pretty good year album wise, let's be honest) everyone was kind of left wondering what had happened to Cults for a while. I Can Hardly Make You Mine popped up spontaneously over the summer and showed the world that they hadn't lost any of the charm that littered their first album. Static is somewhat darker, with the slower tones of High Road and No Hope giving the album a slight twist. Madeline's very distinctive vocal style paired with the somewhat repetitive and samey tracks (in a good way) certainly aren't for everyone but they totally are for me so I'm putting Static in my top albums of the year, ennit.
Favourite Tracks: I Can Hardly Make You Mine, so Far, We've Got It

Splashh - Comfort
I felt like I was waiting my whole life for this album (okay so about a year but we all know I'm a fan of hyperbole) and the release delay of three months certainly didn't help. But when it did eventually drop (a whole month earlier than expected on the nicest blue vinyl that just about makes it the best piece of plastic I own) I'd say it went straight into my top three of the year. Since the majority of the tracks were previously singles it takes some getting used to to hear them all collectively as one album. Every song is amazing nonetheless and the term "summer soundtrack" defined. In my opinion it's actually quite an under-appreciated album, perhaps overlooked by other releases like Where The Heaven Are We and In Love, you know all of those bands that surfaced around mid 2012.
Favourite Tracks: All I Wanna Do, Headspins, Need It, Lemonade

MONEY - The Shadow Of Heaven
Another how do I put this? Somewhat disgustingly under-appreciated (that's pretty extreme) album, this time from Manchester's MONEY. This is not the album to stick on at a party, but instead a hauntingly charming collection of tracks to give you goosebumps. Their sound is unique; light and eerie and incomparable. Big and atmospheric yet soft and subtle, tough to describe. Either way it's a fantastic album, infused with hints of piano and drenched in frontman Jamie Lee's elaborate vocals.
Favourite tracks: Hold Me Forever, Who's Going To Love You Now, Bluebell Fields, Goodnight London 

Other honourable mentions:

Palma Violets - 180
Favourites: Best Of Friends, Last Of The Summer Wine, Step Up For The Cool Cats, 14

Peace - In Love
Favourites: Bloodshake, California Daze, Lovesick, Waste Of Paint

Icona Pop - This Is... Icona Pop
Favourites: I Love It, Light Me Up, All Night

Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold
Favourites: Stoned And Starving, Light Up Gold II, Master Of My Craft, Careers In Combat