Coca Cola Presents £15 Festival!

      Coca Cola are celebrating the Olympics in style with a day of chart-toppers performing in the capital. On the 26^th of July Hyde Park with play host to headliners Dizzee Rascal and The Wanted, along with Eliza Doolittle, Little Comets, You Me At Six, Rizzle Kicks, Morning Parade and Mark Ronson.

    The concert will mark the end of the Olympic Torch’s journey across the UK. It will give thousands of attendees the chance to celebrate with some of the nation’s most popular acts for just £15 (plus a couple of pounds for processing charges). It will take place just a day before the official Olympic opening ceremony.

Coke's Future Flame Campaign

    Coca Cola, the primary sponsors of the Olympics 2012, have also revealed four other smaller gigs completely free of charge throughout the summer. Those interested can register at http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/coca-colacelebrations now and those lucky enough to go will be picked at random. The gigs will be held in Cardiff, Glasgow Leeds and Birmingham, and each feature 3 amazing acts. There are isn’t even a processing or handling fees for the four gigs or age restrictions, so head over to the website now!

    The 4 free show’s details are as follows:

1.  Cardiff’s Cooper’s Field, May 25th (You Me At Six, Emeli Sandé, and Kids In Glass Houses )

2.  Glasgow’s George Square, June 8th (Eliza Doolittle, Emeli Sandé and General Fiasco)

3.    Leeds’s Temple Newsam Park, June 24th (Friendly Fires, Tribes and Little Comets)

4.   Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park, June 30th (details of line up coming soon!)

     To register for the 4 free shows, head over to http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/coca-colacelebrations

You Me At Six

         The events are part of a whopping 66 nights of Olympic celebrations across the Olympic Torch Relay route. Coca Cola hope to unite friends and families throughout different communities to celebrate together and participate in glory of the games being held in London.

     Hyde Park headliner Dizzee Rascal said, ‘I’m looking forward to hooking up with Coke to bring music to Hyde Park at the end of the Olympic Torch Relay. Young people out there make a really positive difference and now we can recognise and celebrate them with music. It’s wicked so get a ticket, see you there!’ Emeli Sandé stated how thrilled she was to be a part of the celebrations and cannot wait to ‘share in the excitement and energy that the Olympic Flame will bring to the UK.’

Headliner: Dizzee Rascal

     Last summer, Pop-Punkers You Me At Six helped Coke to choose inspirational torchbearers and played a show with Eliza Doolittle and Dizzee Rascal at Westfields Shopping Centre, West London. The band said, ‘It’s amazing that we now get to celebrate them (the torchbearers) with these amazing concerts…this is going to be huge!’

     So why not nab yourself a ticket to see some of the nation’s best acts for just £15 and celebrate the Olympics!?

You Me At Six Release ‘The Swarm’ for New Thorpe Park Ride

 Thorpe Park unveiled Europe’s tallest winged rollercoaster ‘The Swarm ’with its 127ft drop on the 15^th of March. Weybridge, Surrey (just minutes from Thorpe Park) born You Me At Six have composed the world’s very first rollercoaster-dedicated song which was released on the 18^th of March on iTunes and onto British T.Vs everywhere with an advertising campaign.

The Swarm's concept art

     The track, which shadows the coaster’s theme of a destructed world and has brought You Me At Six a great deal of exposure, especially since their latest album ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ was released on the 30^th of September in an attempt to reach a wider audience and rekindle their sound with existing fans.

You Me At Six

Slam Dunk Festival 2012 is Here!

     Slam Dunk Festival, derived from Slam Dunk Records, is an annual music festival, evolving from a Alternative, Ska, Pop Punk, Punk and Emo night at Leeds’ the Cockpit venue. In 2010 the Southern counterpart to the festival held its first, very successful year at the University of Hertfordshire, creating a two day festival consisting of Slam Dunk North and South. The festival is held on the May Bank Holiday each year, staging a mixture of up and coming bands to more established bands as headliners, based around the genres of the original club night.

     The first announcement for this year’s festival, the 7^th annual Slam Dunk, is made up of Taking Back Sunday headlining (exclusively from the rest of the UK), Architects, The King Blues, Everytime I Die and loads more to be announced across several stages.  Taking Back Sunday’s lead vocalist, Adam Lazzara divulged that the band can’t wait for head over here; ‘It’s a bunch of great bands…it’s gonna be cool getting to see and meet everyone!’  Slam Dunk 2012 will take place on the 26^th of May in Leeds University (North) and the 27^th of May at the University’s of Hertfordshire’s Hatfield Campus (South).

     In the past, Slam Dunk Festival has played host to some of the Rock world’s most prestigious and successful bands and artists, with the likes of Paramore, New Found Glory, The Blackout, Fall Out Boy and You Me At Six having already graced the stage. It has also propelled the careers of bands such as We Are The Ocean, Lower Than Atlantis and Young Guns. The festival will also play host to the only UK shoes for Everytime I Die, Cancer Bats, Set Your Goals and Make Do and Mend. There will be more announcements in the coming weeks.

Taking Back Sunday are set for headline this year's festival

      Slam Dunk’s promoter Ben Ray has watched the festival expand over the past few years; ‘Again, this year has been hard work, but I’m extremely happy with how the line-up is shaping up so far. I’m confident the festival can deliver a line-up of bands that everyone will agree is amazing value. I also thought it was extra important this year to demonstrate the value so tickets have been frozen at 2011 prices!’ Tickets are on sale from 9am on Friday the 17th of February 2012 and there is a price freeze from last year’s ticket prices as well as a free shuttle bus system for the Hatfield site, which is just 20 minutes from London’s Kings Cross station.

 Tickets are priced at £32.50 in advance or £36 with access to the aftershow party!

http://www.slamdunkmusic.com/slam-dunk-festival

You Me At Six- ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ (03/10/2011- Virgin Records)

   You Me At Six were formed in Surrey in 2004, and this, their third album has excited fans for its promise to be mature, heavier and honest. The quintet have crawled their way to the top of the pop punk ladder, as ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ peaked at number one in the UK Album Charts, making it their most successful record thus far. It was written progressively since the band’s last release, making the songwriting natural and raw. Additionally, the album was recorded earlier this year and produced by Garth Richardson who has previously worked with industry heavyweights such as The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nickelback and Rage Against The Machine.

     ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ starts with first single ‘Loverboy’ which has been pinpointed as the track most similar to You Me At Six’s last album ‘Hold Me Down’(2010). The video shoot for this track was delayed due to the London Riots which spread all over the UK in August 2011. It was eventually released on 23^rd September 2011 with acoustic and instrumental versions as well as gritty B-side ‘Moon Child’. Reaching number 39 in the UK charts, it is the band’s third top 40 single. ‘Loverboy’ itself , is made up of punchy beats, gang vocals and booming bass from bassist Matt Barnes. It illustrates how commercial You Me At Six are due to its radio-perfect sound, yet the track is not actually pop based. Catchy and rowdy, it is the perfect way to open an album. Placing the first single from an album as the very first track is a rarity, but it warmly welcomes newer fans who may only be familiar with the band’s latest material and entices them to continue listening.

The artwork for 'Sinners Never Sleep'

     Second track ‘Jaws On The Floor’ is scheduled to be the next single released from ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ and it continues the heavier and harsher theme that ‘Loverboy’ provided. You Me At Six have managed to retain their unique spark yet eradicated most of their pop punk edge, making them more appealing to a wider range of people. Melodically, the song is full of variety and lyrically, it is simplistic at points, such as the chorus, ‘Such a pretty little thing, so much prettier without me’, but at points it is sharp and smart, ‘Life’s a bitch but I’m friends with her sister...’. It is incredible to witness how You Me At Six have converted themselves into more of a potential classic rock band without sacrificing their spark.

     ‘Bite My Tongue’ is very well-produced and absolutely gig perfect. With bulky short riffs, progression and guest vocals from Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes, it is bold, gritty and courageously candid, describing frontman Josh Franceshi’s occasionally resentment for his fellow band mates and friends, ‘I can’t hate the ones who made me.’ Sykes’ screamo input is seamlessly interwoven with the melody and the track fades wonderfully. ‘This Is The First’ thing reverts back to teen theme of struggling relationships, but its tongue-in-cheek, alternative set up depicts You Me At Six’s headway from ‘Hold Me Down’(2010). With various tempos and volumes, the overall production has been strenuously thought out, making the simplistic lyrics successful, ‘This is the first thing I thought, this is the last thing that I want...’.

     The boys’ first slower offering comes in the shape of ‘No One Does It Better’. Solid and similar in sound to Biffy Clyro, it ticks all the right boxes for a good rock song. It is by no means the best You Me At Six track to date, but the piercing chorus, ‘If I just save you, you can save me to’ is beautifully boisterous. You Me At Six have the rare ability to write blaring ballads, rowdy rock songs and progressive alternative pieces, as well as the talent to make them all emotional. ‘Little Death’ is somewhat similar to ‘Trophy Eyes’ (Hold Me Down, 2010) and consists of a chanty chorus and portrays the vocal capabilities of Josh Franceshi; to leap from spine-tingling gentle hums to borderline scream groans.

     ‘Crash’ the first bold ballad from ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ and reflects the band’s heavy influence from pop punk heavyweights Blink-182. This track in particular appears to be remarkably similar melodically to ‘Stay Together For The Kids’ (Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, 2002). ‘Crash’ is just as tender and tear-jerking despite its relevance swaying towards relationships of the romantic variety as opposed to parents splitting up. Its introduction with a short yet stunning string section blends into hushed vocals, ‘But when I looked at her I thought of only you...’, a drumming build-up and a breathtakingly sincere peak of a chorus. It’s use raw emotion broadcasts that serene love songs should never be soppy, but earth-shatteringly soothing. It is followed by All Time Low-esque ‘Reckless’, which proves that voice effects can be used to enhance what is originally recorded without tarnishing its natural quality.

You Me At Six this year

     Featuring guest vocals from Winston McCall of Parkway Drive, ‘Time Is Money’ is dynamic, vigorous and abrasive. McCall’s moment brings the heavier sound You Me At Six were aiming for to the listener’s attention without apology. ‘Little Bit Of Truth’ is, in a word, incredible. It reintroduces strings, dawdling drumming and fantastic lyrics, ‘I just lost control, I just wanted you to know, when I'm on my own I feel invisible...when in front of you I feel invincible.’ The uncomplicated arrangement makes this heartbreaking piece even more astounding. If its poignancy is not enough to make you well up, nothing ever will.

     The penultimate track, ‘The Dilemma’ is the poppiest offering from ‘Sinners Never Sleep’, both lyrically and melodically. It has several spoken elements, You Me At Six’s signature use of repetition, and a breakdown that is unmistakably comparable to Foo Fighters’ ‘The Pretender’ (Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, 2007. ‘When We Were Younger’ is a wonderful conclusion to the album, with continual format and haunting humming worthy of a Radiohead track. ITunes’ exclusive bonus track ‘Takes One To Know One’ is reminiscent of You Me At Six’s older work from the early years, which will be appreciated by older fans and should be welcomed by newer followers.

     ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ bestows the intense and frank light and shade range of songwriting from You Me At Six. Sentimental, scrupulous and strong, the record is full of powerful and passionate ballads combined with intense inputs and candid undertone. The band’s progression from their first studio album to this is phenomenal, and the way the boys have matured has allowed them to create an album boasting the best work technically, that You Me At Six have constructed to date.

5/5

Blink-182- ‘Neighborhoods’ (Deluxe Edition) (26/09/2011- GDC/Interscope)

      As the world’s biggest pop punk band, Blink-182’s sixth ‘comeback’ album ‘Neighborhoods’ was highly anticipated my fans the world over. The band was formed in 1992 in and have sold twenty seven million singles worldwide to date. The band consists of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Mark DeLonge and completed by champion drummer Travis Barker, who was not part of the line up until 1998. The threesome have inspired musicians the world over, including the likes of Busted and You Me At Six, despite their humour filled undercurrent and comedic stage banter. Blink-182 became notorious for their use of quirky toilet humour, which is often regarded as immature and therefore inappropriate for ‘serious’ musicians, as well as simplistic melodies and teen angst. In 2005 Blink-182 went on infinite hiatus to work on individual projects such as +44 and Angels & Airwaves.

     After performing for the very first time since 2004 at the 51^st Grammy Awards ceremony the band embarked on a reunion tour around North American with support from Weezer and Fall Out Boy. After a spectacular performance at 2010’s Reading and Leeds Festivals the completion of ‘Neighborhoods’ was delayed several times and the band stated that they would not tour until the completion of the album. The record begins with ‘Ghost On The Dancefloor’ which begins with a progressive drumming build up into a The Killers esque studio produced violin section. However, the general instrumentation is familiar but it is clear that DeLonge’s vocals have progressed thanks to his work with Angels & Airwaves. Yet his signature exaggerated American accent is still in session, as well as repetitive lyrics, ‘I saw your ghost tonight...’, but harmonies and the blending of elements is much more advance than previously produced by Blink-182.

'Neighborhoods' Artwork

     ‘Natives’ immidately picks up the tempo and illustrates the chirpy Blink-182 vibe that is yearned after by so many and found in back catalogue tracks such as ‘Everytime I Look For You’ (Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, 2001). It is obvious that the band and their producers have worked very hard to extract the best components of Blink-182 to create a mature yet loveable record suitable for their wide range of fans and live shows, ‘...maybe I’m better off dead.’ Third track ‘Up All Night’ was released as a single from 14^th July 2011 and it was a perfect choice for single sales because of how commercial and infectious it is ‘...and all these demons they keep me up all night’. The various tempo changes and epic Angels & Airwaves infected vocals merge very well, proving that the band’s hiatus actually improved their musical skill somewhat.

     The cleverly light drumming and punchy guitaring that open ‘After Midnight’, if nothing depict that Blink-182 have aimed to compose a record made up of explorative songwriting, and ‘Snake Charmer’ proves what unusual sound effects can be added to rock songs without tarnishing them. ‘Heart’s All Gone’, which flows the ‘Heart’s All Gone Interlude’ illustrates the incredible skill that lies with Travis Barker and his swift drumming speeds. It can often be difficult to write a captivating chorus at speed, but it is something that Blink-182 have always done well. Each track from ‘Neighborhoods’ has the potential to be played live and receive a rapturous reaction from the crowd. ‘Wishing Well’ and ‘Kaleidoscope’ reflect the fact that all three band members worked on producing ‘Neighborhoods’ because of how varied they are, having said that ‘Wishing Well’ has a rather similar sound to Angels & Airwaves and the latter to +44.


     Musically speaking, this is Blink-182’s peak which must be why release was delayed so much. Tenth track ‘This Is Home’ is the conventional ‘welcome back’ to older fans and is very sentimental lyrically, ‘Do you wanna let go, ‘cause this is home...’. But the song is far from mind-blowing, although that has never been what Blink-182 are about. Interestingly named ‘MH 14.18.2011’ is noted as the date when the band cancelled their main reunion tour, and expresses what has come from that cancellation, ‘...the worst is yet to come.’ It could have easily been featured on an older album due to its innocent sound and optimistic essence. The chorus is catchier than the common cold but cannot account for the loss that fans experienced with the postponed gigs, which gives the band no right to preach, ‘Stop living in the shadow of a helicopter!’.

Blink-182 reunited (2011)

     ‘Love Is Dangerous’ portrays once again how heavily influenced the record is by Angels & Airwaves but the shared vocals prove that Blink-182 intended to remain just that. It has a very progressive rock tone to it and the wonderfully instrumental ending contradicts the somewhat immature theme. Penultimate track ‘Fighting The Gravity’ has an ominous introduction due to the input of the bass and builds into light speed drumming unique to Travis Barker. It is quite a dark track for the band and conveys their various capabilities with regards to songwriting to create certain emotions through themes. ‘Even If She Falls’ is the perfect rock song to conclude ‘Neighborhoods’ as it reverts back to Blink-182’s young boys’ perceptions of life and love, through magical melodies and simplistic lyrics, ‘there she was like a starry night...’

     

     Blink-182 have been battle-scarred and resurrected into more mature and frankly better musicians, but their undercurrents remain to be relationships, hardships in life and occasional light humour. Despite personal challenges and commitments, all three members have come together to create a very good, classic pop punk record.

4/5