Gazelle @ O2 Academy Leicester

On Saturday 26^th November the band played at Leicester’s O2 Academy. I’ve been lucky enough to see this band play live a few times in the past, they have never disappointed and Saturday nights gig was no exception.

The band have already created an impressive setlist with a mixture of tracks which are guaranteed to grab the crowd’s attention. The tracks showcase their versatility from acoustic ballads to brilliant bangers which got the Leicester crowd singing, dancing along and making it a Saturday night they won’t forget in a hurry.

The band instantly had the crowd bouncing around to the first few seconds of the first song they played. As well as playing the classic such as ‘Diamond High’ & ‘Guilt Trip Gun’ the band also played some of their new releases ‘Clementine’ & ‘Violet Hour Blues’ which all grabbed the crowd’s full attention and had them singing every word.

They ended the gig by playing one of my favourite tracks ‘Finger On The Trigger’, from opening drum beat and guitar riff the crowd went mental and were singing along to every word Ryan sang. Every time I hear the band play these two songs in seconds the crowd go mental, they seem to get more crazier with every time I hear them being played.

The track that stood out most to me has to be ‘Finger On The Trigger’ with its catchy riffs and relatable lyrics that makes it a fun and energetic song that is great to hear live, it’s also guaranteed to get the crowd singing along. It’s well written and is a treat to hear live and for me is one of the best songs the band have written.

The night was full of great music and a crowd that loved every second of the band being on stage playing their amazing tracks. It was also refreshing to hear a band that are not afraid to be a bit different to other bands. As well as watching the crowd enjoy every second it was also great to see the band enjoying themselves on the stage, it’s great to watch a band who can entertain the crowd and have a great connection on stage with each other.

Each time I see them live they seem to get better which you think would be impossible but they somehow managed to do it. They have a talent for song writing and to me they stand out from other bands around the Midlands, I’d go as far as to say they are the best band in the Midlands.

A great night full of great music from a talented band, this band mean business and I can see 2023 being a good year for them if they keep playing fantastic gigs like this one.

10/10

By Siân Parker

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The Twang @ O2 Academy, Leicester

It’s been a busy 2019 for The Twang so far who have spent most of the year recording their latest album ‘If Confronted Just Go Mad’ which is due to be released on 8^th November 2019. The band have been busy playing some festivals over the summer and also doing a run of gigs before they go off to support Shed Seven on their UK tour in November & December.

Kioko @ De Montfort Hall

Kioko are a multicultural soulful pop/reggae band from Birmingham made up by Matt Doyle (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Jon Brown (Lead Guitar), Ben Torrens (Bass), Ewan Whyte (Trumpet/Backing Vocals), Laurence Taylor (Trumpet) and Josh Wilkinson (Trombone).

Jersey Budd & Silverball @ Guildhall

On Saturday 13th April Jersey played for the first time with his new band Silverball at their sold-out gig at the historic Guildhall in Leicester. I’ve been lucky enough to see Jersey play live a few times in the past, he has never disappointed and Saturday nights gig was no exception.

Gazelle @ Dryden Street Social

It’s been a busy 2018 for Gazelle who have spent most of the year recording new tracks and gigging across the UK, but they are back with their latest single ‘Finger On The Trigger’. On Saturday 15^th December the band played their sold-out single launch at Dryden Street Social in Leicester. I’ve been lucky enough to see this band play live a few times in the past, they have never disappointed and Saturday nights gig was no exception.

Monico Blonde @ The Camelon Arts Café

It’s been a while since I’ve heard some high-energy indie pop bangers but Cardiff lads Monico Blonde are bringing exactly that and it’s great to see. I was lucky enough to catch these guys live at The Camelon Arts Café in Nottingham for a gig set up by This Feeling. I had heard about this band before from hearing them being played on Radio X, I was not disappointed with what I heard.

Top 10 bands of 2017

So 2017 is nearly over and what a year it has been, I have been to some brilliant gigs and I have interviewed some fantastic bands. I’ve managed to choose my top 10 bands I have seen this year, it’s been hard to choose but I’ve managed to choose.

Scott Bugg and The Vital Few

Scott Bugg and The Vital Few are a Nottingham based Indie Rock, Rock, Blues band made up by Scott Bugg (Lead vocals/guitar), Brett Calladine (Bass/Vocals), Ashley Groves (Vocals/Percussion), James Smith (Vocals/Harmonica), Rory Black (Keyboards/Percussion), Phil Evison (Drums) and Chris Beecroft (Cajon). They are a Band of Brothers created by the love of music for the music and the people who love music.

The Flavells @ The Hop Merchant

A five piece Rock n Roll band from Nottingham made up by Billy Kennedy (Lead vocals/Guitar), Grant Bugg (Guitar), Ashley Wood (Guitar/Harmonies), Sam Beeson (Bass) and Cameron Pridgeon (Drums).

I had heard a few of their songs before seeing them live and I loved what I had heard and was looking forward to hearing them live.

Kicking off with a new track called ‘Tired’ it instantly got the crowd’s attention. It’s one of the bands more slower tracks but it draws you in and you can’t help but stop and listen to the lyrics and tap along. The venue was small which made this acoustic track sound even better, it was a track I hadn’t heard before but it instantly grab my attention.

In my eyes where they really shined is with their track ‘No No No!’, it’s catchy and I think everyone listening to the lyrics can relate to them in a way. It’s one of my favourite songs and sounds even better live. From its guitar riffs to its vocals there nothing I can fault with this track.

They are a new band to the scene and may not have a lot of experience behind them yet, but seeing them play at The Hop Merchant proved that what they do have is a knack for performing. They have a talent for song writing and to me they stand out from other bands around Nottingham with their sound and their energy. They have left a good impression on me and my friend, they are a promising band with bags of talent. They are different to other bands I’ve heard from Nottingham, they have the classic Rock n Roll sound but with their own little twist. If you get the chance to see them live then go and see them you will not be disappointed.

By Siân Parker

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Set list 

‘Tired’

‘No no no!’

‘Right Here’

‘Headstrong’

‘17’

‘Tonight’

‘Culture of fear’

‘Psycho’