Reading & Leeds - Buzz Bands: SUNDAY

The final day of the festival sees the return of one of the biggest bands in the world, that being blink-182. I'm very much looking forward to their return and would count them as one of the main reasons that I chose Reading this year as the festival of choice. But, let's roll on with the final day blog!

Sunday

Main Stage

Sleeping With Sirens - 16.05 - 16.55

Making their debut at Reading this year are Sleeping With Sirens, who come from Orlando Florida and boast a unique frontman. Kellin Quinn may have had his publicity problems, but there is no denying that he is an incredible vocalist. Having a very high pitch voice and being able to scream gives SWS an identity, especially amongst the many cookie cutter bands in the American scene these days. Having their latest album 'Feel' crash into number 3 in America, this is a band who have been able to justify the hype give to them. Having already played a headline slot at Brixton Academy, the band will be able to take to the main stage with no fear. These guys can only grow.

Lock Up Stage

letlive. - 20.10-20.55

letlive. are a band who have redefined what a live show is. They've got one of the most incredible frontmen in the current world. Jason Aalon Butler is a livewire who throws himself around the stage like a ragdoll. All eyes are all on him at all times whil letlive. are on stage. This isn't a bad thing though, because it becomes part of the spectacle of the band. Butler can incite chaos as he sees fit and the band are all tightly knit, playing some of the best hardcore music going right now. Taking influence from Refused, the band's last album The Blackest Beautiful could be used as the 21st Century's blueprint to Hardcore. They're must sees this weekend.

Lock Up Stage

Möngöl Hörde - 21.25 - 22.10

And now we come to another incendiary live band. MH are made up of Ben Dawson, Matt Nasir and one Frank Turner, returning to his hardcore roots. The band are another of letlive. ilk, with a charismatic frontman who orchestrates chaos as he sees fit. This set will keep alive Turner's current string of playing Reading and Leeds which has stretched over a 5 years now. Another band who can be called a buzz band, they're set for a big year and it gives Turner a chance to do something different for a bit, instead of just the Folk-Punk he's become accustomed to. Very excited for this one!

Reading & Leeds - Buzz Bands: SATURDAY

Saturday's acts for the main stage are mostly Indie - Hipster orientated so I may see a couple, such as Peace or the Hives, but the most interest for me lies on the NME Stage and Dan P Carter's curated stage The Pit. So let's roll on shall we?

SATURDAY

NME Stage & The Pit

Marmozets - NME: 13.35-14.10, The Pit: 17.25-18.00

Now here is a band that I have been a MASSIVE fan of, ever since I first heard them. I've written a bit about them before, but they've been a standout band for me for the last couple of years. The first time I saw them, they were all kids, with the youngest being 15. But the technical prowess they all showed for their instruments was immense. With a debut album (The Weird and Wonderful Marmozets) coming later this year, the band are all set to dominate the next 12 months. A stint on the world famous Warped Tour will have done nothing but aid them hone their skills. In Becca, they have a unique singer who can switch styles at will, from a soaring prolonged note, to the scream of a banshee. The fact that they're playing twice means they have two crowds to play to. I will most definitely be in both for both sets.

NME Stage

Royal Blood - 14.25 - 15.00

Following on from Marmozets, we have THE buzz band of the year. As I write these posts, I've been listening to the debut album and I have to say; Believe The Hype. Royal Blood are THAT damn good. Combining blues rock with heavy riffs and pumping drums was always going to be a winning idea. But the fact that the band are a two piece, with a drummer and a bass player is what is incredible. The band have been making waves up and down the country, playing with Arctic Monkeys and playing Glastonbury, to name but two achievements. There's also the small feat that they've never undertaken a headline tour of their own. And yet their album is slated to crash the charts in the top 5. Rock never died, it's been asleep, but it never died. Royal Blood are bringing it back and they're doing it in a massive way.

The Pit

Of Mice & Men - 22.40-23.30

Making their debut at the Reading & Leeds double header, are these guys. Once again, a massive buzz band, they're headlining The Pit, curated by Dan P Carter from Radio 1, who has been a massive champion of their music and regularly spins them on his show. Again, I've spoken about this band, but they're another one who should have their hype believed, because they're amazing and have shown growth on every album they've released. This years offering 'Restoring Force' was a vicious rip up of their own rule book and showed why they need to be listened to. The band have threatened to become a massive deal since the first selftitled album, and this will be their springboard in the UK. Brixton Academy calls.

Reading & Leeds - Buzz Bands: FRIDAY

This year will be the 4th year in which I have attended the Reading side of the twinned festivals. Spread over the 3 days, there are an incredible amount of artists who are set to use this coming weekend as the launchpad for the next stage of their career. Some of the bands I have already blogged about, some I haven't. But I will go through a few of the acts from each day in three articles, spread across a variety of the stages. The headliners will not be spoken about however, as they are all deserving of their slots and I cannot big them up anymore than they have been. Moving onto Friday...

Friday:

Main Stage

 Hacktivist - 12-12.40

These guys are capable of one hell of a racket. Their back story is documented well, vocalist Timfy James left his old band, and got into contact with a local from the Rap scene, J Hurley who wrote lyrics over James' demos. The band were born amongst a mass recruit for the rest of the band. The 5 piece meld rap with metal to create the new genre of Djent, a crashing avalanche of riffs, beats, screams and raps. The band start the proceedings on the Main Stage and they'll be looking to crush it. Definitely one of the bands to watch, especially for the rest of the year.


NME Stage


Gerard Way and the Hormones - 11.50-12.25

Now, here is one of the most anticipated acts of the whole weekend and he's opening the festivals second stage. Former frontman of My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way is a festival institution, having played here twice before and being part of one of the most polarising acts of the 21st Century. Every set they've played at every festival, has always been a cause of debate, but there is no denying that MCR were an important band and Way was a spokesman for a generation. This weekend he makes his debut as a solo artist and with two songs out already ('Action Cat' & 'No Shows') and a debut album due later this year, his set is high on the buzz feed. Sounding like a Britpop revivalist is in no way a bad thing and is unique for an American to try. But this set will be a rebirth and will set Way up for a massive 2015.



NME Stage

Twin Atlantic - 16.25-17.10

Many have called Twin Atlantic 'Biffy Clyro-lite' but with new album 'Great Divide' out this week, the band are sure to get rid of that tag, sooner rather than later. In Sam McTrusty, they have a frontman who wears his heart on his sleeve and can pen an anthem as well as he can pen a ballad. Twin Atlantic have been a buzz band for many many years, but this is the year where they live up to the hype in all ways. They're ready to play the massive stages, having done so supporting Kings of Leon and Kasabian in the last year. They've set their sights on a headline night at Brixton Academy, but 'Great Divide' (and for that matter, debut album 'Free') are albums which were made for the big venues. I think Twin Atlantic will have headlined Brixton and Hammersmith by the next Reading & Leeds festivals with a Wembley Arena date not too far over the horizon.

Marmozets EP - REVIEW (NBA)

Marmozets have had a lot of buzz and it's really not hard to see why. From Bingley, Yorkshire, made up of 2 sets of siblings, these 5 have been called 'the most exciting band in the UK today' by many different publications, and having seen them first hand many times, I believe the hype. From the ferocity of 'OneManWolfPack' to the soaring 'Captivate You' the band encompass many different styles and tones. In front woman Becca, they have a rising star. Becca has her head on the right way and is fast becoming a role model for many people. Vocally, she has a lush tone in her singing voice whilst also being able to scream like a banshee, she's one of the most diverse singers currently in the world. The band all experts at their instruments as well. Sam & Jack are riff masters whilst Will & Josh form a great rhythm section which keep the tracks going. This week, they released the 'Marmozets EP' which consists of four songs which will appear on their debut album and have all been singles.This collection of songs is the most well rounded release they've released. 

Opener 'Born Young And Free' is one of their best songs to date. With an intricate opening and a stick in your head chorus, Becca's barks and yelps lead into an incendiary chorus which is amongst my favourites of all time. A rallying cry for the youth of today, and the perfect opener. 

'Why Do You Hate Me?' shows that they can do more radio friendly songs, whilst still appealing to their fan base. Featuring a spiralling riff, this song shows them in a more streamlined light, focussing all the talent that they have and smashing out this tune. It's songs like this which have caught the ear of the radio, particularly Huw Stephens, who thought high enough of them to give them a headlining slot on his curated 'BBC Introducing Stage' at Glastonbury.

For me, the standout song of their career is the magnificent 'Captivate You'. An absolute beauty of a tune, laced with stellar guitar work and Becca's lush tones, 'Captivate You' is a modern take on a ballad and the band just make it work. I remember the first time I heard this song, and thinking that this was going to be the one which makes them. The last notes of Becca's voice ring out and sound incredible. Again, the instrumental behind the voice is top notch. 

The final song of this EP is 'Move Shake Hide' which again shows off a different side to the band. The breakdown and guitar riff are so off kilter and unique but very characteristic of the band. It encompasses everything which is appealing about the band, combining the riffs, vocals and technical ability to create a wall of sound that captures the ears and entrances the listener.

Overall this is a collection of singles which have been out for a while now. That does not however mean that this release should be ignored. This band are going to be huge, and whether that's in the mainstream or in the scene, it shouldn't matter. Marmozets are one of the most exciting bands in the UK right now and that's because they're a unique band. There isn't anyone out there doing anything even remotely close to what they are. They're gonna grow and grow, and I for one cannot wait to watch the journey unfold. 

Marmozets EP - 10/10

Becca Macintyre - Lead Vocals

Sam Macintyre - Guitar/Vocals

Jack Bottomley - Guitar

Will Bottomley - Bass/Vocals

Josh Macintyre - Drums

Marmozets EP is out now on iTunes

Catch Marmozets at Reading and Leeds Festivals and on tour, co-headlining with Lonely, the Brave.

Everybody Wants - The Struts - Review

Hailing from Derby, The Struts have released their debut album this week. And it says a lot about the state of Rock N' Roll music in the UK. Bluesy Rock N' Roll with hooks and charisma sum up this album, which is a contender for debut album of the year. Luke Spiller is one for the future as well, one of the most charismatic frontmen going right now. His delivery of the lyrics are so passionate that you can feel the charisma coming through the speakers. 

Lead single, Could Have Been Me showcases what the band are about, and shows that the band are genuine, there is no BS about them. Adam Slack's guitar playing is top notch and the basis for their songs, keeping them moving and showing the necessary swagger to engage the listener. Spiller's vocals remind of Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame, but if he was British. Album opener Roll Up sounds like a scuzzy Panic! at the Disco. Spiller has a knack of sounding like a proper rock n roll vocalist whilst drawing on the influence of Tom Clarke (The Enemy) and Ricky Wilson's (Kaiser Chiefs) vocal abilities. 

Dirty Sexy Money sounds like a new age Motley Crüe, whilst closer I Just Know shows off the swagger the band have. Though there isn't a ballard on the album, Let's Make This Happen Tonight is very close, and shows off some great riffs and impassioned lyrics. If this was the 90s, there is no doubt that the band would be megastars, based just on this one album. They're one of the proper throwback bands out there, taking influence from classic rock bands, and bringing it to this millennium. 

The media like to claim that Rock music is dead and that Kasabian are the saviours of the genre. I'd like to call the media out on this, as The Struts have shown a lot more swagger and a lot more Rock N' Roll passion than many bands out there currently. Bands could do well to learn from The Struts, having built up a passionate fanbase from relentless touring, playing the pubs, bars and dives up and down the country, it's time they get what they deserve and step up to bigger venues. Easily one of the bands to watch this year.

Everybody Wants - 9/10

Key tracks: Roll Up, I Just Know, Could Have Been Me

The Struts are:

Luke Spiller - Lead Vocals

Adam Slack - Guitar & Vocals

Jed Elliott - Bass & Vocals

Gethin Davies - Drums

Everybody Wants is out now on Future Records.

Catch the band at festivals and on tour later this year!