Festivals 2015

Festival season has begun across the pond, but I really think British do it best. Here's a summary of the biggest and best music festivals to help you guys decide where to go camp this year!

Reading and Leeds

             This is the one for me. I went last year & I can honestly say it was the best 5 days of my life. The music is so diverse, I think anyone with any taste can go and still have an amazing time. This years headliners are Metallica, Mumford & Sons, The Libertines. With music from BMTH, Alt-J, Royal Blood, Kendrick Lamar and Bastille also playing the main stage. Babymetal will also be playing their first ever UK festival; who I think will put on an interesting show. 

             The NME stage also looks amazing to me; LimpBizkit, Swim Deep, Twin Atlantic, Wolf Alice, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Deadmau5, Years & Years, are a few of the people playing. With a closing set from Knife Party. The Dance Stage, The Pit, Festival Republic Stage and the 1xtra Stage all have some great musicians on the line up, and are great for hearing new music and bands you may not originally think to listen to. 

            I'm biased, but RandL is definitely one of the front running festivals in Britain at the moment. 

Download

              'The UK's premier Rock festival' pretty much sums it up. It is hardcore and is what festivals are truly about. With 4 stages, Slipknot, Muse and Kiss are headlining this year. Other big names include Motley Crue, A Day To Remember, Rise Against, Marilyn Manson, Fightstar, Enter Shikari and Dragonforce (who even my own mother enjoys listening to). 

               It's definitely aimed at a certain taste, so you know you can make friends easily, as you know everyone there appreciates good quality rock music. 

Latitude

              Held in my home county, this was the first festival I went to and I'm glad it was! It's a lot more chill, with a big focus on people of any age going, including children, with family camping. It's also got so much more than just music; it has poetry, comedy, loads of artsy bits to see and do. Because of where it is held it has such a cool, indie vibe - there a raves in the woods each night, a cool lake stage, and pink sheep grazing between the camp site and arena area. There's a couple of similar name playing as R&L's; and also Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds, Manic Street Preachers, The Vaccines, La Roux and loads more. Personally I really recommend Latitude for first timers (and everyone else) cause it's such a hippy relaxed vibe.

Glastonbury

              The Kim K of festivals, everyone has heard of this one and the controversy it causes. It lives up to it's reputation every time, with incredible (and slightly unexpected) names. From Lionel Richie to Foo Fighters to Kanye West; it's kind of random. But a festival everyone should attend once in their life, or so I think. There's not too much to say about Glastonbury really because it is so huge that I don't really need to tell you anything about it. This is one for the cool kids though.

Boardmasters

               Held in Cornwall, it is the 'home of surfing and music'. Raleigh Ritchie, Bastille, Duke Demont, Rudimental and Seasick Steve are but a few playing over the weekend. Different to the rest, there's surfing during the day and music in the night, which sounds amazing to me. And if you're in such a beautiful place such as Cornwall you really can't not have a great time. They also hold after parties in Newquay until the sun comes up to keep you going all day long. This is one I've been wanting to go to for a long time!

These are a few of what Britain has to offer, but Festival Calender has a massive list of what else is going on over the next few months! Book your tickets soon guys, otherwise you might regret it!

Nikki xx

Midweek

Music//Long Live The Struggle - The Kings Blues

Released in 2012, but oh well. I'm really enjoying this album at the moment. It's such a mix. Cant Bring Me Down feat. Jason Butler (of Letlive) has been on my iPod for ages, but I'd never really listened to The Kings Blues properly; boy have I been missing out. Also very late to the party, as The Kings Blues split up in April 2012. Wikipedia describe their sound as a ska and folk fusion, influenced by pop-rock; which doesn't sound like it would work, but I think this album has a song for everyone. 

Nikki xx 

PVRIS

Album fave time! This week (well, basically since it was released), I have been listening to PVRIS debut album, White Noise. 

Pronounced paris, this 3 piece rock band from Massachusetts caught my eye when I saw the video for St Patrick on Kerrang. I just thought they looked really cool, dressed in all black, and Lyndsey Gunnulfsen (hope I've spelt that right) voice is really cool. Really cool is how I would describe them basically, I aspire to be like them. 

Because of their genre, female lead and having only 3 members I'm sure many people would liken them to Paramore; but I'd say they are a lot more edgier than Paramore. They have a slightly hardcore sound. 

My Google Play recommends bands such as Issues, Hands Like Houses and Slaves, so if you're fans of them you may enjoy this album as well. I would suggest PVRIS to anyone who enjoys alternative, electronic rock.

To get a feel for them I'd suggest 'My House', 'Let Them In' and 'St Patrick'; pretty sure these are my 3 favourite songs on the album. But that changes frequently.

Let me know what you think of these guys, and any recommendations for me.

Nikki

**Photos are not mine

Single Sunday

Something new I want to try to do is a weekly single/album/band, or anything music related I guess, that I'm just really enjoying that week. So to start this off is one of my FAVOURITE bands. who leaked the first single off their upcoming album today, excited much?!

TSSF - Nerve

I had to have these guys as my first 'Single Sunday' as there one of the few bands I can listen to on loop without getting bored. I've been dying to hear some new stuff from them, and the single 'Nerve' is just faultless. It's got the classic TSSF sound that I enjoy, great lyrics that I'm sure a lot of people will relate to and a great vibe. As a first single it sets a good standard for their self-titled third album (which you can pre-order online and will be released 19th May)

If you're unfamiliar with The Story So Far I would recommend giving them a listen; different to a lot of the current music on the radio etc. And I would guess you'd describe the genre as pop punk, skater punk? If you want something new to listen to, that's emotional and a little bit angry TSSF is the band for you. 

Thoughts on 'Nerve'?

What music are you enjoying at the moment?

Lots of love, Nikki

*Music*

Once again, I've been neglecting this blog. A lot has changed in the past month or so, but now I want to get back on track.

Today's post is a little different, I'm sharing my 10 favourite albums (at the moment). This isn't in any particular order

AM - Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys were really on top form when they created this album. I've listened to the band since I was 11 years old, although obviously at the time I didn't really understand what they were singing about. They are one of the few bands that I know I will like everything they put out. Alex Turners Brit Awards speech this year made me love him more, and getting to see Arctic Monkeys at Reading this year is definitely one of the highlights of my year so far! 

Channel Orange - Frank Ocean

This album is just so chill. There's not much else I can say. I love Frank Ocean's voice, his lyrics, everything. I'm in no way a musical expert, but I don't think anyone can fault this album in any possible way. They hype of this album when it was released was a 100% accurate.

Every Kingdom - Ben Howard

I should hate this album, it was my revising album over the past 2 years. But it is so mellow and lovely and uplifting and summery, it got me through revision, and still now makes me happy and content. I'm happy Ben Howard has returned now with another album; but this will always be a favourite of mine.

From Under The Cork Tree - Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy were my favourite band growing up (alongside Mcfly). This being one of the few albums I remember from when I was a kid, it is still an all time favourite. The lyrics make no sense, Patrick Stumps voice makes no sense (in a good way!) and I know for a lot of people my age Dance Dance and Sugar We're Going Down are anthems of their childhood and adolescents. The songs just never get old. 

Holy Fire - Foals

I've only known about Foals for over a year now, but they're super cool! I was lucky enough to see them headline Latitude last summer, and it was so good. Yannick is almost as cool as Alex Turner on stage. Their sound is so cool, a mix of chill and dancey. This is another album that makes me yearn for summer.

(Self titled album) Lower Than Atlantis 

I bought this album about 2 weeks ago, and so it had to be on this list as I haven't stopped listening to it since! Words Don't Come So Easily and Just What You Need are my favourite songs off the album; and Kid's In America is constantly being played at work, which makes me happy. I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't a huge fan before, but I saw them at Reading and they were really good and so I knew I had to purchase this album when it came out.

Old Souls - Deaf Havana

I love Deaf Havana. I've seen them twice, I love every song they write, I can't fault James' voice in anyway, they are excellent live, and they just keep improving over time - which makes me really proud as I've loved Deaf Havana from the beginning. Every time I hear this album it reminds me of Reading (again I know), because it sounds like they are actually in the room with me; especially Boston Square. I tell everyone to go see them live if you get the chance, because who knows how much longer they'll be playing smaller venues. 

(Self titled album) Paramore

Although this was a very controversial album for Paramore when it was released, I love it. It's such a different sound to what they've produced in the past, and I think it's so refreshing. Not many bands can change their sound so much but at the same time stick to what they're good at, which is upbeat poppy rocky songs that just make you want to scream at the top of your lungs. *I also saw them at Reading, just saying*

Wishful Thinking - Neck Deep

Neck Deep are doing so well at the moment and this album just shows why! I love their sound and the fun they have with music and at shows. I've seen them twice and they're so great with the audience and that makes them an even better band. I waited for what felt like forever for them to release this album, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. I am going to be slightly biased with this tho, as Neck Deep are one of my favourite bands.

Sempiternal - Bring Me The Horizon

I've had a rocky relationship with BMTH. I liked them, then I didn't, then I did again, and then this album just pushed them up there and I love them. Sempiternal makes all their other albums look(sound?) absolutely appalling; this is the best album they've released so far (their new stuff is looking so promising) and it shows the talent they all posses, despite what many critics say of them. 

Let me know what your favourite albums are, or what you think of any of the albums I've mentioned. If you haven't listened to any of these albums I really advise you give them a go; you never know, you might feel the same as I do about them in the end!

Lots of love, Nikki. xxxxx