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Sunday 17 March 2024

Live Review: Holly Humberstone - Bristol Beacon, 15 March 2024

Amidst her biggest headline tour to date, it's evidently clear a new confidence has been formed as Holly Humberstone continues to become one of Britain's brightest new pop wunderkinds. Through her meteoritic rise to stardom, her recent Glastonbury performance in 2022 showed the vulnerabilities that artists often face as they're sky-rocketed up the bill as she nervously made her way through the show, much with the crowd's emotional support. But now, with an album in circulation, and a plethora of shows under her belt, the English singer-songwriter from Grantham returned to Bristol with a whole new poise.

Taking the stage with an air of quiet confidence, as the lights dimmed and a giant cobweb lit up, embellished with her name, Humberstone captivated the audience from the moment she stepped into the spotlight. As cheers filled the room to the sounds of her debut album's title track ‘Paint My Bedroom Black’. There was no time to catch your breath though as she quickly launched in to the punchy "Into your Room" as it carried forth the pace with her earnest vocals and dazzling production values that truly came to life in the live environment.

With each song, expertly arranged and performed, with intricate melodies and dynamic shifts that kept the audience on the edge of their seats, her sound has transcended from its soft beginnings in to a towering pop powerhouse of energy. From delicate acoustic numbers to powerful crescendos, Humberstone and her band showcased their versatility and musicianship throughout.

Highlights of the evening included performances of fan favourites such as "Vanilla" and "Falling Asleep at the Wheel," as well as a captivating rendition of "Dive" from her recently released 'Work in Progress' EP. However, it was during the stripped-back moments that Humberstone truly shone, with a solo performance of "Deep End" that allowed her raw talent and vulnerability to take centre stage.


With her soul-stirring vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and magnetic stage presence, the night was always going to be an intense affair but nothing could have quite prepared me for what unfolded. From her gut wrenching lyrics detailing heartbreak, loss and coming of age, all in its painstaking relatability, to the stimulating chord changes and kaleidoscopic soundscapes, no stone was left unturned as the crowd became awash with emotion. 

And as the band returned for their two track encore consisting of Friendly Fire and Scarlet, there was no doubt the evening would end with a bang as the crowd became whipped in to a frenzy as flailing hands that formed heart-shaped symbols punctuated the air. A beautiful sentiment for an evening well spent amongst the emotionally charged, raw bedroom pop that has so seamlessly transposed to these large room venues in effortless fashion. Showing no signs of slowing her trajectory, the only question left now is, where next?

*****

Thursday 14 March 2024

Pem - Awe

Photo credit: Sandra Ebert

Returning with her latest effort, Bristol-based Pem has today shared the gorgeous and moving new single Awe. Written through a deeply personal exploration of loss, yearning, and the complexities of grief, the track's softly swirling guitar notes and grounded chords echo a sense of time standing still, all the while life continues to rush around you. It's a hauntingly beautiful art form that exudes her songwriting talents in fine detail, serving as another wonderful introduction to her music. Speaking about the track, Pem remarks: "I wrote ‘awe’ a few weeks after my Dad died. I rushed my grieving and threw myself into a new city to build a new life. Everything felt surreal and unfamiliar, I struggled to relate to my new relationships. I was yearning for closeness but was so terrified of more loss that I felt stuck on loop, like I was moving constantly but never getting closer. That’s why the chords are so simple and repetitive. I was trying to stay still but I just couldn’t shake the sense that I was supposed to be somewhere else. For me ‘awe’ illustrates the tension between a fear of letting go, a fear of gripping on and a fear of staying still." Take a listen for yourselves below.

Pem's Live Dates
16th March | London, UK – Village Underground – Supporting Febueder
19th March | Manchester, UK – YES (Basement) – Supporting Febueder
21st March | Oxford, UK – Jericho Tavern – Supporting Febueder
22nd March | Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds – Supporting Febueder
23rd March | Bristol, UK – Ritual Union – Supporting Febueder
27th March | London, UK – Sebright Arms – Supporting Mylar
14th June | London, UK – The Lexington
30th June | Bristol, UK – Bristol Sounds Festival

i: https://www.instagram.com/pemperry

Friedberg - Hello

Artwork: Lewis Vorn

Returning today, Friedberg have shared their brand new music video for their latest energetic single ‘Hello’, directed by Talia Beale. Lifted from their debut album, due for release later this year, the track's tribal percussion and funky melodies hurtle at lightening speed towards its explosive guitar finale. Anna, lead singer of Friedberg, says “I already fell in love with Talia’s initial idea of me reciting the lyrics of the song whilst my head is stuck in a wall. Over a good cup of cappuccino we instantly bonded over the idea of a leaf blower blowing the band's hair while we are performing the song. I loved everything else we came up with that day – like taping the band to the wall. When I wrote the song I imagined spending the night in a stranger’s mind and thinking all of these things that I never thought... Saying all of these things that I never said. And get a holiday from my own mind. So the concept of the video just worked perfectly for the song.” Talia Beale, adds “This project's been a dream to work on! Anna’s an artist who takes the risk of thinking outside of the box and pushing creative boundaries. It’s provided a playground to explore our most surreal ideas, the ones maybe we often try to dull down by attaching too much rational thought to in the name of commercialism.” Take a watch for yourselves below.

f: https://www.facebook.com/FriedbergMusic/

Wednesday 13 March 2024

néomí - someone new

Returning last week, Néomí has unveiled the emotively tinged, someone new. Taken from her long-awaited debut album 'somebody's daughter', set for release on May 3rd via [PIAS], the track's tender approach to songwriting delivers on all accounts as swirling synth melodies melt in to her angelic vocals and infectious pop nuances. Speaking about "someone new", she said, "'someone new' is basically a love letter to my therapist. How, at first, I hated the fact I was put in a category which I thought I didn't belong to. Since those first encounters things have changed. I am grateful I've learned so much about myself and life in general. Most importantly I’ve learned how to deal with other people and, in the process of everything, become 'someone new' who is taking responsibility for their own actions and owning them. It was a relief to understand it's never only 'you' in the story as a story is, almost always, double sided. I'm sure we all experience something like this in our time on this odd planet. It's a song about not wanting to open up because to work on yourself requires going through pain which is the hardest thing in life. But I understand now working on improving yourself, no matter how painful it can be to remember the past, is the most important job there is." Take a listen below.

f: https://www.facebook.com/neomismusic

Gustaf - Close

Photo Credit: Erica Snyder

Brooklyn's Gustaf have today returned with their energetic new single Close. Taken from their forthcoming new album Package 2, which arrives 5th April via Royal Mountain Records, the track's commanding force and jagged basslines serve up another exciting taste of what's to come. The album was produced by Erin Tonkon, who worked on David Bowie's Blackstar, the album was recorded at Studio G Brooklyn and Circular Ruin. Take a listen for yourselves. The band support Yard Act on their upcoming UK tour, full dates below.

YARD ACT SUPPORT DATES
13th March - Norwich, UK - Norwich Nick Rayns LCR UAE
14th March - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
15th March - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy Glasgow
16th March - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo Manchester
17th March - Newcastle, UK - Northumbria University
19th March - Belfast, UK - Mandela Hall
20th March - Dublin, Ireland - Vicar Street
22nd March - Liverpool, UK - Invisible Wind Factory
23rd March - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy Bristol
24th March - Cardiff, UK - The Great Hall
25th March - Brighton, UK - Brighton Dome
26th March – London, UK – Shacklewell Arms * HEADLINE SHOW
27th March - London, UK - Eventim Apollo

i: https://www.instagram.com/gustaf_nyc

Eades - Fade Away

Photo Credit: Joel Johnston

Leeds-based outfit Eades have today returned with their catchy new single Fade Away. Released on their own label Bam Bam Records, the track's delightful guitar melodies and intoxicating delivery serve up another exciting slice of their unique sound. On the themes behind the track - Tom O’Reilly explains: “It’s a story that spans from adolescence, into early adulthood and eventually into being middle aged. It’s about coming to terms with not making a dent in life socially or culturally, making peace with normality and accepting that you’ll eventually fade away to be forgotten, but enjoying the ride nonetheless. Complacently enjoying life and living in the moment to a degree that potentially has a negative effect on the future.” Take a listen for yourselves below. 

f: https://www.facebook.com/eadesmusic/


Tuesday 12 March 2024

Divorce - Gears

Making their ambitious return with their first new music of the year, Nottingham's Divorce are pleased to unveil Gears, a storming 2 minute 30 second pop effort that solidifies them as one of the most exciting new band's to break through in recent times. Here their latest single dives in to the multiple identities people often taken on whilst trying to please everyone as its comanding basslines and storming delivery rattles toward its towering crescendo. Guitarist Felix Mackenzie-Barrow explains, "Gears was written when I’d just moved to London and was working very long hours whilst trying to keep up with increasing band commitments for Divorce. I was spending all of my time working or playing shows and couldn’t maintain any kind of social life or keep up with the spending a social life felt like it would cost. The song came out of those frustrations." Take a listen/watch below. The new track comes accompanied by the news of their biggest headline show to date at London’s Islington Assembly Hall in October, and two very special hometown headline shows at Nottingham’s Bodega.

Divorce - UK live dates 2024

Tickets on sale here.

Pre-sale for both Bodega shows and Islington Assembly Hall begins 10am on Wednesday 13th March. General on sale from 10am on Friday 15th March.

11 March-16 March - SXSW, Austin, USA
26 March - SGW3 Galvanizers, Glasgow, UK **
27 March - Stylus, Leeds, UK **
29 March - New Century Hall, Manchester, UK **
30 March - New Century Hall, Manchester, UK **
31 March - De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill, UK **
02 April - Junction, Cambridge, UK **
04 April - Rock City, Nottingham, UK **
05 April - Troxy, London, UK **
06 April - O2 Academy, Bristol, UK **
17 May - London Calling Festival, Amsterdam, NL
25 May - Bearded Theory Festival, Derbyshire, UK
01 June - This Must Be The Place Festival, Leeds, UK
15 June - Brighten The Corners Festival, Ipswich, UK
16 June - Black Deer Festival, Kent, UK
05 July - MIDI Festival, FR
28 July - Truck Festival, Oxford, UK
30 August - Brighton Psych Festival, Brighton, UK
31st August - Manchester Psych Festival, Manchester, UK
1st Sept - Edinburgh Psych Festival, Edinburgh, UK
25 Sept - Bodega, Nottingham UK
26 Sept - Bodega, Nottingham, UK
23 October - Islington Assembly Hall, London, UK

** = Supporting Everything Everything

f: https://www.facebook.com/divorcehq/

Monday 11 March 2024

Runrummer - Not Quite Over You

Returning with her first single in over a year, Runrummer has recently shared the ruminating Not Quite Over You. Written about the entanglement of a fading love, the tracks soft palpable soundscapes and swirling synth melodies offer up an exiting taste for the year ahead. Speaking about the track in more detail she goes on to say, "‘Not Quite Over You’ is a song about heartache for a relationship gone wrong; when you love someone irrevocably but the feeling is unrequited. Now the partner has moved on to someone else but you can’t understand what they have that you couldn’t provide, and you can’t for the life of you get over it. Inspired by the sounds of Fleetwood Mac, drawing similarities particularly in the chorus vocal harmonies, the song is also evocative of boygenius, Phoebe Bridges and Shura, with a vocal tone reminiscent of La Roux." Take a listen for yourselves below.



i: https://www.instagram.com/runrummermusic/

Two Door Cinema Club - Happy Customers

Last week saw the huge return of Two Door Cinema Club as the band unveiled their brand new single Happy Customers. The release of the single is shared alongside the announcement of their biggest string of U.S. tour dates yet, with the newly released shows kicking off in Atlanta on 13th July and finishing up on 3rd October in Nashville. Take a listen to the catchy number below which sees the band deliver their signature upbeat melodies amongst a kaleidoscopic backdrop of pop colour as lead singer Alex Trimble’s vocals are at their most versatile, taking on mezzo-soprano vocal range.

Two Door Cinema Club | 2024 Tour Dates:
With support from *Joywave and **Day Wave
May 17 - Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre - San Diego, CA**
May 18 - Just Like Heaven Festival - Pasadena, CA
May 19 - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA**
May 21 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR**
May 22 - Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA**
May 24 - The Union - Salt Lake City, UT**
May 25 - The Mission Ballroom - Denver, CO**
May 27 - Cain’s Ballroom - Tulsa, OK**
May 28 - Southside Ballroom - Dallas, TX**
May 29 - White Oak Music Hall - Houston, TX**
May 30 - Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater - Austin, TX**

2024 US tour dates (NEW)
With support from *flipturn and **Petey and ***Quarters of Change
July 13 - Coca-Cola Roxy - Atlanta, GA*
July 16 - FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park - Miami, FL*
July 17 - Daily's Place - Jacksonville, FL*
July 19 - Rabbit Rabbit - Asheville, NC*
July 20 - Red Hat Amphitheater - Raleigh, NC*
July 23 - The Rooftop at Pier 17 - New York, NY*
July 26 - Stone Pony Summer Stage - Asbury Park, NJ*
July 27 - Pier Six Pavilion - Baltimore, MD*
July 28 - Leader Bank Pavilion - Boston, MA*
July 29 - Artpark Amphitheater - Lewiston, NY*
July 31 - Coca-Cola Coliseum - Toronto, ON*
September 13 - The Orpheum - Vancouver, BC**
September 14 - WAMU Theater - Seattle, WA**
September 15 - Hayden Homes Amphitheater - Bend, OR**
September 17 - The Masonic - San Francisco, CA**
September 21 - Gallagher Square at Petco Park - San Diego, CA**
September 24 - Arizona Financial Theatre - Phoenix, AZ**
September 25 - The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center - El Paso, AZ**
September 26 - Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park - Austin, TX**
September 28 - Starlight Theatre - Kansas City, MO**
September 29 - The Fillmore Minneapolis presented by Affinity Plus - Minneapolis, MN**
October 1 - The Sylvee - Madison, WI**
October 2 - Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park - Indianapolis, IN***
October 3 - Marathon Music Works - Nashville, TN***

2024 UK tour dates & festivals
June 22 - Fairview Park - Dublin, Ireland
August 15 - CHSQ - Belfast, Ireland
August 16 - Galway Summer Sessions - Carnmore East, Ireland
August 22-25 - Reading Festival - Reading, United Kingdom
August 22-25 - Leeds Festival - Leeds, United Kingdom

f: www.facebook.com/twodoorcinemaclub

Cristina Hart - Before You

Love can often be found in the strangest of places. And more often than not when you're least looking for it. Cristina Hart recently returned with her tender new song Before You which effortlessly captures this feeling as she tells the take of unconditional love. Speaking on the story behind the making of ‘Before You’, Cristina Hart shares; ‘Growing up with parents that aren’t together is always a bit hard to wrap your head around as a kid. There’s always this secret hope that one day they’ll get back together until one day you realize that that’s never going to happen. I think it’s easy to think you’ve done something wrong to cause this as a child and that can really impact how you view relationships as an adult. I’m so lucky to have found someone that’s shown me what this kind love looks like and I wanted to write this as a little diary entry to show that despite what’s happened in your past, you are deserving of love and, if you find the right person, you can still have and nurture a healthy relationship.’ Take a listen below.

 

i: https://www.instagram.com/iamcristinahart/