Rock Revolver: London

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London four-piece, Wolf Alice have been snapped up and signed by the remarkable Dirty Hit. The label are also responsible for the likes of Fossil Collective, Little Comets and The 1975. Fronted by Ellie Rowsell, the Camden-hailing foursome are set to release their highly-anticipated debut album on the label later this year.

A statement from the label read: "We're absolutely thrilled to announce we will be working with Wolf Alice in 2014. We're huge fans of the band and are very excited to be releasing their debut album through Dirty Hit."

You can catch Wolf Alice on their forthcoming UK tour this May:

01 - King Tut's, Glasgow

02 - Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool

03 - Live at Leeds, Leeds

04 - Sunday Live, Stockton

05 - Fruit, Hull

06 - Leadmill 2, Sheffield

07 - Think Tank, Newcastle

08 - The Duchess, York

12 - Institute Temple, Birmingham

13 - O2 Academy2, Oxford
14 - Portland Arms, Cambridge
15 - Esquires, Bedford
16 - Boileroom, Guildford
17 - Cookie Jar, Leicester
18 - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
20 - The Haunt, Brighton
21 - 53 Degrees, Preston
22 - Sugarmill, Stoke
27 - Crauford Arms 2, Milton Keynes
28 - Scala, London

Words Lauren Wade

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Alternative London four-piece, Flyte cast themselves as a crossover between Theme Park, Franz Ferdinand and The 1975 on the debut EP Live. Citing their influences as Elvis Costello, David Bowie and Joy Divison, the currently unsigned group make a unique blend of indie rock that serves their style alone. Their debut three-track EP is due for release on 16 September, and with Radiohead engineer and Vaccines producer Dan Grech-Marguerat on board it sees the group penning light-hearted tunes that were made for the radio.

Title track Over And Out is a bouncy little number with an infectious jerky groove. With hooks as glorious as what we're getting here, it will make people dance like they've been banned all their life (we're talking Footloose style). Frontman Will Taylor also has a deeply distinct vocal range that sets tracks apart. Followed by Chasing Heaven, Flyte come across all Kooks-esque on us, in a manner reminiscent of 2006's Naïve.

Finishing on a high note with Words Come Easily, the initial instrumental section works wonders, before dropping into Taylor's vocals once more. Throwing in a few mind-melting melodies here and there, it's proven they're really on to something. For a bunch of newbies to be so slick and accomplished is no mean feat. After playing a sold-out show at the Lexington in London recently, it's clear the tides are turning and Flyte are about to undergo a journey that will see them reap the praise they undoubtedly deserve. Get on their sound and earn bragging rights whilst you still can.

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American punk rockers, Parquet Courts, who aren't particularly fond of any form of attention are back with a brand new offering. Taken from their forthcoming EP Tally All The Things That You Broke, You've Got Me Wonderin' Now contains some rather questionable features, hooks galore and the snarling energy we're often exposed to with this group is present - but only in a half-hearted attempt.

It's still worth a download, but would we attend their one-off show at London's Old Blue Last on Monday? (August 19) probably, but only because it's free entry. Let's hope this upcoming EP is brimming with some stronger tracks and super-sized anthems.

6/10

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London based punk four-piece Cross Wires boast a raw, scratchy sound with the demo of their new EP Battis. Gigs at Camden Barfly, Proud and The Bowery under their belt during their formative years have only helped them on their way to the top. What's more impressive is that they aren't afraid to condense complete chaos into such a short space of time.

Their latest offering, released under the working title of Battis, makes you want to dig out your Doctor Martens' boots and stomp around in style as they deliver their fresh, pounding soundtrack. Opening number Acid Bath is punchy to its core, whilst containing an unapologetic vibe, which implies the band don't really care whether you like their sound or not; their in it purely for the music. With a circling refrain and consuming drumbeat, it's hard not to be won over by this attempt.

The band take it to another level with Technology, a slightly longer track where the vocals and inescapable riffs scour our ears (and minds) of all the chart drivel we happen to have fallen victim to. Sidewalk doesn't have quite the same effect of the previous two tracks. It's slow, burned out nature feels like a filler used in order to keep the music in constant continuation. Even though the pace is picked up towards the end, it feels oddly out of place on this particular EP. However, it may work as a stand alone single.

Final number Strangers Bed is a thriller from the second the drumbeat kicks in, to the moment the jangly guitar ring out in full glory. The track rewinds to the noughties when The Libertines were a band on the rise, at times you can't help but be carried away by the notion that Cross Wires have a tendency to rely on their influences too much. With a little polish on the vocals and a touch of variety between tracks, Cross Wires could really be on to something.

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Burning Condors - Dirty Girl Blues SINGLE

Ever since Queens of the Stone Age came along and swept us in a frenzy with their stoner rock, countless bands have fallen for the sound and have brewed slices of rock so similar, with their filthy riffs and chest thumping volume. This is where London's Burning Condors arrive, along with frazzled twangs and a snarling vocal - the four-piece are a welcome break from the bands ripping off Josh Homme & co's sleazy sizzles.

Due for release on 15th July, third single Dirty Girl Blues is coloured by influence (looks pointedly at The Beach Boys). This track is one which will strip your innocence, pulling it apart thread by thread, until all you're left with is a silhouette of your former self - a rather sassy silhouette. Covered in leather head to toe, a permanent snarling expression and the ability to pull off double denim (without so much of a flinch), Burning Condors have crafted a track so corruptive; parents will shake their head with dismay, but we're having the last laugh.

Without a pause for breath, the band kick up a fuss and veer away from all other contenders. Lyrically, it's not the greatest but it is an improvement over previous tracks. If Burning Condors continue to amp it up and produce music like this - success will undoubtedly follow. Dip into this band if you're up for a bit of raunchiness.

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With many bands centred on a vintage sound, it can be hard to stand out. East London based Telegram use this to their advantage, drifting away from that paisley serenity that a lot of new bands have perfected; The four piece aren't afraid to lose themselves in a tangle of drug-induced drones and washed out garage riffs. With a reputation on the rise since their session for Marc Riley on BBC6 Music, Telegram have an abundance of charm to spare, only adding to the appeal of their dreamy texture.

Draped in sprawling guitars, There Is Nothing sees the band taking cues from fellow musician friends The Horrors. If the track's ingredients were to be presented before us, we could identify them as equal parts wildly infectious guitar solos and trancey rumbles. Despite not having much experience in the gig area, Telegram certainly know what audiences require. Whilst, not set to make an appearance at this year's Glastonbury Festival, their psych sounds seems fit to be unwrapped by a Glasto crowd in the blazing heat and squelchy mud.

Essentially a sexy guitar record, Folly contains sleazy sizzles that rip through you, as a listener, at an unrelenting pace. Continuing their policy on stylish guitar solos, once again you can find them embedded into the heart of the track. Eons is a bit of a slow burner, but when it warms up; the substance is hard to ignore. Ultimately, its a continuous build towards that which everyone is waiting for. Although, in places it feels like it doesn't quite reach the heights we were expecting.

The highlight of all their tracks so far, Follow taps into a far out sound and pulses with urgency. Its compulsive foot tapping nature will sweep you into Telegram's world where everything sounds huge and grandeur, a world where everything is coloured by psychedelic tinges and we all lost our minds sometime ago. If you like your bands who know how to evoke a buzz, making you dance (or at least bop) until you get stitches in your stomach - then look no further.

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Rumours have emerged that Arctic Monkeys are to play the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Members of the band have been spotted out in the London area recently. Various reports have tracked the band to a North London recording studio. Whilst we don't know for sure why they were at the studio, it has been suggested that they are either recording material for their fifth album, or recording a track for the Games. Watch this space for more on that as further details are disclosed.

As of 2.30pm (BST) nothing has been confirmed just yet, however drummer Matt Helders and his Mum Jill Helders have left revealing tweets across social networking site Twitter. Jill tweeted her son saying "What happened to #savethesuprise?". This was in reply to Matt tweeting a photo of his Mum trending in the United Kingdom. It can be seen that Matt is quite clearly within the Olympic area, as he is using their wifi.

As of 4.00pm (BST) it has been officially confirmed that Arctic Monkeys will play the Olympic Games opening ceremony tomorrow night (July 27th). Tune in on BBC1 tomorrow evening to witness their performance, along with many other artists.

For more information visit either: www.arcticmonkeysus.tumblr.com or www.fuckyeaharcticmonkeys.tumblr.com

Day 1 of the UK's biggest free ticketed event kicked off with a bang. With performances throughout the day from the likes of The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Jessie Ware, Ed Sheeran, Example and more, the crowds were never short of something to do. There's more to come tonight though. Those fortunate enough to win tickets via online registration, can catch headline sets from Jay-Z, Kasabian, Jack White, Lostprophets, Sean Paul, Flo Rida and Swedish House Mafia.

Earlier this afternoon Leona Lewis and Dappy opened the festival with light sets. They were followed (respectively) by Rizzle Kicks and Emeli Sande.

The festival which runs until tomorrow night (Sunday 24th June) contains six stages and 100+ artists, which means there's something for everyone regardless of your musical preferences. In my opinion the INMWT (In New Music We Trust) stage is the place to be this weekend. This is because over the duration of the event you are able to catch artists such as Jack White, The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Jessie Ware, Rita Ora, Chase & Status, Magnetic Man, Lana Del Rey, Enter Shikari, Sub Focus, Ben Howard and Bombay Bicycle Club. Even if you're not a fan of the artists I just listed, it's still worth giving them a watch as they'll blow your mind with their sets. Honestly check out their videos on the Radio 1 website, when they've been uploaded. You won't be disappointed.

Come back tomorrow to see my review/summary of Hackney Weekend - Day 2.