Showing posts with label The Rolling Stones. Show all posts

Glastonbury Preview


The most anticipated music event of the festival season is rapidly approaching, and this year, the line up boasts an impressive array of artists. With a little something for everyone, when the gates open in ten days - Worthy Farm is bound to be the epicentre of explosion. Here is Rock Revolver's definitive guide to the artists you need to check out if you're going to the festival, or simply streaming it online.
 
 
Announced as this year's headliners, Arctic Monkeys, The Rolling Stones and Mumford & Sons are set to tear it up on the Pyramid Stage. Following the debut of new tracks Do I Wanna Know? in Ventura, California and Mad Sounds at Hultsfred Festival in Sweden recently, Sheffield rock royalty, Arctic Monkeys, are ones not to be missed. Considering their performance at the Olympic Opening Ceremony last summer, and the fact that the band have got their fifth album scheduled for release in September, missing their headline set would make you a fool.
 
Offering another opportunity to catch those icons, The Rolling Stones, play the hits live (factoring a few rarities into the mix), make sure you witness the Pyramid Stage play host to the band on Saturday night, especially since last year's shows at the 02 had staggering ticket prices, leaving fans forking out hundreds. Initially, Sunday night headliners and everyone's favourite nu-folk group Mumford & Sons caused a bit of a stir when announced to close the Festival. However, you can't deny the band have worked hard to get to the top in recent years. Second album, Babel, released last September proved the folk rock four piece have got the goods and now all they have to do is display it to the masses.
 
Throughout the weekend, you can also catch excellent artists on the Pyramid Stage throughout the day, stretching into evening, such as: The Vaccines with their wailing guitars, and fast paced punchy anthems. 2012's biggest breakthrough, Jake Bugg with ballads to his youth and musical ability beyond his tender years. California's most chilled exports Haim. Saturday night sees indie folk star Ben Howard deposit a mellow set of acoustic anthems, whilst on the Sunday, New York rockers Vampire Weekend take to the stage.
 
Hitting up the Other Stage, across the weekend you can catch Northern Irish indie rock trio Two Door Cinema Club, tearing it up with their shimmering tunes and spewing riffs. Tame Impala, the psychedelic Aussies are not to be missed with their tripped out tracks, whilst the majority of their back catalogue sounds like they overdoes on flower power riffs and paisley vibes.
 
Playing host to under the radar rockers and those set to be massive in years to come, The Park Stage is packed with little gems you need to get in your life. Lambeth's own Palma Violets, backed by NME, take control on Friday night, crafting sets as impressive as their sudden rise to fame in the latter half of 2012. Tame Impala's female counterpart Melody's Echo Chamber play on Saturday afternoon; prepare yourself for the French vocalist's dreampop formula and acid soaked songs.
 
Saving the best for last, the John Peel stage is steeped in artists, serving as evidence that it really isn't all about the Pyramid Stage headliners. Aiming to lead the rock revolution (and mod of the moment), is Liverpool's Miles Kane. After releasing critically acclaimed second album, Don't Forget Who You Are, at the start of June; if you miss Miles' set you really are missing out, as he plays the crowd like no other. If we were to depict his live shows in percentages, it would go a little something like this - 50% puppy dog excitement and 50% rock swagger.
 
 
 
 
Pioneers of the B-Town scene, Peace and Swim Deep, are also set to appear on the John Peel stage on Friday afternoon, whilst Saturday sees sets from The Smiths' iconic guitarist Johnny Marr, and Ireland's teenage 60s revivalists The Strypes. Continuing the party throughout Sunday are, French wizards Phoenix, who are set to headline the stage and bring with them that much needed dose of wickedly warped electronics and dance-until-you-get-stitches-in-your-stomach sizzles.
 
Whilst this is just a preview of the thousands of acts at the festival,  there are many more appearing across the weekend and hopefully this guide will serve you well, in deciding who to catch a glimpse of and who to miss. With the weather set to hit a record high in the history of Glastonbury, you're bound to have an excellent weekend regardless of which artists you watch. 

 
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Weekly Playlist

David Bowie - Andy Warhol
This track is from Bowie's fourth album "Hunky Dory". The start of the song begins with Bowie correcting his producer Ken Scott, who had mispronounced Warhol's name, on the actual pronunciation. I like this song because it presents Bowie as a real person, with inspirations and experiencing some of life's awkward moments. For example after his studio chat with his producer, Bowie asks if the tape is rolling and when he discovers it is - laughter follows. This is Bowie at his best, go on give it a listen.
For fans of: Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, The Clash and Iggy Pop.

 
Bastille - Sleepsong
I discovered this band in August last year following their performance at Reading Festival. Fearne Cotton was hyping them up so I decided to give them a listen. From my first preview, I liked their sound and what they were doing but it wasn't enough to make me want to download the tracks. Although when iTunes released this a as a free download, I thought I'd give it another listen and I can confirm it was ten times better the second time round. Check it out now.
For fans of: Alt-J, The Neighbourhood, Dry the River, Maverick Sabre and Kodaline.
 
 
The Rolling Stones - Doom And Gloom
I love the Stones! I love this song! It's classic and it contains an uptempo blues attack which is catchy and so good. This is the track that leaves you wanting more. I would kill to see this band live. I really would.
For fans of: The Who, The Beatles, The Doors, The Beach Boys and Jimi Hendrix.
 

 
Wolf Alice - Fluffy
This woozy number has hints on punk with fantastic vocals from Ellie Rowsell. I've heard this a lot on the radio, and it's one of those songs which grow on you over time. Give it a listen.
For fans of: The XX, Jessie Ware, Chvrches, Haim and Disclosure.
 



Muse - Supremacy
I was introduced to this track in October when Muse released their sixth studio album "The 2nd Law". This is the opening song on the record, and I believe it's a great opening number. It's classic Muse with Bellamy's trademark vocals and apocalyptic clashing of instruments. This is the band's latest single (and I think it would have been perfect for the latest James Bond film) so what are you waiting for? Get this in your life now.
For fans of: The Killers, The Strokes, Radiohead, Kasabian and Franz Ferdinand.

 
 
Are you a fan of any of the artists featured? Have you heard any of these songs before? What should I listen to next? Comment below.
 
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Weekly Playlist

As of this afternoon, Christmas has officially begun for me. Over the past week I've heard nothing but Christmas songs everywhere. I like the majority of festive tunes, however older music will always be my favourite.
 
The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night
The Kinks are one of my favourite bands from the sixties, and this is what it's all about. This song is included in the band's better known material. Also I watched The Boat That Rocked last weekend, and it was featured on the soundtrack.
For fans of: The Animals, The Who, David Bowie, The Turtles and Bo Diddley.


The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
I'm in love with this song so much it's not healthy, I swear. You have probably heard it before but give it another listen, because you can and you should.
For fans of: Bob Dylan, The Who, Elvis Presley, Oasis and The Beach Boys.

 
Tom Odell - Another Love
I have been hearing this on the radio a lot, and this guy is tipped for big things next year. I downloaded the EP 'Songs From Another Love' and was not disappointed.
For fans of: Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, Lucy Rose, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Laura Marling.
 
 
Django Django - Life's A Beach
I only started listening to this band a few months ago, and Life's A Beach is one of my favourite songs from their debut album. This is a band you should check out if you haven't already.
For fans of: Spector, The 2 Bears, Tame Impala, Field Music and Cloud Control.
 
 

 
The Jam - Town Called Malice
I've been listening to this old favourite all week. It's catchy, cool and classic. What's not to love?
For fans of: The Who, Paul Weller, The Undertones, Buzzcocks and The Kinks.
 

 


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Icons of the 60s Part 3 - The Rolling Stones

With fifty years of experience, twenty nine studio albums and nine number one singles under their belt, The Rolling Stones are still going strong. Last month a scandal broke out after tickets for their fiftieth anniversary tour were released to the public, ranging from £106 - £406, with VIP hospitality packages setting you back a not so cool £1,140, fans were left fuming as one of Britain's most loved bands have let them down. As we take a look back over the band's history, it's not hard to see how they achieved icon status, or why fans are complaining.
 
The Rolling Stones, currently consisting of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, played their first gig as a newly formed band in 1962. At a time when the British public were still recovering from war and the shock of the Cuban missile crisis, there was a huge gap in the market for bands to help them forget about what was really happening in society; music was the rawest form of escapism. The Beatles joined the likes of The Rolling Stones in helping the public to forget.

With songs seemingly ahead of their time, and varying themes in their music, the stones broke boundaries and made the unacceptable, acceptable. Rebelling against conformity was something this band did best. They just didn't care. The freedom was definitely there to experiment and write what they wanted. Throughout their time they tried out blues, rock and psychedelic to name a few, however they remained true to their roots and always included snippets of the classic sound that fans had grown accustomed to.
 
This was not all they did though, their difference in sound during the 60's added to their popularity. People were craving something different and the stones delivered this directly. To summarise: they changed the face of rock'n'roll, contributed a long lasting legacy and inspired generations.

 
 
Are you a Beatles or Stones fan? Were you angered over The Rolling Stones' ticket price scandal? Comment below to get your voice heard. 
 



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