The Receivers | Crescent Moon Heart EP Launch | Gig Review

 With the release of their highly anticipated EP Crescent Moon Heart, this was a much-needed gig for both the fans and band. Starting their set with the unveiling of a homemade cake with the EP logo on it, it gave the night a really celebratory atmosphere.

Mixing the old and new songs together, the lads played through the 4 extremely well written songs on the new EP. Crescent Moon Heart has the best songs that these lads have ever produced, when listening to them being performed live you can tell that an insane amount of hard work went into creating them. Each song is so incredibly thought out that every aspect merges together perfectly to create songs that all of their fans enjoy. The songs got their fans dancing around, completely absorbing every second of each song.

The band and fans created a really lovely atmosphere full of pure energy when performing, making sure that the everyone truly enjoyed their all of their hard work.

 My favourite song from the EP is Glass as the band performed it with such energy that spread across the whole venue. Every note and lyric of this song complimented each other so well that it created the perfect song to perform live. The song almost has two tones to it, although it still keeps the fans moving during the entire song, as the energy is so high throughout the entire song. The band were also a lot looser when performing this song and really let themselves feel the song and move around the entire stage. In my opinion this EP sounds better when performed live as you can hear each member more defined and get more of an impact from the bass, which you do not get as much of when listening from the recording. I would highly recommend anyone who is a fan of this EP and band to see them perform live as you will not be disappointed by the display they put on.

 Overall this was an amazing night for everyone as the lads really showed off their pure talent and all of their hard work was worth it from the reaction of the crowd and how much they loved the new music. If The Receivers ever come and play in a city near you, go and see them, as you will have a night full of great music, atmosphere and people. 

Review and photography by Abby Hardy

Rivet City | The Watcher | Single Review

Manchester band Rivet City have a light but stripped back sound that calls to mind Jake Bugg, Arctic Monkeys, and perhaps a drop of Ed Sheeran.

   The Watcher, released on YouTube, with a video displaying lyrics, has themes that are both self reflective and “kitchen sink” in the indie music sense. Speaking of broken relationships and days on minimum wage, it brings a welcome change from some of the glitzier pop songs around today, as well as lyrics like “last dance in the room full of mannequins” giving a likeable bit of weirdness.

Shimmery guitar melodies reminiscent of some of the mellower songs by the red hot chilli peppers e.g. “Look around” and “under the bridge” are layered over warm, punchy bass and tight, snappy drums. Raspy vocals that are sung with the same hip hop influenced urgency that characterised Alex Turner’s earlier days, (as well as, to a more subtle degree, Mike Skinner), help add personality to the song.

   If there are any points to suggest room for improvement, one would be to develop and mature so as to not become lumped in with the many other bands that have covered this ballpark before. Some of the melodies wear the sound of bands like the strokes and Jamie T on their sleeves, for example. The part of me that has a disposition towards the heavier end of alternative rock would have liked to see a more raw, energetic chorus or climax to the song, a la early Biffy Clyro or Idlewild.

   All that said however, to those who want a sharp, immediate pop/rock song and something to relate to, this song will not disappoint.

Review by Lawrence Peattie

The Jackobins | Outside | Single Review

    The Jackobins are four piece from Liverpool, made up of Dominic Bassnett on vocals, Veso Mihaylov on guitar, Tom Donoghue on bass and drummer Sean Burns. The band are releasing their new single Outside tomorrow (22.9.17)

    Outside is an indie rock track that on the surface is upbeat with a lot of synth, but when you concerntrate on the lyrics you get to a much darker subject of loneliness and isolation. The opening and the chorus are the most upbeat sections of the song, this is through the drum beat and synth melody, the versus are less upbeat and it’s in these sections you become aware of the underlining truth of the track, the band say “the track deals with the seductive danger of escaping to somewhere that isn’t real, desecending into your own fantasy in isolation”. A message that is easily relatable to many people and will cause the track to hit home for some fans. Vocally Bassnett reminds me of American indie rock band, Anberlin. His vocals are deep and powerful and diverse throughout the song, showing off his talent. Although sometimes a little darker and slower, Outside is full of energy and will have you singing along in no time. Its catchy and I guarantee will be stuck in your head for days after listening. The Jackobins began their tour yesterday and will be playing across the country over the next few months.

Keep watch of their Facebook page tomorrow for the release of Outside. 

The Jackobins // Facebook