Glastobury used to be the flagship of alternative culture. A melting pot of fresh invigorating music. Sadly it is now a shadow of its former self. Having succumb to the big money dominance of Live Nation, the festival has lost its integrity.
Live Nation is an organisation that has introduced James Blunt, Jay Z, Status Quo and the like to the mix and reduced its appeal to the loyal in order to pander to the masses (and their pockets). Live Nation are an investment company. They have no real interest in investing in the future of music. They just exist to generate huge profits. Now, making a profit is not a bad thing, but controlling an industry that is already ruled by money is only going to have a detrimental effect for the future. Live Nation own stakes in The Academys, Wireless Festival, Download Festival, Reading Festival, Leeds Festival, Latitude Festival and our very own T in the Park (They bought a controlling stake in Dance Factory, or DF Concerts if you prefer who run T in the Park and also own King Tuts in Glasgow).
You can now look forward to festival line ups starting to look the same as Live Nation fill the bills with acts they promote, whether they are suitable for the festival or not. Just look at Jay Z playing Glastonbury last year all because LN own touring rights for both him and control the festival.
Don't get me wrong, there are still some great acts on festival bills, but the festivals ability to discover a gem that the mainstream music industry overlooks seems to be over. Shame really.
Monday, 25 May 2009
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Henry Priestman @The Listening Room - 27/02/09
It is hard not to like Henry. He is such an affable guy, completely untouched by the considerable success he has achieved. Something which comes through in his live performance.
Opening for Henry was songwriter and guitarist Pete Riley (who also plays guitar for Henry), who stepped in when Lotte Mullan had to pull out due to a viral problem. Pete possesses a mighty voice. Soulful and sweet in equal measure. Pete has been living in America and plays guitar for platinum selling artist Edwin McCain. We have asked Pete to come back and play a set for us later in the year as we're so impressed by him.
You get the feeling that Henry does not take himself to seriously, but his songs from his debut album Chronicles Of Modern Life capture the trials and tribulations of growing old, loving and losing, raising kids and just getting through the day, in glowing technicolour. It was interesting watching people give a knowing nod of the head with the tales that accompanied each song.
Grey's The New Blonde is the song that has been getting all the airplay and the one that most people would know, but he has in his arsenal some killer songs. It's Called A Heart, Old and Don't You Love Me No More have instant classic written all over them.
We were also treated to some Christians classics (Henry was the songwriter for the multi millions selling band.... Didn't we mention it?), including Hooverville, Ideal Word, When The Finger Points and more.
An impromptu phone call mid set to Lotte (see above) to see how she was and tell her she was missing a great gig had people laughing out loud, mainly because Henry forgot to hang up and at the end of the song all that could be heard was lotte shouting down the phone and clapping. Henry commented 'That just cost me a fiver....'.
By the end of the night everyone was on their feet and the encores ensued. Henry and Pete left the stage to crys of more, but a queue had already formed for the CD counter.
If you get the chance to see Henry live, please do, as he is a complete entertainer and an accomplished showman.
Opening for Henry was songwriter and guitarist Pete Riley (who also plays guitar for Henry), who stepped in when Lotte Mullan had to pull out due to a viral problem. Pete possesses a mighty voice. Soulful and sweet in equal measure. Pete has been living in America and plays guitar for platinum selling artist Edwin McCain. We have asked Pete to come back and play a set for us later in the year as we're so impressed by him.
You get the feeling that Henry does not take himself to seriously, but his songs from his debut album Chronicles Of Modern Life capture the trials and tribulations of growing old, loving and losing, raising kids and just getting through the day, in glowing technicolour. It was interesting watching people give a knowing nod of the head with the tales that accompanied each song.
Grey's The New Blonde is the song that has been getting all the airplay and the one that most people would know, but he has in his arsenal some killer songs. It's Called A Heart, Old and Don't You Love Me No More have instant classic written all over them.
We were also treated to some Christians classics (Henry was the songwriter for the multi millions selling band.... Didn't we mention it?), including Hooverville, Ideal Word, When The Finger Points and more.
An impromptu phone call mid set to Lotte (see above) to see how she was and tell her she was missing a great gig had people laughing out loud, mainly because Henry forgot to hang up and at the end of the song all that could be heard was lotte shouting down the phone and clapping. Henry commented 'That just cost me a fiver....'.
By the end of the night everyone was on their feet and the encores ensued. Henry and Pete left the stage to crys of more, but a queue had already formed for the CD counter.
If you get the chance to see Henry live, please do, as he is a complete entertainer and an accomplished showman.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Nick Harper @ The Listening Room - 23/01/09
This was one of the best gigs I have ever been to....
Kicking things off was the extremely talented Gavin Moore. Gavin has played here on several occasions and I never get board of listening to him. He has an ear for a great tune and his vocal complement the music perfectly. He is about to release his second album, so I'm sure we will welcome him back here a few times more.
For those of you have not seen Nick Harper before, I can't really do justice in words what a Nick show entails. Showmanship, guitar playing of the highest order, a soaring voice and a witty line in banter are about as good I'm going to get here... Ohhh... did I mention that he is a bloody genius.
Taking the stage in Willy Wonka style (you had to be there... honest), the tone was set for what was one of the most unforgettable experiences we have had at The Listening Room. Nick was clearly enjoying himself as much as the audience. The on-stage banter was reciprocated by the audience, lending an almost house concert feel to the night.
Quite happily taking requests, favorites like Radio Silence, Blue Sky Thinking, Imaginary Friend, By My Rocket Comes Fire, The Field of the Cloth of Gold and Karmageddon were all duly dispatched when asked for.
We were also entertained by stories of his recent work with the Love, Hope, Strength foundation, which involved playing gigs in the mountains of Nepal and Peru and meeting some of the nicest people he had came across despite the situations they found themselves in.
All told Nick played for over 3 highly entertaining hours without a break and no need to say that his standing ovation was richly deserved. The man deserves to be a far bigger star than he is, but for now I'm just glad he comes and plays gigs like this for us.
Please check out the Love, Hope, Strength Foundation website and make a donation to this wonderful charity.
Kicking things off was the extremely talented Gavin Moore. Gavin has played here on several occasions and I never get board of listening to him. He has an ear for a great tune and his vocal complement the music perfectly. He is about to release his second album, so I'm sure we will welcome him back here a few times more.
For those of you have not seen Nick Harper before, I can't really do justice in words what a Nick show entails. Showmanship, guitar playing of the highest order, a soaring voice and a witty line in banter are about as good I'm going to get here... Ohhh... did I mention that he is a bloody genius.
Taking the stage in Willy Wonka style (you had to be there... honest), the tone was set for what was one of the most unforgettable experiences we have had at The Listening Room. Nick was clearly enjoying himself as much as the audience. The on-stage banter was reciprocated by the audience, lending an almost house concert feel to the night.
Quite happily taking requests, favorites like Radio Silence, Blue Sky Thinking, Imaginary Friend, By My Rocket Comes Fire, The Field of the Cloth of Gold and Karmageddon were all duly dispatched when asked for.
We were also entertained by stories of his recent work with the Love, Hope, Strength foundation, which involved playing gigs in the mountains of Nepal and Peru and meeting some of the nicest people he had came across despite the situations they found themselves in.
All told Nick played for over 3 highly entertaining hours without a break and no need to say that his standing ovation was richly deserved. The man deserves to be a far bigger star than he is, but for now I'm just glad he comes and plays gigs like this for us.
Please check out the Love, Hope, Strength Foundation website and make a donation to this wonderful charity.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Martin & James @ The Listening Room (03/01/09)
It was a triumphant home coming for the local lads who have been wowing audiences across Europe with their tight vocal harmonies and flawless songs. The guys returned home after spending 6 month recording their debut album in Germany which also saw them sign a deal with Universal Records in Germany.
Their biggest audience so far turned out to welcome them home. Opening for the lads was local singer songwriter Gary Miller who has shown in the past that he has a knack for writing a classic pop song. Keep an eye out for Gary. He really is a great entertainer.
Martin & James were joined by their piano player Stuart and played a set that show exactly why they were snapped up by Universal. Songs like Bloom, Broken Sword, Crashing Into Love, I was Blind and All Over The News have instant classic written all over them. The interaction between the guys is perfectly in tune and shows an understanding that sets them apart from anything else out there. A standing ovation saw the guys leave the stage leaving everyone wanting more. Quite simply a stunning set by a band that will be on many peoples lips in 2009.
Their biggest audience so far turned out to welcome them home. Opening for the lads was local singer songwriter Gary Miller who has shown in the past that he has a knack for writing a classic pop song. Keep an eye out for Gary. He really is a great entertainer.
Martin & James were joined by their piano player Stuart and played a set that show exactly why they were snapped up by Universal. Songs like Bloom, Broken Sword, Crashing Into Love, I was Blind and All Over The News have instant classic written all over them. The interaction between the guys is perfectly in tune and shows an understanding that sets them apart from anything else out there. A standing ovation saw the guys leave the stage leaving everyone wanting more. Quite simply a stunning set by a band that will be on many peoples lips in 2009.
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