I did go and see a lot of bands this year all over the south of England (mainly Southampton). Here is my first part of the top ten; click the title to read the full gig review. 10. In Darklight EP launch @ The Clapham Grand; London 19/8/2011 This was possibly the biggest event for Andover three piece alternative/experimental rock band In Darklight; I remember them telling this was their biggest venue they have played at so far and they did a fantastic job. Their new EP was being released too so I think this was a fantastic way to promote it; it was my first time visiting The Clapham Grand so it was a very exciting experience for me. Find In Darklight on Facebook, Twitter and their official website 9. Open Mic night @ The Royal Oak; Southampton 30/10/2011
This was a fantastic opportunity to see just in store what Southampton had to offer in terms of new talent; this particular day was fantastic since it was the first time I got to see this in action. Seeing new talent from the likes of acoustic four piece Simon Says with their happy go lucky tunes that make the world want to join together in song to some hilarious antics from hosts Neil and Mario dressed as two very good looking ladies The Royal has it all. It is described as the ultimate student local and I can definitely see why. Find The Royal Oak on Facebook and their official website Find Simon Says on Facebook and Twitter 8. Die So Fluid @ The Talking Heads; Southampton 5/3/2011
I will definitely describe this show as a night of industrial metal madness; I also became a fan of two new bands that really just blew me away. Dreams Divide providing something original and fresh, Killing For Company giving us something that is easy on the ears and Die So Fluid giving a show stopping performance as the headlining act. That night enforced my love for industrial metal.
Daniel Leigh's beautiful acoustic set was part of an Angry Badger showcase along with other great acts featuring Kodiak Jack and We Caught The Castle. This was the first time me watching Dan without his band New Device and it really emphasised his unique voice. It was also fantastic to hear some new material from him too. Find Daniel Leigh on Facebook, Twitter and his official website 6. Sonata Arctica @ Sub89; Reading 24/3/2011
Sonata Arctica have been in my musical heart for about two years now ever since I listened to Finnish power metal; I really love how their lyrics are very poetic and they add some guitars to the mix to make a fantastic show. Their live performance showed their passion for their music and I love how they interacted with their fans. Performing a selection of songs from Replica to Flag In The Ground the Finnish metallers really know how to get a crowd going. I do hope to see them perform live again very soon. Find Sonata Arctica on Facebook, Twitter and their official website
Well here is my first half of the top ten live shows; be sure to look out for the next half.
Last night I went The Talking Heads for the first time in I think about two years; I don't often go there because it's quite a hard venue to get too since it is on the other side of Southampton. I wasn't suprised to feel like I underdressed a little bit because Die So Fluid were headlining the gig and frontwoman Grog is very well known for her out-of-this-world appearance on stage so there was a lot of glitter, corsets, feathers etc; but I felt comfortable in the environment I was in.
First to play were industrial goth trio Dreams Divide; I haven't listened to the support bands music before but I was absoulutely amazed by their music. The music was made up by two synthesisers and one vocalist; it had an 80s like sound whilst keeping up with the dark gothic vibe. Lead vocalist David Crout's phenomenal energy passed onto the audience and as most of you know I think energy is the key thing to a great stage performance. A brilliant opening act for the night of industrial metal I was about to enjoy.
Welsh rockers Killing For Company were next to play; coming forward to the stage to get the best possible photos and their upbeat, grungy sound definately put the biggest smile on my face. Every single member had an energetic stage prescence and I loved how some of the members looked towards the cameras so anyone taking a photo could get a great image. I was a little bit worried that they were going to upstage headliners Die So Fluid; meeting them afterwards was wicked too, they signed my CD booklet from the CD I bought from them and posed for photographs. It was great to talk to them too; so down to earth and lovely guys. Hope to see them again soon.
Last but not least headliners Die So Fluid; I had started listening to them just at the end of last year, I love their latest album The World Is Too Big For One Lifetime and after hearing some positive comments about their live performance I was intrigued with what they had to offer performance wise. Those comments were correct, I was absoulutely blown away by their performance. Grog looked absoulutely amazing in a leather, metal studded catsuit with red fluffy shoulder pads and her theatrical stage prescence was definately a highlight of the performance she gave. I also loved how she interacted with her fans whilst on the stage. I wasn't suprised by how packed the floor nearest the stage got when they played but fortunately I managed to get the best photos thanks to the aid of the benches near the stage. I love the variety of songs they chose to perform too; from classics such as Spawn of Dysfunction to new stuff such as Mercury. In fact Die So Fluid were so amazing that I was actually gutted when it finished since it seemed to be over so quickly. Meeting them afterwards I was quite starstruck; being they are very well known amongst the metalheads. I admire Grog for signing stuff from tickets to someone's arm and posing with fans in photographs despite the small amount of space there was to do it in.
Overall a fantastic evening; brilliant sets played by every single one of the bands creating the lively atmosphere that makes a night to remember for the rest of your life. This will possibly make it to my gigs of 2011 as it reinforced my love for industrial metal, which is a new genre for me this year.
I have decided to start an annual top ten chart for all the albums that make my year. For this post I am starting with the top ten albums that have been my personal highlights of 2010, so here they are in reverse order:
I really love this is album, it had me listening from beginning to end. I loved the unique approach to music and Skin does really have the most fantastic voice. The songs are also very cleverly written and it also has a Blondie/Paramore vibe about it. If you're a fan of dance indy and punk rock then this is the album for you.
For fans of: Blondie and Paramore
Stand out tracks: You Saved Me, It Doesn't Matter and Would You?
This album right here became known as the start of a great friendship I now have with this band. To be completely honest the kind of rock on this album wouldn't have originally been my first choice. When I listened to it in fact it was very different to what I was expecting, I really liked the opening track What's Happening? (now my favourite). I also liked the cool sci fi like sounds these guys used, I hadn't heard it anywhere else before so it was nice to hear a new sound. Can't wait for the new EP boys.
For fans of: Idlewild and Jimmy Eat World
Stand out tracks: What's Happening?, Leave Me Here and In Control (Of Not Being In Control)
This particular band are a perfect example of why you should not judge bands by their appearance. When I saw Grog the lead vocalist for the first time I was intrigued by her myterious Japanese anime goth look and thought the genre would be some heavy screamo that would be hard on the ears...not that I would have minded that. I was wrong of course; the music was very melodic and the vamperic like vocals from Grog added the mystery behind the album. Of course she is the bass player too; she was phenomenal at that and thanks to this album she is one of my favourite musicians now.
For fans of: The Birthday Massacre and I Am Ghost
Stand out tracks: Mercury, Hearts Are Too Hollow and If Wishes Were Bullets
Originally not being the biggest fan of Paramore, I had only heard songs such as Misery Business and CrushCrushCrush that I liked very much. Some of my friends really love this album so I decided to give it listen. It was certainly a great cure for travel sickness on the way to Gloucester. The first song Careful being particularly spectacular and my personal favourite track on the album; I listen to that song at least five times a day :P. With Haley William's beautiful voice enticing me every step of the way; her voice works on any track whether it being a nice heartfelt slow track such as The Only Exception and Misguided Ghosts or a very energetic track such as Ignorance. Overall a truly amazing album, although it's official release was last year this album was a highlight this year.
For fans of: Fall Out Boy and No Doubt Stand out tracks: Careful, Playing With God and The Only Exception
I had only discovered these guys this year at a recent gig at The Joiners this year and thought they were phenomenal so I purchased this album. If Kurt Cobain with grunge pioneers, Nirvana, had listened to this I'd say he'd be proud; this album proves that grunge rock, an epic genre (possibly one of the best) still walks this earth. If you like Lostprophets and Nirvana then this album is really for you as lead vocalist does sound a bit like Ian Watkins in some of these songs.
For fans of: Lostprophets, Nirvana and Foo Fighters
Stand out tracks: Long Distance, Strength In Numbers and This Body Is In Danger
This was one of few female fronted rock bands that caught my eye this year and it's thanks to this album. Carly Smitheson's enticingly beautiful vocals, brilliant guitar solos and haunting melodies really make up this album; the poetically written songs also have the power to touch feelings and empathise with people. The use of orchestral instruments also earn it Brownie points.
For fans of: Evanescence and Lacuna Coil
Stand out tracks: Sleep Well My Angel, Without You and St John
Engery, sexy male vocals from Jon Dow and Will Stapleton singing some the most epic tunes of all time are the secret ingriedents that make Get Your Hands Dirty so awesome. Usually I have to listen to an album more than once to get into it but I knew I loved this band at the first listen. Reasons why I like this album is because most of the songs make girls feel great about themselves; particularly heartfelt War Between Us, the acoustic version of this song is beautiful. I will be seeing these guys live in less then a few weeks, I am looking forward to it very muchly since most of these will sound great live.
For fans of: Dear Superstar and New Device
Stand out tracks: Get Your Hands Dirty, Chasing Love and Two Hot Girls
It's quite hard to choose a top three when you have so many favourites you want to put here but this album here is definately top three material. Like Brand New Eyes this album's official release was last year, however I found it this year and has been a great album find in 2010. Being that they were to be supporting Bon Jovi this year I decided to download this album off Amazon. I decided to listen to it on the bus to town after I had finished my last A Level exam so I was feeling pretty chuffed anyway. This album boosted my good mood; Make My Day was the perfect way to open the album with its catchy guitar riffs, clear crisp vocals from Mr Daniel Leigh and the band's positive, energetic approach to music. Can definately listen to this album from beginning to end and have the biggest grin on my face; even the heartfelt love ballad In The Fading Light has the power to put a smile on my face.
For fans of: Guns 'N' Roses and Van Halen Stand out tracks: Make My Day, You've Got It Coming and On Fire
I'd be lying if I said this album wasn't a highlight of 2010, Los Angeles goth rockers Dommin win 2nd place of my top albums this year. Dark haunting melodies that just send shivers down your spine and powerful, unique vocal work from Kristopher Dommin are what make this album truly remarkable. Whenever I play this album it's like I'm put under a magic spell that puts me in a trance that makes me forget reality.
For fans of: HIM and Lacuna Coil Stand Out Tracks: My Heart Your Hands, Dark Holiday and New
It was incredibly hard to pick a number one album for this year, I chose this one for a number of reasons. I had heard about Finnish five piece pop/rock girl group Indica via Nightwish when I heard Erämaan Viimeinen that featured Indica's charismatic, fairy like vocalist Jonsu. This lead me to songs such as Ikuinen Virta and Vuorien Taa, from then on Indica became one of my favourite bands. When I heard they were going to be re-recording some of those songs in English I was very excited so I immediately preordered this album. Kicking off with the ever mysterious Islands Of Light (orignally Vuorien Taa) this was a wonderful to start the magical journey this album takes you on. Beautiful poetical lyrics, musical arrangements that make you feel like part of a film and me as a listener can just use your imagination to visualise what could be going on. Some of these songs sounded better in English; Scissor Paper Rock (orignally Ikuinen Virta) had a more rocky vibe to it and In Passing (originally Valoissa) had so much more mystery behind it. This album is one of so many reasons why Finland has had such an outstanding reputation for music.
For fans of: Nightwish, Finnish Music
Stand Out Tracks: In Passing, Islands Of Light and Scissor Paper Rock
This was possibly the biggest event for Andover three piece alternative/experimental rock band In Darklight; I remember them telling this was their biggest venue they have played at so far and they did a fantastic job. Their new EP was being released too so I think this was a fantastic way to promote it; it was my first time visiting The Clapham Grand so it was a very exciting experience for me. 
