Last week I went to see Jamie T put Birmingham at a stand still and I was excited to say the least. However, finding out just hours before that Slaves had to cancel their support because of illness was horrible because I was really looking forward to seeing them. After hearing so much about them and listening to their single "Hey" I had my heart set on seeing them live to satisfy the curiousity. Either way, I just assumed that since it was quite last minute there wouldn't be a replacement, plus in my mind, who on earth would replace Slaves...?

When Superfood stepped out on stage I was ecstatic. Even though I'd already seen them headline before here, I couldn't have thought of a better band to stand in for Slaves. They absolutely smashed it!! It was such a good set that when they finished the crowd was even chanting "WE WANT MORE!" as they left the stage. The support act! Their set went from 0 to 100 in about 15 minutes. The few of us that knew who they were from the beginning could be heard singing their songs and seen bobbing their heads but by the last song, everyone was dancing, there was even a pretty big pit. To come on as the support act and not even the main one, the replacement support act and make that much of an impression. Now that's what I call making an entrance. BIG! Superfood are smashing it right now and this gig certainly added a few to their fan base.

After that fantastic start, Jamie T was going to have to do something pretty big to show us why he was the headliner! As soon as he stepped on, I remembered why. The crowd went bonkers at the mere presence of him! When he opened up with "Limits Lie" as the first note rang out, shouts could be heard in recognition and excitement and before I knew it I was being thrown about like a rag doll as fans leapt around to the song. One guy was so excited (and probably drunk) that he even puked and was escorted out of the crowd before the first song. Jamie knocked out hit after hit after hit. Songs across all three albums and die hard fans knew every lyric! However, the response to his more well known songs was frenetic. He probably didn't have to sing any of the words, heck, he didn't even have to be there! The audience was just so caught up in the moment and emotion that they were screaming the lyrics on autopilot, crowd surfers were emerging and wild pits were opening up left, right and centre. Nothing like mob mentality to get the adrenaline pumping. Ending the main set with "If You Got The Money" then coming back on to play four more songs and end it with "Sticks 'N' Stones" - the crowd didn't even know what to do with themselves! I can't remember the last time I was that sweaty leaving a show. I don't know what hold he had on the crowd but each of them would've done whatever he wanted that night. Jamie T is a song wizard.

Overall Rating - 8.5/10


Here are some pictures from the night...

Even though we're already a few days into the week/month, here are some the records from this week that you can get your hands, released and upcoming...




FUSE ODG - T.I.N.A.
After seeing him take over The Library, Birmingham last week I've actually been a lot more interested in hearing some of Fuse's not so mainstream songs. I'm excited to see what his music sounds like as an album instead of a party song here and there on the radio! Album came out on the 3rd of November.






DELS - PETALS HAVE FALLEN 
The is purely on recommendation from Kwes. A few days ago I was scrolling through Facebook and came across him promoting this new release. If it's anything like Kwes' material then it should be something to look forward to. It was also released on the 3rd of November.







SUPERFOOD - DON'T SAY THAT
Well it's no secret that I like Superfood and now finally I have a debut album to rave about. It's been a bit hard to get a hold of their singles to date and so now there's no excuse. This should be a pretty damn good listen! Very cool band, giving us more music on the 3rd of November.






PVRIS - WHITE NOISE
Probably the album I was looking forward to most this week. It was being streamed prior to it's release here but now it's out both digitally and in hard copy. I had a listen when it was streaming and I already love the songs "Holy" and "Eyelids". This'll be one that I play for a long while even after the 4th of November.



 


 

CALVIN HARRIS - MOTION
I really liked his previous album 18 Months - there were some interesting tunes on there and as well as having chart toppers, it also had a few more mellow listens. I'm excited to hear what this one will sound like. I've only heard the single "Blame" from it but it's a good'un. Grab it now as it came out on the 4th of November.

I actually spoke about this single a few weeks ago here and it's still just as huge as it was then expect now it has a VIDEO...

SUPERFOOD - Mood Bomb

After seeing Superfood perform here at Notting Hill Arts Club last month it has really cemented my liking for them as a band and actually managed to get me excited to hear their debut album. Originally I wasn't too keen on their recorded material but seeing it live has made me hear it I guess a different way. One track that especially stood out for me after seeing them is now their latest single...

SUPERFOOD - Mood Bomb



I love the bass on this track - so simple yet so funky. In fact, everything about this song is fantastic. I'd like to think that if I ever played all the parts on a song myself it would sound like this song. Every instrument is doing exactly what I want it to. This will be a great debut, and of course I'm hoping for more performances like this. This single will be played quite a lot on BBC Radio 1 over the coming weeks so it should be enough to tide fans over until the release of their debut.

So, Notting Hill Arts Club is fast becoming one of my favourite places in London and it's all thanks to New Shapes. They've gone two for two, first Superfood and now Mapei - might have to start looking for apartments in the area!

Earlier this week (12/08/14) I headed over to the venue ready for another cool set but this was way more than I could've ever expected. First of all, I was actually under the impression that it was Charlotte OC's headlining show and Mapei was supporting. However, when I walked in and saw Charlotte walking around the club getting ready to go up, I figured that she was the support. Having seen her a couple of months ago at Field Day here, I already knew how fabulous Charlotte was, but even still, she blew me away. Opening with one of my favourite songs of hers "Hangover" and playing through the rest of her huge hits, again she had the crowd screaming by her final song "Colour My Heart" - I'm sure she made a lot of new fans that night. Generally it was a pretty intense set, she is consistently great live - absolute marvel! Tough support to follow. Quick shout out to Dashy Dashy DJs again - absolutely smashed it! Tune after tune and no time to rest. Love these guys.

Originally I was going to write about Mapei as a "new discovery" but when I found out about this gig I thought I'd just wait until afterwards to write about her in this gig review. I'd only heard her two songs "Don't Wait" and "Change" before coming to the gig and they didn't the least bit prepare me for the awesome show I was about to witness. Mapei stepped onto the tiny stage with her two back up dancers joining her bassist and drummer and already the atmosphere was heated. Her dancers were great - seriously added to the atmosphere. Even though I was on my own after a few songs I found myself full out dancing as if I was up there on stage with them. Also, I didn't know that she rapped so much, she really reminded me of old school artists like Lauryn Hill throughout the set and her outfit was very Erykah Badu inspired. Amazing stage presence and a really calm aura. And then of course there's her band.  Her band were on FIRE! Her bassist was amazing, switching between his bass (a very nice bass at that) and his keyboards and playing both fantastically. Then her drummer shone when given chance for a solo - the crowd couldn't blink as fast as his hands were moving! I had such a good time - extremely enjoyable set! Every song that she performed, I liked - I just can't wait until her debut record Hey Hey out on the 23rd of September. The best first impression of USA's new star, Mapei.

Overall Rating - 8.5/10


Here are some pictures from the night...

Superfood had about 5 or 6 free residencies lined up over the past month and for one reason of another I had missed all the first ones and so when it came to this final show, although it cost £5, I said that I had to go. So a few days ago (06/08/14) I headed over to Notting Hill Arts Club to see Superfood with EKKAH supporting. To tell you the truth, when it actually came down to the day I really couldn't be bothered to go but I forced myself to get on the train...

I hadn't heard of EKKAH before the gig and didn't know anything about them but I was hoping that they'd be able to get me excited to see Superfood. They started up with an upbeat electronic track but what too me aback was their choreography. As much as I wanted to hate it for being a little bit cheesy I actually really enjoyed it. Even found myself wanting to join in a couple times. Their songs overall were good - their bassist was super funky. Just an all round tight band. I really liked their last two songs "Home Alone" and "7am". A nice chilled but fun opening act.

Their resident DJ Dashy Dashy was playing tunes all night too! Half the songs I felt like he was just playing from my iTunes and the other half I felt like I wanted to put on my iTunes. New Shapes put on an awesome event, at a really cool venue. If you get a chance, check out their next event on Tuesday (12/08/14) at Notting Hill Arts Club, with Charlotte OC.

Anyway, after such a great build up, Superfood stepped on stage. They are just so effortlessly cool, both on and off-stage. Also, they so so SO much better live, it's actually not even close. Each of them are great musicians and even though I've heard quite a few similar artists, somehow this set felt quite different. Their upcoming single "Mood Bomb" was one of the best of the night, closely followed by "Bubbles". I'm so glad that I forced myself to come in the end because it should have been something that I was excited for, they killed it. Really enjoyable set and really cool band. Excited to hear a debut record from them sometime soon.

Overall Rating - 7/10


Here are some of the pictures from the night...

In case you didn't catch the review of Day 1, you can have a look at that here. As amazing as some of the artists on day one were, I still feel like overall the calibre of shows on day two might just have pipped it slightly...

PANES
Had never heard of these Londoners before Field Day but their ambient vibe started the day off slowly and really didn't manage to make a lasting impression on me. Had I not written their name down, I doubt I'd have remembered seeing them. In terms of their genre, they may be the creme of the crop, they just weren't up my street.
  
THE WYTCHES
This band on the other hand reeeally caught my attention. I'd been hearing lots about The Wytches before Field Day but this was the most I'd ever heard from them and it was brilliant. I actually felt like the festival officially started with this set. Three pretty young guys were able to fill the main stage and impress the whole crowd this early on in their career. Yes.

THE BOHICAS
Really interesting band. A little bit generic and predictable but I couldn't dislike them for it because they were all extremely talented and the set was great! Even had us moshing a little bit towards the end. All in all, I had a lot of fun but I don't see myself making a huge effort to purchase their music any time soon.

CHILDHOOD
For some reason, I always confuse this band with Superfood but once I'd figured out the difference they'd played an impressive set. Ben (lead) had an interesting voice and a slightly intriguing persona that was sort of endearing. Solid set from the Londoners.

TELEGRAM
Again, I always used to confuse this band with Teleman, either way, be it Teleman or Telegram, this was an electric set. There were a lot of high points throughout this set and a couple of their songs stood out to me. Speaking to them briefly afterwards cemented my liking for the band - very nice guys, who play very nice music.

DRENGE
The most draining yet energising set of the entire weekend. It's my third time seeing the boys but their set never gets old. The inevitable mosh pit had formed less than 30 seconds into the set and didn't dwindle at any point. These two are just pure talent and seeing them again has made me that much more excited for their sophomore album.

THE HORRORS
Having now officially seen both Badwan brothers live, I'm not entirely sure who I like best. I do think that I enjoyed Loom's set more, as it was more engaging but this set still had some amazing moments and was the perfect level of good to lead up to Pixies' headline set.

PIXIES
This was it. The headline set to rule them all. No other acts on at this time so pretty much the entire population of the festival was in attendance. Standing pretty much front row meant that I felt like I'd be crushed to death almost every minute of the performance but I didn't care. They were amazing. Their drummer astounded me on every track (loved when he threw his drumstick to Joey mid set) and of course Frank slayed! Paz really held her own too because Lord knows it's no easy task replacing Kim Deal. Excellent set to end an excellent weekend!