Riffed

Friday. 2 days of sickening intoxication and roughing it in a shabby pop up tent have already taken place. The atmosphere in the Festival Republic Stage has been set with a quick 30 minute set from The Fat White Family with their combination of sleazy blues, and a stage presence that hails both from punk rock as well as grunge. As their set closes a flock of fuzzy headed teens with skinny jeans and pre-rolled joints shuffle towards the dimly lighted stage.

Playing their indie anthems such as 'Mallrats' 'Who Needs You' and 'Southern Comfort', they brought a mixture of fury and melody to the stage. Singer Mario Cuomo climbing the rigging, swinging about with the microphone in his mouth presented the awesome raw savagery that the Orwells possess. His interaction with the audience was a shadow of a young Iggy Pop in the Stooges, with a mixture of crude antics and intense stage presence.

They truly showed that they are destined for greatness with their second album 'Disgraceland' (released in June) they have sold their garage revival to the masses and have a fucking great time doing it.

The Orwells doing what they do best; climbing rigs and flicking cigs.

RIFFED's rating: 8/10

Written by The Bowl. 

RIFFED x 

We are very excited to bring you the news that we have today launched our official mobile app. 

The app is available to download via the link at the bottom of this post. How to download: 

1. Open the link. 

2. Add the page to your mobile/tablet homescreen. 

3. Open the app on your homescreen to find a full mobile app, not a link to our site. An actual app. 

Download the app here: http://riffedonline.mobapp.at

Enjoy!

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

Why are introducing shows always on at stupid o clock? A question that popped into our heads this week. But, why are they on at such a late and incovenient time? 

BBC's 'BBC Introducing' and Xfm's 'Xposure' are both brilliant radio shows that each help new and unsigned talent recieve air play and make a name for themselves. But, why should each have to be on past 10pm? Admittedly, 'BBC Introducing' also runs through local stations, which highlight the new and unsigned talent within each city/county and give them airplay at a much more reasonable time and a time at which many more people will be tuning in. Therefore, we struggle to understand as to why Phil Taggart & Alice Levine's, Huw Stephens' and Ally McCrae & Jen Long's 'BBC Introducing' shows are all on past 10pm. Huw Stephens' and Ally McCrae & Jen Long's don't even air until midnight. Similarly with John Kennedy and Simon Raymonde of Xfm, who's 'Xposure' shows only air past 10pm. Surely new and unsigned artists deserve to be recieving airplay at a much more reasonable time? A time at which plenty more poeple will be listening.

Although bands such as Arctic Monkeys are all well and good to listen to in their own rights, there are dozens more bands and artists out there just waiting to be discovered and to become the next big thing, yet are only recieving airplay at stupid o clock. 

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

The final day of Boardmasters has had to be cancelled due to unforseen weather conditions. 

The aftermath of hurricane Bertha is today sweeping across the United Kingdom, leaving in its path floods ans wreckage which has in turn has been the case down at Watergate Bay. JAWS and Catfish and the Bottlemen were two of the many artists set to play the final day of this years festival and each shared their dissapointment at the news that Boardmasters was set to be cancelled via their Facebook and Twitter pages with the Bottlemen posting "We've just drove an absolute age to BOARDMASTERS to find out theres hurricanes and one of the stages has literally blown into orbit! We've heard today is now cancelled! I'm absolutely gutted!" And JAWS: "Unfortunatley our performance at Boardmasters Festival tonight has been cancelled due to ridiculous weather conditions. Not cool. Apologies anyone that wanted to see us! Hopefully another time!"  Following these posts, the festival ended speculation that the whole of todays events were set to be cancelled with this statement: 

"In light of the extreme weather conditions caused by hurricane Bertha, today’s events at Watergate Bay have been cancelled. The international surf competition will be going ahead at the Fistral Beach, as planned.

Your safety and wellbeing is our primary concern and we have decided that the magnitude of the conditions is too severe for the arena site to be opened.

We deeply regret the disappointment caused and look forward to Boardmasters 2015.

Keep checking back for refund, travel and further information." 

Many shared their dissapointment at the fact this years festival ended in a way in which wasn't planned, but, it appears Hurricane Bertha isn't the biggest fan of Boardmasters. 

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

After weighing up all the possibilities and forthcoming events, we're prediciting Arcade Fire to headline Reading and Leeds Festivals next year.

Having headlined the Pyramid at Glastonbury last month, Arcade Fire stated that it had been the biggest moment in their career so far, and maybe headlining both Reading and Leeds won't top it, but, Arctic Monkeys have done a similar thing, stepping down from the Pyramid to the Main Stage at Reading and Leeds, so what's to stop Arcade Fire doing so? Post Glastonbury, Win Butler stated that the Canadian band would start work on a new album following their British Summer Time gig at Hyde Park earlier this month, and with this being over two weeks ago now, work could well be underway. Coinciding with this, the band have tonight kicked off the last leg of their Worldwide 'Reflektor Tour' at the Shorline Amphitheatre in California, something of which has been ongoing for almost a year, yet some are surprised that it hasn't been longer. As many suggest 'Reflektor' was a kind of climax in Arcade Fire's career, some kind of legacy that many thought they would hang on to for a little longer. But, it appears not, and with news of a new album on the horizon, what do the Canadians have in store next? Besides a new album being on the cards, there are other reasons that suggest Arcade Fire could be set to headline Reading and Leeds for the second time, following their 2010 appearance. These reasons being, this summer, Arcade Fire have done it all, apart from Reading and Leeds. After playing Glastonbury, Hyde Park and Marlay Park, the last thing to do would be to headline R & L, surely? Also, Reading and Leeds are running a competition in which fans guess who'll be headlining next summer's festivals for the chance to win tickets to it, but, one name that doesn't appear amongst the options is Arcade Fire, surprisingly enough. Suggesting to us that they may have already been booked, as there are plenty of huge names amongst the options, such as The Rolling Stones and Muse to name but a few. But, maybe they're just to big of a band for Reading and Leeds to book nowadays, but having headlined dozens of festivals worldwide this summer, surely Arcade Fire wouldn't reject the chance to headline Reading and Leeds once again next summer, would they? 

Maybe we're just hoping and thinking into things a little too much here, as we would most certainly love Arcade Fire to headline Reading and Leeds again. Or, maybe, just maybe, we could be right. 

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

The Foo Fighters are set to return to the UK later this year as they today have been announced as the headliners of the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games. 

The Invictus Games are a new sporting event for those of whom have been injured whilst serving for their countries. They are to be held at the Olympic Park in September, with the closing ceremony being on the 14th. Kaiser Chiefs, Ellie Goulding, Ryan Adams, The Vamps, Rizzle Kicks, James Blunt, Diversity and Military Wives Choirs are all also set to play prior to the Foo Fighters and with news breaking of an album due later this year, plenty shall be flocking to the capital to see Dave Grohl and the band as they make their long-awaited return to the British Isles. 

Tickets go on sale for the Invictus Games closing ceremony on Friday morning at 9 am and you can purchase them via the link: http://www.axs.com/invictusgames ;

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

The Horrors have cancelled all of their forthcoming US and European tour dates. Although, the band look set to see out their tour of the UK this coming September and October. 

The news broke via the Essex band's Twitter feed, as they tweeted that the shows had been cancelled due to 'circumstances beyond our control'. This was soon followed with a statement from the band, reading "Dear friends, family, supporters, deadly sworn enemies and others, Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to reshuffle our US and European tours at the end of this year. We can only apologise to anyone who already has tickets to the dates affected - we hate cancelling shows but this situation was unavoidable. We’ll be back on the road next year and make sure we return to all the places we missed on this run." 

The Horrors fans across the country will certainly be crossing their fingers in hope that the band don't cancel their forthcoming UK tour dates as well as the US and European ones. 

See The Horrors tour dates and purchase tickets via Seetickets: http://www.seetickets.com/tour/the-horrors

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

News has become apparent that the memorial tree of the late George Harrison has been killed due to an infestation of beetles. 

The tree, planted in Griffith Park of Los Angeles was a tribute to the former Beatles guitarist, who like his tree, passed away in the city. There was also a plaque on the tree, of which read "In memory of a great humanitarian who touched the world as an artist, a musician and a gardener." As well as a qoute from Harrison: "For the forests to be green, each tree must be green." Many are saddened by the news of the tree's passing, but have been informed a new tree will be planted in it's place. 

It appears the beetles are getting back at the iconic band for taking their name.

RIFFED x

The 1975 are a band, who despite their recent rise, are receiving plenty of stick. But, do you remember when The 1975 were it? Admittedly, we've all thought this at some point. 

But let's be honest, what's changed? Well, the reasons plenty have dispersed from The 1975 fanbase are that near enough all of the One Direction fanbase have flooded in since the band covered 'What Makes You Beautiful' in BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. Since then, 'Directioners' have turned into '1975'ers', spamming the band with love. Matt Healy and the band will undoubtedly be appreciating it, as it's transformed them from an unheard of indie band into a household name, and plenty will say fame is getting to his head, especially after news broke of his apparent drug taking. But also, is this a shock? Not so much, majority of bands out there have done such things and although it shouldn't be, it's the norm. Yeah, the crowds at gigs and festivals where The 1975 are playing will be most certainly be full of screaming girls, and we're not going to lie it'd be like being at a One Direction gig and that's something we'd all rather not be at. But do you remember when 'Sex' was released, there was hysteria, The 1975 were the 'next big thing' and it was 'cool' to like them, and many began to copy Matt Healy's hair cut of that time. But now many seem embarrassed to like them, it's no wonder as to why as, who'd want to be a part of an annoying little fandom? But, when you hear 'Sex', 'The City', 'Robbers', 'Settle Down' and others, admit it, you like it. 

If you were to just distract yourself from the fanbase, you'd have to admit it, The 1975 are a pretty good band, right? 

RIFFED x

Morrissey's so called return to the scene this week with his latest album, 'World Peace Is None Of Your Business', has earned the former Smiths frontman the number two slot in this weeks official album chart, narrowly losing out to Ed Sheeran's 'x', which claimed this weeks number one slot. 

'@itsmorrissey' may not have been the controversial singer/songwriter, but 'World Peace Is None Of Your Business' certainly is. Another classic from the king of doom-and-gloom, on his 'return', although many feel as though he never went away. Popular track 'Istanbul' attracted the punters prior to the release of the iconic Mancs 10th solo album, but there appeared to be more punters for Ed Sheeran's latest album, 'x', this week, as once again the 'most influential man in black and urban music' tops the album chart for the fourth consecutive week this evening. 

RIFFED x