Riffed

Recently we chatted to Belgrave, the three piece from Swansea are an electronic and snyth-pop fueled group, not to disimilair to that of Pixel Fix infact and despite unveiling to us that they are yet to play a gig, expect this to change in the near future. If you're a lover of electronic pop, Belgrave will most certainly be right up your street.

1 Who are Belgrave?

Belgrave are Elliot Nicklin, Simon Parton and Edward Bayes and we're based in South Wales. 

2 Who are your biggest inspirations?

Classical music is a huge inspiration for us, such as Steve Reich, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Philip Glass and Jonny Greenwood. Of course, electronical and ambient music is an ispiration for us too, such as Burial, Four Tet, James Blake and Eno. But, we also like a bit of rock too.

3 Favourite gig of which you've played to date?

Unfortunately we've played no gigs together as Belgrave as of yet. But we've all gigged a lot with previous bands and as individuals and they were all pretty cool.

4 Where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?

In 5 years we'll still be making the music without a doubt, as well as working with our business.

5 What's next for Belgrave?

What's next for us is to realease a new EP, possibly a mini album even. Also, some small and intimate local gigs.

Big thanks to Belgrave for the interview. 

Listen to Belgrave via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/belgraveuk ;

Follow Belgrave on Twitter: @belgraveuk / https://twitter.com/belgraveuk

And

Like Belgrave on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Belgraveuk ;

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

The Hubbards this week released their latest single, 'Alison', and it probably wouldn't come as a surprise to you if we said that it's another cracker from the Hull band. 

The Hubbards are band of whom we have now seen four times live, with the latest being on Saturday at Humber Street Sesh and on each of these occasions their sound has been ever progressing. After hearing 'Alison' live on Saturday evening on the main stage beside the Hull Marina, you sense that The Hubbards are a band who are evolving from boy to man. 'Alison' is solid evidence of this, a contrasting track that turns swiftly from a slow and soft track to a powerful one before repeating the process whilst throwing in a funky little tune too. It's a real diverse track from the band hailing from the City of Culture, a track of which you feel as though has been carefully mastered, yet also tampered and played with frequently as upon each listen you notice something else within the background. It's a real mix of different sounds and transitions that all mix perfectly together to create a brilliant rock 'n' roll track that's fitting enough for a headbang and toetap or two. Something that we're not afraid to admit we did at Humber Street Sesh during The Hubbards set. 

RIFFED's Rating: 8/10 

Listen to 'Alison' and watch the video via Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZujPhByaz5M

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x  

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This Competition Is Now Closed - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fancy seeing The Enemy and The Twang at 02 Academy Sheffield on the 14th of December? Well here's your chance.

Simply follow us on Twitter (@riffedonline / https://twitter.com/riffedonline) and retweet this tweet: https://twitter.com/riffedonline/status/496590894720880641

Or

Like us on Facebook (/riffedonline / https://www.facebook.com/riffedonline and like and share this post: https://upload.facebook.com/riffedonline/photos/a.536087453180064.1073741828.528095180645958/556303327825143/?type=1

Competition closes on 12/08/14 and the winner will be announced on the same day.

Good luck!

RIFFED x

Humber Street Sesh transformed Humber Street into a musical bonanza on Saturday. Thousands flocked into Humber Street to see over 100 bands and artists and they weren't disappointed. 

The gates opened at 10am and the early birds began to enter, roaming round a transformed Humber Street, though Hull may be the City of Culture for 2017, it was fair enough to call Humber Street the Street of Culture on Saturday. The weather forecast wasn't too convincing but by the time we arrived, it didn't look as though it had detered many. As we ventured around Humber Street, we caught many artists, with the highlights being BABIES, BREEZE, LIFE, The Hubbards and Ming City Rockers, but, there was plenty more talent on show. BABIES, a band of which we previously interviewed, started our day, and started it they did. A powerful set from the indie bunch, a band who have a similar stage prescence and sound to that of JAWS, and that's never a bad thing. Performing tracks such as their latest single 'Makeout / Breakout', BABIES certainly got the crowd going at The Deep Stage. Following BABIES, we began to roam around again looking for more bands and artists, but this didn't last long. The inevitible happened and the rain began to hammer down, but luckily enough for us the production team allowed us into their caravan for cover. All stages were shut down and things were looking bleak, but, after a few showers and hours passed, we were back. Following the storm, BREEZE, a band of whom we've also previously interviewed and after wading through the immense amount of people traffic, we managed to catch the final three songs of the Hull band's set, and we're more than glad that we did. Performing their latest single, 'Post Youth', as well as classics such as 'Scent', BREEZE attracted more than a few punters who by the end even began to sing a long a little. BREEZE are definitely a band to keep an eye on. LIFE were up next on the main stage, a band of which Fearne Cotton herself is a fan of infact. A very powerful and vibrant band and one that certainly got the crowd going. The Hubbards followed on the main stage, the local lads are forever rising and are becoming a popular name amongst those in and out of the City of Culture, performing new single 'Alison', Reuben Driver and the band attracted a huge crowd. Next up were Ming City Rockers, of whom were undoubtedly our personal favourite of the day. A lively and fresh talent, they're something of which has been missing from the scene lately. A band who's tracks are only ones of an upbeat nature and upbeat they certainly were at Humber Street Sesh, the Mings pulled in one heck of a crowd during their one heck of a set, even some of the elders in the crowd were getting into the swing of things. After supporting Palma Violets many of times with dates with the band also set for later this year, expect to be hearing much more from Ming City Rockers. 

There were plenty more fantastic artists on display down Humber Street, but, it'd take an age to review them all. We strongly advise you get yourself down to next years event as this years Humber Street Sesh was a brilliant day out, albeit a wet one. 

Written by Charlie Ireland 

RIFFED x 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This Competition Is Now Closed - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fancy seeing The Urban Voodoo Machine at 02 Academy Sheffield on the 24th of September? Well here's your chance.

Simply follow us on Twitter (@riffedonline / https://twitter.com/riffedonline) and retweet this tweet: https://twitter.com/riffedonline/status/495218977598341120

Or

Like us on Facebook (/riffedonline / https://www.facebook.com/riffedonline and like and share this post: https://upload.facebook.com/riffedonline/photos/a.536087453180064.1073741828.528095180645958/554615017993974/?type=1

Competition closes on 8/08/14 and the winner will be announced on the same day.

Good luck!

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 

We are heading down to Humber Street Sesh this Saturday and it's set to be one heck of a day. With over 100 bands playing in one day, the City of Culture really is the place to be this weekend. 

After over-viewing the line-up for this Saturday's festival, we've picked out the top 5 bands to see whilst down Humber Street. Beginning with The Hubbards, a local band who are forever on the rise. Fronted by Reuben Driver, the local lads have supported plenty of bands at the Fruit in Hull, such as Tribes prior to their split and Spector. We've been lucky enough to see The Hubbards three times and Humber Street Sesh will be our fourth time, but expect them to be venturing out of their native Hull on a regular basis soon as popularity is sure to increase, and their latest single, 'Alison', most certainly backs this up. Another must-see are NEED, after supporting Catfish and the Bottlemen at the Fruit earlier this month, NEED are certainly ones to watch. The local lads are a powerful indie band that are sure to attract plenty of punters this weekend. BREEZE are next on the list, and they're also from Hull. The City of Culture sure do provide some talent, with BREEZE being one of it's finest. We recently caught up with the indie band for an 'Introducing' interview, and having also supported Catfish and the Bottlemen along with NEED, they're certainly a band on the rise. Fronted by Aron Gilbey, BREEZE are set to release their new EP 'Post Youth' next month and we strongy advise you get your hands on a copy. Kismet Ryding are also a band you should most definetly go and see, bred in Grimsby (no, not Hull), Kismet are a powerful rock band causing quite a stir. We previously interviewed the Grimsby band not so long ago, and having headed out to Europe to play a few gigs prior to Humber Street Sesh, the Kismet hype is high. Don't miss them. Finally on our must see list, Ming City Rockers. Born and bred in Immingham, the Mings have supported Palma Violets on their tour dates as well as heading across the Pond to the states, something of which NME even clocked on about. The rockers from Immingham certainly are making a name for themselves, be sure to get yourself down to their set. They could well be the highlight of your day. 

Who's excited now? 

Listen to The Hubbards via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thehubbards

Listen to NEED via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/needband

Listen to BREEZE via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/wearebreeze

Listen to Kismet Ryding via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kismetryding

Listen to Ming City Rockers via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mingcityrockers ;

Full Line-Up: 

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 

We caught up with Harper this week, the quartet from East London and Essex are a band with big ambitions and their latest EP, 'Mono No Aware', provides solid evidence that they could well be set to reach lofty heights. 

1 Who are Harper?

We're a four piece band from East London/Essex, and our sound, I guess, can be placed somewhere in between blues rock and alternative rock. We've been together for just over a year, and we also make up part of the 'Lock Up Rock' conglomerate.

2 You've recently released your new EP, 'Mono No Aware', tell us a little about this?

Sure thing. We recorded it in February at Shelter Studios and it was produced by Dominic Rippel. It's currently streaming for free from our Soundcloud page.

3 Who are your biggest inspirations?

It really differs, depending on who you're talking to and when you're talking to them. I suppose you could say our main influences stretch from Led Zeppelin to Outkast.

4 Where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?

That's a difficult one. We just try and take it one song at a time... obviously we have big ambitions, but we're aware of the hard work we need to put in to achieve them. Hopefully, in 5 years time, we'd be continuing to write and release music we're passionate about - what would be the point otherwise?

5 What's next for Harper?

We're currently working away in the studio and hoping to get something new released before the summer's out. Other than that, we're looking to organise our next night under the guise of 'Lock Up Rock' with more details soon to be released, and then towards the autumn and winter months we'll be getting out to some cities other than London. Our current shows that are booked in are:

22nd August - Old Brentwoods Rugby Club, Brentwood (Phoenix FM's 'Phoenix Fridays')

28th August - Surya, Kings Cross

15th September - Hoxton Underbelly

Big thanks to Harper for the interview. 

Listen to Harper's new EP, 'Mono No Aware' via their official Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/HarperBandUK

Follow Harper on Twitter: @HarperBandUK / https://twitter.com/HarperBandUK

And 

Like Harper on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarperBandUK

Visit Harper's official webpage: http://www.harperband.co.uk/

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x 

The Bottlemen have claimed their second Single Of The Week title this week with their new single, 'Cocoon'. 

'Cocoon' is yet another brilliant track from the Welsh rockers, similar to previous releases, it offers that powerful and raw mix of clean telecaster guitaring and a funky tune that merge together perfectly to form a unique and individual sound that makes Catfish and the Bottlemen such a fresh talent. We recently managed to catch Catfish at the Fruit in Hull a few weeks back and witnessed an unheard 'Cocoon' at this time, although the front sector of the crowd still bounced around throughout, providing solid evidence that it was set to be a hit and so it is now. After being the Hottest Record In The World on BBC Radio 1 this evening, Catfish and the Bottlemen are certainly a band on the rise and their incline seems to have no peak in sight. 

RIFFED's Rating: 7/10 

Listen to 'Cocoon' via BBC iplayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/clips/p023rxc9

'Cocoon' is to feature on Catfish and the Bottlemen's debut album 'The Balcony', which is set to be released on the 15th September, pre-order via the link: http://store.catfishandthebottlemen.com/*/*/The-Balcony-Signed-Edition/3DHS0000000

Catfish and the Bottlemen are also set to tour the UK later this year, see dates here and purchase tickets via the link: http://catfishandthebottlemen.com/shows/

Written by Charlie Ireland. 

RIFFED x