Riffed

Following Kasabian's headline performance on the Pyramid at Glastonbury yesterday evening, Tom, Serge and co have announced UK tour dates for later this year. Tickets go on sale at 9:30 am on Friday morning of this week and it's clear many will be rushing to purchase after their headlining set at Glastonbury, which proved Kasabian are possibly one of the greatest live acts there is. 

Venues and Dates: 

November

Wed 19th GLASGOW, The SSE Hydro

Fri 21st LEEDS, First Direct Arena

Sat 22nd BIRMINGHAM, LG Arena

Sun 23rd CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena

Tue 25th BOURNEMOUTH, Bournemouth International Centre

Wed 26th BRIGHTON, Brighton Centre

Fri 28th NOTTINGHAM, Capital FM Arena

December

Mon 1st LONDON, O2 Brixton Academy (5 Night Stand)

Tue 2nd LONDON, O2 Brixton Academy (5 Night Stand)

Thu 4th LONDON, O2 Brixton Academy (5 Night Stand)

Fri 5th LONDON, O2 Brixton Academy (5 Night Stand)

Sat 6th LONDON, O2 Brixton Academy (5 Night Stand-All Nighter)

Mon 8th DUBLIN, The O2

Tues 9th BELFAST, Odyssey Arena

Thu 11th NEWCASTLE, Metro Radio Arena

Fri 12th MANCHESTER, Phones 4u Arena

Purchase tickets for Kasabian's tour via: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Kasabian-tickets/artist/949556

RIFFED x

Synth pop band Pixel Fix last week released their new track 'Lungs', and now this week it's our single of the week. 

Another catchy track from the Oxford lads, following the trend set by previous releases such as their 'Fall' EP. 'Lungs' offers that same groove Pixel Fix are known for, but even better. It's the kind of track that you can imagine a crowd of people at a festival, swaying and jiving to in sync. 'Lungs' is yet another brilliant track from Pixel Fix.

All we need now is an album. 

RIFFED's Rating: 7/10

Listen to 'Lungs' by Pixel Fix via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/pixelfixmusic

RIFFED x

This week RIFFED chatted to MONA. The American rockers are currently working on a new album and were on hand to tell us a little about it and their plans for the future. This is how it went down:

1 Who are MONA?

MONA are a group of humans that gather in secret and in public rooms at the same time to beat, strum, pluck & sing melodies, harmonies and such. Also they have roots that trace back to the Knights Templar and have been commissioned by several secret societies (including James Dean's ghost) to sing and dance for the nations. (Also see monatheband.com for other inquiries about the clans space travel and organic gardening)

2 You've released two albums, the latest being 'Torches & Pitchforks', which of the two has been your personal favourite?

When gardening and album making it is important to know that you can gather nutrients from not just one vegetable but two ...that being said ... Our albums are infused with Nutra-Tunes (patent pending) so it's best to appreciate both... Both being very Nutra-Tonic (patent pending)

3 Can we be expecting a new album in the near future?

Yes we are currently in the studio now and have all kinds of neat Nutra-Tunes (patent pending ) in the crock-pot... It will be finished in a couple months. We would like to collaborate with Michael Jackson , Johnny Cash , Joe Strummer , Jeff Buckley , Lou Reed, Kurt Cobain, and Jim Hendrix/Morrison/Henson .. We are currently waiting to hear back .

4 Any plans for a tour of the UK anytime soon?

"Soon" in time and space travel is not a word we like to use. But in all of our travels we truly love and enjoy the UK. Hopefully we will have our heads in the British bosom ASAP (as soon as possible) (hopefully faster than two shakes of a lambs tail) (warning: Nutra-Tours can not be rushed)

5 What's next for MONA?

MONA would like to try to help the earth secede from the universe with the power of Nutra-Tunes (patent pending) .. we will be releasing another album and back on the road very soon. Thanks for playing and remember always leave a note unless you've already left one and then that would just be ridiculous.

Big thanks to MONA for the interview.

Follow MONA on Twitter: @MONATHEBAND / https://twitter.com/MONATHEBAND

And

Like MONA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monatheband

Visit MONA's official webpage and listen: http://monatheband.com/

RIFFED x

Glastonbury 2014 came to an end yesterday with Kasabian on the Pyramid stage. The rain kept at bay and Sunday was a thoroughly enjoyable day of music on Worthy Farm. Besides Kasabian, there were plenty of other highlights. Such as, White Lies, Bomaby Bicycle Club, Dolly Parton, The Black Keys, James Blake and London Grammar to name but a few.

Sunday's highlights begun with White Lies on the Other Stage. Harry Mcveigh and the band performed a storming set, with tracks from their latest album 'Big TV'. Bombay Bicycle Club followed, after playing a rammed secret set in the BBC Introducing tent the previous day,  they didn't let down on the big stage. Collaborations with Lucy Rose and Rae Morris topped off a brilliant set. "Good Golly It's Dolly!" the headline of the Glastonbury Press on Sunday, of course, Dolly Parton was playing! Dolly attracted the biggest crowd recorded at this years festival, of whom were all in chorus with the cowgirl during her brillantly lively and charismatic set. Following Dolly on the Pyramid was fellow yanks The Black Keys, Dan and Patrick performed tracks from their latest album 'Turn Blue' which went down a treat. Some old classics were thrown in, such as 'Gold On The Ceiling', which got everyone jumping as if there were gold on the ceiling. Glastonbury 2014 was drawing to a close, and although over on the Pyramid, Kasabian were bringing the festival to a close in some fashion, James Blake was headlining the Park Stage. Blake performed a fantastic set to those of whom chose to watch him over the official headliners. London Grammar were in the same situation as Blake, clashing with the official headliners. But likewise with Blake, those of whom chose to watch Hannah Reid and the band were not displeased. A brilliant live act which performed a spotless set. 

Next up, Kasabian. They claimed to have earned their spot as headliners. But did their performance back this bold statement up?

The setlist: 

1 Bumblebeee

2 Shoot The Runner

3 Underdog

4 Where Did All The Love Go?

5 Days Are Forgotten

6 Eez-eh

7 Processed Beats 

8 I.D.

9 Doberman

10 Take Aim

11 Clubfoot

12 Treat

13 Re-wired

14 Empire

15 Fire

- - - - - Encore - - - - -

16 Switchblade Smiles

17 Vlad the Impaler (Noel Fielding Collaboration)

18 L.S.F

Kasabian most certainly backed up their bold statement. An absolutely brilliant performance from Tom, Serge and co. 10 years on from their first appearence at Glastonbury, they well and truly closed the festival in style. Bumblebeee, Underdog, Eez-eh, Clubfoot, Re-wired, Empire, Fire, Switchblade Smiles, Vlad the Impaler and L.S.F all being the highlights. Suggesting Kasabian's set was near outstanding. Extremely worthy headliners on Worthy Farm. 

Glastonbury 2014 - Overview

Despite all the talk of this years Glastonbury being set to be a flop. It has been one of the greatest. A festival for all. Something for everyone, first Arcade Fire, then Metallica and to end, Kasabian. 3 brilliant headliners in their own right. There were also plenty of other highlights and brilliant acts performing throughout the weekend. A list too long of which to recall. But, Glastonbury 2014 has been one we will remember for a long long time. 

RIFFED x

Glastonbury could come to an end in 2020. Worthy Farm owner and Glastonbury founder, Michael Eavis, has been quoted today as saying "I think I can run on another six years, which would take me up to 50 years, then I'll see what happens after that."

The news han't been welcomed with open arms, as you would expect. 170,000+ travel to Worthy Farm each year and for it to come to an end would be a total disaster. However, Eavis stated that the festival has "still got a few years in it". Michael Eavis, your average dairy farmer back then, founded Glastonbury Festival 44 years ago and if it were to come to an end in 2020, it would be his 50th year in charge. We can all understand the reasons for him contemplating this decision, but a huge shame it would be to lose the greatest festival on the planet. 

But surely Emily will keep it going, won't she? We certainly hope so. 

RIFFED x

Yorkshire based band O Captain chatted to us this week. The Captain's have recently released thier new EP 'Ghetto Hikes' and were on hand to tell us a little about that and themselves. This is how it went down:

1) Who are O Captain?

O Captain are: Thomas Bower - Vocals and Guitar / Ryan Smith - Bass and Vocals / Paul Bamforth - Guitar / Michael Watson - Drums and Vocals. We formed back in January 2013, with Michael Watson joining in June 2013 after original drummer Nathaniel moved to china.

2) You've recently released your new EP 'Ghetto Hikes', tell us a little about that?

'Ghetto Hikes' is 3 songs that we recorded a while back, but being indescribably disorganised we've only just managed to get it out there for people to listen to. They're 3 of our catchiest songs, the most fun to play, and go down great live. It's available for free on our bandcamp page: http://thebandocaptain.bandcamp.com

3) Favourite gig of which you've played?

We've had some great fun playing gigs but some stand-outs include: our first ever gig in Sheffield back in late 2013 supporting the mighty Honeyblood, playing the launch night for new music, art and culture magazine 'No Brainer' in Manchester a couple of months ago, and performing to a packed venue at last weekend's Live in Barnsley Festival - so busy, even the event organisers had to watch us from the street outside.

4) Where do you O Captain see themselves in 5 years time?

We do this for the love of it. Getting in a room together and writing music we love, and performing it in the hopes that others will appreciate it and enjoy it too. We all work full time so we really do take the whole thing 1 step at a time and are just enjoying the ride.

5) What's next for O Captain?

Our next big one is Tramlines Festival 2014 in Sheffield City Centre. We'll be performing 4 gigs over 3 days. Player's bar on the Friday, both DQ and Beg, Borrow & Steal on the Saturday, before finishing off at The Red House on the Sunday evening. There's going to be some rushing about and some sore heads come the Monday morning. Then we'll be performing at the launch of a brand new punk rock club night in Sheffield, 'This Party Sucks' on the 2nd of August along with Wolves at Heart and Bad Blood. We're also looking to get another EP recorded in July/August for a release in September/October time.

Big thanks to O Captain for the interview.

Visit O Captains webpage on Bandcamp and listen: http://thebandocaptain.bandcamp.com/ or listen via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thebandocaptain

Follow O Captain on Twitter: @thebandocaptain  /  https://twitter.com/Thebandocaptain

And like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/weareocaptain

RIFFED x

Saturday at Glastonbury, the day controversal headliners Metallica performed on the Pyramid. They may have pleased those of whom watched, but the contigent of which watched were a small minority of the 170,000+ on Worthy Farm. Other highlights from day two consisted of Royal Blood, Wolf Alice, Jagwar Ma, Bombay Bicycle Club, MGMT, Pixies, Imagine Dragons, Manic Street Preachers, Jack White and Jake Bugg. 

Saturday's highlights begun with powerful Brighton duo Royal Blood. Mike and Ben played a huge set on the John Peel Stage, performing tracks from their forthcoming debut album 'Royal Blood', which we cannot wait for. The Pyramid is beckoning... Next up were Wolf Alice, fronted by Ellie Rowsell, the indie quartet never fail to please. Jagwar Ma played the Park Stage on Saturday afternoon, the electric psychedelic groove they possess was on show in a storming set from the Aussies. Bombay Bicycle Club also played on Saturday, despite them not appearing on the bill until Sunday, the band played a secret set in a rammed BBC Introducing tent, people even begun to lift the tent up to see what was going on. MGMT were the headliners on the John Peel Stage on Saturday and the pyschedelic pair from America performed a mesmerising set. Highlights been their classics 'Kids', 'Electric Feel' and also 'Time to Pretend'. Pixies were up next on the Other Stage, after just releasing 'Indie Cindy', their first album since 1991, the Massachusetts rockers are back. Likewise with the Kaiser Cheifs yesterday, there were a strange nostalgia as the crowd were a mixed bag. The 1980's contigent were present, but the 2014 contigent were also present, but each equally enjoyed a brilliant set from the Pixies. Modern day American rockers Imagine Dragons were another highlight from Saturday at Glastonbury, performing tracks from their debut album 'Night Visions', fronted by Dan Reynolds, Imagine Dragons are a brilliant live act and 25,000 spectators at the Other Stage witnessed this. Everyone was On Top Of The World, if you'd pardon the pun. Manic Street Preachers were back and on the Other Stage yesterday evening and everyone was inevitably going manic. James, Nicky and Sean didn't fail to please. But would they ever? As we were edging forever closer to Metallica, after another reasonably wet day on Worthy Farm, Jack White performed tracks from his latest album 'Lazerretto' on the Pyramid. The mystical character wowed the crowd with his dark magic and also claimed to have brought the sun that appeared midway through his set along with him. Jake Bugg was next, headlining the Other Stage, clashing with Pyramid headliners Metallica. But it appears the singer/songwriter stole the show on Saturday. Attracting a bigger crowd than the official headliners must be some proud moment for Bugg, but it's no wonder as to why Jake attracted a much bigger crowd. He well and truly proved he can pull off being plugged.

The Pyramid was next. The biggest talking point of the whole festival was next. Metallica was next. 

The setlst: 

1 Creeping Death

2 For Whom the Bell Tolls

3 Wherever I May Roam

4 Sad but True

5 Fade to Black

6 Cyanide

7 The Unforgiven

8 The Memory Remains

9 One

10 Master of Puppets

11 Nothing Else Matters (Preceded by Welcome Home (… more)

12 Enter Sandman

- - - Encore - - -

13 Whiskey in the Jar (Lena Bourne Fish cover)

14 Seek & Destroy (The Frayed Ends of Sanity outro jam)

Were they worthy headliners? Or were they at the wrong festival? One thing's for sure, they were certainly loud. Pre-performance, a bear hunting parody was the key talking point. A film appeared on the screen, four bears holding rifles shot some hunters. The bear masks were removed to reveal the members of Metallica. The screen then displayed a message: "Are you ready for Glastallica?', and the band appeared on stage. This clearly being an answer to the critics who started a petition to remove the band from the bill when lead singer James Hetfield previously appeared in a bear hunting documentary. But did Metallica answer the critics with their performance? Well, only a small minority of the 170,000+ witnessed their set. Maybe that answers the question. But, they did what they did best and brilliantly. A very powerful performance matched by a very powerful stage prescence. But, you either love them or you hate them. Should they have been headliners? That's for you to decide. 

Keep checking: http://riffed.webs.com for more Glastonbury updates

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RIFFED x

They're finally back! Tonight, Pete, Carl, John and Gary play their first gig as a band since they reformed back in April.

The Libertines play the first of two sold out warm up gigs for Hyde Park this coming Saturday at The Barrowlands in Glasgow tonight. Pre-gig, Carl Barat posted a picture to Twitter of the band preparing to take to the stage for the first time in over 4 years with the caption 'Aha'. Will they still have that spark? Who knows? We certainly hope so. Even if they don't, the crowd will still go mad for it. At the end of the day, it's The Libertines, you get what you're given. At least Pete turned up on time.

Hyde Park awaits...

RIFFED x 

Yesterday Noel Gallagher appeared on the scene at Worthy Farm, and now today Liam has also appeared. Inevatibly this has sparked huge hysteria, but what could this mean?

Photo's appeared of Noel arriving on site yesterday afternoon, which begun to spark rumours of a secret Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds set, but when brother Liam tweeted a photo of himself next to a heart with the caption 'Glastonbury let there be', yep... you guessed it. But surely it cannot be? The odds have since been shortened, but Oasis reforming for a secret set is surely out of the question? We all know the Gallagher brothers, and if this were to be true they'd of certainly wanted the whole world to hear about it. Wish as we might, the least you can probably expect is a Liam Gallagher acoustic set tomorrow, of which rumours are spreading like wildfire. But still, that wouldn't go a miss if so.

But who knows? Maybe, just definitely maybe? 

Keep checking: http://riffed.webs.com for more Glastonbury updates

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RIFFED x

Glastonbury kicked off yesterday and with a bang. Performances from Kaiser Chiefs, War on Drugs Blondie, Jungle, Drenge, Temples, Chvrches, Haim, Foster The People, Spector, Paolo Nutini, Metronomy, Arcade Fire being the highlights on a very wet opening day on Worthy Farm.

Kaiser Chiefs opened the festival performing a not so secret set on the Other Sage to a rather contrasting crowd. There were the 2004 contigent, from the days of 'I Predict a Riot' and the 'Education, Education, Education & War' continget of fans of 'The Voice'. A strange nostalgia. The War on Drugs followed on the Pyramid. The powerful bunch hailing from Phildelphia braved the rain to showcase their careless and spellbounding riffs from their latest album 'Lost In The Dream' to the everpresent Pilton crowd. Blondie and Jungle were up next. Blondie attracting your more veteran Glasto goer whereas Jungle showcased their pyschedelia to much more youthful spectators. Each pleased. The John Peel stage didn't let down on Friday. Following Jungle upcame Drenge and Temples. Sheffield duo Drenge undoubtedly caused a mosh or two. Especially during 'Bloodsports', they went down a storm. Following in the footsteps of Jungle, Temples played out a brilliant pyschedlic fuelled set. Performing tracks from their debut album 'Sun Structures', Temples shined. Next up were Scottish trio Chvrches, the electro pop band never fail to please. 'Recover' being a key highlight. As the day grew older, the acts grew bigger and next up were American triplets the Haim sisters on the Other Stage. Performing their debut album 'Days Are Gone', Haim went down a treat and Este's 'bass face' didn't let down on the big stage. Fellow Yanks Foster The People followed on the Other, becoming a popular band amongst British festival goers, they seem to play everywhere. But play they do, a spotless set. Following this though rain stopped play for an hour or so. A huge electrical storm played it's set over Worthy Farm, lights were out, stages were shut, BBC coverage was powered down and the festival was at a standstill. Rudimental were mid-set when the heavens opened and were forced to finish early. A Glastonbury official soon appeared on site and was qouted as saying 'It's looking iffy'. But an hour later we was all go again! Albeit a bit behind schedule. Spector followed the rain and created a storm of their own on the William's Greens Stage. '#enjoyitwhileitglasts' they tweeted, pre performance of the hits from their debut album 'Enjoy It While It Lasts' and also a couple new ones from their forthcoming second album we are all eagerly anticipating. The night beckoned and Paolo Nutini performed The Other Stage pre-Arcade Fire. Tracks from the Scott's latest album 'Caustic Love' were on show. What a voice that man has on him. A truly brilliant set. Clashing with the headliners next were Metronomy, which some would call Britain's very own Arcade Fire. After playing a secret set the previous night, many chose the option to see the headliners on the Pyramid. But this didn't affect Metronomy's set.

The Pyramid was next. The Arcade Fire of Montreal, Canada was next. Arcade Fire were set to bring their worldwide carnival to Glastonbury and the majority of Worthy Farm's 170,000+ campers crammed infront of the Pyramid to witness the greatest live band in the world.

The setlist: 

1 Reflektor (extended intro)

2 Flashbulb Eyes

3 Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)

4 Rebellion (Lies)

5 Joan of Arc

6 The Suburbs

7 Ready to Start

8 Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

9 We Exist

10 Keep the Car Running (w/ 'My Body Is a Cage' acapella intro)

11 No Cars Go

12 Haïti

13 Afterlife

14 It's Never Over (Oh Orpheus)

15 Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) ('Damian Taylor Remix' intro)

- - - Bobbleheads (Common People/Bitter Sweet Symphony/Wonderwall) - - - 

16 Normal Person

17 Here Comes the Night Time

18 Wake Up

Arcade Fire were qouted as saying post performance that Glastonbury was the 'highhest point of our career'. It's no wonder as to why. Each song was perfectly mastered that It's hard to pick a highlight from their set. Although renditions of 'Ready To Start', 'No Cars Go' and inevitably 'Wake Up' stole the show. The whole of Glastonbury was in chorus with Win Butler during Wake Up. "Oooooh Oh Oooooh Oh Oh Oh Oooooh Oh Oooooh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oooooh Oh Oooooh Oh Oh" echoed around Worthy Farm. It was enough to send shivers down your spine. Of course Arcade Fire will have their critics, as they always do. For some reason or another of which we don't quite understand. They're truly the greatest live band in the world and after last night they've done that tag justice. Anyone who dislikes Arcade Fire therefore cannot like music at all. They're a true spectacle. 

Possibly the greatest headlining performances Glastonbury has ever seen? 

Keep checking: http://riffed.webs.com for more Glastonbury updates

And Follow us on Twitter and get involved: @riffedonline / https://twitter.com/riffedonline

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RIFFED x