Thursday 21 June 2012

Bingley Music Live Beckons - The Heats (Press Release)


Last month Bradford Theatres launched their annual search for local music talent to open Bingley Music Live’s main stage on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September. Over 50 bands entered the competition from around the Yorkshire district. Fifteen bands have gone through to the heats which will be held on Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 June at St George’s Hall Bistro Bar.

Six bands will be chosen from the heats to play in the final on St George’s Hall main stage with the two overall winners playing at Bingley Music Live Festival in September in front of a crowd of over 15000 people.

The successful 15 are; 
Tuesday 26 June 7.30pm
1.      12:27 (Liversedge)
2.      Dan Audio (Bradford)
3.      M.A.S.K.S. (Silsden)
4.      Alice at Last (Leeds)
5.      The Mirrortones (Preston)

Wednesday 27 June 7.30pm

1. Marsicans (Crossgates)
2. Sulu Babylon (Goole)
3. You Had Me At Hello (Denholme)
4. Little Victories (Leeds)
5. Silvertin (Leeds)

Thursday 28 June 7.30pm
2. The Scandal (Leeds)
3. Ballyhoo Eventide (Bingley)
4. Elliot's Incentive (Leeds)
5. Young Believers  (York)

 


All three heats are free to attend and will be held in St George’s Hall Bistro Bar so come along and bring your friends to support the best that new music has to offer.

For more information on Bingley Music Live, visit www.bingleymusiclive.com

BD1 LiVE The Final is at St George’s Hall, Bradford on Friday 20 July 7.30pm.
Tickets are on sale now: £5 advance, £6 on the door. Call 01274 432000 to book. (booking fees apply)

Friday 15 June 2012

The Coopers Secret Gig

About a month ago, I chanced upon an a post on facebook about a secret charity gig featuring The Coopers. The only information was that it was in Bradford and the date. Neither being a problem for me, I contacted the email address and asked if I could attend the gig. I was accepted and told that I would find out the exact location a couple of days before the gig.


Incredibly, when the location arrived, it turned out to be literally round the corner from my house! I was rather surprised because the address looked like a private residence. Doors were at 7.30 and I arrived to attend the gig to find that indeed it was to take place in the organisers apartment. The gigs was in aid of Christians Against Poverty, after paying the door fee I went upstairs to the living room which had been turned into a venue with bar included, drinks were available for a donation, this was such a cool place, the apartment had some beautiful beams and columns and plenty of space for the 60 people that have been invited to the gig, which was a really good number. 


 First to take to the stage was a singer/songwriter called Paul Thomas Saunders, he has an incredible voice and some nice harmonies are provided by the backing singer Kate. His songs are quite melancholy which probably are the most suited to his vocals. 


 In the interval we are all given a gift from the Coopers, everyone in the room has a parcel which a label on saying "wait". The Coopers set starts off with some strange music from a record player, a sort of relaxation LP with birds singing, as they move into their first song Wolves. This is followed by the single from last year "Ripples", I love this song it seems to sum up the Coopers in a nutshell, it oozes happiness and thoughts of summer and good times. 


The next song was Autumn, a new song for me, really liked it and was pleased to see that it's on the new EP. After this track we are allowed to open our parcels, which are not all the same, mine contains a party popper, a tea light and a tub of bubbles. We are going to get to use the first of our gifts in the next song "What you wanted" when we hear a count of 4 we can explode our party poppers. The nervous anticipation almost makes me not be aware of the song! The crowd is ready though and on the count of four there is a simultaneous explosion of poppers.


 After this they close the curtains and Chelsea Cooper lights her tea light and uses her flame to light someone in the audiences and we all start to light each others which is a lovely way to all feel part of something special. The song Hello is a perfect soundtrack to the lovely atmosphere created. Apart from the audience participation, the Coopers are a joy to watch, the use of bells, keyboards, percussion, drums, bass and acoustic guitar is wonderful and all delivered with a smile, which is totally infectious as I'm only seeing happy faces here. 


 Next up is the single, I played this on the show a few weeks ago, its called Summers Child and is an excellent tune - no prompting necessary here for everyone to get blowing bubbles - can you ever grow out of blowing bubbles? Those with no bubbles in their parcel have not been forgotton and wine bottles filled with different levels of water are handed out to bubbleless people to accompany the song Bread. With the Coopers alternately playing and directing the makeshift orchestra of bottles a really cool sound is created. 


 A truly brilliant night, which I feel really privileged to have been a part of. Hats off to the organisers!
The Coopers Website

Radio Playlist 14 June 2012



Yorkshire Music Collective broadcasts every other Thursday at 10pm on BCB Radio.

You can listen to the 14th June show on this blog, by clicking on the YMC on The Radio tab, or on our website http://www.yorkshiremusiccollective.co.uk

Don't forget to send your music to yorkshiremc@gmail.com and post any events in the facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/groups/154851782785/ or tweet us on http://twitter.com/yorkshiremc

Our studio guest was Louise Distras from Wakefield.

What we played:
Apres by British Daylight
Leeds

Hand You Hold and Blue on Black by Louise Distras
Wakefield

You Got Me by Gaz Blackburn
Keighley

Some Things Never Change by Quentins basement
Leeds

Call Out  (live version) The Wax Collection
Leeds

Footprints by The Covelles
Leeds/Manchester

Tessellate by alt-j
Leeds

Own The Rope by This Legion
Leeds

Never Really Gone by Boss Caine
York

To The Universe by Audit Control 
Huddersfield

The Only Language by Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
Leeds

Today is a Good Day by New Model Army
Bradford
http://www.newmodelarmy.org

Saturday 2 June 2012

Keep It Live - YMC May Diary


Not a review of such, just an account of where I've been (mainly so I can remember :))

Starting off the month on 1st May, first Tuesday in every month is the open mic night in association with Yorkshire Gig Guide/Yorkshire Music Collective that normally takes place at factory street studios. Due to unforeseen circumstances it couldn’t be held at the studios and Live Lounge Utopia kindly stepped in to host this evening. Open mic slots are taken by Bradford band Kascarade, Liz Narey and Whiter Than. The first of the featured acts tonight were Station Lane, young band from Birkenshaw who do a really good set, I think this band have great potential. After this there is another open mic act called Josh Doyle and then the headline act tonight which is Ryan Spendlove. He’s just come back from an American tour and it was great to see him in Bradford. What a fabulous set!


The Well (SIRAStudios photo)
Saturday 5th May was Live at Leeds – I started off the day in the sunshine watching The Artists in the ELFM awning stage just outside the ticket exchange. Walked down to Milo to see British Daylight and was amazed that the venue was already crowded at 12 o’clock. Good set by this young band. Next I walked up to Nation of Shopkeepers to The Mexanines who were brilliant as always. It was heaving in there and when I came out there was a queue past Escobar to get in! I carried on up to the Well to see Unions, who I really enjoyed, and Barefoot Beware who were great. Then I went to Leeds Met to see Redwire, it was packed in there too and a large number of Redwire fans were in there making it a really lively gig. Then I went back to The Well to see Wot Gorilla. Good atmosphere in The Well, busy but you can still get in and out no bother so I decide to chuck my previously made timetable and stay there, catching some of Post War Glamour Girls and Hawkeye. Then I went back up to Leeds Met to see We are Augustines who were brilliant. I also caught a large part of Lianna La Havas’s set and was very impressed with her. And after that I decided to go home.

10th of May I went to the fortnightly open mic at Glyde House in Bradford. Featured act was Simon Kelly, I do like his storytelling songs and other people playing were Andrew Wood, Liz Narey and Mat White.
Thurday 11th May I called in at Empire to catch Do Miss America, Bradford band who have featured on the show and whose album I love, first time I’ve caught them live and wasn’t disappointed.  After that I headed up to Carpe Diem for the Mañana Nights gig and saw Sworn to Oath and Broken.


Friday 18th was Jack’s Attic EP launch subject of a separate blog http://www.yorkshiremusiccollective.com/2012/05/jacks-attic-ep-launch-at-empire.html
Saturday 19th bit of venue hopping, subject of a separate blog

Thursday 24th I went to Bad Brains night at Carpe Diem, and saw Leeds band The Swindells, been a while since I joined in their signature tune “Yorkshire”! and also Bradford punks The Drastics, who gave a customary good energetic performance.

On Saturday I headed into Leeds for the first “Feel The Benefit” gig. This is a monthly event which raises money for different charities each month. It’s held at Melbourne St. Studios which is a cool event space. There was a comedian (very funny) and also a magician (amazing) as well as music. I saw Andrei Nosov’s blues band play a really good set. Unfortunately I had to leave before the other 2 bands played.

On Sunday I went to an open mic afternoon at Kala Sangham in Bradford. I saw that Martin Christie, Poet and Loops artist was hosting the event and although we have known each other “virtually” for many years we’ve never actually met before. 

The event was organized by Bradford Artfarmers and the space was full of visual arts. There were poets and novelists reading too. Really enjoyable afternoon – spent mostly in the company of the lovely Yorkshire Gig Guide – and I thoroughly enjoyed Martin Christies songs and loops!

Tuesday 29th was the open mic night at Glyde House in Bradford, it was a fantastic night – such talented performers all night, I really can’t remember all the names so I won’t list because I enjoyed everyone who played very much. Though I will mention Paul Carey who was on the show a few weeks ago and Nadeem Leigh whose voice blew us all away. There is always a featured artist and this week it was Whiter Than, three-piece band with guitar, violin and bass. Excellent set.


Last day of the month, Thursday.  I popped into the New Conservatory and caught Rob Galloway doing a few tracks, I loved him as the frontman of Yalla Yallas with his thrilling energetic performances but I really enjoyed his raw stripped back set tonight. 

Later I went to a gig that had been cancelled, so headed off to Milo instead where I managed to see The Shrinks, rock three piece, who always have a lot of support. Quite a while since I’ve seen them and thoroughly enjoyed the set.

May has been a pretty good month :)

Radio Playlist 31-05-2012

Yorkshire Music Collective broadcasts every other Thursday at 10pm on BCB Radio. 


You can listen to the 31st May show on this blog, by clicking on the YMC on The Radio tab, or on our website http://www.yorkshiremusiccollective.co.uk 


Don't forget to send your music to yorkshiremc@gmail.com and post any events in the facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/groups/154851782785/ or tweet us on http://twitter.com/yorkshiremc


Our studio guests were Utopian Love Revival 






What we played: 


Summer's Child by The Coopers
Leeds/Bradford 
http://www.facebook.com/thecoopersmusic 


Live tracks by Utopian Love Revival Bradford 
http://www.facebook.com/UtopianLoveRevivalShow 


In my Head by Sharp Darts 
Bradford 
http://www.facebook.com/sharpdartsofficial


Why by Georgette Hilton 
Leeds 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgette-Hilton/102655493187909 


Live today die tomorrow – Redwire 
Bradford 
http://www.facebook.com/redwireofficial 


Middle Road by Aziz 
Manchester 
http://www.facebook.com/azizibrahimmusician 


Fable by Ryan Spendlove 
Wakefield 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Spendlove-Music-page/162104210491278 


Jacky by Dead Belgian 
Liverpool 
http://www.facebook.com/deadbelgian 


Bullets by Louise Distras 
Wakefield 
http://www.facebook.com/louisedistras 


Listen to Your Head by Kaiser Chiefs 
Leeds 
http://www.kaiserchiefs.com

Redwire Single Launch - Live Lounge at Utopia


I was so impressed with Utopia the week before that I looked forward to Redwire single launch all week. 3 great Local Bands on the line-up.


The venue was already busy by 9pm when I arrived, this evening had a special 14+ license and its great to see so many young people in as well, there really needs to be more places for the young music fans to go - they are after all the ones who are most passionate about music.


The first act is The Sailmakers, I first saw them a few years ago as a 3 piece acoustic act and was impressed by the lead singers voice and the lyrical content of the songs.


They are now a full 5 piece folk-rock band, the sound is much more powerful yet strangely enough it seems to enhance the music and lyrics that attracted me to them in the first place. They have added a female vocalist and with the bassist also doing backing vocals there are some great harmonies around the strong lead vocals. I expect to be seeing much more of this band, they would fit into any line-up with their melodic well thought out songs. Very strong set which is getting some appreciative applause from the crowd.


Next up is Sharp Darts, quite a while since I've seen them live and the reason is soon apparent, they have new material and a really funky vibe going on - they've obviously been hidden away writing and practising. 


They're now a 6 piece band, the addition of keyboards is bringing some nice new sounds in too, but I think its the funky bass and guitar sounds that really hook me tonight. Excellent set from start to finish, I especially liked the last song "In My Head" and was really please to be given a CD with this on after the gig.


Tonight however is about launching Redwire's new single, Live Today Die Tomorrow. 


I've always loved a Redwire party - the place is heaving and Redwire's fans are bouncing. This band have a real connection with their followers, new songs, old songs, it doesn't matter everyone know the words and sings along at one with the band - the audience is truly an extra band member with this band.


I like the addition of an extra guitarist to the line-up, gives the songs much more weight and the front man needs to be free to do what he does best - sing and engage the crowd. Great entertainment, Redwire know what their fans want and give it to them.



Musician's Stage at Bingley Music Live (BML Press Release)



Bingley Music Live:
Trailblazing talent from the local music scene


With a big headline announcement due next week, this year’s Bingley Music Live line up is building up to be the best ever. Getting in on the red hot action we’re delighted to announce the 20 local bands selected to appear on The Musician’s Centre Stage at this year’s festival.

Sharing the bill with chart topping acts that have achieved international critical acclaim such as Nero, DJ Fresh, The Pigeon Detectives, Hard-Fi and The Charlatans our successful bands will enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity over the weekend of 31st August to September 2nd in Myrtle Park.

So book your tickets, come along and give a big local cheer to:

·         Ballyhoo Eventide
·         Foxes Faux
·         Ti Amo
·         The Coopers
·         The Simon Pollard Band
·         Tom Savage & The Hash Mafia

·         Den Miller
·         Long Trick
·         Control is Dead
·         Bearfoot Beware
·         Return to Ajustrel
·         Small Words
·         Talking To Strangers

·         Down The Machine
·         Deadwall
·         Peculiar Disco Moves
·         Dan Audio
·         Eskimo Fandango
·         Lunar Coup
·         all too human

The bands will play on the new third stage hosted in association with The Musician’s Centre; providing a dedicated forum for home grown acts across the district. Covering a broad spectrum of musical genres these new acts prove that the local scene is flourishing in diversity. Each of the chosen acts complied with the strict entry conditions, having at least 1 band member with a BD postcode, an existing online presence, plus previous live gig experience.


Marie Harris of The Musician’s Centre commented: "We’re really overwhelmed with the response from local bands wanting to play Bingley Music Live and really impressed by the quality that Bradford has to offer, our team had a really tough job boiling down over 150 applicants to just 20 but we feel the bands playing represent a huge variety and a very high quality of what the local area has to offer."
  
The Musician’s Centre Stage has been given a ‘Woodstock Festival’ theme to create a laidback and relaxed, family-friendly place for bands and supporters to hang out.  Expect to see hippies handing out flowers inviting you to the stage, live artwork, a photo booth to snapshot your happy-hippy moments and the guys from the Rag and Bone Collective will be helping contribute to the communal art display.

Over the past six years Bingley Music Live has firmly established itself on the festival circuit; impressing audiences and performers alike with its intimate, friendly atmosphere and professional organisation. The chance to really get up close and personal to your favourite bands is one of the event’s stand-out features, meaning that festival goers can get to the heart of the action.

The other bands confirmed for the Main and Raise the Roof stages this year are: Maverick Sabre, Delilah, Kids in Glass Houses, Katzenjammer, The Idiot B*stard Band, StooShe, Yes Sir Boss, Miles & Erica, Skinny Lister, The Chevin, Citizens! Sadie and the Hotheads, Ellen and the Escapades, King Charles and The Lancashire Hot Pots.

Weekend tickets are available online at www.bingleymusiclive.com/tickets or call the ticket hotline 0871 220 0260 (£45 + booking fee). For regular updates and additional band announcements please log on to www.bingleymusiclive.com or follow @BingleyFestival


Friday 1 June 2012

BOMFEST 2012 - A Great Low Cost Festival


This year Yorkshire Music Collective are extremely pleased to be helping out at BOMfest.

Amazingly BOMfest is in its eighth year this summer, its started off as a humble affair in 2005, next to the Barnsley main pit, and against all odds it has become Yorkshire's most cutting edge supporter of original unsigned artists. It also prides itself on being one of the best value for money events in the UK.

As in the last couple of years BOMfest will take place in Worsborough Country Park, Barnsley and has now evolved into an all weekend camping, eight stage spectacular, without losing any of its original spirit and ethos.

This years artists have been selected from over 1000 applicants and many hours of checking out live performances at “The South Sea” in Sheffield, and with the limited number of available slots on offer to performers at this years event, the artists chosen to play can rest assured that in this hard knock, labour of love industry, BOMfest has recognised their dedication and hard work.

Here are some of the artists playing this year:

MAIN STAGE

The headliners are 3 Daft Monkeys from Cornwall. They have become one of the most popular touring bands on the UK festival scene. Their quirky, original and unusual approach to music, and their exhilarating and energetic live performances have garnered them a loyal live following. They have played at Glastonbury festival and headlined festivals in Holland, Belgium, and Germany. Their passion, intensity and sheer joy of life mixed with their infectious dancing rhythms will leave you breathless, enthralled and exhilarated. You’ll find the desire to dance irresistible!

Just before them are Barnsley's The Danse Society, one of the godfathers of Goth/Darkwave from the 80's will be playing as a special homecoming gig. Reformed due to pressure from Facebook fans the band are back after a 25 year break and at the end of last year released their fourth album "Change of Skin" Their live show promises to be as exciting and as powerful as ever and they are already lined up for some major festival appearances, their inaugural concert to be at the famous Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig on 26 May 2012. They have played alongside
Sisters of Mercy, The Fall and The Cult and have supported tours with bands such as Killing Joke, Bauhaus and The Cure.

Special mention also to PaperPlane from Todmorden who are the BOMfest best young band of the year. A three piece outfit hailing from Halifax/Todmorden,they are an alternative rock band with all sorts of influences in the bands sound which is dramatically arranged and passionately delivered. They impressed BOMfest organisers so much when they played in Sheffield that they are the organisation's tip for the top in 2012 and a must watch for those of you who enjoy the creative expression of a young bunch of lads.

Other acts on the main stage are BROOMBUSTERS, from Birmingham, NIGHTVISION from Lincoln, STRAIGHT RAZOR ANGELS from Barnsley, MUNICH from Brighton, IMOKO SET from Barnsley, MENTAL BLOCK from Wakefield, GARAJE JACK from Madrid, and SECTION 60 from Sheffield.

BIGSOUND MARQUEE

The headliners are The headliners are Manchester hip hop/ska/Soul band The Lostrites, a real party on legs. This outfit are good friends of BOMfest and headlined the BIGsound stage last year and have been regulars since 2009 when they stormed the party with their tongue in cheek upbeat tunes which underneath carry a strong lyrical message. Guaranteed to end the night on a big one. Other acts on this stage are James Warner Prophecies, Smiling Ivy, Seventh Son, Jam Abraham, 10ft Wizard, Down The Machine, Glavins, Familiar Looking Strangers, Happy Daggers, Franko and the Dreadnaught and Stellavision.

URBAN MARQUEE

Headliner MC Major Ranks has been controlling the microphone from the early 80's as a highly rated yoot man MC on the Reggae Sound System scene in both Nottingham and London.
This included being Resident with his Sound "Sir Clifton Hi fi" at the now famous 4 Aces Club,aka The Labyrinth on Dalston Lane,while it was still a 7 night a week Reggae Blues Party.
Heavily influenced by the Jamaican artists of that era he moved with times and started MC'n to Jungle Techno/DnB/Jungle and has worked with the biggest names in the business including Grooverider,Nicky Blackmarket,Slipmatt,Ellis Dee to name just a few.

EXTREME MARQUEE

Headliners are thrash metal band Redmist Destruction from Barnsley. Formed in 2009 after four good friends synchronically ended their current band projects, RedMist Destruction, “RMD”, got together to create their first love; thrash metal. With the aim to bring something fresh to a genre saturated with carbon cut outs, RMD breathe new life and energy into it the way it was meant to be. The party carrys on this stage with DJ Mistress Darkside.

OTHER STAGES

This year IMP stage will be focusting on Hip Hop, Breaks and Jungle, with DJs and MCs joining them from across the country. 
The Monkey radio dance arena will start the day nice & funky then will build the music up all day with organ house , funky bass ,electro , jakin finishing with trance classics. The Monkey Arena will be transformed into a wonderland visual adventures as soon as it gets dark.
The Cirque Du Manc Cabaret marquee will host a whole day of weird and wonderful performances.

Festival Chief Dave Hancock says "every artist deserves the support and encouragement which I am sure the BOMfest revellers will provide to make BOMfest 2012 a day to remember for Performers, volunteers and attendees."


For further details check out the following:


Bomfest Website
We Got Ticktets