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Live Review : Skrillex @ Building Six

Skrillex on Stage

He still maintains a fantastic energy throughout his set, but even with an interesting choice of songs (Sabotage by Beastie Boys anyone?) Skrillex disappointed me.

Skrillex on Stage

Skrillex full of energy on stage.

The usual pill-infused Electronic Dance Music fans came a-flocking with ridiculously over the top security checks imposed by the venue failing completely (it took us 40 minutes to get in including showing ID and tickets, and getting vigorously patted down by a security guard with the face of a bloodhound).

I was excited for the support acts, with the familiar faces of 12th Planet, Jack Beats and Koan Sound. But while Skrillex and Koan Sound entertained me, Jack Beats produced one of the most boring hour and a half sets I’ve ever heard. It was just a droning wave of generic-house, inspiring the entire audience to mob the bar.

One of the oldest faces in the dubstep scene from Los Angeles, 12th Planet delivered a fairly entertaining set, with just enough effort to make the crowd believe he was trying. But it was Bristol lads Koan Sound closing the evening that made me glad I came out, with a glitch-hop-meets-orchestral set packed full of energy. I’ve seen Skrillex before, but never managed to them live.

Verdict

While I had fun, this was far from the best time I’ve seen Skrillex. Whether it’s my own music tastes shifting, or him on a downward slope, I can’t honestly tell you, but something about the night felt off. The eyes of weekend ravers shone a little less bright in the hazy gloom, the strobe lights a little less epileptic.

Koan Sound were the resounding highlight of the evening for me, but I was surprised by how average the other acts were. Don’t get me wrong, it had its highlights (there was a hotdog stand in the smoking area) but I fear the EDM tidal wave has reached is peak, and is now on a comedown (like most of the audience a few hours later).

Be sure to check out Koan Sound’s “Sanctuary” EP.

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T in the Park announces first headlining act for 2014

Arctic Monkeys have been confirmed as the first headliners for T in the Park 2014

The Sheffield based band will take to the main stage in Balado, Scotland from 11th – 13th of July

Arctic Monkeys will headline the Scottish festival in 2014

Arctic Monkeys will headline the Scottish festival in 2014

The band said “We are delighted to be playing T in The Park and we look forward to a great night with our Scottish fans.”

The festival organizers say that this years 20th anniversary show was their best show yet and asked festival goers which bands they would like to see headline next years festival, Arctic Monkeys were one of the most heavily requested acts.

Tickets for the festival go on sale 9pm Friday on the festivals website.

 

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The Clan that changed Hip Hop

Shacklin’ the masses with drastic rap tactics, graphic displays melt steel like blacksmiths

– Wu-Tang Clan

20 years ago the New York-based rap collective Wu-Tang Clan released their first album Enter the Wu-Tang(36 chambers). A Hip Hop legend was born.

Enter the Wu-Tang quickly gained critical claim and the group established itself as a influential and creative force in the 90s. Wu-Tang Clan is famous for their unorthodox business model and their ground breaking contract with Loud/RCA, allowing all group members to negotiate their own solo contracts with other labels, effectively spreading the Clan across the industry.

Enter the Wu-Tang 36 Chambers. The first Album of the soon to be notorious Wu-Tang Clan

Enter the Wu-Tang had a back to basics approach featuring piano-snippets, elements of 70s Soul and guitar stabs. The album had huge influence on the sound of east coast rap throughout the 90s.

Reflecting on their 20 years anniversary group member Method Man said to XXL Magazine it was “bitter-sweet”.

“It’s great to be recognized as pivotal group in the business. But it’s constant struggle to stay relevant and keep revenue coming in.”

Speaking about how the group has evolved, he said:

“We’re all still the same dudes. At least, I feel like we’re the same dudes; you’d have to ask somebody on the outside looking in. I still see the child in all my niggas. “

Wu-Tang Clan is more than just a rap collective, it is also a business enterprise. The Wu Tang brands has branched out to a range of merchandise and affiliated products. In 1999 the video game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style was released for the Playstation, featuring all nine group members.

Following the success of their first album, Oli “Power” Grant, the executive producer opened four Wu Wear stores in different American cities. In 2007 the Wu-Tang entered a partnership with the Alife NYC clothing group, developing an exclusive series of custom t-shirts, hoodies, sneakers and other accessories.

Wu-Tang Clan was set to release an album commemorating their 20 years of fame, but the plans folded.

VIDEO:

Wu-Tang Clan Reflects on 20 year anniversary

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Native Braves – ‘Hearsay’ single release expected soon

native braves live

Lincolnshire based Alternative rock/Indie quartet Native Braves have announced via their facebook page that they shall be returning to the studio at the end of November to complete their debut single ‘Hearsay’.

This comes after the bands first release ‘Human After All’ was met with considerable success racking up over 1,000 plays on soundcloud in a matter of weeks.

Lead Guitarist Joel Houghton said, “I can’t wait to get back into the studio, dude. It’s such a massive track, I just can’t wait to see what people make of it.”

The single is expected to be released early December on Soundcloud and Spotify.

The band have said they are reluctant to release the single on iTunes as they would rather not charge fans for their music.

 

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Walk Off The Earth – R.E.V.O Review

It’s been a while since the Internet explosion of a band that squeezed around the same guitar and played us an ingenious cover of Gotye and Kimbra’s ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’. But now Walk Off The Earth are back, and they’ve brought with them a powerful, anthemic EP that manages to mirror the originality of their cover versions but bring a completely new element of what I can only describe as pure musical passion into the new tracks.

Walk-Off-The-Earth

The opening track ‘Red Hands’ is an anthem straight down. A wall of drums accompanied by group chants and cheery xylophone melodies that together, almost jump out of the song and make you want to dance around and shout like a maniac.  ‘Gang of Rhythm’ follows the same tack, big drums, lots of chanting, but with the appearance of a very Gotye-esque synth wobbling around in the melody. ‘Speeches’ is next on the list, and we think it’s almost a little bit country (In a good way of course). Subtle horn sections pushing through a rattling acoustic guitar, rolling snares and more of that vocal layering that gives this EP its instantly recognizable atmosphere. Cash would be proud. ‘Summer Vibe’ really calms the record down a little bit, chilled out rhythms, harmonica licks and a carefree melody that generally sums up everything there is to love about a great summer song.

R.E.V.O is great, it gets a big fat Cruxx Music stamp of approval. WOTE have made something musically unique, refreshing and inspired. Hats off guys, hats off.

R.e.v.o

Rating – 9/10