music

Brit Awards 2016 nominations announced

/ James Fenney

brit awards 2016

The nominations for this year’s Brit Awards have been announced. Adele tops the list along with James Bay and Years & Years with four nominations apiece. As is often the case with the Brits the winners are often easy to guess but most of the important categories seem to be in good hands. Some Belwood favourites have been recognised with nominations including Father John Misty, Wolf Alice and Jack Garratt who has already claimed the Critic’s Choice Award. The Eagles of Death Metal have also been nominated for International Group following the attacks in Paris at one of their concerts. The full list of nominations can be found below: Continue reading →

Spotlight!: Rationale

/ James Fenney

rationale

In the modern world of social media, anonymity has become a surprisingly powerful tool. London based musician and producer Rationale has used his air of mystery to full effect to make sure it was his music that gave people their first impression of him. He has since emerged from the shadows and appeared in the powerful music video for the title track of his stunning debut EP ‘Fuel to the Fire’. The intermingling electronica, R&B and psychedelics are kept grounded by the profoundly meaningful lyrics and Rationale’s arresting vocals. The self produced release is simply immaculate, even down to the gorgeous artwork. Rationale has started things the right way to spark people’s interest, and with the release of his latest single ‘Something for Nothing’ he’s ready to set the world alight.

Fans of Jack Garratt, The Weeknd and Alabama Shakes may have just found a new favourite artist

David Bowie passes away

/ James Fenney

One of music’s greatest ever icons David Bowie has sadly passed away aged 69 after a battle with cancer. This follows only a few days after release of his latest critically acclaimed album Blackstar. Bowie was a visionary artist that redefined music. His charismatic stage personas and his fearlessly innovative music made him quite frankly one of the coolest people ever to walk the Earth. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy including his song being used in the first ever music video in space. I think actor Simon Pegg sums it up best in his tweet: “If you’re sad today, just remember the world is over 4 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie”. It is the end of an era and the world will be a very different place without him.

Must Own Albums: Hard Rock

/ James Fenney

deep purple in rockDeep Purple – In Rock

One of the founding bands of hard rock and heavy metal, Deep Purple went through a lot of personnel changes. In Rock saw the first incarnation of the classic Mark II line-up which gave the band the majority of their best known hits. The band really hit their stride here and came out with classics like ‘Speed King’ and ‘Child in Time’.

Acdc_backinblack_coverAC/DC – Back in Black

The band had just released their breakthrough album Highway to Hell when lead singer Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning. Most bands wouldn’t have survived such an ordeal, but with new singer Brian Johnson on board they bounced back with the best album of their career, including the hits ‘Shoot to Thrill’, ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ and the title track ‘Back in Black’.

aerosmith-TinAAerosmith – Toys in the Attic

By their third album Aerosmith had secured a place as one of America’s greatest rock bands, thanks to Steven Tyler’s wild vocals and Joe Perry’s killer riffs. Thanks to hits such as ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Sweet Emotion’ it remains the band’s best selling studio album.

van halenVan Halen – Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen was a revolutionary guitarist. The short instrumental ‘Eruption’ introduced the world to a new rapid and intricate way of playing which was quickly adopted throughout the world of rock and metal. The band’s landmark eponymous debut featured the songs ‘Runnin’ With the Devil’, ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love’ and their cover of the Kinks’ ‘You Really Got Me’.

appetite for destructionGuns ‘N Roses – Appetite for Destruction

Whilst GNR’s debut originally had a lukewarm reception, it is now held as high point of the genre by the archetypal hard rock band. It is an unapologetically wild snapshot of the band at their best. Although they could never match their debut it did spawn some of their biggest hits such as ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Paradise City’ and ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’.

Music sales rise in UK for first time in over ten years

/ James Fenney

hmv-vinyl3

According to BPI, music sales in the UK in 2015 came to a value of £1.06 billion, compared to 2014’s £1.03 billion. This is the first rise in music sales since 2004. The sales increase is due to the rise in streaming and the vinyl resurgence. Streaming use rose 82% and vinyl sales rose 64% in 2015. The biggest money makers for the industry are home grown artists, with Adele’s ’25’ being the best selling album of the year and Ed Sheeran being the most streamed artist.

Spotlight!: Blossoms

/ James Fenney

blossoms

This Stockport 5 piece has been topping lists around the world of “acts to watch in 2016”. They are the most hotly tipped indie band in the world and the stage is set for them to skyrocket to the top. As such they are brimming with confidence and attitude and ready to prove that they deserve such hefty praise. Their latest EP ‘Charlemagne’ is brimming with shimmering synths and funky bass lines. From the feel good indie pop of the title track, to the off-the-wall R&B of ‘Across The Moor’, to the sinister undertones of ‘Polka Dot Bones’, it is a release overflowing with promise.

Fans of infectious indie should make a note in their diaries as Blossoms latest EP ‘At Most A Kiss’ is out 19th February.

Coachella line-up 2016

/ James Fenney

coachella lineup

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of America’s greatest music festivals, has announced this year’s line-up. Continuing the tradition of bringing acts out of retirement, LCD Soundsystem and Guns N’ Roses will be headlining Friday and Saturday respectively. This confirms the longstanding rumours surrounding a GNR reunion. The Californian festival will also include sets from Sufjan Stevens, Halsey, Sia, Foals and James Bay.

One record player sold every minute

/ James Fenney

Vinyl-Main

HMV has reported that they sold one record player every minute in the week running up to Christmas. John Lewis also had a 240% boost in record player sales. The vinyl resurgence has also hit online retailers with record players being the best selling audio product on Amazon over Christmas. It is yet more evidence of the growing popularity of the vinyl format which is seeing ever increasing LP sections in HMV stores and the opening of new independent record stores across the country.