music

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2016 inductees

/ James Fenney

rarhof logo

The famous institution has announced the latest acts to be added. Five acts have been chosen and will be inducted at a ceremony in April. After decades of being snubbed, Deep Purple are finally being welcomed into the hall of fame. They are one of many bands whose exclusion has been a key criticism of the Hall of Fame. The fact that controversial rap group N.W.A. are amongst next years inductees doesn’t do them any favours either. They will be joined by fellow new members Chicago, Cheap Trick and Steve Miller.

Live and kicking?: The decline of live albums

/ James Fenney

live albums

There was a time when live albums were thought of in the same regard as studio albums. A time when every home in America had a copy of Frampton Comes Alive and every self respecting band needed at least one live album. Those days are behind us though as live albums are ever decreasing in popularity. What has sparked this change and will they ever make a comeback? Continue reading →

Top ten albums of 2015

/ James Fenney

record wall

It’s been an amazing year, and it’s time to look back on the best of what 2015 has had to offer. It’s been a particularly good year for new artists as debut albums take up half of my top ten, beating some bigger acts such as Tame Impala and Foals who deserve an honourable mention. So without any further ado, here are the best albums of the year based on Belwood Music’s ratings. Continue reading →

100 years of Frank Sinatra

/ James Fenney

frank sinatra

Yesterday marked what would have been the 100th birthday of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Sinatra was one of the best selling and most influential artists of all time, and has performed some of the most famous songs ever written including ‘Come Fly With Me’, ‘New York New York’, ‘My Way’ and ‘Fly Me to the Moon’. As well as having sold over 150 million albums, he was also a key actor of the time and one of the central members of the ‘Rat Pack’. Sinatra has had a lasting impact that is matched only by The Beatles and Elvis Presley, and will continue to inspire for many years to come.

Spotlight!: Yak

/ James Fenney
yak

Photo by Laura Allard-Fleischl

We all have a wild and unhinged side to us. A demented inner child that longs to break things and colour outside the lines. Few bands appeal to that part the way that Yak do. The music is simple yet intense; cymbal shattering beats, gut-punching punk guitar, tortured psychedelic organ and vocals that have flashes of Ian Curtis. The artwork looks like a doodle salvaged from a mental hospital and half their gigs end with the instruments in pieces. This London band haven’t lost the plot, there never was a plot. They attack their music with reckless abandon and I for one look forward to joining them on their wild ride.

Fans of Joy Division, Television, Jack White, St Vincent and Sonic Youth keep your eyes peeled as Yak are one to watch…

BBC Music Awards 2015

/ James Fenney

bbc music awards

The second annual BBC Music Awards took place at the Genting Arena in Birmingham. Adele was the night’s big winner, picking up both British artist of the year and live performance of the year. Taylor Swift scooped up the prize for best international artist. It was a great night for Belwood favourites as Jack Garratt won the BBC Introducing award and Hozier won the public vote for song of the year for ‘Take Me To Church’. They both delivered stellar performances alongside the rest of the night’s line up which included James Bay, Stereophonics, Jess Glynne, Years & Years and Rod Stewart.

Neil Peart retires from music

/ James Fenney

neilpeart7

Considered by most to be the world’s greatest drummer, Rush’s Neil Peart has announced his retirement saying “it does not pain me to realize that, like all athletes, there comes a time to take yourself out of the game”. Rush recently completed their 40th anniversary tour. Whilst the band were reluctant at the time to call it a farewell tour, given this latest development it seems they have called it a day. Peart suffers from tendonitis and can no longer continue with the physical demands of the lengthy, intricate drum solos that made him famous. It also gives him more time with his family as the band have been touring nearly nonstop for the past few years.  It is the end of an era and a fond farewell to one of history’s greatest musicians.