Peace Conquer Reading Festival

Peace treated the crowd to some familiar tunes as well as three new tracks on their way to conquering the main stage at Reading Festival.

The Birmingham band have come on leaps and bounds in the past year, hopping from the NME/Radio 1 stage to the Main Stage at this year's Reading and Leeds Festival. Each member took to the stage to cheers from their now devoted fans, Harrison Koisser parading on last in a shimmering fur coat and golden guitar - his latest in a long line of striking festival attire.

Below cloudy skies that were refusing to break open, Peace opened with 'Lovesick' from their debut album before delivering latest single, 'Money'. In a set that consisted of ten songs, the band treated the crowd to their next upcoming single 'Lost On Me' in which Harrison sprouts ginger locks in the song's video, which have now just about disappeared. The distorted, whirring guitars are at an all time high and so are the band, looking more than comfortable with Koisser teasing the crowd, 'you remember how to clap along right?'.

Bundles of energy come in the form of familiar tracks, 'Higher Than The Sun', 'Wraith' and 'Follow Baby' from 2013 album, 'In Love'. Koisser declares 'let's get a bit soppy' before the tender riffs of 'California Daze' ring through the swaying, peace endorsing fingertips of the crowd, 'Float Forever', similarly providing another opportunity for a sing-a-long.

However, it's the new tracks that blow away the shackles of last year's confined NME tent performance. 'World Pleasure' is on another level to anything Peace have done yet. It's everything Peace are; fun, care free and harmonising but it's also an anthem, a Primal Scream loaded triumph that blows away 'In Love', not even 18 months later. By now the sun is fittingly out and 'Bloodshake' is the perfect book-end to another chapter in Peace's already short-lived rise to the top.

With their new album just around the corner, things are seamlessly perfect for Peace and it shouldn't be too long until we talk about them conquering the later slots on some of the countries biggest stages. Peace out.

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Setlist:
Lovesick
Money
Higher Than The Sun
California Daze
Wraith
Follow Baby
Lost On Me
Float Forever
World Pleasure
Bloodshake

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Album Review - Royal Blood - Royal Blood

In recent years the music industry has been submerged in two-piece bands and their ability to produce equally, if not more impressive music than the conventional four or five piece. From The White Stripes, to The Black Keys, to the more recent duo of Drenge, Royal Blood should find it hard to follow in their footsteps. This isn't the case, as the sound that comes from the drums of Ben Thatcher and the bass guitar of Michael Kerr is enough to blow away anything else a duo has produced before. Their self-titled album is an exciting piece of modern, alternative rock that has genius bulging through it's seams.

Full force, 'Out Of The Black', bursts in with a fitting 90s Limp Bizkit inspired WWE kind of entrance. Whilst the bass is as big as the entrance to the album, 'Come On Over', follows up with a more vigorous pacey riff. You wouldn't be questioned for mistaking the 4 stringed rusty bass, for a ferocious 6 stringed electric guitar but somehow Michael Kerr has mastered this act, wavering his fingers over the bass frets in the intense chorus lead up in 'Figure It Out'. The opening trio, along with 'Little Monster', which includes Ben Thatcher's highlight as he hits one of the finest, short but sweet drum solos, have all been heard before but nevertheless trigger the same level of reckless head banging.

In an age where rock music is no longer the force it used to be, Royal Blood get all the recognition they deserve, and it's not just 'cause Kerr looks fucking cool coated in a leather jacket and wielding a bass guitar like Zeus' lightning bolt. It's their effortless ability to turn what could easily be a luck-lustre jamming session into an exhilarating, alternative rock 'n' roll record.

'You Can Be So Cruel' is a a prime example. After the whirlwind opening of an album, it plods along at a gentle pace, edging to the side of blues with haunting background vocals that could've been written by Josh Homme. 'Blood Hands' is similarly timid on the outside but still includes the core elements of Royal Blood's close to becoming customary sound. It's these stiller moments, woven in between the raucous affairs of 'Figure It Out' and 'Little Monster' that are at Royal Blood's peak and make it hard to believe that this is the Brighton duo's first swing at the merry-go-round game of the music industry, of which they're currently winning.

They even craftily get away with 'Loose Change' which is almost the voice muffler edition of 'Harder To Breathe' by Maroon 5, until half way through it snaps out of the ball-squeezingly high vocals and regimented guitar to let loose on a grainy and scratchy riff. Travelling back in time in 'Careless', a more authentic rock n roll, heavily Led Zeppelin influence sound is adopted, accompanied by yet another version of the distorted monster bass. The notch on the distortion appears to have broken by 'Ten Tonne Skeleton' which is only saved by the memorable lyrics 'cut loose like an animal, fire up like a cannon ball' which will be one of the many that fans are likely to routinely chant at their next Royal Blood gig whilst being pelted in the face with a fist full of bass.

As Alex Turner infamously said earlier this year The Brit Awards, 'That rock 'n' roll just won't go away'. Six months later and Royal Blood (having supported Turner and co. at Finsbury Park earlier this year), have released the record to firmly restore an interest in rock 'n' roll and a two-piece band fully worth worshipping.

Out of 10: 9/10

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Buy / Royal Blood - Royal Blood
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Raury; what every future singer-songwriter needs to be like

'Raury' is the 18 year old singer songwriter from Atlanta. Also known as the vastly matured, problem stricken, song bird and love child of Andre 3000 and every kid who picked up a guitar ever.

Warning. This content is not strictly indie. Or is it? It's hard to justify. What this young man has got is immense songwriting ability but placing it in a fixed perimeter of a particular genre seems unfitting. I suppose you'd say it's somewhat alternative hip-hop, or not really... Get the picture? Whilst there's similarities lyrically and rhythmically to Outkast and rumours of him collaborating with the ever-growing ego that is Kanye West, his guitar playing casts an alternative shadow on his soulful, teetering on the brink of rap lyrics. 

Is Raury art? It would be unfair to say no. His videos themselves are pretty damn intense and could fit into the most ambiguous of modern art galleries. As for he himself, he's probably what you'd imagine a farmer's hip teenage son to look like. The first and last thing you'll notice about him is his large rimmed floppy hat. Not the silly thing Pharrell Williams tries to get away with wearing, something much cooler, cos it's Raury.

Back to the music. 'God's Whisper' is probably the most attention I've paid to a song in the past year. It grabs you by the throat, sits you down and makes you listen. It's a rally cry, a haunting chant which differs remarkably from 'Cigarette Song', almost the type Rizzle Kicks could've written it if they weren't shit. It's more Childish Gambino anyway, that kind of cheeky chappy take it on the chin kind of unconventional love song. His latest project, 'Indigo Child', is due for release on 25th August and will feature both of the above tracks.

So to set is straight keep your eyes on this one, and if you think you're wanting to be a solo artist, for God's sake take a leaf out of Raury's book. Develop your own respectable, unquestioned style and don't be a shit stain on society like Bieber.

Watch the video for 'God's Whisper' below:

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By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

10 Refreshing Acts To See At Reading & Leeds Festival

It's that time of the year again, Reading and Leeds time, and boy hasn't it come round quick? Whilst the inevitable names of Queens Of The Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys and Blink-182 will be the names on most people's lips, it's the other acts which contribute just as much to one of Britain's most loved festivals.

Here's 10 acts you may not have seen yet, or even heard of, who will bring something new to the Reading and Leeds party...


NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage

Royal Blood (Saturday at Reading)
They're probably the hottest band around right now. With a debut album just around the corner, expect a huge crowd and some breath-taking bass playing from this duo. See them inside Reading's most famous tent quick before they start to sell out arenas.

Don Broco (Saturday at Reading)
Last year, Don Broco brought to life the main stage at Reading, with mosh pits and flinging rubber dinghies galore. Their upbeat pop-punk music is unmissable, as are their energetic live shows.

The Kooks  (Sunday at Reading)
Remember them? They're hardly a new talent, but they're sure to bring something extra special to Reading and Leeds this weekend after their surprise set at Glastonbury earlier this summer. Expect some classics and some new material too.

Jungle (Sunday at Reading)
Another duo in the limelight recently, and rightly so. Be prepared for the NME/Radio 1 stage to take off with these two on Tuesday afternoon. Debut, self-titled album 'Jungle' could gather one of the biggest crowds of the weekend, ready for some soulful dance music.

BBC Radio 1 Dance

Flume (Sunday at Reading)
If you like your dance, check this man out. He's headlining the Radio 1 Dance stage on Sunday night and rightly so. Expect a sweaty crowd and remixes which will churn your stomach with bass.

Festival Republic

Bipolar Sunshine (Friday at Reading)
Bipolar Sunshine has been a radio hit recently and hopefully he can bring his summery indie tunes to the fields of Reading and Leeds. He's second down from Palma Violets on the Friday afternoon!

Southern (Friday at Reading)
Southern are the bluesy-folk brother and sister duo of Thom and Lucy Southern. Not only are their live shows a jovial experience but they're also so humble in what they do. They've got an early slot on Friday so there's no excuses not to check them out.

Circa Waves (Saturday at Reading)
For fans of most indie bands ever, the Liverpudlian band have been bringing upbeat, indie-pop tunes to festival stages all summer. Expect a bouncy crowd, singing back lyrics with an atmosphere similar to the days of The Pigeon Detectives and The Wombats.

Saint Raymond (Sunday at Reading)
Saint Raymond can be found in a similar bracket to the recently broken through George Ezra. Whilst Ezra is deep and brooding, Saint Raymond is a light-hearted hit with the ladies and his poppy tunes have been surfing the charts.

BBC Introducing Stage

All We Are (Saturday at Reading)
All We Are are the act to go and see on the BBC Introducing Stage this year. Their music can be compared to the likes of Metronomy and their track, 'Feel Safe', is one of the most under-rated tracks of the year so far!

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Single Review - Jamie T - Zombie

For those who weren't so keen on 'Don't You Find', they may find comfort in Jamie T's more old school approach in his new track.

Being called 'Zombie', perhaps you're naturally led into a Rocky Horror Show type of march to the upbeat rhythm, which isn't too far from the Jamie T glory days of 'Sticks 'n' Stones' and 'If You Got The Money'. The infectious guitar riff throughout is even more simplified and poppy than his early work though, accompanied by a needlessly repetitive chorus.

Whilst 'Don't You Find' delved more deeply into his mature song writing ability, 'Zombie' skims Jamie's surface which will suffice fans who want to be stuck in 2007 forever. For those expecting more, you may have to wait to hear the rest of the album and hope that he can produce something with more substance. Jamie's witty, razor cut lyrics have always been key to his success but here there's a certain feeling that maybe he's a bit too old to be playing the angst, teen card. The repetitive lyrics, 'walk in like a zombie' are lack lustre to say the least but brain wash you until it whirrs around your head.

'Zombie's' real success could only really be in years to come at Halloween discos (unlikely) or if there's a Shaun Of The Dead sequel (even less likely). If he can find a line that meets between this and 'Don't You Find', two polar opposites of songs, then perhaps Jamie T's future won't look quite so frightening.

Out of 10: 6.5/10

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)