Album Review – A Dream Outside

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Having supported the likes of Circa Waves and alt-J it would appear that Gengahr have already been recognised for their unique and hauntingly smooth style. Available on June 15th 2015, their debut album “A Dream Outside” captures perfectly the essence of the band – with each of the eleven records advertising the range of musical talent they can portray whilst maintaining a delicate fluidity throughout. No note is out of place on the LP, a feat only possible due to the fact that the band has discovered their musical identity, something becoming increasingly unheard of with a few emerging artists. It’s so refreshing to listen to an album that takes you on a mildly psychedelic journey, and for me that’s where the true gem of Gengahr’s music is situated. From the well-recognised “She’s A Witch” to the newer “Trampoline”, every aspect has been carefully considered. When I saw them as a support band, having no knowledge of their music beforehand, I was made to feel like a lifetime fan and found myself singing along. The band seems familiar, and I’m sure in a few months they will be even more so due to a developed popularity.

Circa Waves Review – 10/04/2015

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When I was asked to go and see Circa Waves at the Leadmill in Sheffield, I wasn’t jumping in joy. Of course I knew the likes of “T-Shirt Weather” and “Young Chasers” (you know, I had actually stepped outside in the last year), but past that point the connoisseur in me lacked. But, a gig was a gig, and regardless I naturally agreed. Now it’s one of the nicest feelings when the reality of something exceeds your expectations, and that’s exactly what happened. With faultless support from Gengahr and another band whose name I seem to have forgotten along with the entire of Google doing the same… the night seemed to explode when the main band took to the stage. A full house started frantically head banging and screaming, and the energy seemed to be contagious. Within seconds I had been ripped apart from the group I arrived with, and made friends with a load of strangers in the darkest depths of a mosh pit. With excellent lighting and professional musicians the night seemed to disappear in a matter of seconds. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know the words – it turns out I did recognise many of the tunes, and even if I had sung, it would have been drowned out by the shaking of the drums. I left having lost at least three stone in sweat and with a few videos that are shaking too much to watch, but it was a truly unforgettable night and I would urge anyone to go and see them on their upcoming UK tour.

McBusted Review – 05/05/2014

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Perhaps the biggest thing to happen to pop rock in the 21st century is the formation of “supergroup” McBusted – comprising of McFly and Busted (although Charlie Simpson hasn’t joined the band in order to pursue his solo career – anyone heard of it?) Originally planning to do 11 shows, fast ticket sales resulted in the group performing 34 shows in their huge arena tour. I was invited to see them at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, and having spent my childhood through a music phase of softcore punk listening only to McFly I had high hopes. I hadn’t listened to them in a while, however, and I’ve never been a huge fan of Busted.

Support acts were interesting: Young Brando; E of E and The 3 Dudes (who I think have a combined age nearing just 30?) but a few boos from the crowd confirmed the bands’ popularities.

McBusted made it for it, however, by entering the stage in a Back-to-the-Future-esque entrance, with Busted members flying onto the stage in that car in a load of smoke, and McFly shooting through trapdoors whilst pyrotechnics exploded everywhere.

They played a combination of the two bands’ greatest hits whilst the crowd went crazy – needless to say certain items of underwear reached the stage.

Midway through the concert, after the group left the stage temporarily and TV screens showed them reporting alien activity, they descended into the arena on an enormous floating spaceship. After doing a few songs on it midair, they ran though the crowd back onto the stage where a huge flaming ‘McBusted’ sign had appeared. Huge yoga balls made their way into the crowd during Busted’s “What I Go to School For” and the concert was rounding off by “Year 3000”, in which the nipples of a triple-breasted inflatable prop exploded with streamers. The band then left the stage by jumping through a huge hole in the flooring through which the flaming sign had risen.

The term “supergroup” certainly wasn’t a lie, and though I couldn’t hear properly for the next week, it was a great concert. It didn’t make the slightest difference not knowing many of Busted’s songs – the nostalgia of both groups and the incredible staging of it made for an unforgettable night. It doesn’t matter what taste in music you have, every single person in the arena came away buzzing, and I think that’s where McBusted’s success lies.