30/06/2012

The Flaming Lips Break 'Gigs-In-A-Day' Record

US psych-rockers The Flaming Lips have set a Guinness World Record for the most number of live shows, in different cities, performed in 24 hours. The band played eight times across the Mississippi Delta, as part of MTV's O Music Awards.


Kicking off in Memphis, Tennessee, they finished up at the House of Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana, with 20 minutes to spare before the deadline, thus beating the previous record, as held by Jay-Z, who played seven shows from Atlanta to Los Angeles back in 2006.


The band were joined by various acts during their mini-tour including Jackson Browne, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Neon Trees and Linear Downfall (offering a cover of King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid Man).



Speaking on stage after official confirmation of the new world record, frontman Wayne Coyne said:


"At five o'clock this morning you thought you were going to crawl in, barely be able to sing and hope you can just survive it."

"But as the day went, everywhere we would go they'd give us energy - now I feel I could go another 24 hours."


However the singer said he was not sure if he would attempt to break the record again if his feat was beaten in the future.


"All those venues we played - when we knew we had to leave after just 15 or 20 minutes - I honestly wish we could have stayed at those and kept playing."


In a statement released later, Coyne added:


"To be published alongside the man who ate 22lbs (10kgs) of his own boogers, beside the woman with the longest toenails or perhaps even to be published beside an individual who has had maybe 1,000 cockroaches stuffed into their ears... that, to me, would be one of life's absurd joys."


29/06/2012

100 Club & Converse Team Up For 'Represent' Gigs

London's legendary music venue, 100 Club, situated on Oxford street, is hosting a remarkable line-up of free gigs, teaming up with heritage brand, Converse for the Represent musical summer series.

Fleetwood Mac Alternative Covers LP Due August

The long-awaited Fleetwood Mac tribute, Just Tell Me That You Want Me: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, has finally been completed for an August 14th release via Hear Music/Concord. The interesting twist is that the project is now heavy with alternative and indie artists rather than the usual lineup of well-known, mainstream participants.

Liam Gallagher Sings Oasis Songs Again

Last night (June 28th), Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye played a triumphant warm-up gig for their Saturday show at Heaton Park.


Beady Eye will be supporting The Stone Roses, along with The Wailers, Professor Green and Hollie Cook.


Playing a 12-song set at Warrington's Parr Hall, Beady Eye did not air their last two singles Millionaire and The Beat Goes On, but as well as a new Liam-penned song called World Not Set In Stone, the band also delved into the Oasis catalogue for the first time in their history as a band, playing the Noel-written Rock 'n' Roll Star and Morning Glory.


Beady Eye played:


  • Four Letter Word
  • Beatles and Stones
  • Bring the Light
  • World Not Set In Stone
  • Rock 'n' Roll Star
  • The Roller
  • Standing on the Edge of the Noise
  • Wigwam
  • Morning Glory
  • Sons of the Stage
  • Three Ring Circus
  • The Morning Son


28/06/2012

Profile: Red Kites

Red Kites - Moteh, Ben, Liam and Andy - formed in 2010 at The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford with a shared love of Folk and Rock music, and are now gigging around the UK in support of their debut EP, Beat In Time.

Pete Doherty Pulls Out Of T In The Park

Pete Doherty has pulled out of this year's T In The Park festival.


The former The Libertines man flew to Thailand yesterday (June 26) to seek treatment for heroin and crack cocaine addiction and as a result, will not be performing at the event.


This is the second year in a row that Doherty has pulled out of the Scottish festival. He was also booked to play in 2011, but withdrew after he was sent to prison for cocaine possession.


The festival's organiser, Geoff Ellis, confirmed Doherty's pull-out, saying:


"It's a shame. I got a call at about 2am saying that he was going into a medical facility for some treatment and couldn't play. It's a shame because he couldn't play last year and we said we'd put him on this year and he's had to pull out again. I hope he recovers."


"He's said some nice things about the festival and I know it's one of his favourites. It'd be nice to get him back."


T In The Park will be headlined by The Stone Roses, Kasabian and Snow Patrol and takes place over the weekend of July 6th-8th in Balado Park, Kinross. For more information about T In The Park, visit Tinthepark.com.


27/06/2012

Album Review: The Offspring

days go by (colombia)


Twenty-three years have gone by since The Offspring released their first record. Returning with their ninth studio album (the first with newest drummer, Pete Parada), they maintain their signature Californian Punk Rock sound, along with a few (not so successful) surprises.

Album Review: Metric

synthetica (abko us)


After the commercial breakthrough of their 2009 album Fantasies, it would seem kind of unfair to ask Metric to do anything differently on their next outing. That album perfectly took their usual tuneful blend of hooky new wave and spooky synth pop and blew it up to stadium-huge levels while adding more emotional content than ever before.


Album Review: Old Grey Whistle Test

the o.g.w.t. live (rhino)


Third in the series of OGWT releases and a 3-disc bonanza! Discs 1 and 2 are made up of actual live performances from the show and the 3rd featuring tracks from the 40th anniversary BBC Radio 2 show in 2011, produced and presented by Bob Harris himself. All for only about £10 - something which we call 'A Steal' around here...

Album Review: Linkin Park

living things (warner bros.)


Nu-metal stalwarts Linkin Park return with their fifth album, Living Things, a more personal effort than their previous releases.

26/06/2012

On Tour: Alabama Shakes

Southern Blues-Rockers, Alabama Shakes, have announced a short UK tour for this Autumn/Winter.

On The Radar 26/06/12

Tuesday's weekly selection of new tunes and sessions comprising this week's 'Staff Picks' from the Gigseen TV office ... New music featured from Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Futures, Two Wounded Birds, and the Dub Pistols.

25/06/2012

A Closer Look At...Deep Purple

This week Gigseen are bringing you another fantastic concert to enjoy at your own leisure. Our Gig of The Week featured concerts are completely FREE all week - all you have to do is register at Gigseen TV, sit back and relax as we bring you Deep Purple.

Live Review: Dolittle / She Makes War

22nd June - The Hope and Anchor, Islington


Friday night in Islington saw a wicked night out put on at The Hope and Anchor by Goodsouls Promotions with a second gig in the last year or so from the brilliant Dolittle, supported by one of London's most hardworking performers, She Makes War.

On Tour: Rancid

Punk outfit, Rancid, have announced a UK tour this December, with tickets going on sale this Friday 29th June.

Gig Of The Week: Deep Purple

Live At Montreux [2006, 55m]
~ watch now ~

Few bands are more closely associated with Montreux than Deep Purple and there was simply no other contender when it came to choosing the act to headline the closing night of the 40th Festival in 2006.

Bruce Springsteen Closes IOW Festival

Bruce Springsteen closed this year’s Isle Of Wight Festival with a typically mammoth set yesterday evening (June 24th).


Springsteen opened with the classic, Darkness On The Edge Of Town, Badlands, and also played a selection of tracks taken from his latest release, Wrecking Ball.


A crowd pleasing encore included favourites such as Born In The USA, Glory Days, Dancing In The Dark and the 1984 record’s title track, while the set was concluded with a spectacular fireworks display during a cover of Twist and Shout.


Before Bruce took to the stage, frontman, Noel Gallagher performed his first UK festival gig as a solo artist. With material from his debut solo record Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds played along side a handful of Oasis classics such as Little By Little and Don’t Look Back In Anger, the performance was brought to a rabble rousing finish.


Bruce Springsteen's setlist:


  • Badlands
  • No Surrender
  • We Take Care Of Our Own
  • Wrecking Ball
  • Death to My Hometown
  • My City of Ruins
  • Spirit in the Night
  • Lonesome Day
  • Jack of All Trades
  • Atlantic City
  • Because the Night
  • Working on the Highway
  • Shackled and Drawn
  • Waitin’ on a Sunny Day
  • The River
  • The Rising
  • Out in the Street
  • Land of Hope and Dreams
  • We Are Alive
  • Born in the U.S.A.
  • Born to Run
  • Glory Days
  • Dancing in the Dark
  • Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
  • Twist and Shout


24/06/2012

Jay-Z + Friends Set Tops Hackney Saturday

Jay-Z gave the incredible performance that everyone was expecting last night, even though the heavens had opened throughout the day - Jay still managed to bring the whole house down as the rapper closed an extraordinary show with help from a few friends.


Rihanna joined him on stage as he opened with Run This Town but that was just the start of great things to come from Jay-Z throughout his hour long set. He stormed through versions of some of his biggest hits, including 99 Problems, Dead Presidents, '03 Bonnie and Clyde, Girls, Girls, Girls and Empire State Of Mind.

M.I.A.'s appearance was disrupted when she suffered microphone failure during Paper Planes, but Jay-Z's final guest didn't disappoint, with the other half of 'The Throne', Kanye West joining Jay-Z for near on 30 minutes.



The duo ripped through roughly half of Watch the Throne with renditions of Otis, No Church in the Wild, Murder to Excellence and of course Niggas in Paris.


The Hackney Weekend continues today (Sunday), with sets from FLorence + the Machine, Plan B, Jessie J and a headline performance by Rihanna.


23/06/2012

Live Review: Jack White

June 21st - 02 Brixton Academy

Reviewed by Tom Burris


Jack White brought his Blunderbuss showcase to the O2 Academy in Brixton, this time featuring Jack’s handpicked all-male band, The Buzzards.


Seasick Steve To Headline Joe Strummer Tribute

Seasick Steve is set to join the already outstanding line-up for this year's 'Strummer of Love' festival taking place in Somerset on the weekend of 17th to 19th August. The one-off event will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of iconic Clash frontman Joe Strummer.


Having already sold out scores of venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo and Brixton O2 Academy, the cult bluesman will be joining an already impressive line-up including The Pogues, Frank Turner and Emmy the Great.


Additionally, dance music pioneers Basement Jaxx will be performing an unseen and exclusive DJ set which promises to be one of the highlights of the festival. Classic dancehall and reggae DJ David Rodigan will make sure the whole site gets up and moving whilst DJ Scratchy, who rode on tour with the Clash, will be bringing an element of '76 energy to the proceedings.


Faithful to the spirit of Strummer's diverse life and career - as hippy era festivalgoer, folk troubadour, family man, globally feted punk icon and world music explorer - the 'Strummer of Love' event should be an occasion to savour.


22/06/2012

Album Of The Year: Our Contenders

So it seems that yesterday was midsummers day. Yes, that's right, somehow we're already halfway through the year! But before the misery and realisations of missed opportunities descend on you like an anvil, we've got something to brighten up your mood - our contenders for 2012's album of the year.

On Tour: Tori Amos

Wednesday 3rd October 2012


Tori Amos, one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation, and is set to return to The Royal Albert Hall as part of her European tour.

Live Review: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

20th June - Royal Albert Hall.
Reviewed by Andrew Prout


As anyone who’s been for a ride in my car can attest, I’ve been a lifelong fan of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. So when they announced their first major UK tour dates in 20 years I knew I had to be there. Getting tickets for one of their two London shows at the Royal Albert Hall was a mad scramble, and at first glance the seats I managed to get didn’t look too promising – the West Choir, behind the stage.

21/06/2012

Profile: A Place To Bury Strangers

A Place to Bury Strangers are a New York–based Noise Rock band with a heavy, atmospheric blend of both Psychedelic Rock and a dreamy Shoe-gaze style. With a reputation as 'The loudest band in New York', this band really mean business.

On Tour: Green Day UK Dates

Despite the cancellation of a 'secret' show they were due to play in California this coming Friday, Green Day are set to head to the UK for a series of gigs later this year.

On Tour: Paul Carrack

Paul Carrack is set to embark on a tour across the UK through the summer, as well as an expansive tour this Autumn during October and November.

Ozzy Osbourne Pulls Out Of German Gig

German fans feared the worst when Ozzy Osbourne cancelled an 'Ozzy and Friends' gig at the SAP Arena in Mannheim at the very last minute yesterday.


Ozzy was scheduled to take the stage after the group Black Label Society but spokesman came on stage to announce the cancellation. According to Osbourne's reps, the singer had a concern over the quality of his voice and decided not to go forward with the performance. They added that, overall however, his health was fine.


As yet, fans have not been advised as to whether the show will be rescheduled or refunded but to check the website for news on whether there will be a new date.


The singer, who replaced almost all of his summer tour dates with Black Sabbath with 'Ozzy And Friends' shows while his bandmate Tony Iommi recovers from cancer, has also been working on the new Sabbath album, the band having said earlier this month that they have written "15 new songs" for the new LP.


20/06/2012

Album Review: Smashing Pumpkins

oceania (emi)


Their ninth studio album - and first in five years - Oceania is the latest instalment from the Billy Corgan-led Smashing Pumpkins' Teargarden by Kaleidyscope concept album series; a project that began in 2009 as an ongoing 44-song cycle.

Album Review: Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple The Idler Wheel

the idler wheel (columbia)


Coming some seven years after her previous offering Extrodinary Machine, Fiona Apple’s fourth album is bursting with beauty. Alone with her voice, piano and percussionist Charley Drayton for the most part, Apple has nowhere to hide, and we’re glad she doesn’t.

On Tour: Danny & Ben (Thunder)

Bandmates Danny and Ben from Soft Rock group, Thunder, will be playing UK shows in January and February.

19/06/2012

On Tour: Hot Chip

Following the release of their new album In Our Heads, Hot Chip have announced an eight-date headline tour taking place in October 2012, and tickets are on sale now.

On Tour: Bon Iver

Bon Iver have extended their forthcoming tour with new shows in London, Manchester and Dublin.

On The Radar 19/06/12

Tuesday's weekly selection of new tunes and sessions comprising this week's 'Staff Picks' from the Gigseen TV office ... New music featured from Jack Savoretti, Newton Faulkner, Metric, and an ÜBER-TONE remix of Heath:ward.

Wham To Make 30th Anniversary Comeback?

George Michael is rumoured to be set to reunite Wham! for a "One-off pop extravaganza". George, who releases his new single White Light on June 29th - is to get back together with Andrew Ridgeley for a special show to mark 30 years since the duo initially got together.


A source apparently told the Daily Mirror newspaper:


"George and Andrew have often said their 'Club Tropicana' days are well behind them. But seeing as their anniversary coincides with George releasing new material, it's one of those 'now or never' moments."

"They probably won't do a long tour or release new material like Take That but they do want to commemorate the event with a big gig ... And an even bigger party afterwards! Things are still in the early stages but everybody is getting really excited about it."


Wham!'s first release was Wham! Rap (Enjoy What you Do) back in 1982, which was one of a string of hits the group which included Young Guns (Go for It!), Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Last Christmas. The pair went their separate ways in 1986, with Andrew settling into a quiet life while George went on to become one of the biggest selling British solo artists of the 80s and 90s. He said yesterday:


"On June 29 it will be 30 years to the day that 'Wham! Rap', our first single, entered the charts. To celebrate, I'm releasing my new song. I dreamed of a career as a singer/songwriter from an early age but never could I have known I'd still be here 30 years later, with much more music to give."


18/06/2012

A Closer Look At...Santana

This week Gigseen are bringing you another fantastic concert to enjoy at your own leisure. Our Gig of The Week featured concerts are completely FREE all week - all you have to do is register at Gigseen TV, sit back and relax as we bring you Santana.

On Tour: Bloc Party

Bloc Party have announced details of a UK tour this October and are set to release a new album, titled Four, in August.

Gig Of The Week: Santana

Hymns For Peace [2004, 58m]
~ watch now ~

On 15 July 2004, Santana took to the stage in Montreux accompanied by a stunning line-up of guests to perform a concert of songs about peace and understanding that they dubbed Hymns For Peace.

Rush Taking String Ensemble On Tour

Rush are set to take an 8-10 piece string ensemble on their forthcoming tour.

17/06/2012

Featured Music: She Makes War

Blending urgent, grungey guitars with processed beats, heady pop melodies and a liberal dusting of glitter, She Makes War is the 'gloom-pop' solo project of Laura Kidd: London-based multi-instrumentalist, visual artist and digital polymath.

The Stones To Play Farewell Gig Next Year?

The Rolling Stones will bow out from live performances with a headline slot at next year's Glastonbury Festival, according to reports.


The Stones have never played the Worthy Farm festival but a rumour suggests that they will be heading there for their first and only time next summer.


'Sources' close to the band have indicated that their Glastonbury appearance will be their final date in a "handful" of shows in the UK and USA in 2012. It is also suggested that, as it is part of the group's 50-year anniversary, it will be seen as a good time to call it a day on live performances. One source revealed:


"All four members have agreed that next year is the right time to have one final hurrah and put on the gig of their lives. It's a case of now or never, and obviously Glastonbury is the most important festival on the circuit. Everybody's incredibly excited... it's a final bow."


Elton John Concert Cut Short By Bad Weather

Elton John's inaugural concert at a new venue in Blackpool was cut short on Saturday by strong winds. Nearly two hours into his set Elton told a disappointed crowd of almost 11,000 that on police advice he had been told to stop playing.


The Blackpool Tower Headland outdoor arena lies in the shadow of the Lancashire resort's tower. Rain poured for most of the day at the resort but relented as the concert began. The temporary stage was buffeted by high winds shortly before Elton called time.


"I have been told there is some really bad weather on the way," he said. "The police say you need to leave right now in an orderly fashion. I'm sorry but I don't want anyone to be hurt. I'll make it up to you."


The largely middle-aged crowd filed away from their seats without much fuss and some were happy to buy programmes and T-shirts on their way out. Earlier he played a rousing set of all his hits and opened with Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting).


The concert was the first in a series of summer events at the venue but conditions were breezy throughout on the Promenade. Elton told the crowd on this, his first trip to Blackpool since 1977;


"I can't see anyone with a bikini on out there."


Other favourites played were Candle in the Wind, Rocket Man, Sacrifice and Sad Songs. Other planned events at the arena in the coming weeks include the visit of the Olympic flame and performances by The Wanted, McFly and John Barrowman.


Death At Radiohead Venue As Stage Collapses

A massive section of ironwork collapsed at Toronto's Downsview Park onSaturday afternoon prior to Radioheads's planned show there, leaving one dead and three injured.


According to Toronto Police, the deceased man was in his thirties. Given that the show was not yet open to the audience, he was likely a member of Radiohead's tour crew. The man's name is not yet being released until such time as police are able to notify his family. Two of the injured were treated and released with minor injuries. The third, 45 years old, sustained a serious, but not life-threatening injury to his head.


It's not clear if the victims were working on the elevated metalwork or on the stage level when the collapse occurred.


So far Radiohead's only comment has been via their Twitter, which posted what appears to be a hastily written message just after 5 pm ET.


"Due to unforeseen circumstances tonight's at downsview park tonight has been cancelled. Fans are advised not to make their way to the venue."


CBC News spoke to several concessionaires who were on scene at the time of the accident. Alexandra Mihan reported a sound like fireworks, then hearing screaming and gasping.


"We turned around, and the entire top of the stage has just collapsed. All of the metalwork and all of the screens had just kind of folded over on top of each other."


Photos and videos making their way across the Internet on Saturday painted a similarly grim picture. Beer vendor Jeff Cole added,


"It's very, very fortunate that the gates weren't open, because it would have been pandemonium."