Palma Violets // Live Review

Band: Palma Violets

Date: 22nd November 2013

Venue: Newcastle University Student Union

Newcastle University's Student Union is renound for creating the most intimate, (not to mention sweatiest) gig atmosphere available to avid music fans. With touchable ceilings and a 30-second manoeuvre from the barrier to the bar; the little venue is perfect for lining up the icons. And now, on a Friday night, the hidden venue opened it's door of welcome, to none other than Palma Violets.

If you haven't heard of Palmas, then really where the fuck have you been in 2013? Releasing their debut '180' earlier this year, the Violets have been traveling on a whirlwind of destruction; bagging large fonts on the UK's most prestigious music festivals, such as Glastonbury and only Reading and Leeds. 

They're best friends with  (arguably) the three most shagable girls in a band ever; (I'm obviously talking about Haim here!) Surely they must be doing something right? 

So..were Palma Violets worth the £12.50? Or should you avoid them like the plague of sweets nobody dares to touch?

Two words: fucking class

The night started with a roar from Scottish band Babystrange; who play electric indie rock with a kick. Loping onto his guitar, front-man Johnny leers down the mic to soon-to-take-the-country-by-storm single 'Pure Evil'. A tribute to Chilli Jesson actually sees the Palmas bass player jumping into the small crowd - a band for 2014 for definite 

The crazy atmosphere intensifys as second support act 'Childhood' take to the stage. The lead singer adorns a 'fro so funky you'd kill for looks like that! Slightly mellowed songs pierce the roudy masculine crowd; subduing them slightly, before Childhood roar into songs that make the hairs on the back of your neck almost touch the low ceiling of the hidden venue.

Finally, after due waiting; none other than Palma Violets grace the saucepan-sized stage. To say the least there was really nothing like it.

The Violets shredded their way through a killer set list of songs; perfectly harmonising with each other. Crowd pleaser 'Best of Friends' saw grown men holding hands with one another; bouncing around in a drunken haze. While 'Chicken Dippers' found a mass sing-a-long churning it's way through the venue.

Palma's had so much energy and sophistication to their proformance, you would've thought they'd been perfecting this falace for centuries; not just forming in the late 2010! 

Ending on a valiant chorus of 'oh fourteen, oh fourteen take me home', the neurotic Jesson flips his way into the crowd and finds himself being hurtled forward into the belly of the beast. But Jesson seems to be cool and collected when girls (but mainly boys) have a cheeky feel of his crotch. He doesn't mind; he's becoming a rock star!

If you're looking for an un-forgettable night of live music, with an atmosphere that trickles perfection; then you've picked the right band to go see.

16/11/13 Music Haul

This mornings music haul;

Arcade Fire (Discography)
Funeral (2004) -
he album that changed the game, any Arcade Fire fan needs this in their collection
Neon Bible (2008) -
a completley different spin coming from the Canadian giants, a whole world away from Funeral, if you haven't heard the ablum... Have you been living under a rock for the last 5 years of your life?
The Suburbs (2010) -
needs no introduction. Easily Arcade Fire's best work
Reflektor (2013) -
read my Reflektor review here - http://www.gigslutz.co.uk/arcade-fire-reflektor-album-review/

Metronomy
The English Riviera (2011) -
a must have album for lovers of anything obscurely synth

MIA
Matangi (2013) -
the prodigy has returned from flipping the middle finger at the Superbowl and has aimed it at Drake

Tribes
Baby (2012) -
a band splitting up calls for celebration, not commiserating

Lorde
Pure Heroine (2013) -
does Lorde want to be in Pete Doherty's gang with this pun? The album's music itself creates the same thoughts as the abysmal title does - awful

Lady Gaga
Born This Way (2011) -
self-explanitory, everybody should own this album
Artpop (2013) -
contrasting with the album above - nobody who loves Gaga should own this album

King Krule
6 Feet Beneath The Moon (2013) -
filled with pure beauty and melancholy lyrics; 6FBTM is worth all of the hype that has surrounded King Krule for the past couple of years ; simply mesmerising artwork

Azealia Banks
Fantasea Mix tape (2012) -
Azealia Banks is known more for her rage on Twitter that her album (which still hasn't appeared.) But the Fantasea mix tape is everything that we love Azealia for ; her real truth and her exaggerated use of describing her vagina

The Fratellis
Costello Music (2006) -
a mammoth of an album coming from a band that'll always have a place in our hearts, especially the Scottish
We Need Medicine (2013) -
a controversial album that was never going to live up to Costello Music, but it's a good try boys

Tame Impala
Lonerism (2012) -
arguably 2012's album of the year - even Tyler, The Creator likes it 'IT FEEEEEEEELS LIKE WE'RE ONLY GOING BAAAAAAAAAAAACKWAAAAAAARDS'

White Denim
Corsicana Lemonade (2013) -
2013's hottest band of the year for definite, already snagging their way onto the Radio 6 Music's play list. One to watch and not miss out on

Drenge
Drenge (2013) -
This band have had a serious whirlwind of a year; hailing from fields full of beer to being discussed by politicians. Self-entitled album Drenge seriously pushes the boundaries out for what's next - catch them on tour with Peace this December

Tribes Split

'I don't care for dancing / but thanks for asking'

I've never experienced a band I've been in love with, splitting up before. Earlier this year, when My Chemical Romance announced their split - the world was turned into turmoil. Screaming fans declaring their suicidal despair and worries of how they were going to cope without them in their lives anymore. However, a lot of people (including myself) weren't deeply effected by the split. It was more of a 'thats sad they were great' prayer, and then move on.

 

'How'd you tell a child that there's no god up in the sky, and it's all a lie?'

I've never felt that over-whelming sadness until now. Tribes, originating from Camden, have been a massive part of my life for the past year and a half. It was announced on twitter earlier today, that the four piece 'will no longer writing and preforming together as Tribes'.

 

'Stood there throwing ice-cream in her hair, how I solemnly swear'

Tribes brought indie-rock to a whole new level with albums 'Baby' and 'Wish To Scream'. They first burst in on the main-stream scene in 2011 with single from Baby, 'We Were Children'. This easily became one of my favourite songs of the whole year. The crunchy guitar beat that swung in delicately with Johnny Lloyd's definitive vocals. An illuminating band with lyrics sprinkled with realistic magic.

 

'Have you noticed the change in the weather lately? / It's getting me down always saying I'm sorry'

 I took the trip out to see them at the first chance I got - which was the NME 2012 tour. The tour was my first glimpse of all four artists to play that night. The now-bigger-than-her-own-ego Azealia Banks opened up the tour, swiftly followed by a roaring set by Tribes, then Metronomy and then headlining the night was none other than Two Door Cinema Club. But out of all four massive artists, it was definitely Tribes who stuck out like a sore thumb - they were spectacular.

'Aint it strange how the other half live?'

I seen them live again this summer at T In The Park, where they played the Transmission stage on Friday evening. An absolutely phenomenal set following the release of 'Wish To Scream'. A brilliant live set with so much energy and oozing passion - that is seemed as if their reign was never going to end.

'in my paradise you're losing me'

But it seems, sadly, that all good things must come to an end. A band with such electricity pulsing through their veins transporting you to another world, has sadly broke-apart for reasons un-known at the present moment.

'running around with my head in a spin / what use is god if you never win?'

We can't do anything but celebrate the music Tribes delivered to us and magnify their glory.

'My girlfriend doenst love me / my haircut doenst suit me / my best friend thinks I'm crazy'

Rip Tribes x

Up-Coming Gigs // Palma Violets + Peace

For a concert enthusiast, your personal postman slowly becomes to be your best-friend. Shitty day? Postman rocks up in his regal red van delivering concert tickets. Great day at sixth form / college? made even better by the surprise arrival of gig tickets. Tickets, tickets, tickets. The premium, sort-after piece of card that can turn your friends and foes green with envy with a quick swipe under their noses.

Two sought-after precious cards came through my door today - a welcoming surprise after my utter abysmal day at dreary sixth form. The two passes, which are soon to open up the world of euphoric wonder for a handful of hours, are two relatively known bands who's reputations are steadily exceeding themselves. The two prestigious bands are Palma Violets and Peace.

To be fair, I'm more excited to see Peace's support act on the November / December tour, rather than themselves. Drenge support Peace this Winter. Drenge. Breathe. Drenge are possibly one of the most highly rated bands around at the current time, consisting of the two Loveless brothers. Loveless by name, loveless by nature. 'I Wanna Break You In Half' and 'People In Love Make Me Feel Yuck', give off the impression that maybe Drenge aren't going to be that shoe gazing pop group playing about with the synthesiser.

Four-piece Peace from Worcester however, need no introduction. NME has crammed their name into every issue and it's seriously impossible to get away from them. But, are they worth the hype? Yeah, definitely. I seen them live at T In The Park earlier this year, and their live performance is full of camp sparkle to get you dancing. Harry Koisser was dressed for the Scottish weather appropriately, with a large, over-sized fur coat dangling off his skinny body, as the band raced through their roaring set from debut album 'In Love'.

Peace's gig (originally being held at Hoult's Yard, Newcastle) has been moved to Northumbria Uni, on December 1st. I haven't been to Northumbria Uni for a gig before, so I'm hoping that when I report back it'll be a positive experience from an intimate gig.

The second ticket that came through the post today was Palma Violets. What can I say? There is only one word that can possibly describe Palma Violets: fuck. I also seen the the indie-rock quartet, originating from Lambeth London, live at T in The Park this year also. It was one of those performances that had you completely mesmerised, and at one point I did feel tears streaming down my face.

Palma Violets are supported on tour by a band called Baby Strange, who I am yet to look into - but to support a band, also heavily promoted by NME, must mean their half-alright doesn't it? Palma's bring a fusion of energy and the mood of a wild party to the stage with tracks from their debut '180'. They play Newcastle Uni on November 22nd and are sure to deliver another unforgettable set in a sweaty, intimate basement setting. Every human in the room is bound to be doused in twenty other peoples sweat. And strangely, I for one, can't wait for either of them!