The Vaccines / Gig Review

The Vaccines, one of the most influential and rising indie-rock bands of the moment. Their second big-sellout headline tour; their third time playing the O2 Academy in Newcastle... And what a night it was!
The night started with three very different, very varied support acts tailor picked by The Vaccines themselves, Pale, Deap Vally and DIIV. Throughout the three virtually unknown support acts, the crowd were very polite, quiet and un-attached. They listened rather than moved

The first act to grace us was Pale - a two piece opening the gig with rigid politeness, strong synthesised beats and quiet humming down the mic, you could tell that these two were nervous as hell!

The second act was Deap Vally, two country-influenced rock chick's presenting themselves in a way not many men rockers, let alone ladies can. With a strong presence on stage, despite some technical difficulties, the two Americans swept and swooned through their set of powerful guitar riffs, a banging drum beat accompanied with raunchy vocals; heightening the mood of the un-aware crowd ever so slightly. Siren songs.

The third support was from American syntho-pop band DIIV. Combined woozy guitars and indie boy haircuts; the band swooped through their longer-than-necessary set. With breathless vocals and an odd stage presence, you could tell that it was about time the act everyone had came to see to appear.

And appear they did. Justin Young with his "messy hair" and double denim rocketed on stage to deafening screams from girls and boys. Rolling straight in with "No Hope". A chorus of "No Hope!" was screamed throughout the academy as the electrifying quartet preformed a mind-blowing set of extraordinary brilliance.

From rolling into the new album "Coming Of Age" and flipping between their award-winning debut "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?", The Vaccines put on a show of shining energy; steam could really be seen coming from Young's scraggy hair.

Finishing on a high of single "Norgaard", the crowd of the Newcastle Academy were treated to a fast action fist pumping hard-hitting jolt of reality. A musical high was a strong mutual feeling that night. You could see the bright twinkle in every ones eyes and the only words that were uttered were a "WOW".


The Vaccines are really something else

nicki minaj / gig review

We all know her for her fake 'larger than life' bum, her silky blonde wigs and her tendency to use the word 'pussy' and 'hoe' at least once in every song. She's one of the most loved, and one of the most hated, in our every tiring music industry today. But there is no denying the fact that Nicki Minaj is one of the best American female rappers around; even if she says she's got it 'cracking like a bad back'.

From the release of 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' 6 singles have already been released, including 'Starships', 'Pound The Alarm', 'Beez In The Trap' and her more recent single 'Va Va Voom'. The 19 track album has been credited as 'a mediocre rap album' leaving you with the feeling of wanting to 'drive off a cliff'. Given a 5/10 from NME magazine; it seems as if Minaj has created an album nobody wants to hear or think about: wrong.

The number 1 album in 4 countries has made the mark Minaj wanted. Proof? Her Roman Reloaded tour of the UK has been completely sold out, extra dates have been added and it's the tour everybody has been whinging and raving about... So what really is the fuss?

In Newcastle Upon-Tyne Nicki Minaj's support had come from Ex-X-Factor hopeful Misha B; who has lost the 'diva' edge to her voice and has started to mould into a more 'real' Nicki Minaj. With a snap-back and Doc Martens, Misha B looks stylish on stage, prancing and bellowing out the only two songs she will ever have in her career, which surprisingly the whole crowd videoed on their mobiles. With the lack of material Misha B also decided to throw in her own style of murder: in the form of Adele's 'Someone Like You'. Support was also given by rapper 'Tyga' (pronounced Tiger) where he - (also with lack of material) sang his one-and-only-one-hit-wonder known song 'Rack City Bitch' twice in five minutes. His gimmick of finding women in the crowd with big boobs and getting them on stage also set the mood for the rest of the concert - the starstruck feeling of happiness and excitement was fading - quickly.

The diva herself was late to her own slot - nine o'clock turned to quarter to ten before the superstar appeared on stage in a pink space rocket. The new elegantly named song 'Come On A Cone' was preformed first on a stage set which has been modeled on Minaj herself  (a haunted house stage set) followed by 'Roman Reloaded' and a song that is simply so sophisticated and brilliant the only words are 'Beez In The Trap'.

Surprisingly, only five costume changes, including a long pink dress and a stereotypical black rapper costume; customised with a jewelled snap back, were the outfits for Minaj in the night. Although The 'female weezy' has been credited to mime her way through sets: Nicki Minaj really sang every note, in every song to real perfection. With her 'real' voice (may it have been Martha, Barbie, Roman or Nicki) she preformed to a high professional standard of singing.

Burlesque dancers, a pink convertible car and real fire burning when Minaj sang 'Fire Burns'. The concert may have been gimmicky; but it really showed off Nicki Minaj's ability to look past lyrics of 'Stupid Hoe' an create something she could be proud of. Finishing on the springy hit which was 'Starships' Minaj's atmosphere she created was one of love and bouncy electrifying excitement.



Still not convinced Minaj is your favourite rapper yet?