Gigs

My favourite place to be in the world. Gigs are simply the best. The energy is amazing and how loud is it is  quite unreal.. although you only realise how loud it is after the gig when you’re laid half dead in bed with that stupid ringing noise in your ears! The thing I love about gigs is the fact that any music sounds amazing live, from rock to dubstep, all sound great within that closed environment. Regardless to whether the crowd is of 500 at Leeds Cockpit or 80,000 at Leeds Festival, the band usually always has great interaction with the crowd, most notably Blink 182 who I once saw in 2010 who casually joked with the crowd. I’ve been lucky enough to see so many of ‘my’ bands live and gigging has become a massive part of my life. Although sustaining various injuries in ‘moshpits’ and ‘walls of death’ down the years, all have been thoroughly enjoyable. To finish the blog I’ll attempt to name every band I’ve seen live (this is largely due to boredom):
Enter Shikari (X8)                 Muse                         Blink 182
Kings Of Leon                         Paramore                Kaiser Cheifs (X2)
Panic At The Disco               Fall Out Boy           30 Seconds To Mars (X2)
Funeral For A Friend          Alexisonfire           New Found Glory (X2)
Friendly Fires (X4)              Lostprophets         We Are The Ocean (X3)
KidsInGlassHouses (X2)   You Me At Six        Cypress Hill
Madina Lake                           Weezer                      Limp Bizkit
All Time Low                          Kings Blues (X2)   Thrice
White Lies (X3)                      Young Guns           General Fiasco
The Offspring                          Deftones (X2)        The Blackout (X2)
Jimmy Eat World                  Madness                  Two Door Cinema Club
Pigeon Detectives (X2)      Seasick Steve         Elbow
Architects                               The Cribs                 Hadouken
Pendulum                               Klaxons                    Young Knives
Florence & The Machine  The Enemy             + lots lots more..

Bands I’m seeing in 2012

I’m very lucky in the sense that I’ve seen some massive bands at gigs in my life from Blink 182 to Muse and from Kings of Leon to Paramore. Thankfully this seems to be set to continues in 2012 especially with the huge line up at Leeds Festival over the August bank holiday.

ENTER SHIKARI

This year I’ve already been lucky enough to see Enter Shikari once at Leeds Cockpit where they played a special album release show. That gig was insane, mostly due to the fact that the venue is so small so the atmosphere was incredible. I’ll also be seeing Enter Shikari for the ninth time at Leeds Festival when they play main stage on Sunday the 26th of August. Enter Shikari also play one of the best live shows I’ve ever witnessed!

SKRILLEX

On the 17th April, I’m seeing dubstep artist Skrillex at Leeds o2 academy and to some extent, I don’t really know what to expect. I’ve never really been to this sort of gig before because I’m more use to the so called ‘rock’ scene with guitar, drums and the rest been played so not sure what to do so to speak when I’m there. However, I’m currently loving the dub scene that’s taking hold of the British music industry and upon hearing his set is 36 songs long.. I really can’t wait!

LOSTPROPHETS

Within the same week as seeing Skrillex, I’m also seeing one of my favourite bands in Lostprophets on Saturday, 21st April. I actually saw them play the same venue two years back now with Kids In Glass Houses and We Are the Ocean and they didn’t disappoint! With their new album coming out this year, I’m expecting even better this time around.

YOU ME AT SIX

This will be the second time I’m seeing the five piece and once again at Leeds Festival. Back in 2009 they played a really enjoyful, entertaining set which got the crowd going before the so called ‘bigger’ bands played the bill later that evening. I’m really looking forward to seeing these guys again however especially after their album ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ was released late last year which has some massive tracks on it including ‘Bite My Tongue’ and ‘Jaws On The Floor’.

OFWGKTA

Seeing this ‘band’ or collection of very talented rapers will also be a very new experience for me when they play main stage on the SundaY at Leeds Festival. Like Skrillex, I’ve never really been to a gig like I’m sure this one will be, maybe apart from seeing Cypress Hill previously at Leeds Festival.

KASABIAN

Headlining the Sunday evening at Leeds Festival, Kasabian. So looking forward to seeing these guys up there especially after their new album. Cannot wait to see ‘Fire’ ‘Club Foot’ and ‘Shoot The Runner’ live above all and I’m pretty sure they will not disappoint especially with the great live reviews they gain in various music magazines.

FOO FIGHTERS

Talk about leaving the best until last. Headlining Leeds Festival on the Friday, finally seeing my favourite ever band. Words cannot describe how excited I am to finally see them and I’m pretty sure that watching them live will quite honestly be the greatest moment in my life so far. I can’t even begin to say which my favourite song will be live because to me, Foo Fighters are just one of them bands where I love basically every song they have ever produce and made. Also, Dave Grohl is truly my hero and just everything I could ever aspire to be!

I’ll also be seeing: Kaiser Chiefs, Paramore, The Cribs, All Time Low, The Black Keys, The Gaslight Anthem, Cancer Bats, Deaf Havana, Pulled Apart By Horses, Angels And Airwaves, Bombay Bicycle Club and many many more..

A brief catch up and a quick look to the future

Since this is the first blog I’ve written in about two months I guess I’ll start with a brief catch up on whats been happening in my life; this won’t last long..

Well at the moment, from about January, my life has been all go in a work sense with January exams at school and the constant work and revision for this summers big, all important exams. I would say I did ok in my January exams but I still know I can do better and achieve what I really want in the summer and nail my place at university. That’s another issue, university. To be honest, I really can’t wait to go and start with a fresh, new challenge and above all meet new people and friends. On the downside, I don’t want to leave home due to my family and friends ‘up north’ but I know we’ll all keep great contact and meet up whenever possible. Anyway, nothing too much has happened since Christmas to be honest, just the occasional night in with the friends, staying up until three in the morning.

When it comes to events to look forward to, past the exams and endless revision,  the list is seemingly quite long. I’m fortunate to be seeing Skrillex and one of my favourite bands, Lostprophets in the same week in April and then in August I am once again visiting the almighty Leeds Festival where I’m finally seeing my favourite ever band, Foo Fighters. Evidently I cannot wait! Also there’s other events such as prom at school which is really exciting and just a whole summer of drinking ‘responsibly’ after I turn eighteen in July. Massively looking forward to all this after exams are over and out of the way with!

Also a very happy mothers day to my mum and I’d like to thank her for all the support she has ever giving me and that my thoughts are with footballer Fabrice Muamba and his family at this time after he collapsed yesterday in the Tottenham and Bolton match x

Capturing a moment

Just a quick blog I thought I would share.. This morning on the way to school via the bus stop I caught this picture of the beautiful sunrise! Not bad to say this is actually the camera on my phone..

Exams

Never really understood the concept of exams if I’m been honest. To what extent is it actually an exam? To me it just seems to be a memory test. You may be brilliant at your writing style but with a bad memory comes bad grades. This blog is in light of my current involvement with exams. Today I had my first of five exams, two been mocks and three been re-sits. Personally todays exam seemed to go okay but I can’t help but think that there’s too much revision needed for an hours exam. To increase results for students surely doing say four exams over the course of the year after a respective topic is a better idea than placing one exam at the end of the year where you have to revise every aspect of the subject in hand? It just doesn’t and never will add up to me..

Girls & Boys In Love – The Rumble Strips

Found this song last night via an episode of the hit TV comedy show ‘The Inbetweeners’. Girls & Boys In Love is a very catchy song and it’s one of them song that does physically just make you want to get up and dance around like a fool. Can’t say I’ve actually heard of The Rumble Strips before but pretty sure I’ve actually heard this on a TV advert once upon a time. Anyway, if you have a couple of minutes to spare then have a good listen. Great tune!!

Sweets & Treats

Sweets sweets sweets. From Strawberry bon bons to Cola Cubes, I love you all. Undoubtably my favourite sweets have to be Wine Gums, so tasty. For some reason when it comes to sweets like Wine Gums and Skittles it seems that the red coloured sweets within the packet become my favourite and the green, my least favourite. But why? Surely they taste exactly the same anyway..

Anyway I just wanted to state my view on the issue of ‘treats’. A definition of a ‘treat’ in my mind would be “a product or event you experience on a small number of occasions”. By experiencing it little, it seems even better and more excitable when the time comes to enjoy it. However in modern society does this happen anymore? It seems that the youth of today (yes, I could be included in here) are spoilt rotten and always get what they ask for.. Is that right? Surely the morals learnt from the whole issue are lost when a parent gives into their child so easily? I understand that I will not know what this is like from a parents point of view for a long time but I just feel as though tougher action has to be taken against people who are spoilt. No lessons are learnt from always getting what you ask for!!

The picture below is of my personal favourite kind of sweet. Wine Gums if you didn’t know!

Insignificant?

How significant is my life? How significant is yours? How significant is anybodies?

If thought about, the Earth and it’s inhabitants are a very small fact in an endless universe. Upon further thought, the size of the solar system our planet is part of is gigantic so how about think of the thousands of other sister solar systems within our endless universe? When looking directly towards the sky isn’t it strange to think that a planet five billion miles away might actually be laying there?

Look, at this point I would like to point out that I’m not in fact depressed but I’m loving life right now, I just find it gripping to think about these subjects in so much depth. The thought of a planet just like Earth millions of miles away is truly astonishing. I also don’t understand how people can say “There’s no life on other planets” it’s impossible to know really as we don’t even know what’s out there to a certain extent and it’s even more daunting to know that we never will.

What I also find truly remarkable is that everything has a name. I know I know, I probably sound stupid to you by saying this but who actually called a table, a table for the first time and why? or a lion, a lion? Who made the alphabet the way they did and numbers to organise certain amounts of products? I guess I just find it strange how someone could see an item for the first time, give a name nobody has ever heard and then that name sticks with it then for literally ever.

My albums of 2011

Foo Fighters – Wasting Light

Wasting Light is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Foo Fighters, released April 12, 2011, on RCA Records. It was produced by Butch Vig and described by the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Grohl as their “heaviest album yet.”
Words cannot describe how much I personally love this album, easily my number one for the year. Never mind 2011 however, this album would feature in my favourite albums ever to be honest and it is rightly justified. Foo Fighters made this amazing album in lead singer Dave Grohls garage on the good old fashioned analogue equipment, surely that just further highlights and emphasises their brilliance.

Go Now And Live – We Are The Ocean

Go Now and Live is the second full-length album by post-hardcore band We Are the Ocean, released on April 25, 2011. I’ve followed We Are the Ocean for years now and they are throughly one of my favourite bands. However by putting this second it may look like I’m favouriting one of my own bands, I’m not. Go Now And Live is a very well made album and begs the question as to why the band aren’t recognised too well in the music industry. I really can’t pick a favourite track from this selection either and I fully advise everyone to have a listen.

Chase & Status – No More Idols

No More Idols is the second studio production from two piece Chase & Status and was released 31st January 2011. Including ‘Let You Go’, ‘Hypest Hype’ and ‘End Credits’  the album peaked at number 2 on UKs album charts. Unusually for a ‘dance’ album, each song sounds very different and has it’s own unique beat. The album features collaborations with artists such as Cee Lo Green, Plan B and Tinie Tempah which underlines the high status of the pair. All in all, a more than great listen.

Panic At The Disco – Vices & Virtues

Vices & Virtues is the third studio album by American rock band Panic! at the Disco, released on March 22, 2011. It’s the first album Panic At The Disco have released since a sudden break in the band which resulted in only Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith staying. I would choose ‘Ready To Go’ as my favourite song on the album even though I can safely say that I fully enjoy every track on the album. Panic At The Disco’s live performances are also a brilliant aspect to the bands success.

You Me At Six – Sinners Never Sleep

Sinners Never Sleep is the third full length record from English alternative rock band You Me at Six. The album was released on 30 September 2011 and was released through Virgin in the UK, Australia and New Zealand on 3 October 2011. The first single to be released from the album is ‘Loverboy’. However my favourite track on the album has to be ‘Reckless’. Overall, defiantly one of the best albums last year.

Ritual – White Lies

Ritual is the second studio album from British Indie-Rock band White Lies. The album was released on 17th January last year with ‘Bigger Than Us’ been the albums lead single. For me, track two ‘Strangers’ is the best on the album but all songs are very well made. Not one track on the album feels underworked, very good album!

Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto

Mylo Xyloto is the fifth studio album by British alternative rock band Coldplay. It was released worldwide on 24 October 2011 by EMI. It was preceded by the lead single, ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’, on 3 June 2011. ‘Paradise’ was released as the second single three months later in September. Internationally, the album charted at number one in seventeen countries. On the album, my favourite tracks are ‘Paradise’ and ‘Charlie Brown’.

Blink 182 – Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods is the sixth studio album by the American pop punk band Blink-182, released September 27, 2011 through DGC Records and Interscope Records. This is the bands first album in eight years after various sideprojects. The first single from Neighborhoods, ‘Up All Night’, premiered on July 15, 2011 (A great birthday present for myself) while the second, ‘After Midnight’, followed on September 6, 2011. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 151,000 copies sold in its first week, falling to No. 10 with 31,000 sales in its second week.

New album release ‘Weapons’ – Lostprophets

With their new album ‘Weapons’ available from April 2nd through Epic and a new single played on BBC radio one tomorrow, it seems that the stage is once again set from alternative rock band, Lostprophets. The six piece from Pontypridd, Wales have been unusually quiet of late with very few dates, tours and gigs been played through the back end of 2011. During a short UK tour in August 2011 the band also premiered new song “Bring ‘Em Down” which is expected to make up part of their new album

On the 5 January 2012 it was revealed that a song entitled “Better Off Dead” would be premiered on Zane Lowe’s Breakfast show and then released as a free download afterwards to the bands vast fan base. Lostprophets have also announced that they will play Soundwave in February 2012.

Tweet update – “@lostprophets: Don’t forget, tmrw morning on Radio 1, a certain Mr. Watkins will be having words with @zanelowe… oh, and there’s that new song thing too.”

At this early stage no other secrets on track names or album art have been release by the band or it’s members.

http://www.rocksound.tv/news/article/lostprophets-announce-details-of-new-album

Blackout drummer Gareth Lawrence also tweeted “@snozisawesome: tomorrow, Wales’, and the uks, most influential band release a new song to blow everyone else out of the water! All hail lostprophets!x”

Fortunately I personally have had the pleasure of seeing Lostprophets live when they played my hometown Leeds in February 2010 with ‘Kids In Glass Houses’ and ‘We Are The Ocean.’ They played a brilliant set that night and I am throughly excited for their fifth studio album ‘Weapons’. 

NE x

A marketing case study of different films.

Marketing is all around us, sometimes without us even knowing it. Marketing is a process that companies use to promote a film and therefore gain more revenue in the long term. Posters, adverts, trailers and billboards are just some of the different methods used to promote certain films. Other such ways to promote and market can be interviews by the ‘stars’ of the film to give a good preview of the movie, articles in newspapers and magazine, music videos if a music single is released for the film and a build up of ‘public hype’ within social networks.

The most well known, but yet old fashioned, way to promote a film is using the film poster technique. These posters can be seen in various print texts in the media and throughout cinemas up and down the country where posters are part of a movie theatres overall environment. Posters capture the film but within a printed format. This print text needs to capture the experience and the atmosphere surrounding the storyline to grasp the viewer and sell the so called ’product’. Without this atmosphere been captured, the viewer will simply pass by, leading to reduced numbers watching the industries next big film. However, companies are only able to market their film according to their own budget, henceforth the whitewash of Hollywood movies in today’s society. Marketing is especially huge among Hollywood films as they often spend a quarter of the film’s budget just on media purposes along. This therefore leads to independent companies and arthouise/indie films suffering as a consequence.

The Rise of the planet of the Apes is a clear example of the sheer power that Hollywood possess with marketing for this film been estimated at costing the makers up to a staggering $43,210,000. However in response to this, the film grossed $377,718,000 which just proves that marketing is such a key part of a films success especially in foreign terrain. Personally, when walking through the street I seemed to be constantly bombarded with information on this such film, the date it was released, reviews from famous critics with film posters in bus stops and shop windows everywhere. Hollywood therefore has the sheer power and strength to break new barriers all the time especially now with the influence of the internet to be always promoting newer, better feature length films.

This trailer alone shows the hugely improving state of the film industry with trailers been beamed all across the world to different locations to create a strong need for viewers to go out and buy the pleasure of watching this certain movie.

Hollywood also now has the money to create various different movie posters and therefore widen the spectrum to caption a much wider target audience. As we see below, the three different movie posters use very different images and colours to appeal to the wider public eye.

However, on the other hand we have smaller film companies who have to deal with Hollywood but still make a profit when bringing out new releases. ‘An art film is a typically serious, independent film aimed at a niche market rather than a mass market audience.’ Arthouse films usually star widely unknown actors/actresses and can also be seen as quite low budget films compared to the films of a mass market equivalent. A low budget therefore means that marketing throughout the wider society is a lot more limited compared to it’s rivals, meaning that lower numbers can be usually expected compared to mass market films. Although, smaller ‘indie’ films can also sometimes be seen within larger cinemas within the country. To represent this I did research into smaller film companies successes in 2011 and the results are staggering. Although the film industry is dominated by Hollywood films, strong successes can be found everywhere. However, the most well known success came in 1999 with ‘The Blair witch project.’ Costing just $60,000 including marketing, the grossed amount received worldwide stands at a massive $249 million.

A more recent success was ‘Slumdog millionaire.’ After been produced for $15 million including marketing, it grossed $377,910544. The marketing for this new film was also unusually quite extensive, with adverts and trailers been shown on television regularly. The film was a creation from ‘Celador Films’ relatively unheard of before this mega-money movie. On the other hand, only one film poster was ever created for this film. That said, the poster is very clever as I personally believes it catches the spirit that is found within the story-line of the film. The bright colours also capture the lively nature of where the film is set, India.

Overall, I believe that money is key to a films success and that marketing can make any movie, a great one. The huge influence of marketing on us all can sometimes go unnoticed but when it is noticed, it always leaves us begging for more.

New music release. SSSNAKEPIT – ENTER SHIKARI

SSSNAKEPIT – ENTER SHIKARI. Just been aired exclusively on Zane Lowe’s show on BBC radio one, therefore meaning the link is only a live version from Kiev, Ukraine earlier this month. Throughly enjoyable however, these guys are amazing live.

SSSNAKEPIT – ENTER SHIKARI (again but this time with the real link)

Knew it wouldn’t be long until the ‘real’ video was released on enter shikari’s facebook page. People need to get into their work, these guys will be huge by next year! Check it out!

A must see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new Johnny English is out at cinemas soon. Personally I can’t wait to see an ‘older’ Rowan Atkinson in action once again as I found the first film in the sequeal extremely funny.

Check this link out, Ratings and trailers for the film:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1634122/

WE ARE THE OCEAN.

Recently I have become more and more interested in the band ‘We are the ocean.’ After seeing them last month at Leeds Festival and before supporting Lostprophets I have been getting into the band more and more and regulary listening to them on my ipod.  However when i saw them at Leeds cockpit, they blew me apart. I’ve seen massive bands before but the passion you feel when watching these guys is something else, the lyrics seem so meaningful. Therefore that gig was one of my most favourite gigs ever, not to mention getting on stage with the band! A truly great moment in my life.

This year at Leeds festival I also felt very proud to watch them open the main stage for the weekend. It was so nice to see a band I have always followed becoming so big and finally getting the chance they deserve. Their new album ‘Go now and live’ is a must listen to at the same time, you can really appreciate the effort that has gone into such an energetic album like this one especially when it reached number 3 in the ‘UK rock chart.’

Album track listing -

1.	“Trouble Is Temporary, Time Is Tonic”	2:44
2.	“What It Feels Like”	3:02
3.	“The Waiting Room”	3:34
4.	“Runaway”	3:45
5.	“Trials and Tribulations”	3:19
6.	“Overtime is a Crime”	3:09
7.	“Godspeed”	2:53
8.	“Now and Then”	3:59
9.	“Follow What You Need”	3:15
10.	“Before I Die”	3:39

And then there’s the ‘old’ stuff. My days, these tracks are something else so I just though i’d leave you with my favourite and I hope you all enjoy!

WORD ASSOCIATION.

Chicken, Egg, Sausages, British, English, Spanish, Madrid, Football, Stadium, City Centre, Shops, Restaurants, Food, Paella, Chorizo, Tapas, Bar, Alcohol, Luke, Joes Garden, Music, Good Times, Party, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, School, Work, Bored, Lessons, Teachers, Home, Fifa, Walk The Dog, Cat, Fur, Coat, Rain, Night, Eye, Heart, Love, Hate, Dark, Black, White, Caribbean, Jamaica, Palm Tree, Rasta Hat, Colourful, Rainbow, Gold, Yellow, Chicken.

Wanted to prove how every thing is linked in life.

PHOTOGRAPHY.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

Life seems to be full of complex, unexpected situations that can cause emotions of any type to grasp individuals. Personally, i do enjoy life. Fun times are always never too far away but at the same time, everybody seems to have a ‘past’ that seemed so much better. My past was when I was younger and without a care in the world, I just got on with everything on this planet without even knowing what half of it meant.

The problem with growing old, is the understanding you gain. This world can be so hostile and nasty and to be honest, I really can’t understand how some people cope with what goes on in today’s day and age. Innocent people who live in Libya and Iraq for example are losing relatives and friends due to another countries and leaders antics. I mean imagine coming home to no family because of an ‘accident’ an ‘accident’ that happens over and over again. An ‘accident’ where certain people don’t listen to the conquences and sort the right action out.

Anyway enough of the moaning. Recently at my friends, for some strange reason, we pulled out a box of lego. It most of been a sight, five sixteen/seventeen year olds messing around with a toy well outside their age category. However, it was such good fun, a bit strange in the context to be honest, but hey! Yeah, I don’t really see this as childish however because I see it as enjoying myself. Basically what I’m trying to say is ‘Do people really grow up or will we always find comfort in the same items/objects/people and products?’

Thought I would show you all the plane I built! I know that is silly and immature but if were been honest, I’m quite proud of this!
NE x

AGGRESSION IN SPORT.

This is a real serious problem in today’s society and needs urgently sorting out. From watching parts of the Premiership so far this year, some actions of players have been utterly disgusting. First of all, Joey Barton and Gerviniho’s clash was completely awful to watch and it made me feel ashamed to even watch football after knowing acts like that are associated with this sport. However since then, even worse situations have taken place.

On Tuesday night reports were been placed in the media about certain antics participated by some of the Manchester Untied following at Elland Road. Foul chants about past events that have really hurt the whole club in Leeds for a long time which were completely uncalled for. Why did that happen? I understand rivalries as I  would describe myself as a football fan, but there’s a difference between rivalries  in the sport and pure hatred between people. These people don’t even know each other so how can they chant abuse at each other!! Some of the Manchester fans should be beyond ashamed of themselves especially after donning a Galatasary flag to mock the stabbing and later death of the two Leeds fans in Turkey, what a disgrace.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/14_more_held_over_leeds_vs_man_utd_violence_after_ken_bates_

joins_fray_1_3794847
(Link is the recent news coverage of the incident at Elland Road)

Besides this, role models in football and other sports for that matter should take a look at themselves. As earlier said, Joey Barton, who basically attacked a member of the oppostion. How many children could possibly copy this action in the future and believe it to be okay? A lot is the answer. Bandura stated ‘The social learning theory’ in 1966 and said that all aggressive matters are natured into young people through environmental forces. This includes role models so therefore they should be the best sportsmen/women around at deal with events and setting the best examples, right?

Surely this isn’t a natural reaction for a child to produce?

In the end, I can’t think of many people in sport that don’t use aggression however or don’t use the limelight in a false or bad manner.

CALVIN HARRIS.

Never really listened to Calvin Harris but I literally love his new single ‘Feel so close.’ Recently heard this on the ‘Inbetweeners’ film, which is very funny by the way, and found it on iTunes to download. Should give it a listen if you haven’t done so before x

TRIBUTES AND SPORTSMANSHIP.

After my previous comments on the ‘bad’ side of football, I took a look at the ‘good’ side and found some very emotional stories about how players pay respects to one another. This category can also include ‘sportmanship’ which was most famously demonstrated by Paoulo Di Canio when he picked up the ball where he was in a position to score but the opposition keeper was injured. (see link below)

When it comes to tributes to fellow players however, some stories are moving. It’s the World Cup Final in 2011, Spain Vs Holland and in the 115th minute of the match, Iniesta grabs the winner for Spain. In delirious happiness he takes his top off to celebrate and underneath his jersey, he is donning a white vest. On this vest it simply says ”Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros” which means in English “Dani Jarque, always with us.”

This story goes back to the 8th August 2009 when Dani Jarque tragically collapased during Espanyol’s pre-season tour of Italy.  Dani Jarque had previously played with Iniesta during his time with the Spanish under 21′s and both had become good friends. After the World Cup, Iniesta’s Barcelona travelled to Espanyol (Jarque’s old club). As Espanyol is situated in the city of Barcelona, rivalry is high between the two clubs but the reception Andres Iniesta then recieved when he was substituted was astounding. Every Espanyol fan stood and clapped him off the pitch. Iniesta’s name was also shown on the back of an Espanyol shirt with the number 21 (Jarque’s retired number) during the game.

This one tribute just shows how rivalry can be forgotten in football sometimes and how both players and sets of fans can work together to create a better, kinder atmosphere in the sport.

NE x

A to Z.

Places of the world
Countries:                             Capitals:
A – Australia                          A – Addis Ababa
B – Brazil                                B – Buenos Aires
C – Canada                             C – Caracas
D – Djibouti                           D – Dhaka
E – Egypt                                E – Edinburgh
F – Fiji                                     F – Free Town
G – Gambia                            G – Georgetown
H – Hungary                          H – Havana
I – Indoenesia                        I -Islamabad
J – Jamaica                            J – Jakarta
K – Kazakhstan                     K – Kathmandu
L – Latvia                               L – London
M – Madagascar                   M – Madrid
N – Nepal                               N – Nassau
O – Oman                               O – Ouagadougou
P – Peru                                  P – Pretoria
Q – Qatar                                Q – Quito
R – Rwanda                            R – Rabat
S – South Africa                     S – San Jose
T – Tuvalu                               T – Tokyo
U – Uruguay                           U - Ulaanbaatar
V – Venezuala                         V – Vienna
W – Western Sahara             W – Wellington
Y – Yemen                               Y – Yamoussoukro
Z – Zambia                              Z – Zagreb

NEW RELEASES.

Over the next week three of my favourite bands are releasing their new albums into the charts, these been Blink 182, New found glory and You me at six. Luckily, I have seen two of these acts before and they really are great all round . Blink 182 blew me away when I saw them last year at Leeds Festival, great atmosphere and a very special occasion. With today signaling the release of their new album ‘Neighborhoods’ I’ve decided to give you a link to one of the tracks on this highly anticipated album. Enjoy!

October the 3rd is also significant for the other two bands I mentioned. YouMeAtSix’s new album ‘Sinners never sleep’ is out on October the 3rd. On the other hand, Just like Blink 182, I’ve also seen New Found Glory twice and really enjoyed both their sets. This band have gone somewhat unnoticed by the mass market especially here in the UK, however many may have heard their music on films such as the ‘American Pie’ sequel. I think that their new single ‘Radiosurgery’ is a breath of fresh air and seems to cheer up my day however bad it may be. Great great band.

In the long run, there are also new albums out from Nickelback, Weezer, The Offspring and Tenacious D to look out for!! Keep an eye out.

NE x

TALENT.

I believe that in society today so many people possess a talent. This talent can be anything from playing extremely good football to possessing a beautiful singing voice. However it really bugs me when people don’t show themselves off a little more when maybe, they truly do deserve to. I made this blog in the wake of watching X Factor on Saturday. Personally, I’m not a massive fan of the show and in all honesty, I’ve only watched the last three programmes. The talent on the show though (especially the later stages) is amazing.

One singer stuck out for me in particular, Janet Devlin. This girl’s voice is something else. Love the fact that she keeps her accent when she sings, makes it really unique. She really will be a world wide hit. Normally, the only problem I really have with acts on shows like the X Factor is their constant attention seeking, for instance Kitty from this years series. Jumping in the pool at the end of her audition, too far. It also annoyed me when I read in the paper that she is fed up of people, such as Janet, been given their chance on a plate. This might just be me but isn’t that the whole point in the actual contest? Anyway, enough of that.

Overall then, I believe that talent is all around us and that people should use whatever they have to impress other people and do themselves proud. In reference to the other story (X Factor) Janet has such a distinctive voice and I really hope that she wins that competition, she deserves it. Good luck!!

Found this cover on her YouTube channel. Very very good x

NE x

Dying music genres?

The 70′s and 80′s saw the rise of new and extreme ‘music groups.’ These were groups of music lovers and fans of music genres that followed bands and musicians around the country. With this came the birth of dressing like music genres. By this I mean groups such as The Punk Rockers who swept the nation and followed bands such as the ‘Sex Pistols’ and ‘The Clash.’ However, where did these groups go?

Recently the music industry seems to be dominated by the party/pop genre from groups such as LMFAO to singers like Bruno Mars. Personally, I don’t mind this music and am not objective towards it or the musicians themselves. This certain ‘urge’ that the public seems to have towards this genre seems to be killing off smaller genres to a certain extent however. When researching my media report on the music industry I read an article claiming that only three genres were now widely represented within the industry, R’n'B, Party and Alternative/Indie. This is believable unfortunately for most,  especially for me due to the fact I prefer other genres of music such as ‘Rock’ which isn’t as widely represented.

Open for debate of course but to me it seems that these listed genres are now forgotten or on the verge of collapse within the music industry:
-Punk                                                                    - Pop Punk
- Jazz                                                                     – Folk
- Opera                                                                 – Country
- Blues                                                                  - Rock/Metal (Arguably)

Also open for debate but music genres that are becoming popular or very popular in today’s climate:
- Pop                                                                     – Dubstep
- House                                                                - Party
- R’n'B                                                                  - Indie
- Alternate Rock                                             – Reggae fusion

On iTunes and other such formatted music sharing sites/organisations , it is also nearly certain that only these ‘popular’ genres will be found on the front page or as ‘featured’ artists or articles.

All in all I just believe that lesser music genres are been given less attention and are been succumb to failure due to the lack of advertising and coverage they receives.

NEW RELEASES (NOVEMBER 2011)

November doesn’t seem like the album releasing month for the music industry with only limited albums due within this month. Rock/Alternative lovers can expect ’Angels & Airwaves’ new album ‘Love:Part two’ to be released in Europe on the 11th November. This is due to be their Fourth studio album which is impressive to say that the band were only created due to Tom DeLonge’s departure from ‘Blink 182.’ Band ‘Nickelback’ also have a new album out on the 21st titled ‘Here and now.’

In other genres, ‘Pop’ for instance, ‘Rihanna’ and ‘The Wanted’ have their second and sixth album respectively out this month. I’m pretty sure that these albums will be played over and over and over on the radio anyway.

Also, Go buy and listen to ‘You Me At Six’ album – ‘Sinners never sleep’ which was out last month. One of the best albums this year in my opinion, listen out for tracks ‘Reckless’ and ‘Jaws on the floor.’

Live Sunday football (27th November 2011)

Live Sunday Premiership football (27th November 2011)

Todays matches: Swansea vs Aston Villa
: Liverpool vs Manchester City

Swansea Vs Aston Villa

Swansea are gunning for another undefeated display at home to Aston Villa  after been overcome by Manchester United last week after another good performance. On the other hand, Villa come to the Liberty Stadium today looking for only their fourth win of the season after an unstable start to the season. Kick off at 13:30

Liverpool Vs Manchester City

The second game of the day sees Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield. Manchester City come into this game unbeaten in the league this term but could face tough opposition from a Liverpool team unbeatable in their last six games and coming off the back of a 2-1 win at Chelsea last time out. Liverpool are looking largely impressive under Kenny Dalglish this season and could inflict Mancini’s first league defeat this year in the Premiership. Kick of at 16:00

However, both games today in the Premiership are more then largely over shadowed by the untimely death of footballing legend Gary Speed. Speed, Welsh manager and former Leeds, Newcastle, Everton, Bolton and Sheffield United, was tragically found dead early this morning at his home in Cheshire. Thoughts go to his family at this desperate time x

‘A Flash Flood of Colour – Enter Shikari’

Enter Shikari have recently uploaded the new teaser for album ‘A Flash Flood of Colour’ which we can expect to be released on 16th January, 2012. This will be their third full studio album after earlier albums ‘Take To The Skies’ and ‘Common Dreads.’

Enter Shikari are a British band, that combine post-hardcore and various heavy metal sub-genres such as metalcore and alternative metal with elements of various electronic genres such as electronica, dubstep, trance and occasionally drum and bass therefore making a very strong electronicore sound, formed in 2003 in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

Album listing:

1.	“System…”
2.	“…Meltdown”
3.	“Sssnakepit”	3:26
4.	“Search Party”
5.	“Arguing With Thermometers”	3:22
6.	“Stalemate”
7.	“Gandhi Mate, Gandhi”	4:28
8.	“Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here”
9.	“Pack of Thieves”
10.	“Hello Tyrannosaurus, Meet Tyrannicide”
11.	“Constellations”

Personally, I’m a massive fan of the group and can’t wait to once again listen to a new album they have produced. Single ‘Sssnakepit’ and full length radio preview ‘Gandhi Mate, Gandhi’  have sounded very promising leading up to the new album release and I fully recommend anybody to give these guys a listen to!

NE x

Merry Christmas!

Just a post to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope every single one of you has a great day/week and year to come!

2012

Happy New Year to all! Finally got round to writing a small blog on plans for the next year which in essence will mostly surround my studying life, that can kick me off however. 2012 will hopefully see me take my place at University and to be honest, all sounds good on that front. I’ve begun to warm drastically to the thought of leaving home and taking residence at a university quite far from where I live now. It’s also looking like Lincoln is to become my first choice as to where I want to carry on my studying, but of course this year needs to go well. As for this years exams, I’m not quite sure. This year feels like the first time I’ve really really wanted to achieve my grades which sounds unusual as I’m currently in my fifteenth year of education? However the boring state of revision is becoming a stumbling block, especially for my January mocks and Re-sits and I can only think that when it comes to the end of year exams, this problem can only worsen.

Beside from school however it seems that in 2012 various great events are sure to take place. The endless eighteenth birthday parties are a bonus on a weekend and various gigs and festivals throughout the year, such as Enter Shikari at Leeds Cockpit in January and Leeds Festival in August, sound just as enjoyable in my mind. Leeds Festival this year also seems significant to myself as it looks like the last time me and all my friends will be together in one place. However, I can not think of a better place to enjoy ourselves one more time!

Driving is also set to become a large part of my life this year hopefully as soon I’m sure to have my first driving lesson. From passing comments from friends, driving doesn’t seem as daunting as to what I once thought of it. However, driving tests are extremely different of course but with the right preparation I hope to become a fully legal driver by July/August time. Not only will this help out with my commutes to and from university but it really does give that sense of freedom as any (reasonable) destination I chose can be eventually reached. The high prices on insurance and petrol will also no doubt be a stumbling block in this plan but I’m sure that can be sorted.

All in all 2012 seems to have great potential especially when putting my social life into context. Hopefully I can achieve my exams results and take my studying to university where new friends can be made. Of course it will be hard to leave everyone behind for a time in September but hopefully, I’ll never be too far away.

NE x

Exclusive Play – Arguing with thermometers (Enter Shikari)

This morning saw the first play of Enter Shikari’s – ‘Arguing with thermometers’ on Radio one. The 3:26 minute long song will make up part of their new album ‘A Flash Flood Of Colour’ which is released in  January 2012.