Mötley Crüe/Def Leppard/Steel Panther Wembley Stadium December 14th 2011
Last month we headed to London’s Wembley Stadium, for an extremely large slice of all out rock and roll, served just the way we like it.
In a bill that brought together – for the first time on one touring bill – the legendary Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe; not discounting Steel Panther who opened the show. With their tongue in cheek lyrics and over the top outfits, the Steel Panther boys certainly know how to put on a show. And most importantly, they have enough catchy tunes to ensure they deserve their place amongst tonights heavyweights.
While the headline duties were taken by Def Leppard, this was arguably due to them having a home advantage. And what can you say? This band have been filling stadiums for decades and will surely continue. With a setlist that lent heavy on their 1987 classic ‘Hysteria’, the band tore through ‘Rocket’, ‘Animal’ and a pre-encore airing of ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’.
However, in our humble opinion, the gigs standout performance came from Mötley Crüe. This isn’t a band that are used to opening for others, which seemed to spur the dysfunctional rockers on. Backed by amazing visuals and fire blasts, the Crüe tore through a set littered with their greatest hits. If Satan had a guitarist, it would almost certainly be Mick Mars; who seemed to channel the power of Beelzebub as he shredded out ‘Saints Of Los Angeles’, ‘Shout At The Devil’ and ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’.
We can’t go without mentioning Tommy Lee’s jaw dropping 360 Drum Ride. Which can only be described as part drum lesson, part roller coaster. It sees the drummer perform a beat perfect drum solo, whilst being transported 360 degrees. Check out the video below for a brief demo, however this is nothing to seeing it in the flesh. Especially for one lucky member of the crowd, who Lee picked out to join him for the ride.
Dizzee Rascal has seen in 2012 with the release of a new free mixtape. Titled Dirteetv.com, it shares its name with Dizzee’s new online video channel and features a host of guest appearances from the UK scene.
Among the names lining up to lend support are Kano, Newham Generals, Scufizzer and Example. Even UK hip hop DJ and Ali G inspiration Tim Westwood pops up with a few audio drops. Produced by Dizzee’s Dirtee Stank team, the mixtape is the first release from Mr Rascal since his decision to take a break from music last year.
As to what direction Dizzee will be taking on his comeback proper, it’s anyone’s guess. Speaking to Radio 1 he said that he had no intention of moving away from the charts and back to his underground roots. “I think some people think that I was pressured into it but it was my choice,” he said. “I like making big pop records. It was something I wanted to try my hand at. When I did ‘Dance Wiv Me’, ‘Bonkers’ and ‘Holiday’ it was all experimental, that was all I wanted to do, and it’s worked, so I don’t see any reason not to do it.”
For his comeback, the experimentation could be going in a very different direction. Dizzee has reportedly been collaborating with Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden and has spoken of his desire to work with Foo Fighters frontman and ‘Nicest Man in Rockä) Dave Grohl. If Dizzee is taking the rap-rock route, let’s hope the results are more Run DMC meets Aerosmith than Ja Rule meets Metallica.
New Order are to release ‘Live At The London Troxy’ a double album of their recent reunion show. Featuring 16 tracks, perhaps the biggest point of interest is that the record features no contribution from long time bass-wielder Peter Hook.
The famously curmudgeonly Hook left New Order in 2007 and was apparently not consulted on the band’s plans. He responded in a typically understated fashion. “I first I heard about this on Monday and it has taken me completely by surprise!” he said. “Everyone knows that NEW ORDER without PETER HOOK is like QUEEN without FREDDIE MERCURY, U2 without THE EDGE, SOOTY without SWEEP! On a more serious note, I do not understand the decision THE OTHER THREE have taken. I wish they had approached me first. I do not agree with the methods they have used and feel it would have been courteous and professional to have spoken to me in advance of the announcements. It is very sad.”
Ouch. That said, this is the same Peter Hook who will shortly be touring with his band The Light and playing classic Joy Division albums ‘Unknown Pleasures’ and ‘Closer’ in their entirety. Make of that what you will.
Regardless of all the hoo-hah, if the thought of a New Order live album without Hooky’s distinctive thrum does float your boat, ‘Live At The London Troxy’ will be available later this month and can be pre-ordered from the band’s website. The full tracklist features:
‘Elegia’ ‘Crystal’ ‘Regret’ ‘Ceremony’ ‘Age Of Consent’ ‘Love Vigilantes’ ‘Krafty’ ‘1963’ ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ ‘True Faith’ ‘5-8-6’ ‘The Perfect Kiss’ ‘Temptation’ ‘Announcement’ ‘Blue Monday’ ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’
After a hugely successful 2011, which saw the release of two huge singles ‘Tonight Tonight’ and ‘I Like It Like That’ and also their second album ‘Whatever’, we’ve teamed up with Hot Chelle Rae to give Shazam users an exclusive free download to kick off 2012.
Simply click on the link above and you can claim the exclusive Goldstein Remix of ‘I Like It Like That’. Also be sure to follow the band on Twitter, to keep up to date with their plans for the year ahead.
Making that difficult second album look easy, Bon Iver’s frontman Justin Vernon returned in 2011 with a sophomore work maintaining the intimate formula that earned him acclaim. Since the release of ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’, Vernon’s personal brand of alt folk has been a major influence for musicians of all genres. From hip-hop stars such as Kanye West, who sampled one of the auto-tuned tracks on his follow-up EP ‘Blood Bank’; to electronica wizard James Blake, with whom he recently collaborated on the track, ‘Fall Creek Boys Choir.’
Bon Iver’s follow up may have lacked the heartache that inspired his classic debut. It also leaned on complex production with richer arrangements. But somehow Bon Iver’s self titled follow up managed to preserve that spirit of introspection his first album gained from recording in a secluded woodland cabin.
The anticipating single ‘Calgary’ was a good reminder of the qualities that gave the band an instant cult following. Released alongside a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s much praised ballad, ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’, it propelled the album to the top of the charts and helped sell out an international tour as soon it was announced. Even the Grammys fell under his spell by granting Bon Iver a bunch of nominations, included a belated one for Best New Artist.
Lana Del Reyis an artist that’s undoubtedly inspired blog excitement and intrigue in 2011 . The first track to surface from her was ‘Video Games’. An enigmatically stylised video, breathtaking vocal and – potentially surgery enhanced – beauty all combined on one of the most intriguing and original tracks of the year. Internet hacks seemed to immediately fall head-over-heels in love with Del Rey, or grit their teeth while indignantly crowing against her former life as a failed pop artist (Lizzy Grant) and her apparent lack of authenticity.
It doesn’t really matter whether her striking image is of her own creation or that of a pop Svengali. Lana’s looks aside, ‘Video Games’ is breathtaking. Evocative strings, delicate harp and a hushed drum roll are the subtle accompaniments to the singer. The real focal point of the track is Del Rey’s spine chilling vocal. Telling the tale of a doomed relationship, she comes across as mix of Nancy Sinatra and one of the cast members of Larry Clark’s 1995 drama, Kids.
The song was named ‘Best New Track’ by Pitchfork and Del Rey’s debut album, ‘Born To Die’, is likely to be one of the most anticipated LP’s of 2012. While the singer’s first live performances have been reviewed as slightly shaky, it hasn’t shaken the buzz just yet. Let’s hope her album justifies the hype.
