Electric Fields Festival 2017 – Preview

Electric Fields
Returning to the stunning grounds of Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries & Galloway for its fourth outing, Electric Fields offers an incredible, diverse musical line up.
Scotland’s best small festival punches well above its weight and offers something for everyone for the last festival fling of the summer.
Electric Fields 2

With just over a week to go, until we are in the lush, sunny surroundings Drumlanrig Castle, here are Feast’s top picks for the weekend.
Car Seat Headrest/ Will Toledo not only set the archetype for modern DIY success – from 2010 he solo-recorded and self-released 12 albums and EPs on Bandcamp before Matador signed him. Last year’s ‘Teens Of Denial’ album was received to wide acclaim, and as Will doesn’t tour much, it will be interesting to witness the lo-fi prodigy, backed up with a full band.

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever has already crossed that ‘next big thing’ threshold with their deal with Sub Pop, critical acclaim and a reputation for bristling live shows. They’ve been likened to the War On Drugs and Real Estate with a nod to Orange Juice and The Strokes. We cannot wait to check out the Melbourne band.
After, her storming Glastonbury set, Kate Tempest is sure to high on most of Electric Field’s attendees’ agenda. Given, the world’s current affairs, the narrative and lyrical brilliance of her will deliver an emotional punch. We expect the poet to deliver one of festival’s defining sets.
Kilwinning’s Crash Club will tear up the Tenement TV stage, when they grace the stage. Every time, Feast has seen the band, we have been blown away by their take of electro-rock. It’s going to be loud, pounding and sweaty.
Frightened Rabbit’s headline show will be a big, bold celebration of how far the band has come. It’s going to be a rousing mass sing along.
If tracks such as the 12 minute ‘No Way Back to Lunch’ is anything to go by, And Yet It Moves are going to bring an intense cacophony of noise. It’s going to get loud!
Rascalton have been picking up wide acclaim with their energetic, exuberant punk shows. Expect to hear a lot from this young Glasgow band.
Lord Of The Isles has spent numerous years on the road, honing his live show across and DJ sets across discerning dance floors to the best club and festivals the world has to offer and picking up huge acclaim from Mixmag and Resident Advisor. We only heard a snippet of his set at Primavera, so we are looking forward to seeing what the Scottish producer is going to bring to EF.
Electric Fields 3

Electric Fields will also showcase an electronic line up led by Glasgow legend Jackmaster, known for his ability to intersect and mash up an array of genres in just a few short hours. Expect an exhilarating set as he headlines the Sneaky Pete’s stage with Artwork, Denis Sulta, and Space Dimension Controller also announced.

New for this year, Electric Fields also has stages put together by two of Scotland’s principle new and exciting music clouts, showcasing a diverse and cutting edge line up across the Tenement TV Discover Stage, and a new stage curated by Vic Galloway, so do drop by the stages for rousing and eclectic music from around the UK and beyond.
As well as a thrilling musical line-up, Electric Fields will this year be expanding its food and drink area with Edinburgh’s drooling-inducing The Pitt creating a new bespoke food village, along with a Hoot the Redeemer pop-up cocktail bar.

Tickets are almost SOLD OUT so if you don’t want to miss out on one of the best weekends of the year- you better be quick. We’ll see you in the fields!
Electric Fields 4

Posted by Stacy Rowan

FEAST’S 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY #SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT#

FEAST COVER - NOAH -NEW
SNEAKY PETE’S FRIDAY 9TH JUNE 7pm-10pm £5
Feastival is FEAST’s annual ‘blog party’ celebrating our fifth birthday. We like lots of new music, especially from Edinburgh and write about some of the most exciting music being created across the city.

For this year’s party we are delighted to showcase two bands we think have a great sound: NOAHNOAH and POSABLE ACTION FIGURES.

NOAH NOAH press shot

NOAHNOAH presents a unique look at indie/electro/pop/rock and keep you engaged with close harmony and tight, driving synth. Taking influence from major and local bands – such as Chrvches, Fatherson, Prides, Biffy Clyro and The Killers.
Posable Action Figures pic

POSABLE ACTION FIGURES have already picked up airplay on Radio 1 for their recent single ‘Cut’, been tipped as one of, Vic Galloway of BBC Radio Scotland’s bands to watch in 2017 as well as being invited to start the year with a performance on STV. With a self-titled debut E.P. under their belt that was described as “marvellous” by The Scotsman and “Something a little bit special… an EP of the highest quality” by Netsounds, Posable Action Figures have developed a reputation for catchy punchy tunes paired with an explosive live show. Regular air play through 2016 and a jam packed gig schedule helped the band build an enthusiastic fan base.

Posable Action Figures latest single ‘Hummingbird’ on Glass Records

Noah Noah’s latest single ‘Thick as Thieves’ on Big Sound Cartel

Tickets here: Feastival

Live Review – Cabbage, The Shimmer Band, Stereo, Glasgow

Explosive psychedelic rock outfit The Shimmer Band are full of confidence, swagger and energy and have been causing quite the stir with their quick rise of prolific support slots and high-praised press.
The Bristol band are absolutely destined for the festival fields, huge venues, stadiums even, with their re-brand of psychedelic synth rock which takes it’s roots from many of the 90s greats such as the Verve, and Primal Scream but their set is full of modern flourishes. Enormously uplifting, the band’s epic sound is apparent on single ‘Shoot Me (Baby)’ with it’s terrace-style chant and almighty Stooges style stomp and bursts of electronica which punctuate throbbing bass and spiky guitar. It is destined to be a festival anthem.
The most promising tracks of their set, included latest single ‘Jacknife And The Death Call’ and ‘Sunkick’ which is brimming with Primal Scream swagger. Whilst ‘Freedom’ is a hands in the air chorus heavy track.

The band already have an arsenal of songs which only add to their rapidly rising reputation. Euphoric, powerful and gloriously uplifting, here’s to the summer, and festivals when we can belt out their tunes to great abandon.
The Shimmer Band
Regardless of the fantastic set from The Shimmer Band before them, the swelling crowd were really focused on band of the moment Cabbage.
Certainly, they are one of most hyped bands in the country right now, and everybody seems to have an opinion of them and their left wing political lyricism. The sold out eclectic crowd at Stereo is made up of indie kids, curious kids, (and their parents) and aging skinheads, and everyone in between which further highlight Cabbage’s broad appeal in uniting people.
As soon as Mossley outfit Cabbage saunter onto the stage to the ‘Rawhide’ theme, they then proceed to tear through a solid set of immersive post-punk and unashamedly abrasive left-wing, political tracks. There is an underlying atmosphere that the band are intent on causing chaos and opinion than conforming.

‘Uber Capitalist Death Trade’ stands out as one of tonight’s many highlights, its primitive chorus is brash, obnoxious and full of punk vigour.
‘Terrorist Synthesizer’ simply mirrors raucous pissed up nature of tonight’s crowd as both crowd and band bustle around and are chucked over the frenzied crowd below. Whilst, Kevin’ is delivered as a stomping track reminiscent of The Fall.
The band perform with wild abandon and deliver a set full of anger, political spit fury and pure pride of being lower class.
Cabbage
‘Necroflat In The Palace’ and the America/ Trump bashing, ‘Free Steven Avery (Wrong America)’, simply rile up the crowd further. ‘Necroflat…’ sneers hatred at the Royals’ and their awareness of the dark underbelly of celebrity behaviours, as both band and crowd chant “I was born in the NHS, I wanna die in NHS”, as the band lead the crowd in rousing hands in the air protest before diving back into the crowd.
Whilst ‘It’s Grim Up North Korea’ and ‘Gibraltar Ape’ go down well with the adoring frenzied crowd.

Cabbage’s astute cynicism is apparent throughout their set and their impish humour (‘Dinnerlady’) is unapologetic in its soundtrack for this unsettled and angry era. If you don’t like the look of what we are currently witnessing then look away now as it’s only about to get worse as Cabbage narrate brexit Britain.
Believe the hype.

Posted by Stacy Rowan

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2016/17

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay had a strong line up, showcasing some of Scotland’s fantastic acts including Paolo Nutini, Frightened Rabbit, Fatherson and Be Charlotte, as well as indie hereos The Charlatans.
Feast took to the street party with the throngs and brought in the bells with an outstanding classic laden set from The Charlatans.

First up on the Waverley stage was Dundonian band Be Charlotte.
After firmly establishing herself in the consciousness of Scotland’s blogs and press with a serious of great sets at festivals up and down the country. Be Charlotte won over the crowd with her colourful stage attire and blend of innovative pop compositions,rapping in her dulcet tones, sweeping, impassioned vocal power and gritty beat-boxing loops.
The band delivered a colourful and confident performance, and bigger stages are sure to beckon. This year certainly looks set to be a big one for Be Charlotte.

Next up were new Scottish heroes Fatherson.
Following on from their sold out show at the Barras, the band look elated to see the massive crowd snaking up Waverley bridge.
Fatherson recieved a strong reception and the crowd’s appreciation was clear as the band led a soaring, rousing sing along. Vocalist Ross Leighton’s powerful yet gentle voice powered the band through their dynamic set.
Given their impressive own brand of melodic anthems, and sold out shows, the Ayrshire band are hotly tipped to be Scotland’s breakthrough band of 2017.
Charlatans
The Charlatans brought in 2017 with a career defining bells straddling set, mixing old and new throughout.
From the unmisstakeable opening hammond organ of ‘Weirdo’, the Charlies delivered a celebratory set of sing alongs with ‘Blackened Blue Eyes’, ‘Tellin Stories’ and ‘How High’.
With 2016 promptly told where to go, waved off and with fireworks seemingly going off in every direction, The Charlatans launched into 2017 with glorious abandon as the indie anthems of ‘North Country Boy’, ‘You’re So Pretty’ and ‘The Only One I Know’ were unleashed onto the fever pitch party crowd.

Whilst most bands at this stage in their career would be bored and tired of touring and playing the same songs over. The Charlatans and (never ageing) Tim Burgees in particular seem to be even more up for it, playing with renewed vigour.
Perhaps the band are on extra shots of Tim Peak’s coffee or maybe it’s the realisation that they are a classic band, playing and releasing on their own terms now and that they have the arsenal of anthems to make a gig like this seem like a proper celebratory gig. Or maybe they just wanted to slam the door on 2016 like the rest of us and have a big party.

Returning to the stage for a triumphant encore, and closing with ‘Sproston Green’ certainly proves that The Charlatans are still not only relevant but are full of exciting ideas for the future.

Posted by Stacy Rowan

Electric Fields Festival 2016 – Review

With the imposing Drumlanrig Castle in the background and verdant Dumfries forestry as far as the eye could see. Feast’s first impressions of the vibrant Electric Fields was promising.
Electric Fields has flourished since its inception only three years ago, and has been collecting accolades since.
To get the full festival experience, Feast camped out and experienced the most chilled-out, friendly campsite we have ever encountered. There are definitely no numpties trying to sing ‘Wonderwall’ at five in the morning.
Stunning surroundings, happy campers, a truly stellar line-up and the sunshine beating down, Electric Fields was off to an absolute flier!
Electric Fields Review

With the imposing Drumlanrig Castle in the background and verdant Dumfries forestry as far as the eye could see. Feast’s first impressions of the vibrant Electric Fields was promising.
Electric Fields has flourished since its inception only three years ago, and has been collecting accolades since.
To get the full festival experience, Feast camped out and experienced the most chilled-out, friendly campsite we have ever encountered. There are definitely no numpties trying to sing ‘Wonderwall’ at five in the morning.
Stunning surroundings, happy campers, a truly stellar line-up and the sunshine beating down, Electric Fields was off to an absolute flier!
sweaty-palms

Glasgow garage-rock band, Sweaty Palms were the first band of the weekend. Having, previously heard the band’s ‘Hollywood Wax’, Feast were intrigued. Therefore, when the band appeared on stage dressed as cosmic warlords, we were not disappointed.
Sweaty Palms delivered a reverb-heavy, psych rock set with frontman Robbie Houston snarling along. The set was reminiscent of early The Horrors, interbred with The Stooges, their set on the Tim Peak’s stage was short, loud and definitely entertaining.

Baby Strange have been building acclaim with their punk-rock anthems who up the ante and started the festival proper. The band also dedicated their set to the late Gary Watson. Although the band flew through their high energy set full of dark ferocious tracks, it was a touching moment.
baby-strange

The Charlatans closed Friday with a greatest hits set with ‘Weirdo’, ‘North Country Boy’ ‘Just When You’re Thinking Things Over’ set the scene for the mass sing-along, with the fest ‘How High’ still sounded fresh and rousing. Whilst ‘The Only one I Know’ delighted old fans and new.
The Charlatans delivered a rousing set, full of atmospheric anthems which closed the first day perfectly.

Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5 thrilled one of the biggest crowds in the Saturday afternoon sunshine. The band can be spotted well before they are on stage, sporting the Yellow Movement canary yellow stage outfits. The band have built up a sizeable following for their upbeat shows.
The band genre-hop, lead mass sing-along about International Sex Heroes and Gay Icons and get the whole crowd to walk across the road (the whole crowd walked/danced from one side of the stage to the other in unison), there is also a dance-off and a crowd surfing unicorn.
The Colonel leads the crowd, in a dancing, hugging and laughing set, which sounds like some zany hybrid of Electric Six, Primal Scream, Frank Zappa and some crazy technicolour kid’s TV show.
It’s yellow, it’s fun, it’s a bit trippy and it involves everyone. Colonel Mustard and The Dijon 5 deliver a true festival experience.
colonel-mustard-the-dijon-5

Feast caught the very end of ONR’s set but were impressed. Having only played a handful of gigs, the band looked confident and assured, sounding like early The Killers, it appears like the band are off to a promising start.
Honeyblood’s excellent afternoon set was full of lo-fi punk and melodic delights. With new track ‘Ready For The Magic’ highlights a feisty direction.

White delivered one of the sets of the weekend and it’s only a matter of time before the band grace much bigger stages.
The band set the scene and started whipping the crowd up, by sending huge bouncing balloons into the crowd which bounced back and forth throughout the set.
White look the part, and definitely have the future hits to back up the hype. ‘Future Pleasures’ furiously mixes, funk guitar, with a huge dose of post-disco pop a la Haircut 100 and ABC.
Frontman Leo Condie channels Brett Anderson with Brian Ferry and there is some pair of lungs on the boy, as he delivers the falsetto art-pop vocals with aplomb. The singles sound like future sing-alongs, as the band romp through an exhilarating set.
white

Fat White Family gigs can be raucous affairs, and there is always a sense of not knowing what to expect from their gigs, as the band have built a reputation for onstage mayhem. Frontman Lias Saoudi strutted and sulked across the stage, swigging from a bottle as the band rattled through ‘Is It Raining In Your Mouth’ sending the previously genteel crowd into a frenzied bouncing throng.
Tracks from ‘Songs for Our Mothers’ sound tense, glam and almost claustrophobic, and the fist-pumping crowd lap it up.
Whilst ‘Whitest Boy On The Beach’ was a thrilling assault. Given the band’s press of anarchy which follows them around, the crowd seemed disappointed that the band did not seem intent on carnage but so long as the wheels don’t come flying off, FWF have the songs and presence to go further.
fat-white-family

Primal Scream closed the festival with a rousing performance, blending the hits and new material ‘Moving On Up’, ‘Accelerator’ and ‘Some Velvet Morning’. Bobby Gillespie held the crowd in his palm as he prowled around the stage. The band then hit the crowd with the arsenal of ‘Swastika Eyes’, ‘Rocks’ ‘Country Girl’ and ‘Loaded’. A truly electrifying finale.
primal-scream

Electric Fields was a fantastic weekend, and encompasses what all festivals should strive for. For an event of its size, the line-up more than delivers, coupled with a fantastic setting and friendly crowd.
Electric Fields was a glorious way to say goodbye to the summer. Roll on 2017.

Posted by Stacy Rowan

Sweaty Palms Interview
Feast’s Stacy Rowan met up with Boabby (Robbie Houston, vocals & guitar) and Rachel (keys) from reverb-soaked garage band Sweaty Palms after their rousing set at Electric Fields.

Nice stage attire! Where did you get the costumes from? (The band were still dressed in their warlock capes get up)
Boaby: Ebay! We got them off a guy that specialises in Medieval costume wear! I dunno where he
got the silver ones from, they’re a bit cosmic!
Rachel: I loved it! I loved it!

What are the biggest band influences?
Boaby: Nick Cave! Gunclub, Big Neds!
Band: Big Neds! Jacob Yates!
Boaby: Jacob Yates! Dale Barclay…Big Bellies!

Dream festival line-up, who would join you on the main stage?
Boaby: Bob Dylan
Band: Big Neds!
Boaby: Uncle John & Whitelock. Bernie Sanders has an album! Devo!
Rachel: The B-52s (the band agree)
Boaby: We’re opening a door here…

What’s happening next? What can we expect in terms of album and a single?
Boaby: Rachel is pregnant so we’re going to hold off. (Band all start laughing). We’re going to give
it a year or so then bring out the album hopefully. We’ll be busy raising a child!
Rachel: It’s going to be a cult!

Some up the band in 3 words.
Boaby: Sh**e! Miserable! C***s!
The band are still falling about laughing, and decide to get some gin.
Boaby: Mon the gin!

LINKYLEA in the city: OCT 21-22 2016 – Tickets Available

Linkylea 2016

Feast will be in attendance at Linkylea Festival which has moved indoors this year to the wonderful Stramash venue in the Cowgate. In the words of our friends at Linkylea:

“It’s Linkylea except it’s in the city. A weekend of music, art, best pals and all of the delights you have come to expect from your lovely local festie.
As ever, we will be fundraising for the Linkylea Trust, as well as supporting local artists and musicians. Tidy.”

Featuring: Adam Stafford; Ded Rabbit; Miasma; Honey Farm; Animal Hospital; Dorey The Wise; Logans Close; The Bad Touch; Miracle Glass Company and many more!
Tickets here: http://linkyleafestival.org.uk/buy-tickets

Electric Fields 2016 – Preview

Electric-Fields-Line-upAs summer and festival season draws to a close, it’s nearly time to pack away the tents and wellies for another year, but Electric Fields is ensuring we finish the season with an almighty party!
An absolute gem in the summer calendar, with massive plaudits from critics and punters alike, the stellar line-up not only punches well above it’s weight but positively goads the big gun festivals.
This year’s festival takes place at Drumlanrig Castle, kicking off this Friday 26th August.
Electric Fields boasts incredible headlining performances from The Charlatans and Primal Scream, with performances from Everything Everything, Admiral Fallow, Neon Waltz, The Twilight Sad and The Sugarhill Gang.
Given the amazing line-up throughout the festival, Feast has picked out some incredible must-see acts.
Sweaty Palms have been winning rave reviews, with their mix of psychedelic garage rock, and lo-fi scuzzy punk. Young, exciting, and refreshing, they are sure to get the fest off to a rousing start.
Bella And The Bear will provide something different with their blend of lush harmonies, ethereal vocals, almost poetic word -smithery and intricate acoustic guitar.
Baby Strange are now festival favourites. The Glasgow trio should ensure a lively, melodic grunge, guitar drenched set. Tracks such as ‘Pure Evil’, and ‘VVV’ should make an electrifying set. It’s going to get loud and sweaty!
Fat White Family area live band. Expect an intense, ramshackle, teeth-rattling lo-fi rock n roll set, and…. the unexpected! Especially if new single ‘Breaking into Aldi’ is anything to go by!
Industrial-synth duo Factory Floor, should be an interesting set as recent shows have seen the duo, explore an expanding electronic analogue set-up which encompasses Chicago house, techno, muscular synths, and guitar. It sounds like Factory Floor will prove to be intense and thrilling.
Honeyblood the duo has supported a raft of heavy weight acts in their time, and look at home on any stage. Expect an exciting performance of ballsy, energetic lo-fi surf and rock. Previewing their forthcoming album ‘Babes Never Die’, this is perfect festival viewing!
Feast have had the pleasure of seeing White several times this summer. The band are fantastic live, with frontman Leo Condie channelling Jarvis Cocker and Brian Ferry, to synth-tinged live assault. The band are hotly tipped, so why not see what all the fuss is about before they swagger onto the bigger stages calling.
Given the abundance of amazing acts and gorgeous setting, we can’t wait to get to Electric Fields, see you there!

Posted by Stacy Rowan

Single Review: Noah Noah – Champion

In Feast’s opinion Scotland has produced quite a variety of musical talent over the years which includes quite possibly the most successful of the moment, Biffy Clyro.
Scottish melodic rock quartet Noah Noah are looking to continue that trend, slowly building a reputation through supporting Kirsten Adamson on her recent UK tour. With confidence high following the support they got for their track ‘Lips’ from Amazing Radio’s Jim Gellatly among others, Noah Noah will be launching their latest single, ‘Champion’ at Feastival – Feast Records annual blog party, which takes place at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s on Thursday 2nd June.
With the spritely and uplifting ‘Champion’ the band plays with dynamics; at times being very full on; at other stripping the track back to vocals, a little drum and some finger picking before swelling into heavy beats and more intense vocals. This effective use of dynamics also helps the band convey the emotion of the song more effectively and this combined with it’s catchy anthem-like driving chorus means this track will be stuck in your head.
Lead singer Fraser Fulton displays an impressive vocal range which demonstrates a great ability to connect with the listener and he is joined by equally powerful backing vocals from the band. It is the song’s conclusion which is it’s real highlight as it culminates in a dramatic, powerful, raw finish which erupts with such precise timing into a hook so raw and emotive, it leaves the listener wanting more.
‘Champion’ promises to be on many playlists this summer generating a great interest regarding what’s to follow from Noah Noah.

Noah Noah headline Feastival at Sneaky Pete’s on Thursday 2nd June 7pm-10pm.
Tickets £4 (in adv), £5 (on the door)
Tickets here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/feastival-tickets-24588971275
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/285517215119970/

‘GIMME DANGER’ – the story of The Stooges

Feast notes that the Cannes Film Festival is going to get ‘loose’ next week, thanks to a special midnight premiere of Jim Jarmusch’s Stooges-centric documentary, “Gimme Danger.”
The film aims to “presents the context of the Stooges’ emergence musically, culturally, politically, historically, and relates their adventures and misadventures while charting their inspirations and the reasons behind their initial commercial challenges, as well as their long-lasting legacy.”
gimme-danger
Of the project, Jarmusch has commented: “No other band in rock’n’roll history has rivaled The Stooges’ combination of heavy primal throb, spiked psychedelia, blues-a-billy grind, complete with succinct angst-ridden lyrics, and a snarling, preening leopard of a front man who somehow embodies Nijinsky, Bruce Lee, Harpo Marx, and Arthur Rimbaud. There is no precedent for The Stooges, while those inspired by them are now legion.”
I think this is what Jarmusch means:


Hopefully, we’ll get to see the film this Summer!!

Fatherson

Given the release yesterday of Fatherson’s new single, ‘Just Past the Point of Breaking’, we thought we’d show a FEAST session they did for us many moons ago. With the release of the new album on Friday 3rd June, you can still get the last few remaining tickets for their forthcoming Glasgow show on Saturday 4th June.

Here’s the first video from the series of studio sessions we are doing with SAMA (Scottish Alternative Music Awards). This is the awesome Fatherson, with First Born for me, an acoustic mashup of two of their regular songs.

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