Monthly round-up.

And there was me thinking that the start of 2014 would be a bit of a slow one with not much going on. Christ alive was I wrong! I don't think I've stopped since New Year, trying to cram in gig after gig, review after review and everything else around my working hours. Not that I am complaining I have had an absolute blast the past month.

Now we've entered a new one and my diary keeps getting important dates added into it and it's safe to say I'm very excited with the way things are shaping for this year.

See ya January, here are my favourite things about you!

THIS ALBUM.

I was lucky enough to go to the album launch show at Camden Barfly, which was completely insane. I was also then invited to the special Album party at Redbull Studios, (free bar AND free pizza, THANK. YOU.) which again, was so much fun and I'm super proud of Blitz Kids for already achieving so much success with the album. You can see my full review of The Good Youth here: http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/201401/music/reviews/album-review-blitz-kids-the-good-youth

THIS SONG. 

I have literally had this on repeat for the past three weeks. It's not usually what I go for but something about it has got me completely hooked. Maybe it's the super smooth and soulful vocals, maybe it's the handclaps and beats. Who knows? All I can say is, it is magnificent and I can't wait until the Years & Years headline show at Oslo in March. 

FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Reading & Leeds: You Me At Six, Architects, Royal Blood, Issues, Disclosure, The 1975

Isle of Wight Festival: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings Of Leon, Rudimental, John Newman, Passenger

Bestival: OUTKAST, Foals, Chvrches, Disclosure

Takedown Festival: Funeral for a Friend, Kids in Glass Houses, The First, Verses, I Divide Canterbury

BRB going to the bank to get a loan. 

THESE BANDS.

Neck Deep:

Pixel Fix:

Crooks: 

Statechamps: 

These have been the four main bands soundtracking the first month of the year. Neck Deep and Statechamps in particular because they bring a nice dose of Summer to this utterly horrific Winter weather we're having at the moment. Pixel Fix make some of the most hauntingly beautiful music around and Crooks are just non-stop touring right now, so a big pat on the back for them! 

What music has soundtracked your January? 

Bestival!

Sorry I've been a bit missing in action recently, I arrived home from Bestival Monday afternoon and haven't stopped since! However I have the next couple of days off work and I've come down with a rotten cold so I'm spending my time wrapped up under a duvet and doing all the writing I've been meaning to do for weeks. Hopefully this means I'll have a few more posts for you guys coming soon! My full review of Bestival will be up on Bring the Noise this week, so I won't post the whole thing on here, but thought I'd share my experience with you!

The whole of the Bestival weekend was incredible, I chose to dress up as a Zebra for the Wildlife theme, as you can see in the picture above and I brought along my face painting kit so I could paint myself some stripes as well as doing various prints and designs on my friends faces.

∆ Alt-J were probably one of the best acts I saw all weekend, it's amazing to see how far they've come in recent months, we could barely get in the tent there were so many people! Ben Howard and Gabrielle Aplin were also fantastic, completely different vibes from artists of the same genre, which was interesting to see, obviously I was massively swooning over Mr Howard, that man just has such a glorious face!

Two Door Cinema Club and Stevie Wonder both sent me and the rest of the crowd into a complete dancing frenzy and I had the best time jumping around with all my friends, singing a long to every line. I've already bought my ticket for the Alexandra Palace Two Door show next year because they impressed me so much at Bestival. To be able to say that I saw Stevie Wonder live as well is such an incredible feeling, he did mumble about politics a bit too much, but for a man who's getting older and who can't actually see, his musical performance was spot on and finished the festival off in style. 

Finally, some pictures of me and my best mate James, (yes that is a christmas tree on his face), we've been so close since we started uni together three years ago and now that we're in different cities it's hard to stay in touch so we made the most of it at Bestival and I had such a laugh with him and all the others I was camped with. Despite the gruelling travel, (6 hours each way even though I live in Portsmouth!) it was totally worth it and I can't wait to go back next year!

Did anyone else go to Bestival this year? What did you think of it?

COMPANY: July Issue

Something I've been keeping quiet about over the past couple of months is my guest appearance in the July issue of Company magazine. I was contacted back in April asking if I'd like to be involved (of course I said yes!) sent off all my details and writings and two months later here it is!

I can't even begin to express how appreciative I am for Company Magazine giving me this opportunity and It feels amazing to have my music, festival and fashion tips out there for all you lovely people to read!

If you do not yet know of Company magazine I urge you to go and buy the latest issue (not just because I'm in it), It's full of amazing fashion trends, hair and beauty tips plus all the latest info on music, books and everything else! It really is one of my favourite magazines, particularly as It really supports bloggers! Only £2 as well so really, It's an absolute bargain!

If you read the magazine / article let me know what you think!