FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Springtide Festival

Springtide Festival is a new addition to the Hampshire music scene, and takes place over part of the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend in Gosport. That's just a 15min ferry ride from Portsmouth if you didn't know. Not only is it giving local artists a huge platform and the boost they all truly deserve, but they've got some of the most exciting acts of 2014 coming down to perform as well. I'll be there on the Saturday for a whole lot of dancing, whilst mooching about the clothing stalls and hey, I may even get my face painted too! 

Here's my tips for who to check out if you're planning on coming (which you should be!)

Fickle Friends.

With only two singles, Brighton's Fickle Friends are causing quite a stir in the music industry. Their charming, upbeat melodies are winning hearts all over the UK and they'll undoubtedly bring some summer vibes with their performance. 

Eliza and the Bear. 
If you caught Paramore on their UK tour last year, then you would have caught Eliza and the Bear getting you all warmed up beforehand. Championed by Communion music and big name Radio DJs, these guys have got a big career ahead of them. And they have trumpets.


Young Kato.
Fresh off their tour supporting You Me At Six, Young Kato are going to bring a bit of a party to Springtide. They've got that perfect blend of pop-rock that'll have you up on your feet and loving life for their entire set!


Pixel Fix.
I finally caught Pixel Fix live recently and their music in completely blew my mind. Their EPs are full of hauntingly brilliant atmospheric indie sounds, with cuts and twists throughout and it just becomes something on another level live. You'd be a fool to miss their set.

Bear Cavalry.
Gosport's finest export. Tropical indie-pop music at it's finest. I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen Bear Cavalry live, but I never bore of them. Bringing a lovely dose of the seaside with them, no matter where they play.


The Boy I Used To Be.
Okay, so I maaaay be a little biased as I used to work with Mr Edward Perry, aka The Boy I Used To Be. But, he's put a lot of hard work into his new EP and always a little charmer when he gets on stage. For a little distortion with your cheery indie music, The Boy I Used To Be is perfect for a Saturday afternoon.


Nathan Newman.
Heart-melting, beautifully written songs are what Nathan Newman is so good at creating. If you like Ben Howard, Damien Rice and Benjamin Francis Leftwich then you'll fall in love with Nathan.

These are just my top picks from the weekend, but there are tons more bands playing across the two days, plus a special acoustic stage to get excited about. For more information, and to purchase tickets visit: http://www.springtidefestival.com/

Blissfields 2012

As I've spent my weeks breathing in the city air, admittedly with a waft of the seaside, whilst tapping away at my keyboard longing for the work to end and the summer begin, it's surprised me how quickly life is flying by and all of a sudden I'm rushing through town on the hunt of a festival-proof coat and purchasing the biggest pack of baby wipes I can find. This can only mean one thing, it's festival time!

Having missed out MASSIVELY last year due to insufficient funds I've made sure that I make my way to a few festivals this summer to get my dose of muddy, smelly, sweaty goodness. Therefore over the coming months I will be giving you my tips of which bands to see at the best festivals, what you should probably pack and what you can expect. If any of you went to Isle of Wight festival at the weekend, you will have unfortunately learnt the importance of a good pair of wellies and a coat, however we can all hope that the rest of this years festivals won't be as tragic!

To start things off we have Blissfields; wander ever so slightly north-west from my seaside home of Portsmouth and you'll stumble across a family-friendly, quirky festival with a slight vintage warmth about it. Blissfields pitches up in Vicarage Farm, not far from Winchester and provides activities for all ages, whether you want to have fun with arts and crafts, have an afternoon tea with your friends or just indulge yourself in the incredible music that will be treating your ears. Weekend tickets are only £74 (yes you can still purchase them!) which is an absolute bargain for the amount of goodies you're getting and with a corking line up, you'd be silly not to go!

Here's my musical tips for the weekend:

Friday - Main Stage:                                                        

                                                                 Guillemots

Once you hit play you'll instantly recognise the song, I'm expecting a magical atmosphere from these guys. 

King Charles

Sunshine happy melodies and hair resembling that of Hook, expect everything to be extravagant 

Josh Kumra

The voice behind the Number 1 single "Don't Go" by Wretch 32, one to simply sit back, relax and enjoy.

Second Stage:

Clock Opera

Having missed their set at The Great Escape, I'm very excited to see what they have to offer at Blissfields!

Bear Cavalry

Repeat after me.... HEY UMBA DA DA DA DA DAAAAHHHH!

It's also worth taking a stroll over to the Hidden Hedge Acoustic Stage to see the likes of I Dream In Colour, BeBe Black, Leigh Mary Stokes and Huw Olesker & The Barebackers.

Saturday - Main Stage:

Spector

Indie rock music for you all to awkwardly shuffle along to when you've had a few too many

Bastille

You're gonna see me banging on about Bastille a lot over the coming months, I just can't get enough!

Second Stage:

Theme Park

They make look barely into their teens but they can make music that gives everyone a little dancing urge *see awkward shuffle note mentioned with Spector

Dog Is Dead

Prepare your vocal chords for a good old sing song

Hidden Hedge: 

Luke Ferre

Because this is one of the best covers I've ever heard. 

If you're off to Blissfields this weekend and think I may have missed an amazing act off my list then let me know, or come say hello, I'll probably be running around in my parka-in-a-pocket with the pink floral wellies, what can I say, I'm a master at festival fashion! The only thing you really need to bring to Blissfields is a smile, see you there!