Live Review: Kerrang Tour 2015 @ Manchester Academy, 14th February 2015.

Lineup: Beartooth, Bury Tomorrow, Young Guns, We Are The In Crowd, Don Broco.

This years Kerrang Tour sees a variety of genres from metalcore and post hardcore to pop punk. Manchester Academy fills with excited teenagers, university students and lifelong fans of the bands that are performing. What better way to spend Valentines day than at a concert?

Up first are Beartooth, who merely describe their genre as 'Loud' on their Facebook page. They only need to play one or two songs to show that term is correct. For a band who are first up, which is always a challenge, they absolutely nail it. Starting at 6:30, they draw a big crowd and mosh pits open up a few songs in.

Next are British Metalcore band, Bury Tomorrow, who open with 'Man On Fire.'

‘There is nothing worse than a band charging fans money for meet and greets,’ states lead vocalist, Daniel Winter-Bate - during his speech about how fortunate they are as a band. He then says he will be at the merch stand to give fans high fives and to have a chat.

Dan's vocals balance perfectly alongside Jason Cameron's clean vocals, producing spine-tingling melodies. If it was possible for an artist to sound as good as they do on CD then the guys in Bury Tomorrow have done that justice.

Bury Tomorrow play a tight, energetic set and help create what would be the biggest circle pit of the night. They play a couple of tracks from recent album 'Runes' before completing their six song set with 'Lionheart.’ 

The worst part of Kerrang Tour is bands not having long enough sets. However, without a doubt, the best choice made for this years tour was choosing to play the two heaviest bands first. They have certainly got the crowd pumped and waiting for more. 

Young Guns were announced only recently as surprise act for Kerrang Tour 2015 and are only here to play a 15 minute set. The set consists of just three songs including two new singles 'Speaking In Tongues' and 'I Want Out,' before finishing with monster track, 'Bones,'  which everyone sings

along to. 

15 minutes was not nearly enough time for Young Guns, having been absent from live UK shows for a good while. However, it is clear some people in the crowd bought tickets last minute just to see this special event take place, and the band certainly do not disappoint. Young Guns are no strangers to Kerrang Tour having played in 2010 alongside All Time Low and The Blackout. To say they were first band on stage 5 years ago, they have truly exploded in the music scene. It is exciting to have them back. June sees the release of new album 'Ones And Zeros' and a UK headline tour... finally.

Young Guns. (Gustav Wood, Vocalist)

The only pop punk band on the line-up, We Are The In Crowd are up next. The audience becomes a floor full of teens, like something you would see at a 1D concert. 

Jay Tardine's vocal range is brilliant tonight and they manage to get the crowd singing along. However, there seems a slight lack of energy in the audience post Young Guns performance. Just as things are starting to get  a bit samey, WATIC switch it up and play a couple of acoustic tracks. 

Throughout the set, the band play quite a few songs from most recent album, ‘Weird Kids’ before stating they won't be touring for a while as they are going into the studios to write and record a new record. WATIC finish with popular track and biggest hit, 'Rumour Mill.'

WATIC are easily the least heavy band on the bill but it still works well. The organisers at Kerrang after all, do their very best to cater to wide audiences on a yearly basis. I mean, who doesn't love a bit of pop punk?

Up last and headlining this years tour are British rock band,  Don Broco - who fire up the crowd with recent single, 'Money Power Fame.'

Broco perform a few new tracks they have written in prep for this summers album release, yet to be titled. 'Fire,' proves to be a hit amongst the audience.

They bring it old school playing classics such as  'Thug Workout', causing chaos in the pits as fans get down on the floor to start doing press-ups. If you have no idea why then Google ' push-up squad.'

The one hour set is quite varied with songs including ‘Dreamboy,’Fancy Dress,'  before  they finish the encore with popular tracks 'Priorities' and 'You Wanna Know.' 

With tonight's turn out it is clear that the past year has been Don Broco's year,  They manage to squeeze 13 songs into an hours set and the crowds feet barely touch the ground. Rob Damiani's vocals are on form, as are crowd interactions. The whole set is as charismatic as expected. Fusing heavy basslines, The right combination of funkiness, energy and bedlam, the obvious choice as headliners was definitely Don Broco. 

My Verdict.

Aside from Young Guns, who I have seen about eight times, it was my first time seeing all the bands on the line-up which is rare for me. Despite We Are The In Crowd not really being my cup of tea, I was very impressed with what I heard and witnessed. Don Broco have quickly become my new favourite live band alongside Less Than Jake and A Day To Remember. It was a very memorial night and a great way to spend my Valentines Day with friends.

Single Review: All Time Low - A Love Like War Ft Vic Fuentes

All Time Low are back with new single ‘A Love Like War’ featuring Vic Fuentes from Pierce The Veil. The two bands are set to do a tour of the USA alongside fellow American rockers A Day To Remember this September.

The band have had many successes over the years with numerous sold out UK tours and five albums in their back pockets. This time around they are re- releasing 2012’s album ‘Don’t Panic’, this time around with four new songs and four bonus acoustic tracks.

The video shows the well groomed quartet playing in a movie theatre, the camera pans from room to room showing different stages of them either playing as a band or watching the film. The movie in the background shows a black and white silent film focusing on the issues of war.

All Time Low include all their usual elements to their new single, although this time the drums and the guitar riffs are a tad heavier than normal. Vic Fuentes’ vocals enter during the chorus. However he doesn’t use his own renowned screaming to capture listener’s attention. It would have been good to see if ATL could have pushed the boundaries as to what their fans would listen to. For now though, they have decided to play it safe with new single.

All in all ‘A Love Like War’ proves to be a worthy upbeat song, catchy as expected from a band like ATL. However nothing really stands out as far as new music is concerned. The element of Vic Fuentes’ vocals of course helps with the possibility of gaining the band some new fans.
With lyrics such as ‘Hearts on fire tonight, feel my bones ignite,’ Furentes’ belting out melodies with ATL vocalist Alex Gaskarth sets the chorus alight. Other than tiny shifts in the music showing the band are evolving there doesn’t seem to be any major change or want for new direction with their musical talent.

The new album ‘Don’t Panic: It’s Longer Now’ is out 30th September via Hopeless Records.