Gig Life Crisis

Apr 5, 2025 — Leave a comment

What started out as a Whatsapp group amongst close friends last May, has grown into a massive community of 11,000 avid gig lovers on Facebook. The group has become a supportive platform for unsigned artists in the independent music scene, a place to share gigs and festivals and even a place for people to buddy up to attend gigs. There is also merch available! T-shirts, hoodies, pin badges, car stickers, one member has even got a ‘Gig Life Crisis’ tattoo!

The group organised a Gig Life Crisis festival at The Steam and Whistle in Cheltenham in January, showcasing the likes of The Kairos, The Rosadocs, Spangled, Samantics, The Slates, Siracuse plus more. The festival was a huge success, 200 members of the group attended and an amazing £1500 was raised for charities Mind, Punks Against Poverty and Refuge through a charity raffle organised by John Hibbits (admin of the group) who is passionate about supporting mental health.

Gig Life Crisis 2 has just been announced, to be hosted in Coventry for later in the year so watch this space.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#IndieRevolution
@Indierevuk
Indierevuk@gmail.com

The Mucks Release New Single ‘If I Believe’

Feb 29, 2024 — Leave a comment

these charming Coventry gents return with another outstanding and emotive single ‘If I Believe’ recorded once again with legendary producer Gavin Monaghan (Editors, The Sherlocks), proving to be another impassioned powerhouse!

The driving guitars, rousing vocals and catchy hooks make ‘If I Believe’ the perfect anthem for a night out with great friends and a pint in hand. If their debut single didn’t showcase what a huge impact The Mucks have made on the indie music scene, then ‘If I Believe’ surely will. It’s the perfect single release to start off Spring, upbeat and hopeful…brighter days are coming!

John Kennedy, Radio X, has already dubbed ‘If I Believe’ an ‘excellent new single by the Mucks’ so you do not want to miss out on this!

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Abz Winter Releases New Single ‘Wasted Energy’

Jul 14, 2023 — Leave a comment

Abz is based between Rugby and Coventry and will be moving to Bristol to study music in the summer of 2023. Having already applied herself as an exciting new talent in the pop world at just 20, her name is one to watch.

Not one to follow the crowd she has her own Pop-Rock style combined with her rich, powerful voice full of attitude.

She’s been named ‘Best New Artist In Coventry’, Artist of the Month BBC Introducing CWR, she has been nominated for ‘Best New Female’ for Radio Wigwam, the NMG Music Awards and ‘Best Pop Act’ for the Birmingham Music Awards. She has been a BRUM Radio A-lister on many occasions and won the title ‘Over 18’s Winner for Undiscovered Talent UK’.

Abz has performed on some great stages: ITV’s Walk The Line, BBC Music Introducing, Ricoh Arena, Resorts World Unsigned, The Coventry City Christmas light switch on with an audience of 9000 people, her festivals Include Godiva – on the NEXT Stage, Heal Festival, Shoot Festival, Solihull Summerfest.

She is currently busy working on new music with her London producer and the outcome is very exciting.

“My aims are to keep pushing with my music, my end goal is to sell out stadiums, which is becoming more & more possible due to social media” – Abz.

About Wasted Energy:

“The song is about me and my disastrous relationships…. of which there are lots!
Life is so difficult, but at the same time, can be so enchanting – which is really confusing and just adds to the pressures of growing up. I’m not necessarily set on wanting a relationship as I am starting to get comfortable in my own skin, but at this moment, boy I am sick of always getting it wrong and wasting my time & energy! As a 20-year-old singleton, I can do what I want when I want! This track was written in one session in the studio, and it just sort of flowed.” – Abz

Live gigs:

Sunday 16th July – The House 130 The Parade, Leamington Spa
Friday 21st July – Somar Arena, Birmingham
Sat & Sun August 12th/13th East Beach Festival, Shoeburyness (date TBC)

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Spiral City Release New Single ‘Rise’

Jun 9, 2023 — Leave a comment

SPIRAL CITY are the coventry based four piece alt indie rock band consisting of Louie Forde on Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Jack Waterfield on Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals, Tom White on Bass/Backing Vocals and Harvey James on Drums/ Percussion/Backing Vocals.

Formed in late 2022 and with two previous single releases under their belt, ‘Divide’ (30 September 22) and ‘You and I’ (20 December 2022) the band have already been tipped as “Ones to watch” by BBC Introducing, after number radio plays on BBC C&W and many other independent radio stations, as well as selling out their own headline gigs at the likes of The Tin Music & Arts.

‘Rise’ is a powerful offering from the band. The intro with its strumming guitar riffs and paired back drums allowing the vocals to burst forth with a clear precision giving the listener a hint of what’s to be unleashed as the track builds up in tempo and pace into a positive crescendo as the chorus hook kicks in. There’s a moment of somewhat quiet reflection around the midway section before the track races off again exiting on a positive, exhilarating high. We can really see how the accompanying video to this track works so well.

The band have said of the track and video:

“The music video that accompanies the single features an up and coming female boxer and the idea behind it is that she is fighting her “demons” and her emotions and will have to defeat them before she can defeat her opponents in the ring. The song is inspired by life itself and the determination, bravery, confidence and resilience it ultimately takes to traverse its muddy waters knowing that none of us get out alive.”

‘Rise’ was collaboratively written by the band and was recorded at 300 Acre Studios in Coleshill, Birmingham by Matt Cotterill.

Ahead of the release of ‘Rise’ it has been picked up by Twitch streamer and new music advocate Tim Senna who has agreed to review the single and give the single its first play on his twitch live stream.

Upcoming Gigs/Tours

August 26th – The Giffard Arms (Wolverhampton) – Supporting Deja Vega

September 24th – Covtember 23 – The Tin Music and Arts – Main support

October 7th – 33 Oldham Street (Manchester) – Details TBC

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Senses Release New Single ‘Drop Your Arms’

Mar 25, 2023 — Leave a comment

Coventry’s SENSES signed to 42’s Records last month and release a rocking new single “DROP YOUR ARMS” this Friday, 24^th March as the second of 3 singles leading up to the release of their debut album LITTLE PICTURES WITHOUT SOUND on 21^st April 2023

Ronan O’Connor (Bass):

“We are buzzing to be working with 42’s Records – the response to HARDER NOW as our first single on the label was amazing, now we are stepping things up again with DROP YOUR ARMS.

It’s about dropping your guard, being vulnerable, taking a risk, fighting for something or someone you believe in.

‘Is this the best dream you’ve ever had? Is this the best dream you won’t allow?’

It’s a song that came from jamming in rehearsals rather than one somebody brought to a session.

There was a real urgency and energy there which comes across especially the way drums are pushing the song, and from there layers of guitars came in.

With a wild breakdown, tonnes of feedback and samples it was probably one of the first songs we started to find our sound on. By the time the last double chorus comes around you can just about catch your breath!

This the second of 3 singles 42’s Records are releasing in quick succession, paving the way for our debut album on 21^st April“

SENSES create genre hopping evocative soundscapes, with arena ready hooks forming a compelling sound – Harder Now is one piece of a magnificent debut album.

Equally influenced by shoegaze romanticism, alternative experimentation, and indie ambition, they have been making music and gigging around the UK since they formed whilst at school in Coventry, bonding over a love of diverse, underground music.

A certain chemistry was apparent from the outset, and they have remained a solid unit despite now being located in Coventry, London and Germany.

With the long-awaited release of their debut LP (Vinyl, CD and Digital) ‘Little Pictures Without Sound,’ they are set to reach their largest audience yet.

With uplifting anthems beside more emotive and introspective songs, connected by mysterious snippets of spoken word, the album takes on a cinematic quality, finding beauty in everyday life.

It is a triumphant statement from a band ready for their moment in the spotlight after a long journey.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Senses Release New Single ‘Harder Now (For Love)’

Mar 10, 2023 — Leave a comment

Coventry’s SENSES have signed to 42’s Records and have released single “HARDER NOW (FOR LOVE)” as the first of 3 singles leading up to the release of their debut album LITTLE PICTURES WITHOUT SOUND on 21^st April 2023

SENSES create genre hopping evocative soundscapes, with arena ready hooks forming a compelling sound, Harder Now is one piece of a magnificent debut album.

A certain chemistry was apparent from the outset, and they have remained a solid unit despite now being located in Coventry, London and Germany.

With the long-awaited release of their debut LP (Vinyl, CD and Digital) ‘Little Pictures Without Sound,’ they are set to reach their largest audience yet.

With uplifting anthems beside more emotive and introspective songs, connected by mysterious snippets of spoken word, the album takes on a cinematic quality, finding beauty in everyday life.

It is a triumphant statement from a band ready for their moment in the spotlight after a long journey.

SENSES are Brian Callan (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Kevin Kavanagh (Guitar), Rónán O’Connor – (Bass), Ian Finnegan (Drums, Keyboards, Backing Vocals)

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Candid Release New Single ‘Tonight’

Mar 7, 2023 — Leave a comment

The Coventry-based five-piece Candid have started 2023 with a bang after announcing that they have signed with the famous Marquee Records and the release of their new single ‘Tonight’

This follows up the recent exciting revelation that the band are holding a huge hometown show at the HMV Coventry Empire on April the 29th.

‘Tonight’ is a double A-side release, coupled with new track ‘Wasted Time’. An introspective song, ‘Tonight’ is reflective of a certain period of time for the band: “Tonight is almost a lightbulb moment that a few things needed to change.” A fireball of energy, ‘Tonight’ reflects the new sound that Candid has painstakingly developed. Rich in melody, fast in attack, with the hook delivered early and a punchy bass.

Both tracks were recorded in Liverpool with Richard Turvey (Blossoms), a collaborative experience for the band. Rob Latimer concluded: “We love Liverpool, there’s a great feeling when you’re in the city. I think it really translates into the music too. Rich is a great producer and has enhanced our last three releases hugely, equally the same with Tonight – it made perfect sense to work with him. We recorded at Coastal Sound Recording Studios which is a beautiful place & hopefully we’ll work there soon on something new – we’ve got plenty in the pipeline.”

At the core of the band, Candid are brothers Rob (vocals/guitar) and Dan Latimar (lead guitar). They are joined by the enigmatic Alex Bonsor (drums), Sam Baines (bass) and Max Fisher (keyboards). Having supported the likes of The Snuts and The Fratellis to great acclaim, the band are embarking on a tour next month which culminates in a huge hometown show at the HMV Coventry Empire at the end of April.

The Coventry-based five-piece Candid have started 2023 with a bang after announcing that they have signed with the famous Marquee Records, and that they will be releasing their first single on the label. ‘Tonight’, on Friday the 24th of February.

This follows up the recent exciting revelation that the band are holding a huge hometown show at the HMV Coventry Empire on April the 29th.

‘Tonight’ is a double A-side release, coupled with new track ‘Wasted Time’. An introspective song, ‘Tonight’ is reflective of a certain period of time for the band: “Tonight is almost a lightbulb moment that a few things needed to change.” A fireball of energy, ‘Tonight’ reflects the new sound that Candid has painstakingly developed. Rich in melody, fast in attack, with the hook delivered early and a punchy bass.

Both tracks were recorded in Liverpool with Richard Turvey (Blossoms), a collaborative experience for the band. Rob Latimer concluded: “We love Liverpool, there’s a great feeling when you’re in the city. I think it really translates into the music too. Rich is a great producer and has enhanced our last three releases hugely, equally the same with Tonight – it made perfect sense to work with him. We recorded at Coastal Sound Recording Studios which is a beautiful place & hopefully we’ll work there soon on something new – we’ve got plenty in the pipeline.”

At the core of the band, Candid are brothers Rob (vocals. guitar) and Dan Latimar (lead guitar). They are joined by the enigmatic Alex Bonsor (drums), Sam Baines (bass) and Max Fisher (keyboards). Having supported the likes of The Snuts and The Fratellis to great acclaim, the band are embarking on a tour next month which culminates in a huge hometown show at the HMV Coventry Empire at the end of April.

CANDID TOUR DATES

18/3 Manchester

22/3 Leeds

31/3 Glasgow

1/4 Edinburgh

9/4 Newcastle

20/4 Bournemouth

27/5 Nottingham

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com