Source: theregoesthefear.com

Last night saw the first evening of The Feeling’s three night stand in London’s Shepherds Bush Empire, and the culmination of a year’s explosive growth for the typically British lads.

Opening for the evening was Luke Toms, a rather vibrant guy with an interesting support band that looks something like Napolean Dynamite wannabes. His (rather scary) ‘tash reminded us of a fair ground entertainer in the mid 1920’s, but on the whole were quite a melodic bunch, if a bunch of outcasts. They sounded quite similar to the Feeling, but a bit more extravagant, and had a hint of Magic Numbers around them. Could be one to watch next year!

Then a few minutes past nine the whole stage went dark and the intro tape kicked in, for The Feeling to bound on stage to “I want You Now”, and the crowd erupted. Dan Gillespie Sells was clearly on top form, and wouldn’t stop proclaiming his love for being back in London, after spending months touring the USA and Canada. He introduced us to his mum up on the balcony, who was having a very good time, giving most of us younger people a run for her money with her dancing and screaming skills.

They ripped through their set, going at breakneck speed through their album, playing Sewn very early and spacing the hits a nice distance apart. Strange was introduced by referring to the band as a bunch of oddballs, and was a great rendition. Before “Rose” Dan explained that “some people think this song is about confused sexuality, some people think this is a song about red wine… I’ll let you decide what it’s about”, which was quite amusing, and made us realise the several different interpretations of a song there might be. Throughout the set they were always polite, and very British: looking after the audience, following the corporate line: they almost seemed like a boyband, indeed much of what they did could be said to be very similar to McFly.

After Rose came a bit of a surprise: a cover of “Video killed the Radio star” by the Buggles, which was very camp but very enjoyable. “Fill my little world right up” took several attempts to get right for Dan, deciding that it was his guitar that didn’t sound right, before getting off to a stonking start, that could have closed the set. Instead, they played on and rounded off with “Love it when you call,” their new single. At first we thought that would be it, with no encore, but Dan crept round the front of the stage to come up, hidden from most of the audience’s sight and do the album closer “Blue Picadilly”, which was pretty awesome, and very melodic.

Overall they put on a very entertaining evening, though very corporate line-toeing, but good family friendly entertainment: their songs are ace, easy listening stuff, but aren’t going to be setting the world on fire with controversy or genius lyrics.

Source: morecowbell.net

Everyone knows that the best cure for a hangover is another night of liberal imbibing of alcohol. This clearly was the logic behind last night’s DAM! Festival hangover party at DC9. After all, after an intense weekend of shows, why not have just one more?

Middle Distance Runner had the great fortune of being added to the bill just a few days ago, and I’m glad they did, because these guys need all the exposure they can get. I’ve been listening to their debut record Plane in Flames quite often over the past week or so, and I must say, damn…these guys can bring the rawk. They do a great job of blending some really familiar sounds into a unique blend. Plane in Flames opens with the single-esque “Naturally,” of which the chorus is so damn catchy it hasn’t left my head since the song first hit my ears. I’m pretty sure the melody is going to stay there for awhile too. I woke up this morning with the very Secret Machines-esque “That’s A Lie” rawking itself out my head. It’s a fantastic closer to the album, which I heartily recommend you check out over at CD Baby.

I managed to catch MDR last night at DC9 and these guys are a blast live. Fortunately, their last-minute-add to the bill allowed for only a very small group of people at the show (like 30 by the end). This only made these guys play harder and involve the crowd more. By the 3rd song they were jumping off the stage into the “crowd” (or small group of people standing near the stage). “That’s A Lie” had Steve, Ian, Allan and Jay dancing with some of the audience and rawking out in front of the stage for the entirety of the song.

Unfortunately, MDR don’t have many tour dates scheduled right now, but keep your eye on these guys. You bring the noise, they’ll bring the funk (well, rock actually, but you get my drift). Tour dates at the bottom.

Jay, Steve and Allan bringing the rawk into the crowd

Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention Hot IQs. Hailing from Denver, they’ve done a great job of blending smart pop elements with just a hint of fuzzy guitar and intelligent lyricism.

MDR Dates

12/10/06 – Live on DC101
12/16/06 – Black Cat with iForward Russia! & Snowden

Source: vipticketblog.com

George Strait (purchase tickets) who will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Nov 6th has announced some tour dates for the beginning of 2007.

The tour schedule so far covers 20 dates and runs through a March 3 appearance in Denver, Colorado at the Pepsi Center. Fellow country legend Ronnie Milsap will serve as a special guest and opening act during the tour.

We were lucky enough to get some presale tickets for the tour and we are offering them to our fans through our online ticket broker site.  Please take a minute and check our George Strait Ticket inventory!  Front Row seats are what we specialize in and we don’t let you down at VIP Tickets.