Placebo Add 2nd Brixton Academy Date

Placebo have announced a second date at London's 02 Brixton Academy on September 28th 2010

September
27th - O2 Brixton Academy, London
28th - O2 Brixton Academy, London

Live Review: The Gaslight Anthem, Twin Atlantic & Sharks - Brixton Academy - 26/6/10

Tonight’s show is all about influences. Every band has them, and some show them more than others. Whilst it is all too easy to fall into the trap of mimicry, great bands wear their influences on their sleeves and use them to create a sound of their own. The Gaslight Anthem fall into the latter camp, however where tonight’s supports fall is questionable.

Opening the show to a largely empty Brixton Academy are Midlands-based Sharks. They are undoubtedly a band that relies on their onstage energy, much of which is swallowed up by the cavernous and half-empty Academy, resulting in their Clash-worshipping tunes sounding all too similar. That said they receive a larger applause than expected, possibly indicating a few new fans had been gained.

Frank Turner To Play London Brixton Academy

Frank Turner has announced details of his biggest headline show in London to date.

Turner will play London's O2 Brixton Academy on December 12th.

Marilyn Manson Adds Second London Show

Marilyn Manson has added a second London date on his upcoming UK tour this December.

Manson will now play a two night residency at London's Brixton Academy on December 9 and 10.

Review: Give it a Name - Brixton Academy - 17/04/2009

For several years, the Give it a Name brand has been at the forefront of the live music scene in the UK. This years version however, is a far cry from previous incarnations. The single stage, smaller venue and arguably weaker lineup, allinged with poorer ticket sales in comparison to previous years, shows the Give it a Name love affair is dwindling.

Opening today's proceedings are Californian metalcore act, In This Moment. The band are solid, but bring nothing new to the table, with the formulaic screams, cleans and obligatory breakdowns. Frontwoman Maria bucks the trend, but even her best attempts to woo the male audience fall short, once the novelty of her skimpy dress wears thin, leaving largely bemused audience.

In contrast, Lights, hailing from Canada, demonstates perfectly how a female frontperson can maintain audience attention, without objectification. Her brand of synth driven pop might not be familiar to the realms of GIAN fans, but, following today's performance, it could be the start of something very good indeed. The cheese-o-meter is on full by the time her set finishes, but she brings something new to the table, and at a festival famed for niche emo acts, brings a welcome respite. She is back to these shores in May, and well worth checking out.

Emery put in a solid performance, but their display is overshadowed impressively by The King Blues, who with 'Save The World, Get The Girl' have an anthem in the making. They are definitely a band on the rise, watch this space.

Much like Emery, The Academy Is do little to impress, and put in a very standard performance. Frontman William Beckett's swooning is borderline cringeworthy, but clearly impresses the female contingient. It's TAI by numbers, but job done as far as the band are concerned.

The Blackout are far more impressive than many of the previous acts on tonight. Frontmen Sean and Gavin, are swinging their microphones throughout, and between them, tempo rarely falls below top gear. Generic, yes, but as a self confessed party band, they more than provide on the entertainment front.

Headliners Enter Shikari are always going to split opinion. They have pioneered themselves, and formed their own niche, creating hundreds of imitators. Their rise to fame was rapid, however, the thousands of adoring fans filling Brixon Academy speaks volumes for the hard work the band have put in. Their recipe is now all too familiar, with synth, loops, screams and harmonised vocals. Musically, they stick to what they know, and for them, it works. New song 'Antwerpen' is met with rapturous applause, but the highlight is old favourite 'Sorry, Your Not Winner.'

Their set though, is perhaps overshadowed by frontman, Rou's rant, condemning the capital's Police. The stage is often a pulpit of political views, but in a room brimming with thousands of impressionable teenagers, is arguably not a wise decision.

Enter Shikari, will be around in a year's time, but in a time of increasing uncertainty, the same cannot be said for Give it a Name.

Chris Powers

Give It A Name 2009 Line Up Revealed

The full line up to this years Give It A Name Festival has been revealed.



London Brixton Academy Friday 17th April /
Manchester Academy Sunday 19th April:

Enter Shikari
The Blackout
The Academy Is...
The King Blues
Emery
Lights
In This Moment

Manchester Academy Saturday 18th April /
London Brixton Academy Sunday 19th April:

Taking Back Sunday
Underoath
Thursday
Escape The Fate
Innerpartysystem
VersaEmerge
Whole Wheat Bread

Tickets go on sale Friday 9am.

Enter Shikari and Taking Back Sunday to Headline Give It A Name

Taking Back Sunday and Enter Shikari have been announced as headliners for the Give It A Name festival, which will take place over three days in two venues.

Taking Back Sunday will headline Manchester Academy April 18 and London's Brixton Academy April 19, while Enter Shikari will headline Brixton Academy April 17 and Manchester Academy April 19.