Gnarwolves take a bite out of Welly club in Hull

It seems like Gnarwolves are constantly on the road touring and for the most part that is true, as over 2015 they played shows for over half of the days in the year! Not bad for three guys from Brighton who still have part-time jobs!  As they hit Hull again, they explain the reason they have come back is the support and reaction they received last time was overwhelming why not, this time in a bigger venue, The Welly club.

Headliners Gnarwolves certainly draw in a big crowd but the support bands, Woahnows & Broadbay also have some great tunes to share as their fan bases grow. First up for my interviews I chat to Broadbay who are fresh on the scene and friends of Gnarwolves hence their addition to the tour but their addition does feel worthwhile. Broadbay are just excited to be on the road and touring again, if you want a description of them, they would say “sloppy poppy grudge”, so check them out on the link below. Their live shows especially tonight is far from sloppy as they play tight jams with poetic and aggressive lyrics, overall an exciting vibe from exciting home grown talent. 

The same can be said about fellow support friends Woahnows which seem to be everyone favourite new band after releasing their debut album, (Understanding and Everything Else) earlier this year. The album is an 11 track underground classic with lead single Puncher setting the scene for who this band are. The band have an American garage band vibe about them or dare I say it a pop/punk vibe however, they don’t stick to the usual formula currently seen by Neck Deep or Seaway aimed at mass market. As some of the lyrics are dark and deep yet have a catchy joyful feel to them. Just like Broadbay the songs transfer very well into a live setting complete with a buzzing atmosphere they almost out do Gnarwolves at getting the audience involved. So can’t wait to see them again!

Next up was Gnarwolves but could they out do Woahnows? Well yes but only just as they have a good collection of songs on which draw upon now for their sets. The crowd go even crazier for Gnarwolves as pits open up and people crowd surf like they are in California.  Just like California the temperature and atmosphere in Welly tonight sizzles to new highs as no one is left out of the show from tune to tune the band deliver and then some. As they grow slightly older with their fan base is nice to see them not changing what got them to this position in the first place, playing honest, natural, punk tracks fast and loud. This will continue as they have just announced a pre order for their new EP called, Adolescence.

Great show! Great bands! Great tour!

https://www.mixcloud.com/thisishybrid/

http://gnarwolves.com/

https://woahnows.bandcamp.com/

https://broadbay.bandcamp.com/

Free your creativity at Freedom Festival 2015

Three days of culture explodes across Hull city as Freedom festival comes around again, getting everyone ready for the city of culture 2017.

“Freedom is being able to express yourself without your opinions being oppressed by others” so say the new kids on the block, The Talkdown when I chat to them post show at Freedom festival 2015. Today (Saturday 5^th Sep) alone demonstrates the ability to express freedom from many creative streams, however, how far can you push creativity and freedom before you encounter resistance. Ratboy pushed too much apparently as their set was cut short for asking the crowd to join him on stage for a tune or two. Before that eventful closing of the festival on Saturday night there was plenty more to be had. After working a long shift on Friday I ventured down to Humber Street to take in some rock artists on the bridge stage. Opening up the festival with a bang was some quality acts from the area including, Scarlett Riot and Of Allies both prove they can bring in the crowds.

As Saturday rolls on through so does the talent, as my journey starts over in Queens Gardens. Here education is mixed with entertainment as charities, science fanatics and the BBC allow expression of freedom on a more practical side. Despite this, the term of Freedom is very loosely coined here as there is restrictions on bikes across some of the festival which is a major flaw in the planning process. Despite this I carry on my journey taking in this sites of the pirate exhibition inside The Maritime Museum before seeing some remarkable underground acts opposite Hull City Hall. Including expressive dancers and an astronaut.

There was plenty to see as I made my way towards Humber 
Street due to six iconic phone boxes. These boxes were trailing the path around the festival. Each one displaying and echoing a different message of freedom and expressiveness. Before exploring more of the festival I head to the media office to collect my media pass as I need this to professional photos from behind and in the photo pits. However, although the media team were super busy and friendly they were a bit clueless to why I was there, and resisted at first to get me a pass. With much negotiation I received a pass but it was for one stage only and not until after 9pm. The reason behind this was an oversubscription of media passes already given out, however, throughout the whole day only one other photographer entered the media area at the bridge stage leaving me feel bewildered and not respected as a media journalist (more on that moan in future blog).

With the pass in hand I headed around the festival to see what sites were to behold. There was activities for children near the domed tent with ticketed events inside. There was the yellow bus stage, bridge stage, fruit market packed as ever, food stalls and various talent on an erected band stand outside the back of fruit. Here people were treated to the delights of young acoustic stars, Bollywood dancers and swing dancers to top it off. Getting everyone in the crowd involved for a great time, I not included, I don’t dance... in public anyway. Most of my day was watching acts on the bridge stage including a new two piece from Sheffield called, Hot soles. They delivered a smoking blues set too much applause before most people started making their way to Over and Out a dramatized fireworks display complete with lighthouse zombies. Weird it may seem, it must have took a creative mind. This by far was the best thing of the festival, choreographed brilliantly before delivering a never-ending explosive finally. This was one of them, I wish I was there moments. Before the ending set of Ratboy I managed to run across the site and sneak my way into the photo pit for instrumentalists, Public Service Broadcast. They delivered an electrifying opening set which captivate the audience from the get go. I only wish I could have stayed for more but I wanted to witness the scaling power of new kid on the block Ratboy. 

A blistering set that sees Jordan AKA Ratboy and his band power through a set of relatable songs of teenage youth and today’s youth culture. Just like the youth culture though there is always the authorities standing by to get in the way of fun. As Ratboy closes off current hit Sign On, he advises the audience that he can’t stop anyone from coming on stage if they want. And with that comment the stage was shut down through their next song by the security as it was deemed to be unsafe. No one was trying to get over the barrier or even crowd surf from my view on stage, the only dangerous activity witnessed by Ratboys management was one security guard pulling him by the collar off stage and down the stairs. Although the crowd was disappointed (and there were a lot of them) they backed Ratboy 100% and chanted his name as he come out to meet all of his adoring fans. I was scheduled to have an interview with Ratboy shortly after they came off stage but took their manager to lead Jordan back into the safety of the backstage area from the masses of fans that wanted their 50th selfie with the guy. Finally, just after 11pm I managed to encourage the Ratboy guys to sit down for a few minutes to talk about the band. I did get some reaction from the guys, which can be heard on a future show, however be warned as it is like talking to the ADHD kids at school. Their style is very much extrovert which reflects their chaotic and wild shows. 

Overall, by the close of Sunday a great time was had by all but was it enough? With less attractions there was significantly less footfall this year and to put simply just not as good as last year in my opinion. With that said it was a great weekend overall for a free event, to get everyone excited for the city of culture 2017. Watch this space.

https://www.mixcloud.com/thisishybrid/

http://www.freedomfestival.co.uk/

http://ratboy.co.uk/

No Weather Talks speak out

Flying in with the north east breeze is No Weather Talks, who just embarked on their first ever UK tour. 

“We are excited to be here” explains front woman, Jen and they are not the only ones as their fan base is growing slowly but significantly as they climb up the ladder of well-known pop-punk bands. The best way I can begin to describe them is a softer version of Marmozets. They have the raw and bitter punk edge reflected in Marmozets, whilst appealing to many with their catchy jams, such as ROAD RASH ( https://www.facebook.com/noweathertalks/app_204974879526524 ). This is something that has come together with Jen being own life story, “I have lived in America, now I live in Germany and toured around Europe extensively” this exposer to many scenes and artists has only strengthened who they are to stand out from the crowd. They certainly stand out on this UK tour and especially in Hull where they draw a decent sized crowd for a fairly unknown band. The music is also backed up by political and teenage angst lyrics which demonstrates they are not into reciting atypical punk act from the past.

First off playing tonight is local act, Less Deceived who I must have reviewed hundreds of times supporting acts coming to Hull. They play a decent set adding in a catchy new song to change it up a bit. Before Leeds duo, Kamikaze girls hit the stage with their gripping set. This due have joined forces once again after their band Heart and Soul broke up to much disappointment from many fans. Being a fan of Heart and Soul myself it was hard to think of a new sound for these guys but as I watched their set I realised they brought an energy you could only experience from their live sound. As they work brilliantly together, powering through a fast paced and aggressive punk girl set. Fans of Royal Blood and Turbowolf should check them out now!

Ending the night in style was down to No Weather Talks, who command the stage and audience’s attention from the first note. Playing a good length set featuring tracks from their EP and debut album which is out now on sexy vinyl. Unlike the records released though they set up the energy level higher than anticipated by infecting everyone to dance along in Hull fruit. Full interview with NWT and KG will be on the hybrid Sep or Nov podcast watch this space.

https://www.mixcloud.com/thisishybrid/

https://www.facebook.com/kamikazegirlsuk

https://www.facebook.com/noweathertalks
https://www.facebook.com/LessDeceived