Author: Chris Brooks

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    Chris Brooks

    Preview: Kendal Calling (27/07/12)

    Kendal Calling is one of those little known countryside festivals that consistently showcases a fantastic mix of acts in an infinitely more chilled setting than you’ll ever hope to find at Reading and Leeds. This year has Dizzee Rascal, James and Maximo Park topping the bill of a fantastic and varied line up, including Feeder, […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Preview: Livestock – The Alternative Grad Ball (12/06/12)

    LiveSoc introduce an chilled out free evening for those not attending Oceana.

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    Chris Brooks

    Preview: The Heartbreaks at The Joiners (08/05/11)

    In the period since the release of their last single, ‘Jealous Don’t You Know’, The Heartbreaks have been some very busy boys. Supporting both Morrissey and Hurts across Europe, The Heartbreaks have undoubtedly made a name for themselves and expanded their fan base significantly over the past few months. With the upcoming release of their debut album, this […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Battle of the Bands at The Talking Heads (19/4/12)

    In the aftermath of its glorious reopening weekend The Talking Heads has once again bravely championed the local music scene with the appropriation of Rock’s most ancient and sacred ritual – a Battle of the Bands competition.  Taking place sporadically over the next few months, with two heats in Southampton and six in Portsmouth, undiscovered […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Beans on Toast at The Joiners (16/02/12)

    Opening with a side-splitting anecdote about having spent the afternoon scouring Winchester’s only council estate for the tell-tale signs of a certain kind of salesman (which he described as a BMW in the driveway), Beans on Toast set the tone of what has to have been one of the most entertaining gigs I’ve been to […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Rise Against at the Guildhall (13/11/11)

    Let me just start by suggesting that if you ever have the chance to see The Nightwatchman, the alter ego of Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morrello, I implore you to seize the opportunity. I’ve never been entirely sure whether his album The Fabled City would really work live, or if it would just […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Preview: Friendly Fires at the Guildhall (16/12/11)

    Friendly Fires reschedule their Guildhall performance and put tickets back on sale!

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    Chris Brooks

    Preview: Kickstarter at The Talking Heads (6/12/11)

    On Tuesday 6th December, Kickstarter will be headlining The Talking Heads in what I can guarantee will be one of those fantastic nights that make you realise just how great a wealth of relatively unknown talent roams Southampton. As unsigned acts go, Kickstarter really are the cream of the crop. The band are a rap/rock hybrid […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Preview: The Darkness at the Guildhall (17/11/11)

    On Thursday (November 17th) The Darkness will descend upon the Guildhall as part of their first UK tour in years, after their original lineup fell apart in 2006 with the departure of Justin Hawkins. The band reunited earlier this year however, marking the occasion with a stellar performance at Download 2011 in support of Def […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Preview: Motörhead at the Guildhall (15/11/11)

    On Tuesday (November 15th), Motörhead are set to hit the Guildhall as part of the UK stint of their latest world tour, in support of their 20th studio album The Wörld Is Yours which came out at the start of the year. Considering Motörhead been active since 1975, I’d forgive you for (wrongly) thinking that […]

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    Chris Brooks

    The Granddads of Pop-Rock Return – Bowling for Soup @ The Guildhall 18/10/11

    It’s that time of year again, when Bowling for Soup grace the UK with their silly antics and fun-fuelled pop-rock. Supported by Orange and Suburban Legend, Bowling for Soup are hitting the Guildhall on Tuesday the 18th of October, for what I can guarantee will be a nostalgic night of fun for any in attendance. […]

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    Chris Brooks

    Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You

    I’m With You merely attempts to evolve the style of the ageing LA rock band as they experiment with electro and piano-based rock.

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    Chris Brooks

    Download Festival

    Kicked off by CKY, this year’s Download Festival was immediately off to a good start as rumours of an appearance by Bam Margera (whose brother Jess drums for the band) drew in a huge crowd for the opening set. Alas, no Bam, but CKY were able to rile up the mosh-happy Downloaders with ease. Puddle of […]

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    Chris Brooks

    The Tree of Life ★★★★☆

    Terrence Malick’s latest production mixes A-list stars and a stuttering storyline to create an audience-dividing phenomenon.