Never Say Die Tour // Electric Ballroom, London // 05.11.2017

I'm no stranger to the Never Say Die Tour, and almost every year it's one of those events I look forward to. My initial thoughts when the line up was announced was that I most importantly have to go to see Polaris come over to the UK for the first time. Followed closely by, can't wait to see Emmure again for the hundredth. 

Unfortunately, this post will start of a bit of a low note, as I never actually got to see Polaris, and I was gutted. But due to the major disruption of the train lines that day between Milton Keynes and Euston, there was no physical way of getting there any earlier than we did. And to be fair, in situations like that, my heart goes out more to the reason that situation was caused. Anyways, moving on.

So, we arrived on time for Sworn In, who are a band I for some reason just can't get into. I tried before hand, and I tried to enjoy them live, but i'm sorry to say it just wasn't happening. If anyone wants to try and change my opinion on this, I am open to that.

I was looking forward to seeing Chelsea Grin, as I saw them a few years ago at the Mosh Lives tour, and I had never really listened to them properly before that. The Mosh Lives tour changed my opinion though, as I properly enjoyed them. That still stands for this time around at the NSDT, they were just as tight as I remembered, and I came home once again wanting to listen to them. 

Deez Nuts, again, I've seen these guys a few times. For me they are a band where I like singles, not full albums. I find myself getting a bit tired of them after a while. I think that applied to me on the night too. By half way through the set, I had enough. I see why people love this band, I really do. I mean, they're fun, you can tell they are there for a good time, and I love when you can feel that from a band. But from a personal point of view, I just started to get a little bored.  

It was interesting to witness the new line up of Emmure, and after the latest album it was refreshing to hear them play some new material. Though haven been a fan of Emmure for many years, I can also say I'm a huge fan of Look At Yourself. I think my only downfall here, was that the setlist seemed to be a little short. Now I don't know if that's because I was having too much for, but I've seen them play the NSDT before, and I'm pretty sure their setlist was a lot longer previously. But you'd rather have a small amount of something great than a large amount of something terrible, right? 

So now that's all over, we can only wait for the rest of the Impericon tour announcements. I'm going to try my hardest to get out to Europe next year, IF the line up is worth it. We can only play the waiting game!

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Why Rats Make The Best Pets

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a dog lover and a dog lover I will always be, they are THE best pet in my opinion. But right now for me to have my own four legged maniac of a best friend, it’s just not an option.

You know, I actually forget that some people fear rats. I’ve learnt that more whilst having them. I’ve met more people who are genuinely scared of them, or turn their nose up at them, than I have people who are open to the idea of rats as pets. The first part I can understand, we all have fears, I’m not one to judge. I’m terrified of a lot of things, spiders being the most common one! But as for the second half, will now send me in defence mode and make me instantly   Want to crack out the PowerPoint presentation on why these creatures are nothing but a bundle of joy. You don’t want to make me do that. We will be here a long time.

We’ve had Shadow and Link aka ‘the boys’ for a about two months now and don't get me wrong, it’s took a lot of patience when trying to win over their hearts, but slowly it’s starting to show that it’s  all worth it. Their personalities are starting to finally come out and both have individuality.

When we first got them they were waaay to scared to even come up to the cage to say hello. They would sit in their house and make a quick dash out now and then for food. Eventually, they started to come around, and every few days they would do something new that shows they have a little more trust in us. They are still doing things now and learning new things which is the fun part! 

I think the best part about rats, is they have their own personalities. Both our rats are starting to show their own individuality. Shadow loves to cuddle and for you to chase and tickle him, which is so adorable you have no idea. Link on the other hand is a bit more of a lone wolf, he's constantly trying to cause trouble, and never sleeps. He literally doesn't leave his ledge that he sits on and patiently waits for attention. Or to be let out so he can run around, which is funny in itself. Though he always lets Shadow win in their play fights. 

The reason I think these guys make such great pets, is because like I said to Dan yesterday, they are quite unique animals. For an animal so small and dismissed by many, they are smart and intelligent, fun, loving, and adorable. Adorable may be a personal observation, but smart and loving you can not disagree. 

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In Hearts Wake // Birmingham Asylum // 06.10.2016

It's only been about 6 years since I first started listening to In Hearts Wake, and a band I've always missed out on seeing for one reason or another. They are on of my favourite bands, and one of which unlike many, I've never really 'grown out' of, like I have many other bands that I started listening to around the same time. So this was pretty exciting for me.

I'm gutted I missed Gideon, but I've only recently started listening to them, the more I do the more I'm becoming a fan. Sound wise, I love the Ghost Inside feel they have to them? It's annoying when you enter the room and a band is LITERALLY just finishing; anyways, I only have myself to blame.

In Hearts Wake did not disappoint, they lived up to every expectation I had of them. What makes me sad is the fact I've missed out on so many years where I could have gone and supported them; even if they were a support band. I failed you IHW, and for that I am sorry haha. One of the main points to mention here, was how damn tight they sounded live, and I'm talking so good that if you had your eyes closed you would think you're listening to them on an album. 

I think for a band to sound almost identical to what they do on a CD, is pretty special. 

I also praise them for playing a selection of songs. If there's one thing that grinds my gears, it's when a band starts forgetting about their oldest material. And I know there will be reasons for some bands who do this, but I don't think that's really an excuse. They played a mixture of both old and new, and in this case the new was just as good live as the old. 

Last but not least, aside from what you normally expect for a gig; sound, setlist, etc, you could tell that they actually enjoyed it themselves. I think that's a big thing too, they are a band who aren't afraid to have fun. I'm talking crowd surfing on a rubber dingy during Survival and playing 'Capture the Flag' sort of fun. This is what makes these guys special as a band, and I know for a fact that their journey has only just begun.

Roll on the next tour, let's hope they don't make us wait too long for another!

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New Found Glory // London 06.10.2017 - 08.10.2017 // 20 Year Birthday Celebration Tour

I'm sad. I'd spent so long looking forward to this weekend, that it felt like it way over way too quickly! 

It's no big surprise to know that my favourite band, ever, in the entire world is New Found Glory. I've seen them more than I have any other band, but when they made the announcement of playing 6 of their albums entirely, over 3 nights in London, I knew that this would top every other time I have seen them before. 

So if you're reading this you're probably a dedicated NFG too, and know the drill. But to recap, NFG played 3 shows in London, each night the venue got smaller. Friday was albums Sticks and Stones and Self Titled at The Forum, Saturday was Catalyst and Not Without a Fight and Sunday was possibly the coolest of them all, they played The Underworld, a tiny venue, with a capacity of just 500, where they played Coming Home and Nothing Gold Can Stay. This was the smallest venue I have seen them play at (I guess seeing them soundcheck to a few of us back in 2014 doesn't really count) but BOY, did this feel surreal.

Friday - Kentish Town Forum - 06/10/2017

I'm not going to lie to you. First things first, i'm a bit bored of seeing Roam. They seem to support every pop punk band I ever go see at the moment, and though they aren't a bad band, they aren't really my cup of tea anymore. I'm not so much into Pop Punk nowadays, unless it's the golden oldies. 

Starting off the weekend seeing my favourite album of the NFG back catalogue, was pretty epic. That being Self Titled. Sticks and Stones I have already seen played in full twice before, the last time they came over to play this in full, but I'm never going to say no to a chance to hear it in full again. 

The Forum is where they filmed their live DVD; This Disaster back in 2004 which was just before the time I started going to gigs (parents still in the years of parenting / not allowing me to go to gigs / deprived me), so I never got to go the first time around. Rest assured I have had my moneys worth through playing the DVD about 9873927 times. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is this is a special venue to them. This is also a special venue to me as It's where I went to their meet and greet back in 2014, and where I got to watch them soundcheck. 

One complaint I do have though is the sound quality at this venue lacks a bit. I found it hard at times to make out what song they were playing, as the setlist was all jumbled up. I have mentioned this before about this venue. 

Though I'm by no means a McFly fan, I appreciate what they do and have respect for them as they seem like decent guys, a more suprising moment was seeing Dougie Poynter from McFly join NFG on stage to play Hit or Miss. As a fellow NFG fan, I'll give him the respect and take my hat off to him, as he did a good job!

Saturday - Camden Electric Ballroom - 07/10/2017

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VENUES EVER!! I have no idea why, It could be the bands I've seen there in the past, it could be the grubbiness of it, I'm not sure, there's just something about it I love. 

I have to say, this was my favourite night out of all three. I know it wasn't the smallest of venues, I know it probably wasn't their most desired of albums to see, but the energy from Not Without a Fight and Catalyst is something you just cannot beat. It was the most fun I had.

Other than the energy of the songs, there was something about this night that stood out from the other two. The crowd felt more like a family. This is something that's hard to explain and understand unless you are in with it yourself. And as I am getting older now, there's something nice about being in a crowd surrounded by people your own age? You know, kids like yourself who grew up listening to the same music you did around the same time, who have come out of hiding to relive a part of their childhood? That in itself is priceless.

I came home that night and saw Chad himself post a few videos on Instagram. One being the crowd seeing along to The Sound of Two Voices, he said how we sung it as if it was one of their old songs; I felt that too at the time, he basically said what I had noticed whilst there. Another was a video of Jordan singing Papa Roach lyrics during / at the end of Failures Not Flattering, which was another moment that sticks out in my mind. It's silly moments like these that you remember most.

Sunday - Camden Underworld - 08/10/2017 

So when these tickets went on sale, The Underworld sold out like hot cakes, which was predictable, so having a three day ticket had it's advantage too. I think had I have tried to get a single ticket for just the Underworld, I wouldn't have been so lucky.

If you haven't been to the Underworld before, or heard about the Underworld, let me tell you, it's pretty legendary. It's basically the equivalent of being at your local; a small pub, with a tiny little stage, pretty awesome if you ask me! You know if a band you like is playing the Underworld that it's going to be a hot sweaty mess, it's more intimate and always pulls a great crowd.

It's not the first time I've seen NFG where someone from the crowd has shouted a song of theirs that wasn't on the setlist and they have randomly started playing it, which is one of the things I love most about them. That happened at the Underworld, a guy decided he wanted to hear Certain, a song which was beyond Nothing Gold Can Stay, and in their surprise of hearing someone actually knew that song, they started to play it. 

I have to admit my favourite moments of this night, was when they played songs that required more singing than jumping around and losing your shit! Such as Make Your Move and Boulders, hearing the crowd sing at the top of their lungs is something that will forever give me goose pimples.

So, after all of that, apologies about the terrible pictures. There's only so much you can do with an iPhone camera, and I hate to be one of these people constantly with their phone out. Not to mention that's one of the last things you think of when you're in the moment! If anyone else has any photos, videos, please share! I need to sit and relive the moment now, as it's going to be one that stays in my heart for a long time.

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