Emma Harrison - House Of Coco Magazine

Music March 29, 2024

#CocoLive: Simple Minds gig review, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth

Spellbinding and spectacular, the veteran Scottish rock band Simple Minds rolled into Bournemouth with an absolute bang. The group were on sparkling form and their eighteen track setlist which was predominantly centered around the 80’s entertained from start to finish.

The sold out crowd were also treated to a fantastic set from fellow Scottish rockers Del Amitri who did a sterling job in warming up the crowd. Lead singer Justin Currie regaled the audience with his story of his trip on Bournemouth’s wheel which was ‘shit!’ (apparently as all you could see was the beach! )Fair point Justin!

Pithy observations aside, Justin and the rest of the band put on a soulful and mesmerising set which included ‘Always the Last To Know’, and exquisite version of ‘Driving With The Brakes On’, ‘Missing Person’ and a rousing rendition of ‘Nothing Ever Happens’ which included a beautiful accordion solo.

With over 40 years smashing the music industry, the band led by Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill (two of the original members) opened the show with fan favourite ‘Waterfront’ which got the enraptured crowd onto their feet and dancing like it was 1983 all over again.

This was superbly followed up by ‘Love Song’ and a fantastuc surprise inclusion in the shape of ‘Sweat In Bullet’ which was performed for the first time since 2013. Their career-spanning set ignited excitement from the get go with the inclusion of ‘Big Sleep’, ‘All The Things She Said’ and the stunning ‘Promised You A Miracle’.

Jim Kerr as always was charming and jovial, regularly conveying his gratitude to the audience for ‘coming to see Simple Minds. Of course, there was some dancing from the charismatic frontman and he traversed every single inch of the stage to connect with the excited crowd.

There were quieter moments such as when the band performed ‘Belfast Child’ which captures the heart and imagination from the first few notes. Always hauntingly beautiful, Jim Kerr stripped it all back to deliver a heart-wrenching version of what is already an emotive song, all eyes were on Jim and he effortlessly managed to combine both delicacy and strength into a perfect vocal. It was powerful, poignant and absolute perfection lyrically and performance wise.

As true musical pioneers, the band are no strangers to touring the world and remain a prolific touring band that delivers both epic music complete with an expansive production. Every band member played their part and had their chance to shine from the phenomenal drummer Cherisse Osei who poured every iota of passion and power into her drum solo and nearly tore the roof off.

Vocalist Sarah Brown delivered a breathtaking performance of ‘Book Of Brilliant Things’ which showcased her pristine vocals and similarly to when Jim performed ‘Belfast Child’, you could have heard a pin drop.

Throughout the show, Jim, Charlie and the band delivered a masterclass in performance and storytelling. It was energetic, majestic and thrilling throughout with even more fan favourites being expertly delivered such as ‘See The Lights’, ‘Alive and Kicking’ and of course, the one that always brings the house down ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ which spanned a whopping seven minutes long. Jim joked with the audience that he didn’t want them to go home yet with the offer to perform ‘one more song’ which then segued into three or four!

We didn’t want to go home one bit and their fantastic encore concluded with the ever-wonderful ‘Sanctify Yourself’.

With Simple Minds, it’s always a tour de force performance, and their gig in Bournemouth was an exhilarating and sublime experience.

Photo Credit: Allan Jones @rockstarimages

Music March 27, 2024

#CocoLive: Liam Gallagher John Squire, London – an awe-inspiring night celebrating two legends of music.

Boisterous, brilliant and breathtaking, the highly-anticipated tour to showcase Liam Gallagher and John Squire’s titular album catapulted its way into London at the O2 Forum Kentish Town and what a night it was!

With palpable energy, the sold-out crowd were crying out for their musical heroes long before Liam, John and the rest of the band even set foot on the stage. The audience were suitably calmed by the presence of singer-songwriter Jake Bugg who put on a stellar performance, with just him and his acoustic guitar taking centre stage.

Jake’s set which included ‘Trouble Town’, ‘All Kinds Of People’ and a rousing rendition of his much-loved track ‘Lightning Bolt’ was the perfect way to soothe the soul and it certainly got the crowd into the mood for the main event.

A little after 9pm, the Madchester masters sauntered on stage, with Liam resplendent in a white adidas Spezial cagoule alongside the rest of the band which included Barrie (Little Barrie) Cadogan, Joey Waronker and Christian Madden.

Opening with the euphoric ‘Just Another Rainbow’, the crowd sang along enthusiastically during the song’s refrain whilst John Squire, enigmatic as always served up a swirling psychedelic-infused guitar which effortlessly complimented Liam’s vocals.

The colour theme continued with Liam asking ‘Hands up who wants the blues?’ to which the crowd responded with an unequivocal yes (who could possibly say no?!), saw music’s most exciting partnership segue into the brilliant ‘I’m a Wheel’ with its distinctive 12-bar riff and its driving, sultry bass line delivered superbly by Little Barrie.

The punk puissance-infused ‘I’m So Bored’ saw Liam complete with plenty of swagger and punchy, acerbic soundbites describing all the things that bore him (war, peace, your kids and the buses to name but a few!)

His contempt for things can also be found in ‘Make It Up As You Go Along’ with the sucker punch of a line ‘Thank you for the thoughts and prayers, and fuck you too!’. Who knew that snarky bon mots and fuck yous could be so utterly absorbing?!

In full throttle and with the crowd in the palm of their hands, the Gallagher Squire set navigated from the hook-filled chorus of ‘Mars To Liverpool’ to a formidable and emotional rendition of ‘Mother Nature’s Song’, delighting fans at every single note and chord. Liam remains a tour de force both in delivering pristine vocals but sublime showmanship too.

Their self-titled album is only ten tracks long, so invariably it was only ever going to be a short but sweet set, but good things come in small packages and whilst the crowd were hankering for more, the band reappeared for a barnstorming encore which showcased the only cover of the night, a blistering rendition of ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ which saw Liam toss his maracas into the crowd (not a euphemism!) at the finale where he, John Squire and the rest of the band received a roaring standing ovation.

Without a doubt, the partnership of Liam Gallagher and John Squire translates effortlessly into a live setting and their 50 minute set was an electrifying and unmissable experience.

Photo Credit: Adam Hampton Matthews

Music March 13, 2024

What can we expect from Yellow Days’ impressive new album?

What can we expect from Yellow Days’ new album?

Well hello and welcome to ‘Hotel Heaven’, the new decadent and captivating album from Yellow Days. The highly-anticipated album which drops on April 5th has captured the attention of both the music press and fans alike after the release of the album’s first single ‘Mrs Midnight’.

Yellow Days has harnessed his own unique blend of bold off-kilter psychedelic indie-pop which is teamed with sumptuous soul and seductive funk. Sonically, this feels like Yellow Days has taken the disco funky grooves of Sly Stone mixed with the lo-fi sensibilities of Tame Impala.

But despite the pure danceability of this record by Yellow Days, there’s still a lot of heart and emotional grit in the mix, garnering this record a true uniqueness. Recorded entirely in his flat in East London, Yellow Days AKA George van den Broek also played every single instrument on the album as well as programming the drums.

‘Hotel Heaven’ is Yellow Days’ third studio album and his first since 2020’s ‘A Day in A Yellow Beat’ and his EP ‘Inner Peace’ in 2022. Positioned as a concept album, ‘Hotel Heaven’ spirits you away to an otherworldly, transcendental escape where the jaded and confused decamp to a life of indulgence. There’s Yellow Days’ trademark humour in there with lyrics that tell the story of a matriarchal concierge (who is God like character) who spends her downtime between shifts chain-smoking and typing eviscerating picture postcard portraits of its guests.

Symbolising how people take comfort that is not real and all is not as it seems, as the album develops it’s apparent that there’s more than meets the eye at ‘Hotel Heaven’ and comparisons have been made to ‘The Shining’ and ‘Twin Peaks’ in terms of influence.

In a statement, Yellow Days – aka George van den Broek – says, “‘HOTEL HEAVEN’ represents fake comfort in all its forms, this whole bullshit idea of luxury where nothing is real. I wanted to write about everything that is happening right now – this TikTok age where everyone wants to be famous. It’s also a big 360 of my life and career to date. I wanted to get away from everything I’d done before, wash my face and start afresh.”

‘Hotel Heaven’ is out on April 5th and you can also catch Yellow Days on tour which includes a landmark London show at KOKO.

Music March 7, 2024

#CocoLive: Editors, O2 Guildhall, Southampton

Editors are no strangers when it comes to genre bending and putting on a spectacular live show and their return to the O2 Guildhall in Southampton did not disappoint.

With an expansive and impressive setlist which included tracks from their back catalogue of their seven critically acclaimed albums, Editors fans were in for a treat.

This was a sublime sonic navigation through a near-two-hour set that demonstrates why they are one of the UK’s best live bands. Their most recent release EBM which was released in 2022 is EBM is a visionary and sonic adventure playing tribute to both industrial rock and electronic dance music. The band played several tracks of EBM during their set which included Karma Climb, Heart Attack, Strawberry Lemonade and the high-octane and propulsive Picturesque.

There was also room for a highly intoxicating reimagining of Killer, by Adamski/Seal which has been in the Editors setlist for a while now. The band’s rendition of this was absolutely sublime, bringing a new life and an oscillating spin to this classic nineties track.

Both individually and collectively, the band was on fire. From Tom Smith’s faultless and impassioned vocals to Justin Lockey’s impeccable guitar riffs, they elevated tracks such as Heart Attack and Strawberry Lemonade from brilliant album tracks into full scale musical odysseys.

The fusion of visceral rave-ready industrial hooks and nu-retro synths made for a hypnotic and unforgettable set and whilst there was a focus on tracks from the brilliant EBM, fans were also treated to a mixture of Editors deep cuts and fan favourites such as Two Hearted Spider, Bullets, Bones and a rousing rendition of Papillon.

Standouts included the ever-fantastic Strange Intimacy, Munich and Lights with a spectacular encore of At All Cost, The Phone Book and Smokers Outside The Hospital Door.

This was a powerful, enthralling and first-class performance from the band at the 02 on the south coast and yet again the band showcased why they are one of the best live acts in the UK and beyond.

Photo Credit: Flick Hall

Music February 14, 2024

#CocoLive: The Libertines, The Engine Rooms, Southampton

Performing live has always been at the forefront of everything The Libertines do and with an intimate gig at Southampton’s Engine Rooms, it would have been entirely remiss not to go and check out their set.

This was not my first rodeo, and it was actually my third time seeing the Libertines in the last twelve months, but with a fantastic line up of Tom Bright, the Dead Freights supporting the Libs, it was set to be an epic night of live music.

Tom Bright

We kicked off proceedings with the brilliant singer-songwriter Tom Bright who is no stranger to House of Coco. One of the most hardworking individuals in the music industry, Tom performed tracks from his three solo albums as well as giving a sneak peek into one of the tracks from his forthcoming fourth solo album which has been produced by Mick Jones from The Clash.

John Kennedy of Radio X has declared Tom to be ‘one of the UK’s most moving songwriters’ and with a playbook of emotional tracks like ‘Pull Me Up’, ‘Down The Line’ and ‘Legacy’ it’s easy to be swept away by both his rich yet gravelly tone and his impressive song writing prowess.

Tom was joined by talented musician Jared Rood on electric guitar for a few tracks and both musicians fed off each others energy, with Jared’s playing elevating Tom’s tracks and adding texture to Tom’s melodies.

Tom effortlessly engaged with the crowd with a delightful combination of charm, energy and humour, regaling them with tales of his past including how he was the UK’s youngest ever pub landlord before he found a career in music.

As well as performing several tracks such as ‘Bless Our Generation’ and ‘Legacy’, Tom also recited one of his poems (from his own book of poetry) to the captivated crowd. It was a well-rounded, life-affirming and endearing performance from the highly-likeable musician.

Dead Freights

Returning for a support slot with The Libertines was Southampton-based band the Dead Freights who lit up the stage with their unique blend of indie rock and metal/grunge. With influences from Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine, and Father John Misty, they are the epitome of sleazy rock and roll and have a mesmerising and visceral presence.

The Dead Freights are an exciting band and are certainly ones to watch in the coming months. This was their second time supporting The Libertines and a few of their tracks have been produced by The Libertine’s Gary Powell.

Front man Charlie performs like his life depends on it and I could see elements of Brett Anderson (Suede) Damon Albarn (blur) with a hint of Mick Jagger in his stage presence. Collectively, the Dead Freights are a force to be reckoned with and we expect great things with their forthcoming debut album which is out in April 2024.

With tracks like ‘Call Me On The Wildside’ (which is a rousing blend of ‘Call Me Maybe’ and ‘Walk On The Wildside’), ‘Batman’ and ‘How Much To Call Me Daddy’, the Dead Freights offer an intoxicating and thrilling brand of authentic, unadulterated rock and roll.

The Libertines

Over the last twenty odd years, The Libertines have played to some huge crowds including Glastonbury, Reading Festival and BST Hyde Park, but for their ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ tour, the band were all about taking it back to their roots with a run of sold out dates in a series of intimate settings.

As soon as the strains of Kool & The Gang’s ‘Jungle Boogie’ filled the room, you knew it was time for The Libertines to take to the stage. Pete, Carl, John and Gary were in superb form and seemed thrilled to bits to be performing in such an intimate venue.

With the imminent release of their forthcoming fourth studio album ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’ which is their first studio release in nearly nine years, this was a chance to showcase both newer tracks, deep dives and fan favourites such as ‘What Became of the Likely Lads’, ‘Up The Bracket’, ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ and ‘Don’t Look Back Into the Sun’.

As usual, vocals were shared between Carl and Pete, with both singers expertly trading vocals on both classic Libertines tracks as well as songs from the forthcoming albums such as ‘

Run Run Run’, ‘Shiver’ and ‘Night Of The Hunter’, all of which effortlessly found their place amongst the Libertines mainstays.

Photo Credit: Russ Leggatt

Standout tracks included ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’, ‘What Katie Did’, ‘The Boy Looked at Johnny’ and a tour debut of ‘What a Waster’ from their 2002 debut album ‘Up The Bracket’.

It was a triumphant return for the indie rock stalwarts who hadn’t played Southampton since 2002, their set was first-class and showcased their distinctive brand of indie-rock as well as their electrifying chemistry and undeniable stage presence.

Photo Credit: Russ Leggatt

This was a true-to-form outing from the indie-rockers, they delivered an outstanding set that was celebratory, nostalgic and rousing in equal measure. Pete, Carl, John and Gary served up a masterclass in delivering catchy choruses, intoxicating hooks and rousing riffs, The Libertines gave a first class and enthralling performance.

Photo Credit: Emma Harrison and Russ Leggatt – where specified

Music February 11, 2024

#CocoLive – Miles Kane, Engine Rooms, Southampton

Perennially charming with oodles of energy, this was my third time reviewing Miles Kane and once again the charismatic musician did not disappoint. You can always rely on an energetic and uplifting set from Miles who was supported by The Royston Club.

The Welsh quartet were on spectacular form and having been an integral part of the live circuit in recent years (including a stint at Glastonbury) they set the stage alight performing some of their most recent tracks from their 2023 album ‘Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars.

They clearly are having the time of their lives and impressed the audience at Southampton’s Engine Rooms performing tracks like ‘Mrs Narcissistic’, ‘Blisters’ and ‘The Deep End’. This was a stellar showcase of delivering solid indie rock bangers and these Welsh wonders are certainly on the rise.

This was my second time seeing Miles at The Engine Rooms which is something of a South Coast faithful when it comes to music venues. Two years ago, Miles was promoting his fantastic album ‘Change The Show’ which was one of my favourite albums of 2022. However, this tour was very much focused on tracks from his most recent album ‘One Man Band.’ which came out last August.

‘Troubled Son’ was a triumph and showcased both his songwriting skills (he co wrote this with Tom Ogden from Blossoms) which is an emotional track about self reflection and inner conflict.

The titular track was delivered with sophistication and style as was ‘Baggio’ and ‘The Wonder’. All of the tracks on ‘One Man Band’ have bite and are intoxicating and visceral. Kane’s fifth studio album is an indie rockers playbook, chock full of bangers that are festival essentials and he performed all of the album tracks effortlessly.

Showcasing his musician versatility, the sold-out audience were treated to rousing renditions of tracks from his previous albums such as ‘Cry on My Guitar’ and ‘Coup de Grace’ from 2018’s album ‘Coup de Grace ‘which are Kane mainstays.

‘Rearrange’ and ‘Colour of the Trap’ were sublime and the set’s closers consisted of ‘Come Closer’ and ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’, both of which were electrifying and formidable renditions.

Miles and his band delivered a sensational set, he always serves up a dynamic and crowd-pleasing performance and he has an undeniable stage presence that showcases why he is one of the UK’s best live acts.

Travel December 20, 2023

Wake up here hotel review – Introducing you to the Polurrian on the Lizard on the Cornish coast.

After what had been somewhat of a hectic year, the invitation to visit the Polurrian on the Lizard on the Cornish coast was swiftly taken up. It promised a relaxing pre-Christmas sojourn which was very much needed.

This contemporary Cornish retreat in a spectacular clifftop setting was over four hours from where I lived, but the lure of the Cornish coastline and some serious R&R made me not hesitate to say yes to the Polurrian on the Lizard. Set in 12 acres of mature cliff-top gardens, this luxury seaside hotel offers the most exceptional far-reaching views across Mount’s Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and even on a slightly overcast November day, it makes for a truly mesmerising view.

Nestled on the Lizard peninsula, the hotel sits on the most south-westerly point of England on the western side of the peninsula, just outside of the sleepy fishing village of Mullion along the South West Coastal Path. Venture to the back of the hotel past the pretty gardens, and guests can wander down to Polurrian Cove, a secluded beach which is one of the best in this region.

As one of the oldest hotels on the peninsula, the Polurrian on the Lizard attracts both holiday makers and locals who use the spa and restaurant facilities. It has an impressive heritage and has previously welcomed illustrious guests such as Clark Gable in the distant past.

One of its standout features is the expansive and contemporary conservatory which has floor-to-ceiling windows which invite you to gaze upon the stunning coastline whilst enjoying lunch, dinner or even afternoon tea. The vibe is very much laidback but luxurious and it’s really easy to feel completely at home at the Polurrian.

We stayed at the brand new Island Suite at the Polurrian on the Lizard, which was located at the back of the main building with two separate entrances, three bedrooms and one incredible hot tub which almost made it impossible to never leave!

This new suite is suitable for friends, couples, families and comes not only with a fabulous hot tub to while away the hours, but your own unique transportation to boot. This came in the shape of a ‘NoSmoke’ electric buggy which is a fun yet sustainable way of exploring this gorgeous area of Cornwall. It’s very much ‘on road’ and you can drive this vintage style buggy out of the grounds and into the nearby village and down to the beach.

The suite has a separate kitchenette which is ideal if you want to do some light cooking or meal prep either before or after a serious day’s sightseeing. Having flexible accommodation is really helpful as is having two bathrooms and a separate toilet, especially if there’s a group staying with you. Ideal for those bringing pups or children, the hotel can provide guests with all those much-needed equipped essentials like changing mats, nappy bins and bed guards, should you need them.

Whilst it’s not aimed at the super luxurious market, the aesthetics are rustic yet simple and it makes for a really comfortable stay.

The main draw is the hot tub which we took advantage of every day and night during our stay. It was the perfect place to retreat to with a glass of fizz after our long journey and got us in the mood for dinner which was served at the hotel’s Polurrian restaurant. The décor embodies a classy aesthetic with sleek lines, muted colour palettes, and luxurious textures giving it a real modern meets vintage vibe that is sophisticated yet laid back.

A simple, but delicious menu, guests can choose from starters like a terrine, soup or mussels for a starter, steak, fish & chips, turkey or similar for a main course and a lovely selection of desserts which includes a sumptuous strawberry cheesecake.

Both dinner and breakfast were served up by friendly and efficient staff who clearly took pride in their work. The staff throughout our stay were nothing short of superb and made every effort to ensure our trip was nothing short of special.

Cocktail fans will love the chilled vibes of the Vista Lounge which serves up an impressive selection of delicious cocktails and wines.

As this trip was all about rest and relaxation on the Cornish coast, we simply had to take advantage of the hotel’s spa facilities which includes a 30 ft indoor swimming pool and hot tub. We also indulged in a spa treatment each at the brilliant Elemis spa which included one of the best facials that I have ever had. The therapists took every care and my skin looked the best it had looked in ages. The Island Suite also has Elemis toiletries for guests to use for the duration of their stay.

For a pre or post Christmas treat, the Polurrian on the Cornish coast offers a real oasis of calm and the Island Suite is a fantastic option to enjoy a seriously chilled out break with 24 hour access to your own personal hot tub at any time you want to use it.

Check in from £159 per night

Hotels & Spas December 19, 2023

Wake up here – Introducing you to The Pavilions Rome – the First Musica

Music-themed hotels are always high on my hotel ‘must-visit’ list and after a fantastic year of visiting music-themed hotels thrughout the world, I was beyond excited to stay at this luxury hotel in the heart of Rome.

This enchanting city is a perennial favourite for so many and it was high on my list of cities to visit in Europe this year and being a music and travel journalist, this certainly ticked all the boxes I’d want in a hotel and then some!

The Pavilions Rome, The First Musica offers a five star contemporary experience and whilst it’s not as music-orientated as other similar hotels, what it does offer is exceptional service, elegant design and some pretty incredible views of Rome’s river Tiber and beyond.

Celebrating a heady fusion of art, music and gastronomy, the Pavilions Rome, The First Musica is part of Pavilions Hotel & Resorts and despite it having a very individual feel, you can see the trademark attention to detail and finishing touches that is synonymous with this hotel group.

Along with its two sister hotels in Rome, The First Roma Arte and The First Roma Dolce, the three hotels are collectively being labelled The First Roma group.

Located on the banks of the Tiber in the elegant Prati neighbourhood, the First Musica makes a huge impression as you wander down the street. The contemporary cubist design is in a delicious juxtaposition from the age-old palazzos that surround it. It’s in a fantastic spot and is only a short walk to some of Rome’s best attractions including the Trevi fountain.

Originally designed by acclaimed Roman architect Mario Docci, the building has been thoughtfully elevated by tweaks undertaken by Studio Marincola, and the hotel has a bespoke piano in the lobby with an eighties paint-splattered vibe, music-themed coffee table books, floor-to-ceiling windows, Loro Piana fabrics and an impressive selection of modern artwork throughout the hotel.

It has a real intimate feel with only 24 rooms and suites. Ours had the aforementioned floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides of the room which meant the room was flooded with light giving it a really spacious feel. The decor was as elegant inside the room as it was in the shared areas with mirrored wardrobes, sleek white furniture, rich textures and a sumptuous marble bathroom with a walk-in rain shower giving it an art-deco fused with modernity vibe.

Little touches that reflect the music element of the hotel included Bang & Olufsen speakers so you never need to be without music even whilst washing your hair. Music can also be found at the DJ-soundtracked rooftop bar Alto which has an impressive wine and cocktail list.

Whilst we didn’t eat at the hotel for anything other than breakfast, guests can head on up to the fifth floor to ALTO where they can try innovative dishes with a Mediterranean twist like linguine with shrimp and bell peppers. The breakfast was somewhat of a ceremonial affair with both a continental and a cooked option available. Friendly staff bought a never-ending selection of dishes which included cereal, pastries, fruit, as well as a cooked option such as eggs benedict, cold cuts, pancakes and more.

A relatively new hotel, the facilities are well-thought out but at the time of visit, there were no spa facilities, but a subterranean spa with an indoor pool and wellness area is in the works for early 2024.

The enchanting city of Rome is a true masterpiece and the First Musica hotel deserves a similar accolade too and is an ideal hotel for both foodies and lovers of culture.

Check in from £310 per night.

Music Lovers Guide December 15, 2023

CocoMusic – The ultimate music lovers gift guide for 2023

Music lovers deserve something truly special when it comes to Christmas gifting! But, if you, like me, have not quite finished your Christmas shopping yet, fear not as there’s still time to get the music fan in your life the gift that keeps on giving with our round up of our favourite music-related gifts for the festive season and beyond.

Our Music Editor has curated some of our favourite music-themed presents that any discerning music lover will want to find under the tree this Christmas.

Wear it!

You can’t beat a classic band tee which is a fantastic way to showcase your serious style credentials whilst showing support for your favourite band. Whether you love Bowie or Blondie, Jimi Hendrix or Johnny Cash or even Prince or Pink Floyd, music lovers will be spoilt for choice thanks to the fantastic selection of tees from Backstage Originals.

You can even shop on their website by your favourite bands for ease which is ideal for music lovers who are shopping on the go!

Listen up!

Headphones are a great gift all year round, but they make for quite the stellar gift for music lovers. SkullCandy offer some fantastic sets of headphones both bud/wireless and over the ear, but these Crusher ANC 2 Sensory Bass headphones offer both excellent sonics whilst delivering on bold colours and an seriously cool eye catching design in the shape of their new Acid Snow Camo collection. The headband, ear cups and on-ear controls are adorned in three exciting new colour ways – khaki green, grey and lilac.

Play it!

A huge part of Christmas festivities is playing games and what else should music lovers play than these fab music trump cards that have been exquisitely designed by artist Casey Raymond. Choose from sets such as Indie Sleaze, punk, britpop and more. These cards are excellently designed thanks to its beautiful artwork, but also offer an insightful learning experience whilst having fun at the same time.

Read it!

There have been so many incredible music books out this year, but two of our favourites have to be from Sir Paul McCartney whose epic photographic book 1964: Eyes of the Storm has enchanted Beatles fans all over the world.

The book, which is an impressive collection of Paul’s photos from the early years of his time in The Beatles, has also been captured in his fascinating exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery perfectly encapsulates what life was like as a Beatle during that pivotal time as Beatlemania took hold in the early sixties.

We also love the photographic offering from the master of guitar playing himself, Mr Johnny Marr who has just released a beautiful coffee table style book ‘Marr’s Guitars’ which is a stunning photographic presentation of the guitars that have defined his distinctive sound and style which will be a brilliant gift for any music lovers for Christmas and beyond.

Spin it!

Every music fan will be absolutely delighted to find a new record or two under the Christmas tree this year. Whether you favour one of the fantastic new albums from 2023 such as blur’s ‘The Ballad of Darren’, Taylor Swift’s ‘Speak Now’ or perhaps Noel Gallagher’s ‘Council Skies’ or even updating your collection with a seminal classic from the last five decades, look no further than Norman Records who sell an impressive myriad of vinyl records, including some exciting special editions which will certainly excite music lovers all over the world.

Interpret it!

One for the spiritual music lovers out there! If they love all things tarot then this fantastic set of tarot cards is an absolute must!

Tune into your inner wisdom with this unique tarot deck inspired by cult music icons. Inside you’ll find musicians who perfectly encapsulate the tarot card meanings with musicians such as Prince, Blondie, Tupac all leading the way.

The 78 cards work as a fully functional tarot deck, and the kit also includes a booklet with more information about the musicians, as well as information on how to interpret the cards and conduct your own reading.

Mix it!

If your favourite person’s favourite thing is to DJ, then why not help them get ahead with these TMA-2 DJ XE headphones from AIAIAI which are ideal for DJ’s on the go as they are both lightweight and modular but do not compromise on sound. They are well built, modular whilst providing a stellar sonic experience.

Whilst they have been designed for DJ’s in mind, they are also good for musicians as their high quality audio deliverance means they are just as useful for embarking on music creation in the studio, but also make a pretty stellar gift for music lovers who pride themselves on having a more sophisticated piece of kit when listening to their favourite mixes.

Music December 10, 2023

#CocoLive: Starsailor, The Brook, Southampton

From Harry Potter fever to the hottest day of the year (ever!), 2003 was chock-full of some pretty unforgettable moments. But, it was also a year of fantastic music with some incredible albums which included ‘Silence Is Easy’ the second studio album by Starsailor.

It’s almost unfathomable to believe that this album is now twenty (yes twenty!) years old and like its predecessor, the band’s debut album, ‘Love is Here’, it achieved a consecutive number two in the UK album charts receiving both commercial success along with critical acclaim.

A perennial favourite of mine from the Starsailor back catalogue, when it was announced that the band were celebrating this landmark achievement with a dedicated tour to commemorate the album, I was frankly all in.

The band’s sophomore effort was a further case in point demonstrating how the songs have stood the test of time and that with the lavish arrangements (on record) along with frontman James Walsh’s emotive and crystal-clear vocals made it one of the most endearing records of the early noughties.

Fast forward to a rainy night in Southampton, where a sold-out crowd were ready to be transported back twenty years to hear the album’s songs, track by track. The band were supported by The Gleeman who served up his own rendition of Americana folk and the brilliant indie-rock singer Ed Cosens whose voice was on top form.

James, Ben Byrne (drums), Barry Westhead (keys) and James Stelfox on bass, kicked off proceedings with track 1 of this seminal album ‘Music was Saved’ which really hit the mark and was infinitely timely with the lyric ‘Oh my friends, we landed in December’.

There is no weakest link in Starsailor, with all four band members showcasing their musical pedigree which included some fantastic bass lines from James Stelfox. Music was indeed saved and we can all say thank you for that.

Navigating through the album chronologically was a reminder of the gift of listening to an album in its entirety. As a huge lover of vinyl records, when I am at home this is how I traditionally listen to music, but when out and about, I am first to admit that I might have a cheeky shuffle or indeed indulge in a playlist or two.

The band then performed ‘Fidelity’ and ‘Some Of Us’, both of which delighted the crowd and then segued into the titular track ‘Silence Is Easy’ which is a perennial fan favourite and had the crowd singing along in unison.

Standouts included the Bowie-esque ‘White Dove’, the brilliant ‘Shark Food’ which is one of their best tracks (in my opinion) as it really showcases the band’s quality. It’s also one of the lesser-played Starsailor songs played live with the band only performing it in full no less than 16 times since its debut in 2003. ‘We’re stepping through the door, we’re shooting from the heart’ sings James Walsh, ‘If we get it wrong, they’ll feed us to the sharks’.

Naturally, as you would fully expect Starsailor did not put one foot wrong throughout their set which included a beautiful version of ‘Born Again’ and a rousing rendition of the emphatic ‘Four to the Floor’.

Part one of their jam-packed set was ‘Silence Is Easy’s album closer ‘Restless Heart’ which was performed entirely acoustically by James Walsh.

What could we expect from part two? Well, a carefully-curated selection of Starsailor’s most-loved hits from their impressive back catalogue of course!

From the impassioned ‘Tell Me It’s Not Over’ to the exquisite ‘Lullaby’, no stones were overturned with a sonic navigation around some of their biggest hits which also included ‘Alcoholic’ and ‘Poor Misguided Fool’

There was also an opportunity to hear their new track, the fantastic ‘Heavyweight’ which had a real Beatles vibe which was elevated by James Walsh’s powerful vocals.

The tender ‘Tie Up My Hands’ was a welcome addition to the set list which was ended superbly by the wonderful ‘Good Souls’ with its anthemic brilliance and top-notch lyrics, still feels like it would be a massive hit today.

Whilst this was a tour firmly nestled in nostalgia, Starsailor are indeed paying homage to the past whilst keeping their eyes set on a (continuously) golden future and evidently have so much more to offer as we glide into 2024.

Photo Credit: Joe Flanagan