March 2025 – Page 5 – 1st 3 MAGAZINE

All Against – A Hellish Dedication

6th March 2025

The wait is over! Renowned metal band All Against is thrilled to announce the release of their highly anticipated new album, Straight Down To Hell, set to drop on March 14, 2025, via Raging Planet.

Featuring eight explosive tracks, Straight Down To Hell showcases All Against’s signature aggressive style and exceptional musical prowess.

Recorded and mastered at Nox Messor Sound Studios, Straight Down To Hell delivers the intense and powerful sound that has become synonymous with All Against.

“We’re incredibly excited to share this new album with our fans,” said the band. “Each track on Straight Down To Hell represents our passion and dedication to our music, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

Mark your calendars for March 14, 2025, and get ready to experience the next chapter of All Against’s relentless metal journey!

All Against
https://www.facebook.com/AllAgainstofficial
https://www.instagram.com/allagainstofficialband

Raging Planet Records
https://www.facebook.com/ragingplanet
https://ragingplanet.bandcamp.com

Jeangu Macrooy – Get Into The Groove

6th March 2025

Music News

Winning acclaim in the Netherlands across music, TV and theatre, Jeangu Macrooy releases his groove-filled new single ‘Everybody Needs Somebody’ on 7th March, before heading to London for his first ever UK performance on 3rd April.

If you’re a Eurovision fan, the name Jeangu Macrooy may already be familiar to you… the soul-pop artist represented the Netherlands during their hosting year of 2021 with his entry ‘Birth Of A New Age’, written as a response to the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, and subsequently being covered by the New York Times.

Born and raised in the South American country of Suriname, Jeangu moved to the Netherlands in 2014. It wasn’t long before he was signed by the producer Perquisite, and his career has gone from strength to strength since his 2016 debut EP Brave Enough. His new single ‘Everybody Needs Somebody’ will be out on 7th March, a track full of rhythm, groove and soul destined to sound at home on the stage. Speaking of which, Jeangu will be in London on3rd April to play a double headline show with Pete Philly & Perquisite at Hootananny Brixton, his debut UK performance – tickets are available now via DICE.

Jeangu Macrooy: ‘“Everybody Needs Somebody” captures the essence of companionship, urging us to embrace others as our refuge when the world feels overwhelming.

‘Playing a show in London has been a dream of mine for a while now. So many artists that inspire me are from the UK. Can’t wait!’

WEBSITE │ FACEBOOK │ INSTAGRAM │YOUTUBE │ TIKTOK

Idles’ Bristol Block Party Weekend – Go Celebrate Summer

6th March 2025

Music News

IDLES’ Block Party shows at Bristol’s Queen Square on August 1st and 2nd are guaranteed to be an electrifying experience for fans and the band alike.

Their only UK headline shows of 2025, the Block Party weekend will see IDLES play a celebratory summer homecoming as they host Queen Square’s first major live music events in over 20 years.

IDLES’ vocalist Joe Talbot previously promised a line-up full of “music we love for the people we love” and the band have more than lived up to that claim with today’s announcement of their special guests for the Block Party shows.

There will be no letting up in the intensity on Friday’s bill, which is headed by the two-man punk assault of SOFT PLAY who made a thrilling, frenetic comeback with last year’s critically acclaimed ‘HEAVY JELLY’ album. They will be joined by Lambrini Girls, who have been championed by Iggy Pop and Kathleen Hanna; are firmly established as a riotous live experience; and recently made their Top 20 breakthrough with their debut album ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’. The day starts with a very different but equally in-your-face set from dubstep renegade SICARIA.

The Block Party continues into Saturday with The Voidz leading the supporting line-up. Fronted by The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas, the cult favourites dropped their third album ‘Like All Before You’ last year, which Clash praised as “experimental music that balances what’s classic, classy and cool.” The raucous garage-rock and party-starting energy of Spanish duo Hinds makes them perfect for an outdoor summer’s afternoon, while Bristol’s ‘Black + Queer’ pioneer Grove plays anarchic electronica as showcased in their thrilling Boiler Room set. The day is completed by Club Yeke founder and NTS Radio favourite Tash LC.

Both days will be complete with the addition of local DJs, with food and drink served up by a selection of Bristol favourites.

Limited tickets for both days are available HERE.

Follow Queens Square Bristol HERE

Follow Communion ONE HERE

For more information:

Underwater Father – No Fate But What We Make

6th March 2025

Music News

Hailing from the cold shores of Kotka, Finland, Underwater Father emerges as a dark and captivating force in metal.

Blending the intensity of death- and black metal with the melancholic melodies traditional of Finnish “melometal”, the band crafts a unique sonic experience that is both haunting and powerful.

“Spiral Through” is the first single from Underwater Father’s upcoming debut EP, “Without Waves,”. This track blends the coldness of black metal with the melodic elements of melodic metal, creating a hauntingly atmospheric yet aggressive soundscape.

The band backgrounds the song:
“The song tells the story of a haunting journey of guilt and redemption, as a man is drawn back into the darkest corners of his past. Vivid flashes of violent acts and tragic mistakes bring long-buried demons to the surface, forcing him to confront the weight of his actions. As he navigates between the stillness of the graveyard and the chaos of his haunting memories, anguish and remorse intertwine as the shadows of his past refuse to let go.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The protagonist finds peace and the possibility of a new beginning as he breaks free from the chains of his past.”

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer etc.): https://push.fm/fl/underwaterfather-spiralthrough

Formed in the summer of 2024, Underwater Father was born from the vision of Samu Haatainen (guitars, vocals), who sought to create something darker and more stripped-down compared to their other band, Of Spite. Sharing most of its members with Of Spite, the lineup consists of Antti Lampinen (bass), Jan Lindberg (guitars, backing vocals), and Joonas Nieminen (drums)—a tight-knit unit with a shared passion for pushing metal’s boundaries.

Musically, Underwater Father weaves together the ferocity of black and death metal with the emotional depth of melodic metal. Drawing influences from bands like Mgła, Horna, Uada, Cradle of Filth on the extreme side and Sentenced, Bloodpit, and Somehow Jo! etc. On the melodic spectrum, the band creates music that is both crushing and atmospheric. Lyrically, their songs explore themes of birth, death, karma, and the search for meaning in life’s journey—both the light and the darkness that shape our fate.

https://www.facebook.com/underwaterfather

The Beautiful Darkness – Stepping Out

6th March 2025

Music News

The Beautiful Darkness Announces 2025 UK ‘Unleashed Tour’ which will see her take her unique sound throughout the UK in 2025.

The headline tour will begin with a hometown show in Cardiff, Wales on Tuesday 15^th April 2025 followed throughout the year with dates in Hull, Manchester, Leicester, Woking and Birmingham. More dates will be announced in due course.

In addition, The Beautiful Darkness will be doing her very first live streaming for International Women’s Day which will take place the day before on Friday 7th March 2025. She will be joined online by guitarist Steve Sheldon performing a stripped-back acoustic set. In addition, The Beautiful Darkness will take part in a Q&A session. The livestream can be viewed on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/thebeautifuldarknessmusic/

Founded in 2021 by singer-songwriter Nerys John, The Beautiful Darkness is an emerging rock band that blends goth and grunge influences into a unique sound. Known for its haunting melodies and powerful guitar riffs, the band explores themes of introspection and self -discovery. Nerys John created The Beautiful Darkness during a period of deep reflection, channeling personal emotions into music that resonates with listeners.

The debut single Victim (March 2024) was followed by Tears Fall Down (August 2024) and The Narcissist (October 2024), each track diving deeper into the complexities of identity and emotion.

The Beautiful Darkness continues to carve its place in the rock scene with music that is both raw and reflective.

Speaking about the 2025 Unleashed Tour, The Beautiful Darkness explains: “I’m not sure I can put into words exactly how excited I am about the upcoming live dates – For me this is an absolute dream come true. Being able to bring The Beautiful Darkness to a live crowd and to connect with the energy of the audience means we can create something really special. I’m absolutely stoked!”

The special guest for the dates in Hull and Woking will be Leoni Jane Kennedy.

Leoni Jane Kennedy is an award-winning musician and songwriter, PRS Guitars artist endorsee and Freddie Mercury Scholarship Winner. Having received 4th position in the latest public vote of Prog Magazine for “best new artist” category, this rising star is described by The New York Times as “a portal to something passionate and powerful” and shows no sign of slowing down with her debut originals album “Synthetic” being released this year after her well received first album – a Rush acoustic re-interpretation compilation which over 5K in funds was raised to make via a successful Kickstarter campaign. Leoni Jane Kennedy is recognised by most of the UK Industry as ‘one to watch out for’.

“When I judged ‘Rock the House Under 19’s National competition in London in 2014, 13 year old Leoni blew me away with her talent. Fast forward two years and a video of Leoni covering a prog rock song by Rush got 17,000 hits in 48 hours via Planet Rock’s website. Acoustic or electric, solo or with a band, Leoni definitely has a bright future!” – Paul Anthony (Planet Rock Radio)

The Beautiful Darkness’s ‘Unleashed’ 2025 UK Tour will visit the following venues:

Tuesday 15^th April 2025 – The Beautiful Darkness

Venue Address: Tiny Rebel Cardiff, 25 Westgate St, Cardiff, CF10 1DD Wales

Ticket Link: TBC

Thursday 15^th May 2025 – The Beautiful Darkness (Special Guest Leoni Jane Kennedy)

Venue Address: O’Rileys. 83 Beverley Road, Hull, Kingston upon Hull, HU3 1XR

Ticket Link: https://good-show.co.uk/events/2049

Thursday 29th May 2025 – The Beautiful Darkness

Venue Address: Lions Den Manchester, 253 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN

Ticket Link: TBC

Friday 11^th July 2025 – The Beautiful Darkness

Venue Address: 5 Yeoman Street, Leicester, LE1 1UT

Ticket Link: https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/the-beautiful-darkness-the-the-shed-tickets/14251663

Friday 8^th August 2025 – The Beautiful Darkness (Special Guest Leoni Jane Kennedy)

Venue Address: The Fiery Bird, 32 Goldsworth Rd, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6JT

Ticket Link: TBC

Sunday 19^th October 2025 – The Beautiful Darkness

Venue Address: Hare & Hounds, 106 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ

Ticket Link: TBC

(More live dates to be announced)

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebeautifuldarknessmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeautifuldarknessmusic/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.beautiful.darkness.music/#

Lullahush – Ceolúracht

5th March 2025

Music News

Ivor Novello Rising nominated, Athens-based Dublin artist Lullahush (AKA Daniel McIntyre) returns with details of his new album Ithaca – out 11th April via Future Classic (SOPHIE, Chet Faker, Flume).

Following on from his 2024 EP An Todchaí, the new album sees Lullahush exploring the discourse between tradition and innovation, as he explores how a holistic marriage of traditional Irish music and contemporary electronica can express a unique perspective on modern Irish identity.

The recent EP’s three tracks — “An Caoineadh” (The Crying), “An Grá” (The Love), and “An Todchaí” (The Future) — posed the sonic “what-if?” questions about traditional-electronic interaction. In places it’s unapologetically bombastic, the instrumentation uncannily traditional, samples taken from friends drunkenly imitating RTÉ newscasters at a festival on Inis Oírr. There are tongue-in-cheek send ups of the countries generalised love affair with alcohol, with chopped up “Irish-isms” laid down over intense, intricate bass workouts; comparisons between Chicago Footwork and Clare set dancing; and recontextualised samples of musicologist (and master accordion player) Tony McMahon bemoaning “the future of Irish Traditional Music”. It highlights a passionate conversation between tradition and innovation that illuminates the past while looking to the future: respectful without being dogmatic; playful yet serious.

The LP Ithaca continues this experimental ethos while weaving a narrative interrogating ideas of pride, home and belonging. Longing for home in exile has been widespread amongst the Irish diaspora over the years. This includes 19th-century famine refugees, 20th-century exiles fleeing the Catholic Church’s oppression, those who left during the economic depression of the 1980s, and more recently, those affected by Ireland’s housing crisis and Dublin’s embrace of Big Tech. Daniel explores all of this as well as his own odyssey with him now living in Europe as a result of his homeland becoming “economically uninhabitable.” “I miss it, but I have a difficult relationship with it” says McIntyre. “‘Ithaca’ is where Odyssus is trying to get back to in the Odyssey — my search for a sense of home since leaving has made me think about what Ithaca means. Maybe it’s not a place, maybe it’s a series of circumstances, maybe it’s something internal, maybe it’s something you carry around with you.”

The first taste of this journey comes in the form of “Maggie na bhFlaitheas” (Maggie of the Heavens), which morphs the reel (a genre of social Celtic folk dance) “Over The Moore To Maggie” into the album’s statement piece — an organic form of electronic music that blends both styles into a sound that is not one in the context of the other but a comprehensive fusing of the two. The track is accompanied by a fast-paced visual piece that flies through pictures and short films of rural Ireland, religious imagery, towns, parties, and the coast, reflecting the juxtaposition of new and old; natural and manmade.

WATCH / SHARE THE VIDEO FOR “MAGGIE NA BHFLAITHEAS” HERE

This statement of intent sets down a series of aesthetic declarations that form a modern interpretation of Irish romanticism. “I am very excited by the power that sampling offers a bedroom producer like me to build multi-layer narratives and self-referential worlds,” says McIntyre. This is expanded upon across the first half of the record, which opens to the cry of a curlew before leading into Sean-nós singer Saileog Ní Cheannabháin’s ethereal rendition of “An Droighneán Donn” (The Blackthorn Bush). Elsewhere, Maija Sofia’s voice drifts through “Jimmy An Chladaigh” (Jimmy of the Shore) and the bodhrán breaks of “Maija an Uisce” (Maija of the Water), culminating in “Maddy na Farraige” (Maddy Of The Sea), where the maritime longing of The Grey Funnel Line is reimagined as a contemporary Garage workout.

Side B shifts into darker territory with “Kitty na Gaoithe” (Kitty of the Wind), a haunting deconstructed techno interpretation of Irish keening (a funeral singing tradition), followed by the experimental “Dónal na Gealaí” (Daniel of the Moon), where fragmented samples and a Berghain-heavy bass concertina drop create a sense of emotional collapse. A hidden love story threads through the album, reaching its climax with “Máire na Réiltíní” (Mary of the Little Stars), inspired by Odysseus Elitis’ Maria Nefeli and layered with captured moments of an ephemeral affair. The journey concludes with “Raglan Road”, built around a WhatsApp voice note of the artist’s 97-year-old great uncle Jack singing the Patrick Kavanagh poem, interwoven with the artist’s own unadorned voice—bridging generations and leaving the listener with a sense of timeless connection and yearning for unreachable Ithacas.

The next stage in this project’s development will be a collaboration with an ensemble of like-minded musicians who have a shared interest in exploring what the future of traditional music can sound like. “I am trying to find ways of bringing risk and chaos to the show, to make something fragile and intimate that lives and breathes in front of an audience,” continues McIntyre. “My collaborators and I have been working with tapes, feedback, contact mics, live sampling and a haphazard pile of synths, pedals and whatever is lying around in order to articulate live the sentiment of what those processes created.” With gigs planned for this summer the dates will set out not to recreate the album but to expand on it. Every show will be an experiment, no two will be the same, as Lullahush creates arrangements that engage with their subjective experience of each song and its wider cultural context, delving into their stories and iterations as well as the folklore surrounding them, in an attempt to show how electronic methods can really serve the tradition in a comprehensive and reverential way.

Live dates:
1^st May – The Workman’s Club, Dublin w/ Róis (SOLD OUT)

Ithaca is out 11^th April via Future Classic – Pre-save HERE

Tracklisting:
01) An Droighneán Donn
02) Maggie na bhFlaitheas
03) Jimmy an Chladaigh
04) Maija an Uisce
05) Maddy na Farraige
06) Kitty na Gaoithe
07) Dónal na Gealaí
08) Máire na Réiltíní
09) Raglan Road

X | Instagram

Re-Armed – Love It Or Hate It…

5th March 2025

Mainly Metal

The Finnish melodic death metal outfit Re-Armed has sunk its teeth into the iconic EDM hit “What Is Love”, delivering a heavier, hard-hitting version of the classic.

The result? A track that drags you straight from the dancefloor into the mosh pit—catchy, yet thunderously crushing.

The band shares the story behind the cover:

“This time, we decided to throw a punch with a silk glove on—and spill the drinks all over right after. Initially, we jammed this track at our rehearsal space just for fun, and to our surprise, it actually worked! After the laughter died down, we knew we had to record it—and here we are. The song’s post choruses are once again elevated by a guest appearance from vocalist Mirva Saviniemi. Whether you love it or hate it, we welcome all reactions with open arms!”

Listen to the single on music services

(Spotify, YouTube, Deezer, Tidal jne.): https://push.fm/fl/rearmed-whatislove

Re-Armed’s version injects Haddaway’s classic with a fresh dose of raw power, guaranteed to strike a chord with both nostalgics and metalheads alike.

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Jesse Malin – Shining Down In Islington

5th March 2025

Music News

The New York City-based rock singer-songwriter Jesse Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke in May 2023 that left him paralysed from the waist down.

The release of a star-studded tribute album entitled ‘Silver Patron Saints : The Songs Of Jesse Malin’ in September 2024 was accompanied by tickets going on sale for a special benefit concert in London at Islington Assembly Hall on 1st May.

It sold out immediately, so an additional date was announced for the following evening at The Garage venue close by. With that also sold out, it has been moved back to Islington Assembly Hall, with a further 300 tickets that were made available on 28th February. Tickets already purchased for The Garage event remain valid for the new date.

Malin made a return to the stage at the Beacon Theatre in New York City last December for two benefit concerts to help pay for his ongoing rehabilitation. They were the biggest hometown shows of his career and he was joined by a host of guest musicians. The same formula is to be replicated in London where the likes of Billy Bragg and Peter Perrett have already been confirmed to appear with him.

“I have a really special connection to London, as it was the first place that truly embraced me when my debut album came out and it is always very meaningful to play there,” Malin has previously stated. “I am blown away by the response to these shows and am so excited to play them. Thank you once again for all the love and support. You guys are the best.”

Iggy Pop played Bruce Springsteen’s cover of Malin’s ‘She Don’t Love Me Now’ on his weekly BBC 6 Music show on 23rd February, commenting that “Jesse’s a really talented songwriter, whose approach to writing reflects the people of New York maybe more than Johnny Thunders, New York Dolls and even The Ramones.”

VARIOUS ARTISTS
SILVER PATRON SAINTS
THE SONGS OF JESSE MALIN
out now
3xLP | 2xCD | digital

stream | buy

Both a tribute and benefit album, ‘Silver Patron Saints : The Songs Of Jesse Malin’ contains 27 choice cover versions of songs written by Malin from across his career, with all proceeds from it going to his Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and helping to pay his medical costs.

Often a contributor to other people’s causes, Malin is grateful to the musicians who rallied around him for ’Silver Patron Saints’. These include Bruce Springsteen, Billie Joe Armstrong, Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello, The Hold Steady, Tommy Stinson, Alison Mosshart (with the late Wayne Kramer), Tom Morello, Counting Crows, Dinosaur Jr., The Wallflowers, Spoon, Susanna Hoffs, Frank Turner, Rancid and many more.

“This record is a dynamite and long-overdue awareness project, non-stop star time in vigorously personal twists on behalf of a great rock & roll songbook,” wrote longtime supporter and Rolling Stone magazine editor David Fricke. “Jesse Malin knows about scars, from his youth, observation and more. They all carry tales, and he’s not done telling them. ‘Silver Patron Saints’ is the gang back at the bar, coming to the stage to toast the composer and his story so far.”

Official Site | Instagram | Facebook

The Long Road Festival – Staying True

4th March 2025

Country News

The Long Road Festival, a celebration of Country, Americana, Roots, Folk Rock music and culture, returns to the beautiful grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire this summer for its biggest year from August 22-24 2025.

Announced today, the first wave of performers includes major U.S. headliners Midland and Drake Milligan, and a wealth of acclaimed artists from across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, such as BRIT, Mercury Prize and GRAMMY nominee Seasick Steve, GRAMMY winner Fantastic Negrito, ARIA & Golden Guitar winner Fanny Lumsden, and RIAA Class of 2024 artist Alana Springsteen.

A festival for music lovers on the search for something new, the carefully curated selection of artists joining those listed above include: Larry Fleet, Charles Wesley Godwin, Alana Springsteen, Evan Honer, Gareth, Elles Bailey, Ashley Monroe, Fancy Hagood, Trousdale, Halle Kearns, Kim Churchill, Rainbow Girls, Will Varley & the Southern Rust, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Steady Habits, Janet Devlin, Jaywalkers and a European summer exclusive performance from Chuck Ragan. Speaking with festival co-founder Baylen Leonard on Absolute Radio Country today, Midland frontman Mark Wystrach shared the band’s excitement about performing at The Long Road for the first time: “Getting to play our first [UK] outdoor festival in a beautiful setting, and getting to be headliners is gonna be amazing.”

In addition to main stage performances, stages hosted by returning partners Loose Music and Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, and new stage partner Snakefarm Records, The Long Road will feature Nashville-style songwriter rounds, artist meet and greet opportunities, and afterparties where fans can dance the night away.

More than just a music festival, audiences flock to The Long Road year after year to soak up the Country lifestyle – with U.S. inspired street food and American BBQ, craft beers, dedicated line dancing sessions, campfires, vintage funfair rides, a kids camp, Country-oke, the Lucky Dice Classic Car & Bike show and more – and to experience a family-friendly atmosphere that fulfils the promise of its familiar motto, “Welcome home old friend”.

Check out the 2024 aftermovie here to get a glimpse of what’s in store.

Catering for kings and queens of the open road and lovers of life under canvas in the great outdoors alike, a variety of accommodation options are available: from General Camping; a tree-lined Premium Campsite with upscale amenities closer to the main arena; Live-in Vehicle Fields; Pitch & Park, the luxurious Elwood Park riverside Glamping, now provided by festival veterans and luxury experience specialists Green Yurts. From 2025, payment plans will be available to make Glamping more affordable than ever, while offering luxurious options for those who want a little extra. In addition to the on-site accommodation options, there are also Off Road Lodgings and shuttle bus packages available to purchase in collaboration with local hotels.

Now in its sixth year, The Long Road is delighted to announce several new elements to the festival, to celebrate the growth of the country family and welcome new friends as well:

For the first time, and for Long Roaders attending all weekend, the Rhinestone Stage (main stage) will open from Friday afternoon. This means an even bigger Friday night party, more live performances—including a U.K. exclusive headline set from Drake Milligan—and even more reasons to go all in for the full weekend. Friday will be exclusively available to all weekend Camping and No Camping ticket holders.

Renowned as a platform for showcasing new artists and creating unforgettable memories, The Long Road is also introducing a brand-new sixth stage for 2025: another undercover venue, complete with a hard wood floor perfect for line dancing at the festival. This dedicated space will stay true to The Long Road’s style, with its own unique identity, drawing inspiration from U.S. culture and embodying authentic country charm and aesthetics, and will host songwriter rounds, line dancing, artist conversations, intimate performances, quizzes, and more.

Additionally, 2025 brings Early Camping Access; the Live-In Vehicles campsite, for campervans and caravans, will be open from Thursday August 21 as an optional paid Add On, so early arrivals can settle in, soak up the vibes and gear up for a boot-stompin’ Friday and unforgettable weekend!

The Long Road Festival runs from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 2025. Weekend, Camping, Day, Kids and VIP tickets available now: https://www.thelongroad.com/tickets.

“The Long Road transports you to the States with its BBQ food, Kentucky bourbon masterclasses, a Honky-tonk bar, and an exciting line-up of country music stars.” – The Standard

“Country fans, this one is for you. Get a slide of stateside culture with some of the biggest acts all in one place” – Cosmopolitan

“The Long Road delivers it all. It’s an authentic, immersive and welcoming family friendly experience” – Grazia

“Phenomenal… The Long Road continues to cement its legacy as one of England’s premiere country music festivals” – Holler

Line-up Announced

Alana Springsteen ★ Ashley Monroe ★ Charles Wesley Godwin ★ Chuck Ragan ★ Drake Milligan ★ Elles Bailey ★ Evan Honer ★ Fancy Hagood ★ Fanny Lumsden ★ Fantastic Negrito ★ Gareth ★ Halle Kearns ★ Janet Devlin ★ Jaywalkers ★ Kim Churchill ★ Larry Fleet ★ Midland ★ Rainbow Girls ★ Seasick Steve ★ Simeon Hammond Dallas ★ Steady Habits ★ Trousdale ★ Will Varley & The Southern Rust

Plus many more acts still to come…

Official Site | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok

Cory Wong – A Funk-Fueled Flight of Virtuosity

3rd March 2025

FIRST THREE FOCUS, Music News, Music Reviews

Following the hypersonic, glee-fueled warm-up from Couch, Cory Wong stormed the stage with his band, all dressed in matching ‘WongAir’ flight suits, as if preparing us for a magical musical take-off through the thick clouds of dry ice.

Even before the first note, the atmosphere was electric, and the explosive intro launched us into a set so tight, so rhythmically locked-in, that it felt like the start of some crazy American game show—pure controlled chaos, the party man was definitely in town

The brass section was colossal, with trombone, trumpet, and an impressive range of saxophones spanning from a tiny soprano to a mammoth bari. The show kicked off with Lunchtime, its fast, razor-sharp jazz lines suddenly giving way to a hard-hitting rock groove, where each musician took turns riffing off the last in a series of solos, culminating in a frantic, unified frenzy of notes during Let’s Go. The effect? Absolutely motherfunking mesmerizing. Wong and the band were clearly having the time of their lives, and his effortless show-boat shredding—full of precision and playfulness—only added to the magic.

a multi-sensory whirl of Wong wonder"

Then came Assassin, and if the band’s blistering technicality hadn’t already been made clear, this track sealed the deal. The screen behind them displayed the actual dots, the cursor gliding through the densely packed bars as the band crammed an impossible number of notes into a few short minutes. Seeing the written music fly by in real time was surreal—a multi-sensory whirl of Wong wonder, where eyes and ears were equally overloaded.

a riotous explosion of skill, energy, and pure musical euphoria"

The brass section attacked the furiously syncopated lines with deadly precision, while screamy upper-register trumpet notes and harmonically outrageous saxophone solos soared above a bed of melodically intricate guitar and synth lines. The whole thing felt like a celebratory jam session, a riotous explosion of skill, energy, and pure musical euphoria.

As if things couldn’t get any better—and miraculously, with still more to give—Tema Siegel took the stage for Look at Me, her powerful, versatile vocals sitting effortlessly in the mix, soaring above the band in perfect unison. The sheer energy of it—combined with the unfiltered joy radiating from every musician on stage—made it a standout moment in an already euphoric night

a sign of the times that live music this good still exists"

Wong is the ultimate genre-bender. His marcato-staccato signature guitar style, his ability to blend jazz, funk, rock, and electronica into a seamless groove, and his contagious enthusiasm make his live shows feel like a communal celebration of music itself—one that wouldn’t feel out of place in Prince’s own Musicology.

The house knew they were witnessing something special"

The house knew they were witnessing something special—so much so that one encore simply wasn’t enough. Wong and his band returned for a second, finally closing with Dean Town (his Vulfpeck tribute and the track the crowd had been waiting for all night).

It was the cream, the icing on the cake, the cherry on top—the final crescendo in a Mahler symphony, a sign of the times that live music this good still exists.

https://www.facebook.com/corywongmusic

https://www.facebook.com/couchtheband

Cory Wong played The O2 Forum, Kentish Town – 2oth February 2025

Support from COUCH

(Couch review to follow)

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Monthly Archives: March 2025

All Against – A Hellish Dedication

The wait is over! Renowned metal band All Against is thrilled to announce the release of their highly anticipated new album, Straight Down To Hell, set to drop on March 14, 2025, via Raging Planet.

Jeangu Macrooy – Get Into The Groove

Winning acclaim in the Netherlands across music, TV and theatre, Jeangu Macrooy releases his groove-filled new single ‘Everybody Needs Somebody’ on 7th March, before heading to London for his first ever UK performance on 3rd April.

Idles’ Bristol Block Party Weekend – Go Celebrate Summer

IDLES’ Block Party shows at Bristol’s Queen Square on August 1st and 2nd are guaranteed to be an electrifying experience for fans and the band alike.

Underwater Father – No Fate But What We Make

Hailing from the cold shores of Kotka, Finland, Underwater Father emerges as a dark and captivating force in metal.

The Beautiful Darkness – Stepping Out

The Beautiful Darkness Announces 2025 UK ‘Unleashed Tour’ which will see her take her unique sound throughout the UK in 2025.

Lullahush – Ceolúracht

Ivor Novello Rising nominated, Athens-based Dublin artist Lullahush (AKA Daniel McIntyre) returns with details of his new album Ithaca – out 11th April via Future Classic (SOPHIE, Chet Faker, Flume).

Re-Armed – Love It Or Hate It…

The Finnish melodic death metal outfit Re-Armed has sunk its teeth into the iconic EDM hit “What Is Love”, delivering a heavier, hard-hitting version of the classic.

Jesse Malin – Shining Down In Islington

The New York City-based rock singer-songwriter Jesse Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke in May 2023 that left him paralysed from the waist down.

The Long Road Festival – Staying True

The Long Road Festival, a celebration of Country, Americana, Roots, Folk Rock music and culture, returns to the beautiful grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire this summer for its biggest year from August 22-24 2025.

Cory Wong – A Funk-Fueled Flight of Virtuosity

Following the hypersonic, glee-fueled warm-up from Couch, Cory Wong stormed the stage with his band, all dressed in matching ‘WongAir’ flight suits, as if preparing us for a magical musical take-off through the thick clouds of dry ice.

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