It's Hard To Explain.

Their debut album isn’t half bad, it’s fresh, youthful and easy to listen to. It is kind of the epitome of Indie rock, comparable to The Kooks and The Libertines (hey, I said kind of). There are some earworms once you listen to it long enough, and that’s what I did, I mean you can’t go to a concert and not know any songs right? ‘Young Chasers’ and ‘Stuck In My Teeth’ are my personal favourites the former having this build-up that’s accompanied with this snappy whistle and the latter being this upbeat and cheery tune. The whole album is basically straightforward Indie rock full of easy breezy songs for the summer.

Whoever was a massive fan of the band at this gig definitely got their money’s worth (even though it was free) because you got to stand right in front of the stage without any barriers or whatsoever and actually be within an arms reach of Kieran, the lead singer. Too bad I wasn’t one of these fans, I was content with being in the middle (even though I was sandwiched in between two couples who were stiff as stone, IT’S A CONCERT FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE. DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR ARMS AND LEGS).

I did a good worth of jumping and dancing at this gig, I mean, their songs are mostly this infectious fast-paced songs that are sure to get you on your youthful feet (I realize that I’ve said youthful twice, but at least I managed to avoid saying upbeat again ayy).  Kieran was an engaging frontman and it was exhilarating to be within a short distance of the band. And when I heard the first few chords of ‘T-Shirt Weather’, there was some sort of animal instinct in me to push a few people just to get nearer to the stage (sorry I was an asshole for a moment there). But I had a great time jamming out at the front.

Circa Waves, you did a fine job of entertaining your fans and I do look forward to a second album and I’ll always remember T-Shirt Weather (see what I did there? Not funny still? Alright).

That line had been ringing in my head for at least a month, just anticipating The Vaccines’ presence. I was hooked the moment I listened to their debut album and knowing that they were performing here in Singapore for a second time, there was absolutely no hesitation to buy a ticket.

Sure, no one that I knew listened to them but I wasn’t going to let my crippling fear of being unaccompanied stop me (when in reality I was actually starting to regret buying the ticket heh heh). But for Justin Young, Arni Arnason, Freddie Cowan and the drummer (just kidding, Pete Robertson) I overcame my fear, by bringing a book and looking down at  my phone the whole time I was waiting cause what is socialising?

Heck, it was worth waiting under the sun, being alone and surrounded by groups of people (yes, it was that good). The Vaccines’ music may not be revolutionary but damn is it catchy in their own unique way. Fans were already ra-ra-raing the moment they played their first song (because it was ‘Wreckin’ Bar’, am I funny yet?)

Thank god I was right at the front to soak in the goodness that is Justin Young and I swear that he glanced at me several times and even pointed at me (I could be dreaming, but I’d like to believe it’s true). He had this magnetic presence on stage that was hard to ignore, even with Freddie Cowan right next to him. I’m pretty sure he was intoxicated on stage, but that just makes for all the more interesting stage presence, even alluring the audience with occasional sweet talk.

Another reason to be thankful for being in the front is that I’d piss some people off if I was maniacally jumping in the middle of the audience, so thank the heavens I was early in the line. I could’ve also sworn that Arni wanted to throw his pick to me but these two dudes on both my right and left had some sort of long octopus arms that just managed reach out further than I could (darn my tiny arms!)

By the end of it, I was chanting “encore”, unaware that everyone else was chanting “Norgaard” instead. We want an encore people, not just one song. But I did thoroughly enjoy Arni’s weirdly captivating solo, with him singing in this spooky deep alto (GO ARNI!)

Remember how I said Justin was probably drunk on stage? Well, while I was yelling A-M-A-N-D-A NORGAARD, Justin was busy tackling the sound guy to the ground and presumably holding him oh so fondly (I don’t mean anything dirty btw).

Despite being weird and alone at a concert, I have no regrets whatsoever, except maybe not catching that guitar pick from Arni.

*photos are shit and limited cause I was too busy enjoying myself, and I didn’t have my camera with me. Holy crap are Muse amazing live. This legend of a band manages to bring out a sort of manic energy from their fans with their electrifying performances. Playing hits like ‘Starlight’ and ‘Hysteria’ brought the audience together in almost a cult-like manner proving the supremacy of a Muse song…

*love is the warmest colour (not blue, which is unfortunately the colour of most of my photos.) Man can this band give me chills. Alt-J are almost like magicians, putting you into a trance, making you totally unaware of everything else- at least that’s how my brother described me while I was at the concert, desccribing my “dancing” as hippie-esque and laughing thereafter. Hmph. But I swear that…

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On My Loop: Only Real – Cadillac Girl

When I first heard the track, i admit it reminded me of a mixture of both King Krule and Mac Demarco. Only Real has a similar laid-back character with Demarco that you can hear in the chorus. There’s the same feelgood feeling that you could hear on any Demarco LP. Only Real  also somehow shares the same voice or speech with King Krule, not entirely however. But both do acquire a personality of a…

From Horrifically Good to Extragalactic

The Horrors | Luminous |

7/10

From Tim Burton bad boys that were yelling and screaming to gentle and glistening cooing The Horrors have probably done it all, and we love them for it. Notable experimentation can only work in any band’s favor. It shows a range of talent that definitely impresses and that’s exactly what The Horrors have done.  They debuted as an overly edgy gothic punk rock band…

Play Hooky & Piss Off

‘So Dead’ by Tearjerker has been featured On My Loop and the track kind of inspired me to make a playlist full of these “heck care” songs that are perfect for slacking off. So for all you deadbeat bums out there while you skate your way to the mall or down the alley, this is for you. Even if idling by isn’t your thing, take a day off and jam out.

Tribes’ Day Has Come

Tribes | Baby |

This debut album may have been released a few years back and the band has even produced a second album that was less than sub par since then. However, ‘Baby’ will always be an impressive album to me. It’s punchy, bold and breezy songs keep reeling me in and never leave dull feeling. Although, not every debut album is stunningly revolutionary and ‘Baby’ is no exception. A number…

On My Loop: Tearjerker – So Dead

This band could be clumped together with other new indie rock bands such as Bleeding Knees Club and Wavves and sure they share a comparable sound of disgruntled grunge. But these bands also share a knack for producing infectious tracks alongside this untroubled vocal that is so easy to sway and sing along to. ‘So Dead’ is so perfect for hanging out at the skate park, scraping a few elbows and…

A Rightful Tribute to Wes Anderson

On My Loop: Childhood – Falls Away

This is what smooth and funky should be. The London four-piece has impressed with a number of tracks such as ‘Solemn Skies’ and ‘Haltija’ which has set the bar to a higher level for fresh indie bands. ‘Falls Away’ has justified as to why Childhood is here for the long-haul. The jittery beats and hazy guitars give off an aerial feeling with the soft crooning of the vocals adding more so to the…

I Can Swallow a Lot of Sleep

Sometimes or all the time, all you want to do after a long day of work or school is take a good long nap. Even after that nap, a deep sleep is definitely a luxury. Here’s a collection of songs to aid you in your slumber. Sweet dreams.

The Maccabees |Given to the Wild|

I cannot stress enough how much I adore this band. This English indie-rock group first captured me with their single ‘First Love’ from their debut LP ‘Colour It In.’ The track was fast and energetic but Orlando Weeks’ cooing vocals was absolutely endearing and wore me down with these touchy-feely emotions. I was hooked even more so when I saw Weeks’ puppy dog…

On My Loop: Wild Nothing – Only Heather

Wild Nothing, known for tracks that has an air of serenity and a dream-pop atmosphere and this track from ‘Nocturne’ does not fall short. It’s smooth, pretty twinkly and something you’d play when you’re with your significant other. The whole album offers a great number of gauzy tunes that could be speaking to your conscience but ‘Only Heather’ tugs at your heartstrings and gives you this…