If Glastonbury has proved anything it was that coming up with something new and original and a little different isn’t as easy at it looks. Even the standout Glastonbury performance from Rina Sawayama, who we featured here a couple of years ago, owed much to the likes of Lady Gaga. But there are a few things that are worthy in terms of something new but still with a definite wink to the past.
There is, for example, PUNK ROCK FACTORY the kings of turning any song into a pop punk masterpiece. The boisterous four piece from South Wales take all your favourite tracks and make them sound like you never quite imagined they could! No-one is immune – these four lads have adapted everything from Disney classics and assorted rock & pop hits to TV themes from across the decades. Having played their first ever live show at the UK’s Bloodstock Festival in 2021 they followed up with a sold-out UK tour and slots at Download and Slam Dunk in 2022. The band steam-rolled into 2023, selling out every show again on their second UK tour. On their third they play Leeds University on 28th October. Their new album, It’s Just A Stage We’re Going Through, is self-released and features their single ‘Mamma Mia’. Their reimagined version of ‘Mamma Mia’ is just one of 10 high octane tunes from the new album. They also paid faithful homage to ABBA’s original video for the track – recreating it frame by frame, right down to the white boots and hair styles.
Old and yet new is what BUSTED’s new venture is. A series of 2.0 remakes of their biggest hits is proving to be one of the most fun concepts they’ve ever embarked upon. The trio – James Bourne Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis – have relished the opportunity to work with bands they’ve always admired (Simple Plan, Neck Deep and Hanson, with many more to come), while fans have seen their old favourites given a fresh lease of life. The series now continues as Busted give ‘Crashed The Wedding’ a new vibe with the help of featured artists All Time Low. This new take on ‘Crashed The Wedding’ is a classic case of: if it’s not broke, fix it anyway. It’s the song you’ve always loved, just with the guitars cranked up to 11, the drums hitting harder than ever before, and its sweet vocal harmonies have become far more layered and energised. See if it all works at Leeds Arena on 17th September, with a now grown-up Hanson supporting.
And not to miss out festivals Leeds and Reading Festivals have announced something that has not been tried before. They have announced they will host the world’s biggest ever silent-disco. In a world’s first simulcast main stage set across both Leeds and Reading sites. The Brit-nominated and multi-platinum drum & bass duo SIGMA have also been announced to headline the historic closing party with members performing on Main Stage West in Bramham Park and Richfield Avenue at on the Sunday night at the same time. Details of how fans can secure their headsets to be announced soon.
Sigma join the already stacked line-up over 100 of the world’s most exciting acts including headliners including Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, The Killers, Foals and Imagine Dragons, as well as Becky Hill, Steve Lacy, Wet Leg, Bicep Live, MK, Loyle Carner, Nothing But Thieves and more spanning across the 3-day extravaganza.
Sigma (aka Cam Edwards and Joe Lenzie) are one of the only UK dance acts to make it big in the world of pop – achieving Gold certification status on their debut studio album Life and a host of platinum accolades, amassing over 2.7 billion worldwide streams combined – without losing relevance in the Drum and Bass scene where the London-based duo spent a decade, pre-fame. Sigma just released their new single with singer-songwriter Morgan, the infectious drum & bass banger ‘Adrenaline Rush,’ which features the iconic string riff from The Verve’s late 90’s hit single ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ and The Rolling Stones ‘The Last Time’. The new track comes off their impending third studio album ‘London Sound.’
