THE FRIDAY FIVE – 21.6.2013

1. Selena Gomez – Come And Get It
2. Miles Kane – Don’t Forget Who You Are
3. Noah and the Whale – There Will Come A Time
4. John Newman – Love Me Again
5. Olly Murs – Dear Darling

Just thought i’d let you know, next week’s Friday Five shall feature a Canada Day chart in honour of Canada Day on July 1st. Be warned, Princess Carly Rae shall feature.

And on that day, at the exact halfway point of the year, there shall be a Top 50 of the year so far. Relax, Princess Carly Rae won’t be featuring on that.

2012 IN PICTURES – AUGUST

August was a busy month from start to finish, camera in hand, I went snap happy.

The month began with a trip to Tillysburn Park (my first visit there) to see Linfield’s last pre-season game, against Harland and Wolff Welders.

Nice wee ground, and got some nice shots, which was handy as the game wasn’t up to much (Welders won 1-0 since you ask)

The following week, I made my annual trip to Edinburgh for the festival. While there, I got some Street Art photos and got photos of the two football matches I went to.

The first match was Hibs v Hearts at Easter Road, my first visit to Easter Road since 2009. Nice wee ground and had a good shooting position. It was a beautiful sunny day which gave me lots of natural light to work with as well.

Three days later, I was back for the international between Scotland and Australia. Was in a different stand but got some ok shots, mainly due to it being darker than usual for that time of year.

Upon my return, I was straight into Belsonic, being in the front row for Madness, a band I have loved for ages and finally got to see.

Also got some good photos of Noel Gallagher a few days later.

Was at Two Door Cinema Club as well and didn’t get as good pictures as I wanted.

In amongst that, managed to get photos of Linfield matches against Coleraine and Donegal Celtic. Standard Windsor Park phototaking arrangements, but it was great to be back.

Harland and Wolff Welders v Linfield

Edinburgh Street Art

Hibs v Hearts

Hibs v Hearts Photo Album

Scotland v Australia

Scotland v Australia Photo Album

Madness Live At Belsonic

Madness Live At Belsonic Photo Album

Linfield v Coleraine

Belfast Street Art

The Enemy Live At Belsonic

The Enemy Live At Belsonic Photo Album

Noel Gallagher Live At Belsonic

Noel Gallagher Live At Belsonic Photo Album

Noah and the Whale Live At Belsonic

Noah and the Whale Live At Belsonic Photo Album

Two Door Cinema Club Live At Belsonic

Two Door Cinema Club Live At Belsonic Photo Album

Linfield v Donegal Celtic

NOAH AND THE WHALE – LIVE AT CUSTOM HOUSE SQUARE (BELSONIC) 23.8.2012

My final Belsonic gig of 2012 came last Thursday for the double bill of Noah and the Whale and Two Door Cinema Club.

Was a bit surprised that Two Door Cinema Club were headlining ahead of Noah and the Whale, but it was a home gig I guess.

I’d seen Noah and the Whale in October at Ulster Hall and they were fantastic.

The concert didn’t get off to the best start, as Noah and the Whale had sound problems at the start, and the crowd didn’t seem that interested in them.

However, they ploughed on and won them over. Didn’t get a great shooting position for photos, but managed to get some shots.

Enjoy

Photo Album

SEE ALSO

Ulster Hall October 2011

Ulster Hall October 2011 Photo Album

 

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 24.8.2012

1. Justice – New Lands
2. Black Keys – Lonely Boy
3. Madness – Night Boat To Cairo
4. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA ……. What A Life
5. Noah and the Whale – 5 Years Time

This week marked the 15th anniversary of Be Here Now, the criminally under-rated 3rd Oasis album. In tribute to it’s brilliance, here’s a Top Five from that album

FIVE SONGS FROM BE HERE NOW

1. Don’t Go Away
2. D’ya Know What I Mean?
3. All Around The World
4. The Girl In The Dirty Shirt
5. Fade-In Out

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 30.3.2012

1. The Shins – Simple Song
2. Bruce Springsteen – We Take Care Of Our Own
3. Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know
4. Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Jackie Wilson Said
5. Lloyd – Dedication To My Ex

As stated in a previous blog, I purchased Belsonic tickets for Madness and Two Door Cinema Club. Not going to lie, i’m pretty much excited about it.

This morning, I shall be desperately trying to get tickets for Noel Gallagher.

It’s great how much Belsonic has grown since it’s inception in 2008. I thought it was doing too much too soon, but it’s great to be proved wrong.

In honour, I shall do a Top Five for Belsonic and Tennent’s Vital.

FIVE SONGS BY BELSONIC WEEK 1 ACTS

1. Madness – My Girl
2. Emeli Sande – Next To Me
3. Madness – Lovestruck
4. The Darkness – Friday Night
5. Madness – Lola

FIVE SONGS BY BELSONIC WEEK 2 ACTS

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA ……. What A Life
2. Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N
3. Two Door Cinema Club – What You Know
4. The Enemy – No Time For Tears
5. James Morrison – Wonderful World

FIVE SONGS BY TENNENT’S VITAL ACTS

1. Stone Roses – Waterfall
2. Florence and the Machine – Shake It Out
3. Foo Fighters – The One
4. Florence and the Machine – Rabbit Heart
5. Black Keys – Lonely Boy

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 23.12.2011

Due to unexplainable technical issues, there was no Friday Five last week. Hope this week’s makes up for it.

1. Marina and the Diamonds – Oh No!
2. Phil Lynott – Yellow Pearl
3. Team America – Team America Theme
4. Damien Rice – Cannonball
5. Noah and the Whale – Life Is Life

Last week’s technical fuck-up meant you missed out on the Five Best Songs Ever By An Act From X-Factor.

Shouldn’t be too hard, there are only five listenable tracks by X-Factor acts.

FIVE SONGS BY X-FACTOR ACTS

1. Jedward – Lipstick
2. Diana Vickers – My Wicked Heart
3. Leona Lewis – Forgive Me
4. Diana Vickers – The Boy Who Murdered Love
5. Leona Lewis – Better In Time

Seeing as it’s Christmas, I might as well join in the fun and do a Christmas Five.

Everyone knows what I want for Christmas, and that I don’t want it until 4.45pm on Boxing Day.

Merry Christmas to all readers, hope to fill up the blogosphere with more pictures and music suggestions in 2012.

FIVE CHRISTMAS SONGS

1. Robert Goulet – Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
2. Greg Lake – I Believe In Father Christmas
3. The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
4. Jonah Lewie – Stop The Cavalry
5. John Lennon – Merry Xmas (War Is Over)

STLFTEM ROUND-UP 2011

Seeing as it’s the end of the year, almost, I thought I’d keep you all up to date with my STLFTEM for 2011.

For those who don’t know, STLFTEM is basically Something To Look Forward To Every Month.

I started it in 2009, and it basically is to have something to go, see or do every month, and look forward to it.

The only rules are that it has to be something seen in person. Therefore, watching Euro 2012 on TV won’t count for June next year.

Also, I can have more than one STLFTEM each month. In fact, I can have as many as I wish.

January was a bit of a cheat, as I went to the Linfield v Glentoran match postponed from 26th December 2010. But, my lifestyle ethos, my rules.

February was a bumper month as I went to Barcelona for a weekend, and then the following Wednesday, I went to see Northern Ireland take on Scotland.

March was also a Northern Ireland match. A 0-0 draw v Slovenia. Yep, that was well worth the wait.

April was a bumper month with a title showdown for Linfield against Crusaders and three matches against Glentoran, one of which was an Irish Cup Semi-Final. Not only that, but there was also the matter of Beady Eye’s first concert in Belfast.

Four wins, and an excellent concert made it a worthwhile month.

May was all about travelling as I went to the UEFA Cup Final, and Manchester United’s last match of the season, against Blackpool.

June was quiet, but I did go and see 3OH!3

July was also quiet, but Linfield playing in Europe and a pre-season friendly against Derriaghy were enjoyable. As I stated earlier, some months are a struggle.

August was busy with the start of the new Irish League season and trips to Edinburgh and Brighton.

September was the Arthur’s Day concert at Ulster Hall (Any my ticket was free)

October was another concert at Ulster Hall, Noah and the Whale. There were fantastic.

I’d hoped that November would be going to the MTV EMAs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a ticket, so I had to make do with a trip to Old Trafford to see United take on Sunderland.

December will be the Boxing Day match at The Oval. If that bites the dust because of the weather, I’ll make it the Ulster v Aironi match two weeks ago (Again, a free ticket)

Well, that is how i’ve managed to have STLFTEM throughout the year, but I’ve already got some lined up for 2012.

In January, I’m going to see Roy “Catchphrase” Walker as part of the Out To Lunch Festival.

February will be a busy month as I’ll be taking a break to Amsterdam from 3rd-6th, then going to see Noel Gallagher at The Odyssey on 16th, before flying to Manchester on 23rd.

I’m hoping to see United v Ajax. I’ve no ticket sorted as yet, but I’m confident I’ll get one.

Pretty tempted to go and see The Beat at The Limelight in March. Undecided as yet.

August of course, will see me head to Edinburgh for the Festival. If I could afford to, I’d spend the whole month there.

So that, is how I’ve managed to enjoy myself at least once a month this year and how I plan to do so next year.

If you have any suggestions for any of the months, feel free to get in touch and suggest.

THE SOUND OF 2011 : 1-20

So, here it is, the Top 20 songs of the year ……….

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – AKA What A Life
2. Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N
3. The Pierces – Glorious
4. Jon Fratelli – Santo Domingo
5. The View – Blondie
6. Clare Maguire – The Last Dance
7. Silhouette – Can’t Keep Up
8. Beady Eye – The Roller
9. The Naked And The Famous – Young Blood
10. Girl Crisis – The Sign
11. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – I Wanna Live In A Dream In My Record Machine
12. Scala and Kolacny Brothers – With Or Without You
13. My Chemical Romance – Planetary
14. The Vaccines – If You Wanna
15. Sunday Girl – Stop Hey
16. Pearl and the Puppets – I Do Like You
17. Adele – Rollin In The Deep
18. Nero – You And Me
19. Tone Damli – Butterflies
20. Coldplay – Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

So, congratulations to Noel Gallagher. What A Life ……. What a tune.

There is no prize as such, but if wants to meet up before his Belfast show in February, i’ll buy him a Hungry Hound. It’s only fair.

By the way, the offer of a Hungry Hound is still open to Marina and the Diamonds (2010) and Little Boots (2009) should they ever be in Belfast.

If you haven’t heard ‘AKA …… What A Life’, here’s the video, as well as the previous winners.

Sound Of 2010

Sound Of 2009

Sound Of 2008

Sound Of 2007

Sound Of 2006

2011 IN PICTURES – OCTOBER

Not the most productive of months. The highlight of which were going to see Linfield play at Coleraine, and Noah and The Whale in concert.

Coleraine is one of my favourite away grounds to visit, but not when it’s raining, like it was this time (Think it’s the first time i’ve been there when it rained too)

Managed to get some good photos, nothing spectacular, which is to be expected when you are stuck in the same position for 90s minutes.

The following night, I went to see Noah and the Whale at Ulster Hall. They were fantastic. Really cannot speak about how brilliant they were enough.

I’d went to a couple of matches at Windsor Park as well, but unfortunately, it’s not the most friendly ground for amateur phtography, but you can check out the results if you like

Coleraine v Linfield

Noah and the Whale

Linfield Photos

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 16.12.2011

1. Coldplay – Paradise
2. Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N
3. Ed Sheeran – Lego House
4. Rihanna – We Found Love
5. Damien Rice – Cannonball

So, X-Factor is over, what am I going to do on Saturdays and Sundays?

Get on with life I suppose.

I’ve already forgotten who won already.

So, in Friday Five tradition, I do a chart based on the previous week’s X-Factor theme.

Last week, it was Christmas Songs, but i’ll hold fire on that for next week, the closest Friday Five to Christmas.

Instead, I put my brainpower into action to think of five songs by X-Factor acts worth listening to. It was a struggle.

FIVE X-FACTOR SONGS

1. Jedward – Lipstick
2. Diana Vickers – My Wicked Heart
3. Leona Lewis – Forgive Me
4. Diana Vickers – The Boy Who Murdered Love
5. Leona Lewis – Better In Time