[Y Not Festival] Day One Highlights including Willy Moon, Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip and a very British Summer

Festivals of all sizes are always a blast. Contrary to belief, bigger is not always better. Last weekend I took the trip over to Derbyshire, the county I grew up in from age 4-18, to hit up the fantastic Y Not Festival. A grassroots festival that started in a Quarry with a group of friends. It's now grown to be an award winning small festival with an amazing atmosphere and an ever growing number of big bands topping the line-up. This year was the biggest and best with The Cribs, The Horrors and The Darkness headlining the main stage and a flurry of great bands performing across another 6 stages. 

 Arriving at the festival you notice its small stature, like a little brother you want to look after. It feels friendly and that's what I like about it when I first touched down in the fields. The sun was peeking out from between clouds and the camping areas were filling up with a mix of young and old from all walks of life. After finding a nice spot to camp, and having found out I'd bought a palace rather than your average two man tent, I did what any normal person does when arriving at a festival does; I had a beer. The great thing about Y Not is that it has numerous bars, all holding local ales and ciders, ranging from the normal to the crazy stronger stuff. Wonderful.

With a beer in hand I headed to see where my ears took me from the noises carried not he wind. A favourite trick of mine for festivals early on in the day when you may not know all of the bands playing. Sons and Lovers at the Quarry stage delivered an on point set tracks to a packed out tent. One advantage to playing ear lie run the day on the opening afternoon of a festival. My ears then took me across the field to a noise that sounded more up my street. A heavy, glitchy guitar jolt of electrifying Dillinger Escape Plan-esque math-rock. I walk into the tent to be absolutely blown away by a 4-piece instrumental band by the name of Axes. Playing to a sweltering Giant Squid Stage tent, the relationship the four had was noticeable. TO play the stuff they were playing so seamlessly, it was undeniably breathtaking. A definite highlight of the day, if not the entire weekend.

Next up I finally got to witness Willy Moon in a live situation. Walking out with a Gretsch round his neck and accompanied by an all girl band, I couldn't help but think of Jack White and his recent penchant for an all girl band. Two songs to his high energy set though, Willy is seen just wandering around the stage sipping from a mug, giving nods to people who wave… All sound on the main stage had died. He leaves the stage. It took a good hour until normality resumed and he finished his set in torrential rain. Fair play to him though, he absolutely killed it and the crowd was not disheartened by the British Summer weather. "Yeah Yeah" went down a treat with the umbrella wielding crowd.

The weather from here on on Friday was the stuff of a romantic comedy that might see the two main characters kissing and making up in the rain ala Spiderman. I Managed to catch part of the "surprise set" from Reverend and the Makers who, to be fair to them, did get the crowd well and truly going. Headline sets at festivals are always tricky to choose between but Y Not did everyone a favour and had the tents ending earlier than the main stage. That went out the window. I squeezed into a packed Quarry Stage tent to watch Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, the act I was most looking forward to from the weekend's line-up. Pip was a force to be reckoned with, walking around the stage and completely demanding the attention of the crowd while Dan offered up recognisable beats from their back catalogue. Just as the crowd were really starting to bounce, Scroob states that we "all need to leave, they're evacuating the tent". The storm outside was righteous and for safety, we all had to leave but were told to come back 30 minutes later.

Everyone and more returned and witnessed the duo debut their new single "Stunner" to the crowd. Finishing up the set, Scroob took to the crowd and was carried around, high-riving as he went. Due to this misfortune I missed The Horrors but caught a few tracks as I made my way back through the crowd to the campsite. I finished day one at Y Not 2013 happy, with my ears ringing from a combination of beats and thunder, literally. It was a good day.

[Y Not Festival] Our Most Anticipated Artists of the Festival

We've mentioned Y Not Festival a few times in the past few months and this weekend hoards of people will gather in Pikehall, Derbyshire to see some fantastic live music. We'll be making the trip over to enjoy the weekend in the sun (hopefully) and before we do that we thought we'd include some information on the bands we're most look forward to seeing over the weekend. 

Make the jump to get the low-down. The festival is now sold-out so if you slept on it, I'm afraid you've missed otu this year. Be sure to find the guys on Facebook to keep up with next year's plans. 

Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip

When: Friday

Where: Quarry Stage

Why? Quick wit, great beats and a return from the duo after their last release back in 2007. Excited yet? You should be. Try and keep up as Scroob lays verse after verse down making you both think and dance all at the same time. A deadly combination.

The Cribs

When: Saturday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? The Wakefield band of brothers have come a long way over the past decade and their live shows are raw as freshly chopped onions. With their latest album released just last year after the departure of Johnny Marr from the ranks, they've gone back to basics and I'm sure the performance will be a highlight of the weekend for many.

Willy Moon

When: Friday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? When you first see Willy Moon you might not expect him to be a mover and a shaker, given his clean cut hair and dapper suits. Don't let that fool you. His live performances pack a punch and after releasing his brilliant album, Here's Willy Moon, he's sure to leave the main stage crowd impressed.

The Horrors

When: Friday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? If Dan Le Sac and Scroob ain't quite your thing on Friday evening, then how about you head over to the Big Gin stage to witness The Horrors perform tracks from their absolutely stunning LP, Skying. On point and it could be argued, better live than on record. You be the judges.

Family Rain

When: Sunday

Where: Quarry Stage

Why? Another band of Brothers for you to check out on one of the smaller stages. The Family Rain recorded in their families basement and the results on record are wonderful. Gritty and blues tinged, perfect for a Sunday afternoon in the sun.

Wet Nuns

When: Sunday

Where: The Giant Squid Stage

Why? A two piece band that will melt your face and make you want to kiss the person next to you all at the same time? Wet Nuns are for you with Kyuss like riffs and stoner vibes. Make sure you catch these guys and shake off your Sunday cobwebs.

China Rats

When: Sunday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? We've mentioned China Rats a few times on SKOA and they're definitely a band to keep a close eye on over the coming months and festival season. Catch them now before they start playing larger crowds and bigger tents. It could be an "I was there" moment for the years to come.

The Joy Formidable

When: Sunday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? A band with fans such as Mark Hoppus and Dave Grohl have got to be high on your "to-see" list for Sunday surely? These guys are sure to start your Sunday evening with a bang before the big guns take to headlining. 

[News] Y Not Festival Lineup

You know what I enjoy even more than the UK's biggest festivals? The smaller ones. Last year I ventured back into my home county of Derbyshire to hit up Y Not festival, a homegrown, grass roots built from the ground up festival. Boy did I have a good time. The likes of The Wombats, We Are Scientists, Pulled Apart By Horses, Roots Manuva, Little Comets and a host more across numerous stages graced the fields. This year promises to be even bigger, and with the winning the best small festival award last year, they're going to want to keep the good graces coming their way. With real ale and cider on offer too, family and friends a like are sure to have a good time along with tasting some great local produce.

This summer, over the weekend of August 2nd-4th, the normally peaceful countryside will play host to a melting pot of talent old and new. Headlining the Big Gin Stage will be The Horrors, The Cribs and The Darkness along with Ash, The Joy Formidable, Sky Larkin, Swim Deep, Drenge, Willy Moon. Gracing The Quarry Stage will be The 1975, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Electric Six, Stealing Sheep, The Family Rain and Sons and Lovers. Thing stake a heavier turn on The Giant Squid Stage with Wet Nuns, We Are The Ocean, Sharks, Arcane Roots, Gnarwolves and The Computers playing their music to the tent. 

The full line-up can be seen over on the official site with tickets priced at just £79.50. More bands are yet to be announced. Treat yourself to some summer fun.

[Watch] Willy Moon - "My Girl" (Official Video)

Next month Willy Moon will unleash his highly infectious debut album, Here's Willy Moon, into the world and I have no doubt that it'll send people into a frenzy. It's on of those records that you just cant help but dance to. I can see why Mr. Moon has got such fancy dance moves now after listening to it all week. Ahead of the full release, his new single "My Girl" has been given the official video treatment, cutting together shots of the impeccably dressed man himself along side a pretty girl in the sunshine. As well as that it splices together clean cut filming with retro looking fuzz. It works pretty well with Willy's aesthetic. See for yourselves up above.

Here's Willy Moon is released on April 8th via Island Records.

[Listen] Willy Moon - 'Here's Willy Moon' (Album Sampler)

Over a year and a half ago now was the first time my ears found, "I Wanna Be Your Man" and I was hooked instantly. I held on to every track that has trickled out since then, but I've still been insatiable in terms of my Willy Moon needs. Well the wait is nearly over, folks! As of April 2nd (1st in the UK) we'll have a debut album! That's right! Here's Willy Moon is only a few short months away from being in our posession and I will begin counting down the days.

Earlier today, Moon posted the above taste of what's to come. From the samples of what we've heard before, songs like "I Wanna Be Your Man" and "She Loves Me" have gotten a fabulously fitting facelift and it has me all the more excited.

US fans can catch Willy Moon out on tour now. Dates below!

Tour Dates
February 18              New York, NY @ Pianos
February 19              Hartford, CT @ Arch Street
February 21             Norfolk, VA @ The Jewish Mother Backstage
February 22              Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
February 23              Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
February 25             Detroit, MI @ Shelter at St. Andrew’s
February 26             Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
February 27              Los Angeles @ Bootleg Theater
February 28             San Diego @ House of Blues
March 1                          Las Vegas @ Backstage Bar
March 12-17            Austin, TX @ SXSW Music Festival

[Watch] Willy Moon - "Yeah Yeah" Live on Leno

The talented and arguably best dressed man of the moment Willy Moon made his US television debut on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno earlier in the week. As always he put in a high energy performance that demands your attention and the track in question was his highly infectious single "Yeah Yeah". Very excited to see more of him in 2013. If you are too why not check out his newly announced live dates here.

Thanks to The Audio Perv for the video support as always.

[News] Willy Moon Announces UK & European Tour

Willy Moon has had a pretty impressive year, one that's sure to be topped by his 2013. That's just my opinion though... He's starting it strong though by touring across the UK and Europe starting in February/March and throughout April. Starting the year at London's XOYO on the 12th of February he'll play Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and Brighton in March before going on to Europe in April. All dates can be seen after the jump.

UK Dates

12/02 - XOYO - London (Sold Out) 
22/03 - Hare and Hounds - Birmingham
23/03 - Broadcast 2p - Glasgow
25/03 - Deaf Institute - Manchester
26/03 - GDS / The Haunt - Brighton

European Headline Tour

13/04 - Bitterzoet - Amsterdam, Holland
14/04 - Blue Shell - Koln, Germany
16/04 - Privat - Berlin, Germany
17/04 - Strom - Munich, Germany
19/04 - Papersaal - Zurich, Switzerland
20/04 - Factory - Milan, Italy
21/04 - MàD - Geneva, Switzerland
23/04 - Marche Gare - Lyon, France
24/04 - La Maroquinerie - Paris, France
25/04 - AB - Brussels, Belgium

[Listen] Willy Moon - "Yeah Yeah" Feat. Wiley (DJ Cable Remix)

Willy Moon's "Yeah Yeah" is one of my favourite tunes in recent months. It's catchy, feel good and just makes you wanna get up and dance. Add to that one of the UK's biggest names ing Grime, Wiley, and you've got a tasty sounding remix on your hands. It's been mixed down by DJ Cable and the results are sure to put a spring in your step on this miserable Monday. Check it.