Live4MusiC

This is a night many would never have appeared in anyone's wildest dreams. It is the Classic Heavy Metal Band, Judas Priest's fare well tour. And to make the night even more special, it was graced by a much more modern metal in Lamb of God.





As the skies prepared to turn into darkness, Lamb of God took the stage and kicked off with their opening track in resolution, Desolution! If you haven't gotten your hands on their new album, don't wait no longer! 

My first Laneway ever and boy was I glad I had the opportunity! Close to 12hrs of non-stop music, good food and great beer! And to top it up, great weather! Looking at the huge 2-in-1 stage and the crazy setup, you just know it's going to be a great Sunday. But before I start let me put a disclaimer by saying I haven't been really connected with the Indie Rock scene a lot so do spare me. 

Getting the whole festival off to a start is Cults! You usually expect things to slowly start falling into place especially in terms of the sound and the energy from both the band and the crowd. However, that wasn't the case. The whole festival really started with a big bang as the frontwoman Madeline Follin got the attention of the venue with her very powerful and distinctly raw vocals and got the crowd moving!

By Victoria Barker

 

British rock band Kasabian have been called many things, from Britpop wannabes to troublemakers, thanks to their penchant over the years for mouthing off.

But they have also been hailed by many as one of the best live bands today.

The quintet's maiden Singapore gig on Wednesday night proved that they are worthy of that title.

But, if anyone was expecting to witness some of vocalist Tom Meighan's signature barbed wit - the guy has a reputation for slagging off fellow musicians, even taking potshots at U2 - he'd have been disappointed.

Meighan, as well as vocalist-guitarist and main songwriter Sergio Pizzorno, both 31, were extremely well-behaved, and were perfect gentlemen throughout their blistering 95-minute set.

The two, though not exactly chatty, frequently praised the 6,000-strong crowd and encouraged them to clap, sing and jump along to their electro-rock tunes, kicking off with Days Are Forgotten at 9.30pm.

That song was one of several on the setlist from the band's fourth and latest album, Velociraptor!, although it was older songs like L.S.F (Lost Souls Forever) and Club Foot - from their 2004 debut - that truly enthralled.

Judging by the audience's frenzied reaction to those numbers, it was clear that the headliners far outshone their opening act, lauded Brit up-and-comers The Vaccines.

The latter - a London outfit that formed in 2010 and which have been garnering major buzz in Britain - served up a 45-minute set mostly consisting of songs from their debut album, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, which was released last year.

Though tight musically and enthusiastic, it was clear that The Vaccines still have some way to go when it comes to perfecting a live set.

But perhaps they learnt a thing or two from Kasabian that night.

After all, the glorious rock 'n' roll swagger most prominently displayed during the three-song encore - comprising Switchblade Smiles, Vlad The Impaler and the infinitely-infectious Fire - has surely been perfected after 15 years in the business.

Talk about living up to expectations.

- My Paper