When I received the news that I would be heading to BBC Maida Vale Studios in London for the Radio 1 Rock Show, I was so excited and a little bit nervous because of so many big names on the line up – By Zoe Marchment. That evening we had the opportunity to watch Marmozets, Neck Deep, Enter Shikari, Arcane Roots, PVRIS and Architects. With less than 200 people in the crowd that evening, it was such an intimate and special night that will stick with me forever.
As we entered BBC Maida Vale we were ushered into the main studio which had 4 sets made up for each of the bands. Behind us was the live recording desk, ready for broadcast at 7pm with Daniel P Carter and Co-host Annie Mac for the Big Radio 1 Rock Show ending Rocktober excellently. These guys made the evening flow and were very professional throughout by engaging with the live audience before each set. We were even given a live celeb talk just before Neck Deep came on, to which I’ll discuss later.
Just before 7pm the press and guests got taken to a recording studio behind the scenes to a special performance from Marmozets. As just under 50 guests headed up onto the upper floor we were greeted by the band opening up with the first song Play which warmed us up extremely well. Released later part of this year the song is a definite hit. Their catchy lyrics and their punchy riffs which made this song a mover, to the point you could feel the upper floor shake with people moving to her tune. Before the night I hadn’t heard much from this band because my preference is more metal based however Marmozets thoroughly entertained me to the point they will be having a spot on my playlist for the future. The next song was Habits from their second album Knowing What You Know Now and then Captivating from their album The Weird and Wonderful. Each band was asked to cover a track on the night for each set, to which we had the privilege of Marmozets covering the almighty Led Zeppelin Immigrant Song. An absolutely brilliant cove. Check out a video below from the set!
Next up was Neck Deep, where we were taken back to the Main Studio with the rest of the lucky winners from the Radio 1 Competition. I found myself lucky enough to squeeze into the front which was a feat in itself for such a big band in the Pop Punk scene. Before the set we were introduced to Frank Carter who did a celebrity appearance for his new track Spray Paint Love by Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, which was broadcasted to listeners for the very first time, the band are currently touring in December. We sneakily grabbed a photo of this wonderful man with Daniel P Carter and Annie Mac.
Neck Deep, Pop punk kings from Wales stopped over in between their European tour to play especially for us that evening. They started off their set with their new single Where Do We Go When We Go from newly released The Peace and The Panic album this year. Hearing the crowd chanting the lyrics back to lead singer Ben Barlow and the band was a magical experience. Sounding extremely tight these boys did an excellent job even though they were slightly jetlagged. In true pop punk style playing Parachute they moved about the stage and with expected punky whiney vocals gave the evening a punktastic vibe where the audience mirrored the energy given off.
Next was Don’t Wait with a special guest, Sam Carter from Architects which was an intriguing twist. This song had the usual punk pop tunes pouring out of the speakers around us with a mix of the metalcore master adding a sprinkling of hardcore vocals to this track. Personally, I loved this duo, however it catered more for my personal tastes, especially with the help from Sam. Neck Deep then did a cover of Welcome To Paradise by punk legends, Green Day. He smashed this cover sounding very similar to the amazing Billy Joe, as the audience clapped and sung along. These boys did a really nice job and rounding the set off nicely they played In Bloom. Check out a video of Where Do We Go When We Go below!
Enter Shikari were next up on the bill in the same room, starting with The Sights from the album The Spark, electro indie shakedown made everyone bounce around singing back to Front man Rou Reynolds. Next to slay was the song Radiate techno blasts with a mix of indie pop and fast paced beats made this song superb. Not only that the performance from the whole band was ignited with so much passion you could feel it run through your veins as it entered your eardrums. Next on the set list was the ever popular Undercover Agents this song is put together. The band were tight as anything on the night and showed exactly what professional musicians are about. One of the first bands going up and integrating with the live audience as front man Rou went to watch side and sung along with fans. If you ever get the chance to watch Enter Shikari live, do it you will not be disappointed.
The cover this band smashed out was Song 2 by Blur with an Enter Shikari electro twist. They gave a wonderful cover of this brilliant song. Next with Rabble Rouser gave a London grimey vibe the low beats and tones feeling more like a dubstep or trap track. Ending on another dub step and trap electro indie popcore track about battling anxiety called Live Outside which saw the first crowd surfer of the night. Enter Shikari really do have a unique and powerful sound that can’t be placed in one set genre shaped box, which is what every band tries to accomplish in the end. Check out a video from their set below :
Press and guest were then shown to the second studio where we were blown away by Arcane Roots. Another band I hadn’t heard of until their performance, but It was like the angels had opened up the set and you literally had to pick me up off the floor. With such an enchanting vocal duo these guys amazed me and powerfully they opened up with Off The Floor. Indigo was my favourite of the set jumping from guitar to synth keys as they sang, it was a sight to see these three boys truly have a talent.
The mix of powerful versus and mellow parts, made this set feel like you are riding on a rainbow in space at 100 miles per hour but all the while feeling like a comfy safe blanket is around you, keeping you away from harm. Following straight into Resolve, the techno indie mash up greeted by a harmonious vocal pitch makes this my second favourite set of the night. You can feel and see the amount of passion put in by this band, it was an honour to watch. What makes it even better in my books, is when bands are happy enough for you to take a cheeky photo with them outside whilst they were packing up. Next was Curtains, again this bands songs aren’t just something you hear but something you experience, hair standing on end, goose bumps and chills, it’s rare to find a band that can create that in you nowadays. Arcane Roots cover of Muse’s New Born was just magical.
Back to the main studio and we were fronted with the mellow vibes of PVRIS still a little in awe from the last band these guys gave some easy listening tunes.
Starting of the set with Heaven from album All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell, eery yet in keeping with the harmonic vocals from the later part of the evening, lacking in energy compared to the first few bands however making up with powerful yet beautiful vocals from frontwoman Lynn Gunn and deep memorising lyrics. Playing songs such as Separate, You And I and their cover for the night was a smasher, Everlong by the Foo Fighters, which was a real treat to hear.
Bringing back the heaviness of the night and dominating the evening, my all time favourites Architects. A chance (I know I will never get again) to experience the Metalcore masters play such an intimate gig. A truly special band, which mean so much to everyone in the metal scene and throughout the music scene. Front man Sam Carter embraced the mic like it was second nature, playing their new track D O O M S D A Y.
The raging riffs and beautiful growling vocals flooded the studios, as pits opened up for the first time at Maida Vale. The lyrics are brilliantly written and entered your soul as you succumbed to the heavy head banging beats. Following on, one of my favourites played was Gravedigger, the brutal hardcore slams and breakdowns make this track one I will always keep on repeat. With such intensity, aggression and passion, the crowd that night embraced the energy and reflected that back to the band, as they chanted back every last word. It’s a powerful moment when music forges this unity and bond through the transcendent creation that the Musicians have composed and Architects truly smashed it.
Next up was A Match Made In Heaven from their album All Our God’s Have Abandoned Us. No words at the utter beauty that befell before me, I cannot fault their performance, days after and I’m still in awe of what powerful and prevailing set. Touring soon, early in 2018. If you haven’t seen Architects play live, you need to. Following on and slaying the room was the track Nihilist featured on the same album All Our God’s Have Abandoned Us, released in 2016. This song has left such an imprint in my heart. I won’t be the first and I’m sure I won’t be the last to say it has gotten a lot of people through some tough times and meant so much to everyone that evening as they cheered. Passion mirrored from band to the crowd alike. One thing I thought I’d never witness from the set, was a cover of Nirvana’s Territorial Pissing, they paid homage to the late grunge rock God, Kurt Cobain and superbly, I must add. It was a blessing to witness one of your favourite bands cover a favourite track of your childhood, I will never forget that moment.
Personally myself, I would love to say thank you to the band for putting on such a wonderful performance and completely made my night, no year! I wish that these boys the very best in their career and look forward to seeing you at Alexandra Palace back in February next year.
Overall, a fantastic night to be had by all sending Rocktober off with a bang. Everyone who was involved with creating such a special evening, from the bands to the hosts and production team pit in such fabulous effort and should be extremely proud. For inviting us, we thank you! Check out a selection of photos from the night below!