Last week one of my favourite bands released a new album, A Thousand Suns. Although only their 4^th studio album, Linkin Park have released many other albums including an EP, remixes, mash-ups (with Jay-Z) and live albums. The two singers, Chester and Mike, have also released solo albums in the last few years. Many people associate Linkin Park with their first two albums - Hybrid Theory & Meteora - being loud, teenage angsty screaming mixed with rap and heavy guitars: but this album is a whole new kettle of fish. In fact, were it not for that fact that I can recognise Mike and Chester's voices, I would not have guessed that A Thousand Suns was by Linkin Park at all. It's in a whole new genre - it's not quite rock, it's not quite hip-hop, it's not electronica either - but it certainly borrows from all of these. It's even a little bit Post Rock. No more screaming (well, one song), instead a lot of melodic tunes mixed with interesting techno sound effects, speaking parts and voice changes.

Read full article

I only saw 4 Fringe acts this year, two the same as last year and two new ones. Here is a quick round up of the shows.

Read full article

I had a great birthday weekend, go-karting on Saturday followed by an amazing evening meal at Number One on Sunday, a Michelin star restaurant in Edinburgh.

Read full article

Wow. Never have I been to a gig where the band where so into interacting with the crowd. Maybe it's because the lead singer, Jared Leto is also a Hollywood actor and knows how to work people, but it was just incredible. A lot of bands don't seem bothered to go past "Hello <insert city>!" and maybe the odd "Having a good time?!" but 30STM took it to a whole new level. I saw Lostprophets last week, and whilst their random Welsh banter in between songs was funny, they weren't that interactive. How a band are live sometimes makes or breaks it for me - for example in 2004 I was so disappointed with Evanescence's lack of enthusiasm or crowd interaction I went off them for a bit, I certainly won't be seeing them again live.

Read full article

I don't normally feel the urge to do music reviews, but I need to express my love for 30STM and their latest album, This is War, which was released on Monday.

Read full article

I thought Rabbit Faced Story Soup by Laura Solon was going to be stand-up comedy and I would have to perform my don't-grab-attention routine so I wouldn't get picked on. How wrong was I!

Read full article

Read full article

Read full article

Double Art History was described as the entirety of modern art in an hour given by one of the Tate's directors, Will Gompertz, who had recently been to comedy classes to help his public speaking skills. Even if it wasn't funny, I was still keen to go as it sounded right up my street.

Read full article

The reason I booked tickets for this was for the name. Sock Puppets. Falsetto. Scottish. How could that not be funny? Thank god they did not disappoint, as this was the funniest show I have ever seen!

Read full article

Yesterday I went to another fringe act, this time a magic show. Ian Kendall has been doing the Fringe for 18 years now, so his show was aptly titled Ian Kendall's 18th Birthday Magic Show. During the hour he performed many magic tricks and told us a bit about his life as a magician. It was really amazing - I honestly don't know how he did most of the tricks! I realise they are all sleight of hand, but when a pack of cards turns into just one I wonder how on earth he managed to slip them in his opposite trouser pocket without anyone noticing!

Read full article

Today I went to see The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at The Caves on Cowgate. I vaguely remember seeing this before in London and really enjoyed it. However during the show I only remembered the ending, which puzzled me as usually memories of plays I've seen before come back quite quickly. After having a look on the internet I discovered that this production isn't the original version, which had three men and was half an hour longer. Even though they must have cut a lot out and the cast was now three women, it was a fun hour with just one slight wobble in the middle.

Read full article

Last night I went to the first of 9 bookings I have made for this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival: The Laughing Horse Free Comedy Selection. Admittedly, I would not have gone to this one was it not for my friends boyfriend being one of the comedians performing. Nevertheless, this was a great way to kick of my 2009 Fringe experience!

Read full article