Simon Rushworth
It’s that time of the year when we turn the spotlight on the bands you simply can’t afford to miss at this year’s typically eclectic 2015 Download Festival.
As usual RUSHONROCK will be on site – come rain or shine – for the full three days bringing you the very best news and reviews from the UK’s biggest and best rock and metal fest.
And to get you in the mood we’ll be pointing you in the direction of the cream of the crop – with retro rockers Blues Pills next up.
Band: BLUES PILLS
When: Friday June 12 14.50-15.25
Where: Zippo Encore Stage
Who: Franco-Swedish alliance that digs deep into the 70s blues rock sound to produce some of the most compelling new music around. Led by winsome yet lead-lunged singer Elin Larsson – and boosted by virtuoso guitarist Dorian Sorriaux – the powerful quartet are best enjoyed in one, long sitting. A 35-minute Download set might be a challenge too far for the brilliant Blues Pills but their rapid ascendancy into rock’s big leagues is assured.
Why: At a time when Rival Sons, The Temperance Movement and The Graveltones are blazing a trail for heavy blues rock there’s room for Blues Pills to play an equally significant part in the genre’s welcome revival. Larsson and Sorriaux are a captivating creative force and a class act live.
Listen out for: Devil Man – a dark and brooding fan favourite that allows Larsson to let rip.
For fans of: The Oath, Black Sabbath, Lynne Jackaman, Rival Sons.
What we said: ‘It’s an indisputable fact that Elin Larsson has the most powerful female voice on the rock scene today and those who hadn’t seen the Swedish band live or heard their excellent self-titled debut album, were genuinely astonished by her performance. Perhaps it’s a lazy comparison but it’s also an apt one. The elfin-like Larsson really does sound like a reincarnation of Janis Joplin.’ From Newcastle O2 Academy show, December 2014.