COLLEGE RADIO PRESENTS BLACKWATERS & SPECIAL GUESTS - 05/02/2018

Founded and run by Bradley Neen and Stephen Harrison, College Radio kicks off its 2018 by way of presenting ‘BlackWaters and special guests’ at Sheffield’s Record Junkee on 9^th February.

When I asked Bradley and Stephen about the organisation, they said “College Radio was born out of a drunken realisation that we wanted to start putting on some vibey gigs and events. Being in a band together ourselves we have played under some fantastic promoters as well as some terrible ones. We're using this opportunity to not only book the bands we want to see but also to treat them as we would expect to be treated and build up relationships. Promoting shows at a variety of venues in the city means we can work with bands from their very first shows at small free entry venues all the way up to the O2 Academy. We have branded ourselves using this vintage, 1960s Americana vibe with a great soundtrack at every show, and hope that we can build the trust and support of music fans in Sheffield by putting on the best up and coming bands in the country."

Being showcased alongside the Guildford originating, Sheffield based BlackWaters are; Doncaster’s Saints Among Us, Sheffield’s Feral Family and other Sheffield hailing band – Blue Elephant. A brilliant selection for the price in which both advanced (£6) and on the door tickets (£8) are being sold. You can buy your advanced tickets here. 

Particularly due to the fact of it such an intimate show for BlackWaters who are playing Record Junkee off the back of support slots with The Libertines, Marmozets and DMAS and appearances at Reading Festival, Leeds Festival, Download Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Y-Not Festival and TRSMST Festival to mention a few. The boys of BlackWaters (Max Tanner, David Carpenter, Ollie Franklin & James Watkins) have managed to continue to juggernaut their way through the UK, with a non-stop touring schedule and a string of singles promoting their blistering brand of rock ‘n’ roll. Stage time – 10:15pm.

Main support comes from the alt-rock quartet that is Saints Among Us (Maddy Chesman, Brad Waggott, Joseph Williamson and Adam Waggott). Described as a band who shall “sing to your soul, move you in ways you thought unimaginable and leave you begging for more.” Stage time – 9:30pm.

Taking to the stage second is Sheffield’s very own, Feral Family (Daniel Wilson, Oscar Woods, Jamie Lowe, Ben Beesting and Sam Sperry) aka the young 90’s influenced fuzzy pop quintet. Stage time – 8:45pm.

Opening up the night are the self-proclaimed grunge / noise-pop four piece, Blue Elephant (Will Puddephatt, Beau Schreder, Danny Richardson and Elaina Nixon). Stage time – 8:00pm.

With there being a massive amount of talent captured throughout the evening, I definitely recommend that you get down for all of the bands and therefore make sure you are at the venue at doors – 7:30pm.

As well as this event, College Radio have two more in the pipeline both set to take place at The Washington:

Heavy Lids & Twisted Helix – 21^st February

Lucie Barât & special guests – 4^th April.

Written by Sophie.