PHIL'S TOP 3 AT YNOT: Milburn, Sundara Karma & The Sherlocks

As I stood in the queue to get into YNOT Fest, the rain soaking through my clothes, I wondered what the weekend would bring; Would it top YNOT 2015? Who would be the best live band of the weekend? More to the point, would this rain stop all weekend?

Thankfully, the rain abated in time for one of the bands I was most looking to seeing at YNOT, Milburn. Ever since news of their reunion tour came about in early 2016 I knew I would be getting tickets for at least one of their gigs! However, I was gutted after both their dates at Sheffield O2 Academy sold out within 3 seconds. A huge consolation for me was when YNOT announced they would be playing on the Thursday, therefore meaning an early entry ticket just had to be booked. Growing up as good friends of the Arctic Monkeys, the sound of the band is similar to that on 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not', with fast, punchy lead guitar chords from rhythm guitarist Louis Carnall and the upbeat, melodic lead guitar riffs of Tom Rowley. However, the distinct voice of lead vocalist and bassist Joe Carnall Jnr. gives them their own unique sound.

Kicking off with the title track from their debut album 'Well Well Well' and 'Send in the Boys', the crowd were in for a treat from the start with everyone bouncing all the way through a blistering set of classics including 'Cheshire Cat Smile', 'Lipstick Licking' and lead single from their 2007 sophomore album 'What Will You Do (When the Money Goes)'. The performance was tight, upbeat and energetic and to the casual observer you wouldn't have guessed they hadn't played together for 9 years. When the final chords of 'What You Could've Won' faded, none of the crowd wanted the set to end but surely that was a clear enough sign for the boys that after such a brilliant performance on the Big Gin Stage, everyone is eager for some more Milburn in the very near future. 9/10

Next up for me was Sundara Karma on Saturday, a hugely promising band from Reading comprising of Lead Singer and guitarist Oscar Lulu, Guitarist Ally Baty, Bassist Dom Cordell and Drummer Haydn Evans. This is a band who I have already seen supporting the Wombats and Circa Waves, and at Dot to Dot festival, and one I was truly looking forward to seeing in front of a festival crowd. Their summery sounds would perfectly compliment the beautiful sunshine of the day and the fact that they were playing the Giant Squid tent meant that the crowd would be rammed to the rafters.

A insane gig lay ahead. The crowd was already swelling before the lads walked out but once they broke into recent single 'A Young Understanding' the carnage unfolded. The passion for the young band is great to see and I'm sure they have a big year or two ahead of them once they finally drop their album. Personal highlights were 'Vivienne', 'Flame' and the usual set closer of 'Loveblood' which the crowd adored. Another brilliant set from a band who I'm positive will tear up the Main Stage at Leeds and Reading Festivals this year and gain the recognition they deserve. 8/10

My third band from YNOT would have to be The Sherlocks, a straight up Indie Rock band also from Sheffield. They consist of brothers Andy and Josh Davidson on Bass and Lead Guitar respectively and another set of brothers of Brandon Crook on Drums and front man Kiaran Crook on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. This was the fifth time I'd seen the band andI can you tell that they have gone strength to strength since I first saw them play (to around 200 people at the Victoria Inn in Derby back in February 2015).

The live set is now much more refined, front man Kiaran has a confidence about him and the whole band just seem to be enjoying playing live and the musical journey on which they have started. Playing the Giant Squid tent on Saturday afternoon they were sandwiched between Circa Waves and Catfish and the Bottlemen both on the main stage. So once Circa had finished their fantastic set, I rushed over to see The Sherlocks tearing through the huge track 'Escapade'. Their setlist contained hits 'Last Night' (which I missed), 'Live for the Moment', 'Heart of Gold' (which in my opinion is their best track to date) and closer 'Chasing Shadows'. This is a band which is continually building a loyal following, a hard working band who are heading on yet another headline tour in September and one who I'm sure are yet to reach its full potential. A bright future lies ahead for the lads. 7/10

YNOT 2016 was another success in my honest opinion, a wonderful weekend spent with mates paired with some outstanding live music. The only thing that could've made it even better would've been a slightly more varied line up with more of a

range of genres to whet the appetites of all music fans. However, the festival keeps on getting bigger and better each year and so I'm sure YNOT 2017 will have some huge names on the bill as well as promoting some hot upcoming acts that will surely feature on NRMB in the very near future.

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