In summary: Honus Honus hollered and hammered his keyboard like a badass. Nick Thorburn shredded on guitar and said weird things. The guy from Modest Mouse looked like Jamie Summers of ATP fame. Michael Cera was Michael Cera. Fun was had by all.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
I BREAK HORSES (London Cargo, 05/12/11)
The main thing that strikes you about I Break Horses’ live show is how accomplished it all is. Tonight’s London performance is their third ever, but there’s a notable lack of amateurishness; the band are tight, the visuals are striking and the arrangements, although lacking in brevity, recreate the shoegaze-y atmospherics of the album well. Sure, the mix isn’t always favourable and there’s too much aimless filler, but when they hit their stride, you just know that in a few months time they're going to be something really special.
(Photo: Marc Lindsay-Scott)
The main thing that strikes you about I Break Horses’ live show is how accomplished it all is. Tonight’s London performance is their third ever, but there’s a notable lack of amateurishness; the band are tight, the visuals are striking and the arrangements, although lacking in brevity, recreate the shoegaze-y atmospherics of the album well. Sure, the mix isn’t always favourable and there’s too much aimless filler, but when they hit their stride, you just know that in a few months time they're going to be something really special.
(Photo: Marc Lindsay-Scott)
Saturday, December 03, 2011
STARFUCKER (London Madame JoJo’s, 29/11/11)
Their name may change every other day (STRFCKR? Pyramid? PYRAMIDDD?), but at least the tunes are consistent in their awesomeness. Tonight their glam-tinged electro-pop was ill-served by a series of technical hitches, but, man, they still deliver grade-A technicolour disco-camp like few others.
Their name may change every other day (STRFCKR? Pyramid? PYRAMIDDD?), but at least the tunes are consistent in their awesomeness. Tonight their glam-tinged electro-pop was ill-served by a series of technical hitches, but, man, they still deliver grade-A technicolour disco-camp like few others.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
ST VINCENT (London Queen Elizabeth Hall, 10/11/11)
Over the years, I’ve seen Annie Clark a number of times; twice she’s been brilliant, twice dreadful (with one other show falling somewhere in between). For the first two songs, I genuinely feared tonight's show would fall into the latter camp, with an atrocious, bassy mix decimating the 80’s-tastic brilliance of “Surgeon,” the best song off her new album. But things rapidly improved, with an stellar “Cruel”, a beautifully brutal Pop Group cover (complete with Mark Stewart strutting around and screaming like a madman) and a beastly rendition of old favourite “Marrow.” I sometimes think that her experimentation with loops and pedals leads to performances easier to admire than enjoy, but tonight she got the balance between the accessible and the avant-garde just right. Plus, she stormed into the audience repeatedly screaming “MOTHERFUCKER” at the top of her lungs, shredding wildly on her guitar and falling into the laps of certain (bloody lucky) audience members, a practice I always approve of.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Over the years, I’ve seen Annie Clark a number of times; twice she’s been brilliant, twice dreadful (with one other show falling somewhere in between). For the first two songs, I genuinely feared tonight's show would fall into the latter camp, with an atrocious, bassy mix decimating the 80’s-tastic brilliance of “Surgeon,” the best song off her new album. But things rapidly improved, with an stellar “Cruel”, a beautifully brutal Pop Group cover (complete with Mark Stewart strutting around and screaming like a madman) and a beastly rendition of old favourite “Marrow.” I sometimes think that her experimentation with loops and pedals leads to performances easier to admire than enjoy, but tonight she got the balance between the accessible and the avant-garde just right. Plus, she stormed into the audience repeatedly screaming “MOTHERFUCKER” at the top of her lungs, shredding wildly on her guitar and falling into the laps of certain (bloody lucky) audience members, a practice I always approve of.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
BRAIDS (London XOYO, 09/11/11)
XOYO may be the second worst gig venue in the whole of London (after Proud Galleries, a den of such unspeakable dreadfulness that it may, in itself, constitute a whole new circle of Hell), but not even its crap acoustics, lack of air conditioning, ill-placed pillars and clientele straight out of “Being A Dickhead’s Cool” could ruin the blissful majesty of Braids. I’ve been a fan since first hearing “Liver And Tan” back in 2009, and although their set was rather front-loaded, their lush, synth-driven pop (think a chilled out, female-fronted Alvin Band) ticked all the right boxes for me. Hope to see them back soon- but in a less relentlessly shit venue.
XOYO may be the second worst gig venue in the whole of London (after Proud Galleries, a den of such unspeakable dreadfulness that it may, in itself, constitute a whole new circle of Hell), but not even its crap acoustics, lack of air conditioning, ill-placed pillars and clientele straight out of “Being A Dickhead’s Cool” could ruin the blissful majesty of Braids. I’ve been a fan since first hearing “Liver And Tan” back in 2009, and although their set was rather front-loaded, their lush, synth-driven pop (think a chilled out, female-fronted Alvin Band) ticked all the right boxes for me. Hope to see them back soon- but in a less relentlessly shit venue.
DUSTIN WONG (London Old Blue Last, 02/11/11)
Ex-Ponytail guitarist brings his kaleidoscopic, tropic-tinged guitar-looping brilliance to London once again. Perhaps a little more reined-in than his joyous show at the Lexington, but still a marvel to behold.
(Photo: Shanda Boyett)
Ex-Ponytail guitarist brings his kaleidoscopic, tropic-tinged guitar-looping brilliance to London once again. Perhaps a little more reined-in than his joyous show at the Lexington, but still a marvel to behold.
(Photo: Shanda Boyett)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
TWIN SISTER (London Garage, 25/10/11)
Despite Twin Sister devolving between their EPs and their debut from one of the most promising young bands around to sub-M83 retro enthusiasts, this show wasn’t the disaster it could have been. Started off a bit ropey with out-of-tune vocals and a run of weak material, but things massively improved once they got into full-on 80’s funk-odyssey mode. Not a patch on last November’s Lexington show, but at least the gorgeous sleepy-eyed groove of “I Want A House” remains as mesmerising as ever.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
Despite Twin Sister devolving between their EPs and their debut from one of the most promising young bands around to sub-M83 retro enthusiasts, this show wasn’t the disaster it could have been. Started off a bit ropey with out-of-tune vocals and a run of weak material, but things massively improved once they got into full-on 80’s funk-odyssey mode. Not a patch on last November’s Lexington show, but at least the gorgeous sleepy-eyed groove of “I Want A House” remains as mesmerising as ever.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
ELEANOR FRIEDBURGER (London Netil House, 29/09/11)
Given poptastic synths are a major part of the charm of the Fiery Furnaces’ frontwoman’s solo album, I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy this stipped-down set in the deepest, darkest depths of East London. But Friedburger’s got a understated, idiosyncratic charm which allows her to carry off the whole “singer with acoustic guitar” schtick, resulting in a thoroughly agreeable performance that held my attention from start to finish.
(Photo: NME)
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Given poptastic synths are a major part of the charm of the Fiery Furnaces’ frontwoman’s solo album, I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy this stipped-down set in the deepest, darkest depths of East London. But Friedburger’s got a understated, idiosyncratic charm which allows her to carry off the whole “singer with acoustic guitar” schtick, resulting in a thoroughly agreeable performance that held my attention from start to finish.
(Photo: NME)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
I’M FROM BARCELONA (London Tabernacle, 20/09/11)
After a two year absence from these shores, I’m delightful to confirm the Swedish joy Collective retain their crown as the Most Fun Live Band In The World Ever. Their charming low budget take on the Flaming Lips (Balloons! Confetti! Co-ordinated singalongs!) is even more welcome now the real Flips have steadily succumbed to unbearable pretention, and it’s easy to forget how many insanely catchy tunes they have under their belt. New songs such as “The Game Is On” segue seamlessly into old classics, and Emmanuel remains one of the most likeable frontmen in music. I’m not a naturally religious man, but if I’m From Barcelona were a cult, I’d sign up without a second thought.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
After a two year absence from these shores, I’m delightful to confirm the Swedish joy Collective retain their crown as the Most Fun Live Band In The World Ever. Their charming low budget take on the Flaming Lips (Balloons! Confetti! Co-ordinated singalongs!) is even more welcome now the real Flips have steadily succumbed to unbearable pretention, and it’s easy to forget how many insanely catchy tunes they have under their belt. New songs such as “The Game Is On” segue seamlessly into old classics, and Emmanuel remains one of the most likeable frontmen in music. I’m not a naturally religious man, but if I’m From Barcelona were a cult, I’d sign up without a second thought.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
HANDSOME FURS (London Hoxton Bar and Kitchen, 13/09/11)
The most electrifyingly passionate musical duo around return to London for the second time this year, producing a show not too dissimilar to their Lexington triumph but none the worse for that. Their energy and obvious love for each other never fails to endear, and “Serve The People” remains an absolute stone-cold beast of a song – although the demise of Wolf Parade will forever sadden me, it’s good to see its constituent members remain a force to be reckoned with.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
The most electrifyingly passionate musical duo around return to London for the second time this year, producing a show not too dissimilar to their Lexington triumph but none the worse for that. Their energy and obvious love for each other never fails to endear, and “Serve The People” remains an absolute stone-cold beast of a song – although the demise of Wolf Parade will forever sadden me, it’s good to see its constituent members remain a force to be reckoned with.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
MAN MAN (London Cargo, 12/09/11)
Despite the world’s longest and most tiresome soundcheck pushing this performance an hour later than expected, it’s good to see everyone’s favourite vaudeville maniacs back on these shores. The first few songs were a bit underwhelming, mostly due to sub-par mixing but once they got into their stride, they were pretty amazing. Honus Honus seems to be channelling Tom Waits even more these days, and although “Black Mission Goggles” was sadly missed, there’s no beating the beautifully wistful, whisky-soaked singalong of “Van Helsing Boombox”.
(Photo: Rob Hakimian)
Despite the world’s longest and most tiresome soundcheck pushing this performance an hour later than expected, it’s good to see everyone’s favourite vaudeville maniacs back on these shores. The first few songs were a bit underwhelming, mostly due to sub-par mixing but once they got into their stride, they were pretty amazing. Honus Honus seems to be channelling Tom Waits even more these days, and although “Black Mission Goggles” was sadly missed, there’s no beating the beautifully wistful, whisky-soaked singalong of “Van Helsing Boombox”.
(Photo: Rob Hakimian)
Saturday, September 10, 2011
SCREAMING FEMALES (London Lexington, 09/09/11)
It’s been a while since a band I’ve known nothing about have blown me away with such panache as Screaming Females. Marissa Pasternoster may seem like an unlikely guitar hero with her conservative dress-sense, miniscule stature and unassuming demeanour, but man, she can sure rock the hell out with the best of them. If the Thermals sounded less like Green Day and more like Dinosaur Jr (with hints of Sleater-Kinney and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), they might sound as good as this. One of the most enjoyable performances I’ve seen this year.
(Photo: Kimberly Powenski)
It’s been a while since a band I’ve known nothing about have blown me away with such panache as Screaming Females. Marissa Pasternoster may seem like an unlikely guitar hero with her conservative dress-sense, miniscule stature and unassuming demeanour, but man, she can sure rock the hell out with the best of them. If the Thermals sounded less like Green Day and more like Dinosaur Jr (with hints of Sleater-Kinney and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), they might sound as good as this. One of the most enjoyable performances I’ve seen this year.
(Photo: Kimberly Powenski)
Saturday, September 03, 2011
PULP (London Brixton Academy, 31/08/11 & 01/09/11)
Let’s be honest, Pulp aren’t the greatest live band on earth. Their musicianship is adequate; their visuals par-for-the-course, their energy nothing out of the ordinary. But when you got some of the best songs ever written under your belt, and the charisma powerhouse that is Jarvis Cocker , that doesn’t matter one bit. Great to see they’ve added more pre-His ‘n Hers and post-Different Class songs to the setlists, and of course there’s no greater singalong on Earth than Common People. Fantastically good fun.
(Photo: Mark Reed)
Let’s be honest, Pulp aren’t the greatest live band on earth. Their musicianship is adequate; their visuals par-for-the-course, their energy nothing out of the ordinary. But when you got some of the best songs ever written under your belt, and the charisma powerhouse that is Jarvis Cocker , that doesn’t matter one bit. Great to see they’ve added more pre-His ‘n Hers and post-Different Class songs to the setlists, and of course there’s no greater singalong on Earth than Common People. Fantastically good fun.
(Photo: Mark Reed)
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
THE OSAKA RAMONES (Brixton Windmill, 11/08/11)
Well, those Osaka Ramones sure played a lot of Shonen Knife covers. Great fun while it lasted, but a 35 minute headline set (of which only 20 minutes included the works of that seminal New York punk band) seemed a little on the short side.
(Photo: AltSounds)
Well, those Osaka Ramones sure played a lot of Shonen Knife covers. Great fun while it lasted, but a 35 minute headline set (of which only 20 minutes included the works of that seminal New York punk band) seemed a little on the short side.
(Photo: AltSounds)
Friday, July 29, 2011
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER (London Old Blue Last, 25/07/11)
Shambolic, good-natured and thoroughly entertaining anti-folk courtesy of two Minnesotan mentalists, whose wit and enthusiasm more than makes up for any minor deficiencies in actual musical talent.
(Photo: Odhran O'Donoghue (of the amazing Wears The Trousers))
Shambolic, good-natured and thoroughly entertaining anti-folk courtesy of two Minnesotan mentalists, whose wit and enthusiasm more than makes up for any minor deficiencies in actual musical talent.
(Photo: Odhran O'Donoghue (of the amazing Wears The Trousers))
Sunday, July 24, 2011
TWO GALLANTS (London Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, 19/07/11)
Review: HERE
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw/The Line of Best Fit)
Review: HERE
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw/The Line of Best Fit)
BJORK (Manchester Campfield Market Hall, 16/07/11)
The previous Bjork show I went to was the best gig of my life. This show was, sadly, the third best gig of the week. The “Biophilia” set-up is a triumph of invention and innovation, but bassy sound, amelodic and challenging new material and the alienating effects of a stage ‘in the round’ made this a much less engaging and immersive experience than I’d hoped for. A show more to be admired than enjoyed, although they did have LIGHTNING ARCING OUT OF GIANT SPEAKER-THINGS WHICH WAS PRETTY SWEET.
(Photo: Can You 'Ear Me)
The previous Bjork show I went to was the best gig of my life. This show was, sadly, the third best gig of the week. The “Biophilia” set-up is a triumph of invention and innovation, but bassy sound, amelodic and challenging new material and the alienating effects of a stage ‘in the round’ made this a much less engaging and immersive experience than I’d hoped for. A show more to be admired than enjoyed, although they did have LIGHTNING ARCING OUT OF GIANT SPEAKER-THINGS WHICH WAS PRETTY SWEET.
(Photo: Can You 'Ear Me)
RAINDOGS REVISITED (London Barbican, 13/07/11)
Kinda suspected this tribute to Tom Waits’ seminal album would be a pretty mixed bag, and I certainly wasn’t wrong. Camille O’ Sullivan’s eccentric cabaret and St. Vincent’s fuzzed-up rawness worked a treat, but the rest of the acts veered from poor imitations to over-zany quirkiness. Can’t stand the Tiger Lillies either, which made their contributions a chore to sit through.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
Kinda suspected this tribute to Tom Waits’ seminal album would be a pretty mixed bag, and I certainly wasn’t wrong. Camille O’ Sullivan’s eccentric cabaret and St. Vincent’s fuzzed-up rawness worked a treat, but the rest of the acts veered from poor imitations to over-zany quirkiness. Can’t stand the Tiger Lillies either, which made their contributions a chore to sit through.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
Monday, July 04, 2011
PULP (London Hyde Park, 03/07/11)
They played Mis-Shapes. THAT IS ALL. <3 <3 <3 <3
(Also enjoyed the mad granny diva posturings of Grace Jones, the OTT showmanship of the Hives and the euphonium gypsy-folk dance party of Devotchka. Didn’t approve of TVOTR’s appalling sound mix though.)
(Photo: NME)
They played Mis-Shapes. THAT IS ALL. <3 <3 <3 <3
(Also enjoyed the mad granny diva posturings of Grace Jones, the OTT showmanship of the Hives and the euphonium gypsy-folk dance party of Devotchka. Didn’t approve of TVOTR’s appalling sound mix though.)
(Photo: NME)
ARCADE FIRE (London Hyde Park, 30/06/11)
Not a classic AF show by any means. Setlist was average, although the unusual running order (Wake Up as the second track!) was a bit of a treat. The fact most of the show was in daylight seriously impacted on the atmosphere, and the crowd where I was standing were really passive and unenthusiastic. Enjoyable enough, but Warsaw was considerably better.
Also, tried to give Mumford and Sons the benefit of the doubt, but they were utter bollocks. True, their session musicians delivered some nice brass flourishes but at the end of they day, they've only got one song and it ain't a particularly good one. And as one of my friends pointed out- Marcus sure does look a bit like Nick Griffin.
(Photo: Lickmybattery)
Not a classic AF show by any means. Setlist was average, although the unusual running order (Wake Up as the second track!) was a bit of a treat. The fact most of the show was in daylight seriously impacted on the atmosphere, and the crowd where I was standing were really passive and unenthusiastic. Enjoyable enough, but Warsaw was considerably better.
Also, tried to give Mumford and Sons the benefit of the doubt, but they were utter bollocks. True, their session musicians delivered some nice brass flourishes but at the end of they day, they've only got one song and it ain't a particularly good one. And as one of my friends pointed out- Marcus sure does look a bit like Nick Griffin.
(Photo: Lickmybattery)
ARCADE FIRE (Warsaw Torwar, 24/06/11)
Despite taking place in a soulless, half-sold, alcohol-free stadium, this turned out to be my favourite show of the Suburbs tour so far. The Polish crowd were great – receptive but not aggressive - and the band put 100% into the entire performance. Particularly dug the extended version of Modern Man, with its 80’s-tastic electro-synth outro; would appreciate more of this in Album 4.
Despite taking place in a soulless, half-sold, alcohol-free stadium, this turned out to be my favourite show of the Suburbs tour so far. The Polish crowd were great – receptive but not aggressive - and the band put 100% into the entire performance. Particularly dug the extended version of Modern Man, with its 80’s-tastic electro-synth outro; would appreciate more of this in Album 4.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
PATRICK WOLF (London Garage, 20/06/11)
Too many screaming fangirls and overwrought love songs for my tastes, but worth it just for the glorious guilty pleasure that is “Magic Position.”
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Too many screaming fangirls and overwrought love songs for my tastes, but worth it just for the glorious guilty pleasure that is “Magic Position.”
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Sunday, June 05, 2011
PRIMAVERA SOUND FESTIVAL (Barcelona Park del Forum, 25/05/11-29/05/11)
HIGHLIGHTS
-Pulp, naturally. Managed to pogo my way to the front during opener Do You Remember The First Time?, sang my heart out to the likes of Disco 2000, This Is Hardcore and Babies, absolutely lost my shit when they played F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E and managed not to die during the inevitable insanity that accompanied Common People. Everything I could have hoped for, really.
-Mercury Rev playing Deserter's Songs. Absolutely magnificent, I nearly cried during “Opus 40”.
-Girl Talk's 5am dance party extravaganza. Ended up with several hundred hipsters singing along to Lulu. Yup.
-El Guincho, and not just because of the hot ladies in short shorts throwing pillows at each other/lezzing out.
-Dean Wareham. Haven't listened to much Galaxie 500, but this was gorgeous stuff.
-tUnE-YaRdS cajoling everyone to sing along to Hatari (although overall she's better without her band)
-Sufjan Stevens' Auditori light show.
-Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna-centric setlist. A Sentence of Sorts->Heidmalsgate->She's A Rejector = YES.
-Battles being Battles.
-John Cale's Paris 1919, although the newer songs he played afterwards were a tad ropey.
-Picnic at the Parc Central del Poblenou soundtracked by the 90’s indie-pop strains Comet Gain. Lovely way to spend an afternoon.
LOWLIGHTS
-James Blake. Whiney bollocks of the worst kind.
-Missing Gang Gang Dance/Glasser/Suicide Of Western Culture/Holy Ghost!
-Wayne Coyne becoming a parody of himself. His constant exhortations to "COME ON!" annoyed me so much I left after four songs. That said, still gutted that he arrived at the absinthe bar on Tuesday two minutes after we’d departed.
-Not seeing Emeralds because I got lost in the mountains and ended up 15 miles away from where I was supposed to be. Again.
HIGHLIGHTS
-Pulp, naturally. Managed to pogo my way to the front during opener Do You Remember The First Time?, sang my heart out to the likes of Disco 2000, This Is Hardcore and Babies, absolutely lost my shit when they played F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E and managed not to die during the inevitable insanity that accompanied Common People. Everything I could have hoped for, really.
-Mercury Rev playing Deserter's Songs. Absolutely magnificent, I nearly cried during “Opus 40”.
-Girl Talk's 5am dance party extravaganza. Ended up with several hundred hipsters singing along to Lulu. Yup.
-El Guincho, and not just because of the hot ladies in short shorts throwing pillows at each other/lezzing out.
-Dean Wareham. Haven't listened to much Galaxie 500, but this was gorgeous stuff.
-tUnE-YaRdS cajoling everyone to sing along to Hatari (although overall she's better without her band)
-Sufjan Stevens' Auditori light show.
-Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna-centric setlist. A Sentence of Sorts->Heidmalsgate->She's A Rejector = YES.
-Battles being Battles.
-John Cale's Paris 1919, although the newer songs he played afterwards were a tad ropey.
-Picnic at the Parc Central del Poblenou soundtracked by the 90’s indie-pop strains Comet Gain. Lovely way to spend an afternoon.
LOWLIGHTS
-James Blake. Whiney bollocks of the worst kind.
-Missing Gang Gang Dance/Glasser/Suicide Of Western Culture/Holy Ghost!
-Wayne Coyne becoming a parody of himself. His constant exhortations to "COME ON!" annoyed me so much I left after four songs. That said, still gutted that he arrived at the absinthe bar on Tuesday two minutes after we’d departed.
-Not seeing Emeralds because I got lost in the mountains and ended up 15 miles away from where I was supposed to be. Again.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
STAG & DAGGER FESTIVAL (Various Hoxton Venues, 19/05/11)
Echo Lake’s voluminous spectral shoegaze aside, this year’s edition of EastLondonMoodyHipsterFest failed to impress. D/R/U/G/S was a bit too bleepy-bloopy for a 9pm time-slot and Post War Years had promise but were too slavishly in hock to LCD Soundsystem and Foals to stand out on their own merits.
(Photo: Tony Coleby)
Echo Lake’s voluminous spectral shoegaze aside, this year’s edition of EastLondonMoodyHipsterFest failed to impress. D/R/U/G/S was a bit too bleepy-bloopy for a 9pm time-slot and Post War Years had promise but were too slavishly in hock to LCD Soundsystem and Foals to stand out on their own merits.
(Photo: Tony Coleby)
HANDSOME FURS (London Lexington, 16/05/11)
Man, Handsome Furs are awesome. As well as being the most lovable (and loved-up) couple in the whole of indie-rock, their ferociously dynamic performance, combined with some blinding new material made this one of the most exhilarating sets of the year so far. RADIO KALININGRAD, STATIC ON A BROKEN WIRE!
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Man, Handsome Furs are awesome. As well as being the most lovable (and loved-up) couple in the whole of indie-rock, their ferociously dynamic performance, combined with some blinding new material made this one of the most exhilarating sets of the year so far. RADIO KALININGRAD, STATIC ON A BROKEN WIRE!
(Photo: John Gleeson)
REVERBERATIONS FESTIVAL: SESSION 6 (London Barbican, 08/05/11)
God knows what Owen Pallett was doing at a festival dedicated to one of the forefathers of minimalism in the first place, but I couldn’t help thinking his orchestra-augmented performance of “Heartland” was a slight disappointment. Fact is, Owen’s own looping skills are so phenomenal that not even a full retinue of classically-trained musicians could really add that much to his sound, and indeed, only the last song truly made full use of their talents. Also could have done with 90% less drums. Ah well.
On the plus side, Clogs were excellent. The lullaby they performed with a children’s choir was one of the most beautiful things I’ve heard this year.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
God knows what Owen Pallett was doing at a festival dedicated to one of the forefathers of minimalism in the first place, but I couldn’t help thinking his orchestra-augmented performance of “Heartland” was a slight disappointment. Fact is, Owen’s own looping skills are so phenomenal that not even a full retinue of classically-trained musicians could really add that much to his sound, and indeed, only the last song truly made full use of their talents. Also could have done with 90% less drums. Ah well.
On the plus side, Clogs were excellent. The lullaby they performed with a children’s choir was one of the most beautiful things I’ve heard this year.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
DEERHOOF (London Garage, 04/05/11)
It’s Deerhoof. Of course they were great. My admiration for Greg Saunier’s drumming skills and bemusement by his raconteurship remains unabated, and Satomi Matsuzaki can still star-jump like the best of ‘em.
(Photo: Anika "Tang Fiend" Mottershaw)
It’s Deerhoof. Of course they were great. My admiration for Greg Saunier’s drumming skills and bemusement by his raconteurship remains unabated, and Satomi Matsuzaki can still star-jump like the best of ‘em.
(Photo: Anika "Tang Fiend" Mottershaw)
O’DEATH (London Cargo, 02/05/11)
First time I’ve seen O’Death in two and a half years, and I fucking miss “Adelita.” Grrr. That apart, I'm glad to report there’s still no-one who can match them in the frenzied, Deliverance-tinged hoedown stakes. Nearly lost my voice during "Lay Me Down"...
(Photo: James Evans)
First time I’ve seen O’Death in two and a half years, and I fucking miss “Adelita.” Grrr. That apart, I'm glad to report there’s still no-one who can match them in the frenzied, Deliverance-tinged hoedown stakes. Nearly lost my voice during "Lay Me Down"...
(Photo: James Evans)
SUFJAN STEVENS (Copenhagen Vega, 01/05/11)
If you're a stickler for subtle, low key performances, you may not enjoy Sufjan Stevens' current tour. If you like things that are totally awesome, I suspect you will. "Age of Adz" is a glorious mess of an album, and his live set-up accentuates that a hundredfold; I don't wish to spoil too much for those who are yet to experience it, but we're talking Flaming Lips levels of audio-visual ridiculousness here. But unlike the Lips, there's no undue reliance on backing tapes; Sufjan's gathered together an incredible band that takes the material from the new album and significantly enhances it ("Vesuvius" was an absolute fucking blinder). I was expecting good things, but last night blew all my expectations out of the water – one of the most riveting, over-the-top, luscious live performances I've ever seen.
Oh, and he played "Casimir Pulaski Day." That was pretty sweet.
If you're a stickler for subtle, low key performances, you may not enjoy Sufjan Stevens' current tour. If you like things that are totally awesome, I suspect you will. "Age of Adz" is a glorious mess of an album, and his live set-up accentuates that a hundredfold; I don't wish to spoil too much for those who are yet to experience it, but we're talking Flaming Lips levels of audio-visual ridiculousness here. But unlike the Lips, there's no undue reliance on backing tapes; Sufjan's gathered together an incredible band that takes the material from the new album and significantly enhances it ("Vesuvius" was an absolute fucking blinder). I was expecting good things, but last night blew all my expectations out of the water – one of the most riveting, over-the-top, luscious live performances I've ever seen.
Oh, and he played "Casimir Pulaski Day." That was pretty sweet.
Friday, April 29, 2011
BATTLES (London Institute of Contemporary Arts, 20/04/11)
Review: HERE
(Photo: Sebastien Dehesdin/The Line of Best Fit)
Review: HERE
(Photo: Sebastien Dehesdin/The Line of Best Fit)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
JENIFEREVER (London Lexington, 11/04/11)
Post-rock Mew. Had their moments (I mean, an epic crescendo IS an epic crescendo), but all a bit too generic for my tastes.
(Photo: eyeball.fm)
Post-rock Mew. Had their moments (I mean, an epic crescendo IS an epic crescendo), but all a bit too generic for my tastes.
(Photo: eyeball.fm)
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
JENS LEKMAN (London Nettlefold Hall, 19/03/11)
Oh, you're so amazing Jens. Not only did he trek over from Gothenburg to play a charity all-dayer protesting the UK Government's dreadfully misguided cuts in library funding but his hour long solo set was perhaps even more joyous than his excellent Union Chapel show last summer. True, the reliance on backing tapes wasn't ideal, but the stripped down arrangements served to focus attention on his impressive vocal talents, which he too often swamps with orchestral frippery. Drawing heavily on "Night Falls over Kortedela," he also previewed some new songs (including one about stalking Kirsten Dunst, which seemed to resonate with an alarmingly high percentage of the audience), and broke the venue's curfew for a Sipping On The Sweet Nectar-centric dance party encore. Oh, and he waived his performance fee for the event too. What a gent.
(Photo: The Line Of Best Fit)
Oh, you're so amazing Jens. Not only did he trek over from Gothenburg to play a charity all-dayer protesting the UK Government's dreadfully misguided cuts in library funding but his hour long solo set was perhaps even more joyous than his excellent Union Chapel show last summer. True, the reliance on backing tapes wasn't ideal, but the stripped down arrangements served to focus attention on his impressive vocal talents, which he too often swamps with orchestral frippery. Drawing heavily on "Night Falls over Kortedela," he also previewed some new songs (including one about stalking Kirsten Dunst, which seemed to resonate with an alarmingly high percentage of the audience), and broke the venue's curfew for a Sipping On The Sweet Nectar-centric dance party encore. Oh, and he waived his performance fee for the event too. What a gent.
(Photo: The Line Of Best Fit)
Friday, March 18, 2011
EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROES (London Old Vic Tunnels, 11/03/11)
Review: HERE
(Photo: Kelly Anne)
Review: HERE
(Photo: Kelly Anne)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
ROBYN (London Roundhouse, 03/03/11)
Unpretentious, all-out Swedish pop goodness, delivered by a woman who seems to be on a perpetual sugar rush even when recovering from a throat infection. Frankly, it's exhausting just watching her.
(Photo: Tom Salter/The Line Of Best Fit)
Unpretentious, all-out Swedish pop goodness, delivered by a woman who seems to be on a perpetual sugar rush even when recovering from a throat infection. Frankly, it's exhausting just watching her.
(Photo: Tom Salter/The Line Of Best Fit)
SEA OF BEES (London Westminster Reference Library, 26/02/11)
Contrary to popular belief, I don't hate all acoustic-guitar-wielding solo artists. I just hate the vast, vast majority of them. A rare exception is Julie Baenziger, an wonderfully eccentric, emotionally open figure with a voice that could charm the most hard-hearted of cynics. I mean, seriously, check out "The Woods." Spine-tingling stuff.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
Contrary to popular belief, I don't hate all acoustic-guitar-wielding solo artists. I just hate the vast, vast majority of them. A rare exception is Julie Baenziger, an wonderfully eccentric, emotionally open figure with a voice that could charm the most hard-hearted of cynics. I mean, seriously, check out "The Woods." Spine-tingling stuff.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
SUUNS (Brussels Botanique, 24/02/11)
It's awesome being blown away by a band you know nothing about. Suuns' whispered vocals don't do much for me, but the Holy Fuck/!!!-esque grooves and punchy Wolf Parade synths make this four-piece the best live band to come out of Montreal since Handsome Furs.
(Photo: Bourgol)
It's awesome being blown away by a band you know nothing about. Suuns' whispered vocals don't do much for me, but the Holy Fuck/!!!-esque grooves and punchy Wolf Parade synths make this four-piece the best live band to come out of Montreal since Handsome Furs.
(Photo: Bourgol)
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