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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

ONEIDA (London Lexington, 13/08/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: The 405)

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)

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))

TWO GALLANTS (London Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, 19/07/11)



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)

YNDI HALDA (London Lexington, 15/07/11)



Review: HERE

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)

CONGOTRONICS VS ROCKERS (London Barbican, 12/07/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: Robocod)

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)

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)

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.

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)

BORIS (University of London, 19/06/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: Matt Brown)

tUnE-YaRdS (London Scala 08/06/11)



Review: HERE

(Photo: David Emery)