Live Reviews

Sarabeth Tucek @ Union Chapel, London 10.05.11
New Yorker Sarabeth Tucek has reinvented herself and started afresh in more ways than one. After contemplating an acting career, a brief stint as a backing vocalist for Smog and an acclaimed eponymous debut release in 2007, she has returned with the aptly titled follow up Get Well Soon; something of a cathartic documentation of turmoil following a series of personal events: car crashes and brushes with the law, alcoholism and loss. Its dark tone retains an honesty without self indulgence, while Tucek's abilities as a songwriter and confidence as a recording artist are exposed in her fluctuation between folk laments and the reverb soaked, atmospheric instrumentation that cocoons these, coupled with an effortlessly rich voice - both elegant and evocative.
Posted on May 15th, 2011
Anna Calvi, Group Love & Big Deal @ Manchester Academy 3, 07.05.11
If Slow Club brought the earnest and truthful honest of two infatuated teenage lovers, Big Deal bring the cold cynical hate.
Posted on May 15th, 2011
Moscow Youth Cult & 1914s @ Queen Of Hoxton, London 28.04.11
Bearded came to review electro-pop newbie Japayork tonight, but a last-minute complication made this unfeasible. We did manage to catch retro-inspired synth duo Moscow Youth Cult and moody electro three-piece 1914s. Our verdict was thus..
Posted on May 5th, 2011
Sons Of Noel and Adrian @ The Lexington, London 17.04.11
Performing one of two dates around the South East, the latter being set for Brighton, Sons Of Noel and Adrian embark on their Lexington gig with rich and emotive support from Dancehalls and The Mariners Children. With such a large number of ‘Sons’, a few spill over informing the line-up for The Mariners Children, a strong family vibe fills the evening then? Quite so, as the dim and soporific haunt that is the upstairs theatre fills with a lush warm glow, filling every corner, and evening turning one of Bearded’s accompanying music companions, and resolute Grindcore Geezer, into a Folk-obsessed fop!
Posted on May 5th, 2011
Bonobo @ Koko, Camden 26.04.11
The sound of Bonobo has won critical acclaim for accessible and consistently brilliant “folktronica”. Simon Green’s repertoire now spans four albums together with countless EPs, cementing his reputation as a genius multi instrumentalist, capable of creating moments of sublime beauty or smoky jazz grooves, ethereal dreamscapes, then reflective crescendos.
Posted on May 4th, 2011
Thomas Tantrum @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen 27.04.11
Thomas Tantrum have had their fair share of excitement – from attracting the support of mainstream queen Lily Allen, to masses of NME support and glowing reviews for their debut album. We've heard that debut album, and it's not half bad, reminiscent of a more accessible Art Brut and a less accessible Kate Nash – art-punk with indie pop sentiments, quirky but still chart-friendly. Soon to embark on a three-date support tour with Glasvegas before a month-long headline tour in June, Thomas Tantrum use this date to showcase new material from their forthcoming second LP.
Posted on May 3rd, 2011
‘Time Out’ London Sessions Festival @ Camden Barfly 22.04.11
Ben Wood watched veteran garage-rock dudes Clinic headline a seemingly randomly assembled bill of soundscapers, groove-makers and piss-takers…
Posted on Apr 26th, 2011
Alexi Murdoch @ The Borderline, London 11.04.11
Alexi Murdoch is a genuine DIY success story. He has turned down countless major label advancements in favour of self-releasing, and as we enter the sold-out Borderline in London, filled with so many excitable, anticipatory fans that it might be considered dangerous, it is clear that this has not been to his detriment.
Posted on Apr 19th, 2011
Erland & the Carnival @ Exeter Phoenix 05.04.11
Noble Exeter sees its comers and goers lifting its pompous nose above the weak and those that leave the town so abruptly. Three dark coated travellers drive into the town (a classic choice would be a horse and cart) bearing instruments readying themselves to play a night of witchcraft tunes and mystic songs at The Phoenix.
Posted on Apr 13th, 2011
Dum Dum Girls @ Dingwalls, London 05.04.11
With the release of new EP ‘He Gets Me High’, which has been praised for its greater emphasis on pop sensibility in relation to the ultra-lo-fi debut full-length ‘I Will Be’, the hype surrounding Dum Dum Girls has grown extortionately. With recent positive reviews of the group cropping up left, right and centre, it has become difficult not to become interested...
Posted on Apr 10th, 2011
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