Live Reviews

Explosions In The Sky / Lanterns On The Lake @ Brixton Academy 27.01.12
With a soft glow from the stage, the black ceiling and many tiers that make up Brixton Academy give the illusion of an open air venue. This, coinciding with the ambient sounds from Lanterns on the Lake, makes for an almost mystic, dreamlike show. All six members of the band look eager and ready, and genuinely grateful as the crowd praise them into their opening song. Lead vocalist Hazel Wilde is thankful, and modest without being shy, however she is more alive and animated shaking her blonde hair around on guitar than when addressing the audience. Her weightless vocals are delicate but full of passion and attentiveness, complemented perfectly with backing vocals by guitarist Adam Sykes. Making up the atmospheric sound of the evening also includes Paul Gregory on guitar, Brendan Sykes on bass, Sarah Kemp on violin and Oliver Ketteringham playing percussion, synth and piano – a very multi-talented band indeed, especially considering its members are forever switching instruments, playing each other’s instruments and playing the same instrument together.
Posted on Feb 2nd, 2012
Light of Day 2012, New Jersey, USA 12 – 16.01.12
David Brown travelled to Asbury Park, New Jersey to take part in the ever-growing music-led movement to help fund a cure for Parkinson's Disease.
Posted on Jan 30th, 2012
Porcelain Raft @ Academy, Oxford 24.01.12
Sandwiched deliciously in between Chinese New Year and Burns Night, Porcelain Raft took to the stage in Oxford for his final UK appearance on the M83 tour. Mauro Remiddi, the man behind the music, opened up the show with ‘Drifting In And Out’, the opening track of his newly released record, Strange Weekend. Immediate sonic reference points emerged, with the bustling, strung out, ethereal chords evoking obvious comparisons with the likes of The Big Pink and I Break Horses. Remiddi’s drummer helps pierce this wall of noise with drums that act as sharp punctuation points to the floating guitar and synth sounds.
Posted on Jan 30th, 2012
M83 @ Concorde 2, Brighton 22.01.12
French outfit M83 are really on the march at the moment. Current single 'Midnight' already boasts an Eric Prydz remix and has recently featured as one of Zane Lowe's 'Hottest Records'. With a world tour selling out fast and an ever growing live reputation, there is quite an atmosphere inside Brighton's Concorde 2 tonight as a capacity crowd eagerly await their arrival.
Posted on Jan 26th, 2012
Low End Lowlife Special: Outlook Launch Party ’12 - 21.01.12
Cold as hell. Crowds of people milling about in duffle coats. A mild stench of human fluids emanating gently for the underground station somewhat like the delicate scent of apple blossom on a spring morning breeze. Apparently this is not Croatia. And it sure as hell isn't summer.
Posted on Jan 26th, 2012
A Winged Victory for the Sullen @ Manchester Academy 3, 14.01.12
Whilst Ed Sheeran expels his acoustic-(c)rap combo next door, the crowd here bears witness to the beautiful A Winged Victory for the Sullen. With their recent album’s poignant symphonies tugging at heart strings, tonight’s moody surroundings could not be more suitable. Bracketing the three-piece string section with Dustin O’Halloran as circus masters, Adam Wiltzie promises “Seven pieces of music about broken hearts and dead people.” It’s a promise that could not have been delivered more captivatingly.
Posted on Jan 25th, 2012
Tubelord @ The Haunt, Brighton 10.01.12
Tubelord's second album 'Romance' has been rumbling its way through the undergrowth for a few months now, and making quite a lot of noise as it goes. Characterised by the use of an eclectic range of styles and sounds, all bets are off as the Kingston four piece take to the stage of Brighton's 'The Haunt' to show off exactly what it is that they do.
Posted on Jan 16th, 2012
Foxes! @ Buffalo Bar, London 10.01.12
After a brisk walk through a cold evening in Islington, Buffalo Bar seems a good place to shelter from the elements and see some bands looking to make an impact on the London scene in 2012.
Posted on Jan 15th, 2012
The Lemonheads @ Liverpool Academy 2 07.12.11
Wayward genius Evan Dando leads this week’s line-up of The Lemonheads through a stunning rendition of 1992 classic LP ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’ at a capacity Academy 2…
Posted on Jan 4th, 2012
Filthy Whisky @ The Workshop, London 10.12.11
Fresh off their listing in Q Magazine’s most essential tracks to download for ‘Borderline’, the Filthy Whisky boys are back. They played the late night venue of The Workshop in Old Street with new bassist, Tom Evans in tow.
Posted on Dec 20th, 2011
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