Reading Festival 2011 Line-Up

Reading is the only festival I stick to going to every year. I don't think the line-up is particularly amazing this time around but there's definitely some good ones in there.

Young Guns New Video 'Stitches'

So this is kind of incredible.

White Lies, Ritual Review

It must have been a challenge for White Lies to top their successful, critically acclaimed debut, but with ‘Ritual’ they may have just about done it. This is not immediately apparent on first listen, but once you perceive how much they have matured instrumentally & lyrically; it all becomes clear. The band are aiming for bigger things and the incredible ambience of ‘Bigger Than Us’ certainly sets them in the right direction with its heavy-riff lead, anthemic chorus. They’ve never had problems constructing a huge sound, but they seem to have excelled. With evidence of new wave and synth influences throughout, they’ve been more experimental this time; particularly apparent in ‘Holy Ghost’, the most sonically well produced track on the record. They’ve even gone as far as sticking a ballad-y type on the end. The lyrics are still sincere and vulnerable, but instead of compelling us into a great depression with their original dark style, they embrace themes of love and religion. ‘Ritual’ may not match the popularity of their debut, but that won’t be because it doesn’t deserve to.

(I wrote this mini review for Electric Magazine, check it out here: electricmagazine).

MTV Brand New For 2011: MONA

The band currently on the tip of everyone’s tongues, make a triumphant return to London’s Koko courtesy of MTV. Tonight they prove they deserve to be in the running for that Brand New For 2011 award as they put on a compelling performance for many who have turned up especially for them instead of the headliners. As they take to the stage, tight jean clad, quiffs intact and Jack Daniels in hand; they fit the retro, rock n roll band mould perfectly. Just like Kings of Leon were back in ’03, this Nashville based four-piece are the epitome of ‘effortless cool’; it’s no wonder so many people have already jumped on their bandwagon.

Launching into ‘Trouble On The Way’, ‘Teenager’ and ‘Lines In The Sand’ respectively, they seduce the crowd with their romantic rock n roll, bluesy baselines and passionate Springsteen-esque vocals. They are confident and comfortable and I’m stunned by how incredible tight they are for such a new band. As their most recognisable song, ‘Listen To Your Love’ provokes the biggest crowd reaction. However, I actually find that I prefer unreleased album tracks such as ‘Shooting The Moon’ and ‘Lean Into The Fall’; even though I’d never heard them before. Every song on the set list has the potential to be a single, hinting that their debut (due for release May 16th) is going to be full of nonstop bangers. One was so good in fact, that for a moment I was convinced it was a cover.

There’s no doubting that Mona are justifying the hype surrounding them and although this is my first time seeing them live, by the end I am left reassured that I just witnessed something special. If predictions are correct, in a few years time an intimate gig like this will be hard to come by and I’m glad to say I was a part of it from the beginning. If the continuous crowd chants of “Mona” during the show are anything to go by, I don’t think I was the only one.

Set List: Trouble On The Way, Teenager, Lines In The Sand, Listen To Your Love, Say You Will, Shooting The Moon, Lean Into The Fall

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See this review on Clink: http://clinkmusicmagazine.com/2011/01/26/mona-at-koko

New Band On The Block: Venice

This five-piece caught my eye after discovering them through their management buddies Deaf Havana and Francesqa. You might recognise them from their previous project Lights and Sounds but they’ve had a shiny musical makeover. Now edging towards a more laid-back pop approach, their dramatically matured sound and talent is indisputable. The fact that they’ve managed to convey this in only a couple of demos and stripped down, acoustic videos is a testament in itself. The results so far are looking promising; angelic vocals, passionate lyrics and big pop gems perfect for summer. Newest teaser ‘Satellites’ particularly fits these three categories but the beautiful acoustic version of 'City Of Lights' is what drew me to them. Progress is being kept under wraps at the moment whilst they make their debut album, but something tells me that it will be worth the wait.

Related artists: One Night Only, OneRepublic, The Script

Check out: ‘Satellites’, ‘City Of Lights’

Links: http://www.facebook.com/veniceofficial

(photo source: venice's facebook)

Vampire Weekend, Alexandra Palace 2/12/10

On a cold, snowy winter’s night in London, Vampire Weekend bring their summery Upper West Side Soweto to warm everyone in attendance at Alexandra Palace. Coats, hats and scarves are still firmly attached after support Ratatat but the headliners soon change this. Accompanied by rap music, the New York four-piece take to the stage and launch into ‘Holiday’ and the crowd react as if a ray of sunshine has ascended around the room. Many other tracks from second album ‘Contra’ are unleashed early; recent single ‘White Sky’ is one of them and does its best to lift dampened spirits with its quirky riff and chirpy onomatopoeic chorus.

During the first few songs, it feels like they aren’t quite filling up the venue. They’ve slayed bigger spaces than this before so it shouldn’t be a problem. However, the second half sees them turn things around-the fast pace craziness of ‘Cousins’ is to thank for this along with an energetic ‘Giving Up The Gun’; arguably the best played on the night. The band throws everything into it and its compelling build up almost knocks us over. Predictably ‘A-Punk’ provokes the loudest crowd reaction, but tonight it seems it is perhaps played too early as it forgotten quickly.

Some of the slower numbers are drowned out by the big space which is a shame; ‘I Think Ur A Contra’ and ‘Taxi Cab’ slightly lose the concentration of people who prefer their more upbeat numbers. But these songs really illustrate the extent of their instrumental ability and allow us to appreciate the true beauty of every different experimental sound produced within their music. One slow song that certainly isn’t lost within the crowd is fan favourite ‘Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa’, which rouses a jubilant response and ‘One (Blake’s got a new face)’ stuns as frontman Ezra Koenig’s vocal range reaches heights I can only imagine exist.

The last section of the show sees them celebrating their debut as they parade through ‘Campus’ and into ‘Oxford Comma’ without hesitation. ‘Mansard Roof’ attracts a mass sing-a-along whilst an exhilarating ‘Walcott’ concludes the show in a suitable fashion. They prove to be the perfect songs to end the encore as everyone dances buoyantly within a giant but friendly mosh-pit that seems to have engulfed the entire room. Ezra is complimentary of the scenes as he enthuses; “that was an amazing mosh pit, a combination of moshing and hugging – it's so positive!” Even though they play almost every song they’ve recorded, the gig seems to finish quickly as there’s hardly a break in-between all the commotion. But at the rare times there is, the band are swift to show gratification towards the crowd, who they thank for coming out in such adverse weather conditions. I think I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say that it was definitely worth it.

See this review on Bring The Noise here