Muso’s Guide’s Festival Season: June Previews – No Direction Home, Field Day, Nova and more…

We’ve asked some of our writers to preview a few of this year’s festivals that they’re most looking forward to; to offer some idea of what the event is about, and to pick out a few bands and artists that they’re most excited about seeing perform. In this installment, we take a look at the End of the Road affiliated No Direction Home; the newly revamped Field Day and its sibling event The Apple Cart Festival; the inaugural Nova Festival, and Somerset’s Sunrise Celebration. … Continue Reading

In Pictures: We Are Augustines, Glasgow, O2 ABC

We Are Augustines – by Julia Stryj

By Julia Stryj

May 10, 2012

When I first heard about We Are Augustines and their tough past as individuals and the struggle towards the end of their previous band Pela, I was instantly amazed by the band’s determination and passion. Their surprisingly uplifting – considering it deals with a lot of the bumps that were on singer Billy McCarthy’s road – debut album Rise Ye Sunken Ships is constantly being listened to. Driving through the never ending rain to Glasgow to see them on their first proper headline tour since the album’s release in the UK, I find out that the support band is on at 19:45. That means a relaxed dinner is replaced by a quick take away as I don’t want to miss My Goodness.

… Continue Reading

In Pictures: The Subways, Edinburgh, Liquid Rooms

May 6, 2012

A selection of photos from The Subways’ recent show at Edinburgh’s Liquid Rooms. Support on the night came from Royal Republic. All photos taken by Julia Stryj. More of Julia’s work can be found here.

… Continue Reading

In Pictures: Bombay Bicycle Club, London, Alexandra Palace

April 28, 2012

A few beautiful snaps from Bombay Bicycle Club’s recent headline show at London’s Alexandra Palace. Support on the night came from Lianne La Havas and Rae Morris. All photos by Alex Kavanagh. More of Alex’s work can be found at http://www.alexkavanagh.com.

… Continue Reading

The Camden Crawl 2012: A Festival Preview

By Nick Levine (@nicklevine)

The Camden Crawl this year returns to North London bigger and better than ever. Taking place on the May Day Bank Holiday weekend (4-6 May), with over 300 acts across the spectrum of music, comedy and performance set to perform. The festival takes place across a plethora of different venues, with just one ticket allowing access to all. It’s a great way of sampling some hotly tipped bands and comedians without breaking the bank. … Continue Reading

PREVIEW: We’re all going to Wilderness Festival (12 – 14 August)

CORNBURY PARK

So you have kids and then you pack away your tent, your lucky festival shorts and your predilection for drunken bean burgers, right? WRONG!

While three kids have eroded my chances (and desire, frankly) to battle the roads to Glastonbury and listen to naive kids talking about society around a campfire, I’m starting to crave the festival feeling.

That constant hum of competing beats in the air, the childish excitement of waking up under canvas, vegetarian food coming out of the wazoo (I’m not vegetarian anymore because I live with carnivorous bloodsuckersbut when in Rome…) and oodles and oodles of live bands.

… Continue Reading

Standon Calling: Muso’s Guide’s Top Five Picks

I almost tire of writing this, because I seem to involuntarily plaster the sentiment everywhere, but: I love Standon Calling. I remain unduly astounded that the place has a fucking swimming pool and hosts a festival-wide fancy dress party of the sort where you feel stupid if you’re not wearing a ridiculously outlandish costume. It almost doesn’t need bands, but check out some of these beauties which they done booked all the same:

… Continue Reading

Mercury Prize nominations – live

Video: Bassment Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest

Basement Jaxx are pleased to announce the release of a new orchestral project that sees them like they’ve never been seen before. In collaboration with the Netherlands’ Metropole Orkest and renowned London conductor and arranger, Jules Buckley, this orchestral project features a full sixty piece orchestra along with a twenty voice choir and sees the Metropole Orkest perform classical and contemporary orchestral versions of the legendary Basement Jaxx back catalogue. … Continue Reading

Mercury Prize Sessions: Jamie Woon and Gruff Rhys

The Mercury Music Prize has gained notoriety for showcasing some of the best music in the UK from established players to up and coming acts. Its impressive roaster boasts the likes of Frankie & The Heartstrings, Everything Everything, James Blake, The XX, Wild Beasts, Florence and the Machine… I could continue endlessly. Last Wednesday at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden, we were offered both sides of the coin; the BBC’s Sound of 2011 Jamie Woon and Super Furry Animal’s frontman Gruff Rhys.

… Continue Reading