The line-up for this year’s In The City (the UK’s own SXSW-style industry/bands mega-fest, if you’re not in the know – in Manchester) has just expanded… and it’s looking just marvellous. … Continue Reading
On Margate Sounds
Well here’s something that caught MG’s eye… it’s a one-dayer in Margate, by the name of On Margate Sounds – and it’s taking place at one of the smallest theatres in the world.
There’s music and audio-visuals too, and the audience are also encouraged to become collaborators, bringing their own recorded contributions or noise-making offerings to be used by the artists. What a treat! And the end goal? An online sound library – attendees will be given a CD-R memento of the day with the sounds collected, forming the library’s start-point. Fancy. … Continue Reading
My offshoot Pic ‘n’ Mixx is putting on its biggest show to date!
Tuesday 10 August, Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen
Pic ‘n’ Mixx presents… Lucky Soul + The School + The Lodger with How Does It Feel To Be Loved + Pocketbooks DJs
Tickets (£9): http://www.wegottickets.com/event/86890
After a storming DJ set at Indietracks Festival over the weekend (review coming soon), it’s now time to formally announce this amazing show – I’ve been trying to put on Lucky Soul for ages! It’s a welcome return to the Pic ‘n’ Mixx stage for The School, and a new ‘n’ shiny ‘yo’ for The Lodger. And I’ve got Ian from How Does It Feel To Be Loved (one of the best nights in London, I’ll have you know) playing tunes between the bands, and Dan from Pocketbooks spinning some stuff after the headliners. Woo yeah!
Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2010
Hello! So, I’m here to oversee the announcement of the list of people in the running for the annual British music awards it’s OK to like and argue over and then dismiss when the ‘wrong’ person wins. It’s like a music Sports Day, with all the runners and riders in short shorts, ill-fitting vests and trainers your mum put in the washing machine especially for the occasion. You can have a read of who we think might be in the running and then obviously keep reading my rambles to find out who is on the shortlist. WARNING: I can’t spell and I’ve had very little sleep in the past few days, so pray for me. … Continue Reading
The xx - xx
As Paul The Octopus isn’t returning our calls we’ll have to make do with our own physic cephalopod, Mitchell Stirling as he casts his tentacles over the elite 12 British and N. Irish records that might be receiving nods next week.
Last year I, like most people felt that Doves winning would be to similar to the Elbow win the previous year but didn’t think that would prevent them getting a nod (nor did the bookies, they were favourites). Similarly we all thought that Portishead’s Third was a lock the year before and it didn’t make it. This year we can’t even find odds before the nominations but you can pick up a vibe on a few releases. … Continue Reading
Broken Bells
From June 11th – 21st, singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson is directing a series of concerts at Southbank Centre’s riverside venues. Included in the series are Loudon Wainwright III (with Richard Thompson), Elvis Costello and Broken Bells (with Lone Wolf).
For the full line-up, go to meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk.
You can also download a free track from Broken Bells here.
Au Revoir Simone
June 10, 2010
The kind of delicate and dreamy synth riffs played by Brooklyn Francophiles Au Revoir Simone conjure up images of voyages through the galaxy if it was entirely knitted and the stars were made of kitchen foil and cardboard. Their brand of shoegazey synths, solid beat and fragile, soft vocals have the ability to hypnotise and relax the audience tonight. Their unassuming Kraftwerk style stage presence and sweet giggly between-song chatter consisting mostly of “Oh my gosh this is totally awesome you guys, thank you SO much, we love London!” creates a lovely atmosphere in the sold out Scala. It is clear the girls are so grateful to be playing in this venue and did not expect the huge reception they receive from the crowd after every song. It is warming to see that the show is special to them as well as to their audience. … Continue Reading
Urban Music Awards
The Urban Music Awards announced the eighth annual set of nominees, to be revealed on September 18, 2010. The chart-topping accolade-winners include Tinie Tempah, Rihanna, JLS, M.I.A., Chipmunk and Alexandra Burke.
… Continue Reading
The Mothership Group – the people behind London’s Book Club and the Queen of Hoxton – are opening something new and exciting, which looks like this:
Pop-up bar - in progress...
They’ve got some exciting stuff coming up in the next few days too. Dubstep and reggae and all sorts, our spies have told us.
This is where it’s located… ^ …
EXCITING, right? Mysterious too. We’ll be playing Inspector Gadget there next week.
Over and out.
Our Lost Infantry tour poster
MG faves Our Lost Infantry have announced details of an upcoming tour. The tour celebrates the release of their double a-side ‘The Arsonist/Scissorfight’, on WET Records (WET002), which is out on June 7. Pre-orders are available now from WET Records and Rough Trade.
They’re hitting the roads in between these lovely places, their diaries would suggest:
25 May – Cellar Bar at South Hill Park, Bracknell.
27 May – Native Tongue, Epsom.
28 May – Chichester Inn, Chichester. £3.
With Visual Assembly.
30 May – Hobgoblin, Staines. £3.
With Cats and Cats and Cats and The Siegfried Sassoon.
1 June – Wilmington Arms, London. £7.
With The Neat and The Incredible Flight Of Birdman (http://www.wegottickets.com/event/77678)
2 June – Mother’s Ruin, Bristol.
With Iveree.
3 June – Backroom at the Marquee, Norwich.
With Olympians.
5 June – West End Centre, Aldershot. £6.
With Spring Offensive and Quays (https://kiosk.iristickets.co.uk/k?WestEnd&OLI )
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