Caitlin Rose, Dingwall’s, London

By Russell Warfield

March 05, 2013

With 2010’s gorgeous and largely understated ‘Own Side Now’, there emerges some incongruity between Caitlin Rose’s hard-drinkin-hyper-sassy on-stage presence and the gentle material which she is touring. Gently strumming to vulnerable lyrical sentiments like ‘who’s going to take me home?’ isn’t entirely becoming of her denim-wearing, Stella-glugging, joke-cracking demeanour – in spite of its effortless craft and frequent beauty. … Continue Reading

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Cargo, London

By Russell Warfield

February 13, 2013

As far as album titles go, II is a pretty open admission that you’re not shaking the formula up too much with your second album. Playing tonight on the very day of their new record’s UK release, Unknown Mortal Orchestra showcase some of the material which forms their strong second album, one which continues to mine psychedelic, sixties-rock wig-outs without any shred of wry knowingness or irony. … Continue Reading

METZ, Birthdays, London

By Olivia Tobin

February 08, 2013

The Canadian trio, known for their raucous and tumultuous live shows, are arguably Toronto’s best kept secret. Exploding onto the scene last year with their self-titled Sub Pop Records debut, the band quickly became known for their outrageous velocity and extreme performances.  For many (including myself) tonight would be the first time they would experience these notorious shows, and see if METZ could successfully transcend the energy of their album onto the live stage. … Continue Reading

Shearwater, The Garage, London

By Andrew Seaton

November 24, 2012

So rushing across Highbury Crescent (Apple Maps is TERRIBLE – #firstworldproblems) we just about make it to the Garage. It’s a decent venue with pints at an extremely reasonable £4.50 (#sarcasm….no more hashtags, I promise). So a white, middle-class crowd have already staked their claim in front of the stage, on walks everyone’s favourite ornithologist and we’re away. … Continue Reading

FAYE @ Rekorderlig ‘Winter Forest Bar’ Launch, London, Old Truman Brewery

By Sam Cleeve

October 25, 2012

Thursday saw the launch of premium Swedish cider brand Rekorderlig’s Winter Forest Bar at East London’s Truman Brewery, featuring a performance from Sweden’s very own FAYE. We’ve a few words and pictures from the night after the jump. Find out more about the pop-up bar – which keeps its doors open until November 6th – over at Rekorderlig’s Facebook page. … Continue Reading

James Yorkston, London, Queen Elizabeth Hall

By Robert Freeman

September 24, 2012

Permanently becaptacled James Yorkston writes interesting and strange songs that weave the personal with the anecdotal, oral tradition*, and so-called ‘tall tales.’ Yorkston is a product of his environment, fashioning beautiful pop music out of the landscape of the sea, the mist and the tides. As a live act he succeeds in balancing the sombre and personal with an irreverence and humour that is truly endearing. … Continue Reading

The Third Degree, London, Floridita

By Matthew Jones

September 20, 2012

It is something of a cliché to say that great musicians sound unimaginably greater live. Stevie Wonder and Geno Washington are some personal proofs of this general rule. When I first heard The Third Degree’s northern-soul take on Duffy’s ‘Mercy’, I wanted to see them live immediately. Although I did not expect this virtually unknown band to top the big names, as an originally one-off collective that impressed enough to become part of Tri-Sound’s mission to “bring back ‘real’ music,” I eagerly awaited seeing them live. But my wish finally having been granted by their Acid Jazz (the band’s new label) EP launch, I am sad to discover that great musicians can also be much smaller in person. … Continue Reading

Jens Lekman, London, Hackney Empire

By Nick Levine

September 20, 2012

The plush, and notably seated surroundings of the Hackney Empire, the location for this evening’s performance, indicate that Jens Lekman has broken out of the indie pop realm and has become part of the wider singer songwriter establishment. For the occasion Lekman is flanked by a four piece band consisting of a bassist, piano player and violinist. All are decked out in matching Persil white sneakers, with Lekman going for the ultra geeky combo of suit and baseball cap.

… Continue Reading

In Pictures: Calexico, London, HMV Forum

Here’s a few photos from Calexico’s recent show at London’s HMV Forum. The band’s latest album, Algiers, is out now via City Slang. All photos by Richie Soans (@RichSoansPhotos). … Continue Reading

El-P, London, Scala

By Russell Warfield

September 12, 2012

Earlier this year, during the should-be triumphant week of the release of his long awaited (and frankly stunning) Cancer 4 Cure LP, El-P sadly had to cancel a string of European shows, owing to the sudden loss of a loved one. Just a few months later, and El-P is back in the UK, honouring the gigs he missed – and, not that I’d want to claim any sort of serious insight into Meline’s state of mind, it really did feel like El-P was riding a cathartic high during his set tonight. Wide eyed and giddy throughout, with a restless sense of physical energy, Meline explodes across the stage, displaying a sincerely genuine sense of thankfulness towards the audience and, more bluntly, seeming that he was having a fucking brilliant time. No drugs, he confirms, a little alcohol, he concedes, but he was clearly riding the most exhilarating wave of ecstatic release, even becoming so intoxicated off his own atmosphere to completely ignore the British smoking ban. … Continue Reading