So it's time to start thinking about creating a list (and checking it twice natch) or two for the end of year...
I've been to a lot of gigs this year, and I always try and take in at least one of the support acts. This year it's been well worth getting there early, as I've been able to see some top bands. Here are my 8:
8) F*** Buttons (Supporting Mogwai)
7) Apostle of Hustle (Supporting Stars)
6) Port O' Brien (Supporting Bon Iver)
5) Bon Iver (Supporting Jens Lekman)
4) Mitch & Murray (Supporting Alaska in Winter)
3) Soko (Supporting I'm From Barcelona)
2) The Dodos (Supporting Okkervil River)
1) Errors (Supporting Mogwai)
Errors were not only amazing, but they were on first in a 3 band evening so definitely deserved the win there. There are some well regarded bands who didn't make it - These New Puritans and Howling Bells to name two, I guess that reinforces how good this year has been - and I didn't permit myself to include any of the festival bands either.
To be quite honest most of those bands I'd pay to see headline so that is really a strong list; at least 3 of them will be in contention for the album list, not to mention the gig list... watch this space.
Showing posts with label Errors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Errors. Show all posts
Monday, 8 December 2008
Friday, 24 October 2008
Tonight...
...I'm back on the gigs again after a break for a month or two. It's back with a bang as not only am I seeing one of my favourite bands - Mogwai - the support is pretty excellent as well. On first are Errors who were one of my highlights from this year's Latitude. Then it's F*** Buttons whose Street Horrrsing album is excellent. Can't wait!
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Forthcoming Attractions
With the summer festival season now over for me, it's time to look ahead at what the final third has to offer...
Gigs
Well so far as gigs go, I've got some real beauties in the calendar. Things are quiet until October when Mogwai are playing London. It'll be the second time I've seen them, reports have been good about the new album, and the supports are pretty special too, Errors (one of the highlights of Latitude) and F*** Buttons.
Then into November which is just outstanding gig-wise. Okkervil River and Mercury Rev inside 3 days in London. Okkervil River were brilliant at Great Escape, and I'm really looking forward to a full length set from them. Mercury Rev are one of my all time favourite bands. I saw them last at Latitude '06, and will be interesting to see how the new material comes across live. Watch out for a piece to mark the 10th Anniversary of Deserters Songs in September...
After then it's down to Brighton for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. As previously mentioned, Nick Cave's slimmed down band, Grinderman, were amazing at Latitude this year, and the full Bad Seeds line-up is a mouth-watering prospect.
Then to round off the month it's I'm from Barcelona who I missed at Latitude 2007 and have regretted it ever since. By all accounts the new album is more "serious" than the first, but I'm still confident off balloon-bouncing fun!
Gigs
Well so far as gigs go, I've got some real beauties in the calendar. Things are quiet until October when Mogwai are playing London. It'll be the second time I've seen them, reports have been good about the new album, and the supports are pretty special too, Errors (one of the highlights of Latitude) and F*** Buttons.
Then into November which is just outstanding gig-wise. Okkervil River and Mercury Rev inside 3 days in London. Okkervil River were brilliant at Great Escape, and I'm really looking forward to a full length set from them. Mercury Rev are one of my all time favourite bands. I saw them last at Latitude '06, and will be interesting to see how the new material comes across live. Watch out for a piece to mark the 10th Anniversary of Deserters Songs in September...
After then it's down to Brighton for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. As previously mentioned, Nick Cave's slimmed down band, Grinderman, were amazing at Latitude this year, and the full Bad Seeds line-up is a mouth-watering prospect.
Then to round off the month it's I'm from Barcelona who I missed at Latitude 2007 and have regretted it ever since. By all accounts the new album is more "serious" than the first, but I'm still confident off balloon-bouncing fun!
Monday, 4 August 2008
Latitude Thursday + Friday
So then, my third Latitude and the one that had (for me) the weakest line-up on paper...
Things did not get off to a particularly promising start - delays getting into the carpark and then into the campsite. Normally they happen like clockwork, but it seems like a lot more people have decided to arrive early on the Thursday this year. Still, not to worry, friends met and tents up we settle back for a beer or two and let the festival begin!
Opening the Friday on the Sunrise stage is Godwits who appeared to be absolutely petrified at the size of the crowd as they start. Despite the singer admitting his nerves they improve as the set wears on but never really manage to shine.
After a quick beer break we catch the second half of Rosie and the Goldbug who played some energetic indie pop accompanied by dancers dressed as gold bugs (do you see what they did there, etc?) and are a lot more livelier than Godwits.
Next up is one of the highlights of the first day, Broken Records who have improved on the Great Escape show we saw in May. They seem more confident than before and the result is a more powerful performance. Single "If the news makes you sad, don't watch it" is one of many highlights and if these guys don't make it to near the top of one of the main stages next year then the world is truly a cruel place.
Slow Club, by contrast, seem a little subdued compared to their Great Escape gig so we head off to the lake stage for Derwyddon Dr Gonzo who by some margin are the most fun band of the weekend. With a horn section dressed as superheroes (except one dressed as a nurse, for some reason!) and the rest of the band in a variety of different fancy dress outfits their welsh ska/funk gets a good sized crowd dancing along despite not knowing any of the words. Recent single Bwthion/Chaviach gets a good reception (and gets purchased by me on my return home!).
After that it's off to the main stage for Aliens who faff around a lot, play Robot man for about 15 minutes and don't play happy song... could have been good but aren't. Beth Orton is next on and does well despite playing a fair amount of new songs. Swears a lot too...
British Sea Power follow Beth and despite the addition of a Bulgarian choir they just don't recapture the energy of the Canvey Gig. It's hard to say why, but the band just never seemed to get going so I leave a little early and head for the lake stage.
..where I find Gideon Conn rapping away. I arrive just as he finishes my favourite song of his, I want you around, but the rest of the set is of a consistantly high quality with his witty lyrics and funky beats going down very well.
A quick bite to eat later and I head to Julian Cope who produces perhaps the most frustrating set of the festival (or indeed any festival)... comes on late, then after a slow start is just beginning to hit top form when he runs out of time... hopefully next time he'll be given a bit longer!
Leaving frustration behind I head back to the lake stage for the headliners, Errors who put on a suitably intense show. The usual description of them is a more electronic Mogwai which seems to be fair. I'll be seeing them supporting the aformentioned Mogwai in October so will say more then, except to add I'm looking forward to the support acts almost as much as the headliners for that gig (I did say almost!).
Franz Ferdinand headline the main stage but are hampered by poor sound in the back half of the arena so after hearing most of my personal favourites I head to the poetry tent when the rain arrives...
Things did not get off to a particularly promising start - delays getting into the carpark and then into the campsite. Normally they happen like clockwork, but it seems like a lot more people have decided to arrive early on the Thursday this year. Still, not to worry, friends met and tents up we settle back for a beer or two and let the festival begin!
Opening the Friday on the Sunrise stage is Godwits who appeared to be absolutely petrified at the size of the crowd as they start. Despite the singer admitting his nerves they improve as the set wears on but never really manage to shine.
After a quick beer break we catch the second half of Rosie and the Goldbug who played some energetic indie pop accompanied by dancers dressed as gold bugs (do you see what they did there, etc?) and are a lot more livelier than Godwits.
Next up is one of the highlights of the first day, Broken Records who have improved on the Great Escape show we saw in May. They seem more confident than before and the result is a more powerful performance. Single "If the news makes you sad, don't watch it" is one of many highlights and if these guys don't make it to near the top of one of the main stages next year then the world is truly a cruel place.
Slow Club, by contrast, seem a little subdued compared to their Great Escape gig so we head off to the lake stage for Derwyddon Dr Gonzo who by some margin are the most fun band of the weekend. With a horn section dressed as superheroes (except one dressed as a nurse, for some reason!) and the rest of the band in a variety of different fancy dress outfits their welsh ska/funk gets a good sized crowd dancing along despite not knowing any of the words. Recent single Bwthion/Chaviach gets a good reception (and gets purchased by me on my return home!).
After that it's off to the main stage for Aliens who faff around a lot, play Robot man for about 15 minutes and don't play happy song... could have been good but aren't. Beth Orton is next on and does well despite playing a fair amount of new songs. Swears a lot too...
British Sea Power follow Beth and despite the addition of a Bulgarian choir they just don't recapture the energy of the Canvey Gig. It's hard to say why, but the band just never seemed to get going so I leave a little early and head for the lake stage.
..where I find Gideon Conn rapping away. I arrive just as he finishes my favourite song of his, I want you around, but the rest of the set is of a consistantly high quality with his witty lyrics and funky beats going down very well.
A quick bite to eat later and I head to Julian Cope who produces perhaps the most frustrating set of the festival (or indeed any festival)... comes on late, then after a slow start is just beginning to hit top form when he runs out of time... hopefully next time he'll be given a bit longer!
Leaving frustration behind I head back to the lake stage for the headliners, Errors who put on a suitably intense show. The usual description of them is a more electronic Mogwai which seems to be fair. I'll be seeing them supporting the aformentioned Mogwai in October so will say more then, except to add I'm looking forward to the support acts almost as much as the headliners for that gig (I did say almost!).
Franz Ferdinand headline the main stage but are hampered by poor sound in the back half of the arena so after hearing most of my personal favourites I head to the poetry tent when the rain arrives...
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