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 Soko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soko. Show all posts
Monday, 8 December 2008
Saturday, 29 November 2008
I'm From Barcelona
Tuesday and we were back at Scala for I'm From Barcelona - very different to Sunday's excellent Nick Cave gig, but in many ways every bit as good.
Soko was supporting - I saw her at Latitude - and was again great fun. I wasn't sure she'd go down too well with her silly-cutesy stylings, but then I guess IFB fans aren't all that likely to take themselves too seriously. She doesn't ever seem to do the Dandy Cowboys live, which is a shame as it's my favourite song of hers.
I'm From Barcelona were so much fun. From the moment they started throwing balloons into the crowd (about the 3rd song in), it was just a riot of dancing and singing and confetti! Definitely going to see them again, if only as an antidote to the po-faced indie world!
Soko was supporting - I saw her at Latitude - and was again great fun. I wasn't sure she'd go down too well with her silly-cutesy stylings, but then I guess IFB fans aren't all that likely to take themselves too seriously. She doesn't ever seem to do the Dandy Cowboys live, which is a shame as it's my favourite song of hers.
I'm From Barcelona were so much fun. From the moment they started throwing balloons into the crowd (about the 3rd song in), it was just a riot of dancing and singing and confetti! Definitely going to see them again, if only as an antidote to the po-faced indie world!
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Latitude Saturday
Saturday is the quietest day for yours truly, bands wise. Time is spent in the Literary, Film and Caberet tents sampling some of the other delights Latitude has to offer... learning to play the ukelele in under an hour, hearing poetry about drugs and watching a film about... well I'm not entirely sure as I missed both beginning and end!
So far as bands go I start off with French songstress Soko who is delightfully ramshackle. With backing from Johnny Flynn and the drummer from his band she sings songs which mostly seem to be about failed romances and how much she likes peanut butter.
Next up is Malcolm Middleton. His former band, Arab Strap, are long time favourites of mine and his solo work has also been regulars on the stereo round these parts. With a tight backing band and playing songs from the last 3 albums his set is one of the highlights of the weekend. Blue Plastic Bags from the recent album "Sleight of Heart" is a standout.
After ten minutes of Elbow frankly I'm bored so I head over to the Music and Film tent of Mark Lamarr's God's Jukebox evening which turns out to be one of the best evenings of any of the 3 Latitudes so far. Not just the bands, but the music played in between which keeps me dancing into the small hours.
First on is Pete Molinari who mixes rock n roll with early Dylan to good effect. After a set drawn almost entirely from his most recent album he finishes with a cover of Folsom Prison Blues which goes down a storm.
Next up is The Heavy an energetic funk rap crossover act, seemingly at odds to the rest of the bands on. They seem to have a lot of fans in just to see them and the tent is full of people having a great time...
Midnight hits and the third act comes on, R&B revivalist James Hunter. Less energetic than the Heavy, Hunter and his band keep people dancing with their bluesy soul.
The highlight of the evening for a soul fan like me comes with the next act, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and the True Loves. Great soul with more than a nod to legend James Carr they blow me away with some of the best grooves heard in many a year. Despite having not had a beer since the start of the evening (beer or water!) I'm still dancing throughout and really I can pay no higher compliment.
So far as bands go I start off with French songstress Soko who is delightfully ramshackle. With backing from Johnny Flynn and the drummer from his band she sings songs which mostly seem to be about failed romances and how much she likes peanut butter.
Next up is Malcolm Middleton. His former band, Arab Strap, are long time favourites of mine and his solo work has also been regulars on the stereo round these parts. With a tight backing band and playing songs from the last 3 albums his set is one of the highlights of the weekend. Blue Plastic Bags from the recent album "Sleight of Heart" is a standout.
After ten minutes of Elbow frankly I'm bored so I head over to the Music and Film tent of Mark Lamarr's God's Jukebox evening which turns out to be one of the best evenings of any of the 3 Latitudes so far. Not just the bands, but the music played in between which keeps me dancing into the small hours.
First on is Pete Molinari who mixes rock n roll with early Dylan to good effect. After a set drawn almost entirely from his most recent album he finishes with a cover of Folsom Prison Blues which goes down a storm.
Next up is The Heavy an energetic funk rap crossover act, seemingly at odds to the rest of the bands on. They seem to have a lot of fans in just to see them and the tent is full of people having a great time...
Midnight hits and the third act comes on, R&B revivalist James Hunter. Less energetic than the Heavy, Hunter and his band keep people dancing with their bluesy soul.
The highlight of the evening for a soul fan like me comes with the next act, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and the True Loves. Great soul with more than a nod to legend James Carr they blow me away with some of the best grooves heard in many a year. Despite having not had a beer since the start of the evening (beer or water!) I'm still dancing throughout and really I can pay no higher compliment.
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