HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope you celebrated as much as I did (or maybe not as much - I definitely felt the consequences this morning). We have SO much to look forward to this year in terms of music. It's time to update your iPod and fill it with all the superb bands that are really gonna make it big this year.
With institutions like NME and the BBC predicting their sounds of 2013, I thought I'd do my own...

Lauren's Top 10 Ones to Watch in 2013!

• 1. Coming in at no.1 is, with no surprise, PEACE. 2013 is going to be the year that Peace dominate. The 13th of this month will see the release of their new single 'Wraith.' Their psychedelic mix of sounds that logic says shouldn't sound right together makes them such an interesting band. With their vintage mix 'n' match style, uber cool personality, fantastic live presence and phenomenal tunes, these Brummie rock stars have got everything covered.

• 2. It's again no surprise that at no.2 are the Brummie boys that make up Swim Deep. Their newest single, 'The Sea' was aired on Huw Stephens' show recently, and oh my god it's good ... like really really good. Their music takes me out of boring Birmingham and puts me on a sunny beach, dancing like a lunatic to their trippy tunes. Their debut album will be released later this year; I have no doubt at all that it will be unbelievably amazing.

• 3. Palma Violets are inevitably going to gain even more positive attention this year. They're a new band and yet they've made the front cover of NME twice! They've been labelled as the next 'Libertines.' I just hope that they don't get big headed or complacent, or even crumble under the pressure. I love their music, and if they stay true to themselves they'll be an awful lot more people lovin' their stuff.

• 4. Tame Impala have admittedly been around for a while, but it's clear that after their latest album 'Lonerism,' which topped a load of album of the year type charts, that they're getting the recognition that they deserve. The Aussie's will be entering 2013 with a huge amount of new fans. I reckon they'll be all over the festival scene, wowing everyone with their 70's hippe style tracks. I feel like I'm in one of Noel Fielding's dreams when I listen to them. 

• 5. 2013 will see the release of Bastille's highly anticipated debut album. They're fantastic live, and their simple yet effective indie-pop tracks are so great. They've got a pretty strong set of fans already, but I've got no doubt that as soon as that album is released, they'll become everyone's new favourite band. 

• 6. It's been announced that Tom Odell has won the highly respected Brits Critic's Choice Award. I've actually seen Tom live without realising! He was one of the support acts for Jake Bugg a few weeks ago. He's got a beautifully pure voice and he's a great musician - a deserved winner! If the previous winners are anything to go by (e.g Florence and Adele), Mr Odell will soon be a household name.

• 7. Chvrches were placed at no.5 on the BBC sound of 2013. They're like a reeeeeally slowed down and calmer version of Crystal Castles. I love Lauren's (great name) voice; it's pure and girly and sounds great in contrast to the electro sounds. You'll hear a lot about this Scottish trio this year, I'm sure.

• 8. If Morrissey used Dubstep, he'd sound a lot like King Krule. He's only 18, but he's really talented. It's    really to hard to pigeon hole him into a specific genre - he's totally original. There's a bluesy type rhythm to his darker Jamie T-esqye style of singing with occasional dubstep techniques - wow.

• 9. TOY are like a colourful Joy Division. They're not revolutionary in terms of genre, but you can't deny their talent. Their music just seems to draw me in and keep me in a trance like state. They remind me an an awful lot of The Horrors - in a good way.

• 10. Last, but my no means least is Splashh. I saw them support Spector earlier this year, and they were superb. It's really rare to get a support band that really grab your attention and don't make you wish that their set will hurry up and end. It's like being transported back to the 90s with their grungy and distorted sounds. They're really really cool.

Hope you enjoyed! x

Gigs, gigs, gigs

There is absolutely nothing I love more than going to concerts. Since the last update i've seen

• The Vaccines (see below)
  
  
• Boat to RowA lovely and remarkably talented band, but I couldn't help but feel that their music was more 'background music.' Brum Notes (one of the magazines I write for) hosted the gig so I felt like it would be wrong for me to miss out. Their music would be perfect if you're on a comfy armchair with a good classic novel and a glass of red wine, not standing in hot cramped room.
  

• Admiral Fallow
  
  This was a last minute thing because Counteract didn't have a reviewer. I knew their first support act, Cannon Street because I'd seen them at the Oxjam festival. They are truly unbelievably talented.
  
  
  
  
  Admiral Fallow were great too. Spontaneity is always a good thing!
  

• Jake Bugg
  I'll be getting my review of Jake published in Brum Notes, yay! 

• Peace + Swim deep + more (aka Btownstock)
  THE BEST GIG EVER
  I am so proud of Birmingham. Everyone went absolutely insane!

'Tis The Season...

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and filled your ears with great music. 

Here's a breathtaking cover of War is Over from the wonderful Jake Bugg

x x x 

Wilderness Festival 2012 review

Now that the festival season’s over for another year, it’s time to reminisce about the fantastic summer of music that has just flown by. What are some of your memories? I’m going to assume they’re something along the lines of loud music on multiple stages surrounded by large crowds with ‘Topshop inspired’ outfits and neon paint. Oh, and not forgetting plenty of mud and a surplus amount of fast food stalls. That’s the standard set up of a British festival, right? Well, Wilderness Festival breaks all the festival stereotypes.

Deep in the wilderness of Oxfordshire’s Cornbury park, an array of eccentricities enjoyed the uniqueness of this small festival; ‘a celebration of the Arts and Outdoors in the wilds of England.’ Individuals dressed as Bugsy Malone extras and wild animals could be seen partying to the sounds of tribal beats and circling around a band stand; just a few insights into what happened on one sunny weekend in mid-August. Wilderness is only two years old, but the running of the entire festival was completely smooth and without flaw. With the help of the Old Vic Tunnels, The Secret Garden Party and Michelin star chefs, the best organised festival, although a ‘party in the woods’ may be a more fitting title, graced the UK with its presence.

Over the course of three days, the main stage saw performances from up and coming superstars. King Charles, Lianne La Havas and Crystal Fighters are a few of Friday’s acts that really stood out with their confident, energetic and enthusiastic performances. Jake Bugg, 18-year-old musical genius, surprised everyone with his unassuming and humble character. Jake shared the stage on Saturday with The Temper Trap; a band that you can never get tired of. The entire crowd chorusing ‘sweet disposition’ in the festival sunshine is a moment to be remembered. Sunday saw singer/songwriter Benjamin Frances Leftwich take to the stage with his beautifully written songs, performed equally beautifully with his soft and charming voice.

The Bandstand and the Folk Guild stages saw many more performances from up and coming bands. The Folk Guild stage was any folk lover’s dream; a marquee complete with hay barrels and bunting that hosted incredible bands throughout the day and night. A band that caught mine and many others’ attention was We Were Evergreen. The band, originally from France, played all three stages throughout the festival. They were completely overwhelmed as the crowd danced in true hippie style to their unbelievably catchy tunes; so much so that they even joined in at one point and performed within the crowd!

The natural setting of Wilderness is one of the many things that made it such a special festival. You could be mistaken for believing that you had fallen down the rabbit whole and ended up in one of Florence Welch’s dreams. After a walk in the wilderness, a skinny dipping session or a ride in one of the boats on the beautiful lake, the festival goers could take a walk up to the campfire at the busking stage, hosted by friends of the earth who, while dressed as cute bees, were raising awareness of the importance of bumble bees. If you didn’t think it could get anymore ‘hippie,’ think again. There were various tents hosting talks and debates from naturists, scientists, actors, artists, and even Made in Chelsea’s Frances Boulle. If you didn’t fancy any of that, then you could have taken a stroll into ‘vintage village,’ tried your hand at arts and crafts or taken a visit to the onsite spa. Forget greasy chips and burgers, wilderness festival goers treated themselves to ‘Annie Mac and cheese’ and various types of food from campervan stalls and cups of tea from a double decker bus. If that wasn’t enough, long table banquets were held by Michelin star chefs.

The festival certainly didn’t end after the headline act on the main stage! Late night parties were held each night in conjunction with various other organisers. Future Cinema hosted a live performance of Bugsy Malone on the first night. The actors stayed in character all day and the night ended in a huge splurge fight as part of Fat Sam’s Grand Slam. Old Vic Tunnels hosted a masquerade ball and the Secret Garden party hosted a tribal party. Both nights were surreal as the décor of the festival surroundings and the outlandish costumes came together with alternative live music to create unforgettable evenings.

So much was packed into one weekend that I could easily go on writing forever. Wilderness festival 2013 is an absolute must! Sebastian Pringle, lead singer of Crystal Fighters summed it up perfectly; “you guys are lucky, because this shit is gonna get massive.”

Published version on DYC here; give it a like!

Published

Check out the published versions and give them a cheeky like on facebook;

Jake Bugg

The Ghosts 

Jake Bugg | Jake Bugg album review

There’s nothing more refreshing than the sound of simple, pure, unrefined guitar folk-pop that can act as your saviour whilst you inevitably begin to drown in a sea of dance music and become lost in the overpowering waves of electronics that are now taking over the music scene. 18 year old rising star, Jake Bugg, has gone back to basics with his beautifully written songs accompanied by his much loved guitar. While his music is somewhat traditional, it still holds an invigorating essence of ‘new.’  Bugg has taken the media world by storm and is constantly being likened to Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Don Mclean, Donovan and the like. It’s clear who Jake’s influences are, but I’m conscious of the fact that all these comparisons are masking his obvious individuality and raw talent as an original artist.

High expectations have been placed upon the release of Jake’s self titled debut album after the huge success of his singles ‘Lightening Bolt,’ ‘Troubled Town,’ ‘Taste it’ and ‘Two fingers.’ Jake has been a feature on Radio 1 many times, including rightfully taking the title of Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record which has increased his fan base and inevitably the anticipation for the album.

Jake has fulfilled and exceeded the expectations. There’s so much more to him than the ‘teen-angst’ we hear on the singles. Tracks on the album are more delicate and beautiful than you could have imagined. Accompanied by his acoustic guitar alone, the pure vocals riddled with raw emotion on ‘Slide’ are sure to pull on your heartstrings. The equally emotionally raw build up to the beautiful harmonies in ‘Broken’ are sure to make to the hairs on your neck stand on end.

Bugg shows his versatility as all the well-written songs vary from theme to theme. On an album, it’s more than likely that you’ll have the odd song or two that you can happily skip past when you've got in on shuffle. On this album, there aren’t any of those. From the heart wrenching love song of ‘Someplace’ to the 50’s influenced sound effects in ‘Fire’ to the upbeat country style of ‘Simple As This,’ there isn’t one song that you won’t instantly fall in love with.

His shockingly good talent in his song writing shows that a wise and knowledgeable head sits on his young shoulders. For an 18 year old lad, it’s astonishing how honest his lyrics are and I can’t help but feel that he must have been through more than his fair share of shit; he’s definitely ‘Seen It All!’ ‘Seen it All’ is seemingly influenced by Clifton; the council estate that he’s grown up in, in Nottingham. He talks about stabbings at a house party that he crashed after he’d taken a pill ‘or maybe two.’

‘Two fingers’ tells us of his memories with his friends in Clifton like skinning up a ‘fat one’ and hiding from the ‘feds’ while he expresses his general ‘fuck it’ attitude.

Jake says himself in Troubled Town, ‘If I talk of getting out, I only hear the laughter loud. It's got an ugly echo.’ I wonder who’s laughing now, now that Bugg has escaped ‘speed bump city’ and broken free into the big wide world! If this is what he can produce at the age of 18, I look forward to whatever this talented Nottingham teen produces next.

Best songs: Broken, Seen it All

Album rating: 9/10

The album will be available for purchase and download on 15^th October

Jake Bugg - Album pre-release

I am officially the luckiest girl in the world.

After a few chats with Jake Bugg's press, I was asked if I wanted to review his album; of course, I said yes! I got this bundle in the post today and just couldn't stop smiling. I feel like a proper journalist!

I can honestly say that this is one of the best albums I have ever listened to; the mere fact that it's been on repeat all day is enough to prove that. I can't wait to get something written and published!

I'm even more excited for the gig in November now! All hail Jake Bugg.

Jake Bugg - Two Fingers

Summer Music

What a fantastic summer for music it has been!

I went to an amazingly unique festival called Wilderness - watch this space for a published review. It really was the epitome of cool, weird, and hippie - definitely a must for next year. Guess who managed to have a chat with their favourite big haired musician, King Charles, again! I actually managed to keep calm, despite the fact that I was melting inside due to his pure sexiness #fangirling! He even called me a 'silly girl' because I hadn't got myself a ticket to see him at reading. He also declared that he was on the hunt for a girl to kiss - PICK ME CHARLES, PICK ME

The Stone Roses have been the soundtrack to my car journeys ever since I was little, so to actually have had the chance to see the Mancunian legends live at V festival was a personal summer highlight. The Stone Roses, The Killers, Miles Kane and Noel Gallagher were absolutely fantastic. They made all the difference to V festival, which otherwise had a pretty shit line up compared to previous years. 

I don't even think I can bring myself to talk about Reading and Leeds. I am BITTERLY jealous of anyone that got to go and listen to the entire contents of my music collection in one place. I embarrassingly burst into tears when I saw Fearne and Gregg's coverage of the festival on BBC3 where they showed Green day's (badly kept) secret show. Alt-J, Jake Bugg, King Charles, Tribes, The Cure and almost every other band were amazing to watch on TV and I'm certain even better to watch within the festival atmosphere. I definitely won't be making that mistake again - Bring on Reading 2k13!!