London

SW4 2014 – Saturday Review

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SW4 always promises to deliver a huge lineup; and this year was no different. Clapham Common battens down the hatches once a year for an onslaught of thousands of festival-goers eager to experience some of europe’s finest EDM DJ’s and Producers in the flesh.

We arrived at Clapham Common to a slightly cooler day and walked around the site to get our bearings; there was four stages this year, The Gallery, The Last Day on Earth, the DJ Magazine Arena, and of course the Main Stage. The set times had been posted so we knew where we needed to be and when; and first up was Oliver Heldens on the main stage. Somewhat predictably the early crowd knew exactly what they wanted to hear – Gecko. He set the scene well for the early comers, and we got some great photos of the crowd enjoying a rave in the sunshine.

Next up on the main stage was Danny Avila, who has had a quick rise in EDM, and now normally plays with the big names in the US – but his UK festival appearance this year shows his universal appeal. His bootleg of Ellie Goulding’s Burn went down particularly well. 

Leaving the main stage, we headed over to catch Loco Dice in the DJ Mag tent  – at our earlier interview with Tristan Ingram, he’d said how much he was looking forwards to Loco’s set, so we couldn’t miss it either and made sure we were right there to catch all the action. He didn’t disappoint and obviously really enjoyed his set; bouncing around the stage like it was midnight! It was still early, and the sun streamed through the tent’s openings – it got pretty hot in there, but the crowd stuck with him on his deep but funky journey. 

This is where it all got a bit hectic; we rushed back to catch Fedde Le Grand, saw him play a few stormers including Off With Yer Head, but we had to rush off again for Booka Shade – who were playing live in the Last Day on Earth arena. The stage had been cleared of the DJ booth, and in its place was two ‘pods’, one containing percussion, and the other, synths. The crowd was in for a treat! The guys gave a really expressive and vibrant performance, interacting throughout on the mic. Off again to catch Super8/TAB in the Gallery briefly before we rushed back to catch Seth Troxler while it rained (timing!). Seth is a relative newbie by comparison to Sasha who followed him in the Last Day arena, but by no means less impressive, and he really delivered a storming set to amp the crowd up for Sasha.

The festival site isn’t too large, so all the running about wasn’t too difficult. The entire central area was made over to food trucks and rides which made a welcome distraction for some.  We made it back in time to catch New World Punx on the Main stage – Markus Schulz and Ferry Corsten are ever the showmen and put on a fantastic show, really hyping up the now growing crowd – the huge screens had some amazing visuals and NWP had the pleasure of playing as the sun started to dip in the sky – what a beautiful sight it was. Alesso followed NWP and played a lovely dj set, warming up nicely and building the vibe for W&W, but it was over to catch Aly & Fila for us in the Gallery arena where the crowd were really getting into it. 

Knowing that Markus Schulz was up next we stuck around and were treated to a great set, punctuated with classics – always one to play to the crowd and we were not disappointed! The vibe was electric and you know when Ferry Corsten is hanging around back stage that something special is going on. I could have stayed front and centre there for the whole set, but Above & Beyond were up on the main stage, and we had to go capture!

By now the sun was well and truly down, and the lighting on stage picked up a notch- the Above & Beyond show had begun. Huge vocals, and reach-for-the-lasers tunes are what A&B are known for, and they certainly delivered right til the very end. 

Thank you SW4 – a fantastic day with some amazing moments and something I’ll remember for a long while. The journey home with the sorest feet I’ve had in a long time, and I can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Highlights for me were Loco Dice, New World Punx (Markus!), Aly & Fila and of course Above & Beyond. Epic day

Photos by Reetesh Rambhai

 

Camden Rocks 2014 Review

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Camden’s notoriously idolised for its music scene, the generation of Amy’s, Pete’s Carls and Noels may be behind us, but there’s still enough to of the icon to put on an incredible line up.
Located at some of London’s cult venues-Proud, Electric Ball Room and The worlds End, this was sure to be a festive hit with locals and tourists alike.

With an eclectic and heavy mix of bands, from 00s Indie Hero’s Johnny Borrell and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, to the heavier Black Out and incredible turbo wolf.

Stand Out performances came in the form of new kids on the block The Struts with an incredible set at Proud, with glamour and swagger oozing into the crowd.

The Black Out came out to a full crowd at Underground sending a never-ending buzz into the streets outside and turbo wolf blended 70s grit with heavy guitars to creatry a heady-gritty set. 

Headline sets came from the Subways who seem to always be on top form, sending the full-to-capacity crowd into frantic moves with their huge back catalogue of hits.

The only downer was the festival didn’t feel new, nothing shouted out as being exciting as far as atmosphere went, but maybe that’s just because its Camden. Maybe it needs no Gimmicks, Camden at the end of the day is Camden, and Camden Rocks does exactly what it says on the tin.


Created with flickr slideshow.

 

Arcade Fire to headline British Summer Time Hyde Park 2014

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As one of the best live acts in the world, the million-selling Grammy-winning Arcade Fire’s latest album Reflektor topped the charts in the UK and North America and reached #1 in the iTunes charts in 40 countries.

Arcade Fire are renowned for creating an immersive live experience with the help of their audience. Costume and formal attire is optional and encouraged at every show. The carnival atmosphere is heightened by Haitian percussionists and a string section, while special guest appearances along the Reflektor tour have included Debbie Harry and Beck – and filming of new video ‘We Exist’ saw Spiderman Andrew Garfield join the band onstage at the Coachella Festival in California.

Joining Arcade Fire at Hyde Park will be Wild Beasts and Future Islands

Fresh from releasing their critically acclaimed Top 10 album ‘Present Tense’ Wild Beasts will be hitting the Hyde Park stage this July. Shortly after this, the band will be off to play shows in the USA, Canada and Australia, so be sure to catch their melodic rock anthems on home soil this summer 

Synthpop heroes Future Islands were born to grace the stage at Hyde Park. Forming in 2006 in Baltimore, USA, they rose to prominence in March this year with a landmark performance on The Late Show with David Letterman with their seminal track ‘Seasons (Waiting On You)’. London’s Hyde Park is set to fall in love with the breakthrough success of 2014!

Headliners already announced for Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park are Black Sabbath leading a huge day of rock 4th July, The Libertines on July 5th, McBusted on 6th July, Neil Young 12th July and Tom Jones on 13th July. 

Barclaycard presale tickets available from 9am Monday 19th May: http://www.barclaycardunwind.com

BST/AEG presale: 9am Wednesday 21st May

GENERAL ON-SALE: 9am Friday 23rd May

 

Camden Crawl completes lineup for 2014

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With summer quickly approaching things are heating up in more ways than one with only 6 weeks left to go until CC14 fills the streets of North London with some of the best new alternative sounds of 2014. With a new album on the horizon, this Summer Solstice sees London’s very own Dry the River make their long awaited return to the festival. They are joined by of the moment Canadian songwriter Sean Nicholas Savage on an Electric Ballroom dream bill already overflowing with amazing North American talent including of Montreal, Au Revoir Simone and Jeffrey Lewis & The Jrams. Over at Dummy’s electronic marathon SOPHIE will present his sonic assault of pop hooks, hyperreal sound design and club rhythms on at unrelenting bill at the Jazz Café whilst Big Deal, Thumpers and The Crookes bring their infectious brands of alt-guitar based pop to the festival’s stages. CC14 also knows how to make a bit of a punk-noise racket with the likes of Nai Harvest, Youth Man, The Black Tambourines, Gang, Abjects and the truly bizarre Vodun newly added to the line-up.

SHAMBLES & ACMS CURATE AFTERNOON COMEDY STAGES

A crawl wouldn’t be complete without its hugely popular comedy events. Limbering up with laughter on Saturday afternoon, CC14 presents two venues packed with side-splitting antics. Upstairs at the Camden Head is SHAMBLES, the self-proclaimed ‘World’s Best Comedy Night’ is an avant-garde collection of the funniest acts at the forefront of invention and has previously showcased such major names as Stewart Lee, Nick Helm, Stephen Merchant, Rich Fulcher and. Tim Minchin. Shambles at CC14 will be a wonderful mix of brand new talent, big name acts and surprise special guests…The line- up thus far includes: Lee Kern (star of Celebrity Bedlam), Britain’s Got Talent YouTube sensation Gaits Kandis, Lou Sanders (stand up as seen on Russell Howard's Good News), BAFTA nominated creator of Big Babies Spencer Jones and Max Dickens (Absolute Radio). www.facebook.com/clubshambles | @liveshambles

Across (Camden) town ‘fresh Sisyphean comedy’ hosted and curated by Thom Tuck awaits at The Grafton. For one afternoon only, The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society (ACMS) invades the Camden Crawl! Regular promoters at the Soho Theatre and a board membership which boasts such names as Josie Long, Bridget Christie, Tom Bell, Alexis Dubus, Sara Pascoe, Ben Target, Will Andrews, Isy Suttie & Nadia Kamil expect comedians trying valiantly to do something new, original and borderline funny! www.noblefailure.org  | @altcommemsoc

THE FULL LIVE MUSIC LINE UP:

ABC | ATARI TEENAGE RIOT | DRY THE RIVER | YUCK
THE FIELD | MOUSE ON MARS |  OF MONTREAL
PHIL HARTNOLL (Orbital) | PLASTICIAN | STEVE MASON

ADRIAN CROWLEY | ALEXIS TAYLOR | AU REVOIR SIMONE | BIG DEAL | BLIZZARD |  THE CROOKES | CYMBALS | D/R/U/G/S | DIRTY BEACHES | DJ TARGET | GHETTS |       GIRLS NAMES  | GNARWOLVES | JEFFREY LEWIS & THE JRAMS | JOHNNY FOREIGNER | KLOSE ONE | KREPT & KONAN | KUEDO | LAETITIA SADIER | LAUREL HALO | LITTLE SIMZ LIVITY SOUND | MAUSI | MAZES | MUMDANCE | THE OSCILLATION | SEAN NICHOLAS SAVAGE | SHABAZZ PALACES  |  SOPHIE | TALL SHIPS | THUMPERS | VISIONIST | WOLF PEOPLE

ABJECTS – AKIINE – ANNEKA – ARROWS OF LOVE – AUTOBAHN – BAD FOR LAZARUS – BAD WOLF – BIRD TO BEAST – BLACK MOTH – THE BLACK TAMBOURINES – BOXED IN (DJ SET) – BRAWLERS – BROLIN – BRONTIDE – CADENZA – CATTLE & CANE – CHARLES HOWL – COCOS LOVERS – CROWS – CRUSHED BEAKS – CUT – DANCING YEARS – DESPERATE JOURNALIST – DIGNAN PORCH – DJ BIG TED – DJ EMILY RAWSON – THE DRINK – E.M.M.A – EARLY GHOST -ED DOWIE – EIGHTEEN NIGHTMARES AT THE LUX – EYEZ – FARAO – THE FAUNS – FELT TIP – FEMME – FIS – GANG – GAPS – GENESIS ELIJAH – GOD DAMN – GREAT YTENE – GRUMBLING FUR – HAIKU SALUT – HALLS – HENRY BLACKER – HIGHER PROSPECTZ – HOT FEET – JACK CHESHIRE – JAY PRINCE – JOEL BAKER – KATIE KIM – KINNIE THE EXPLORER – LADY LYKEZ – LARRY GUS – LONGFELLOW – THE MAGIC LANTERN – MAX MARSHALL – MICHAEL A GRAMMAR – MICKEY LIGHTFOOT – MIRACULOUS MULE – MOKADEM – MOON ATE THE DARK – MOON GANGS – MOURNING BIRDS – NAI HARVEST – NICK BREWER – NOVELLA – PALE SEAS – PARLOUR – PAWS – PETER BRUNTNELL – THE PHYSICS HOUSE BAND – PINS – PRIMETIME – PROSE – PUZZLE – RACHAEL DADD – RAINER – RHIANNON THE NIGHTMARE – ROB PURSEY – SCHOOL IS COOL – SEAMS – SHOPPING – SLAVES – SOCCER 96 – SOCIETY – SPIT SHAKE SISTERS – THEO VERNEY – THOUGHT FORMS – TOUT – TRAAMS – VIOLET SKIES – VODUN – WASHINGTON IRVING – WE ARE CATCHERS – WHISTLEJACKET – WILDFLOWERS – WILL VARLEY – WOAHNOWS – YOUNGHUSBAND – YOUTH MAN – ZaiiO

Example Live At KOKO London (Ultimate Weekender)

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Examples Ultimate Weekender started off with a bang as the singer raved until there was no roof to touch with all the bouncing involved.

The intimate weekender, for fans close to Example, were treated but also tested to their limits as this type of show takes no prisoners. From the start, hits such as ‘Watch The Sun Come Up’ were majestically played with the roaring crowd obeying Examples plea to show him their ‘Piano Fingers’.

There was barely time for rest as ‘Playing in the Shadows’ was played mid-way through the set that formed a giant mosh pit in the centre of the standing area. The inevitable drum and bass / dubstep drop sent them into a euphoric frenzy.

The intensity was never given up, much to the pleasure of the raucous crowd who just wanted more and more. They were served perfectly with old hits such as ‘Won’t Go Quietly’ and ‘Kickstarts’ and some new songs from Examples 5th album ‘Live Life Living’ released June 23rd 2014.

A stand out song showcased from the new album was ‘Stay With Me’ which outlined positive vibes about the new album. Other songs such as ‘All The Wrong Places’ ‘Only Human’ ‘Take Me As I Am’ and the most latest release ‘Kids Again’ were also included in the energetic set.

The massive finish of ‘Changed The Way You Kiss Me’ that also includes DJ Chuckie’s  big Synth remix allows fans to jump so high that they touch the ceiling and are left screaming a sing along as Example leaves the stage.

The show didn’t stop there however as fans flocked to The Village Underground for the after party to see the second Example performance of the night with DJ Wire. A great venue for fans of a ravey background as it set a dark and moody but yet lively atmosphere for the acts that graced the stage until 2am. Example as bouncy as ever mixed his tunes with other favourable dance songs in a 50 minute set.

Example will continue this weekend in the same format with gigs in Manchester and Glasgow. The singer will be a big festival act for the summer 2014 festival season, and will promise to give a brilliant live show and be one not to miss.

Little Boots at The Deezer Bandwagon Tour

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Seeing someone perform inside a soundproofed box isn’t the usual thing you’d expect when attending a gig. It was actually quite a surreal experience when you weren’t wearing the headphones given to you at the door. Normally silent discos are played by DJ’s, so you don’t really expect to be able to hear the music, however when confronted with a band that you can’t hear it’s a completely different story. Once I put on the headphones given to me at the gate however, I was engulfed by the crisp, electro pop sounds of Little Boots as if she was performing at a normal gig.

Having never seen Little Boots before I couldn’t wait to hear what she had in store for this one-of-a-kind show. Alongside her crowd pleasing classics such as ‘Stuck On Repeat’ and ‘Remedy’ she played a number of new, as of yet unreleased tracks that went down a storm with the crowd of all ages. Towards the end of her hour-long set time Little Boots fittingly played ‘Headphones’ which added to the slightly comedic performance. Being perfectly honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Little Boots, however her live performance completely blew me away and fitted perfectly with the first signs of spring sun.

Before Little Boot’s final few songs we were all told that we could take our headphones off as the 400 strong crowd had been tweeting about the show so much we’d ‘unleashed the music’, and Little Boots finished her performance in style with a couple more new songs. Once Little Boots’ show was over Russ Jones, AKA Hackney Globetrotter, took to the decks and took the party into the night with an eclectic set of chart toppers and funky house beats. The Red Gallery Car Park proved to be the perfect venue for a relaxed evening of free drinks and great tunes hidden away in the heart of Shoreditch, with plenty of sofas and benches to soak up the evening sun on.

 

Rolling Stones confirm their long awaited return to the stage in London and New York

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As the crowning glory of their on-going 50th anniversary celebrations, the rock icons will play to thousands of fans at London’s O2 Arena on November 25 and 29, and then across the ocean to perform at the Prudential Center, Newark, near New York, on December 13 and 15.

All ticketing information is available at www.rollingstones.com.

These sensational live shows will be the first opportunity for audiences to see the Rolling Stones perform on stage for more than five years. They will treat their generations of fans in a must-see, heart-pumping celebration of era-defining tracks such as Gimme Shelter, Paint It Black, Jumping Jack Flash, Tumbling Dice, It’s Only Rock and Roll, plus a few surprises and countless other classics from GRRR!, the multi-format compilation RS50 album coming out in November marking the Stones’ astonishing five decades at the top.

Mick Jagger commented, “Everybody loves a celebration, and London and New York are two good places to do it in!”

Keith Richards said, ”Sorry to keep you all hanging around but the waiting is over. I've always said the best place for rock and roll is on the stage and the same is true for the Stones.  I'm here with Mick, Charlie and Ronnie and everything is rocking. See you very soon!"

The Rolling Stones have always been at the forefront of technical innovation in their live appearances, and these dates will reaffirm their place on the cutting edge of concert technology. These 50th anniversary performances will see the band working once again with their acclaimed, long time collaborators, set designer Mark Fisher and lighting director Patrick Woodroffe.

The new shows will be another groundbreaking visual landmark in Stones history. Fans can look forward to an all-new, custom-built set design, with a stage based on the band’s ubiquitous and celebrated tongue and lips logo, which will reach out into the crowd and become a truly must see and hear experience, with integral video screens and effects enhancing the sort of high-octane adventure for which the band’s concerts have been famous for decades. The 2012 concerts will mark the first time that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood have performed together as a band since three acclaimed nights at London’s O2 Arena, in 2007.

The Rolling Stones live shows will also mark the launch of a new venture in global touring – Virgin Live.  Virgin Live sees the coming together of two globally respected brands – Dainty Group and Virgin Group – and promises to shake up live touring by putting the fan's experience right at the heart of every show they promote.  Richard Branson and Paul Dainty's history with the Rolling Stones spans five decades – so it is apt that these shows, which celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary – marks them joining forces for the first time as Virgin Live to promote the greatest band there has ever been.

Paul Dainty said  “I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin.  There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones…”

Richard Branson added:  "Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning!  In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events – Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven.  It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows.  Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows."

In celebration of five decades, The Rolling Stones will release the GRRR! album on 12 / 13 November, a Greatest Hits collection which includes two new songs ‘Doom and Gloom’ and ‘One More Shot’, recorded recently in Paris, marking the first new recordings from the band since their 2005 album A Bigger Bang. A new film, ‘Crossfire Hurricane’, directed by Brett Morgen, chronicling the key periods of the Stones’ career, will receive its worldwide premiere on 18 October at the London Film Festival and will be simultaneously screened in 250 cinemas across UK and Ireland. Crossfire Hurricane will premiere in the U.S. at the HBO Premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York on 13 November. Crossfire Hurricane will air on HBO in the U.S on 15 November, and broadcast on BBC Two in the UK the same month.  Additionally, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City will host “The Rolling Stones: 50 Years on Film”, a comprehensive film retrospective that chronicles the band from the mid-1960s until today. This exhibition will be open 15 November through 2 December.

Also partnering with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones “50 and Counting” shows. 

Tim Hincks, President of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group.  "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."

This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on December 15, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET.  The pay-per-view entitled “One More Shot” will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership will be revealed shortly.

WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: "WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for "One More Shot," the last date of their 50th anniversary shows."

50 AND COUNTING …THE ROLLING STONES LIVE

Sunday   25 November                The O2 Arena, London – UK
Thursday 29 November               The O2 Arena, London – UK
Thursday 13 December               Prudential Center, Newark NJ – USA
Saturday 15 December              Prudential Center – Newark NJ – USA