NME Awards Tour 2011

This years NME Tour line up was yet again filled with the best up and coming acts alongside an amazing headlining duo, Crystal Castles. The four acts hit the road at the beginning of February, and thanks to Alice Glass of Crystal Castles, I was able to attend the Leeds date on the guest list.

The set kicked off with The Vaccines, a band that have exploded onto the music scene this year with their joyous, indie guitar pop. This London band are one of the most talked about acts so far this year, and in my opinion should have been higher up the bill. After an apprehensive start, the bands second single 'Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)' turned the crowd into a frenzy of excited, lively bodies. I haven't seen a crowd explode so quickly, especially at a song that lasts only a minute and a half. From then on the rest of the set stayed in motion and The Vaccines' front man looked highly satisfied by Yorkshire's response to their music. Their biggest hit to date, 'Post Break Up Sex', also being their first single, gained an excellent reception from the crowd, with a chorus of voices singing along to the infectious and humorous lyrics.

Second on the line up were Manchester-based art-rockers Everything Everything. Being a fun-fuelled and eccentric act the audience bounced their way through every song. Musically, I think Everything Everything are brilliant, but feel slightly put off by lead singer Jonathan Higgs' vocals. For the sake of being unbiased however, as a whole the group put on an excellent set that continued the energy instilled from The Vaccines' performance. Everything Everything are also set to be big this year and I would recommend listening to 'Photoshop Handsome' or 'My Kz Ur Bf' if you are finding out about the band for the first time.

Next on stage were Magnetic Man, dubstep's first super group consisting of Skream, Benga and Artwork. The trio are dragging the dubstep genre into the mainstream with radio-hogging tracks such as 'I Need Air' and 'Perfect Stranger' featuring Katy B. The atmosphere in the room changed as they arrived on stage and started their set, but most would say this was for the better. The dirty dubstep basslines and electronic glitches filled the room and had everyone moving with their arms in the air. 'I Need Air' gained the best response from the crowd, with the music stopping every time the chorus stated "I Need Air" and a room full of people singing the words back to the trio. Magnetic Man's sound was a great warm up for what was yet to come, the illusive Crystal Castles, with their famed atmosphere and live performance holding everyone in anticipation.

With front woman Alice Glass on crutches, the crowd missed out on her usual leaning into the crowd and diving over them at any given moment, although even though Alice was suffering from a broken ankle she still commanded the crowd and threw herself around the stage more than people would think medically possible in her condition. With the brains of the duo Ethan Kath blasting the almost gothic electronic tracks from the background, Alice delivers the vocals with an eerie and striking persona. After ending up getting trampled by the crowd during their most aggressive song to date 'Doe Deer', I sadly lost all belongings and pictures I had taken, including a video of the duo's opening song and stage entrance prior to an overly apologetic roadie explaining Alice's injury. The crowd atmosphere of every Crystal Castles gig tends to be energetic and somewhat violent at times, causing many people to be walking out with injuries. Luckily I made it through the entire set this time without being rushed away in an ambulance, and it was definitely worth the cuts and bruises that became prominent the next day. After a more relaxed encore, featuring the more mellow (if that is the right word to describe a Crystal Castles track) 'Not in Love' the duo left the stage, leaving behind a sweaty, exhausted and satisfied crowd.

Check out all the artists featured here:
The Vaccines: http://www.myspace.com/thevaccines
Everything Everything: http://www.myspace.com/everythingeverythinguk
Magnetic Man: http://www.myspace.com/magneticman
Crystal Castles: http://www.myspace.com/crystalcastles

Alice Glass on crutches for the NME tour

Glass aggravated an ankle injury in Tokyo recently, but managed to take to the stage on the first night of the tour, which continues throughout February. I have guest list places for the Leeds date, so I will write a full review on how it all goes!

Other bands appearing are The Vaccines, Everything Everything, Magnetic Man and, of course, Crystal Castles headlining the tour.

"Funeral Party is a five-piece band that formed late one night in a park"

Currently supporting 30 Seconds To Mars on their UK tour and appearing in NME's top 50 new bands of 2010, Funeral Party are definitely a band for you all to check out.
"The band quickly developed a following and a D.I.Y. ethos that encapsulated East Los Angeles’ rich musical history. Initially, the band didn’t even own equipment and had to borrow it from bands they played with at East Los Angeles backyard parties and warehouses. Funeral Party quickly achieved a mythic stature in the Los Angeles underground. Lars Stalfors, engineer for Mars Volta, invited the band to record in Volta’s studio in East L.A. The sessions yielded “Chalice”, which immediately became East L.A.’s theme song and could be heard bumping on iPods throughout Southern California. What is unique about Funeral Party is the band’s universal appeal; there exist numerous infusions in their music. This band is crucially important as they have created a visceral music that encapsulates the experiences of contemporary youth."

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/funeralparty

Video of the Week - Warpaint - 'Undertow'

Warpaint is a female experimental art rock group from Los Angeles formed in 2004. The group has gone through many lineup changes, including actress Shannyn Sossamon and current Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. They released their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse in 2009 and released their full length album, entitled The Fool on 25 October 2010.

The Fool by Warpaint is by far one of the best albums you are likely to hear this year, and it's their debut full length feature. The depth and texture of 10 tracks are fabulously both complex and simple in equal measure, almost instantly likeable but multifaceted at the same time. What you heard first time around only becomes amplified and enhanced by discovery of new, often very subtle, layers that build up to make each track a perfectly packaged slice of slightly folksy Indie, or Art-Rock/Psychedelic.

'Undertow', in my opinion, is one of the best tracks from the album (of which I will soon provide a full review of). Enjoy!

Hurts - Happiness, Album Review

What we have may not be pop’s next masterpiece but there is plenty to enjoy here. Melodramatic, moody, with a heavy dose of melancholy, the debut from the mancunian duo Hurts is most definitely music for a rainy day with towering choruses that soar above thundering synths and haunting church bells. When it comes to style everything about Hurts, both musically and visually, is completely over-the-top, and better off for it. This is magnificent pop music on a huge scale.

With Ultravox’s seminal classic ‘Vienna’ acting as the blueprint for most of the slower numbers, the whole album definitely draws a lot of it’s influence from 80s new romantics like Tears For Fears, Human League and the fore-mentioned Ultravox. Powerful opener ‘Silver Lining’ certainly sets the standard, but it’s the gloomy grandeur of ‘Wonderful Life’ that really hits the spot with it’s relentless whips of percussion and stunningly sublime melody.

The one weakness of the album is that some of the power-ballads start to sound very similar, with only the Kylie Minogue duet ‘Devotion’ really standing out. Some of these slower numbers also lack an emotional connection and as a listener I sometimes found it a challenge to completely invest in the excessive lyrics of desperation and longing. However these shortcoming are forgiven when ‘Better Than Love’ comes hurtling out of nowhere after the three forgettable ballads that proceed it. The album highpoint however is the glorious ‘Sunday’, which rises from the gloom with its lyrics of hope hurried along by a defiant string accompaniment.

It may be little style-over-substance in places, but when misery sounds this good it’s hard not to enjoy.

Hot for 2011 - Jessie J, "Just me, my heels and my mic"

Jessie J, or Jessica Ellen Cornish as she is formally known, is a 22 year old British singer/songwriter and was recently announced winner of not only the 'BBC Sound of 2011' award but also the 'Critics Choice' Award at the BRITs (won by Ellie Goulding last year).

She studied at the BRIT school (The London School for Performing Arts & Technology), where the likes of Adele, Kate Nash and Amy Winehouse also studied. Her career began in songwriting, gaining a Sony ATV publishing contract. She co-wrote the Miley Cyrus his "Party in the USA", as well as writing for Justin Timblerlake, Chris Brown (with whom she toured Europe), Alicia Keys and Christina Aquilera. She was hailed by JT as "the best singer in the world right now", so there is no wonder she gained the 'Critics Choice' award, honouring her with the view that she will be huge this year.

In a rare move for a UK artist without a record deal at home, she was signed by a major label in the US. Universal Republic. Jessie considered giving her first single 'Do it Like a Dude', to Rihanna, but was told by JT to keep it to herself, which was a good move and gained chart success at #2 in the UK Top 40. Not bad considering she is under doctors' orders to take it easy as a result of an irregular heartbeat and a minor stroke four years ago, after which doctors could not guarantee she would sing or walk properly again.

Video of the Week - Jessie J - 'Price Tag' Acoustic


Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jessiejofficial

Introducing... The Vaccines!

The Vaccines are a relatively new London based band, forming in 2010.
On Wednesday, 5 January 2011, the band were announced to be third place in the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. The band's debut album, 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' is due for release through Columbia Records on 21 March 2011. They released their debut single 'Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)' on 29 November 2010 in the UK where it reached number 157 in the UK Singles Chart. Only one minute and 24 seconds long, it was named 'Track of the Day' by Q magazine.

The band have been signed to play on the NME's 2011 Awards Tour (of which I will be attending and reviewing). They have signed to Columbia Records, and their second single will be 'Post Break-Up Sex', released on 24 January 2011. The Vaccines are also up for an MTV Award for 'Best New Band of 2011'.

Here are a couple of songs for you to check out:

Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) by The Vaccines
Blow It Up by The Vaccines

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thevaccinesuk

Music for the new year - Designer Drugs

You may recognise one of their most popular songs, 'Drop Down' from an advert for 'Skins'. The duo are a club/electro/house duo from New York, and produce some of the hottest tracks around.
The ultra-stylish duo are set to start a US and Canadian tour on new years eve, so for all the UK kids that won't be able to make any of the shows, here is a track that will kick off your night into 2011 with a bang!

Video of the Week - Designer Drugs - 'Drop Down'


Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/designerdrugsclubmusic

Technical difficulties are now sorted as my Mac is fixed, so Insight Music is back to normal as of now!

Video of the Week - Coco Recording with Subfocus

Slightly different approach this week. Instead of a music video here's a montage of clips with Eliot 'Coco' Sumner of I Blame Coco writing and recording for Subfocus' track 'Splash'. It gives an insight as to how she writes her music and sneak peaks of what were originally the lyrics before changing them. Enjoy!

Video of the Week - The Drums - 'Forever and Ever Amen'

So last night I was supposed to be seeing The Drums and writing a full review for you all. Even though the weather has been bad I managed to travel up to the North East to Newcastle and battle through it. Unfortunately, Northumbria University (where the band were set to play) cancelled the gig even though the band fought to keep it on and even went through soundcheck after travelling 14 hours from Dublin.

The band posted this on their website: "Hi Everyone, it’s Jonny, Jacob and Connor. We were just informed that due to the rules here in Newcastle, the show has been canceled tonight. We traveled 14 hours to get here, did our soundcheck, and just were told we can’t play and there is nothing we can do about it. It kills us that this is happening. We will be back soon and make it up to you. Love, The Drums."

Hopefully they will reschedule to a time where I'll be able to get back up there. In the mean time, here's a personal favourite.

White Lies New Single - 'Bigger Than Us'

London's White Lies are back with a bang with this greatly anticipated new single. There was a feeling of grandeur with ‘To Lose My Life…’ (the album), and the new single should stir up similar emotions. It tells of ill-starred romance, and features gripping tremolo guitar chords. ‘Bigger Than Us’, the first single from White Lies’s second album, is available digitally on iTunes now and will be available physically on the 3rd January 2010 from Fiction Records. ‘Ritual’ the album follows on 17 January 2010. You can catch the trio on tour in February.

"It's about love with a bit of religion in there as well – a lot of religious imagery," frontman Harry McVeigh said of the album. "Things like that, they're all rituals. Things you associate with your day-to-day life, but they're also habits." (NME)


Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/whitelies

Video of the Week - Hurts - 'Stay'

By now, it doesn't take a musical genius, or even someone of high intelligence to see that HURTS are not the most commercial act out there. In fact, they're probably so un-commercial right now, calling them any kind of 'act out there' would be nothing short of optimistic. Their first single 'Better Than Love' failed to get promoted and despite being their best single to date, underperformed at #50. Then, upon releasing 'Wonderful Life', whose protagonist was a pre-suicidal man, they gained more recognition, but still failed to make the Top 20, charting just outside, at #21.

Their latest single 'Stay' is set to top both of these, with features on many popular TV shows such as 'Hollyoaks' to promote it, and already over a million hits on Youtube.

Chromeo feature La Roux's Elly Jackson on new track

Canada's finest electropopfunk poutfit Chromeo and La Roux have reshaped Chromeo's 'Hot Mess' track into an awesome floorfiller oozing with dancefloor destruction potential.
'Hot Mess' is featured on Chromeo's latest album Business Casual, which was released a few months ago.

Check out Chromeo here:
http://www.myspace.com/chromeo

My VIP tickets to the NME Awards Tour have been confirmed - Thanks Alice Glass!

Full review will be coming up in February! Hopefully I'll get chance to ask the duo a few questions too.

Video of the Week - Bat For Lashes - 'Trophy' (Lollapalooza 2009)

Taken from the album 'Fur and Gold', 'Trophy' is one of my favourites. The solid bass line throughout teamed with Natasha Khan's soft vocals gives this track an eerie, dark, yet beautiful feel to it.

Track Review - Wild Beasts - 'The Devil's Crayon'

As much as I don't understand the random squeaks and squeals Wild Beasts produce vocally, I do like this track. The vocals are some what White Lies-eqsue when the lead singer sings properly. The bands popularity has seemed to increase lately, even though they released their first single, 'Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants', on Bad Sneakers Records back in November 2006. Their current album was also Mercury award nominated. Personally I'm not a fan as I'm put off by the high pitched vocals - I find that they spoil most tracks that could be really good, however this track is more pleasing than the rest. The moderately up-beat tempo teamed with a catchy twinkled melody in the background make this track very hard not to be on a "to download" list.

Check them out for yourselves!
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/wildbeasts

NME Awards Tour line up announced

Crystal Castles, Magnetic Man, Everything Everything, Vaccines for NME Awards Tour 2011

Tickets for February gigs go on sale Wednesday (Nov 10).
The four acts will hit the road on February 3 and tour the UK until February 19, when they play London's O2 Academy Brixton. The NME Awards 2011 will take place on February 23 at the same venue.

The NME Awards Tour 2011 calls at:

Glasgow O2 Academy (February 3)
Manchester Academy (4)
Newcastle O2 Academy (7)
Nottingham Rock City (8)
Leeds O2 Academy (9)
Norwich UEA (11)
Birmingham O2 Academy (12)
Cardiff University Great Hall (13)
Bristol O2 Academy (15)
Bournemouth O2 Academy (16)
Brighton Dome (17)
London O2 Academy Brixton (19)

Tickets go on sale from NME.COM at 9am (GMT) on Wednesday. To check the availability of NME Awards Tour 2011 tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

Joy Division to realise new vinyl box set '+-'

A new Joy Division box set of seven-inch vinyl discs is set to be released next month. The set, named '+-', will feature ten discs, some of which have been released previously and some that have been created for this release. The tracks have been remastered by Stephen Morris and Metropolis Studios' Frank Arkwright, while the box features new artwork from the band's long-time visual collaborator Peter Saville.

'+-', out on December 6, is limited to 5000 copies, with numbers one to 500 coming individually numbered and featuring a piece of art by Saville. There will also be a digital release via iTunes, while anyone buying the physical edition will be able to download MP3s of the tracks free.

See Rhino.co.uk for release details.

Video of the Week - Kap Bambino - 'Dead Lazers'

Previously featured on Insight Music, I thought seeing as Crystal Castles are currently touring, any fans of them should be reminded to check these guys out. Another awesome duo!
Myspace:http://www.myspace.com/kapbambino