New single Atlantic by The Weather Station captures the mood
Sep 29
Review: Fleetwood Mac joined by Christine McVie 02 Arena, final night
One of my earliest music memories is Peter Green singing Need Your Love so Bad, and his own composition Green Manalishi (with the two prong crown), which to my pre-teen brain sounded bewilderingly mystical. Strange to now see Fleetwood Mac, in their present form, live in 2013, over 30 years later. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie command…
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Sep 12
Festivals round up 2013. The greats and the RIPs
With such a gorgeous hot summer it’s been a good year for music festivals. Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis who finally bagged the Stones this year is calling it one of their best ever. But my interest is in smaller festivals, partly because I like being able to walk from tent to arena in under ten minutes, partly…
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Sep 2
Review: End of the Road festival 2013
With David Byrne, Sigur Ros and Belle & Sebastian amongst others on the lineup, End of the Road festival set in lush Larmer Tree Gardens in Dorset looks like a perfect musical finale to the summer. Far from feeling chilled and serene, I’m feeling a knot of tension. Which act should I see? … and while I’m…
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Aug 24
Review: Suede and British Sea Power play Kenwood House
Suede and British Sea Power playing in the grounds of Hampstead’s Kenwood House is an irresistible opportunity, especially as complaints from nearby residents mean concerts here are few and far between. As Suede’s set draws to a close, Brett Anderson remarks how pleased he is to be back in Hampstead, an area he loves. As headliners, Suede are indeed…
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Jul 30
Review: Lounge on the Farm festival, Sunday 2013
Lounge on the Farm in Kent has big acts for the headliners, and local Kent bands entertain the crowds during the afternoon. I can only assume that everyone was suffering from massive hangovers and too much partying to Jessie Ware, as on arriving at Lounge on the Farm at noon Sunday, it all seemed suspiciously…
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Jul 24
Review: Ealing Blues Festival is now a sunny weekender
Imagine a festival that only costs £5 entrance, has a choice of stages, several food outlets, the obligatory clothes and jewellery stalls plus a clairvoyant or two, a decent-ish bar, spotless portaloos with no queues… ok no camping, but then you can’t have everything. This is what’s on offer each year at Ealing Blues Festival,…
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Jul 16
Night moves with The Bedroom Hour at The Finsbury
The Bedroom Hour. It was the promisingly sultry name that initially enticed me to check this band out when they popped up on Twitter. First hearing and they’ve got me hooked. There’s an intensity to this five-piece West London band, an immersive quality, a moodiness which draws you in. Their songs have that ability to…
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Jul 6
Simone Felice is spellbinding at St Giles-in-the-Fields church
It’s the fourth of July, we’re at St Giles-in-the-Fields Church, and Simone Felice is obviously enthralled and inspired by the atmosphere of the church and its grand beauty. So much so that towards the end of the set, he bounds off the stage to dance down the aisle, encouraging us to join in with the…
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Jun 26
The life and Northern Soul of the party: interview with Nigel Flood, DJ and Northern Soul devotee
Nigel Flood is a lifelong Northern Soul and reggae devotee. I spoke to him about the burgeoning soul scene in the north. For 20 years he has joined in to DJ at all-dayers and all-nighters, and has Dj’d for Paul Weller. Northern pride. Love of soul. The movement named by Dave Godin, owner of a…
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Jun 10
Review: Green Note in Camden, folk music Monday and organic beer
Organic lager, a super-friendly vibe and a Madchester moment for folk music: these are the memories of my evening at the Green Note in Camden. Find this bijou music bar/restaurant by heading up Parkway, away from the clamour of Camden Market, just at the point where the verdant sanity of Regent’s Park can be…
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