MAY 2016 ISSUE 37 // FREE
GOLD PANDA YUMI ZOUMA 2016 FESTIVAL SPECIAL CAR SEAT HEADREST
OSCAR
MODERN BASEBALL
YXNG BANE WIKI & SPORTING LIFE
KAYTRANADA
+ BLACK MACK
WEDNESDAY 04 MAY
THURSDAY 05 MAY
FRIDAY 13 MAY
HER
JONES
CHAIRLIFT
ELECTROWERKZ
THE OLD BLUE LAST TROXY
+ DENAI MOORE
THURSDAY 09 JUNE
TUESDAY 17 MAY
THE FORGE CAMDEN
WEDNESDAY 01 JUNE
OSLO
ELECTRIC BALLROOM
TELEVISION
TA-KU
JILL SCOTT
SUNDAY 12 JUNE
TUESDAY 12 JULY
SATURDAY 16 JULY
BELLY
SNAKEHIPS BRONAGH GALLAGHER
THURSDAY 21 JULY
MONDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
ELECTRIC BRIXTON
O2 FORUM
VILLAGE UNDERGROUND
THE LEXINGTON
EVENTIM APOLLO HAMMERSMITH
THURSDAY 06 OCTOBER
KOKO
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM GIGSANDTOURS.COM & VENUE BOX OFFICES
WELCOME GOLD PANDA
It’s May and therefore it’s the real kicking-off of festival season (no SXSW, you don’t count). We're starting it in style with our own stage at The Great Escape, judging the Green Man Rising competition and digging out sensible footwear for End Of The Road. Not to mention getting excited for the always-a-completely-brilliant time at Field Day on our very own doorstep, plus brilliant new London additions Sunfall and Citadel. Phew. I'm genuinely ridiculously excited for this year’s excellent line-ups; festival bookers, you really have excelled yourself. Regardless of whether you fancy sticking around London, heading off to the rolling countryside hills or jumping on a plane and having an adventure, we've got you covered with festivals from New York to Berlin. And if we can escape our deadlines then maybe we’ll even see you there. ALBERT GOLD
STAFF ON REPEAT the tracks we can’t stop listening to this month JESS: ALBERT GOLD - DON’T LET ME GO DAVE: BEN LUKAS BOYSEN – GOLDEN TIMES 1 LOKI: OLIVER WILDE - BIFIDA DANNY: GRUFF RHYS - I LOVE EU GEMMA: A.K. PAUL - LANDCRUISIN’ JACK: M83 - GO! LiS 03
presents
SEPTEMBER GIRLS
PLUS GUESTS
THE BLACK TAMBOURINES MUTT
PLUS VERY SPECIAL GUESTS
WEDNESDAY 4TH MAY THE GARAGE MOTORPSYCHO.NO
TUESDAY 17TH MAY
THURSDAY 19TH MAY O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
T H E P E N N Y B L AC K R EM E DY
F R I DAY 20 T H M AY T H E GARAG E
THURSDAY 19th MAY O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON
PLUS BEN RUSSELL AND THE CHARMERS
WEDS 25TH MAY 路 THE GARAGE
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
WED 25th MAY O2 ACADEMY2 ISLINGTON
PLUS SPECIAL GUEST
CRAIG GALLAGHER
KAKKMADDAFAKKA TUESDAY 31ST MAY O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON
FRIDAY 1ST JULY THE GARAGE
THE DELTA SAINTS PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
Sat 18th June THE GARAGE
Ft. TUMI & YOUTHSTAR + DJ CHEEBA + PROBLEM CHILD + MR FLEX
TUES 28TH JUNE O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON
FRI 27TH MAY 路 8PM - 2AM O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
0844 477 2000 路 TICKETWEB.CO.UK & ALL USUAL OUTLETS
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
CONTENTS 08. ON THE STEREO
LONDON IN STEREO IS: Editor: Jess Partridge jess@londoninstereo.co.uk
13. NEW SOUNDS 17. TALES FROM THE CITY 20. YUMI ZOUMA
Deputy Editor: Dave Rowlinson dave@londoninstereo.co.uk Sub-Editor/Sales: Loki Lillistone loki@londoninstereo.co.uk Staff Writers: Danny Wright Gemma Samways Jack Urwin
26. GOLD PANDA 32. ALBUM REVIEWS 41. 2016 FESTIVAL SPECIAL 51. GIGS OF THE MONTH 54. LIVE LISTINGS 73. IN LONDON
Photography: Gold Panda cover story: Tim Boddy (timboddy.com) Contributors: Lee Wakefield, Rhian Daly Rachel Grace Almeida, Jake May, Geoff Cowart, Kate Solomon, Tim Hakki, Thomas Hannan, Hayley Scott, Henry Wilkinson, Tom Walters, Woodrow Whyte, Grant Bailey, Nick Mee.
2016 FESTIVAL SPECIAL londoninstereo.com
@LondonInStereo
/londoninstereo
/london-in-stereo
londoninstereo LiS 05
FUTURE S0UNDS, COSMIC CAMPFIRES, MINDFUL ESCAPISM, INTERGALACTIC RAVES… & MEXICAN WRESTLING IN A LUMINOUS DREAM WORLD ON AN ISLAND IN THE SUN THURSDAY HEADLINERS
THE CURE MAJOR LAZER HOT CHIP PLUS HEADLINING THE SPACEPORT
FATBOY SLIM CARL COX DIPLO BASTILLE YEARS & YEARS RICHIE HAWTIN DAMIAN “JR. GONG” MARLEY SKEPTA CRAIG DAVID’S TS5 KATY B ODESZA RIDE SHY FX’S PARTY ON THE MOON WOLF ALICE SKREAM THE HUMAN LEAGUE ANIMAL COLLECTIVE EATS EVERYTHING ESKIMO DANCE: WILEY, SECTION BOYZ, CHIP, BIG NARSTIE, NEWHAM GENERALS, FRISCO, P MONEY, ELF KID, AJ TRACEY, JAMMZ, FEKKY, LOGAN SAMA, MAXIMUM KANO CARAVAN PALACE MØ KURUPT FM: CHAMPAGNE STEAM ROOMS DAVID RODIGAN PRES. RAM JAM DJ YODA GOLDIE JAGWAR MA HOSPITALITY PRES: CAMO & KROOKED, LONDON ELEKTRICITY, S.P.Y B2B NU:TONE, DANNY BYRD B2B BROOKES BROTHERS, MADUK, DYNAMITE MC & WREC KREPT & KONAN GHOSTPOET SNAKEHIPS MURA MASA WSTRN LADY LESHURR BILLIE MARTEN & SO MUCH MORE MINDBLOWING ARENAS & COSMIC SOUNDSYSTEMS
THE SPACEPORT BOLLYWOOD TENT THE BIG TOP INVADERS OF THE FUTURE CLUB DADA TEMPLE ISLAND CARAVANSERAI THE BLIND TIGER SUGAR SKULLS & MANY MORE FUTURE ESCAPISM INCLUDING
SLOW MOTION THE LOVE-BOT CARNIVAL PARADE MEXICAN WRESTLING FIREWORK SPECTACULAR INFLATABLE CHURCH THE FEAST COLLECTIVE & MORE BOUTIQUE CAMPSITES
CAMPING PLUS
HOSPITALITY CAMPING TIPIS YURTS
$'56 /#,14 ('56+8#.
7- ('56+8#. #9#4&5
(7.. .+0' 72
6+%-'65
CLOUDHOUSES
BELL TENTS
$'56+8#. 0'6
SELVHENTER
JAMES BLAKE
PJ HARVEY
‘Modern Soul’ came out of nowhere and continues where James Blake left off with his Mercury Prize-winning album Overgrown. Hanging piano chords almost shatter under the delicate weight of Blake’s soulful vocal melodies. All the while an insistent beat drops in and out, propelling the slow burn emotion of this long awaited comeback track. ‘Modern Soul’ is an excellent tease for what is surely one of the most anticipated albums of 2016.
‘The Wheel’ was the first song to emerge from The Hope 6 Demolition Project and it’s a startling introduction to such an ambitious enterprise. As soon as the handclaps start, instruments clatter into view; urgent guitar chords, distorted lead and saxophone all pulsating to the rolling rhythm inferred by the title. PJ Harvey hints at the futility of making the same mistakes over and over again, whilst the listener is reminded of an artist who is never afraid to reinvent herself.
MODERN SOUL
THE WHEEL
DEERHUNTER
MBONGWANA STAR
KINSHASA TO THE MOON An act I'm super excited to see live, Mbongwana Star rose up after the demise of the acclaimed Congolese group Staff Benda Bilili. Album From Kinshasa is constantly surprising, subverting what is considered ‘typical’ African music and never resorting to cliché or well worn tropes. This opening track from From Kinshasa introduces these vital musicians to the world again.
DEERHUNTER LIVING MY LIFE ‘Living My Life’ is the moment Deerhunter became the most lovely pop band on the planet, just in time for a main stage set at Field Day. Like latest album Faded Frontier, ‘Living My Life’ is a statement of intent for a band that have grown more expressive with every release.
FLOATING POINTS // NESPOLE Floating Points’ debut album was only released late last year despite Sam Shepherd’s act seemingly being around forever. ‘Nespole’ is an excellent introduction to the album and the ever-changing Floating Points sound - shifting textures and lush, expansive electronic instrumentation now augmented by a full band for an unmissable, mesmerising live show. Field Day runs June 11-12th at Victoria Park. fielddayfestivals.com // @fielddaylondon // facebook.com/fielddaylondon
FLOATING POINTS LiS 09
MAY 2016 ~ LIV E ~ 1st 7th 11th
Hip Hop Karaoke / 2nd Camp Lo / 5th Revere
Jehst / 9th Sound & Vision: Janis: Little Girl Blue
Sounds Familiar Music Quiz / 13th The Travelling Band 16th
23rd
Quilt / 17th Kaki King / 22nd The Aussie BBQ
Me & My Drummer / 24th Antwon / 25th The Computers 27th
Marsicans / 31st Plants & Animals ~ LATE ~
7th
14th
21st
K ings of the capital’s
A proper old school
Wedding themed, time
hip-hop scene
discotheque
travelling party
28th
every friday
A fresh new slice of global
Weekly Friday alt-pop
& tropical sounds
& contemporary sounds
Dates, times & tickets: www.hoxtonsquarebar.com
HOXTONSQUAREBAR
|
HOXTONHQ
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HOXTONSQUAREBAR
SUNDAY 17TH JULY
VICTORIA PARK
THE ULTIMATE SUMMER SUNDAY DELECTABLE COCKTAILS
LIANNE LA HAVAS & BLOODY MARYS
TINARIWEN
BIRD
CAT'S EYES BEARDYMAN NATHANIEL RATELIFF KIDS' GAMES & RACES
W/ ARCOLA THEATRE
ANDREW WEATHERALL VOODOO RAY’S
THE 2 BEARS
& THE NIGHT SWEATS ART WORKSHOPS BY THE INDYTUTE
SIGUR RÓS
SUNDAY SPORTS DAY FT. DISCO DODGEBALL
CARIBOU
MARIBOU STATE LIVE
BATTLES
OLD VIC
NEW VOICES
A LONDON EXCLUSIVE FEASTS FROM STEPHEN HARRIS MATT CORBY (THE SPORTSMAN) HONNE SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA FABRIC GO EXPLORING W/ SECRET ADVENTURES
CALEXICO
FRIENDLY FIRES DJ SET
SUNDAY SESSIONS
COMEDY PRESENTED BY UNDERBELLY SUNDAY PAPERS LIVE FT. EDDIE 'THE EAGLE' EDWARDS KINDNESS DJ SET
i-D & SOFAR SOUNDS
SUSANNE SUNDFØR
SUBJECT TO LICENCE
ALL THIS FOR £49.50 + BF
PATTY & BUN
NEW SOUNDS by Gemma Samways AMBER ARCADES While most of us can just about muster up the energy to show up to our 9-to-5s, Annelotte de Graaf is currently juggling critically-important work as a human rights lawyer with a critically-feted musical career. On paper that might sound unsustainable, but de Graaf’s drive and dedication to Amber Arcades is such that she blew her entire life savings on a ticket from her native Netherlands to New York, to record with her favourite producer. Happily, the gamble paid off. Produced by Ben Greenberg of The Men, featuring a backing band made up of members of Real Estate and Quilt, and reportedly inspired by influences as diverse as Stereolab and Suicide, de Graaf’s forthcoming debut is a beauty. Currently scheduled for 3rd June via Heavenly Recordings, Fading Lines’ summer release feels perfectly-timed too: from the rippling, Deerhunter-esque dream-pop of the title-track to the delicate, krautrock shimmer of ‘Turning Light’, de Graaf’s sun-dappled melodies and Hope Sandoval-meets-Molly Rankin sighs should provide the ideal soundtrack to long, hazy days spent in green spaces, doing very little. Of course, while we’re all relaxing, de Graaf will be keeping busy, playing a string of club shows and festival dates, including The Great Escape, Green Man and End of the Road. You can only imagine that she wouldn’t have it any other way.
LISTEN TO: Fading Lines ONLINE: amberarcades.net // @AmberArcades facebook.com/AmberArcades LIVE: Lexington, June 7th. UK FESTIVALS: The Great Escape, Lunar, Deer Shed, Green Man, End Of The Road. LiS 13
COMMUNION PRESENTS COMMUNION PRESENTS
20 20 16
SSAATTUURRDD AAYY 11 88 JJ UU NN EE SS HH EE PP HH EE RR DD SS BB UU SSHH ALBIN CUNNINGHAM •• CHARTREUSE CHARTREUSE••DAN DANCROLL CROLL ALBINLEE LEEMELDAU MELDAU••BEAR’S BEAR’S DEN DEN •• CHARLIE CHARLIE CUNNINGHAM DEAN HIDDEN CHARMS CHARMS••JOSEPH JOSEPHJ.J.JONES JONES DEANLEWIS LEWIS••GILLBANKS GILLBANKS •• HARRY HARRY FOXX FOXX •• HIDDEN JÚNÍUS PALACE••SAFIA SAFIA••SARA SARAHARTMAN HARTMAN JÚNÍUSMEYVANT MEYVANT••MARTHAGUNN MARTHAGUNN •• MEADOWLARK MEADOWLARK •• PALACE SERAMIC TIBET •• TOM TOMPRIOR PRIOR••VANT VANT SERAMIC••SYD SYD ARTHUR ARTHUR • TEMPESST •• TIBET ++ MANY TBA ++ MANY MORE MORE TBA
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Great Lake Swimmers TUE 3RD MAY THE FORGE
Sarah Neufeld WED 4TH MAY ELGAR ROOM ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Shobaleader One THE BRAND NEW PROJECT FROM SQUAREPUSHER SUN 8TH MAY ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL
Juan Wauters
18+
Woods
Porches + Frankie Cosmos
Moonface and Siinai
FRI 20TH MAY THE PICKLE FACTORY
MON 23 MAY UT O OSLO SOLD
Suuns
UT TUE 24TH MAY DO SOL ICA WED 25TH MAY ICA
Marissa Nadler
WED 25TH MAY ST JOHN ON BETHNAL GREEN
Nadia Reid WED 1ST JUN THE LEXINGTON
Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld
MON 16TH MAY MOTH CLUB
THU 2ND JUN RICH MIX
Quilt
Aidan Knight
MON 16TH MAY HOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN
Kaki King
TUE 17TH MAY HOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN
Bleached
WED 18TH MAY T OU MOTHSCLUB OLD
Homeshake
THU 19TH MAY T Mass Gothic THE VICTORIA Uw/ DO FRI 27TH SOLMAY RED GALLERY
THU 2ND JUN SEBRIGHT ARMS
Globelamp
TUE 7TH JUN SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS
Destroyer + Ryley Walker WED 15TH JUN OVAL SPACE
The Tallest Man on Earth + Damien Jurado TUE 21ST JUN ROYAL ALBERT HALL
WED 22ND JUN THE DOME TUFNELL PARK
MON 27TH JUN HOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN
Mac DeMarco MON 27TH JUN ELECTRIC BRIXTON TUE 28TH JUN KOKO
Alex Cameron WED 29TH JUN THE WAITING ROOM
The Very Best TUE 5TH JUL XOYO
Visions Festival
SAT 6TH AUG HACKNEY / LONDON FIELDS
Grandbrothers THU 22ND SEPT CORSICA STUDIOS
Nzca Lines
WED 28TH SEPT VILLAGE UNDERGROUND
Julia Holter
MON 14TH NOV O2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE
Nadja
TUE 15TH NOV CAFE OTO MORE INFO AND TICKETS BIRDONTHEWIRE.NET
TALES FROM THE CITY
by CAR SEAT HEADREST
I think my family were more excited than I was about me going to London. It always seemed a bit far away from home to me. We flew directly from Seattle to London, which is an eight-hour time difference; I didn’t sleep on the flight at all, because the night was about eight hours too short. I spent the next four days feeling like an alien on a slightly shittier version of earth, where the money and the electrical outlets were all wrong. This was our first major touring experience, and it almost broke me. I stupidly had a cup of coffee before our first show, which I never do, and which guaranteed I would not be getting on a survivable sleep schedule anytime soon. We played in the BBC studios the next day - I think I’d gotten about two hours of sleep. Strangely, our performance turned out excellent; maybe the pseudomeditative state I’d entered into during the hours I spent lying awake in bed helped. In any case, I was in a terrible, sleep-deprived, Tom Waits mood for the
entirety of the trip. In fact, I wrote half a song that I’ll never be able to finish because it’s too Tom Waits for me to sing properly. I would share it right now but my iPhone ate all my notes. Looking back, though, was it a good time after all? No. In fact, I’d successfully put it out of my mind until I started writing this article, and now I’m just remembering more and more things that sucked about it. Like the venue telling us we were too loud after our soundcheck! That always burns us. We’re not that loud. And the food was lousy...and we got stuck on the underground...I’m sorry, London. I’m sure there’s good food and sunny skies and a venue with no noise limit somewhere in you. I’ll keep looking for them when I return. Car Seat Headrest release Teens Of Denial May 20th, via Matador. LIVE: 100 Club, June 21st. ONLINE: @carseatheadrest // carseatheadrest.bandcamp.com LiS 17
fabric May 2016
Kate Simko Lee Gamble Matrixxman Nicolas Lutz Post Scriptum Ricardo Villalobos Seth Troxler Skream Voices From The Lake Voigtmann wAFF Plus many more...
www.fabriclondon.com
Craig Richards Terry Francis Campbell Irvine (Live) Dave Clarke DeWalta & Shannon (Live) DJ Tennis Function Fur Coat George FitzGerald Inland Job Jobse
MAY 2016 CHARLIE TEE CHRIS LORENZO COMMODO DBRIDGE DENNEY DJRUM FEED ME FLOWDAN GANTZ GROOVE ARMADA HEADHUNTER
KAHN KDA KOAN SOUND LOEFAH LOW STEPPA MALA MELÉ NYTA OM UNIT P MONEY PHAELEH www.fabriclondon.com
PINCH RIKO DAN SH?M SLIMZEE SOBAD THE BUG TOM SHORTERZ TROY GUNNER VERSA & ROWL WOZ PLUS MANY MORE...
YUMI ZOUMA WORDS : LEE WAKEFIELD “.. . AF T E R DOI N G I T FOR E IG HT E EN M ON T H S WE ’ ACTUA L LY B ECAM E A R EA L BA ND. ”
ometimes I get really sick of me, and I’m me,” Josh Burgess mock-grudgingly admits on the subject of Yumi Zouma’s gruelling tour schedule, amongst giggles from his band mates. It kind of makes sense. After all, this is a band that never intended to play live – they were content in letting their recorded output do the talking, each track nestling in the heart of the next drooling blogger, only for heady support slots to prove too tempting to ignore... “Chet Faker asked us to play his Australian tour and Lorde asked us to open her New Zealand tour so we got real busy, real quick,” Charlie Ryder explains to me.
Sam Perry, freshly added to the lineup in the midst of those unexpected live shows, recalls a sobering period of experimentation. “I remember those Chet Faker shows and we’d been a band for about a week and having these really crack-up band practices in front of thousands of people. After doing it for eighteen months, we actually became a real band.” Refreshingly carefree, there’s little doubt that it seeps into their music too. That initial reluctance to play live is a far cry from the views they hold now (“We get to see some pretty amazing places. I couldn’t ask for a better way to live my life,” Christie Simpson enthuses), and the claims of evolving into a “real band” are reinforced on every passing second of Yoncalla, their debut album. It’s something of a privilege to confirm that yes, Yumi Zouma have delivered the album of sun-kissed dream pop that we craved and damn right demanded since
falling under the joyful spell of ‘The Brae’ two years ago. It’ll suit long summer days, a Yumi Zouma record all but guarantees that, but this isn’t merely a collection of tracks destined to stagnate on a forgotten BBQ playlist - Yoncalla soothes and seduces and stuns in a manner that urges meticulous, repeated visits. “There was no pressure to make the album sound a certain way,” Charlie maintains, and he’s right; it’s a record that retains everything you adored while continuing to explore a cluster of daring themes. Often spoken of as if hushed folklore, EPs I and II were birthed in slightly unconventional circumstances. “Incestuous” is how they describe the years preceding Yumi Zouma, with each member crossing paths in Christchurch, NZ via previous musical projects at one time or another. It was only when they scattered, as Josh explains, that anything of substance began to materialise. LiS 21
“W E ON LY HAD ONE S O N G. LOOK I N G BAC K , I T WAS ACTUAL LY REA L LY STR E SS F U L . ”
“I moved away and Charlie stayed in Christchurch and we stopped working on music for about six months. I sent a few things, one of them was ‘A Long Walk Home For Parted Lovers’. We sent it out to a few labels and they really liked it and asked if we had enough for an EP and we said of course we do.” He grins. “We only had one song. Looking back, it was actually really stressful.” Charlie shares similar sentiments. “Every time someone interested was going to Skype us, we had to write a bunch of new songs. Basically, the early version of EP II was finished really quickly because this dude from some big management company wanted to hear it.” So if the EPs were thrown together out of necessity, what about the LP? “During the II tour, we wrote it together. When we recorded separately, you can hear a Charlie part, Sam’s part, that’s a Joe part, but this album is the first time I
can’t remember who wrote which part.” Despite writing intensively as a collective for the first time, the band barely deviated from their usual approach. Josh sums it up fittingly: “I think you’ve got to have faith that people connected with the music you wrote when no one was listening, so you shouldn’t try to tailor it to what you think is going to be well received.” From initially dismissing the live arena, to being thrust under the bright lights of cavernous rooms, and piecing together songs from thousands of miles away while now sporting a fantastic, fully-fledged album, you get the sense that Yumi Zouma take it all in one languorous stride. Yoncalla is released May 27th via Cascine. ONLINE: yumizouma.com // @YumiZouma facebook.com/YumiZouma LIVE: Moth Club, June 21st.
Fat White Family
Plus Special Guests
Saturday 17th September
O2 Academy Brixton
STEVE GUNN THURS 21 APRIL THE LEXINGTON
ROSIE LOWE WED 11 MAY SCALA
JESSY LANZA WED 18 MAY THE PICKLE FACTORY
MISTY MILLER MON 25 APRIL MOTH CLUB
KAGOULE WED 11 MAY THE LEXINGTON
MMOTHS WED 18 MAY CORSICA STUDIOS
BEACH BABY WED 27 APRIL THE LEXINGTON
LAIL ARAD TUES 17 MAY CHATS PALACE
DIET CIG TUES 24 MAY THE VICTORIA
WOVOKA GENTLE THURS 28 APRIL THE PICKLE FACTORY
SOCIETY TUES 17 MAY THE LEXINGTON
WHITE LUNG THURS 26 MAY THE VICTORIA
OUR MOTHERS TUES 3 MAY THE WAITING ROOM
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BC CAMPLIGHT MON 30 MAY THE LEXINGTON
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SOREN JUUL WED 18 MAY SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS
ROYAL HEADACHE TUES 31 MAY TUFNELL PARK DOME
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ASTRONAUTALIS THURS 2 & FRI 3 JUNE THE WATER RATS
WOLF PARADE TUES 14 & WED 15 JUNE SCALA CAR SEAT HEADREST TUES 21 JUNE 100 CLUB SERATONES THURS 1 SEPT THE LEXINGTON FAT WHITE FAMILY SAT 17 SEPT O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON BEATY HEART THURS 6 OCT BUSSEY BUILDING EZRA FURMAN MON 31 OCT ROUNDHOUSE LA FEMME THURS 17 NOV O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE PARALLELLINESPROMOTIONS.COM
anguage has a lot to do with a culture’s uniqueness: and there are some words in the Japanese language that simply don’t exist in English. These are beautiful and sometimes bizarre expressions that evoke ideas you or I would need whole sentences to explain. ‘Komorebi’, for example, captures the idea of sunlight filtering delicately through trees, while ‘ukiyo’ means the floating world, detached from the bothers of life. And, rather wonderfully, ‘irusu’ means pretending to be out when someone calls round. I mention this because Gold Panda’s new album, Good Luck And Do Your Best, was inspired by a chance encounter on one of his many trips to Japan when a taxi driver in Hiroshima tried to translate the phrase ‘Ganbatte, Kudasai'. “As we got out he said ‘Good luck and do your best’ to me in English. And I thought ‘That’s got to be the album title’. I guess you say it a lot in Japan but it doesn’t really translate. You just can’t say that phrase in English, you say ‘Good luck’ or ‘Do your best’ but you don’t put them together, not naturally anyway.”
LiS 27
And this is far from the only “I was trying to do a record inspiration Japan has provided him with: it’s a country that’s because of Berlin...I don’t think I been close to his heart since make club music so maybe that he lived there as a nineteenwas a bit of a misstep.” year-old teaching English. “Everything I do is influenced by filter on everything. The first time I went Japan because I’ve spent a lot of time it was April when all the cherry blossoms there and I became such a fan of it. are out and these pink and greens were I try to go back twice a year to keep the dominant colours on packaging and on up my language skills, and now the buildings - and then the light dips and friends who I made when I was nineteen there’s this warm glow about everything. I are all getting married so I get to see don’t know, maybe it’s smog, you just another generation.” don’t get it here.” Yet when Derwin set out to Japan for one Being somewhere he loved and felt at of these trips in 2014 it was not with an home, travelling round the streets of Kyoto album in mind. Accompanied by and Tokyo, gave him the freedom to create photographer Laura Lewis, his plan was something that was him. “It’s a lot more to collect field recordings from his trip. natural. I think with the last record I was “The original idea was to do a book and trying to do a record because of Berlin include a CD of these field recordings and that’s kind of a double-edged sword. and that would be it because I didn’t Berlin’s got such a rich history you want to want to do another album… but then I make a club record and I don’t think I ended up doing another album.” make club music so maybe that was a bit So we can thank a Hiroshima taxi driver of a misstep. I think this one is the best, for being the catalyst for this new record, most together of the Panda albums.” one which is his most coherent, most “All my other albums have been done very positive to date, a record that is warm, quickly and this was done over two years. expansive and inventive. He explains I was worried that would mean it wouldn’t simply, “I had the title and then I just have a similar sound but actually it made a motivational positive album.” sounds more together than the others and Not that’s what he originally wanted I think that’s because I’ve had time to either. “I didn’t want to do positive, pick tracks that fit together.” happy music. If you’re doing dark You can hear it. The imagery and colours, electronic music it feels like there’s the exploration and travel he took something more genuine about it in some inspiration from reveal themselves on ways, so I’d always been embarrassed tracks like ‘Time Eater’ and ‘Halyards’. about doing happy electronic pop music.” And you can tell how happy he is with it; But this positivity is painted in joyful hues, “I feel like there’s no fluff. There’s songs inspired by the unique colours of Japan; and they’re poppy and I’m happy with the haze of the beautiful pink and green them all production wise.” light that rains down on the country in Yet for all this exoticism, the track ‘In My certain months. And with this record he’s Car’ was inspired by something literally created a bewitching sonic approximation closer to home.“I bought a car second of these vivid twilight hour colours. hand from my parents’ neighbour - he looked after it really well, washing it every “At certain times of the day there are weekend so I said ‘Yeah, I’ll take it’. I was these pastelly colours; it’s like having a
really excited about having a CD player in a car: I thought I can make tunes and listen to them while I drive round and maybe that can be my thing. But I got the car and it fucking doesn’t play CDR so the only way to hear my tracks in my car is to get my album mastered, get it made and then get the actually CD and then play it!” As the interview draws to a close, we return to talk of Japan. “I thought about doing a travel blog. I always feel like I should do more to share my Japan with people but then I don’t want it spoilt, I don’t want to give it all away.” Yet this album feels like that gift: an insight into his love of the country, a Good Luck And Do Your Best is released love letter to its unique culture. As we leave, I May 27th via City Slang. ask him if there are any other untranslatable phrases he remembers from Japan. “There’s ONLINE: goldpanda.bandcamp.com // @goldpanda // facebook.com/iamgoldpanda ‘Otsukaresama deshita’. You say it at the end of work and it’s like ‘You did a good job, LIVE: The Dome, June 30th. thanks for your hard work’” Japan, you took UK FESTIVALS: Field Day, Standon Calling. the words out of our mouth. LiS 29
05—16 Shacklewell Arms 71 Shacklewell Lane London E8 Wednesday 11 May
TRIPTIDES Friday 13 May
THE SETH BOGART SHOW Monday 16 May
MOSSY Tuesday 17 May
METHYL ETHEL Friday 27 May
Lanzarote
lanzaroteworks.com #lanzaroteworks
presents
The Waiting Room 175 Stoke Newington High St N16 Thursday 5 May
ESTRONS Monday 9 May
HEIN COOPER Friday 13 May
MANFREDAS Wednesday 18 May
ESSAIE PAS Thursday 19 May
NO ZU
BAT AND BALL
The Lock Tavern
MOTH Club
35 Chalk Farm Rd London NW1 Friday 6 May
WHISTLEJACKET Saturday 7 May
TIGERCATS Sunday 8 May
31Ø8 Tuesday 10 May
WALLEATER Wednesday 25 May
SLOW DANCER
Valette St London E8 Friday 13 May
NOTHING Thursday 19 May
BLACK PEACHES Tuesday 24 May
LISS Thursday 26 May
DOOMSQUAD Tuesday 31 May
PRINCE RAMA
RECORD OF THE MONTH:
MODERN BASEBALL // HOLY GHOST 95% of our writers asked to review Holy Ghost - so we didn’t let anyone do it. Instead we asked Rachel Grace Almeida and Jack Urwin this: why the hell are Modern Baseball so damn popular? LiS: Come on, what is it about this band? RGA: I think people connect with Modern Baseball because they are direct. Apart from being extremely lovable, they communicate things in a straightforward way. JU: Like, they touch upon the heavy stuff but also the joyful mundanities of life. There’s a line in the last album about staying in bed all day and watching Planet Earth which I love. I think there’s something very human in that. LiS: If we told MoBo we’re chatting about them as an emo band, what would they think? Would they be happy being called ‘emo’? RGA: I don’t think they really care, tbh. I just don’t think they give a shit about that really. JU: Yeah, same. Emo is very punk in that it’s very emo to not care about whether you’re perceived as emo or not. LiS: Oh, like Marge Simpson being cool? JU: Hahaha, yes. LiS: I’m always wary of emo lyrics, I struggle with the self-pity and lack of awareness. JU: See, lyrically I can’t think of many genres that are more self-aware and injected with humour. RGA: It’s face value stuff and I think people have a problem digesting that, cos you know, lyrics are meant to be drenched in metaphor. LiS: Is Holy Ghost witty? What’s it about? RGA: It’s witty but heartwarming and also crushingly sad. It’s about loss – losing people, losing your sense of self. JU: ‘Apple Cider I Don’t Mind’ basically killed me, it’s got all the hallmarks of an early emo breakup song (eg ‘The Summer Ends’ by American Football) in that it’s not just bitter or sad but kind of about learning to move on. I guess there’s something about that vague sense of hope that makes it incredibly relatable.
LiS: How good a Modern Baseball record is it? JU: I love Holy Ghost, it sort of feels like we’ve been watching them grow in real time. It’s a lot more adult and contains all the bad and good stuff that comes with adulthood. RGA: Some parts of this album sound like they were written in desperation (namely Brendan’s half of the album). It’s quite urgent in places. LiS: It’s written in two halves? RGA: Well, Jake wrote the first half and Brendan wrote the last half. JU: I found the first half a lot more accessible, it took a fair bit of time for the second half to make sense, but when it clicked it really clicked. RGA: Yes Jack! Exactly that. LiS: Do you think Holy Ghost will win new fans? RGA: I think it can because it’s darker sounding. It’s more accessible to the music snobs. JU: I think Holy Ghost isn’t as immediately accessible as You’re Gonna Miss It All. RGA: Really? I find it can be to the real indie bros. Less ‘adolescent’ in their eyes. JU: YGMIA, for me, was an instant delight. I fell in love on the first listen of the first song. This has taken more time and I don’t know if more casual listeners are likely to give it that time. RGA: I know what you mean. I think it’s because we’re open to that genre anyway. LiS: Do you have a current favourite track? JU: ‘Mass’ and ‘Apple Cider...’ for me. RGA: ‘Everyday’, ‘Just Another Face’, ‘Apple Cider’. The galloping bit towards the end of ‘Everyday’ is perfect. Holy Ghost is released May 13th via Big Scary Monsters Records. ONLINE: modernbaseballpa.com // @ModernBaseball // facebook.com/ModernBaseball
KAYTRANADA 99.9%
XL Recordings // May 6th Kaytranada’s XL debut is impressive at first, but on repeated listens the 23-year-old’s compositions reveal more charming lustre than meaty substance. Craig David collaboration ‘Got It Good’ is an early highlight, as is the trip-hop influenced ‘Bus Ride’, and it’s remarkable how Kaytranada manages to serve up an hour of house, trap, hip hop, psychedelia and R&B while always seeming to be in control of his ideas, but the lasting appeal needed to revere this bold work simply isn’t there. The production is great, the music is melodic and, as in the case of ‘Weight Off’, the basslines are hard. It’s hard to diagnose the ailment 99.9% suffers from, but experience and stronger lyrical collaborations would go some way towards curing it. Tim Hakki
ANDY SHAUF THE PARTY
ANTI- Records // May 20th Intentionally or not, Andy Shauf nailed his own epitaph when he named his last LP The Bearer of Bad News. Three and a half years on, the Saskatchewan-raised multi-instrumentalist returns with another set of amusingly gloomy character studies, only this time he’s turned his glass-half-empty outlook to parties. Whether they’re “overdressed and under-prepared” (‘Early To The Party’) or unsuccessfully hitting on their best mate’s ex (‘Quite Like You’), Shauf’s protagonists blunder along from one embarrassment to another. Fortunately, easing the awkwardness are some very pretty arrangements – often centred around piano and strings – plus the soft-focus, 70s production-feel recently re-popularised by Tobias Jesso Jr. As listeners, you’re left relieved not to be privy to the forced fun, but thankful to be an onlooker. Gemma Samways
WHITE LUNG PARADISE
Domino // May 6th Since the release of White Lung’s last album – 2014’s great, critically-acclaimed Deep Fantasy – Mish Barber-Way, the band’s vocalist and lyricist, has got married. She’s in a job she likes, fronting a band that tours the world and, in her own words, she’s happy…Though you might not have guessed it on a listen to Paradise. The Canadian three-piece’s fourth record is every bit as fierce, loud and in-your-face as any White Lung fan has come to love and expect – with crashing drums, shredding guitar and Mish’s vocals as powerful as ever. But listen a little closer and you might just hear it. These may be punk songs, but they’re big, well-produced, and certainly not lacking a chorus. Chat shit, get bangers. Jake May
ANOHNI
HOPELESSNESS Rough Trade // May 6th ANOHNI’s first solo album outside of Antony & the Johnsons could be the first classic protest record of our age, if it weren't so thoroughly dejected. Straight from the opener ‘Drone Bomb Me’, she’s bluntly beckoning explosives not to cease, but to “blow my head off” and “explode my crystal guts”. Elsewhere, if Natalie Bennet handwrote every Green Party leaflet in her own blood, the warnings of irreversible climate change still wouldn't hit home quite as hard as they do on ‘4 Degrees’, and ‘Obama’ is a digital dirge detailing in no uncertain terms her disappointment with the U.S. President – specifically how she “cried for joy” at the election of a man whose legacy is now tarnished by “executing without trial” and “punishing the whistleblowers, those who tell the truth”. Sonically (owing in part to having co-produced the album with Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke) it’s frankly astonishing. But the words are either a thing of genius or just, well, really not helping matters. I’m not sure yet. Lyrically, Hopelessness is steadfastly outward looking, in that its concerns are almost solely to do with the ensuing horrors of the wider world. But ANOHNI’s tortured delivery is one that seems intensely personal, and as the title suggests, it offers no solutions. If there’s any small comfort to be taken from this music, it’s that if you too are paralysed by the inescapable shiteness of everything, ANOHNI knows how you feel. Thomas Hannan
HELEN LOVE
SMASH HITS Alcopop! Records // May 20th Ever since ‘92, Helen Love have been peddling a kind of hyperactive punk-pop that’s somewhat divisive: “the Ramones on an incredibly intense sugar high” isn’t exactly for everyone, and their predilection for cheap synthesizers, tinny guitars and shrill vocals might grate on some, but their unashamed approach to making music that’s simply fun and unpretentious is something to admire. While most bands focus their attention on singing earnestly about love and everyday grievances, Helen Love has always maintained a joyously light-hearted lyrical approach. Here, she sings about space boys on the aptly-titled, synth-driven ‘Spaceboy’, and name-drops Polystyrene on pleasingly trashy X-Ray-Spex ode ‘Thank You Polystyrene’. Helen Love’s affinity for The Ramones – the band that brought them together due to a mutual appreciation – is also still hugely prominent: Smash Hits is littered with references to them; look no further than ‘You Can’t Beat A Boy Who Loves The Ramones’, which has snippets of Dolly Parton singing “Where have all the good men gone…” - an amusing, if slightly baffling, recurring theme throughout the album. The best thing about Helen Love is that amidst the over-the-top chaos, there’s always a hint of irony – take them too seriously, and you’re simply missing the point. They’re the perfect antidote to trad-rock drudgery, and for that, we should all be grateful. Hayley Scott
PANTHA DU PRINCE THE TRIAD
Rough Trade // May 20th German producer Pantha du Prince, aka Hendrik Weber, aimed to introduce more “human elements” into his strain of mercurial, ambient techno, in this his first full-length offering since his acclaimed third album Black Noise. On the contrary, The Triad has a more celestial than earthly atmosphere, largely due to its transient arrangements. Sparse vocals, scattering snares, humming bass and distant bells continually morph and form nocturnal movements that transport you far beyond 'human' and into a much more intriguing place. This is particularly true on the wistful ‘In An Open Space’ and the aptly-titled ‘You What? Euphoria!’ The Triad is a beautiful record, best enjoyed as a whole; an asterism of mutating beats and twinkling droplets of unfamiliar sounds that maintain a gripping hold throughout. Woodrow Whyte
GREYS
MAGIC POTION
Carpark Records // May 20th
PNKSLM // May 27th
Outer Heaven sees Greys riding the steely edge between palatable pop punk and more exciting (but decidedly weird) experimentations in surf, shoegaze and acerbic slacker rock. Like a sober FIDLAR emerging from a weekend bender into the crisp Toronto daylight, this latest iteration of Greys feels jubilant and grubby. The production is dirtied up with all the homespun grime of an underground demo tape. It crackles and pops in all the right places but, paradoxically, feels a little overcooked. This is precision-engineered dirt on the faces of what are actually driving, infectious pop punk songs. And in tracks like ‘My Life as a Cloud’ and ‘Strange World’ Greys demonstrate their proficiency at the dreamier end of the genre spectrum. A warm and likable release with an identity crisis. Grant Bailey
“I woke up feeling alright because there was milk in the refrigerator” sing Stockholm’s Magic Potion on album opener ‘Milk’, released on the brilliant PNKSLM label. It begins a journey along the Real Estate – Ultimate Painting trajectory stopping off at B-town indie and the Ninja Turtles without even breaking a sweat. A slacker record for dreamers, they sing about having too much time on their hands, putting the garbage out (well, nearly) and skateboarding in a way that recalls the best bedroom guitar pop. “The truth is that I’m bored” they confess on ‘Booored’, and you could say that not much happens on Pink Gum. However, just like the longest, laziest of summers, you’d be happy for this one to go on forever. Henry Wilkinson LiS 35
OUTER HEAVEN
PINK GUM
LUH
SPIRITUAL SONGS FOR LOVERS TO SING Mute // May 6th After WU LYF burned out in a flash of melodrama, no one was really sure what would become of its most recognisable element: Ellery James Roberts and his voice that seems high and low and gravelly and smooth all at once. The answer was a whole lot of nothing for four years, during which Roberts shelved projects for “giving me no joy” - at last, he seems to have found a bit in LUH (which stands for Lost Under Heaven). Not much, mind. There’s still existential hand-wringing to be done and over-the-top lyrics to be sung, but joining forces with Dutch artist girlfriend Ebony Hoorn has lent Roberts a lighter touch, a synthier sound and maybe even something approaching peace. Kate Solomon
BEVERLY
THE BLUE SWELL Kanine Records // May 6th Of the many reference points on this Brooklyn trio’s second album, whose starry indie jangle could belong to any of the past 30 years, the most unexpected is The Dead Kennedys – the SF punks’ ‘Moon Over Marin’ riff is all over the brooding midsection of ‘Contact’. Elsewhere, comparisons are easier to anticipate: the fuzzbox bubblegum of The Primitives on single ‘Victoria’; Teenage Fanclub’s lo-fi pop melodics on wry love drama ‘Crooked Cop’; Camera Obscura’s lilting swing across stalker confessional ‘The Smokey Pines’. These highs, likewise the kicking psych-rocker ‘Bulldozer’, demand that frontwoman Drew Citron carry the weight and, when her dream-like voice is glossy and sonorous, and her guitar licks coil and spark like Peter Buck’s, Beverly’s middleweight indie-pop packs an impact you just didn’t see coming. Nick Mee
EAGULLS
ULLAGES Partisan // May 13th Post-punks Eagulls have chosen an anagram of their name for their second album Ullages, which in turn plays out like an anagram of the band’s sound - it’s comfortingly familiar, and their bleak lyricism and deadpan delivery are firmly in check, yet they sound far less aggressive than on their debut album. Not to be mistaken for a transformation, it’s more of a re-organisation as such, and the result is a seriously solid collection of Smiths-esque pleasures. Sure, ‘How Soon Is Now?’ springs to mind throughout, but on tracks like ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Lemontrees’, it’s hard not to be engulfed by Eagulls’ wholly addictive take on the melancholic North. On Ullages, Eagulls have tapped into an incredible knack for making the dreary sound delightfully dreamy. Tom Walters
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Goldenvoice Presents
BROKEN HANDS 28.04.16 DINGWALLS
VANESSA CARLTON 03.05.16 OUT SOLDLEXINGTON THE 18.05.16 SCALA
ESTRONS
+ OUR GIRL 05.05.16 THE WAITING ROOM
TOURIST + XO 11.05.16 UT SOLD O XOYO
EAGULLS
19.05.16 ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL
FATHER JOHN MISTY 18.05.16 OUT SOLDROUNDHOUSE THE 19.05.16 OUT SOLDROUNDHOUSE THE 20.05.16 UT SOLD O THE ROUNDHOUSE
YAK
+ INHEAVEN 24.05.16 DINGWALLS
SHURA
+ PUMAROSA 26.05.16 O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE
PIXX
+ LITTLE CUB 26.05.16 THE PICKLE FACTORY
WAKA FLOCKA FLAME + DARK E FREQUER & 808INK & JIKAY 29.05.16 JAZZ CAFE
ALGIERS
+ BLOOD SPORT 30.05.16 100 CLUB
CLARE MAGUIRE 06.06.16 ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH
BLOODY KNEES 08.06.16 ELECTROWERKZ
CROWS 15.06.16 BARFLY
JP COOPER
26.10.16 O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN
SLEAFORD MODS 10.11.16 ROUNDHOUSE
THE SPECIALS 15.11.16 THE TROXY 16.11.16 THE TROXY
APR – NOV
28.04.16 SCOTCH
goldenvoice.co.uk
BILL BAIRD
photo: Sonny Malhotra (EOTR)
2016 FESTIVAL SPECIAL LONDON // UK // REST OF THE WORLD Festival season starts with the first excited glance at initial line-up announcements and ends months later, exhausted, stuck on a motorway and fervently wishing for your own bed. Pretty much every second that leads up to that moment is worth it though. Whether you’re sprawling on grassy hills in the middle of the countryside or sprinting round city venues trying to cram as much in as humanly possible, festival season is hands-down the best time of year to see a ridiculous amount of music. From special sets delivered by your favourite artists (we’re still reminiscing about Sufjan at End Of The Road last year) to the giddy thrill of discovering new treasures tucked away in smaller tents or upstairs in pub rooms, this is the bit where we fill our pop boots. Here we bring you a selection of those festivals where we think all the best kicks are going to happen.
Contributors: Rhian Daly, Jack Urwin, Danny Wright, Geoff Cowart, Tom Walters, Dave Rowlinson.
LiS 41
FESTIVAL SPECIAL
- OUR LONDON PICKS
VISIONS FESTIVAL
If you’re more of a ‘play it safe and not risk the literal shitstorms’ person when it comes to British festivals, Visions is for you. A handful of ace venues team up on one glorious Saturday in August to bring you a line-up that’s not only packed with guaranteed good time-bringers such as Lightning Bolt but also represents the breadth of London’s homegrown talent from the likes of Anna Calvi’s glorious art rock to Lewisham’s much-celebrated grime MC, Elf Kid. August 6th // Hackney, various venues. Go see: Young Fathers, Mykki Blanco, Ulrika Spacek. @VisionsFestival // visionsfestival.com
FIELD DAY “It should be a right laugh!” That’s the verdict on this year’s Field Day extravaganza from Sleaford Mods. The pissed-off Nottingham duo rock the Victoria Park party as the festival celebrates its tenth year of blowing eardrums and minds. The acts supplying the smiles in Hackney include PJ Harvey, Ata Kak, Deerhunter, Little Simz, Kelela, Girl Band, Novelist, Orchestra Baobab and Daphni. Plus, of course, the return of Aussie legends The Avalanches. June 11th-12th // Victoria Park, E3. Go see: Skepta, Anna Meredith, Loyle Carner. @fielddaylondon // fielddayfestivals.com
CITADEL Don't want the hassle of leaving the city or having to pitch up a tent to enjoy some top live music? Then Citadel is here for you. The one-dayer is the latest fest to take over Victoria Park, holding its inaugural bash last year. There’s loads to do away from the music here, too - you can take part in arts and crafts workshops, try and beat the competition in a sports day or just sit back and indulge in a feast from Kent’s The Sportsman, no less. July 17th // Victoria Park, E3. Go see: Sigur Ros, Caribou, Lianne La Havas. @CitadelFestival // citadelfestival.com LiS 42
SUNFALL
Jamie xx
London’s inaugural Sunfall Festival aims to bring a little bit of the Berlin party scene to the sunny sights of Brockwell Park. Featuring an incredibly diverse range of electronic acts and DJs from Ben Klok to Jamie xx, Sunfall promises to set itself apart by providing not only the biggest daytime vibes this summer, but also a fantastic range of after parties across some of south London’s most vital venues. There’s also going to be an independent record market to dip in and out of. July 9th // Brockwell Park + various venues at night. Go see: Kamasi Washington, Moodymann, Jamie xx. @SunfallLondon // sunfall.co.uk
LOVEBOX We know you’re going to Lovebox because LCD Soundsystem are playing their only London show there. They’ll probably play all their hits. We’ll all dance and hug and the sun will probably be shining. And we’ll have the sounds of Major Lazer and Stormzy and Run The Jewels and MØ all buzzing in our ears too. So we know you’re going, but we’re still writing this. Why? Because we needed this space to write down those acts so we knew it wasn’t just a dream. July 15th-16th // Victoria Park, E3. Go see: LCD Soundsystem, Stormzy, Run The Jewels. @LoveboxFestival // loveboxfestival.com
CAUGHT BY THE RIVER THAMES A new arrival on the London festival scene – and an incredibly welcome one. As a nation rejoices in all things bucolic (have you seen those Countryfile viewing figures?) this festival with a concern for nature, as well as incredible music, is one to treasure. A glass of red wine watching Lauren Laverne interview Chris Packham followed by the beautiful live experience of Super Furry Animals is our definition of idyllic, and that’s just the Sunday. We can’t wait to party by the river. August 6th-7th // Fulham Palace, SW6. Go see: Super Furry Animals, Gwenno, Darren Hayman. @CBTRThames // caughtbytheriverthames.com LiS 43
FESTIVAL SPECIAL photo: Richard Gray
- OUR PICKS FROM THE UK
END OF THE ROAD
An idyllic setting, boasting one of the very best line-ups, and with peacocks strutting about on site; End of the Road is a festival nearing perfection. This year’s line-up is chocked full of greatness: Animal Collective, Joanna Newsom, Teenage Fanclub and Broken Social Scene, to name just a few. Oh, and Stewart Lee on the comedy stage. And also a raclette food stand for all your melted cheese needs. Perfection is getting that little bit closer. September 2th-4th // Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset. Go see: Joanna Newsom, Teenage Fanclub, Whitney. @EOTR // endoftheroadfestival.com
THE GREAT ESCAPE Okay, so Brighton doesn’t have the frozen margaritas, world-class street food and warm evening sun that Austin boasts, but it does have pretty good seaside fish and chips, and, more importantly, in spite of its location still succeeds in positing itself as a genuine rival to SXSW. Each year scores of A&Rs flood to the coast, and with good reason: the future of music exists here. Come for the showcasing of new talent, stay for the old favourites. May 19th-21st // Brighton, various venues Go see: Porches, Diet Cig, Stormzy. @thegreatescape // greatescapefestival.com
BY THE SEA If you've ever wanted to ride the UK’s oldest rollercoaster between watching bands at a festival, you’re in luck. By The Sea, held for the first time last year, takes place at Margate’s Dreamland, home to just that ride. Although the Scenic Railway probably won't give you too much of a fright, the event should be enough of a thrill to make up for it. There's no bands confirmed yet, but last year saw the likes of Foals, Hot Chip and Loyle Carner perform. Sep 30th - Oct 1st // Dreamland, Margate, Kent Go see: TBA. @ByTheSeaUK // bytheseafestival.com. LiS 44
BESTIVAL The success of Bestival, since its first weekend in 2004, has been one of the more heartening festival stories of the last ten or so years. A real testament to the idea that if you’ve got the imagination and the drive you can make something special happen that people will buy in to. A trailblazer for the boutique festival experience and equally famous for it’s fancy-dress themes as it is astonishing lineups, Bestival is something to treasure. Probably goes without saying that this year’s edition is mint. September 8th-11th // Robin Hill, Isle of Wight. Go see: Kano, K.Flay, Wolf Alice. @Bestival // bestival.net
LATITUDE Since pretty much its inception, Latitude has been the butt of all white, middle-class, bring-the-kids, what-a-fabulous-yurt jokes – and, in fairness, that’s not an inaccurate analysis. But the fact is, Latitude remains almost unrivalled in both line-up and general atmosphere, boasting an array of big name favourites such as The National, M83 and Grimes, a solid selection of more obscure artists, and probably the most comprehensive comedy, poetry and theatre billings of any UK festival. July 14th-17th // Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk. Go see: Courtney Barnett, Anna Meredith, Aurora. @LatitudeFest // latitudefestival.com
GREEN MAN Held in the Brecon Beacons, Green Man doesn't spoil the beautiful scenery with tons of advertising boards. In fact, there's no sponsorship at all at this idyllic festival and no VIP area either. The result? An all-in-it-together community feel, where enjoying the bands and activities on offer take precedence over hierarchical nonsense. What's more, the line up is always one of the best going, this year pulling in headliners Belle & Sebastian, James Blake and Wild Beasts. August 18th-21st // Brecon Beacons, Wales. Go see: Grandaddy, Warpaint, UMO. @GreenManFest // greenman.net LiS 45
FESTIVAL SPECIAL
- AROUND THE WORLD
PANORAMA
Just as new festivals constantly pop up in the UK, fresh events are also arising elsewhere in the world. Panorama, New York's newest festival, is one of them. It takes place on the same site as the longstanding Governor’s Ball and is organised by the Coachella people so is immediately destined to bring some big names to the city. Imagine watching LCD Soundsystem close out the final night with a view of Manhattan’s glorious skyline in the distance. July 22nd-24th // Randall’s Island Park, NYC, USA. Go see: Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem. @PanoramaNYC // panorama.nyc
BILBAO BBK LIVE Not enough festivals take place in their own specially built complex on the side of mountains, but Bilbao BBK is one of them. Head to Bilbao's Mount Cobetas and you'll find picturesque views, fresh air and the best bands from around the world. This year they’re toasting their tenth birthday, too, so expect even more of a party atmosphere as celebrations begin, and maybe just keep going. July 7th-9th // Kobetamendi, Bilbao, Spain. Go see: Pixies, Foals, Tame Impala. @bilbaobbklive // bilbaobbklive.com
WE LOVE GREEN As you might guess from the name, the focus here is very much on the environment, seeking to dish out learns and party in equal measure. It’s an admirable approach, and makes so much sense, given how much time we spent luxuriating in the embrace of nature all festival season. You’ve got to have the music to back it all up though, and We Love Green has totally aced it with an absolutely huge line-up. Food looks amazing, too. Winwinwin. June 4th-5th // Bois de Vincennes, Paris, France. Go see: Floating Points, Kelela, Savages. @WeLoveGreen // welovegreen.fr LiS 46
YO! SISSY
Peaches at Yo! Sissy 2015
You know those pictures you see from some festivals? The ones that just look a total bro-fest, where dodgy attitudes complement dodgy line-ups? Yes that guy in the Eat Sleep Rape Repeat t-shirt, we’re looking furiously at you. Thank fuck then for Yo! Sissy. Set in Berlin, and initially funded via Kickstarter, this festival celebrates the very best in queer music and culture, with an emphasis on female and trans-gender performers. Berlin’s just the best, huh? Why are there not more Yo! Sissys? July 29th-30th // various venues, Berlin, Germany. Go see: Mykki Blanco, Zhala, Ballet School. @yosissyberlin // yosissy.com
WAY OUT WEST We’ve been to Gothenburg, we’ve eaten a ‘halv special’, we’ve wandered through the forest where the festival is staged, but we’ve never been to Way Out West. This year seems the time to put that right. Everyone comes away from WOW talking about what a hugely positive experience it’s been even beyond the music, which is pretty much all the temptation we need. That said, the line-up is so rich in eclectic and exciting acts, that this festival really does seem to have just about everything. August 11th-13th // Slottsskogen, Gothenburg, Sweden. Go see: Anohni, Sia, Anna Von Hausswolff. @wayoutwestgbg // wayoutwest.se
FLOW FESTIVAL Sometimes it takes just a glance at the line-up to see dozens of names jumping out at you and you’re all ‘Yep, this is the festival for me. Now, where is it?’. That’s 100% the case with this year’s Flow Festival, so know now that it’s in Helsinki, Finland and it’s time to get on Skyscanner to start checking those flight prices. Held in an decommissioned power station just outside the city centre this promises to be a unique experience bolstered by a bill that revels in both the thrillingly new and the big-hitters. August 12th-14th // Helsinki, Finland. Go see: Jamie xx, Thee Oh Sees, Pantha Du Prince. @flowfestival // flowfestival.com LiS 47
presents Upcoming London Shows www.rockfeedback.com
THREE TRAPPED TIGERS
MUTUAL BENEFIT
Scala
Bush Hall
Thursday 28th April.
Thursday 28 April.
THE FIELD
RADIATION CIT Y
KEVIN MORBY
CHASTIT Y BELT
Moth Club
The Victoria
Oslo
The Dome
Saturday 30 April.
Wednesday 04 May.
Thursday 05 May.
Friday 06 May.
SOPHIA
THOMAS COHEN
SUDAKISTAN
TOOTHLESS
The Lexing ton
Chats Palace
The Victoria
Moth Club
Monday 09 May.
Monday 16 May.
Tuesday 17 May.
Tuesday 17 May.
ALICE PHOEBE LOU
GILLIGAN MOSS & BAYONNE
FATHER JOHN MIST Y
BLACK PEACHES
Bush Hall
The Pickle Factor y
Roundhouse
Moth Club
Tuesday 17 May.
Tuesday 17 May.
Wed 18, Thur 19 & Fri 20 May.
Thursday 19 May.
Weddit presents:
SONGHOY BLUES
SCHLOMO/ D33J PURPLE / NICK MELON
SPRING KING
BLAENAVON
Shapes
Roundhouse
Scala
Dingwalls
Friday 20 May.
Saturday 21 May.
Thursday 26 May.
Thursday 26 May.
JULIEN BAKER
LET’S EAT GRANDMA
AMBER ARCADES
MATMOS
The Forge
Electrowerkz
The Lexing ton
Oslo
Thursday 26 May.
Wednesday 01 June.
Wednesday 07 June.
Wednesday 07 June.
TITUS ANDRONICUS
THE MYSTERY LIGHTS
DAWN
NEON INDIAN
The Dome
Shacklewell Arms
XOYO
Oval Space
Friday 09 June.
Friday 09 June.
Wednesday 15 June.
Thursday 16 June.
YUMI ZOUMA
VISIONS FESTIVAL
KIRAN LEONARD
SUNFLOWER BEAN
Moth Club
Various
100 Club
Scala
Tuesday 21 June.
Saturday 06 August
Wednesday 24 August.
Thursday 15 September.
with Fatoumata Diawara
BY THE SEA
OSCAR
SWANS
POLIÇA
Dreamland, Margate
The Dome
Islington Assembly Hall
Roundhouse
Friday 30 September.
Tuesday 04 October.
Thurs 13 & Fri 14 Oct.
Wednesday 19 October.
GIGS OF THE MONTH
OUR PICK OF THE BEST SHOWS HAPPENING IN MAY 2016
THE OLD BLUE LAST BAD BREEDING
Prepare to get wonderfully pummelled by the intense and crazed rock party that Bad Breeding bring.
04/05/16 FREE @theoldbluelast OLD STREET
SHACKLEWELL ARMS
BRIXTON WINDMILL
A warm-up for all those Great Escape antics we’ll be having. If schedule clashes might keep you away from these Nordic synthpop wonders in Brighton, then make sure you don’t miss this one.
Northern Star celebrate ten years of psychedelica, headed up by Swedish Mogwai fans, Youngteam. Gonna be ace.
POSTILJONEN
18/05/16 FREE @Shacklewell Arms
DALSTON JUNCTION / KINGSLAND
YOUNGTEAM // CULKIN // SATSANGI + MORE
14/05/16 £10adv @windmillbrixton
BRIXTON
BUSH HALL
ANDY SHAUF // EVENING HYMNS We’ve been totally won over by Andy Shauf lately, check out our review on pg.33, and get to a classy night. 25/05/16 £10 @Bushhallmusic
SHEPHERD’S BUSH
THE LEXINGTON
DANIEL ROMANO // KACY & CLAYTON
The UK really seems to be embracing all things country music right now, and Daniel Romano’s gift for gritty storytelling should be at the forefront of that. We heard incredible reports from his last London show. DANIEL ROMANO
31/05/16 - £10adv // @thelexington
SURYA
BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD Bringing his dreamy electronic folk from California, a heady mix of the textured brilliance of Caribou and the hazy pop of Washed Out.
ANGEL
22/05/16 £11adv @Surya_London KINGS CROSS LiS 51
SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS
THE GOOD SHIP
If the unholy racket of Girl Band is you’re kind of thing, then get along to this show from the L.A. duo. New album is radness.
We’re really excited to see Shmu on these shores. Genre? Well, that’s tough. We’ll say grungeydreampopchaos.
24/05/16 £6adv @ServantJazz
18/05/16 £5adv @thegoodshipNW6
SEGO
SHMU // THE COLD BONES
DALSTON JUNCTION / KINGSLAND
BORDERLINE
BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH With an album on Dirty Hit (Wolf Alice, the 1975) on its way, what a time to welcome this delicate & timeless performer back to London.
OSLO
QUILT
Bahrain and London come together to create uniquely twisted psychedelica. HACKNEY CENTRAL
There’s something very breezy and bucolic in the gentle pop yarns that Quilt spin. Perfect music for Spring turning into Summer. 16/05/16 £8.50adv @HoxtonHQ
NEW CROSS INN
HUSKY LOOPS // WINNARETTA
OLD STREET
O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMY
A) Great band name. B) We’ve been waiting for a chance to catch these raucous newcomers, and now it’s here! 12/05/16 £3 @NewCrossInn
12/05/16 £15adv @theborderline TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD
HOXTON BAR AND KITCHEN
FLAMINGODS 11/05/16 £7.50adv @OsloHackney
KILBURN
SEPTEMBER GIRLS // THE BLACK TAMBOURINES // MUTT
NEW CROSS / NEW CROSS GATE GOLD PANDA (photo: Tim Boddy)
Indiepop and shoegaze haze combine to make the very great September Girls. 19/05/16 £8adv @O2Islington
ANGEL
THE DOME
GOLD PANDA Well, obviously we think you should go to this show. Our cover star has made his best album yet, and we can’t wait to get lost in the magic of it at The Dome. 30/05/16 £14.50adv @DomeTufnellPark LiS 52
TUFNELL PARK
THE FAMILY RAIN
FABRIC
THE BUG FT. P MONEY // FLOWDAN // PHAELEH + MORE Describe something as ‘head-sheering apocalyptic dancehall’ and you’ve already got us there, and dancing. 06/05/16 £14adv @fabriclondon
FARRINGDON
PAPER DRESS VINTAGE THE FAMILY RAIN // WELL
The thought of seeing The Family Rain’s almighty racket in the confines of Paper Dress is pretty damn thrilling. Expect loud. 09/05/16 £5 @paperdressed
BIRTHDAYS
OPEN MIKE EAGLE // MILO // QUEEN CITY STOOP KIDS A rapper of magnificent skill, we’re expecting Open Mike Eagle to have a huge year. Both serious, and seriously witty, this will rule.
HACKNEY CENTRAL
23/05/16 £10adv @_Birthdays DALSTON JUNCTION/ KINGSLAND
BEDROOM BAR
WAITING ROOM
We’re absolute suckers for a theremin, so add that to Joe Nolan’s knack for raw and powerful tunes and you’ve got us hooked.
Born from the indiepop heart of The Boy Least Likely To, LoC are the UK’s very best purveyors of all things Nashville.
17/05/16 FREE @Bedroom_Bar
11/05/16 £4 @WaitingRoomN16
JOE NOLAN // MARTIN PIEHLMEIER
OLD STREET
LEGENDS OF COUNTRY
DALSTON JUNCTION/ KINGSLAND
THE LOCK TAVERN
100 CLUB
This Spilt Milk Weekender has so many great new bands playing, it’s just ridiculous.
Recalling DC hardcore, no wave and post punk, Algiers are intense, fired-up and this will be incredible.
06-08/05/16 FREE @thelocktavern
30/05/16 £10adv @100clubLondon
WHISTLEJACKET // TIGERCATS // ALDOUS RH + MANY MORE
CHALK FARM / CAMDEN TOWN
ALGIERS
TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD LiS 53
SUNDAY 1ST MAY
MONDAY 9TH MAY
TUESDAY 10TH MAY
WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY
THURSDAY 12TH MAY
FRIDAY 13TH MAY
SUNDAY 15TH MAY SATURDAY 14TH MAY
MONDAY 16TH MAY
TUESDAY 17TH MAY
WEDNESDAY 18TH MAY
THURSDAY 19TH MAY
BEVERLY
FRIDAY 20TH MAY
SATURDAY 21ST MAY
SUNDAY 22ND MAY
MONDAY 23RD MAY
TUESDAY 24TH MAY
WEDNESDAY 25TH MAY
THURSDAY 26TH MAY
FRIDAY 27TH MAY
SATURDAY 28TH MAY
SUNDAY 29TH MAY
MONDAY 30TH MAY
TUESDAY 31ST MAY
GOLD PANDA The Dome May 30th
photo: Tim Boddy
FOR ALL THE LATEST & MOST UP-TO-DATE LISTINGS, AND TO SIGN UP TO OUR GIGS OF THE WEEK EMAIL, VISIT LONDONINSTEREO.COM
Orange Yard, off Manette St, London W1D 4JB Follow us @theborderline and facebook.com/theborderline Tickets from theborderlinelondon.com or 0844 847 2465 (24hr) FRI 29 APR 7PM
TUE 10 MAY 7PM
SAT 30 APR 7PM
PLUS GUESTS
RECREATIONS ASHESTOANGELS SUN 01 MAY 7PM
WALLS OF JERICHO
XIXA
WED 11 MAY 7.30PM
MOON SAFARI FRI 13 MAY 7PM
NIKKI LANE
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
BAND OF FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION OF RORY GALLAGHER
WED 04 MAY 7PM
SAT 14 MAY 7PM
PLUS GUESTS
MON 16 MAY 7PM
MON 02 MAY 7PM
THE RECORD COMPANY THU 05 MAY 7PM
JACK HUES & THE QUARTET WITH KEVIN CORCORAN
FRI 06 MAY 7PM
THE CHASE ALBUM LAUNCH MON 09 MAY 7PM
MICK ABRAHAMS - A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS OF MUSIC RICK WAKEMAN (YES), RAY DORSET (MUNGO JERRY), GEOFF WHITEHORN (PROCOL HARUM), CLIVE BUNKER (JETHRO TULL), ELLIOTT RANDALL (STEELY DAN), DENNIS GREAVES AND MARK FELTHAM (NINE BELOW ZERO) PLUS MORE
There ain’t no party like our 90s party
EVERY FRIDAY
THE DOWLING POOLE ALBUM LAUNCH THE HILLBILLY MOON EXPLOSION PLUS SUPPORT
TUE 17 MAY 7:30PM
ARMY OF BONES THU 19 MAY 7PM
SHARKS
FRI 20 MAY 7PM
RYAN MCGRAVEY & BAND SAT 21 MAY 7PM
COLDRAIN SUN 22 MAY 6.30PM
SIMON MCBRIDE
Classic Indie, Rock & Brit Pop
PRESENTS
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK
IN LONDON w ith
OSCAR
Why do you live in London? I live in London because I was born there and it’s my home! Where do you like to eat and drink My favourite place to eat is JJ's Jerk Chicken in Harlesden because it's home cooking and the conversations are great in there. And to drink at The Lexington before a gig. Winter’s over, Spring is in the air, how do you like London in the springtime? It’s probably my favourite season to be in London. There is a really special feeling of the new in the air and when the sun shines in London everyone is in such a good mood and you can feel that! What makes a great day in London? The days when I can just mosey about town, looking at records, eating chocolate bars and popping in on friends. Also, any day spent mostly in a park is a great day in London. Speaking of which, favourite outdoor space? Hampstead Heath. Which gig venues do you like? Village Underground, The Lexington, Oval Space and Corsica Studios. And the best show you’ve played here? Village Underground for Lucky Number’s 10th Birthday. Does London ever influence the music you write? It most definitely does. I like to think you can hear it in the music. Just the mash-up culture that London in particular generates. How would you advise someone to get the most out of the city? As with any metropolitan city it helps to know people who are native. Befriend locals and get them to take you out. Avoid tourist traps. Be cultured and get ready to spend some money!
Oscar’s debut album Cut And Paste is released May 13th via Wichita Recordings. ONLINE: oscaroscar.co.uk // @oscar_scheller // facebook.com/oscaroscar LIVE: Rough Trade East, May 11th // The Dome, October 4th. UK FESTIVALS: Latitude, Secret Garden Party, Festival No.6, End Of The Road. LiS 73
PRESENTS
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK
PRESENTS
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK