Tapes 'n' Tapes @ ULU

May 28 2008 @ ULU, London.

If the world was a just and fair one, this Tapes N Tapes gig would be taking place in an arena in front of thousands of screaming fans. Instead they're barely filling the student union of a university, with touts selling tickets below face value outside. Oh the injustice!

After the support band, Land Of Talk, vacate the stage it's over to the Minneapolis quartet to blow our minds, which doesn't seem likely as they meander on the stage with all the flamboyance of a dead fish, looking like a lost roadie and 3 teachers.

Posted by Geoff on May 28, 2008

Pitchfork ATP - les savy fav

May 09 - 11 2008 @ Pontins, Camber Sands -
Harrison Haynes of Les Savy Fav gives us a band's perspective on weekend

Echoes And Dust: You played Minehead last year & Camber Sands this, which did you prefer?
Harrison Haynes: I prefer Camber Sands. On paper it's a lot crappier than Minehead, but the crapiness is integral to the experience that i first had and more conducive to an impromptu community of itinerant people.

Posted by Dan on May 20, 2008

Kaputt, It Hugs Back & The Octopus Project

May 12 2008 @ Madam Jojo's, Soho.

This is my first visit to Madam Jojo’s, a cabaret club in the heart of Soho. There’s no cabaret on offer tonight, just White Heat, one of London’s premiere Indie club nights at which the spectacularly moustached ‘Major’ Matt Halls spins choice Indie tunes around an array of talented bands.

It’s an interesting venue with a sunken dancefloor looking on to an intimate stage tucked in the corner of the venue and has the sort of louche ambiance befitting of its location.

Posted by Dan on May 13, 2008

Low @ The Union Chapel

Apr 19 2008 @ The Union Chapel, London.

Tonight Low are at home. They might be several thousands of miles away from their native Duluth, Minnesota but the Union Chapel in north London serves them well as a surrogate spiritual base. Alan Sparhawk has remarked on the venue's suitability to their sound before – they've played here a fair few times now – and it's easy to see why: it's a beautiful building full of old stone and wood, with an ornate stage that frames a three-piece perfectly.

Posted by Mark on April 24, 2008

the cure - wembley arena

Mar 20 2008 @ Wembley Arena, London.

Obviously I need to declare an interest here. For all my grown up fascination with the complexities of today’s guitar music, there is a little corner of my heart that will be forever painted black. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I was a Goth. Now that’s out of the way I will gather up what little objectivity I can muster and try and convey in words the true splendour that is The Cure as a live experience.

Posted by Dan on March 21, 2008

explosions in the sky atp @ minehead

May 16 - 18 2008 @ Butlins, Minehead

Punter A: "They need more hooks!"
Punter B: "If you want hooks why don't you fuck off to V festival"

So went the conversation during a brief interlude in the Mono set and, despite it seeming a bit harsh, it's true. You're not likely to get a piano led ballad with an anthemic chorus here, unless it's emanating from the kitchen of Pizza Hut, you're more likely to get the Chuckle Brothers performing a comedy routine with 20 custard pies and a dodgy trestle table. Welcome to Butlins! Welcome to ATP!

Posted by Geoff on May 23, 2008

Pitchfork ATP @ Pontins, Camber Sands

May 09 - 11 2008 @ Pontins, Camber Sands by guest reviewer Jonny Scurfield.

Friday

It felt like Christmas Eve felt when I was nine last night. This is my third ATP and I doubt I’ll ever tire of it. With the sun burning hot in the sky, close friends in tow, plenty of beer and a truly exciting lineup, I needed pinching every now and then in case the whole thing was a dream.

Posted by Jonny on May 13, 2008

clinic @ The 229 Club

Apr 09 2008 @ The 229 Club, London.

A lot of things about Clinic are uncompromising. Their sound, which has managed to stay true to a style they first honed back in 1997, and their on-stage appearance or, rather, non-appearance by way of those infamous masks. Clinic have never played to established notions of what a band should look like. If the masks seemed like a gimmick in their early days, they're now part of an immediately recognisable image which has, with some irony, enabled them to remain completely anonymous.

Posted by Mark on April 30, 2008

deus @ the scala

Apr 16 2008 @ The Scala, London.

It might have been tempting for dEUS to relive a few past glories tonight. Although a new album is imminent (28th April), tonight’s gig is part of a short tour of clubs aimed at warming-up for the serious business of a comprehensive summer of European festivals.

Posted by Neil on April 20, 2008