After the controversy surrounding his headlining slot at the Glastonbury Festival, he took to the stage last night and completely blew the crowd (and me) out of the water. First, he strolled on stage, guitar in check and sang Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ – this was a direct but subtle response to the negativity he’s received from Mr. Noel Gallagher. To be fair I feel a bit sorry for Noel as he’s obviously been used as a scapegoat and I wouldn’t be surprised if his quote was taken out of context.
Anyways…he played ‘Wonderwall’ then ‘99 Problems’ which just sent the crowd mad, Beyonce was side of the stage singing along to every single word with such passion.
The defining moment for me was when he mashed up ‘Aint No Love (In the Heart of The City)’ and U2’s ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ – IT WAS PHENOMENAL. Jay-Z smashed it, if he really has 99 problems, headlining Glastonbury certainly wasn’t one.
I headed out to Southpaw in Park Slope last Friday to catch The Ting Tings. Second time seeing the band, first time at the venue. Last time I saw The Ting Tings was at Union Hall (also in Park Slope) and it was nice to see them this time on a bigger stage with lots more space to move around. Southpaw’s a pretty cool, pretty clandestine venue. It’s generally out of the way but a nice excuse to spend some time in the Slope.
Katie and Jules rattled off most of the tracks from their debut album, We Started Nothing, which plays like a collection of dance hits. The songs definitely translate well live with Katie White acting as formidable a frontwoman as ever. She’s a crackerjack, seriously. Also, it was hot as hell that day and I can’t imagine how she could stand those tights but she looked mad cool.
Last week I had the pleasure of seeing Laura Marling for the first time at Mercury Lounge. The tiny room was packed with people, mouths agape, practically hanging on her every note. She was truly enthralling live and after warming up to the crowd a bit, came across really warm and personable. At her age, I think she qualifies as a prodigy. The New Yorker and NY Times are fans.
Her backing band played double duty by playing the opening slot as well and are called Mumford and Sons. Despite hailing from London, these fellas very clearly play alt-country, folk, Americana music. If you’re in London, I recommend checking out their record release party on 7th July at the lovely Luminaire in Kilburn for debut EP out on Chess Records. They were a featured “new band of the day” on the Guardian online back in April. Read article HERE.
Unleashing “cave-stomp drums, barroom piano and chiming post-punk guitars,” (Rolling Stone) Cold War Kids eschew preciousness for grit. Live, they’re all smoldering energy and raw power.
Joining them are local favorites Elvis Perkins in Dearland with their dream-like folk rock “drenched in equal parts sunshine and cloudy grey skies,” (Drowned in Sound) and the tuneful but hard hitting Sam Champion, “an absolute force of nature.” (Sterogum)
Make Music New York is NYC’s largest music event, with 850 free concerts on streets, sidewalks and parks, all on the first day of summer. TONY has partnered with MMNY to create this special channel to help you make the most of this essential summer event.
The event takes place this Saturday, June 21st. Click Here for more information
I am super bummed that I unfortunately acted 10 minutes too late…but congrats to whoever was able to jump on this one! “A Morning with Modest Mouse” tickets went on sale at noon today right after this show was announced. This show will take place at the Music Hall of Williamsburg at 1AM, after their show with REM at Madison Square Garden.
I went and it was AMAZING…pics and details coming soon!
It’s going to take all of my energy to refrain from gushing here but this video is solid gold. I swear. The Last Shadow Puppets released the video for latest single, Standing Next To Me, on Friday. The aesthetic of the video captures perfectly the song’s influences (Scott Walker, The Beatles) and has just enough tongue-in-cheek silliness (dancing girls, sunglasses) to prove Alex and Miles don’t take themselves that seriously.
The video was shot in London by Richard Ayoade of The IT Crowd and Mighty Boosh fame. The single is released July 7th. Enjoy.
Happy Sigur Ros day for all who got their pre-order download of Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust at sigurros.com today, one week before official release. And very happy Sigur Ros day to all those lucky souls who scored tickets to tonight’s Grand Ballroomconcert in New York. I for one cannot think about anything else and cannot contain my excitement no matter how hard I try! Full report on the show in coming days. In the meantime, all Sigur Ros fans eager to see the band again keep their fingers on the refreash button at eighteen seconds before sunrise - word has it the full North American autumn tour will be released today.
Picnic Rocks festival takes place Saturday, July 5th in Clapham Common, London. Every penny from ticket sales goes to theAction Against Hungercharity which fights hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Only 3,000 tickets available! Support a great cause and purchase tickets through Ticketmaster. Line-up includes: The Noisettes, Amy MacDonald, The Holloways and TLC favorites, THE METROS.
I FINALLY got to see The Kooks this week over at Terminal 5. Was my first time seeing the band and going to this venue. I was once again shocked at how many kids were there! I think it’s really great that there are all ages shows in the city now…I remember being near tears too many times at the doors of the Bowery Ballroom in my teens. Out of all the British indie acts at the moment, I’d have to say, based on what I saw at this show, The Kooks are arguably the most successful in the US.
The Brighton boys were super impressive live and played a nice mix of songs from both albums including a treat of acoustic songs from Luke with Seaside being the highlight for me. Terminal 5 is in a kind of out of the way location, but a good size and a welcome diversion from the usual Bowery, Irving, Roseland grind.
«More photos of The Kooks at Terminal 5» I was also really lucky to attend a rooftop acoustic set from the Kooks on the beautiful day that was Wednesday. Luke and Hugh played a few favorites like and Always Where I Need to Be, Ooh Laand Naive.
Some great footage my friend Rachel took at the rooftop gig:
Make no mistake Jay-Z is no ‘ignorant shit’
