Watched Kita Alexander play a great set in London’s Notting Hill Arts Club on Wednesday.
Category: Gigs & Reviews
2015’s Random List
As has become tradition, here’s this year’s Random List. A collection of music highlights that have caught my attention in the last year. I spend the whole year featuring new and edgy stuff, so it’s nice to put up the last post of the year as a little fun. For previous years, head here.
Most Underrated Talent Of The Year
Kwabs has been a dilemma in 2015. He’s so good, so talented, and the songs are so on-point. But he’s still not tapping the mainstream the way he deserves to be. Maybe it’ll change in the next twelve months.
Most Random Act To Pick Up Recognition In Sweden
Just before the world was introduced to MNEK’s work with Zara Larsson (one of pop’s biggest successes in 2015 in my view), Sweden took an unexpected liking to MNEK’s ‘The Rhythm’ to the point where the track picked up Gold sales. Which is nice since it hardly made impact in the UK. And let’s face it, Sweden knows good pop.
Most Played On My iTunes
Dua Lipa. Emerging from the same team behind Lana Del Rey only less of the weirdness. This is a fresh slice of pop.
Best Pop Banger That No One Will Hear
Lucas Nord’s work is already well noted through this record with Tove Lo, but this track that was released in November took me by surprise. It’s just SO GOOD.
Hottest Fans At A Gig
HONNE are a staple on this blog. This year I managed to catch them live and not only was the gig sold out but it was packed with Abercrombie model look-a-likes. Fancy yourselves a hot boyfriend / girlfriend? Catch HONNE live…
Scandi Country Of The Year To Pull It’s Act Together
Norway. What with Aurora (and that John Lewis advert), Astrid S and Loveless all making impact this year in some shape or form, Norway’s shown that it’s the country to watch in 2016.
Biggest Turnaround Moment
Justin Bieber… Where did that come from? Seriously- everyone seems to be on Justin’s side this year with the release of ‘Purpose’ and the random pop gems that are contained within that record. Just goes to show that kid stars can make good as they grow.
Act Who Owned 2015
Years & Years, as predicted in last year’s Random List. More importantly though, these kids have shown that you can have a lead singer be out, gay and comfortable with himself and have no one care.
Act Who Will Own 2016
Jack Garratt. No one’s even pretending that Jack won’t take over the next twelve months. It’s great though; he’s showing off a new style of dark soul-pop that’s touching people in a way I wouldn’t have expected.
Kill J + Loveless at Ja Ja Ja
Alex Vargas at Oslo
Following on from a ton of recent hype over his new material, I saw some of Alex Vargas last night in London’s Oslo.
Live: HONNE at Oval Space
HONNE played London’s sickeningly cool Oval Space venue last night. Never seen a crowd look so fresh and hot in all my life. More importantly, those two can pull off a good gig.
Petite Meller at Heaven London
Petite Meller played London’s Heaven last night showing off some weird and fabulous pop (as expected). The hats got bigger and the outfits got tinier as it went on… Fun!
Rae Morris + Roo Panes at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Just back from a chilled evening watching Roo Panes and Rae Morris at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire.
Frida Sundemo at Birthdays London
Caught Frida Sundemo’s showcase in London last night playing a short set with some excellent Swedish electro pop. Watch out for more!
Live: Vanbot at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen
I caught Vanbot on Friday in London’s Hoxton for a short and sweet set. New album ‘Perfect Storm’ is released 15th May.
Live: Karin Park at Hampshire Street Studios London
I caught Karin Park’s album launch this week for new record ‘Apocalypse Pop’ in London at the Hampshire Street Studios.
This will be quite the year for Park, who is also competing in Norway’s MGP (the national Eurovision selection) with some really strong material.
Live: Bernhoft at Shepherd’s Bush Empire London
Just back from seeing one of Norway’s most successful musical exports for some time. It’s not the first time I’ve caught Bernhoft in London; he’s got a natural talent for playing live. There’s an effortlessness his soulful vibe which is really fun to experience.
Live: Alex Vargas at Electrowerkz London
The man behind my Track of the Week, I caught Alex Vargas at London’s Electrowerkz last night. Was pretty cute to watch, and judging by the reactions of the sold-out crowd, the music had a hold on people.
Live: Laura Doggett & John Newman at O2 Brixton Academy
After missing out on catching Laura Doggett live for weeks, I finally managed to catch this 20-year old talent as a support for John Newman’s sold-out (and massive) production yesterday at the Brixton Academy.
While still a pretty new kid on the pop scene, her songs carried well live. Well worth a catch!
And as for John Newman… Nothing could have prepared me for the scale of his gig. No expense spared- this is how you make an entrance!
MDNGHT, Max Marshall and Ellie Rose at This Must Be Pop London
I caught one of my favourite acts from the last twelve month – MDNGHT – headlining yesterday’s This Must Be Pop at London’s Queen of Hoxton.
Well worth catching live. Max Marshall was also pretty special, as was new pop talent Ellie Rose.
Oxjam 2014 launched last night…
Ace in London played host to Oxjam’s official launch for 2014. I only managed to catch the brilliant Bipolar Sunshine (Indiana and Ting Tings were also playing).
There are loads of Oxjam gigs happening across the UK – all for a good cause. Find one near you here.
A note about Claire’s album…
As you may know I don’t often feature albums on here but after giving Claire’s ‘The Great Escape‘ a spin over the weekend I’d like you all to have a listen – so many electropop cuts on the same record.
Oxjam London launch gig to be curated by Huw Stephens
This year the OXJAM Launch Party is on Monday 29th September at Shoreditch Town Hall in London and will feature The Ting Tings, Bipolar Sunshine, Indiana and more to be announced. Tickets are on sale today exclusively from here and cost £20, with all proceeds going towards Oxfam’s work fighting global poverty. The festival kicks off on 1st October, venues nationwide.
Live: Kate Boy at Lexington London
Live: Seinabo Sey at Notting Hill Arts Club
The only way to catch Seinabo Sey’s debut London show at the packed-out Notting Hill Arts Club was through winning tickets. I was lucky enough to go and listen to her breeze through some pretty impressive, epic pop songs with a stunning voice. One of the most exciting Swedish talents to emerge this year.
The best gig of the year so far…
Saw Rag’N’Bone Man yesterday at London’s Elektrowerkz. That voice… Nothing much else to say.
The album is available for free here.