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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
I caught the Irish folk pop duo play to a packed Electric Ballroom in London a couple of days- so much fun and well worth checking out. Check out their tour here.
Saw one Sweden’s most hyped about artists so far this year, Naomi Pilgrim at the Ja Ja Ja night in London’s Lexington. Edgy electro beats and a sharp voice make for a great sound.
I caught Nick Mulvey at a packed-out Village Underground in London last night. The record’s great but the songs really come to life live, and it’s well worth seeing.
It was his first London headline show with a full band. Personal highlight was hearing ‘Nitrous’ build up to an amazing end. Tour begins in October.
Just back from Chris Garneau who played The Lexington in London tonight in a super chilled, haunting and beautiful performance.
Two days in a row at The Lexington this week, but all for a good reason! Last night I caught Finnish rockers The Scenes (above)…
… and Swedish indie pop kids Last Lynx at the monthly Ja Ja Ja sessions.
Hozier‘s got industry buzzing like mad since ‘Take Me To Church’ went viral. I was lucky enough to watch him live last night in London. The voice is incredible, and the sound is intense and captivating.
If you’ve managed to get tickets for his upcoming summer tour then you’ll experience something very special and powerful. If you haven’t, you’ll hear so much from this man.
Hozier releases new EP ‘From Eden’ on 31st March through Rubyworks.
It’s that time of year again when I get to look back over the last twelve months and put up the obligatory ‘best of’ post that music blogs love to feature so much.
As usual I’ll aim to pick out tracks and artists that many other websites may have looked over, as well as some of the more obvious milestones. Let me know what you think of my choices. After all, it’s you guys who keep me so motivated to keep hunting for new music all the time. Before I start, check out previous random lists here!
Most definitive song of the year
Lorde – ‘Royals’. There’s something mildly terrifying about this teen talent, and her ability to sum up her youth in a standard pop track. This will be a classic for decades to come, it’s just so different to any of the big hits that have come out so far in the last few years.
Too cool for school
MDNGHT – Not many have heard of this Mancunian collective but if anything, I am confident they will pick up buzz over the next year.
Biggest Scandinavian talent
Kim Cesarion – This Swedish talent has already taken Scandinavia by storm. I saw him play a showcase in London over the summer and it was as close to pop perfection as you could get. You could be surprised for seeing me not put Icona Pop under this category; but you know, they’ve been around for a good while longer.
Cutest act
Broods – This duo set the blog world on fire after releasing just one track blending indie and electro seamlessly. And on a completely shallow note, how cute!
Catchiest track
NONONO – ‘Pumping Blood’. NONONO have had as epic a year as they could get. This Scandinavian trio have made one of the biggest impacts in terms of exports from the region, thanks in large to this track.
Biggest #fail that should have been a #win
MKS (a.k.a Mutya Keisha Siobhan, a.k.a The Origibabes) – This should have been their big comeback. And on paper, there’s no reason why it tanked so hard. They picked a shit-hot producer while managing to prove that they could still hold harmonies like no other girl group. But I guess the song was probably too ‘out-there’ to have made a loud enough impact. Still, there is a silver lining for these guys later on in this post…
2014’s new ‘Lana’
Fe – She could be as popular as original Lana Del Rey. I predict Fe to catch some more buzz in 2014. She has a genuine, beautiful talent which is well worth a listen.
Wildest cat in town
Lion Babe – Literally, this lady goes for the ‘wild’ theme. Which is OK, since she does a great job of it. On a serious note though, what a sound!
Most trademark hipster Scandi sound
Postiljonen – Make no mistake, being introduced to his band has been one of my highlights this year. Their sound is pure perfection in my view and when I caught them live at the Ja Ja Ja Festival in London earlier this year it was probably a highlight for me gig-wise. This re-working of a Whitney Houston classic is amazing.
Biggest bang(erz)
Miley Cyrus – Love or hate her, you just can’t deny that this little lady has been all over the place. She knows she’s not changing the world with her songs. So what else can she do? She’ll just have fun with it. And there’s a charming likeability in that. I mean, look at this post – she’s sandwiched between one of the edgiest acts of the year (Postiljonen, above), and one of the best songs of the year (Sailor & I, below). Two categories she’ll probably never be in, ever, but she’s still spreading herself on here. And that’s ok…
Most epic track
Sailor & I – ‘Tough Love’. A real heart-stopper of a track that’s nothing short of stunning.
Most feel-good
Join The Riot – Again, another Scandi act makes it on this list. Nothing but good cheeky pop from this group.
Quirkiest act
Manou – This lady is one of my big ‘ones to watch’. I can’t describe her sound. Quirky, I guess. So good though.
Best slice of Norwegian rap
Lars Vaular – ‘Legender’. It’s one of those songs that sounds pretty dark, but still manages to sound easy enough to enjoy. Even if you’re not Norwegian.
Best trooper
Aiden Grimshaw – Following on from making one of the best and least brought pop records from a major label in 2012, this year saw the guy ditch his surname and now go under the moniker AIDEN.
Most unexpected throwback to Motown
MØ – ‘Never Wanna Know’. One of Denmark’s hippest newcomers came up with this track back in Autumn and it was adorable.
Best gig
MKS (a.k.a Mutya Keisha Siobhan, a.k.a The Origibabes) – They might not have had the comeback record of the year, but the ladies definitely pulled off THE comeback gig of the year at London’s Scala. No video on YouTube could relay the experience properly though.
Most listened to song on my iTunes
The Amplifetes – ‘You Want It’. You might not like this song, but it’s the most listened to track of the year on my iTunes. Something about it speaks to me.
One to watch
MNEK – It seems like a lifetime ago since I featured MNEK but he now finally seems to be on the edge of breaking through. Already long-listed on the BBC Sound of 2014, whatever happens over the next months will be pretty special for this kid.
Managed to catch three cool acts at the Lexington yesterday evening as part of the monthly Ja Ja Ja night. Jaakko Eino Kalevi has a certain ‘Bryan Ferry goes hipster’ vibe around, making some beats that manage to sound edgy and easy to listen to. YAST played their trademark Swedish indie sound, and Nabiha went all out with her unique and infectious blend of RnB and pop.
I’ve been so busy this week that I’ve only managed to put this up now. I caught a couple of songs from Swedish indie boys Everywhere at the Notting Hill Arts Club in London on Thursday. It was a pretty polished performance!
And so my second showcase of the evening was for Whinnie Williams. Lots of buzz surrounding this lady, and the show was pretty fun. This is good, quirky pop that the radio’s bound to like.
On another note, Gossling did a few songs beforehand as well and I’m kind of taken with the sound. She’s been around for a while, I do hope the UK falls in love as much as I have…
