Bon Iver
Bon Iver
by Ben
Bon Iver is the title of the latest project from Justin Vernon, an indie-folk singer-songwriter from Wisconsin. The name Bon Iver comes from the French 'bon hiver' meaning 'good winter'. After the break-up of both his last band and relationship, Justin retreated to his father's cabin deep in the north-western forests for three months and recorded the album For Emma, Forever Ago in between sessions chopping firewood. After handing out copies to friends in 2007, the album eventually fell into the hands of Jagjaguwar Records who re-released the album this year in the USA, with 4AD putting it out in the UK a few months later. The resulting album is full of dense layers of acoustic guitar and multitracked vocals sung in a heartbreaking falsetto, with a few extra instruments, percussion flurries and creaks from the cabin adding colour to the mix. Augmented by a live band, the forthcoming, largely sold-out, live shows promise to be something very special indeed.
Vampire Weekend. Photo: Vorrasi
The Great Escape, Brighton
by Neil
Brighton's The Great Escape sees the entire British music industry relocate from London to the seaside for three days in May to search for the next big thing. Think of it as the UK's answer to South By South West, with hundreds of live bands playing across 25 venues, plus afternoon shows, club nights, after-show parties and more. The last TGE saw intimate performances from the likes of Ida Maria, Vampire Weekend, Noah & The Whale, The Young Knives and Alphabeat, plus countless others covering pretty much every musical genre you can think of. If you're a fan of the very best new music, or if you want to tell your friends, 'I've already seen 'em,' when the latest hot band is being played on Radio 1, The Great Escape is an absolute steal: an 'early-bird' wristband to get you into all the gigs costs just 35 quid!
See The Great Escape, Brighton details >
A Place To Bury Strangers
A Place To Bury Strangers
by Meg
New York's A Place To Bury Strangers have claims on being one of the loudest live bands playing today, something reiterated in every live review you'll read about them. Their sound is heavily influenced by The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Joy Division and lead man Oliver Ackermann designs and builds all the effects they use from scratch, making their sound truly original. The trio have supported Nine Inch Nails, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the aforementioned Jesus & Mary Chain on tour and will be visiting the UK for a series of headline dates this November.
See A Place To Bury Strangers tour dates >
Bela Emerson
A Thing About Machines
by Alex
A Thing About Machines is Coventry's three-day tribute to Delia Derbyshire and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, without whom British electronic music wouldn't be the same. Based in many venues and galleries (and in particular the beautiful grounds of the Cathedral) the festival brings together workshops and presentations on the technology and production behind electronic music old and new, as well as live performances from incredible artists such as Andy Votel, Planet Mu's Frogpocket, Anticon boy wonder SJ Esau and many more.
See A Thing About Machines details >
