- Posted on May 15, 2008 11:37 AM
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0 comments
Red Stripe Music Awards 2008
Review By Andy Hirst
Hundreds of bands, performing at dozens of venues over many, many months had all been whittled down to the final four hopefuls seeking to hold the sought after title of Red Stripe Music Awards 08 Battle of the Bands Winner and all of the goodies that entails.
The final setting for the epic battle was the Kentish town Forum and the fortunate bands still in contention were performing in front of a packed crowd of devoted fans who had made the long journey to London town with the bands. A headline set from The Dirty Pretty Things also brought a little bit of the limelight to the event from a band rather more accustomed to the big stage setting than the young pretenders.
Continue reading "RED STRIPE MUSIC AWARDS 2008: The Finalists" »
- Posted on May 13, 2008 5:37 PM
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1 comment
Ladyfest 2008
May 9th -11th - The Underworld, Camden
Review by Zarina Raja
Ladyfest 2008 removed me from the blistering sunshine on Friday and into the clammy depths of The Underworld.
Tagged by our pink wrist bands, we descended into the dark, ready for three nights of female-based bands and a little Riot Grrrrl action.
Ladyfest London 2008 kicked off with a string of films at the Islington Arts Factory and some workshops on Feminism, Confronting White Privilege and a bit more feminism…(well, what did you expect?)…The Feminist Antique Roadshow to be exact.
Your Heart Breaks, Monday Club, The Bobby Mcgees, Slow Club and Kimya Dawson, all took to the stage throughout Friday night.
Continue reading "GIG REVIEW: Ladyfest London 2008" »
- Posted on May 13, 2008 1:21 PM
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2 comments
Radiohead
In the past year, Radiohead released an album that could be downloaded for free, they played a free gig in London’s crammed 93 Feet East, and they performed at the BBC for a randomly picked – and immensely lucky – crowd.
June will see in the first of a string of Radiohead’s long awaited UK tour dates. If you weren’t lucky enough to squeeze into the 93 Feet East gig, or if you weren’t chosen for the BBC gig, then perhaps luck is be on your side today.
We have two tickets for Radiohead in Victoria Park on June 24th – the hottest gig of the year.
To enter our competition, please answer the following question:
Who did Thom York sing with on the track, This Mess We’re In. Was it:
A)PJ Harvey
B)Goldfrapp
C)Kate Moss
Send entries to competition@seatwave.com. Please specify the tickets that you would like to win as the email subject.
Continue reading "COMPETITION: Radiohead" »
- Posted on May 12, 2008 1:36 PM
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1 comment
Summer In The City
by Peter Coulston
Hello and welcome to London live as we have come to know it. It’s still alive and well and contemplating the fine weather that is surely on its way. With such bounding optimism, I started my week at The Troubadour in Earl’s Court, that fine old establishment in West London that has been home to the great and the good over the years, and even I pop in occasionally. I was attracted to this gig by the fact that Eliza Wren Payne, that excellent singer songwriter from Utah was scheduled to play. After parking on Old Brompton Road with no problem whatsoever, a feat in itself in Earl’s Court, I arrived at the gig to find that she had been replaced by a band that I had never heard of. Optimism prevailed, however, my friends, and rightly so, as this proved to be an extremely enjoyable gig. It was promoted by Curious Generation, which is always a good omen, and I was far from disappointed. It all got started with the indie/acoustic sounds of Ainslie Henderson, a fine performer from Edinburgh with a sparkly guitar. His songs and performance were way above average and I particularly enjoyed “Growing Flowers”. Poppy on violin was a welcome addition and I would certainly repeat the experience. www.myspace.com/ainsliehenderson is where he is at, and you should go there too.
Continue reading "LAST WEEK IN LONDON: Summer In The City" »
- Posted on May 12, 2008 10:18 AM
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0 comments
The Parlotones
RadioControlledRobot
Review by Time Kernutt
The Parlotones are the new kids on the block in a rock-scene already exploding with over-talent, however the band still manage to stand out above other newcomers with their sound. As cliched as it may sound, the expression "fresh-sound" springs immediately to mind. So apart from sounding "fresh", what else can be said about the Parlotones?
The band-members are born and bred South-Africans, however seemingly bent on UK, if not world, domination. They are as comfortable wearing the "indie-rock" hat as they are the "rock-ballad" shoes - not quite as indie as "We Are Scientists" or "Kings of Leon", the Parlotones are caught comfortably and interestingly between indie-rock land and commercial rock. Recorded in Durban, South Africa, RadioControlledRobot (their first album) was released globally late last year after initially being released in 2006.
Continue reading "ALBUM REVIEW: The Parlotones" »
- Posted on May 12, 2008 10:08 AM
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0 comments
Jack Johnson
Hope
Bushfire Records, April 14th
Review by Kelly Murray
Hope is the latest single taken form Jack’s fifth album Sleep Through The Static, an album which has gone to number one in eight countries including England. I’d say I’m a fan generally but this single seems like it’s lacking in the magical dreaminess often associated with Mr Johnson’s unique voice. There is no instant pull here that can be found on Breakdown, Better Together or Upside Down so it just sort of fades away after a few listens, it’s not offensive by any means, it just doesn’t excite due to the absence of a soulful and charming chorus often found sparking the fire round these parts.
Related Links
Buy Jack Johnson tickets
- Posted on May 12, 2008 10:00 AM
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Celine Dion
02 Arena
Monday 6th May 2008
Review by Matty Heanes
I’m actually starting to become quite attached to the 02 Arena, most places this size are stripped of character but for some reason this towering dome isn’t. As I look around I see three gay men and a couple of middle aged women with Celine Dion T Shirts on screaming ‘Dion! We love you!’ at a pitch that would pierce a dog’s eardrums. They are of course excited to see one of the most iconic female Pop singers the world has ever produced; Celine Dion has finally returned to our shores for a tour of Europe.
Our seats are good ones; as the house lights fade, Mrs Dion walks right by my seat on her way to the stage. For a lady well into her 40s she is immaculate. She gives the image the friend’s Mum you secretly fancy but know you shouldn’t. The opening number of the night is an up tempo cover of Roy Orbison’s ‘I Drove All Night’. It is delivered with great conviction and her more than capable band back her up very well.
Continue reading "GIG REVIEW: Celine Dion" »
- Posted on May 9, 2008 3:31 PM
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16 comments
Sex and the City
Sex and the City has attracted many diverse responses. Some people love it, some people hate it, some people are offended by it, and others see it as the perfect way to live their life.
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly certainly feels no inclination towards it. When we spoke to him recently, he told us that he would be seeing the film - but just because it would make him angry.
‘If you want females to be taken seriously in society, then don’t portray them as people who will sleep their way to the top, throw hissy fits at every possible opportunity, and are deeply obsessed with fashion and material things.’
After having taken all this into consideration, we still can’t help but be a tiny bit excited about the imminent release of the Sex and the City film.
We have five copies of the Sex and the City sound track to give away.
To enter our competition, please leave a comment below and tell us which character from SATC is your favourite.
The winner will be picked at random and notified by email.
- Posted on May 9, 2008 2:16 PM
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7 comments
Foo Fighters
Picture the scene: a sweltering summer afternoon, thousands of Foo Fighters’ fans, and a back catalogue of crashing Foo Fighters’ tracks.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is this not one of only way to spend a Saturday afternoon?
The Foo Fighters will storm Wembley Arena on the 6th and 7th June. We have two tickets up for grabs for their gig on June 7th at 1pm.
To enter our competition, please answer the following question:
What is the latest Foo Fighters' album called?
A)The Colour and the Scene
B)Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
C)One by One
Send entries to competition@seatwave.com. Please specify the tickets that you would like to win as the email subject.
Continue reading "COMPETITION: Foo Fighters" »
- Posted on May 9, 2008 10:47 AM
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0 comments
Deportivo
Review by Peter Coulston
There is more to this album by five West London boys than meets the eye; it needs more than one listen, which I have not been able to do yet. So, on first impressions, it’s good. There are nice influences from the likes of Squeeze, Supertramp and 10cc and some well written songs with catchy lyrics and hooks. Sometimes they are keyboard driven, sometimes they harden up with good guitar rifts, but always they manage to keep the listeners attention. The vocals are understated, there are some good dual vocals and a bit of an urban sound in places. This is a good band, and my advice to them would be, keep doing what you do, but more so. Be more adventurous, as I believe that there is an exceptional band in there that is afraid to come out. Who dares wins in this business, boys, so go for it.
