Following on from a phenomenal amount of hype and an appearance in the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, Anna Calvi’s self-titled debut album did not disappoint. With its dark atmospherics, her alluring voice and well-received singles in ‘Desire’, ‘Suzanne and I’ and the astounding ‘Blackout’, she ‘became a favourite with the whole ‘alternative’ music spectrum…
Ben Parker, formerly of cult favourites Nosferatu D2, went on to perform as Superman Revenge Squad, an acoustic act with a wry sense of humour, heartfelt lyrics and a great line in self-depreciation. Now, he’s expanded this project into The Superman Revenge Squad Band, which finds his gentle tones and minimal strums backed up by…
The ‘novelty name based on a real person’ trend may, some might say thankfully, be coming to an end, but Cardiff four-piece Radstewart let their music do the talking. Painfully young for old timers like us, the band have recently signed to the mighty Alcopop! Records and despite their fledgling career, they’ve already toured with…
Hailing from Canterbury and signed to No Sleep Records in the US and the fantastically named Fist in the Air Records in the UK, Moose Blood are here to make your life sound better. Having toured extensively with Funeral for a Friend, the four piece are starting to make a name for themselves and no…
Brilliant news this week with the announcement that Reuben’s Jamie Lenman has returned to the music scene with a solo project. Releasing a double album via Xtra Mile in November, below you can see the video for the first split single from it, ‘Fizzy Blood//Pretty Please’. ‘Fizzy Blood’ rekindles memories of Reuben at their angriest…
Sad news last week as, after ten years together, Stagecoach announced they’re calling it a day. Evolving from a folky duo into a loud pop band that was equally at home with bands as diverse as Johnny Foreigner, Hold Your Horse Is and Twin Atlantic, they were perhaps the ultimate festival band. Playing the likes…
So, in between Reading finishing and the festival season closing with Bestival and then Southseafest, we thought we’d have a look around at some of the bands you may be able to catch as we move fully into the autumn. Everyone’s excited about the new Arctic Monkeys album next week, and Strangers have offered their…
Sunday Hawk Eyes got Sunday off to a flyer with a raw and powerful set that surely knocked out any tiredness or remnants of hangovers. After headlining the Introducing Stage last year, the Leeds rockers have gone from strength to strength and the live show has evolved considerably too. Heavy but melodic, the band even…
Saturday 2000 Trees Leaf Lounge headliners Childhood opened the Radio 1 Stage and their blend of Pavement meets Youth Lagoon dreamy indie pop was perfect for easing you into the second day. With a otherworldly quality throughout, are they going to be at the forefront of the second rising of tweecore? Post War Years in…
The August Bank Holiday weekend tends to signal the closing stages of summer and hordes of revellers descended upon Richfield Avenue in Reading for three days of live music and entertainment. While the headliners and many of the main stage acts rolled back the years, there were also plenty of new bands around the weekend,…
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