“Children, Wake Up!

Hold your mistake up.

Before they turn the summer into dust.”

MY FAVOURITE BANDS - (Part 3/50)

ARCADE FIRE (Montreal, Canada)

Genre -Indie rock

You might like this if… - You watched the Grammys and decided to listen to Arcadia, your annoying friend bugged you to listen to this shitty under the radar band for ages (until 2011 when it was for some reason decided they should take over the world), you’ve seen them live, you like it when lots of odd looking people go wild and play music together

Favourite Album - Funeral

Favourite Song - Keep The Car Running

The General Lowdown - It was only in 2010 when I finally got to see Arcade Fire perform live at Reading that I really understood the fuss about this band. I liked their debut album Funeral and have since grown to absolutely adore it but I had never really sat and endlessly listened to them, nor felt the need to throw them in people’s faces like I do with most bands I adore. But when I saw them headline Reading it clicked. I saw them in a new light and this Canadian husband and wife led band suddenly became a huge part of my life. I know a lot of other people who either don’t like Arcade Fire, don’t really get them, or it took them a long time to come around on the band but once you get through that early period and really give them a proper chance you won’t regret it. They didn’t win album of the year at the Grammys among many other awards for no good reason! I chose Wake Up for the song because it’s probably my favourite live song to be a part of. It’s one where as part of the crowd you can really get involved with. Seriously, if you haven’t seen Arcade Fire live before, make sure you do one day. You’ll remember it. Probably in my view the best band in the world at this moment; or at least in 2011. The one band out of all the over hyped crap we have at the moment that I actually believe aren’t over-hyped one bit. Though I admit I did used to think that! Three albums to their name, all brilliant though none quite as enthralling as their debut Funeral. 

Anything Else? - When I saw them at Reading 2010, they were the only band I went to see on my own that year. All my friends wanted to go see Pendulum but I had a real feeling that the Arcade Fire set was going to be something special, and fortunately it was! I’ve also traveled to Edinburgh to see them live.

Spotify Link - My 50 favourite bands (Bands will be added as they are put up on here)

“Cause this is what you’ve waited for,

Your chance to even up the score.

And as these shadows fall on me now,

I will somehow.”

MY FAVOURITE BANDS - (Part 2/50)

THE SWELL SEASON (Dublin, Ireland)

Genre - Folk/Folk Rock/Acoustic/Way too emotional and beautiful to even categorize if you’ve watched the movie

You might like this if… - You watched Once, you like an Irishman, you like Damien Rice, acoustic folk, a Ginger beard, belting voices with amazing emotion, you think romance isn’t dead

Favourite Album - Once (the soundtrack)

Favourite Song - When Your Minds Made Up

The General Lowdown - This may be the band (or the duo) that affect me the most emotionally. I found out about them from what has become my favourite film - the glorious low budget beauty that is ‘Once’. Since I watched that I find this band blows me away, in particular Glen Hansard. What a man that guy is. He is the lead singer in the band and wonderfully backed up by the wonderful and very sweet Marketa Irglova. 

Anything Else? - They are the band I’d most like to see live that I haven’t already. Glen’s voice just blows me away in live videos and that’s why I’ve chosen a live performance to show you now. It’s him singing a song called Say It To Me Now. Have a listen and prepare to be blown away.

Spotify Link - My 50 favourite bands (Bands will be added as they are put up on here)

“But boys will be boys, and girls have those eyes,

That will cut you to ribbons sometimes.

And all you can do, is just wait by the moon,

And bleed if it’s what she says, you oughta do.”

MY FAVOURITE BANDS - (Part 1/50)

THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM (New Jersey, USA)

Genre - Punk rock/The best thing you’ll ever listen to

You might like this if… - You’re a Springsteen fan/you like punk rock/you like rock music/you like music/you like great songwriters/you like life.

Favourite Album - The ‘59 Sound

Favourite Song - Here’s Looking At You, Kid (Above)

The General Lowdown - Fantastically consistent but wonderfully modest American band. Never shy away from their influences and heroes. Three albums to their name. All sold very well considering they have been independantly released. Signed to a major label (Mercury) for 2012. In general I’ve found that it seems that you’ve either never heard of/listened TGA properly or you’re a die hard fan. I got my mum into them.

Anything Else? - If/when I meet a woman out somewhere who loves this band half as much as I do; well just marry me.

Spotify Link - My 50 favourite bands (Bands will be added as they are put up on here)