Last weekend I had my first (of hopefully many) experience of Latitude Festival in Henham Park, Suffolk. I’ve been excited for this Festival for a long time. Pretty much since I came back from Coachella to be quite frank and I’m glad it didn’t disappoint in the slightest.

While the line up was absolutely amazing this year the thing that impressed me most about Latitude was the amount of sheer effort they put into the Festival and trying to make it different, exciting, creative & impressive on the eye. There’s the huge Latitude sign by the lake, the spray-painted sheep, the neon lights in the woods and on the river, the waterfront stage that onlooks the river, all the messages that hang down from trees in different sized ball-balls, and even the 3D water profection that was extremely impressive and at times creepy to watch!

And not only this, the contrast in all sorts of arts that go on at the festival from music to comedy to cabaret to poetry readings. They do workshops in painting and all sorts of other bits and as I would walk around I’d feel like there was almost too much going on. Surely these tents and arenas would be empty half the time. After all, the Festival didn’t even sell out this year… And yet, every tent you walk past, whether it be Theatre, Literature or some sort of mysterious tent that was refered to by one punter as “highly disturbing but at least it entertained us”, they all seem to be full to the rafters. The crowd there seem really into their arts and music. When I was at Hop Farm recently some of the crowd were pretty dire at times for bands but here everyone seemed much more intent on getting their moneys worth and I don’t think anyone can really complain about value for money at Latitude.

And so enough about the Festival as a whole, how about my personal experience… The vast majority of it was spent watching bands (8-10 each day), hardly any of which disappointed. I was going to make a Top 5 but that seems way too hard and so I’ll try and do a top 10 instead.

First off I’ll start with those who made an impression but didn’t make the Top 10.

First Aid Kit’s set got better as it went on and while I enjoyed it greatly both visually and musically it just seems like they are still not quite clicked for me. As much as I really love some of their songs, others just leave no impression on me whatsoever. That said, the last three songs (which included my favourites Emmylou & The Lions Roar) left me in a really good mood for the day. I feel like had I of seen all of The Horrors set then I would probably have placed them somewhere in the Top 10 as I really enjoyed what I saw of them but having really failed to get into the newest album at all I have found my interest in the band has decreased somewhat in recent times. Elbow, who headlined the other stage also looked like they put on a fantastic show and I almost felt guilty for never really giving them much of a chance. They are a band I’ve always greatly dismissed though I feel like I’ll try work my way through their albums in the coming months and catch them again at a Festival one day. Tune-Yards are just incredibly strange. At times, it just sounds like a load of strange noises that don’t quite work, and then suddenly it twists and turns and it’s amazing. I’d like to go see them live at a gig, they look like they’d show you a good time and really are very unique. Michael Kiwanuka & Laura Marling gave assured sets though nothing really stood out. Had Laura Marling’s set included more of my favourites she would most likely have been up in the top 3 to be honest. Also the fact that I’ve seen her twice in recent months probably didn’t help. SBTRKT look like they’d be a fine live band if you were off your head on drink or drugs while Givers & Metronomy brought a real fun and uptempo feel to a somewhat subdued Friday. Finally before I indulge you with my top ten selection, I caught the end of We Are Augustines and they sounded like their sound had got even better than the last time I saw them. They seem to be developing a real dedicated fanbase judging on the involvement of the fans in their last two songs. It made me want to go see them again and they must definitely be a band to watch out for in the next year or so with an incredible sound like theirs.

And so from the nearly ten to the actual top ten on a weekend where I saw so many live acts it’s really quite hard to work this list out.

10. Alabama Shakes (7.8/10)

This band is all about rock and soul music and while the band are good at what they do, Alabama Shakes is really all about one person, lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard. Her voice has drawn comparisions with the legendary Janis Joplin and their music at times rolls back the years in terms of rock and roll. One of the few bands out there for me currently that really dismisses that silly notion that Rock music is a dying breed. The set itself was really pretty good. There was a bit of a mid-set lull but that can always be an issue for bands with only one album out but they (she) really killed it with the last few tracks. I sadly missed her perform Hold On at the start of the set but being the third time I’ve seen Alabama Shakes live I can’t really complain too much.

9. The Antlers (8.1/10)

The set was a little too trapped at one pace for my liking but this band really are one of my favourites these days. I wanted them to lift the tempo with Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Apart or just go crazy on Sylvia but despite the lack of those they still played some classics amongst the new stuff. I’d best get listening to the new EP. Personal highlights were the set closer Putting The Dog To Sleep and the fantastic live song Two.

8. Bon Iver (8.2/10)

His set was very similar to Coachella and when I saw him at the Hammersmith Apollo. I was glad to see some songs from For Emma and while the performance as an art piece is second to none it can get a bit same-y and dare I say it, boring when he’s not really changing up his setlists at all. Bon Iver, the self titled second album as a masterpiece and a stand off album is unbelievable. It deserves every plaudit it gets in that respect but what is loses from it’s predecessor was the down right in your face passion in Justin’s voice and just a hint of subtleness. I mean sure, it’s hard to right such a sad album and even to play it live when you’re not in that place anymore but yeah, I guess it’s depressing to sit here and think that there will never be an album like For Emma, Forever Ago made again. There will never be an album as raw and life-changing as that one from Bon Iver, and possibly from anyone. If I hadn’t of seen him before, this would be number one for sure, but having seen that exact setlist three times now it just feels a little worn out. If someone offered me tickets to see him live I’d take them in a heartbeat and a part of me is actually really excited to be going to see him in November in Glasgow. I’ll really appreciate seeing him in an actual venue again rather than at Festivals. I’m hoping that can re-ignite the flame, so to speak.

7. King Charles (8.4/10)

Surprised me as one really to watch in the upcoming year. Seems to have great mainstream appeal and put on a fine live show. The fans (myself included) were loving it and seemed to be pulling out great hit after great hit. His crazy and moustache-y appearance seems to send a lot of young girls into raptures, but his music equally is making the same waves on the rest of us.

6. Ben Howard (8.5/10)

One of the best live acts about right now I think. When he has another album or two out he’s going to be everywhere and be world famous surely. So much talent and he’s got a good band behind him too. Black Flies was a highlight for me especially seeing Elena Tonra (of Daughter) accompany him on stage. The Fear always sounds brilliant and was a fitting ending to a sub-headlining slot fully deserved. Had I of been able to enjoy all of his set up close he probably would have been in the Top 3 but I couldn’t really take in the first 3-4 songs as much as I’d wanted to watching them from really far back.

5. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (8.6/10) 

The new songs sounded much better in this set than they had initially for me on record. This band is definitely one of my favourite live bands and their debut album was fantastic. Alex and Jade work so well off each other and Alex is absolutely mad. Looking like Jesus, jumping in the crowd on multiple occasions and performing in there to the adoring fans, walking up and down the barrier, giving the microphone to others to take over his role and sing (and surprisingly well). The set seems all about the fans at the front rather than the whole Festival itself but to those who love Ed Sharpe and “get it” they always put on a show that will be remembered for quite some time.

4. Glen Hansard (8.9/10)

Glen is just the most brilliant singer live. So much passion in his voice and it was a joy to finally get to see him live. I get the feeling that when I get to see him perform a full set at Union Chapel it will go down as one of my finest gigs that I’ve been to. One to rival the Gaslights, Bon Ivers & Arcade Fires… I look back on this and wonder why it wasn’t number one. I think perhaps it’s due to the fact that I feel Glen does it best when it’s just him, a guitar and he is singing his heart out and despite the pleasant surprise of numerous members of Bon Iver joining him on stage it took a little bit away from the pure emotion that Glen tends to portray. However it was a great set and he really showed that there is lots to offer after The Swell Season & The Frames.

3. Lana Del Rey (9/10)

She lit up a cigerette inside the signposted NON smoking tent, and then proceeded to sing a whole song with cigerette in hand, not taking a single pull from it (at least to my knowledge…). Only Lana Del Rey eh? She may come across as fake, she may at times come across as a copycat of previous generations but she’s an enigma. And a very interesting one at that. Not only that of course but she’s also released one of the best albums of 2012 and can actually sing live! Lana put on another great display after impressing me at Hackney Weekend. Apart from the disappointment of her not being in a red dress I loved every second of her 45 minute set. She may appeared out of pretty much nowhere like DJ Pied Piper but, yes we do really like it, and Lana is here to stay.

2. Of Monsters And Men (9.1/10)

If this band don’t take over the world then I don’t know what’s wrong with music. They’ve already got their big break hitting number 6 in the US charts. They are selling out show after show in the UK, the band buzz excites the hipsters and the lyrics are accessible for the mainstream, and choruses that are big enough to fill arenas and headline sets all over the place. Add to that a brilliant live show in general and you’ve got yourself Icelandic superstars in the making. They opened with my favourite song Dirty Paws and while that left me feeling slightly little under-whelmed the rest of their 6 song set just blew me away. They would have been my highlight of the Festival if Dirty Paws had of matched up. King & Lionheart sounded epic and when Little Talks came on the place went crazy. My favourite of the set was the final track Six Weeks. Believe the hype, the new Arcade Fire have surely arrived.

1. M83 (9.5/10)

I think M83 have to be my number one. I just had a ton of fun listening to them perform. I was pretty drunk at the time (which was rare for me last weekend!) but they do make amazing live music. I do think back and wonder if I only really enjoyed it because I hadn’t really heard any dance music in a while and had been listening to way too much depressing slow stuff throughout the weekend! Though I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the case. Reunion sounded so epic I just had a massive smile on my face the whole way through. As did the amazing Wait. I can’t even remember half the stuff Anthony and co played but obviously the whole place went wild for Midnight City. I can’t wait to see them at Brixton later this year. I’m just planning to make sure I’m in a very drunken and rowdy mood for it! My favourite Festival set of the weekend and I’m sure the gig will be right up there in the gig of the year stakes.

And so overall I had a really fantastic weekend. I’d definitely recommend Latitude to anyone. They really pull out a great line up each year of up and coming bands from a mix of genres and not only that, they also offer all sorts of other arts for all you creative types. The Festival itself looks amazing and despite the crappy weather we endured throughout the weekend I still felt really sad to be leaving on the Monday. I would suggest avoiding train journeys to/from the Festival though. One very overly packed and busy train every two hours from Halesworth when you’re extremely tired and just want to get home isn’t quite what you hope for. Anyway, I’ve rambled for long enough now so I’ll leave it at that. 

OH AND IF YOU WENT TO LATITUDE SEND ME YOUR THOUGHTS AND FAVOURITES FROM THE WEEKEND!?

So excited to be heading here tomorrow morning. I wish I was there today but to save money Stevie and I have decided to catch a lift up to the Festival tomorrow morning with my friend Simon who is just going up for the day. Hoping that Chris, Emily and the others can save us a spot to pitch up our tent with them.

As much as nothing may ever beat my first experience of Coachella in terms of a Music Festival this I’m hoping will run it close. The line up is just brilliant this year, in particular on the Friday and Sunday.

I’ve been planning this morning who I’m going to see after finding the set times online. Obviously things may change and I doubt I’ll get to see them all but there is so many acts I want to see that I doubt I’ll be disappointed in the slightest.

FRIDAY

12:30-13:10 // GIVERS (Obelisk Arena)

14:25-14:55 // CATE LE BON (Lake Arena)

14:50-15:20 // KINDNESS (i Arena)

15:50-16:35 // GLEN HANSARD (Obelisk Arena)

16:55-17:40 // THE ANTLERS (Word Arena)

17:30-18:00 // DAWES (i Arena)

18:30-19:30 // JANELLE MONAE (Obelisk Arena)

19:30-20:15 // LANA DEL REY (Word Arena)

20:30-21:15 // TUNE-YARDS (i Arena)

21:30-23:00 // BON IVER (Obelisk Arena)

Bands I want to see that I’ll be most likely be missing due to complete clashes: Amadou & Mariam, Polica, Chairlift, Destroyer, The War On Drugs, Alt-J, Metronomy.

The main highlights for me are Bon Iver, Lana Del Rey & Glen Hansard. Givers and The Antlers will also be awesome on what looks like an amazing day of music.

SATURDAY

13:30-14:10 // SMOKE FAIRIES (Word Arena)

14:25-15:05 // LIANNE LA HAVAS (Word Arena)

15:20-15:50 // OF MONSTERS AND MEN (i Arena)

16:00-16:30 // THEME PARK (Lake Stage)

17:15-18:00 // MICHAEL KIWANUKA (Obelisk Arena)

19:30-20:10 // DJANGO DJANGO (i Arena)

20:00-21:00 // LAURA MARLING (Obelisk Arena)

20:25-21:25 // SBTRKT (Word Arena)

21:30-23:00 // ELBOW (Obelisk Arena)

The Saturday isn’t quite as strong for me and will probably see me having more of a chilled day overall. The only annoying thing is that Django Django, Laura Marling and SBTRKT are all crossing over. Three acts I’d want to see a lot and I will probably end up checking out bits of all three and trying to catch the majority, if not all of the SBTRKT set. I’m not sure whether I’m going to see Elbow or The Horrors headline but at the moment I’m edging towards seeing Elbow as I haven’t seen them live yet.

The biggest highlight for me on Saturday will be getting to see Of Monsters And Men live for the first time.

SUNDAY

12:00-13:00 - LANG LANG (Waterfront Stage)

13:00-14:10 - RUFUS WAINWRIGHT (Obelisk Arena)

14:30-15:15 - ALABAMA SHAKES (Obelisk Arena)

15:40-16:40 - EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS (Obelisk Arena)

16:35-17:15 - ST VINCENT (Word Arena)

17:45-18:20 - KING CHARLES (i Arena)

18:55-19:55 - M83 (Word Arena)

20:00-21:00 - BEN HOWARD (Obelisk Arena)

22:00-23:00 - WILD BEASTS (Word Arena)

On the final day of the Festival I will sadly most likely end up missing acts like Daughter, Other Lives, We Are Augustines & Perfume Genius because of clashes later in the day. However it looks like an awesome  end to the Festival with some great bands playing on the Sunday.

Highlights for me will be M83, Ed Sharpe & the amazing Ben Howard. I’m also really looking forward to seeing St Vincent & King Charles for the first time.

If you’re going to/are already at Latitude this weekend then let me know if you have any recommendations for who I could/should try to fit in and see. Open to checking out acts as long as they don’t clash with my “must-sees” (those in BOLD). I’m pretty sure my weekend won’t be completely the same as what’s listed above as there is a fair amount of us in the group but whomever I do end up seeing I’m sure it will be a brilliant weekend. Just hoping it doesn’t rain too much!

theperksofbeingahallflower:

theperksofbeingahallflower:

Over the last week I posted up my Top 40 albums of the year complete with thoughts and favourite songs and all that jargon. If you haven’t had a look, or missed the final Top 10, I suggest you navigate through the links below. I hope you’ll enjoy my selections!

• Top 40-31
• Top 30-21
• Top 20-11
• Top 10-1

If you did like the selections, or want to learn more about them I’ve made a special Top 40 album SPOTIFY playlist that I’ve linked below. 100 songs from the 40 albums for you to enjoy. Please Subscribe to it and let me know if any songs/albums really take your fancy…

The 40 Best Albums Of 2011

Just wanted to re-blog this. If you haven’t checked it out then I suggest you go have a look and a listen!

themutteringretreats:

The Universe is Going to Catch You - THE ANTLERS

The Antlers are one of, if not the most under rated bands out there right now. I mean I know the critics bum them and what not but that’s because they make music that’s better than like 99.9% of anyone else who is out there.

If you’re heading to Latitude this year I suggest you make sure you give their newest album a listen - which incidentally was my favourite album of 2011 - andgo catch their set!

turnyourtide:

10. JAMES BLAKE // JAMES BLAKE

In terms of originality and creativity this is hands down the best album of 2011. Unfortunately my top 40 is judged very differently but James still makes a solid entry at number 10. The BBC Sound of 2011 runner up, Mercury nominated and apparently Enfield born (same hospital of birth woo!) boy wonder has taken the world, literally the world - Bon Iver did a song with him for gods sake - by storm these last 12 months. My friend Emily absolutely adores him and it’s far from the conventional music that I’d expect her to enjoy. I also had the pleasure of seeing him live a few weeks ago and after two songs my exact thoughts were, “what a load of crap this is…”. By the end of the show, I couldn’t get enough of it.

Favourite Track: Lindisfarne I & II

9. ALL AT ONCE // The Airborne Toxic Event

One of my favourite bands and their second album didn’t disappoint. Even my mother and sister love them. I don’t understand quite why this band haven’t taken off as much as they should. Their first album was great and had a fantastic lead song in Sometime Around Midnight and while the second record isn’t quite as punchy or heavy as it’s predecessor, but it’s a better quality record for sure. One of, if not my most played album of the year. All I Ever Wanted is fantastic, the anti-war song The Kids Are Ready To Die is engaging and passionate. Numb & Changing have awesome intros (Numb stays awesome, Changing doesn’t) and songs like All For A Woman & The Graveyard By The House show off their smoother more poignant side.

Favourite Track: All I Ever Wanted/Numb

8. WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM THE VACCINES // The Vaccines

When The Vaccines were on the BBC Sound of 2011 & MTV Brand New For 2011 polls I stood up and took note. Who were this new band. I listened to Post Break Up Sex and enjoyed it. I could relate to it and I was excited to see what else they had to offer. I heard a few more songs of theirs and wasn’t that excited. The songs seemed quite different and a bit more edgy but I had liked their original sound that I had first come across and so though still enjoying their music, I wasn’t too enthralled at the prospect of seeing them like in June supporting Arcade Fire at Hyde Park. However, it turned out I just hadn’t quite “got it” yet. At Hyde Park I did. And co-incidently since then the band have gone from strength to strength headlining sold out shows, playing the set of Reading Festival 2011 (if NME are to be believed) and wowing crowds all over the nation. The album itself is wonderful, I haven’t mentioned it once so far in this piece but that’s all you need to know. Make sure you buy it, make sure you see them live. Believe the hype.

Tracks: All In White, Wreckin Bar (Ra Ra Ra), Wetsuit

7. BLISS RELEASE // Cloud Control

This album was officially released in 2010 though it came out in the UK in 2011 (plus I only got into them post Reading Festival this year) so it counts. My friend Emily (as with The Vaccines & James Blake) was a big fan of this band and dragged me along at Reading to see them. I’ve now seen them twice since and they’ve impressed every time. The Australian band (the first of two Aussies in the top ten) make fantastically catchy indie rock music. They remind me of a heavier Two Door Cinema Club, though each song is actually different unlike Two Door (not saying I don’t like TDCC, I really do but it’s true). I must admit I have a bit of a crush on the female member of the band too. I love the way she loses herself in the music while on stage as they all seem to. If you haven’t listened to them, seriously check them out. They supported Foo Fighters on tour last year and have won numerous awards in 2011. The album itself is full of super tracks. Gold Canary & There’s Nothing In The Water We Can’t Fight are particular highlights but the album just rolls along with great song after great song, especially for the first 6 tracks. A band sure to take 2012 by storm here in the UK if they get a good break.

Favourite Track: There’s Nothing In The Water We Can’t Fight

6. EVERY KINGDOM // Ben Howard

The best effort of the British contingent comes from the wonderful Ben Howard in at number 6. I found it hard placing this album. Firstly because the deluxe version is better than the original (which do I count!?) and secondly because I think he’s a lot better live than on record. That’s not to say he’s bad on record, because if he was then he certainly wouldn’t be at number 6! Every Kingdom is a breathtaking debut album. The Fear is one of my favourite songs this year and Keep Your Head up was a great lead single. One of the great things about Ben is that he seems to great every song very carefully. He works very hard on giving it a good intro and even more so a memorable outro, as his live shows prove. I think a lot of unfair hate is placed upon Ed Sheeran from cynics who seem to hate him because he’s so huge now and they don’t really know why. The thing is Ed is very talented but there are better singer/songwriters out there right now and perhaps the best of all in this mould, and one man who should and most probably will recieve all this attention is Ben Howard.

Favourite Track: The Fear

5. PRISONER // The Jezabels

The strangest thing about this album is that I haven’t actually had the chance to listen to it properly as an album. it’s not on Spotify, I can’t find it in shops, it’s ridiculously expensive on Amazon and so I’m sitting here putting an album in the Top 5 that I haven’t even listened to “as an album”. Having said that, each YouTube clip for every song has taken a battering in views this year and those songs that are on Spotify are definitely amongst my most played. The Jezabels, led by the very interesting Hayley Mary are a band to watch. Hailing from Australia where they have already been critically acclaimed, won awards and had their debut album go Gold they’re making indie/rock music as good as anyone right now. There is a distinct bit of pop in there too especially in some of their more commercially friendly tracks but that makes them no less brilliant. Songs like ‘Endless Summer’ & ‘A Little Piece’ will be very high up in my songs of the year chart for sure. In Hayley Mary they have a fantastic front woman who I fancy like mad even though I don’t actually find her all that attractive. Having already done fantastically well in Australia, The Jezabels should find that 2012 proves to be the year that the rest of the world takes notice.

Favourite Track:Endless Summer/Prisoner/Trycolour

4. BURST APART // The Antlers

I’ll be honest the first time I listened to this album I was a little under-whelmed. I didn’t really see the buzz. I hadn’t listened to The Antlers before so this was all pretty new to me. I guess I was waiting for the big choruses and catchy hooks to kick in and woo me. That wasn’t going to come, and it was only on the second, third or maybe fourth listens that I realised the true beauty of their music. They’re like if Bon Iver went rock. Nothing’s over the top and you just drift to the music, nod your head and appreciate how beautiful the music they are making, actually is. And seriously it is something special. Peter Silberman’s voice is absolutely amazing and they are fast becoming one of my favourite bands. I saw them last night for just the second time but I know there’s many, many more to come.

Favourite Tracks: Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out/Putting The Dog To Sleep

3. BON IVER // Bon Iver

Probably the most anticipated album of my life. It may have been a far cry from his first release in that cabin. Infact it couldn’t have been further. I’d say it was over produced and far from perfect but in that voice, and the mastery that goes on in Justin Vernon’s mind he could make any song a great one. Had the unbelievable cover of Bonnie Raitt’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ been on the album then maybe it would have made it to number one but third is not a bad place. And I’m pretty sure he’s going to top a hell of a lot of other year end lists this Christmas. Nominated for Four Grammy’s Bon Iver has become the biggest non mainstream artist on the planet right now and this album confirmed it. Nothing he makes will most likely ever better ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ but as long as he keeps making music as good as this I can live. I remember hearing the intro snippet of “Perth” and genuinely thinking it was the most beautiful piece of music I had ever heard. It was about 50 seconds long and I must have listened to it about 100 times in the wait for the album to leak.

Favourite Track: Perth/Holocene/Hinnom, TX

2. THE FEAR OF HIBERNATION // Youth Lagoon

One of the latest entries to this list, but definitely one of the best. The best find of the year and one that’s gone pretty much under the radar - though it has been appreciated in some end of year lists. A 22 year old guy named Trevor Poers from California made this album in his bedroom. It’s astounding. From the very first listen I was hooked and I haven’t stopped listening since. There’s a moment just after the 2 minute into the first track, ‘Posters’ where the song just kicks right in and it’s amazing. I get a little feel of euphoria, a little buzz and from the second I heard that for the first time I knew I was listening to something special. It’s the arrangements that make it so good. Each song is like a journey and each one has a crescendo that never fails to engage and captivate me. He’s playing at a little venue in March in London and I doubt 2012 will be a year to remember for Youth Lagoon, however if he manages to create another masterpiece like this I’m pretty sure the world will soon sit up and take notice.

Favourite Track: 17/Afternoon/Bobby

1. ELSIE // The Horrible Crowes

An album that has undeservedly been ignored by most critics lists but that doesn’t mean it’s not the best of the year! Brian Fallon strikes again and I wonder if it’s possible for him to even make bad music. Drawing on from all sorts of influences including Tom Petty, Nick Cave, The National, and even The (recently reformed) Afghan Whigs, Fallon set out to make a new record differing from his typical punk-rock Gaslight exploits. Well it didn’t disappoint. There’s not a bad song on Elsie, only shining points and then even shinier points that outshine those that you thought shone before. I remember when the ‘Black Betty and The Moon’ snippet was released I expected a classic, and we certainly got it. The best songwriter on the planet right now. One that I hope keeps making music for many years to come.

Favourite Tracks: Black Betty and The Moon/Sugar/Behold The Hurricane

Top 40-31

Top 30-21

Top 20-11

Top 10-1

It may only be March but I’m already having a think about what bands will make my  Top 40 this year!

Tribes’ debut album is my favourite I’ve heard so far this year. Currently listening to  Dry The River’s debut which I’ve been anticipating for months. Gaslight will obviously score highly too as we know their album will be perfection.

I would also like to say that on reflection The Antlers album should be number one with Horrible Crowes at number two. I can’t fault it. It’s too much perfect for one album.

(via turnyourtide-deactivated2012061)

artfullybedraggledmusic:

Artist: The Antlers

Song: Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out

Album: Burst Apart

Currently listening to this. The best album of 2011. (at least in my opinion!)

davidthinkingaloud:

I Don’t Want Love | The Antlers

Probably my favourite/most played song of 2011. Grew on me so much with every listen.

Just to finish up all my 2011 charts and music chatter I thought I’d do a little song of the year chart. They are my personal favourites of course, but I’ve taken into account what they did for the artist or how popular they were with other people too. Also, one or two of these songs may have come out in 2010 but it’s just when I discovered them and if they aren’t credited to a 2010 single/album then well I think they count!

I’ve done a little countdown to spice things up but these 20 could have been in any order…

21. Death Cab For Cutie - You Are A Tourist // LINK (2.5million views)

I can’t believe I forgot to include this. So here goes. ITV always during the football highlights. Would be lower down the list if I could be bothered to edit it!

20. Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle // LINK (1.1m views)

Great comeback song. Great third album. Constantly updating their sound.

19. My Morning Jacket - Circitual // LINK (0.2m views)

I found it hard to get into the new MMJ album. But I think it’s just because this song was so damn good I just wanted to listen to it over and over.

18. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math // LINK (1.2m views)

A few great songs on their new album but this was my favourite.

17. The Airborne Toxic Event - All I Ever Wanted // LINK (0.8m views)

Okay, so it’s no Sometime Around Midnight but it’s still pretty damn great.

16. Lana Del Rey - Video Games // LINK (18.3m views)

I think I prefer Blue Jeans. But this took the online world by storm and well, it’s a great track.

15. Dry The River - New Ceremony // LINK (0.06m views)

When I first got into Dry The River this year this was the song I would have on endless repeat.

14. Cults - Go Outside // LINK (1.1m views)

In a world where songs on adverts are a great way to get yourself known or heard but sometimes known too much for one song. In that world - the world that we live in - Cults are the world leaders. It disappointed live too. But that intro is just genius. Simple but genius.

13. GOTYE - Somebody That I Used To Know // LINK (38.5m views)

Took Australia (and now the world) by storm. Very catchy and infectious. Definitely check out the Walk Off The Earth cover too (link here)

12. Ben Howard - The Fear // LINK (0.5m views)

Just can’t get enough of this guy.

11. St. Vincent - Cruel // LINK (0.6m views)

Standout song from the album for me. 

10. The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness  // LINK (10m views)

I’m not the hugest Strokes fan, didn’t get massively into the album but the lead single was fantastic.

9. The Vaccines - Norgaard // LINK (0.7m views)

I could have put a fair few Vaccines songs in here.

8. Tribes - Coming of Age // LINK (0.02m views)

Just an absolute anthem. It reminds me of vintage Oasis (or “britpop”). Something along those lines.

7. Youth Lagoon - Afternoon // LINK (0.1m views)

I fell in love with this man’s album and this song in particular. Give it a few listens. It may not blow you away at first, but soon you’ll be hooked.

6.  M83 - Midnight City // LINK (3.3m views)

I heard this song so many times without knowing who it was by. Well I definitely do now.

5. Bon Iver - Perth // LINK (0.5m views)

The first minute is like the greatest album intro ever. Or maybe I just think that because of the little snippet I used to listen to before the album release. Either way, my favourite track of an amazing album. Holocene could have been here too.

4. The Antlers - I Don’t Want Love // LINK (0.04m views)

Amazing album opener. My most played song of the last few months.

3.  Keaton Henson - You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are // LINK (0.08m views)

Deeply moving and sad. Simple and absolutely beautiful. From the first listen I was blown away. And I still haven’t tired of it yet.

2. The Naked & Famous - Girls Like You // LINK (2.1m views)

Some of their other songs may be better known but this was the standout for me. I remember hearing it at Reading and thinking wow, thats a great song. I went home, downloaded it and never looked back. I’m a sucker for songs like these.

1. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks // LINK (56m views)

Soundtrack to the summer pretty much.

I made a SPOTIFY playlist for the songs if you want to listen to them all as a whole. Feel free to re-blog. Hope you enjoy my list! I’ve probably forgotten a fair few too as I’ve just knocked this up in the last half hour! 

Go and subscribe to it… Songs of 2011

I said I’d do this ages ago but I haven’t been on a computer much lately so this is really the first proper chance I’ve had!

Managed to narrow it down to a top 15! First off I want to give a few honorable mentions to those who didn’t make it. James Blake put on a brilliant show at the HMV Forum in late November. The Civil Wars played great original songs and covers on a lovely night at the Union Chapel (my first visit there!) back in September. The Jezabels and especially Hayley Mary had me very much in ‘Heaven’ (gig venue pun…) when I went to see them recently. And I must mention Morrissey. For all his idiocy that man really is a gem. If only The Smiths could reform! Singing “There Is A Light That Will Never Go Out” and “This Charming Man” along with all these Morrissey fanatics (Stevie you know who you are!) will be a moment I won’t forget in a hurry.

And so onto the Top 15. While they are in an order for a reason don’t pay too much attention to it. All 15 were fantastic for different reasons that I’ll try to go through without boring you too much:

15. 23rd June - BRIGHT EYES (Royal Albert Hall)

They didn’t play Lua, they didn’t play First Day Of My Life, they didn’t play many songs I wanted to hear. But the second Conor settled down and started to sing Landlocked Blues and Poison Oak I was sold. “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning” may be the greatest album I’ve ever personally listened to and owned and God do I wish I had seen Bright Eyes live back when they were touring it.

14. 5th December - THE DRUMS & Cloud Control (Junction, Cambridge)

I actually lost my ticket for this and was lucky to be let in by a nice guy who felt sorry for me being a donut. Cloud Control were great support acts and have a huge future ahead of them. They got the party started and The Drums took it to the next level. I came out feeling thoroughly satisfied at what I had seen (even if I did have to miss the end of the set to catch my train home!)

13. 28th October - TRIBES & Dog Is Dead (Electric Ballroom)

Dog Is Dead put on a decent set without being as spectacular as their hype suggests but Tribes very much lived up to theirs. I had been a fan of Tribes for quite sometime before. But I came out of that gig a FAN. If you understand my use of capitalized letters. If this band doesn’t take over the world I won’t be happy.

12. 7th October - MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA (Koko)

Manchester Orchestra are a band my friend Catrina recommended me who I knew I’d like but never really got round to actually liking them. Just simply because i never listened to more than the 3 or so songs I really did like of theirs. However after seeing them live, I bought a few of their albums, I recognise them on the radio, I champion them to friends and I want to see them again. Fantastic set even though they sadly didn’t play “I Can Feel A Hot One”

11. 2nd March - JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW (ICA)

I was really excited for this gig. At the start of 2011 I had only been to a few gigs and most of them involved stars to be (not!) Mona. Though I would like to state that I am a huge Mona fan. But for all the hype it just hasn’t really materialised for them (just yet…). Anyway I liked ICA. It was a nice little venue. I also like James Vincent McMorrow’s voice. The Bon Iver of Ireland didn’t let me down with a mesmorising set. We Don’t Eat being a particular highlight.

10. 22nd June - KINGS OF LEON (Hyde Park)

It’s become cool these days to hate Kings of Leon. It’s never good when it becomes “cool” to hate a band. Especially when they are one of my personal favourites! I ended up going to this gig alone after my friend pulled out the day before and wasn’t really in the mood for it. But with 4 excellent albums and 1 okay one under their belt Kings of Leon have so many songs in their armoury that my mood was soon lifted. Knocked Up, Fans, Arizona, Four Kicks and the very memorable and moving McFearless made it a night to remember for me. It does annoy me that people just love to hate on Sex on Fire and Use Somebody. Yes they’ve been overplayed 15 too many times, but in ten years time we’ll all be appreciating how groundbreaking those songs really were. A band who have developed a different sound with each album and I just hope they stick around long enough and drop the dramatics to tour a sixth. They just need to make sure it’s a great one. And even if it’s not, I’m pretty sure I’ll be there anyway!

9. 27th November - FRANK TURNER & Against Me! (Hammersmith)

I decided not to include Festival appearances in this list and if I had then Frank Turner’s “secret set” at Reading would have scored very highly. But he has to settle for 9th with his show at Hammersmith. Probably the most fun I’ve had a gig this year in all honesty. The sing-a-longs were epic as always and Frank was on top form. Bring on Wembley in April! I highly enjoyed Against Me! too.

8. 27th October - BEN HOWARD, Lucy Rose & Brother And Bones (Scala)

7. 16th November - DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE (Hammersmith)

The first 20 minutes of Death Cab I was far from blown away. I went with my friend Pip and we were having a bit of a catch up and so were a bit distracted. We also were perched in a crap spot and it was only when we found a nice spot by a barrier after going for a wee that I really started to get into the gig. It was also probably cause their best songs were played later in the set too but who knows! You Are A Tourist was one of the best tracks of 2011, I Will Follow You Into The Dark and Transatlanticism were unbelievable live as were a lot of other songs. I went into the gig a fan of Death Cab because I liked the odd song and Seth Cohen. I came out wondering why the hell Zooey Deschanel would ever split up with this man!

6. 18th April - THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT (Drill Hall)

Seeing one of your personal favourite bands play in a little theatre in front of 50 people is something pretty special. Especially considering in Sometime Around Midnight they have one of the best songs of the last ten years. It was fantastic. I saw The Airborne Toxic Event 4 times in 2011 and 3 of them could have made it into my top 10 quite easily. A very madly under-rated band.

5. 30th August - EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS (Shepherd’s Bush)

I’ll keep this short (just because I’m getting tired of writing now!). It was fantastic. It was memorable. The album is great. Listen to Ed Sharpe. I can’t wait to see them live again. It’s something to behold, I tell you that. Also the highlight of Reading Festival for me personally.

4.  7th December - THE ANTLERS & DRY THE RIVER (Lexington)

Won tickets for this. It was perfection. Just had to appreciate how damn good the music was on offer. A band who released pretty much my favourite album of the year, and my favourite up and coming band. Says it all really. And in a tiny little venue above a pub.

3. 15th October - BRIAN FALLON, Dan Andriano, Chuck Ragan & Dave Hause - Revival Tour (Shepherd’s Bush)

Just four humble honest guys having a bromance on stage whlie busting out some folkpunk. Something like that anyway. Dave Hause opened and impressed immensely. Chuck Regan and Dan Andriano did their thing. And then Brian Fallon came to the fore. The crowd went crazy. We heard some wonderful Horrible Crowes stuff. We all sung Here’s Looking At You, Kid together at the tops of your voices in what was probably my favourite gig moment like ever. It was great. It made me long for a beard, to be American, to be able to sing, to have tattoos, to be different. But at the same time, it made me happy to be myself. Happy to know that I got to experience this while so many others (EMILY you should have come!) missed out!

2. 30th June - ARCADE FIRE, MUMFORD & SONS, Beirut, The Vaccines & Owen Pallett (Hyde Park)

The line up for this event was absolutely brilliant. Owen Pallett opened up the show nicely. The Vaccines then showed why everyone (especially Emily & the NME) were raving about them so much. Beirut came on and played a beautiful set and then the stage was set for the big two. Mumford & Sons totally blew me away. I had seen them once before but this was a whole other level. After they played my friends and I commented on how hard it would be for Arcade Fire to follow that. Well they did and more. Yes, they may have played Wake Up too early in the set but when you have songs that play as well live as they do; songs like Rebellion (Lies), Keep The Car Running, No Cars Go, Ready To Start, Intervention, Haiti (a personal fave of mine) who cares. I haven’t even included all those pesky Neighbourhoods! Some people don’t get the euphoria surrounding Arcade Fire and I admit it took me a long time to really understand it myself but once I got it, my life changed (at least musically) forever. I may have loved their set at Reading more, but I felt I appreciated it more this time around. So much so that I even went to see them in Edinburgh later on!

1. 24th October - BON IVER (Hammersmith)

Quite simply the greatest and most emotional thing I’ve been a part of musically. A say being a part of really meaning it too. I think everyone who was there, or who has been to a Bon Iver concert has felt “a part” of it. As much as I would have loved to see him in his “For Emma” days I felt this was just magical. The new album played beautifully live. There was tears from those around me. The audience completely silent for a good hour and a half in respect and adoration for the man in front of them. Everyone just took in the beautiful voice, the beautiful music and the amazingly portrayed emotion that this man has been able to create and capture so well. It pays great tribute to a man like Justin Vernon that even with all these extra musicians, layers and flashy lights that the new album has brought he still manages to bring a sense of intimacy to the occasion. I won’t ever forget The Wolves (Act I & II) and Skinny Love at the end either. Or the strange but fantastic sense of overwhelming emotion I got when For Emma started to play.