Mon 27/06
Yuck - Shook Down
Genre revivalists Yuck spring a surprise with this particular release, in that its lineage isn't especially 90s American fuzz-rock, though there's still room for an unmistakable piece of Mascis-inspired guitar (no bad thing); you can more easily pick out Teenage Fanclub than you can Dinosaur Jr. The result is the same though - it's superb.
http://www.myspace.com/yuckband
Akira DVD/Blu-ray
1988's landmark Akira opened the door to the West for Manga and Anime - that it is once again subject to re-release speaks volumes of its potential to grip another generation of Sci-fi enthusiast. Featuring stunning visuals (remember, this was pre the CGI that's almost passe today), and set against a back drop of post World War III political and social strife, this cyberpunk classic retains its power.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQnw35kR6Pw
Tue 28/06
Coincidence @ Metal, Edge Hill Station
Coincidence is the result of 14 days worth of text messages, sent by French Royal Standard member Laurence Payot, to unrelated members of communities instructing they carry out simple tasks, the aim being that those participants and others may recognise the 'coincidences' of numbers of people doing the same, seemingly random, things. A short film accompanies an exhibition documenting people's experiences in the form of blogs, diaries and interviews.
http://www.coincidenceproject.co.uk/welcome/
Fri 01/07
The Fall @ Stanley Theatre
What is there left to say about post-punk survivors The Fall? Formed by Manc misanthrope Mark E Smith in '76, the band continues to evolve, thanks mainly to constant, enforced, line-up changes as a result of regular sackings carried out by Smith, and remain relevant into their 5th decade. That their influence can clearly be seen in bands such as Pavement, Blur and Elastica to mention but three, means their legacy is ensured. Support comes in the form of 'Salford Bard', John Cooper Clarke.
http://www.myspace.com/fallthe
The Double Negative
thedoublenegative.co.uk is coming...
Saturday 25 June 2011
Saturday 18 June 2011
Culture Diary, Week Commencing 20/06/2011
Mon 20/06
Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
More or less ignored by the record buying public (if not the critics), Wolf has been around since 2003's debut, Lycanthropy. Now on to his 5th studio album, Lupercalia (an ancient Roman fertility festival, apparently), Wolf retains the romance and the pop while toning down the drama a little. Though greeted by the usual favourable critical response, it remains to be seen whether the Londoner will ever make the pop breakthrough his maverick talent deserves.
http://www.patrickwolf.com/
Thur 23/06
Glastonbury 2011
For those not making it to Worthy Farm for the festival proper, coverage of the uber-fest begins across BBC R1, R2 and 6Music on Thursday, with BBC2, 3 and 4 bringing a variety of performances over the coming days. Glastonbury highlights perfectly the changing face of what we can expect from a festival these days, this year featuring the likes of U*, Col**lay and Bey*nce. I was asked a few weeks ago why I choose to go to the likes of ATP rather than festivals attracting 'bigger' acts, and Glastonbury serves as a perfect answer, frankly.
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Fri 24/06
Rene Magritte: The Pleasure Principle @ Tate Liverpool
One of the most popular artists of the 20th Century, Magritte's vision of surrealism has had a huge impact across all forms of popular culture. With The Pleasure Principle, Tate Liverpool plays host to the biggest exhibition of his work in the UK in the last 20 years.
http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/renemagritte/default.shtm
Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
More or less ignored by the record buying public (if not the critics), Wolf has been around since 2003's debut, Lycanthropy. Now on to his 5th studio album, Lupercalia (an ancient Roman fertility festival, apparently), Wolf retains the romance and the pop while toning down the drama a little. Though greeted by the usual favourable critical response, it remains to be seen whether the Londoner will ever make the pop breakthrough his maverick talent deserves.
http://www.patrickwolf.com/
Thur 23/06
Glastonbury 2011
For those not making it to Worthy Farm for the festival proper, coverage of the uber-fest begins across BBC R1, R2 and 6Music on Thursday, with BBC2, 3 and 4 bringing a variety of performances over the coming days. Glastonbury highlights perfectly the changing face of what we can expect from a festival these days, this year featuring the likes of U*, Col**lay and Bey*nce. I was asked a few weeks ago why I choose to go to the likes of ATP rather than festivals attracting 'bigger' acts, and Glastonbury serves as a perfect answer, frankly.
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Fri 24/06
Rene Magritte: The Pleasure Principle @ Tate Liverpool
One of the most popular artists of the 20th Century, Magritte's vision of surrealism has had a huge impact across all forms of popular culture. With The Pleasure Principle, Tate Liverpool plays host to the biggest exhibition of his work in the UK in the last 20 years.
http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/renemagritte/default.shtm
Saturday 11 June 2011
Culture Diary, Week Commencing 13/06/2011
Mon 13/06
Dananananaykroyd - There Is a Way
The band with one of the greatest (and simultaneously, most difficult to spell and say) names in rock, Dananananaykroyd decamped to California for the recording of their follow up to 2009's Hey Everyone. For many bands, this would have resulted in a more chilled out sound; not so this Glasgow-based six piece who describe their sound as 'Fight Pop', There Is a Way, pleasingly, is every bit as shouty and riotous as we'd hope and expect from a band such as this.
http://www.myspace.com/dananananaykroyd/music
Thurs 16/06
tUnE-YaRdS @ Mojo
Another band with unusual nomenclature (the upper/lower case is intentional), tUnE-YaRdS are a somewhat experimental lo-fi outfit with a couple of records already under their belts. This Thursday sees them arrive in Liverpool to play Mojo - If you're looking for that next 'hip' act to impress/bore your friends with, these guys could be just the ticket.
http://www.myspace.com/tuneyards/music
Fri 17/06
Life In A Day
Life In A Day is the result of short films of the lives and experiences of thousands of people submitted to YouTube on 24th July 2010 being whittled down by the Oscar winning director Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland). Serving as something of a time capsule for future generations of what it was like to be alive in these times, expect love, laughs, tears and drama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePfNcj-SaZM
Emily & The Faves Album Launch @ Static Gallery
Led by Emily Lansley, Emily & The Faves aren't a band easy to pigeon-hole; like a sonic magpie, they exhibit evidence of an ear for pop, psych and post-punk - it's a combination that works beautifully though, and one only needs listen to the likes of So Long Sucker to be immediately taken by this Liverpool based band enjoying a growing reputation in the city and beyond. Catch them at Static this Friday evening for the eagerly anticipated launch of their album.
http://www.myspace.com/emlansley
PS Check out my interview for SEVEN STREETS with Emily of The Faves: http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/faves-tunes-emily-and-the-faves/
Dananananaykroyd - There Is a Way
The band with one of the greatest (and simultaneously, most difficult to spell and say) names in rock, Dananananaykroyd decamped to California for the recording of their follow up to 2009's Hey Everyone. For many bands, this would have resulted in a more chilled out sound; not so this Glasgow-based six piece who describe their sound as 'Fight Pop', There Is a Way, pleasingly, is every bit as shouty and riotous as we'd hope and expect from a band such as this.
http://www.myspace.com/dananananaykroyd/music
Thurs 16/06
tUnE-YaRdS @ Mojo
Another band with unusual nomenclature (the upper/lower case is intentional), tUnE-YaRdS are a somewhat experimental lo-fi outfit with a couple of records already under their belts. This Thursday sees them arrive in Liverpool to play Mojo - If you're looking for that next 'hip' act to impress/bore your friends with, these guys could be just the ticket.
http://www.myspace.com/tuneyards/music
Fri 17/06
Life In A Day
Life In A Day is the result of short films of the lives and experiences of thousands of people submitted to YouTube on 24th July 2010 being whittled down by the Oscar winning director Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland). Serving as something of a time capsule for future generations of what it was like to be alive in these times, expect love, laughs, tears and drama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePfNcj-SaZM
Emily & The Faves Album Launch @ Static Gallery
Led by Emily Lansley, Emily & The Faves aren't a band easy to pigeon-hole; like a sonic magpie, they exhibit evidence of an ear for pop, psych and post-punk - it's a combination that works beautifully though, and one only needs listen to the likes of So Long Sucker to be immediately taken by this Liverpool based band enjoying a growing reputation in the city and beyond. Catch them at Static this Friday evening for the eagerly anticipated launch of their album.
http://www.myspace.com/emlansley
PS Check out my interview for SEVEN STREETS with Emily of The Faves: http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/faves-tunes-emily-and-the-faves/
Sunday 5 June 2011
Culture Diary, Week Commencing 06/06/2011
Mon 06/06
Cults - Abducted
I know I'm banging on about these guys, but those of you who know me quite well will also know I rarely get enthusiastic about a new band, so allow me this indiscretion! Abducted is the new single taken from Cults' debut record and is reminiscent (to me at least) of The Concretes formula of juxtaposing uplifting summer pop with a heartbreaking lyric, in this case, Madeline Follin belting out "It tore me apart 'cos I really loved him." As we all know by now, I can hardly recommend these guys enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i1MXHGB8g0
Tue 07/06
Mark Radcliffe @ The Slaughterhouse
Is he far off being regarded as a national treasure? If not national then certainly a Northern one - The DJ and pop-history chronicler can be found at The Slaughterhouse discussing new book Reelin' in the Years: The Soundtrack of a Northern Life, in which Mark uses records from his life to weave together a rich tapestry of peculiarly British culture.
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayDetailEvent.do?searchType=2&store=22%7CWATERSTONE'S%20LIVERPOOL&sFilter=1
Fri 10/06
Ladytron @ St. George's Hall
This Friday sees Ladytron play St. Georges Hall in what should prove to be a triumphant homecoming for the band who released a best of earlier this year, marking a decade since their debut record, 604. Born out of the late 90s electro scene, Ladytron have not only endured, but evolved into what they are today, remarkable producers of clean, sleek, finely-tuned pop. I say endured because for reasons unclear to this writer, they have been resolutely ignored by the music press for great swathes of their decade in the business - it is testament to their quality and faith that we have the opportunity to celebrate them in person this Friday.
http://www.ladytron.com/#news
Petrenko's Elgar @ The Philharmonic
With tickets starting at a highly affordable £11, there's little excuse to miss this opportunity to see the celebrated Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO take us through Elgar's Three Scenes From The Bavarian Highlands and his Second Symphony, which Elgar himself described as 'the passionate pilgrimage of a soul'. Why not spend Friday evening in the glorious surrounds of a great venue with accompaniment of great renown?
http://www.liverpoolphil.com/3384/events-classical-music/petrenkos-elgar.html
Cults - Abducted
I know I'm banging on about these guys, but those of you who know me quite well will also know I rarely get enthusiastic about a new band, so allow me this indiscretion! Abducted is the new single taken from Cults' debut record and is reminiscent (to me at least) of The Concretes formula of juxtaposing uplifting summer pop with a heartbreaking lyric, in this case, Madeline Follin belting out "It tore me apart 'cos I really loved him." As we all know by now, I can hardly recommend these guys enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i1MXHGB8g0
Tue 07/06
Mark Radcliffe @ The Slaughterhouse
Is he far off being regarded as a national treasure? If not national then certainly a Northern one - The DJ and pop-history chronicler can be found at The Slaughterhouse discussing new book Reelin' in the Years: The Soundtrack of a Northern Life, in which Mark uses records from his life to weave together a rich tapestry of peculiarly British culture.
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayDetailEvent.do?searchType=2&store=22%7CWATERSTONE'S%20LIVERPOOL&sFilter=1
Fri 10/06
Ladytron @ St. George's Hall
This Friday sees Ladytron play St. Georges Hall in what should prove to be a triumphant homecoming for the band who released a best of earlier this year, marking a decade since their debut record, 604. Born out of the late 90s electro scene, Ladytron have not only endured, but evolved into what they are today, remarkable producers of clean, sleek, finely-tuned pop. I say endured because for reasons unclear to this writer, they have been resolutely ignored by the music press for great swathes of their decade in the business - it is testament to their quality and faith that we have the opportunity to celebrate them in person this Friday.
http://www.ladytron.com/#news
Petrenko's Elgar @ The Philharmonic
With tickets starting at a highly affordable £11, there's little excuse to miss this opportunity to see the celebrated Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO take us through Elgar's Three Scenes From The Bavarian Highlands and his Second Symphony, which Elgar himself described as 'the passionate pilgrimage of a soul'. Why not spend Friday evening in the glorious surrounds of a great venue with accompaniment of great renown?
http://www.liverpoolphil.com/3384/events-classical-music/petrenkos-elgar.html
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