Azealia Banks

Bad ass.

Want to listen to someone that has a bit of oomph about them? Than Azealia Banks is your answer.

Azealia Banks is an American rapper and singer from New York. Despite being around in 2009, Azealia only got her big break in 2011 when she was nominated for NMEs "Cool List."

Despite her musical influences being Beyonce and Aaliyah, Azealia demonstrates her own style by combining singing with rap.

To date Azealia Banks has released a mix tape "Fantasea" (2011), and an EP "1991" (2012). She recently announced she will be releasing her debut album "Broke with Expensive Taste" in February 2013, something I can't wait to check out.

If you can get past the swearing, and love a bit of attitude and rap then this is definitely an artist for you.   Hugely involved with the crowd, its no shock to find the audience singing and dancing around in a frenzy during her entire performance.

Tour Dates 
11th July. T in the Park - Kinross

Tom Odell

How have I only just heard about this guy??

Tom Odell is a British singer/songwriter signed with Columbia Records. When asked, Columbia Records have said "Using his piano as his weapon of choice , each track rains down the pain second, by second." With an album due to be released next year, all we have, for now, is his recently released EP " The Songs From Another Love."  This 4 song collection is by no means upbeat, but rather an offering of pure heart ache and feeling.

Having supported Jake Bugg on his tour last month (November),  it is only a matter of time before Tom Odell starts to build up his own fan base. Dubbed as the next Jeff Buckley, Tom Odell has made the shortlist for both Brits Critics Choice and BBC sound of 2013.

Go on, check him out - everyone else has!

For more info on this guy check out his website: http://tomodell.com/.

Tour Dates: 
24th Jan. Pianos - NYC
1st March. The Rainbow - Birmingham, UK
2nd March. The Cockpit - Leeds, UK
3rd March. King Tut's Wah Wah hut - Glasgow, UK
5th March. Night & Day Cafe - Manchester, UK
6th March. Rescue Rooms - Nottingham, UK
8th March. Tekla - Bristol, UK
10th March. Komedia Brighton - Brighton, UK
11th March. Joiner's Arms - Southampton, UK
12th March. Dingwalls - London, UK
23rd May. Electric Ballroom - London, UK

For information regarding tickets and tour dates check out: http://tomodell.com/live

Imagine Dragons

Two words; Indie rock.

Do you like The Lumineers, AWOLNATION, and Of Monsters and Men? Than this band is for you.

Imagine Dragons is an indie rock band from Las Vegas, that is formed of Dan Reynolds (drums, vocals), Ben McKee (bass ,vocals), Wayne Sermon (guitar, vocals), and Dan Platzman (drums, vocals).

Despite forming back in 2008 it wasn't until 2011 when this band got their big break. Their single "It's Time" proved to be the turning boy for the boys success - going platinum and reaching the top 5 on the Billboard Alternative, and Billboard Rock charts.

2012 has been a year of great success for Imagine Dragons. Not only did they tour around the US and sell out every show (bar 2!), they released their highly anticipated debut album "Night Visions" and released a brand new EP "Hear Me."

Branded as "2012's Brightest New Stars," Imagine Dragons' talent, sound and energy are certainly gaining them the notice and respect that they so clearly deserve.

Tour dates: 
23rd Feb. Roseland Ballroom - NYC

For more information regarding tour dates and tickets check out: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Imagine-Dragons-tickets/artist/1435919

Django Django

Four Londoners for you to check out.

Django Django are a British Rock band consisting of David Maclean, Vincent Neff, Jimmy Dixon and Tommy Grace. These four first got together back in 2009 when they met at Edinburgh College of Art.

In January of this year (2012) Django Django released their self titled debut album. Although it only reached number 33 on the UK Album charts, the band were nominated for the 2012 Mercury Prize. Songs that feature on this album include; my personal favourite "Default," "Waveforms" and "Storm."

I am a huge fan of this band, I urge you to check them out.

Tour Dates:
21st Dec. O2 Shepherds Bush Empire - London
7th Feb. O2 Academy Newcastle - Newcastle Upon Tyne
8th Feb. Manchester Academy - Manchester
9th Feb. O2 Academy - Leeds
11th Feb. O2 Academy - Glasgow
12th Feb. Rock City - Nottingham
13th Feb. 02 Academy - Liverpool
15th Feb. UEA - Norwich
16th Feb. O2 Academy - Birmingham
17th Feb. Cardiff University SU - Cardiff
19th Feb. O2 Academy - Bristol
20th Feb. O2 Academy - Bournemouth
21st Feb. Brighton Dome - Brighton
23rd Feb. O2 Academy Brixton - London
25th May. Victoria Park - London

For information regarding tickets and/ or tour dates check out: http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/120686/Django_Django.html

BOY

A Swiss-German duo not to be ignored. 

Forming in 2007, BOY (made up of Valeska Steiner and Sonja Glass) have quietly been doing their own thing...in Hamburg! Despite their own european heritage, and playing and touring around Hamburg, the two girls only sing and perform in English. 

Last year (2011) the girls released their debut album "Mutual Friends," which won them the 2012 European Border Breakers Award (EBBA). Despite being relatively unknown in and around the UK, BOY are proving to be quite the hit elsewhere. Last year they won the Hamburg Musician Prize HANS for Hamburgs newcomer of the year. 

The style of these girls is pretty straight forward. Although not completely "folkie," these two do provide that go to upbeat, yet chilled out melodies, with of course, the accompaniment of a guitar or two! If the sounds of Feist, Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles are your calling, then this a band for you.

Athlete

Athlete, an indie rock band from London, first hit the music scene back in 2000. From the word go these boys have proven popular; their debut album "Vehicles and Animals" which included the hit singles "Tourist," and "Wires" went platinum.

Artists similar to Athlete are Snow Patrol , Aqualung and Travis.

I saw Athlete perform at the 02 Academy in Birmingham UK in 2009 and although I had a good time, I would urge you to think about tickets before you buy them. Athlete have become pretty quiet on the music scene since 2009 and so although Joel  Pott (lead singer) is great live, they have very little in terms of recent/ new material. If however you are a fan of athlete and love their old material you will want to check out their latest tour - "Vehicles & Animals Anniversary Tour: Athlete."

When I saw them live, it was a very intimate gig and so I was right up close to the stage - this always makes me enjoy a gig that much more! Deemed by reviewers as the Pinnacle of Housewife friendly pop - this is a safe gig in which you will be promised a good live performance but very little else in terms of excitement and originality.

Tour dates: 
8th May. The Junction - Cambridge
9th May. O2 Academy - Bristol
10th May. O2 Shepherds Bush Empire - London
11th May. HMV Ritz - Manchester
12th May. O2 Academy - Birmingham

For tickets to this show check out: http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/25586/Athlete.html

Maps and Atlases

This indie band are awesome.

Maps & Atlases, a four man indie rock band, made up of Shiraz Dada (bassist), Chris Hainey (drummer), Dave Davison (guitar & vocals) and Erin Elders (guitarist), first got together in Chicago back in 2004. To date they have released 2 EPs and a full length debut album "Perch Patchwork" (2010).

Although not particularly mainstream, this band have sure done a lot of touring; supporting the likes of  Portugal. The man, Ra Ra Riot, and Foals.  Although I only came across this band because a friend had told me to check them out, I must say I am quite the fan. As someone who loves a catchy tune and an uptempo beat, this band was immediately my cup of tea! I urge you to check them out - they're good!

Tour dates:
3rd March. The Ruby Lounge - Manchester, UK
4th March. Brudenell Social Club - Leeds, UK
6th March. Dingwalls - London, UK
7th March. The Green Door Store - Brighton, UK
8th March. The Louisiana - Bristol, UK