Counting Crows

Two words: Counting Crows.

I am a HUGE fan of this American rock band from California. Hitting the scene with their hugely successful debut album "August and Everything After," these boys have gone from strength to strength.

Despite being influenced by the likes of Nirvana, Van Morrison, and Bob Dylan, Counting Crows are today, the influencers for many of the new bands and artists around today. With over 20 million albums sold worldwide under their belt it is clear why they would be!

To date Counting Crows have released six albums; "August and Everything After," "Recovering the Satellites," "This Desert Life," "Hard Candy," "Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings," and "Underwater Sunshine."

Popular tracks by this band include; Colorblind, Mr.Jones, and Accidentally in Love. If you, like me, are desperate to see Counting Crows live I urge you to buy tickets quick!

Tour Dates: 
19th April. 02 Academy - Birmingham
20th April. Colston Hall - Bristol
22nd April. Hammersmith Apollo - London
23rd April. Hammersmith Apollo - London
25th April. O2 Apollo Manchester - Manchester
26th April. O2 Academy - Glasgow

For information regarding tickets and tour dates check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/32530-counting-crows/calendar?page=2

David Gray

David Gray is an English folk rocker singer/ songwriter that first hit the music scene in 1993. Since then he has released a number of albums including 'A Century Ends," "Flesh" and "Sell Sell Sell." Despite all these albums, Gray didn't become popular until 2000 when he broke into mainstream pop and released the album "White Ladder." White Ladder included many popular songs such as This Years Love, Babylon and Sail Away.

In 2002, David Gray released yet another album called "A New Day At Midnight" which went straight to number one in the UK album charts. After the success of this album Gray went on a three year hiatus, only to return in 2005 with the release of the album "Slow Motion."

If you like artists such as Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee and Counting Crows than this is a band for you. David gray not only has a fabulous voice, but the ability to simply pick up a guitar and belt out a flawless acoustic number. I have seen David Gray live and was very impressed. If you like gigs where you are guaranteed a solid performance with a chilled and mellow atmosphere, than this is for you. 

Tour Dates:
6th March. Islington Assembly Hall - London, UK

For more information or to buy tickets visit: http://www.songkick.com/artists/539549-david-gray

Icona Pop

This duo are a force to be reckoned with.

Icona Pop, made up of Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt, are a Swedish DJ/ pop duo who incorporate electro, pop, indie and punk into their music. The theme of their music is to create sounds that allow people to "both laugh and cry at the same time."

Now based in LA/ NYC, this duo act are receiving rave reviews from all around the world. Their most popular single "I Love It" has featured in many hit television programs and commercials.

Artists that I am reminded of a great deal when listening to Icona Pop are The Naked and Famous, Solange, and Niki & the Dove. If you want to hear more of their stuff, check out their two EPs "Nights Like This," and "Iconic."

Tour dates: 
7th June. The Governors Ball Music Festival 2013 - NYC

For more information regarding tickets and the rest of their N.American and European tour, check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/4030766-icona-pop/calendar?page=1

Gabrielle Aplin

An English singer-songwriter that is building quite the following.

Gabrielle Aplin got her first number one with her cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood "The Power of Love," on 9th December. An indie folk singer with a beautiful voice it is clear she has been influenced greatly by the music of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan.

Describing her music as "family orientated, very personal," Gabrielle used self uploaded vidoes on youtube to get her music out there. Since 2010 she has released three EPs ;"Acoustic" which reached number 25 in the album charts, "Never Fade," and "Home."

Her debut album "English Rain" is due to be released later this year.

Tour dates: 
13th March. King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - Glasgow
14th March. The Institute - Birmingham
15th March. The Plug - Sheffield
16th March. Sound Control - Manchester
18th March. The Sage Gateshead - Gateshead
19th March. O2 Academy - Oxford
20th March. KOKO - London
22nd March. Concorde 2 - Brighton
23rd March. The Trinity Centre - Bristol
25th March. Wedgewood Rooms - Portsmouth
27th March. Princess Pavilion - Falmouth

For more information regarding tickets and tour dates check out: http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/139308/Gabrielle_Aplin.html

Youth Lagoon

Trevor Powers, more commonly known as Youth Lagoon is an American indie rock artist from Idaho.

Last year Youth Lagoon released his debut album "The Year of Hibernation." This album has been described as a collection of songs that explore "themes of psychological dysphoria and mental distress" using a combination of electronic and experimental music. 

Described as a hispter who is charmingly awkward, Youth Lagoon is a real crowd pleaser. Despite his music revolving around the darker events and emotions of life, the music is not all gloom and doom. In fact the upbeat electronic element is not only thought provoking but incredibly enrapturing. This understated artist has fantastic vocals which only helps support the label set upon him - the one to watch. 

Tour Dates:
6th March. Bowery Ballroom - NYC
5th June. Barclays Center - Brooklyn, NY

For more information regarding tickets and tour dates check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/3672701-youth-lagoon/calendar?page=1

Beyonce

This is a lady who needs no introduction.

After performing on one of the biggest sporting stages of the year - The Superbowl - Beyonce has just announced she will be embarking on a world wide tour. With a global following, it comes as no surprise that these tickets wil sell out like hot cakes!!

If you are eager to attend "The Mrs Carter Show World Tour" than check out the below link for more details.

http://www.beyonce.com/tour-dates

Tour dates: 

26th April. LG Arena - Birmingham 

29th April. The O2 - London

30th April. The O2 - London

1st May. The O2 - London

3rd May. The 02 - London

7th May. Manchester Arena - Manchester 

26th July. Boardwalk Hall - Atlantic City - NJ

3rd August. Barclays Center - Brooklyn, NY 

4th August. Barclays Center - Brooklyn, NY 

Arlissa

A new and emerging singer to the music scene.

Arlissa is a 19 year old singer from the UK who has been tipped to do great things.  After breaking up with her boyfriend of three years Arlissa was inspired to write her debut single "Hard to Love Somebody." This song soon became a viral sensation, and was picked up by hip hop artist Nas.

When listening to Arlissa I am vocally reminded a great deal of Imogen Heap and Marina and the Diamonds. Despite only being 19 and new to the music scene, Arlissa has already performed at Bestival and co-written for Crystal Fighters.

Check her out.

Tour dates:
27th Feb. The Louisiana - Bristol
4th May. Live at Leeds 2013- Leeds

For more information regarding tickets and tour dates check out: http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/182825/Arlissa.html

The National Review

A phenomenal band. I first saw The National live when they performed in Birmingham back in 2008.

The National are an indie band from Ohio. By no means new, this band has been around since 1999. From then until now they have released five albums; "The National," "Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers," "Alligator," my personal favorite "Boxer," and "High Violet."

Although this band has released little since their last album "High Violet," (2010) they did recently debut three  of their new upcoming singles; Lola, Sullivan and Prime. They have also just announced that later in the year they will be releasing an LP (dates tbc).

Although their material is labeled as dark and melancholy, I find their songs to be hugely thought provoking and uplifting. Seeing these boys live is pretty special - although far from a crazy and wild night, the gig will leave you feeling both satisfied and content. During one of the shows in which I got to see the perform live, Matt Berninger jumped into the crowd mid song and continued his performance submersed into the crowd - it was awesome!

Something that stood out to me while watching Matt Berninger, Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and Scott and Bryan Devendorf is how good they sound both on and off record. Lead singer and frontman, Matt Berninger has such deep distinctive vocals it is clear why this band has managed to capture such a worldwide following.

I really urge you to see these guys live. I have been thoroughly impressed each time I have seem them live, and would definitely jump at the chance of seeing them again (for a 4th time!).

Tour Dates:
21-24th March. Brooklyn Academy of Music - Brooklyn, NY
5th June. Barclays center - Brooklyn, NY

For further information regarding tickets and/or tour dates, check out: http://www.americanmary.com/tour.php

Wiley

Well I think its about time I move away from the darker sounds of indie and turn more to the vibrant sounds of hip hop and grime.

Wiley (Richard Kylea Cowie) is an English rapper/ songwriter/ record producer and recording artist from East london. It is unlikely you've not heard of this guy - he was released a number of top ten (and number 1 singles) such as "Wearing My Rolex," "Heatwave," "Can You Hear Me?" and "Take That."

To date Wiley has released eight studio albums; "Treddin' on Thin Ice," "Playtime Is Overtime," "Grime Wave," "See Clear Now," "Race Against Time," "100% Publishing," "Chill Out Zone," "Evolve or Be Extinct," and is due to release his ninth "The Ascent" on March 11th.

Wiley has received some great reviews in spite of his set being referred to as 'shambles.' He gets away with it though due to his superb ability to reach all audiences. Despite achieving the perfect balance between underground and mainstream music (rap with a hint of dance anthem, and hip hop), Wiley never seems to drift too far away from his grime roots.

I like it. Check him out.

Tour dates
18th April. Waterfront - Norwich, UK
19th April. HMV Institute - Digbeth, UK
20th April. The Forum - London, UK
22nd April. Ritz Manchester - Manchester, UK
25th April. O2 Academy - Bristol

For more information regarding tickets and tour dates, check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/262139-wiley/calendar