Ever been to a music gig? Want to go again? Want to know who is worth seeing?
Music gigs and festivals is a blog dedicated to telling you where and when the coolest bands are playing in NY and the UK. In addition to this I will also be sharing reviews about gigs and festivals I have attended which are definitely worth checking out.
Beautiful and pure. I am a huge fan of this artist.
Iron & Wine (Samuel Beam) is an American folk singer and songwriter, who to date has released five albums and several EPs.
In 2002 Iron & Wine released his debut album "The Creek Drank the Cradle." What makes me enjoy the music written, performed, recorded and produced by Samuel Beam is the accompaniment of guitars and banjos that features heavily in his music.
Following the success of his debut album, Iron & Wine released four more albums; "Our Endless Numbered Days," "The Shepherd's Dog," "Kiss Each Other Clean," and "Ghost on Ghost."
As well as five albums, Iron & Wine has released a number of great EPs including "The Sea & The Rhythm," "Woman King," and "In the Reins."
If singers such as Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Tallest Man On Earth are your thing, than this is a man for you! An insanely talented singer, Samuel Beam is able to seduce the audience with his gut wrenching, softly sung, and highly emotive tracks. Check him out - he is certainly worth the effort.
Tour dates:
June 21st. Smith Opera House - Geneva, NY
Daughter, made up of Elena Tonra, Igor Haefeli, and Remi Aguilella are already achieving great things. Their debut single Smother has helped to build the bands already growing reputation by featuring on many popular tv shows including Skins and Vampire Diaries.
If artists Ben Howard, Bon Iver, and Keaton Henson are your calling than so are these. Personally lead singer Elena Tonra reminds me a great deal of a more 'deep and meaningful' version of Ingrid Michaelson.
This band is due to release their debut album "If You Leave" on 18th March. If however you are unable to wait this long you can check out their EPs (released between 2010 - 2011) "Demos," "His Young Heart" and "The Wild Youth."
I really am a huge fan of this band I seriously urge you to check them out. If indie/ indie folk is your thing than Daughter will certainly tick all the boxes. Their soft vocals, eerie tones and painfully honest acoustic performances will have you truly enraptured.
Tour Dates:
21st April. The Institue - Birmingham
22nd April. Liverpool Cathedral - Liverpool
23rd April. Oxford Town Hall - Oxford
24th April. Old Fire Station - Bournemouth
25th May. Victoria Park - London
30th - 1st Sept. End of the Road Festival - Salisbury
James Blake is an electronic music singer/songwriter from London. In July 2011 James Blake was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize for his self titled debut album "James Blake."
Blake got his first big break in 2010 when he released his cover of "Limit to Your Love" by Feist. Following this single, Blake was placed on 'BBC's Sound of 2011' and runner up in the 'BRIT Awards' Critic's Choice.'
I am a huge fan of this guy. Not only has he worked with great artists like Bon Iver, but he is able to produce music that is so different from anything else currently in the charts. In particular I absolutely love his track I Only Know (What I Now Know) due to the clash of chill vibes with chaotic beats. While some may think this song is total rubbish, I believe it is truly genius and I honestly can't get enough of it.
With his impressive vocal harmonies mixed in with electronic sounds, this artist is by no means everyones cup of tea. But for those of you, who like me, can't get enough of James Blakes' music, look out for him - he is a must see!
I am a HUGE fan of this American indie band from Oklahoma. This band, who originally went by the name Kunek, has to date released two albums; their debut self titled album "Other Lives" and "Tamer Animals."
This band, over the years, has built up quite the strong fan base. Having toured with the likes of Rosebud, Radiohead, and Bon Iver, this band have certainly not gone unnoticed. Although this band has yet to become mainstream, don't be put off, their music is amazing.
Songs to definitely check out by this band are"Black Tables," "Tamer Animals" and "Desert."
For this gig you should expect acoustic performances, very little interaction and a band that uses an assortment of different instruments. Although the music of the Other Lives is certainly not upbeat or even dance worthy it is both powerful and hypnotic, and will leave you feeling moved and transfixed.
Other lives are currently embarking on their N.America tour and will be heading back to the studio to begin work on their third album, which they hope to release sometime in 2013.
If the music from the twilight saga is your calling, than this band is for you. Deep, dark and incredibly indie, I urge you to give em a go! They really are very good.
Tour dates:
28th November. The Bowery Ballroom - NYC
29th November. Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
I first posted about this band in July when I came across them randomly on youtube.
I had known The Staves were going to be supporting Bon Iver on his tour, and so I was very excited to finally see them perform live.
The Staves are a folk band made up of three sisters; Emily, Jessica and Camilli Staveley - Taylor, from Watford, England.
In 2010 this trio appeared on the Tom Jones album "Praise and Blame," and later appeared on Fionn Regan's third studio album "100 Acres of Sycamore." Although they have yet to release their own album, The Staves are looking to release one by the end of the year. After supporting Civil Twilight on their North American tour, The Staves have proved to be very popular, and as a result have gained a lot of positive reviews and attention from both the fans and the media.
These three sisters remind me a great deal of the other sister act "The Pierces." Both bands are able to successfully combine their incredible vocals and harmonise them to make beautiful and meaningful tracks. Their songs are very soulful and it is clear that a lot of thought goes into the lyrics of their songs.
Although I was really impressed with The Staves vocal talent, and was a huge fan of many of their tracks, I have to say I found them incredibly awkward to watch. Despite touring with the likes of Civil Twilight and Bon Iver, the girls looked very uncomfortable and not at all in sync with each other. Between tracks the nerves would show when they tried to have 'banter' with the crowd. Hopefully as the girls tour more this awkwardness on stage will subside, and they will be able to give the performance i know they are more than capable of producing.
Awakwardness aside, The Staves have lovely voices and many great tracks. If you are a fan of folk music than this is certainly a band you should check out.
Tour Dates:
28th - 29th July. Cambridge Folk Festival - Cambridge, UK
17th Aug - 19th Aug. Summer Sundae Weekenderr - Leicester, UK
6th - 9th Sept. Bestival 2012 - Newport, UK
8th Nov. Wembley Arena - London, UK (supporting Bon Iver)
9th Nov. Manchester Arena - Manchester, UK (Supporting Bon Iver)
10th Nov. The SECC - Glasgow, UK (Supporting Bon Iver)
Bon Iver is an indie folk band who first formed back in 2007. The bands debut album "For Emma, Forever Ago" was released in 2007 and includes the tracks "Flumes," "The Wolves (Act 1 and 11)," "Skinny Love" and "Lump Sun." In June 2011 Bon Iver released their second album "Bon Iver." This album proved to be equally as successful as their first, with over 100,000 copies sold during its first week in the US alone.
If you like bands such as Fleet Foxes, Tallest Man On Earth, and Iron & Wine, than this is a band for you.
I have been hoping to see Bon Iver live for a number of years now, so when I was fortunate to get tickets to their Manchester gig I was ecstatic. Having got there early enough, I was able to get prime standing position (3 people from the very front) and boy was it amazing.
I can say without any doubt that this is by far one of the best live performances I have ever seen. The vocal and musical ability demonstrated by the band was breathtaking. The set list for their manchester performance was; Perth, Minnesota (WI), Brackett (WI), Towers, Flume, Creature Fear, Hinnom (TX), Wash, Woods, Calgary, Blood Bank, Holocene, Lisbon (OH), Beth/rest. For the encore, they performed; Skinny Love, and For Emma. (I was a little disappointed they didn't perform their hit single "Wolves").
With all nine members in their positions, this hour and half gig was everything I hoped. True to their album, the sounds created by the band were intense and highly emotional. Justin Vernon was fabulous - a great character who had the entire arena crowd eating from the palm of his hand. He put everything into each song, and created awesome banter between tracks,
I can't stress how truly magnificent this show was. If you have the chance please check them out - they are definitely worth it. For me the highlight of the show was Bon Iver performing skinny Love and Flume - two great singles, and personal favourites of my mine.
In a previous post I have stated "Through this artist I was able to identify the true brilliance of Twitter. Twitter not only enables avid music fans like myself to discover new music, but it allows upcoming bands and artists to promote themselves and their music"....well once again, through Twitter, I was brought to the sounds of Reuben Hollebon.
His live performances have been described as "stark, raw and intimate." Having listened to the debut EP, Clutch by this British Folk artist I am reminded of the vocal talent and style of Bon Iver and James Blake.
I would really urge you to check this guy out, I am certain you won't be left disappointed.
Although I have already posted about Bon Iver (April 29th) he has just come out with some more tour dates which I feel I have to be mention.
Their recent self titled album "Bon Iver" has been a massive hit, with over 100,000 copies sold during its first week in the US alone.
I really can't stress enough how insanely talented this band is. Justin Vernon can create such emotion from his vocal performance that you will be truly mesmerized and left feeling in awe. With their two hugely successful albums and exceptional reviews from fans and the media, it comes as no surprise that their shows are a sell out. I really do urge you to buy a ticket. Go on - I did!!!
Tour dates:
12th July. Latitude Festival 2012 - Suffolk, UK
17th September. Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown, NY
19th September. Radio City Music Hall - NYC
20th September. Radio City Music Hall - NYC
8th Nov. Wembley Arena - London, UK
8th Nov. Manchester Arena - Manchester, UK
10th Nov. Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre - Glasgow, UK
Bon Iver is an indie folk band who first formed together in 2007. The bands debut album "For Emma, Forever Ago" was released in 2007 and includes the tracks; Flumes, The Wolves (Act 1 and 11), Skinny Love, and Lump Sum. Bon Iver's highly anticipated second album, which is due to be released sometime around June, is reported to have gone down a new musical direction to that of their previous work.
If you like bands such as Fleet Foxes, The Tallest Man On Earth, and Iron & Wine, than this is a band for you.
This humble bands' live performances will certainly make the hairs on your arm stand up. The level of emotion and intensity that Justin Vernon pours into his songs not only captivates the audience but moves them also. If you are looking for a night of exceptional singing that will have the singers giving you their heart and soul, than you really can't miss this gig.
Tour dates
10th August. Prospect Park Bandshell - Brooklyn, NY
For more information about their tour or for tickets check out: bon iver tickets
