Beth Orton

One word: Folktronica. No one mixes electronics with folk like this woman. 

Beth Orton is a british singer/songwriter from Norfolk. Although it wasn't until 1996 that Orton got noticed, she has been around since 1993. To date Beth has released six albums: Superpinkymandy, Trailer Park, Central Reservation, Daybreaker, Comfort of Strangers, and the recently released Sugaring Season.  

Beth songs are frequently played on hit american shows such as Greys Anatomy, Charmed, Dawson Creek, and Vanilla Sky. If music by Martha Wainwright, Cat Power and Natalie Merchant are your thing, than you should check out Beth Orton. 

As well as her folk/eletcontric songs, Beth Orton is instantly recognisable by her vocals. Her gravely/ husky vocals not only work on the more emotive, slow songs, but also on the meow upbeat dance orientated sounds. 

Her performances are pretty stripped: Beth doing her thing, with only the accompaniment of one of two guitarists behind her. This simple format however works perfectly for the type of music she writes. She has great rapport with her crowds and often leaves them pretty awe-inspired. 

Tour dates: 

6th April. The Junction - Cambridge
8th April. Newcastle Volvo Tyne Theatre - Newcastle Upon Tyne
9th April. The Liquid Room - Edinburgh
10th April. Leeds Irish Centre - Leeds
12th April. The Kazimier - Liverpool
13th April. O2 Academy - Oxford
15th April. St George's Bristol - Bristol
16th April. Wedgewood Rooms - Southsea
17th April. Royal Festival Hall - London

For more information regarding tour dates and live shows check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/308960-beth-orton/calendar?page=1

Gold Panda

If electronic music is your thing than you HAVE to check this guy out.

Gold Panda (real name Derwin Panda) is a musical composer, performer and producer from London, UK. I first came across this artist when his single Trust was played on Radio 1.

Despite signing with a record label in 2010, Gold Panda has yet to make it mainstream. In 2010 he released his debut album "Lucky Shiner" which in 2011 won him "The Guardian First album award for the best debut." As for this year, Gold Panda has so far released an EP, "Trust."

In terms of performances this guy is one cool dude. Wearing a hoodie, Gold Panda lets his music do the talking. While many have been put off by his seemingly disengaging stage presence, others have looked beyond this and enjoyed the sublime music that he so effortlessly creates.

Word to the wiser however this type of music is not for everyone, and so as much as I and many others love it, this wont be everyones cup of tea. Saying that, I do urge you to keep an open mind when hearing this, as Gold Panda really does create the most exquisite mixes and sounds (Like Totally).

Tour Dates: 
11th May. Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY
12th June. Electric Brixton - London, UK

For more information regarding tickets and (Aus/NZ/ N.America/ European) tour dates, check out: http://www.songkick.com/artists/2332370-gold-panda/calendar?page=1

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

Tomorrowland

So tickets for Glastonbury Festival next year sold out in record time (1hr 40) leaving the people who were not so lucky thinking in despair "where do I go now?" Well I have your answer: Tomorrowland. 

Tomorrowland is an electronic dance music event held in Belgium. The festival started in 2005 and has gone on from strength to strength ever since with bigger crowds and more renowned djs playing every year. Last year the festival attracted many big names including Avicii, Steve Aoki, and David  Guetta.

I am seriously pumped for this festival and have made it my mission to get tickets for next year. Although tickets are yet to go on sale the dates for Tomorrowland 2013 have been released and are: 26th, 27th and 28th of July.

I would urge you all to check this out - it looks epic!

http://www.tomorrowland.be/home