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.
After listening to this band on repeat for the last week I have decided it is time to spread the word.
Although I would love to say I found this band purely on my own, alas this wasn't the case. No, I sadly have to give all the credit to the american TV show 'Hart of Dixie' which featured this band in last weeks episode.
So who are they? Well, Miner are a six piece folk band from Los Angeles who formed together last year (2013). Made up of mostly family members, the line up consists of Justin & Kate Miner (husband & wife), Jeremy Miner (brother), Amanda Koosed (cousin), Justin Krook and Dave Schechtman.
When it comes to their sound, Miner reminds me a great deal of The Lumineers and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetics. Their upbeat, stomp-and-clap, catchy music is the perfect answer to providing that all important feel good factor. With a highly anticipated debut album 'Into The Mountain' set to release on February 25th, I urge you all to check them out.
Here is the official video for their single 'Hey Love.'
Although they are only currently touring around the West Coast of America, I will be keeping a close eye on further tour dates and locations.
Cold War Kids are an American indie rock band from California. Together this four piece, made up of Nathan Willett, Dann Gallucci, Matt Maust, and Matt Aveiro have released eight EPs and four albums. Starting in 2006 Cold War Kirs released their debut album "Robbers & Cowards," followed by "Loyalty to Loyalty," "Mine Is Yours," and then their most recent (April 2013) "Dear Miss Lonelyhearts."
I first came across this band many years ago when I heard their single "Hang Me Up to Dry" which I instantly loved. Another single which I adore by these guys is "Hospital Beds," which is actually also been covered by Florence and the Machine.
In terms of live performances, it is safe to say Cold War Kids' music and style has evolved over time. Expectations of their gigs; lead singer Nathan Willett dancing around like a maniac, shows selling out, songs from old and new albums performed.
Cold War Kids have certainly built up a large fan base (particularly in the states) over the years. With the new album it comes as a relief that these guys are not planning on quitting the scene anytime soon.
I was fortunate to see The Lumineers live at O2 Academy Brixton, London last month with my friend. I cannot stress enough how fantastic they were. I have previously posted about The Lumineers: The Lumineers.
The evening started with support act Langhorne Slim, a country folk singer/songwriter from Pennsylvania, US. Langhorne Slim did a tremendous job of building the crowd up before the main headliner came on stage, and even came back on stage during The Lumineers set to accompany them for one song. Having never heard of this artist before I would certainly suggest folk fans to check him out - he was great!
Langhorne Slim (Support)
With the 5,000 strong crowd closing in around the stage, the atmosphere soon became electric with anticipation and excitement. As soon as the five piece folk band stepped on stage the party began! From start to finish, The Lumineers frontman Wesley Shultz had the sold out crowd eating out of his hand, and on their feet, singing and dancing along!
The evenings set list was: Submarines, I Aint Nobody's Problem, Flowers in Your Hair, Subterranean Homesick Blues (Bob Dylan Cover), Ho Hey, Classy Girls, Dead Sea, Slow It Down, Love, Love Love (new song), Charlie Boy, Stubborn Love, Big Parade. The encore: Morning Song, This Must Be The Place (cover), Flapper Girl.
Jeremiah Fraites, Neyla Pekarek, and Wesley Schultz together with the rest of the band delivered a flawless performance of upbeat, soulful and raw folk music. For me, one of the highlights of the evening was Wesley Schultz singing the first half of my favorite track "Slow it Down" all stripped back and acoustic.
Musicians to the core, this band is all about the music. As the crowd sang and danced in a frenzy to their hit single "Ho Hey" Wesley mid way told the crowd to "put away cameras and recording devices and just be human with us for a while." If anyone was on the fence about this band before that statement, it seemed clear they were sold! A huge cheer rang out from around the venue as people put away their phones/recorders and let themselves get lost in the music.
As the show came to an end, the crowds cheers and applause was huge. Wanting to show their appreciation (and hear more), the crowd knew they had just been treated to a joyous evening of live music.
If I ever get the opportunity, I will certainly buy tickets to see them live again. This group proved to London that they are by no means a one track wonder and are here to stay.
Pictures from the evening:
Langhorne Slim joining The Lumineers on stage
Tour dates:
7th June.CMAC - NY
8th June. Mountain Jam - NY
9th June. The Grovernors Ball Music Festival - NYC
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.
If Of Monsters and Men, and Mumford and Sons are your thing, than you have to check out this band. The Lumineers are an American folk band from Colorado. Their self titled debut album "The Lumineers" (which includes their hit single, Ho Hey) was released back in April of this year, and proved to be a great hit - going straight to number 11 on the billboard charts.
In terms of live performances, you can relax - this trio is good! Made up of Wesley Schultz on guitar and lead vocals, Jeremiah Fraites on drums and vocals, and Neyla Pekarek on cello, piano and vocals, these three provide the perfect ingredients for a great folk band. In an interview recently Jeremiah stated "We're not reinventing the wheel or doing anything that different, the songs are super simple" - simple they may be, but rubbish they are not. If their album is anything to go by, this band has huge potential to do as well as other successful folk bands like Mumford.
Having just announced they will be supporting Dave Mathews Band on their N. American tour, this band will also be embarking on their own UK tour early next year.
I got my ticket. Have you got yours?
Tour dates:
17th Dec. Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY
20th Dec. iHeartRadio Theater presented by PC Richard and Son - NYC
21st Dec. Barclays Center - Brooklyn, NYC (supporting DMB)
17th Feb. O2 Academy - Liverpool
18th Feb. Stereo - Glasgow
19th Feb. Manchester Academy - Manchester
20th Feb. O2 Shepherd Bush Empire - London
22nd Feb. The Fleece - Bristol
23rd Feb. HMV Institute - Birmingham
24th Feb. The Haunt - Brighton
11th March. O2 Academy - Brixton.
