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Gigs of The Week, 17 May

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:32:02 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Empress Of, The Postal Service and Blue Hawaii.

Wolf People @ The Think Tank, Newcastle Upon Tyne 17/05

On their second album, Wolf People amplify the healthy appreciation of English and Scottish folk song traditions (as interpreted by the late ’60s British folk-rock movement) that has bubbled under their prog-fuelled fuzz-rock templates on past releases.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wolf People shows.

The Postal Service @ Manchester Academy 2, Manchester 18/05

Ben Gibbard’s legendary outfit have reunited for a string of shows to celebrate the re-release of their debut album Give Up.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more The Postal Service shows.

TRAAMS @ 100 Club, London 19/05

Sussex three-piece and recent Fat Cat signings are joining Parquet Courts at the legendary West London venue this week to shwocase their thunderous Rory Atwell recorded sounds in the flesh.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more TRAAMS shows.

Empress of @ The Shacklewell Arms, London 20/05

Double Denim shining star Lorely Rodriguez – aka Empress of – promises to treat us to the slinky minimal pop of her recent ouvre.

FREE TICKETS. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Empress of shows.

Lubomyr Melnyk feat. Gregory Euclide @ The Village Underground, London 20/05

Ukrainian pianist and Continuous Music pioneer Lubomyr Melnyk will be joined by American contemporary artist Gregory Euclide for two very special London shows at the Village Underground as part of his Corollaries Tour. Euclide will create new paintings on porcelain coated steel boards using sumi ink, inspired by Melnyk’s piano playing live on stage.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Lubomyr Melnyk shows.

Blue Hawaii @ Birthdays, London 21/05

Untogether is a beautiful album and we just hope this little East London basement will be able to do justice to the gentle nuances of their minimal pop sounds.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Blue Hawaii shows.

The Flaming Lips @ Brighton Dome, Brighton 22/04

Anyone who has ever read anything about The Flaming Lips knows they know how to put on a show, we’re sure the Brighton Dome won’t be any different.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more The Flaming Lips shows.

Fenech-Soler @ Electric Ballroom, London 22/05/13

With their second album Rituals due out on 2 September via Warner Bros. the electro-pop four-piece are back with more punchy synths and impossibly addictive hooks.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Fenech-Soler show.

The Great Escape 2013: Ten To See

The Line Of Best Fit — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:31:13 +0000

Fish & Chips, Ice-Creams, Ghost Train Rides and arcade games on the pier, Brighton offers up a classical get-away on any normal weekend of the year – this coming weekend, however, is anything but normal. As hundreds of revellers prepare their schedules, the seaside town prepares itself for The Great Escape Festival. We’ll be down their alongside just about every exciting new band to have emerged in the last 12 months and while we’ll mostly be running around like headless chickens attempting to see everything, there is no need for you to because our soon to be writers-on-the-ground Dan Carson and George O’Brien have kindly decided to take you through a little run-down of the sites must see recommendations. Get your programs out, get highlighting.

London Grammar

The London three-piece arrived at the beginning of the year with the quite stunning ‘Hey Now’ and have been carefully making their way towards the limelight they deserve since. Utilising one of the most haunting and distinctive vocals to surface in British music for some time, alongside flickers of dance-floor beats and touching guitar punctuation, London Grammar are producing genuinely beautiful music that translates seamlessly to the live stage. George O’Brien

Rainy Milo

South-east London teen sensation Rainy Milo dropped her charming R&B rooted debut mixtape Limey last autumn with her sweet runny vocals alone proving enough to secure a place on our 2013 ‘Ones to Watch’ countdown. With a bold, ballsy follow-up EP – Black & Blonde – in the bag, all eyes will be on Rainy to evoke the sass and soul of her records in the flesh. Dan Carson

Wolf Alice

Wolf Alice have never been far from our minds since ‘Leaving You’, with its memorable slide-guitar hook, arrived late last year. Crunchy riffs and proper punchy drums accompany a versatile vocal that enjoys subtly and attitude in equal measure; the North London quartet are yet to put a foot wrong. George O’Brien

Blue Hawaii

Blue Hawaii’s 2010 journey around Central America planted the little kernels of trop-pop brilliance which flourished on debut EP, Blooming Summer, and again on their elegantly choppy full-length, Untogether. Formed of Braids’ Raphaelle Standell-Preston and partner Alex ‘Agor’ Cowan, the Montreal duo are a shoe-in to provide the concentrated hit of intricate Canadian dream-pop every emerging music festival needs. Dan Carson

YADi

If we ever needed an answer to Scandinavia’s electro-pop dominance, this could well be it. Her suitably named track ‘The Blow’ is filled with addictive melodies to echo Icona Pop, while tracks like ‘Unbreakable’ embrace the sounds of her Algerian heritage, adding depth and interest without a pretention or compromising on accessibility. Multicultural, unusual and eye-catching, YADi is effortlessly cool. George O’Brien

Sinead Harnett

Having played a supporting role to Disclosure and Rudimental over the past year, London vocalist Sinead Harnett recently popped the cork on her solo career with the effervescently crackling ‘Got Me’. The smoky-toned chanteuse will be out to prove she’s no pawn in the future-garage game. Dan Carson

Mausi

Responsible for major summer soundtrack contender, ‘Move’, the Newcastle via Milan quartet are full of frenetic fun. Disco-dancing rhythms, glistening synth lines and moreish melodies bring to mind the guilty pleasure-pop of Alphabeat, while their recent mash-up of Solange‘s ‘Losing You’ and Destiny’s Child‘s classic ‘Say My Name’, prove Mausi are as inventive as they are pure unadulterated joy. George O’Brien

Chlöe Howl

Cherubic of face and acidic of tongue, precociously talented pop star Chlöe Howl has enjoyed a whirlwind 2013 so far. The 18-year-old’s free-to-download Rumour EP captured a budget-booze flecked snapshot of teenage life; endearing her to a legion of new fans and Radio 1 DJs in the process. Dan Carson

Brolin

Minimalism is the key to Brolin’s work. The masked UK producer combines little more than twitching manufactured beats, gentle synthesised keys and whispered vocals to create entirely understated R&B. ‘Reykjavik’ provides the best example of what he is capable of – with its longing cries and relentless rhythm the track is as chilling as its title suggests and is awash with ambiguous emotion. George O’Brien

D E N A

Hailing from Berlin – by way of Bulgaria – Denitza Todorov aka D E N A piqued our interest back in summer 2012 with the delightfully trashy video for ‘Cash, Diamond Rings, Swimming Pools’. Gimmicky promo aside, the Kitsune single indicates an M.I.A. straddling, hip-hop heart of gold beating under her DGAF façade. Dan Carson

The Great Escape takes place in Brighton from 16-18 May. Tickets are now sold out.

Field Day 2013: Five to See

The Line Of Best Fit — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:55:01 +0000

Every year Field Day delivers an utterly unparalleled line-up and despite threats of rain, the stress of line-up clashes and general madness we can never resist its charms. This year not only promises a headline set from Bat For Lashes but appearances from Chvrches, Clean Bandit, Daphni, Feathers, Guards, Savages and Solange. And on top of all of these we’ve picked our favourites: The five we definitely recommend catching.

Mount Kimbie

With the follow up to 2010′s Crooks & Lovers coming out next month, Dominic Maker and Kai Campos continue to explore all the subtleties electronic music has to offer with their warm, serene and challenging offerings.

Kurt Vile

As if we needed further proof that Kurt Vile was master of all things Americana, this year’s Wakin On A Pretty Daze sealed the deal for the Philadelphia guitarist and we can’t wait to see him prove it all over again in Victoria Park.

Disclosure

We’ve seen Surrey siblings Guy and Howard Lawrence own entire arean’s before, so we expect to see a whole field at the mercy of their fractured beats.

East India Youth

London man William Doyle came to our attention via our friend’s at The Quietus and hasn’t really dropped off our radar since. His work as East India Youth on the at-times euphoric, often-bleak, droning atmospherics of Hostel EP has produced some of the most original tracks we’ve wrapped our ears around this side of the New Year and we don’t want to stop.

Four Tet

What better way to end an evening than with the messed up electronics of Kieran Hebden. Having closed out last year with Gold Panda we’re looking forward to seeing in the wee hours with Four Tet.

Now we’ve whet your appetite for what to expect, how do you fancy winning a pair of tickets?

Simply email competition@thelineofbestfit.com with the subject line FIELD DAY BEST FIT along with your name and a contact telephone number. We will pick a name at random and announce the winner on Wednesday 22 May. Good luck!

Field Day takes place on 25 May at Victoria Park in East London. Head here for the full line-up and more info.

Gigs of The Week, 10 May

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:32:05 +0000

William Tyler @ 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff 10/05

Long time Lambchop collaborator and Nashville guitarist William Tyler is set to bring the apocalyptic expectation and bittersweet nostalgia of his latest album Impossible Truth to the UK this week.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more William Tyler shows.

Junip @ The Haunt, Brighton 11/05

Jose Gonzalez is taking his band out on tour, showcasing the triumphant acoustic driven indie numbers from their latest record.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Junip shows.

Skaters @ The Joiner’s Arms, Southampton 12/05

Banquet Records signed New York trio grabbed everyone’s attention with the guitar fuelled ruckus that was ‘I Wanna Dance’ and we can guarantee that’s just what they’ve have The Joiner’s Arms doing.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Skaters shows.

VV Brown @ Birthdays, London 13/05

She’s back and with new material we hear, or at least we will hear, soon.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more VV Brown shows.

Merchandise @ 100 Club, London 15/05

The Tampa, Florida Trio have been plying their wares in various guises since 2008 but the release of their second LP Children of Desire last year found them hitting their stride so there’s no better time to play whilst the iron is still hot.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Merchandise shows.

Suuns @ The Grand Social, Dublin 16/05

The Montreal based quartet’s woozy psychedelic swirls make their way to Ireland this week for a hazy, nostalgic trip.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Suuns shows.

Gigs of The Week, 3 May

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:28:56 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of The Knife, Dirty Beaches and Phosphorescent.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Alexandra Palace, London 04/05

Karen O and her incredible co-horts return to the stage for an outing of material from their new record Mosquito.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Yeah Yeah Yeahs shows.

Sóley @ The Arches, Glasgow 05/05

Icelandic singer and composer Sóley Stefánsdóttir is held in high esteem by her Reykjavik peers and is set to prove why to us all.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Sóley shows.

The Neighbourhood @ Start The Bus, Bristol 07/05

Oh LA, you’re so effortlessly cool. Thanks for bringing us the tripping, smooth indie sounds of this five-piece.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more The Neighbourhood shows.

Phosphorescent @ The Ruby Lounge, Manchester 07/05

Dead Oceans signed man Matthew Houck has taken on a whole new life with his second album: It’s more confident, grand and complex and we can’t wait to experience the new him.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Phosphorescent shows.

The Knife @ The Roundhouse, London 08/05

The Knife have promised “Absurdist Aerobics class taught by a master-teacher-guru-shaman-dictator-aerobics instructor- new age workshop leader, Tarek Halaby” will open their live shows on this refined Shaking The Habitual Tour. Right then. This should be interesting.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more The Knife shows.

Dirty Beaches @ Shipping Forecast, Liverpool 09/05

Taiwanese-born Canadian man Alex Zhang Hungtai is a tour de force on record and on stage.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Dirty Beaches shows.

I’ll Be Your Mirror Festival 2013

The Line Of Best Fit — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:34:06 +0000

Having pulled the Grizzly Bear portion of this weekend’s festivities, All Tomorrow’s Parties are relying on Yeah Yeah Yeahs to wave the I’ll Be Your Mirror banner but we’re no less excited, for the reasons listed below.

Dirty Beaches man Alex Zhang Hungtai is a tour de force on record and more importantly on stage. The Taiwanese-born Canadian guitarist’s 2011 album Badlands was a stylised, eerie assault of distortion drenched 1950s lo-fi guitar music that had something quintessentially American about it, a perfectly modern twist on a mythologised and much romanticised sound. His latest double record Drifters/Love Is The Devil is slightly more tame and slick by comparison but still has the ability to worm its way into your mind, its subtle grooves grabbing your soul.

Having released her Geoff Barrow-produced self-titled debut album in 2010, British/German singer Anika‘s “punk-noir” apparently helped inspire Yeah Yeah Yeahs new album so it seems only fitting she’s been chosen for this bill. Her more recently Stones Throw released EP and lead track ‘I Go To Sleep’ following along the eerie haunting lines of Dirty Beaches but with a distinctly warmer, 1960s haze and those all important off kilter vocals higher in the mix.

Our favourite New York based psych-dance band Prince Rama recently made a mix for us and it’s been soundtracking our weekends ever since, so it only seems fitting they’ll be putting in a live performance. Sisters Taraka and Nimai Larson’s pop is filtered through a euphoric, vintage lens – with Eastern influences bubbling close to the surface it’s a wonderful trip.

Mick Harvey will be performing Serge Gainsbourg songs. Yep, the legendary Nick Cave collaborator will be taking numbers from his mid 90s released Intoxicated Man / Pink Elephants solo efforts.

Last, but not least, the main event. We’d been waiting for a follow up to It’s Blitz! for what seemed liked forever, so when the Yeah Yeah Yeahs announced new album Mosquito we were excited, intrigued and to be honest a little scared by the artwork. This weekend offers the first opportunity London has had to experience the new songs live and we feel exactly the same: excited, intrigued and a little bit scared. Ultimately though, Karen O is one hell of a performer and Nick Zimmer is a legendary guitarist so we know we’re in good hands.

I’ll Be Your Mirror takes place on 4 May at Alexandra Palace in London. Tickets are on sale now. Full set times below.

Main Hall

1:40pm – 2:20pm: K-Holes
2:50pm – 3:30pm: Prince Rama
4:00pm – 5:00pm: The Field
5:30pm – 6:30pm: The Black Lips
7:00pm – 7:45pm: The Locust
8:15pm – 9:15pm: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
9:45pm – 11:00pm: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Panorama Room

1:00pm – 1:45pm: Anika
2:15pm – 3:00pm: Big Freedia
3:30pm – 4:30pm: King Khan And The Shrines
5:00pm – 6:00pm: Dirty Beaches
6:30pm – 8:00pm: Jah Shaka
8:45pm – 9:45pm: Mick Harvey
10:45pm – 11:30pm: J.G. Thirlwell’s Manorexia
11:30pm – 1:00am: DJ Jonathan Toubin

Cinema

12.00pm: Les Amants Du Pont-Nuef
2.15pm: Taking Off
4.00pm: Breadcrumb Trail + Q&A With Lance Bangs & David Pajo
6.00pm: Rock & Roll Bingo With Lord Sinclair
7.00pm: Rumblefish
8.45pm: The Devils
11.00pm: Daisies

Gigs of the Week, 26 April

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:45:46 +0000

Beyoncé @ LG Arena, Birmingham 26/04

B is coming to the UK and you just know it’s going to be incredible. Mrs Carter, we can’t wait to hear you roar!

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Beyoncé shows.

East India Youth and Butterclock @ The Old Blue Last, London 27/04

The 405 celebrate their 5th birthday party with two of our favourite artists. The Quietus’ shining star East India Youth promises gleaming electronic loops and soft teasing vocals whilst Berlin via Paris electro pop starlet Butterclock will be bringing a lighter, summery pace to proceedings.

FREE ENTRY. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more East India Youth shows here. Check out more Butterclock shows here.

Low @ The Classic Grand, Glasgow 27/04

The Minnesota married couple are set up for a string of pretty special The Invisible Way shows this coming week.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Low shows.

Death Grips @ Whelan’s, Dublin 29/04

Recent Sacramento legends bring their nihilistic, chaotic brand of hip-hop to Ireland. We’d be surprised if Whelan’s is left entirely intact afterwards!

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Death Grips shows.

Gothenburg Presents Way Out West Feat. Say Lou Lou & Lune @ Electrowerkz, London 30/04

The incredible City of Gothenburg invites you to a little preview of their shining musical festival star, Way Out West. Tonight’s performances come from Lune and Say Lou Lou, whilst the Festival in August feature’s Kendrick Lamar, The Knife and James Blake.

Free Tickets. RSVP via Facebook. Read more about Way Out West Festival here.

Chilly Gonzales @ Cadogan Hall, London 01/05

The man’s a genius: We all know it. He’s also an incredible entertainer, something you will come to know when you go and see him perform Solo Piano II in PianoVision in Chelsea this week. Yes we said when, not if. You have orders.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Chilly Gonzales shows.

Valentina @ The Lexington, London 02/05

Greco-Roman newcomer Valentina has does a lot to capture our hearts recently, the below title track from her latest EP being just one of those things, so we can’t wait to see what she comes up with live. Oh yeah, and Kwes will be DJing.

Tickets are on sale now. Check out more Valentina shows.

Vampire Weekend @ The Troxy, London 02/05

With their brand new album on the horizon, New York’s finest are bringing their high octane, spontaneous antics to East London.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Vampire Weekend shows.

Gigs of the Week, 19 April

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:30:38 +0000

Charli XCX & Yadi @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester 19/04

With her debut album True Romance finally bringing her the pop credit she deserves, we can’t wait to squeeze ourselves into The Deaf Institute to see the grins on everyone else’s face.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Charli XCX shows. Check out more Yadi shows.

Oliver Wilde, Empty Pools & more @ Rise, Bristol 20/04

Rises’ Record Store Day extravaganza looks set to rival the best of them, with Fence Records presenting the breakfast gig before Casimir, Alessi’s Ark, Empty Pools, Oliver Wilde and Naturals see us through the day.

FREE ENTRY 8am – 10pm RSD Special. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Oliver Wilde shows. Check out more Empty Pools shows.

Efterklang & Anna Von Hausswolf @ The Arches, Glasgow 20/04

Copenhagen’s finest take up Record Store Day sticks in Glasgow to showcase numbers from their recent fourth album Piramida while Swedish songstress Anna Von Hausswolf will undoubtedly dazzle with numbers from her forthcoming debut Ceremony.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Efterklang shows. Check out more Anna Von Hausswolf shows.

Matthew E. White @ Thekla, Bristol 21/04

Having released his debut album Big Inner to critical acclaim earlier this year, Domino’s rising star is coming back to the UK for a string of moving, blues infused soulful outings.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Matthew E. White shows.

Phoenix @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London 22/04

Celebrating the release of their latest record, alt-rock Versaille quartet head to the Nation’s capital for a one off UK show.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Phoenix shows.

Alessi’s Ark @ The Bodega Social Club, Nottingham 24/04

Alessi Laurent-Marke’s bewitching melodies look set to charm all those that are planning on heading to The Bodega Social Club.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Alessi’s Ark shows.

Deptford Goth @ Electrowerkz, London 24/04

London producer Daniel Woolhouse took everyone by surprise with the genius of his debut album, so if you’ve not seen him before, now would be high time.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Deptford Goth shows.

oOoOO @ Birthdays, London 25/05

As if we didn’t have enough to thank Songkick Detour for already, they’re bringing oOoOO over for an intimate show at Birthdays this month.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more oOoOO shows.

Gigs of The Week, 12 April

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:30:58 +0000

Edwyn Collins @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 12/04

Having dropped in to record a session exclusively for Best Fit recently, the Ivor Novello Award winning ex-Orange Juice legend is out on tour and you’d be foolish to miss his wry and beautiful live performance.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Edwyn Collins shows.

Father Sculptor @ Stereo, Glasgow 13/04

Another Scottish offering for you this week but in the shape of Glasgow’s newest indie hopes Father Sculptor, whose low brooding croons will get the mods as excited as the buzz kids.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Father Sculptor shows.

Peace @ The Cluny, Newcastle 14/04

Having just released their debut album In Love, the Birmingham quartet can be caught peddling their baggy, wah-wah guitar wares in Newcastle this week.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Peace shows.

Kwabs @ Servant Jazz Quarters, London 16/04

We’re not sure what to say other than “what a voice.” I mean, really, if you’ve not listened to Kwabs yet, you need to make amends in a big way. You can start by heading to Dalston in London on Tuesday for an early, seriously intimate show. Bigger things await. Trust us.

Tickets available on the door. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Kwabs shows.

Autre Ne Veut & Majical Cloudz @ Electrowerks, London 17/04

Two of the hotest bands around at the moment, playing on one bill? What else are you going to do on a Wednesday night?

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Autre Ne Veut shows. Check out more Majical Cloudz shows.

And So I Watch You From Afar @ Thekla, Bristol 17/04

Frenzied, chaotic instrumental rock from Belfast’s finests. We absolutely loved their 2011 effort Gangs and got equally excited about their recently released All Hail Bright Futures so we’ll be down the front, thrashing around with the best of them.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more And So I Watch You From Afar shows.

Gigs of the Week, 5 April

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:50:16 +0000

Swans @ Leeds University Union, Leeds 05/04

Michael Gira’s post punk band Swans are back on the road with their droning primal sounds following the release of last year’s incredible album The Seer.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Swans shows.

Woman’s Hour @ Hoxton Hall, London 06/04

If bewitching, nocturnal understated pop in the same vein as The xx is your thing then you’d do well to catch this Kendall born four-piece.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Woman’s Hour shows.

Temples @ Cyprus Avenue, Cork 07/04

Heavenly Recording signed psych merchants are set to bring their revivalist sonics to Ireland.

FREE ENTRY. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Temples shows.

Steve Mason @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow 09/04

With his incredibly complex and politically charged album Monkey Mind’s In The Devil’s Time out now, Beta Band founding member Steve Mason kicks off his UK tour with a home country show.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Steve Mason shows.

Karin Park @ The Lexington, London 10/04

Fearless Swedish pop, not for the faint of heart, Karin Park is an incredible performer and beguiling front woman.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Karin Park shows.

James Blake @ Manchester Academy 2, Manchester 10/04

From blub-step to fully grown musician James Blake returns with a new album Overgrown and a highly anticipated string of shows to accompany it.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more James Blake shows.

Lulu James @ Birthdays, London 11/04

Aiding the rise of 90s inspired UK R&B, Newcastle’s Lulu James will undoubtedly be putting a spell on East London’s hipster haunt with her effortless atmospherics.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Lulu James shows.

Gigs of the Week, 29 March

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:34:10 +0000

Squarepusher @ Rescue Rooms, Nottingham 29/03

With his brand new three track digital EP Enstrobia out now via Warp Records, Squarepusher will be bringing the sounds of last year’s Ufabulum album to Nottingham ahead of his performance at London’s roundhouse with The Bug and DFA signing Factory Floor and we can’t wait for both. Prepare for the visual onslaught.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Squarepusher shows.

Suede @ Alexandra Palace, London 30/03

A comeback unrightfully over shadowed by others, Suede are set to showcase their triumphant Bloodsport full length to an eager London crowd this week.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Suede shows.

Wild Belle @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester 31/03

The Chicago born, Brooklyn based sibling duo’s output to date has the capacity to be original in its revivalism. With rich, dreamy vocals that wrap themselves around laid back ska piano keys and saxophone wails we completely understand why. It’s just so effortlessly irresistible.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wild Belle shows.

Maya Jane Coles, John Talabot and more @ Canal Mills, Leeds 31/03/

An Easter Sunday special to beat all other Easter Sunday specials, Canal Mills present 14 hours of music across 3 stages with performances coming from the likes of Joy Orbison, Prins Thomas, Maya Jane Coles and John Talabot. Put those Easter eggs down and get moving.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Canal Mills shows.

Shout Out Louds @ The Lexington, London 02/04

One of Sweden’s most treasured exports finally get to celebrate the release of their recent album Optica with their UK fans and with 10 years having passed since their debut, it’s about high time too!

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Shout Out Louds shows.

Young Dreams @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London 03/04

Dreamy, sweeping, synth pop from Between Places creators Young Dreams.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Young Dreams shows.

Vondelpark @ Bush Hall, London 04/04

Having dropped a series of EPs over the years, London trio Vondelpark are ready to release their languid, mellow melodies debut Seabed R&S Records on 1 April.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Vondelpark shows.

Gigs of the Week: 24 March

The Line Of Best Fit — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 08:50:46 +0000

Japandroids @ O2 Academy, Glasgow 24/03

Supporting The Gaslight Anthem, the Canadian duo just can’t seem to keep away from our shores, and we’re pretty happy about that.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Japandroids shows.

Wave Machines & Iyes @ Village Undergound, London 26/03

Presented by Attitude is Everything, a charity that aims to improves Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music, Club Attitude is playing host to Waves Machines and new favourites alt pop act Iyes.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wave Machines shows.

Frida Sundemo @ The Sebright Arms, London 27/03

Celebrating the launch of her Indigo EP, our latest Swedish pop obsessions is bringing her pristine hook laden pop gems to one of our favourite London haunts.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Frida Sundemo shows.

King Krule & Night Works@ The Garage, London 28/03

The artist formerly known as Zoo Kid, Archy Marshall’s new moniker King Krule is set to headline a stellar line up presented by Fred Perry Subculture at The Garage, we’re DJing too.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more King Krule shows.

Gigs of the Week, 15 March

Lauren Down — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:07:36 +0000

Hilary Hahn & Hauschka @ The Bishopsgate Institute, London 15/03

The Bishopsgate Institute welcomes Hilary Hahn & Hauschka for an evening of innovative improvised music in this latest edition of the Vortex City Sessions, curated by The Vortex, Dalston.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Hilary Hahn & Hauschka shows.

Heems @ HMV Institute, Digbeth 16/03

Das Racist man Himanshu Suri, aka Heems, is set to showcase numbers from his solo effort Nehru Jackets in the first of two UK shows this week.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Heems shows.

Eels @ Olympia Theatre, Dublin 16/03

Mark Oliver Everett heads out on tour in support of Eels new album Wonderful, Glorious.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Eels shows.

Wild Nothing @ The Kazimer, Liverpool 18/03

Virginia born man Jack Tatum brings his dream pop haze to Liverpool.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wild Nothing shows.

Icona Pop @ Electrowerkz, London 20/03

Icona Pop’s fierce, euro trance tinged offerings guarantee that tonight will be the best, most euphoric night you’ve had in a long time.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Icona Pop shows.

The Weeknd @ O2 ABC, Glasgow 21/03

From London’s Supperclub to the on coming string of O2 shows, The Weeknd’s venues are stacking up in capacity and you’d be a fool not to get on board before he’s got Wembley in the palm of his slick, soulful R&B hands.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more The Weeknd shows.

Yo La Tengo @ Ritz Manchester, Manchester 21/03

Having released their thirteenth full length album in January, Hoboken-based trio Yo La Tengo have even more immersive, distorted, drones to play with.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Yo La Tengo shows.

SXSW 2013: The Essentials

Andriana Albert — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:50:31 +0000

SXSW has been around since 1987 (music) and 1994 (interactive and film) and has become THEE essential annual music networking event to attend. Being the SXSW veterans that we are, Best Fit has compiled a list of essentials to ensure you maximize your experience in Austin this week. From the gear you’ll need to keep you on top of your game, to where to find the best eats, what to do in-between parties, how to get around, the coolest apps to download on your smartphone and more. Of course we’ve also got a few words of wisdom to keep in mind as you head into one crazy week of music.

Be sure to follow @BestFitMusic on Twitter for live coverage and daily diaries recapping all of the glory of SXSW from the previous days. So without further ado, we bring you our 2013 SXSW Essentials Guide.

Gear

Photograph by Sébastien Dehesdin

Reserve External Battery
We promise you will need this no matter how few snapchats you send

Plancast:
The hottest new productivity tool at SXSW Interactive, Plancast helps you find out about events and other social activities ahead of time so you don’t miss out on them. The Plancast online calendar can manage all your relevant plans with filters, and dynamically sync your calendar with other calendars like Outlook, or ical. It’s amazing.

Earplugs
Your ears will thank you.

Coconut Water
Whatever hangover remedy you think works, you’re wrong. Staying hydrated is the best way to avoid hangovers, headaches, hunger, and not dying. Coconut water actually hydrates better than any other fluid on the planet due to it’s massive amounts of potassium and electrolytes, your body will thank you.

Mini Emergency Kits for Him & Mini Emergency Kits for Her
Includes travel must-haves in a case the size of a deck of cards to toss in your bag: lip balm, dental floss, breath freshener, hairspray, nail polish remover, emery board, stain remover, mending kit, safety pin, extra buttons, earring backs, clear elastics, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, tampon, and an adhesive bandage.

B100 Vitamins
This complex vitamin made up of mostly B6, B12, Thiamin and Folic Acid is what celebrities get shots of when they have to perform but are feeling like shit. It’s great for sluggish mornings, sobering you up if you got drunk too quickly, and just feeling on top of your game. These are my lifeline.

Face and Body Spray Sunscreen:
Liquid makes a mess + you already put makeup and clothes on. Sunscreen wears off after a few hours in most cases, use this handy spray on your face and exposed body parts after a few hours in the sun. You don’t even have to rub that shit in!

Lara Bars:
Partied too hard last night and missed all the free breakfast tacos this morning? Good thing you packed a snack! Available at just about every grocery and drugstore in America, vegan and gluten free, come in flavors like Cherry Pie and Peanut Butter & Jelly, and they surprisingly don’t taste like bark.

Streetwise Austin Map:
Austin isn’t that big, but when filled with thousands of festival goers, pop-up tents set up everywhere, spotty wifi, and events spread out all over the city, it’s easy to get lost and miss your party/show entirely. No matter how direction savvy you are/gps apps you have on your phone, a map is always a good thing to carry during a festival of this size. Plus this guy is laminated and in 3-D!

Flask:
As much as they say all the booze at SX is free, well that’s only half true. Plus how many Sweet Tea Vodka’s can you drink before you feeling like you might barf? Save yourself the energy and your lunch and get saucy on your 20 minute walk to the venue. There are liquor stores conveniently located just about everywhere to ensure you can refuel throughout the day.

Comfortable Shoes:
We’re not going to tell you what shoes to wear but just know Austin is mostly dirt, not to mention the thousands of people littering (yeah we’re sad too) in the streets, and just the sheer amount of walking you end up doing. Don’t be that asshole in heels/flip flops that has to buy shoes there.

Sunglasses:
Unless you like walking around all day scowling at the sun and working on your frown lines.

Layers:
It can get pretty cold at night.

I.D:
Just about every venue will ID you, regardless of badge, wristband or wrinkles.

Cash:
A lot of places don’t accept plastic.

Gigs of The Week, 8 March

Lauren Down — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:50:01 +0000

Cyril Hahn @ Sidings Warehouse, London 08/03

The Vancouver via Switzerland producer has been catching everyone’s attention of late with his expert re-workings of classic pop numbers, the below take on Solange’s ‘Losing You’ is a personal favourite but more importantly we can’t wait to hear what new material he’s been working on.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Cyril Hahn shows.

Night Works @ Rough Trade East, London 11/03

Ex-Metronomy man Gabriel Stebbing brings the slick, electronic, R&B tinged pop sounds of his new LP Urban Heat Island for RTE for free.

FREE ENTRY. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Night Works shows.

Susanne Sundfør @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London 11/03

The Norwegian songstress’ debut album The Silicone Veil is absolutely stunning, if you like pop of the scandinavian variety you would be a fool to miss this.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Susanne Sundfør shows.

Ólafur Arnalds @ The Barbican, London 11/03

The incredible talented Icelandic man brings his breath taking, classically leaning soundscapes to the grand halls of the Barbican.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Ólafur Arnalds shows.

John Grant @ Heaven, London 13/03

You should definitely go and help John Grant celebrate the release of his second album Pale Green Ghosts, another full length offering from the wry, wistful man that displays more songwriting craft than some bands have in their little finger.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more John Grant shows.

Bird on The Wire Presents: Coves @ Birthdays, London 13/03

Our writer Dan Carson put it best when he said: “Coves succeed where so many have failed, capturing the deeply melancholy essence of Echo and the Bunnymen in a vibrant bubblegum film of woozy choruses and moreish guitar melodies.”

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Coves shows. Check out more Bird on the Wire Shows.

What She Said presents: Ambassadeurs & Douglas Dare @ The Sebright Arms, London 14/03

Back for another round at The Sebright, What She Said present electronic music producer Mark Dobson, aka soulful glitch purveyor Ambassadeurs and pianist with a twist Douglas Dare.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Ambassadeurs shows. Check out more Douglas Dare shows.

SXSW 2013: A Guide to the Best Parties, Performances and Showcases. Part 2

Andriana Albert — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:30:54 +0000

Photograph taken at SXSW 2012 by Lauren Down

Planning for SXSW can be an insanely daunting task. With thousands of acts and hundreds of parties boasting everything from free breakfast and booze to vinyl and ipad giveaways, prize packages, surprise performances and more, it’s hard to decide what to attend.

So we’ve decided to lend a helping hand and hook you up with a list of parties providing a guide to the music you should check out, the freebies you should nab and of course those unique events that we know you won’t want to miss. Yesterday, Part 1 of our guide provided you with a list of weeklong parties that cover one, if not all, of the elements listed above and well Part 2 pretty much does the same, but now we’re focussing on the best one off day/night parties that Austin has to offer.

Let us take us through next week, day by day…

Tuesday 12 March

Terrorbird Media’s 7th Annual SXSW Day Party
Widowspeak + IO Echo + Young Dreams + Fear Of Men + Part Time + Hands
Perks: PBR specials
Bottomline: Free, open to the public
12pm @ Red 7

Jansport Bonfire Sessions @ Viceland
Divine Fits + Japandroids + Wavves + Skaters + Team Spirit
Perks: Food trucks + Free drinks + JanSport giveaways + Limited edition silk-screened concert posters + Every session will be streamed live on Jansport’s Youtube channel
Bottomline: Free with RSVP
8pm @ 401 E Cesar Chavez St.

#FEED powered by Twitter and Flavorpill
Visual design artists from The Meta Agency + @Night + Flying Lotus + TOKiMONSTA + Teebs + B. Lewis
Perks: Free Corzo Tequila Cocktails
Bottomline: Free with Flavorpill RSVP or Badge
Music from 9pm @ AMOA Arthouse at the Jones Center

Surefire Sound Official SXSW Show
JETS (Jimmy Edgar & Machinedrum), Dark Sky, Kastle, Nick Hook, Starship Connection, House Shoes, Tyler Tastemaker
Bottomline: Free and open to the public
6pm @ Barcelona

Pitchfork Official Interactive
John Talabot + Icona Pop + Cloud Nothings + Azari & III + Marnie Stern + Blue Hawaii + Torres + Indians +Night Beds
Perks: the lineup
Bottomline: Free to public or Badgeholders
8pm @ Mohawk

SXSW 2013: A Guide to the Best Parties, Performances and Showcases. Part 1.

Andriana Albert — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Photograph taken at SXSW 2011 by Sebastien Dehesdin.

So we’ve decided to lend a helping hand and hook you up with a list of parties providing a guide to the music you should check out, the freebies you should nab and of course those unique events that we know you won’t want to miss. Part 1 of our guide provides you with a list of weeklong parties that cover one, if not all, of the elements listed above.

We like to think one of the best films ever, Almost Famous, put it best. “We didn’t invent the rainy day, we just have the best umbrella”.

Converse Fader Fort

A festival within a festival, Fader Fort is a great bet for brilliant day time performances. This year there is Future, Disclosure, Delorean + more TBA
Perks: Always great lineup, always free booze and beer all day, lots of lounge areas, shade, delicious food for purchase + more
Bottomline: Must RSVP and pick up wristband to get in

Hype Machine’s Hype Hotel (Official and Unofficial)

A week of free food (last year it was Doritos Locos tacos and burritos courtesy of Taco Bell’) and free Tito’s vodka drinks and beer, plus shows curated by your favorite music outlets like Yours Truly, Aquarium Drunkard, I Guess I’m Floating, Gorilla vs Bear and acts like Solange, Ryan Hemsworth, Disclosure, Little Green Cars, Phosphorescent, Jim James, Flume, The Orwells, Rudimental, Laura Mvula, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Goldroom, Chrome Sparks, Kitty Pryde, MØ, Sky Ferreira, Hundred Waters + more
Perks: Free food and booze + Passion Pit and Wildcat! Wildcat! will perform as part of Taco Bell’s first-of-its-kind rockumentary film – which will be created by fans online or at the show using #FeedtheBeat, and through a customizable live stream on FeedTheBeat.com.
Bottomline: RSVP for a week’s worth of unofficial day shows, if you have a badge stay for the night shows

Waterloo Records Day Parties

Daily shows that are free and open to the public at Austin’s legendary record shop, with performances by Alt-J,Nick Cave, Wild Belle, Ratking, Dawes, Ra Ra Riot, Indians, The Coup, Billy Bragg, Tegan & Sara + more.
Perks: Live stream of all the shows, Tito’s Vodka specials
Bottomline: Just show up

Filter Magazine’s Showdown at Cedar Street

Sóley, Asgeir Trausti, Òlafur Arnalds, Bastille, Charli XCX, Willy Moon, Shout Out Louds, Local Natives, Haerts, St. Lucia, MS MR, Wild Belle, The Neighbourhood, Haim, Heyerdahl, Young Dreams, IO ECHO, Wildcat! Wildcat!, Surfer Blood
Perks: Free BBQ
Bottomline: Free with RSVP and come early

Red Bull Sound Select: 120 Hours In Austin

Best Coast, Hands, Big Black Delta, Master P, Girl In A Coma, John Mccauley and Friends (Feat. sets by Deer Tick and Diamond Rugs), Those Darlins’, John Fritz, The Cool Kids, Chance The Rapper, Geto Boys, Ultramagnetic MCs, The Sword + very special headliner at a secret location
Perks: Probably free Red Bull, maybe free booze
Bottomline: RSVP for five nights of music curated by East Village Radio, Red Bull Music, Filter Mag + more

Haus of Hipsamatic #MorningAfter Brunch

Brunch parties have come to be the most efficient and possibly best thing happening at SXSW. If you can get up in time, it’s more than worth your while to cross off a ton of great acts you had on your ‘must see’ list, down some free cocktails, actually eat something that doesn’t come in a wrapper and most importantly, get some free swag. Performances by Wildcat! Wildcat!, Guards, Capital Cities, Neon Indian (DJ set),Willy Moon, Quiet Company, In the Valley Below + more
Perks: Mexican-fare from La Condesa, coffee, mimosas, a Bloody Mary bar, #MorningAfter recovery kits, a photobooth and other goodies/surprises.
Bottomline: Badge/Wristband and limited RSVP on Facebook

Urban Outfitters Backlot Sessions

Head over to Austin’s UT Campus store for a stacked lineup that includes Icky Blossoms, Nu Sensae, Icona Pop, Young Dreams, Indians, Guards, Night Beds, Matthew E. White, Eddi Front, Mister Lies, WALL, Majical Cloudz, Houses, Doldrums, Autre Ne Veut, Charli XCX, Mood Rings, Pure X, Chris Cohen, Caveman, Ducktails, Mac Demarco, METZ
Perks: Free beer all week
Bottomline: Just show up

Spotify House

Spotify is hosting a house party that includes a food truck, ping pong, a photo booth as well as with live musical guests and dj sets every day. Premium users get priority access to the House and free food and merchandise all week.
Perks: With your RSVP you’ll also be entered to win an exclusive swag bag filled with SXSpotify goodies.
Bottomline: Free with RSVP

Brooklyn Vegan SXSW Day Parties

A packed lineup of acts TBA on two stages at Austin’s famous Emo’s venue
Perks: All FREE + Complimentary beverage and food options
Bottomline: Free and open to the public

House of Vans Mohawk Takeover (Official and Unofficial)

A take-off on the original House of Vans in Brooklyn, NY, the House of Vans at the Mohawk will feature some of the world’s best emerging bands for four very loud days and nights at one of Austin’s most beloved and eclectic music venues.
Perks: Events curated by Pitchfork, IAMSOUND, MFG, Terrible Records, True Panther Sounds and more
Bottomline: All day-time House of Vans at the Mohawk parties are FREE. For evening events, SXSW badge-holders get priority access, then wristband holders (tickets purchased in advance from the House of Vans at the Mohawk), then general admission guests.

Pandora Discovery Den

St. Lucia, Dawes, Dead Prez, TOKiMONSTA, Guards, Billy Bragg, Robert Delong + more.
Free with RSVP

HGTV and Paste Present Stages on Sixth

The 1975, Allah-Las, Billy Bragg, Dawes, Foxygen, Generationals, GUARDS, Indians, Leagues, Lissie, Marnie Stern, Mount Moriah, ON AN ON, Shout Out Louds, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down + more
Perks: Last year they had free beer and free booze all day + nonstop music
Free with RSVP

The Warner Sound

Action Bronson, Rockie Fresh, Icona Pop, Charli XCX, Fitz and the Tantrums, Skaters, Lianne La Havas, The Flaming Lips, Alt-J, Frightened Rabbit, Atlas Genius, Surfer Blood + more
Bottomline: Four days of official shows that require a Badge/Wristband, but the good news is they will all be streamed live on Warner’s Youtube Channel, so at the very least you can live tweet from a nearby cafe and pretend like you were there

Gigs of The Week, 1 March

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:50:18 +0000

Caitlin Rose @ CCA, Glasgow 02/03

Our favourite Nashville songstress is set to play the traditionally inspired folk songs from her new album The Stand-In.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Caitlin Rose shows.

Melody’s Echo Chamber @ The Haunt, Brighton 03/03

Kevin Parker and Melody Prochet will be bringing the psychedelic sounds of their dream pop project to the UK following the release of their debut album last year.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Melody’s Echo Chamber shows.

The Stool Pigeon Wake featuring Savages and Teeth of The Sea @ The Lexington, London 04/03

RIP Stool Pigeon. Come help celebrate the life of this great music paper at The Lexington with performances from some of their favourite artists.

Tickets on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Savages shows here.

Nadine Shah @ The Royal Albert Hall, London 04/03

Ahead of the release of her second EP Dreary Town brooding chanteuse Nadine Shah will be treating The Elgar Room to her smoky, husky hued vocals and dramatic sonics.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Nadine Shah shows.

Rhye @ St. Giles in The Field, London 05/03

Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal bring their classically leaning, sensual sounds to London for a very intimate performance.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Rhye shows.

Outfit @ Madame JoJos, London 05/03

They’re back! Those loveable Double Denim scamps from Liverpool have been working on their debut full length for a while now, and having revealed brand new cut ‘I Want What’s Best’ recently we are more excited than ever for their White Heat appearance.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Outfit shows.

Sigur Rós @ The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton 05/03

Having promised their new album will feature more agressive material, Icelandic ambient post-rockers Sigur Rós are making a long over due trip to the UK this week.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Sigur Rós shows.

Brolin @ Electrowerkz, London 06/05

Brolin’s latest Luke Abbott/David Pye produced musical mapping is all yearning vocals, cold beats, minimal synths and ever so slightly eerie atmospherics. We can’t wait to hear more of the same.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Brolin shows.

Cheatahs & East India Youth @ The Shacklewell Arms, London 06/05

East India Youth man William Doyle put out the surprise EP hit of the year last year in Total Strife Forever so we reckon tonight will be full of more pleasant surprises.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Cheatahs shows. Check out more East India Youth shows.

Tall Ships @ The Scala, London 07/05

The Falmouth trio are bringing their frenzied, post-rock infused chaos to London for their biggest headline date ever.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Tall Ships shows.

Cloud Boat @ Trof Fallowfield, Manchester 07/05

Occupying the nocturnal space between the poignant maximalism of Tim Buckley and the codeine beats of Mount Kimbie, Cloud Boat – aka British duo Sam Ricketts and Tom Clarke – are definitely ones to catch early before their tripped out beats capture the hearts of more fans.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Cloud Boat shows.

Gigs of The Week, 22 February

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:54:36 +0000

CYMBALS and Fun Adults @ The Cockpit, Leeds 22/02

The London four-piece make a trip northwards after their home shows this week to bring Leeds their buoyant, glitchy and wonderfully weird electronic take on pop music. Get your dancing shoes on for this one.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Cymbals shows. Check out more Fun Adults shows.

Faye, Sportsman and NONONO@ The Roundhouse, London 22/02

Best Fit Recordings are celebrating their very first Birthday in style as part of The Roundhouse’s Rising series. All three acts are very dear to our hearts here obviously so we couldn’t think of a better place to be on a Friday night.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Faye shows. Check out more Sportsman shows. Check out more NONONO shows.

Highasakite and Sandra Kolstad @ Koko, London 22/02

Celebrating all things Øya Koko is playing host dramatic trio Highasakite and enigmatic songstress Sandra Kolstad for a night of Norwegian pop goodness.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Highasakite shows. Check out more Sandra Kolstad shows.

Darkstar @ XOYO, London 25/02

Beautiful electronic textures and playfully inventive sonic experiments are to be expected from Warp signed London duo Darkstar as they tackle songs from their recently released album New From Nowhere live.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Darkstar shows.

James Blake @ The ICA, London 26/02

He’s back. Everyone’s favourite blubstep star, only he’s less blubstep more R&B on his new, bassier, slicker song ‘Retrograde.’ So for a glimpse of what else a more grown up James Blake may have been cooking up the ICA is the place to be.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more James Blake shows.

Sky Ferreira @ XOYO, London 27/02

Shimmering pop gems with just a hint of forlorn love loss. What more could you want?!

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Sky Ferreira shows.

JaJaJa @ The Lexington, London 28/02

Back once more for a night of Nordic music JaJaJa bring with them Finnish indie stalwarts Burning Hearts, the twisted drones of Carmen Villain and the charming Icelandic singer songwriter Lay Low.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more JaJaJa shows.

The Rest Is Noise 2013

Nathan Comer — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:50:53 +0000

Inspired by music critic Alex Ross’ 2007 book, the masterfully written The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century, the Southbank Centre is currently staging one of the most ambitious concert series ever staged in London.

Simply put, Ross’ book charts the musical history of the twentieth century, going on to examine recent memories and our musical futures. But crucially, it also puts music into a historical context, and in turn defines the events of these past 100 years through the art it produced. In Ross’ own words, it ‘chronicles not only the artists themselves, but also the politicians, dictators, millionaire patrons and CEOs who tried to control what music was written; the intellectuals who attempted to adjudicate style; the writers, painters, dancers and filmmakers who provided companionship on lonely roads of exploration; the audiences who variously revelled in, reviled, or ignored what composers were doing; the revolutions, hot and cold wars, waves of emigration, and deeper social transformations that reshaped the landscape in which composers worked.’

Transferring such a vast endeavour to a concert series is no mean feat, yet the programme devised by the Southbank seems to be on the mark. Dividing the year into 12 key themes (listed on their website), the festival comprises talks, lectures, workshops, films and concerts, curated to match the purpose of the book – providing a mutual understanding of the twentieth century and its musical output. Over the next 10 and a half months, we will be providing dispatches from a selection of these events.

The festival’s aims of understanding the twentieth century through its music should in turn aid us in understanding our own musical climate. Art music often finds itself marginalised to a different section of every newspaper and magazine, often along with jazz, folk and ‘world’ music. And this, to an extent, is understandable – a certain degree of prior knowledge and musical understanding are required to inform value judgements. Yet we live in a time where the worlds of classical and pop are increasingly blurred – electronic artists namedrop Reich and Stockhausen as much as any techno giants; musicians such as Ben Frost choose the loaded term ‘composer’, deliberately placing themselves in some sort of historical canon, while contemporary orchestral writer Nico Muhly hobnobs with and performs alongside ‘pop’ artists like St. Vincent, Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors.

So far, the festival has already covered the themes ‘Here Comes The Twentieth Century’ and ‘The Rise of Nationalism’, but upcoming is coverage of Paris’ role in the first half of the century – a literary, artistic and musical hotbed of talent. Watch this space.

Gigs of the Week, 15 February

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:30:41 +0000

Oyama @ Koko, London 15/02

The Icelandic five-piece make shoegaze pop with a particular perfect jarring twist.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Oyama shows.

Villagers @ Trinity Centre, Bristol 16/02

Having released his second album {Awayland} last month via Domino Records, Conor O’Brien is set to bring his emotionally harrowing Irish ilk to the UK.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Villagers shows.

Rozi Plain @ The Village Underground, London 18/02

The Fence Records signed, Bristol based songstress promises a night of elegant, warm and quietly shifting left field folk pop songs, most likely to be taken from last year’s album Joined Sometimes Unjoined.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Rozi Plain shows.

Taken By Trees @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London 18/02

The solo project of ex-Concretes lady and ‘Young Folks’ vocalist Victoria Bergsman, Taken By Trees takes a welcome UK pit stop on the extensive tour that has been Other Worlds. Expect organic, earthy, submerged synths and sweet, siren calls.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Taken By Trees shows.

Paws @ Bungalow Bears, Sheffield 19/02

The Glaswegian three-piece take a dip below the boarder for a night of irresistible, lo-fi garage pop.

FREE ENTRY. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Paws shows.

The Chapman Family @ Surya, London 20/02

The Stockton-On-Tees five-piece follow-up the release of their self-produced second full length album Cruel Britannia with a series of shows around the UK.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more The Chapman Family shows.

Blaenavon @ Buffalo Bar, London 21/02

ParadYse’s latest and youngest are definitely the ones to watch this week. Ben Gregory, Frank Wright and Harris McMillan’s creations are delicate, considered, confident and yet transparent in their vulnerability.

FREE ENTRY. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Blaenavon shows.

Doldrums @ The Prince Albert, Brighton 21/02

With the release of his debut album Lesser Evil just around the corner, Montreal’s Airick Woodhead brings glitchy, messed up electronics to a whole new playing field with his warped sonics.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Doldrums shows.

By:Larm 2013 is almost upon us!

Francine Gorman — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:30:51 +0000

Did we ever mention that we’re particularly fond of Scandinavian music here at Best Fit?

I mean, we’ve probably dropped it into conversation once or twice, or perhaps you’ve attended one of our sister site Ja Ja Ja’s Nordic club nights at The Lexington, but just in case we hadn’t made it clear, we love it. More than life and time itself, we bloody love Scandinavian pop music. And it’s with this love bubbling in our gut that we head to the snow-tinged, waterside haven that is Oslo to by:Larm, to spend time amongst like minded music fans, and to discover the best of what the Nordic regions, in particular Norway, currently have to offer.

Taking over the Norwegian capital between the 14-16 Februar (that’s February in Norwegian – it’s important to learn the local lingo) are more than 120 hand picked artists, known and new, looking to invite crowds in from the depths of winter to warm them with charm, wit and catchy sounds.

Among the acts appearing at the 2013 edition is last year’s show stealer Mikhael Paskalev, who, having just released his debut album in Norway, is sure to delight once again with his self-described “bastardized soul mixed with a bit of rock ‘n’ roll and good ol’ gospel”.

Paskalev’s bandmate, angelic vocal provider Billie Van will be stepping out alone this year to showcase her highly anticipated solo efforts, while Oslo/Berlin based artist Boska will be providing the mellow electronic sounds that will be wafting through the streets of Oslo throughout the festival’s duration.

Other acts set to play and certainly not to be missed include JJ, NONONO, Oyama, MØ, the almighty Efterklang, Iceland’s excellent Sin Fang and Best Fit faves Young Dreams.

So long as we don’t cause ourselves an icy injury, we’ll be dashing between venues to find the best new music that by:Larm has to offer, so keep an eye on The Line of Best Fit for news and reviews from the event. Keeping in mind that the crowd are enduring sub-zero temperatures to travel to each of these shows, we’re hoping to be gifted with a hearty ‘Hei!’, some kind of post-marathon foil blanket, or a warm, inviting hug upon arrival at each of the venues. We can’t be sure that that’s actually going to happen, but what by:Larm 2013 does guarantee is a stellar line up featuring a host of artists from one of the most musically innovative and prolific regions that we know of. Just don’t forget to pack your thermals.

For more information about by:Larm head to the festival website and for a taste of what the event’s going to sound like, have a listen to the by:Larm mix tape below.

Gigs of The Week, 8 February

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:50:56 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Nick Cave, Frightened Rabbit and Desaparecidos.

Veronica Falls @ St Leonards Church, London 08/02

Having released their brand new album Waiting For Something To Happen this Monday via Bella Union, our favourite London via Brighton four piece are back and ready to captivate everyone with their dreamy, scuzz pop once again!

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Veronica Falls shows.

Desaparecidos @ The Arches, Glasgow 09/02

It has been 10 years since Conor Oberst and co released Read Music/Speak Spanish and finally they’ve decided to treat the UK to a live show. Major thanks are owed to Songkick’s Detour effort for this one. We could not be more excited. They released two new tracks earlier this week too, which you can listen to here if you’ve not already. This is going to be incredible.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Desaparecidos shows.

Jason Lytle @ The Haunt, Brighton 09/02

The man behind Grandaddy embarks on a solo outing following the release of last year’s Dept. of Disappearance. Evocative guitars and expertly written, experimental pop numbers guaranteed.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Jason Lytle shows.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds @ Her Majesty’s Theatre, London 10/02

Celebrating the release of their fifteenth studio album Push The Sky Away, due out on 18 February, the legendary Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds are heading to Her Majesty’s Theatre for one of a handful of special launch events. Presenting their brand new album live with the accompaniment of strings and choir, the night will also see a film-makers Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard screen their short film about the making of the record.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Nick Cave shows.

Fear of Men @ The Sebright Arms, London 11/02

With support from the beguiling Ides, Fear of Men promise an airing of brand new tracks taken from their undoubtedly lo-fi, lovelorn pop filled forthcoming full length.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Fear of Men shows.

Everything Everything @ HMV Institute, Digbeth 12/02

Having released their second album Arc via RCA back in January, the Mancunian four-piece return to the live circuit with a more frustrated, jaded, mature sound but one still packed with jittery pop hooks and spluttering rhythms.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Everything Everything shows.

Frightened Rabbit and Wintersleep @ The Junction, Cambridge 14/02

Last year’s Hello Hum was a tragically under-rated album. Comprised of eleven mournful, sincere, sentimental, indie tracks of the folk tinged variety, they became more addictive than cigarettes for a while. We’ve managed to kick the habbit but we’re about to be sucked back in and to be honest we couldn’t be happier that they’re supporting Frightened Rabbit on their latest venture, which will see them return to a semblance of Midnight Organ Fight form with new album Pedestrian Verse.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Frightened Rabbit shows.

On and On and Elephant@ Birthdays, London 14/02

Born from the ashes of Scattered Trees, American three-piece On and On – aka Nate Eiesland, Alissa Ricci and Ryne Estwing, have opted for a heavier, scuzzier, rougher sound and my god it comes off beautifully, like a cross between Sleigh Bells and whoever the Mexican Summer dream pop darlings are this month. Elephant will be joining them for this very special RFB night.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more On and On shows.

Gigs of The Week, 1 February

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:40:10 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets in the first week of February we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Thurston Moore and Kraftwerk.

Tamaryn @ The Green Door Store, Brighton 01/02

Recent album Tender New Signs is a gorgeous and inspired collection of songs, created to help the lovers love and the daydreamers dream so why head down to the seaside for a night of dreamy music.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Tamaryn shows.

Indians @ Trof Fallowfield, Manchester 02/02

The musical alter ego of Copenhagen resident Søren Løkke Juul, aka 4AD signing Indians promises a night of hazy, warm, lovelorn, gentle acoustic and ambient offerings.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Indians shows.

Conor Oberst @ The Barbican, London 04/02

Ahead of his long, long, looong over due appearance with Desaparecidos next week the Bright Eyes man takes some time to do his own thing at The Barbican.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Conor Oberst shows.

Foxygen @ The Lexington, London 04/02

Having just released We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic the Californian psychedelic folk duo are bringing their irresistible 60s inspired sounds to London for a night of throwback wonder.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Foxygen shows.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ Cargo, London 05/02

The Portland via Auckland three-piece are celebrating the release of their second album II in London tonight and we can’t explain quite how but by the end of tonight you’ll probably wish you could swim and sleep like a shark does too.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Unknown Mortal Orchestra shows.

Kraftwerk play Autobahn @ The Tate Modern, London 06/02

The album that made them legends. Kraftwerk kick off their residency at The Tate Modern with their 1974 release Autobahn. If you were lucky enough to get tickets amidst the craziness you are in for what could quite possibly be a mind altering experience.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Kraftwerk shows.

Thurston Moore @ Glee Club, Birmingham 07/02

The Sonic Youth man is on tour with jazz legend Michael Chapman and we hope you’re just as excited as we are to see the results of that mixture.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Thurston Moore shows.

Gigs of the Week, 25 January

Lauren Down — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:55:33 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. It’s early days but the year already seems to be hitting it’s stride and so to tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Phosphorescent, My Bloody Valentine and Dinosaur Jr.

The Soft Pack @ Soup Kitchen, Manchester 25/01

San Diego indie bred rockers bring their supercharged guitars and stampeding drums to Manchester’s Soup Kitchen.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more The Soft Pack shows here.

XFM All Dayer @ The Barfly, London 26/01

A whole day of incredible new music featuring Wolf Alice, Luls, Temples, Nadine Shah and This Many Boyfriends. What better way to keep yourself indoors and entertained this freezing weekend.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out the full line-up here.

My Bloody Valentine @ Electric Brixton, London 27/01

Kevin Shields and co are set to play an incredibly intimate warm up show ahead of their highly anticipated new album. Time to get your shoegazing shoes on.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more My Bloody Valentine shows here.

Only Real @ The Shacklwell Arms, London 28/01

London rapper and singer-songwriter Niall Galvin, aka Only Real, is set to launch his new single next week and we definitely recommend going to celebrate with him.

FREE ENTRY. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more Only Real shows here.

Mykki Blanco @ The Green Door Store, Brighton 28/01

The “teenage female rapper” alter ego of 25-year-old New York poet, actor and author Michael Quattlebaum Mykki Blanco is all kinds of incredible, weaving styles together that most people wouldn’t even dream of. We don’t know but we’re pretty sure you will never see anything like this.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more Mykki Blanco shows here.

The Joy Formidable @ Fiddlers Club, Bristol 29/01

The Welsh three-piece head to Bristol in support of their new cathartic, a rugged album Wolf’s Law.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more The Joy Formidable shows here.

Phosphorescent @ St. Pancras Old Church, London 30/01

Matthew Houck has consistently produced some of the most interesting and inspired music ever to be lazily filed under the catch-all tag of alt.country, but now with his second album Muchacho on the way it seems like people are finally starting to appreciate his ever beautiful nuances.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more Phosphorescent shows here.

Dinosaur Jr. @ University Union, Leeds 31/01

The Massachusetts three-piece are legends, no two ways about it and you would be foolish to miss the opportunity to catch them on one of their rare visits to these shores.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more Dinosaur Jr. shows here.

Gigs of The Week, 18 January

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:50:40 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. It’s early days but the year already seems to be hitting it’s stride and so to tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Flume, Dan Croll and Syron.

Peter Hook & The Light play Joy Division @ Manchester Cathedral, Manchester 18/01

Well you don’t need to say much more than that title does do you really?! Joy Division co-founder and ex New Order bassist Peter Hook is set to play a monumental home coming.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Peter Hook shows.

Dan Croll @ The Old Blue Last, London 18/01

The LIPA trained musician offers up twisted, sophisticated, melodic, upbeat pop by the bucket load.

FREE. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Dan Croll shows.

Gilles Peterson‘s World Wide Awards @ Koko, London 19/01

This night is going to be massive. Gilles Peterson joined by The Invisible, Stubborn Heart and Neneh Cherry at Koko – what more could you want.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook here. Check out more Gilles Peterson shows here.

Toro Y Moi @ The Button Factory, Ireland 20/01

With Anything in Return due out on Monday via Carpark records, Toro Y Moi is bringing his complex and effortlessly cool concoctions to our side of the glove this month.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Toro Y Moi shows.

Flume @ The Haunt, Brighton 22/01

21-year-old Sydney native Flume was all anybody could talk about over here for a while but with his soaring, swollen, romantic dub beats and R&B tendencies it was easy to see why. Still don’t understand? Go check him out yourself.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Flume shows.

Syron & San Zhi @ The Old Blue Last, London 23/01

From slick R&B grooves to jubilant dream pop the double bill of Syron and San Zhi is simply too much to resist and it’s a free show so we don’t want to hear any excuses.

FREE. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Syron shows. Check out more San Zhi shows.

Stubborn Heart @ Berkeley Sweet, Glasgow 24/01

Having grabbed the much coveted Rough Trade Album of the month accolade for their self titled debut, London via Oxford electronic soul duo Luca Santucci and Ben Fitzgerald are heading across the border as part of a larger UK tour.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Stubborn Heart shows.

Gigs of the Week, 11 January

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:52:10 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. It’s early days but the year already seems to be hitting it’s stride and so to tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Daughter, Kendrick Lamar and Solange.

Hejira @ The Shacklewell Arms, London 11/01

Consisting of Sam Beste, Rahel Debebe-Dessalegne, Alex Reeve and Alexis Nunez the Joni Mitchell album referencing Hejira hail from London and promise twisted psychedelic sensibilities punctuated by orchestral precision. Matthew Herbert has been busy co-producing their debut album which is due out very shortly.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Hejira shows.

Woodpecker Wooliams @ Kings Place, London 12/01

Brighton’s Gemma Williams released her album The Bird School of Being Human via Robot Elephant records last year and caused quite a stir, circumnavigating the traditional pit falls of singer-song writer-dom to produce something surprisingly fresh and at times rather bizarre. Now she is back for a live show with Meursault and Sons of Noel & Adrian.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Woodpecker Wooliams shows.

Daughter @ Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich 14/01

If You Leave, Daughter’s debut full length, is due out on 18 March via 4AD and we could not be more excited. It is beautiful.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Daughter shows.

Ghostface Killah @ The Garage, London 15/01

The Wu Tang Clan man steps out on his own once more for what will undoubtedly be a hectic, high octane show at The Garage.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Ghostface Killah shows.

Kendrick Lamar @ O2 ABC, Glasgow 16/01

Crafting ambitious narratives with faultless precision Kendrick Lamar’s major label debut Good Kid, M.A.A.D City was definitely one of last year’s best so we’d have to be fools to miss the chance to catch it all up close and personal.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Kendrick Lamar shows.

Solange @ XOYO, London 17/01

Slick pop music with a heart of funk we can’t wait to see whether Solange brings her dance moves to the live stage.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Solange shows.

Flamingods @ The Green Door Store, Brighton 17/01

Weird pop purveyors Flamingods are heading out on tour to celebrate the release of their debut album Sun, due out via Art Is Hard records on 21 January and we couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Absorbing a myriad of influences, you’ll never be bored.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Flamingods shows.

Eurosonic 2013 is (nearly) go!

Charlie Ivens — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:15:11 +0000

As you may have noticed, here at Best Fit we’ve long had a particular penchant for the music of northern Europe. So it’ll come as little surprise that we’re off to the 28th Eurosonic festival/conference doodah in the Netherlands city of Groningen this week.

The sprawling international event has been spitting awesome new bands and solo artists from across Europe in the direction of nearby ears, in one form or another, since 1986, and 10 years ago also started plugging a “focus country” that’d receive particular attention and extra trumpeting each year.

This year that country is Finland, and we’re already firing up the pun generator in preparation for the full report you’ll be able to enjoy in the days following the festival. We’re especially excited at the prospect of seeing stompy electro-pop sister act LCMDF, the TB-303 sequencer overload that is Acid Symphony Orchestra and the promising progtronica of Siinai. There’s also the intriguing Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, a punk band with learning disabilities who are the subject of ace-looking recent documentary The Punk Syndrome.

Previous Eurosonics have showcased reputation-cementing turns by Norway’s Kings of Convenience, much-missed Scottish noiseniks Aereogramme (whose guitarist Iain Cook returns this year in the insanely hotly tipped Chvrches), French punk-lounge reinterpreters Nouvelle Vague, multitudinous indie-pop Swedes I’m From Barcelona and, er, The Libertines.

So we can conclude that there’s much to look forward to (and no doubt a bit to avoid politely). And you don’t even have to be there to enjoy some of the music: as well as a load of exclusive Best Fit sessions we’ll be recording between shots of Bols Gold Strike, there’s this handy playlist of Finnish highlights to enjoy. We suggest you sit back, crack open a Kukko and do just that.

Gigs of The Week, 4 January

Lauren Down — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:55:52 +0000

Welcome to the first weekly 2013 round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. The first weeks of the year always seem to offer up some slim pickings, to tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Thumpers, Wolf Alice and Ides.

Thumpers @ The Green Door Store, Brighton 04/01

With a 7″ due out via paradYse records and cassette on Kissability these Londoners are very much poised for greatness in 2013. The work of childhood friends Marcus Pepperell and John Hamson Jr., Thumpers combine rich, velvety instrumental textures and effortlessly irresistible vocal harmonies.

FREE. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Thumpers shows.

Wolf Alice @ Old Blue Last, London 08/01

Having debuted their brand new single ‘Fluffy’ on Huw Stephens show this morning we feel more confident than ever that London four-piece Wolf Alice are a band worthy of your attention this year, and what better way to kick your live outings off than this Fake DIY presented free gig at The Old Blue Last.

FREE. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wolf Alice shows.

Palma Violets @ The Forum, Tunbridge Wells 09/01

With all the buzz surrounding South London four-piece Palma Violets you would be foolish to miss this opportunity to catch their post punk inspired sounds ahead of the release of their debut full length 180 on 25 February.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Palma Violet shows.

Ides @ Bull & Gate, London 10/01

The vocal talent in the wonderfully tempestuous indie ramblings of Joanna Gruesome, Ides tentative offerings sound like they’d collapse in the lightest of breezes as hushed vocals and gently strummed electric chords swell with an almost incomprehensible amount of heartbreak.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Ides shows.

Gigs of The Week: NYE Special

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:40:17 +0000

Ahh New Years Eve, you fickle creature, how we often loathe you. The fuss, the organisation and anticipation of your coming often ends in mediocracy or crushing disappointment. It’s not your fault though, we generally expect too much of you. You don’t own the rights to being the best night of the year, any random “quiet” night at the pub could well take that crown so this year we’ll endeavour to treat you like any other night out. This isn’t completely possible though because you undeniably bring line-ups and parties like no other, so with that in mind, we decided to round-up the best bets for avoiding all of the negative things that you bring. Welcome to our New Years Eve gig guide special…

The Line of Best Fit, Rockfeedback, Paradyse, Trangressive and Double Denim Present: Towns & Wolf Alice @ The Social, London

If a New Years Eve love-in sounds like your kind of thing then look no further than The Social. We’ve teamed up with our pals at Transgressive and Double Denim to bring you a night of incredible live music from Bristol’s Towns and current favourites Wolf Alice alongside the expert DJ skills of Co-Op, ParadYse, Theme Park and our very own editorial team.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook.

Border Community and Hyrda Present: James Holden, Luke Abbott, Koreless, Dauwd, Nathan Fake, Fort Romeau and more @ Peckham Palais, London

Taking over the Peckham Palais with one of the night’s finest club line-ups, Border Community will be ringing in the new year with a psychedelic, electronic, techno driven trip, label honcho James Holden safely at the helm.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook.

Annie Mac, James Zabiela and Now Wave DJs @ The Warehouse Project, Manchester

Annie Mac never fails to deliver an absolutely spectacular set and why should New Years Eve be any different? She heads up an irresistible Warehouse Project curated line-up for the night.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook.

Trouble Vision & Tief Present: John Talabot, Move D and more @ Corsica Studios, London

Worth heading to for John Talabot alone, Corsica Studios New Years Eve party promises a night of ambient techno, minimal beats and R&B inspired grooves.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook.

Simple Minds @ Hogmanay Concert in The Gardens, Edinburgh

Ever wish your life was more like a John Hughes film? Well celebrate New Years at Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay party and you won’t be disappointed.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook.

Club NME Presents: Peace and Luls @ Koko, London

Peace have absolutely dominated the pages of NME this year, so who could be more perfect to head of their night of guitar led, Birmingham born debauchery?!

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook.

Simian Mobile Disco and Hercules & Love Affair @ XOYO, London

It feels like tickets for this sold out before they even went on sale, and with good cause too. Simian Mobile Disco look set to head up a line up that includes Hercules & Love Affair and Addison Groove. You better get your dancing shoes on.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook.

Gigs of the Week, 14 December

Lauren Down — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:55:28 +0000

Philip Glass at 75 @ Union Chapel, London 15/12

Through his operas, symphonies, ensembles, and collaborations with artists ranging from Twyla Tharp and Allen Ginsberg, Woody Allen and David Bowie, Philip Glass has had an incredible impact upon the musical and intellectual life of his times. Celebrating this will be the most spectacular show featuring everything you see here, presented by The Barbican.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Philip Glass shows.

The xx and John Talabot @ O2 Brixton Academy, London 16/12

Having released their much anticipated second album Coexist this year, The xx have been touring extensively and even now are planning their own festival. So with a handful of dates to pick from why have we chosen to list their London show, well because the added bonus of John Talabot supporting is simply too good to resist.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more The xx shows.

Peggy Sue & Landshapes @ Chats Palace, London 17/12

Having been tucked away in Wales working on their next record Peggy Sue are set to headline The See Hear Club’s Christmas special with some new jams while the charming Landshapes support in the Home Alone (Home Alone 2 will be screened) theme decorated 99 year old ex-library in Homerton.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Peggy Sue shows.

Eaux @ The Shacklewell Arms, London 18/12

The psych-tinged dark electronic three-piece promise a set of cold, industrial ambience as hypnotising as it is abrasive.

Free Entry. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Eaux shows.

Male Bonding @ The Sebright Arms, London 19/12

Since the release of their 2012 debut Nothing Hurts, this Dalston trio have been wrecking up small venues with their frenzied, guitar driven punk inspired sonics. So get your thrashing limbs warmed up.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Male Bonding shows.

Echo Lake @ Monto Water Rats, London 20/12

If you don’t know we’ve got a soft spot for these guys by now then you’ve clearly never actually read the site. Having released their long awaited debut album Wild Peace earlier this year Echo Lake will be seeing us into Christmas with one last show in London.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Echo Lake shows.

Gigs of The Week, 7 December

Lauren Down — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:53:08 +0000

Wild Beasts @ The Lexington, London 07/12

A warm up for their headline ATP appearance this weekend Wild Beasts will be playing 2011′s dramatic, slow burner Smother in its entirety in the intimate settings of the much beloved Lexington.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wild Beast shows.

Will Dutta @ BFI Southbank, London 07/12

Concert pianist and creative producer Will Dutta is set to launch his incredible, experimental electronic debut Parergon, with collaborations from electronic pioneers Plaid, composer Max De Wardener and sonic artists John Matthias and Neil Grant. This will be a unique live presentation supported by percussionist Catherine Ring, turntablist Richard Lannoy and films from Damian Hale, Xavier Perkins, Quayola and Dan Tombs.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Will Dutta shows.

Mono @ The Village Underground, London 08/12

The Japanese post-rock four-piece are set to bring their intricate orchestral arrangements and dizzying sonics to London for the last date of their UK tour.

Tickets are on sale now. Check out more Mono shows.

Christopher Owens @ St Giles in The Field, London 10/12

With his debut album Lysandre due out next year, ex-Girls frontman Christopher Owens is taking his mawkish and deeply personal pop offerings to the stage for two nights at St. Giles In The Field.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Christopher Owens shows.

Wye Oak @ The Scala, London 11/12

Having released their stunning, folk leaning Civilian last year Baltimore’s Wye Oak came for ATP but have opted to stay for one last London hurrah before heading home.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wye Oak shows.

MONEY, G R E A T W A V E S, Pale Seas @ Union Chapel, London 13/12

Ahhh Christmas party season, you bring with it many a label gathering but none quite so musically focussed as Bella Union’s Union Chapel show, featuring great hopes for next year MONEY, G R E A T W A V E S and Pale Seas.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more G R E A T W A V E S shows.

Gigs of the Week, 30 November

Lauren Down — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:52:08 +0000

Matthew Dear @ Hare & Hounds, Birmingham 01/12

Following the release of his critically acclaimed album Beams, shifting electronic mastermind Matthew Dear is taking to the road with a full band. This is going to be good.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Matthew Dear shows.

Stars @ Oran Mor, Glasgow 02/12

Their recently released sixth album proved to be a bit of a return to form for the Canadian indie-pop veterans, inhabiting a synth heavy landscape dotted with understated new wave sensibilities, heavy C86 dreaming and hushed vocals.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Stars shows.

Wolf Alice @ 100 Club, London 03/12

Sooo we mistakenly thought are Ones to Watch darlings Wolf Alice were playing with MS MR last week, but they weren’t, so for the first time ever the same band has been included in this guide for two weeks in a row because well you can actually go and see them this time. And in our humble opinion they are by far the best thing on the bill.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wolf Alice shows.

Suuns @ Prince Albert, Brighton 04/12

Suuns are an incredible live band. The eerie, understatedly jagged aesthetics of their recorded efforts are explored and expanded into an almost unrecognisable frenzied haze. We can’t wait to hear them road test material from their forthcoming album Images Du Futur.

Tickets are on sale now. Check out more Suuns shows.

Beth Orton & Sam Amidon @ Union Chapel, London 05/12

Having released her first full length in six years in October, this show is probably going to have the highest concentration of wide eyed fans ever witnessed. Expect beautiful, lilting folk numbers undercut by an almost cold, harsh sentimentality and off kilter vocals.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Beth Orton shows.

FIDLAR @ Soup Kitchen, Manchester 06/12

“WE DRINK CHEAP BEER. SO WHAT? F**K YOU”

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more FIDLAR shows.

Kurt Vile @ The Forum, London 06/12

Our favourite esoteric, Americana distilling guitarist is back for a show with Lower Dens and Dark Dark Dark.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Kurt Vile shows.

RM Hubbert prepares for Glasgow’s Shhh! Festival

The Line Of Best Fit — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:55:41 +0000

I have a confession.

I don’t like acoustic guitars. Especially the ones that have over earnest young men attached to them, singing songs of lost love in this cruel, cruel world. It’s trite, generic and worst of all, so fucking boring. Give me a brutal wall of noise (Divorce are my current goto) or spectacularly polished pop (Nicola Roberts’ solo album Cindarella’s Eyes is majestic) any day over the self indulgent whining of some wee prick in a waistcoat and flat cap. You know the type, makes a beeline for the acoustic guitar sitting in the corner of the room, primed to ruin an otherwise great party with his dire renditions of long loved songs or even worse, his own turgid compositions. I hate him. I fucking hate him. Worse than that, I fear him. I’m afraid of becoming him.

I’m aware that this may come as somewhat of a surprise given that I am myself a (close to) middle aged man that spends the majority of my time either writing, recording or performing music on the acoustic guitar. The irony has not escaped me. My general dislike of acoustic music is one of the things that drew me towards it in the first place. I wanted to take the constraints of solo acoustic guitar and make it sound different, unexpected. Unusual. I have no idea if I’ve succeeded. To be honest it doesn’t matter. As long as I don’t end up being that prick playing Wonderwall on the couch.

So then, I suspect you are wondering, why have you helped program the Shhhh! Festival? A self proclaimed festival of quiet, predominately acoustic music, none the less? There’s two reasons.

Firstly, it gave me the chance to book some of the brilliant musicians that I have had the privilege of sharing a stage with over the last few years. People like Wounded Knee, Laura J Martin, Woodpecker Wooliams and Finn LeMarinel constantly surprise and inspire with their innovative and imaginative use of normally staid, straight laced instrumentation and tropes. Likewise with Emma Pollock, Craig B, Rick Redbeard and I Build Collapsible Mountains who write some of the most beautiful, moving music and words I’ve known.

Basically, These people make outstanding music. Music that makes me smile, cry and contemplate. The kind of songs that I wish I had written. Despite being acoustic. Despite my first instinct being to dismiss it. That makes it twice as powerful for me.

Secondly, the Shhhh Festival is based around the idea that it is okay to tell people in the crowd to shut the fuck up if they are talking during the show. Now, that is an idea I can get behind.

RM Hubbert.

Buy Tickets // Facebook Event Page

Gigs of the Week, 25 November

The Line Of Best Fit — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 14:45:32 +0000

Photograph by Jamie-James Medina

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Purity Ring, First Aid Kit and Bobby Womack.

Bobby Womack @ The Forum, London 25/11

Appearing with special guests Damon Albarn and Richard Russell, Bobby Womack is set to perform songs from his incredible XL released album The Bravest Man In The Universe tonight as part of the first of two shows at HMV’s Forum.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Bobby Womack shows.

Dawn Hunger @ Birthdays, London 26/11

The brainchild of Fuck Buttons‘ Andrew Hung, Dawn Hunger is not your average side project. Tonight will see Andy’s twisted, jagged, minimal electronic creations performed by Claire Inglis and Matthew de Pulford. Andy himself won’t be part of the live line-up, or in his own words “I was interested in the concept of composing for musicians and not being involved in the live performance.”

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Dawn Hunger shows.

Crystal Castles @ O2 ABC, Glasgow 26/11

Experimental Toronto duo Alice Glass and Ethan Kath bring their hedonistic, sinister electronic compositions to Glasgow for what promises to be an incredible night.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Crystal Castle shows.

First Aid Kit @ O2 Academy, Bristol 27/11

Expect woozy americana guitars, beautiful vocal harmonies, understatedly dramatic percussion and a wonderfully theatrical stage presence from our favourite Swedish folk sisters.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more First Aid Kit shows.

Purity Ring, Doldrums & Ghosting Season @ The Kazimier, Liverpool 28/11

Would you just look at that line-up? Whether you like your electronic music with a twist of pop, a dash of the obscure or a hefty dose of techno, this is the place to be on Wednesday.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Purity Ring shows.

Ja Ja Ja Presents Mø, Sin Cos Tan & Highasakite @ The Lexington, London 29/11

Celebrating their third birthday, Nordic Music Export are bringing over some of the finest new bands over for a night of slick female fronted pop, Finnish new wave and the kind of drama only Scandinavian countries seem to be able to muster in their indie efforts.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Find out more about JaJaJa.

Wild Nothing @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 29/11

Jack Tatum’s addictive, forlorn dream pop will swoop you up into its warm, hazy arms.

Tickets are on sale now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Wild Nothing shows.

Gigs of the Week, 9 November

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:55:17 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from long time favourites like El Perro Del Mar and Bon Iver, and paired them with more recent obsessions like Jessie Ware and Haim.

Jessie Ware @ The Cockpit, Leeds 09/11

Finally, having swooned over Devotion for what feels like a life time we’ll finally be getting to see Jessie Ware up close and personal as her UK tour really hits its stride this week.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Jessie Ware shows.

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti @ Illuminations Festival, York Hall, London 09/11

The prolific LA maverick and his band are set for a one off show as part of the incredible Illuminations Festival.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti shows.

Bon Iver @ Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center, Glasgow 10/11

With the heart-breaking intensity of their early, small shows being replaced by a grand, all embracing humour and a surreal sense of jubilation Justin Vernon and co promise to put on a stadium worthy spectacle.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Bon Iver shows.

Three Trapped Tigers @ The Village Underground, London 11/11

Experimental noise rock Londoners will be tearing up The Village Underground with Damo Suzuki for those of you who like their Sunday’s to be a little more invigorating than an over-sized roast dinner and a good film. If Matt Berry doesn’t come on stage ala the below video we’ll be disappointed.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Three Trapped Tigers shows.

El Perro Del Mar & Saint Lou Lou @ The Village Underground, London 12/11

Celebrating the release of her eagerly awaited fifth full-length Pale Fire, Gothenburg’s Sarah Assbring will undoubtedly charm crowds at this larger than usual venue.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more El Perro Del Mar shows.

Haim @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester 13/11

The LA based, sister fronted four-piece promise roaring classic americana riffs delivered by virtuoso hands and driven by taught rhythms and half spoken, breathy vocals that find themselves somewhere in between Annie Lennox and Ani DiFranco.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Haim shows.

Destroyer @ The Village Underground, London 13/11

Vancouver’s Dan Bejar Kaputt was a slow burning highlight of 2011 and we can’t thank Bird on The Wire enough for bringing his romantic, down tempo 80s grooves back once again.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Destroyer shows.

Sandro Perri @ The Lexington, London 14/11

Producer, electronic experimentalist, folk auteur and post-rock dabbler: Sandro Perri and his erstwhile moniker Polmo Polpo have been called many things. What the Toronto native can promise though, is a good live show.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Sandro Perri shows.

Holograms @ The Shacklewell Arms 15/11

Diiv label mates and Swedish electro-punks Holograms will be returning to our fair shores to deliver what we can only hope will be a frenzied set, swirling with messy guitars and howling feedback.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Holograms shows.

Iceland Airwaves 2012: Editors’ Picks

The Line Of Best Fit — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:55:43 +0000

You’ll hear the words from anyone who has been before: Iceland just has “something” about it. In the same way that Sweden really just does has something about it. It’s not just the stunning, beautifully bleak landscapes, close knit community and dancing skyscapes but the wealth of talent that springs up from the earth like the countries famous geothermal Blue Lagoon. And since its inception in an airplane hanger in 1999, Iceland Airwaves has seen the perfect combination of all these elements and this year, provides us with the perfect excuse to check out some amazing bands – some old favourites (this is afterall the first time Sigur Rós are appearing in over 11 years) and some recently discovered gems. We hope you like them all as much as we do.

Ólafur Arnalds

Harpa Norðurljós, Friday @ 21:00

Having grown up just a few kilometers outside of Reykjavík, the 24 year old composer weaves beautiful, rich tapestries of sound from a loom of classical arrangements and electronic fluctuations.

Samaris

Faktorý Upstairs, Wednesday @ 00:00 and Reykjavík Art Museum, Thursday @ 20:00

There are few bands we’re more looking forward to than Samaris, their glacial triphop experimentations are delicate and fierce all at once, and ultimately utterly beguiling.

Sóley

Iðnó, Wednesday @ 21:00 and Reykjavík Art Museum, Thursday @ 22:00

Seabear and Sin Fang member Sóley Stefánsdóttir steps out on her own to create soft, piano driven harmonies built around folk like, heart broken narratives.

Snorri Helgason

Harpa Kaldalón, Wednesday @ 00:00

Bringing vintage folk and classic Americana influences to bear, this Reykjavík native is a rare talent and to see him return for another year of Airwaves is an exciting prospect.

Lára Rúnars

Harpa Silfurberg, Thursday @ 20:00

The sultry, unique indie pop sensibilities of this local talent are marked by an underlying darkness that swells through gritty vocals, dramatic instrumentals and, at times, menacing keys.

Nico Muhly

Iðnó, Friday @ 23:00

Nico Muhly is truly rare and great talent, having studied at Juilliard his orchestral compositions are enticing in their obscure, wonderfully off-kilter and cyclic nature.

Daughter

Fríkirkjan, Saturday @ 21:00

After the release of two stunning EPs, Elena Tonra and co are currently working on their debut album for 4AD. It has been a while since they made a live appearance so in addition to the heartbreaking ‘Love’ and ‘Youth’ we’re hoping for some new material.

Me and My Drummer

Harpa Silfurberg, Friday @ 20:00

The work of Charlotte Brandi and Matze Pröllochs, Denmark’s Me and My Drummer inhabit a minimalistic musical territory that cuts straight to the heart of things.

Rökkurró

Faktorý Upstairs, Thursday @ 22:00

If you can listen to the hypnotic sighs, arresting harmonies and perfectly composed melodies of this Icelandic five-piece and still say you aren’t intrigued then quite frankly I’m not sure we can be friends anymore!

Úlfur

Harpa Silfurberg, Wednesday @ 20:00 and Þýski barinn / Deutsche bar, Friday @ 22:00

On record Jónsi’s touring bass player is known for his foreboding, clattering, rushing, rasping electronic creations but live we are told to expect the unexpected, which means we can expect anything from a one man and his laptop type senario to a 10-12 piece set-up.

Sin Fang

Iðnó, Wednesday @ 23:00 and Reykjavík Art Museum, Saturday @ 22:00

Warm ambient swells with just the right amount of pop/twee shine are to be expected from Sin Fang, the brainchild of Sindri Már Sigfússon.

Kool Thing

Gamli Gaukurinn, Friday @ 21:0

Boy are we glad that Dublin’s Julie Chance and Sydney’s Jon Dark happened to be in Paris at the same time in the same place once upon a time, otherwise we wouldn’t have their haunting, understated, seductive, swirling sonics to look forward to.

Vacationer

Harpa Norðurljós, Saturday @ 23:00

Having released their debut EP Gone earlier this year, listening to Philadelphia’s Vacationer is like tipping your toe into the warm, hazy breeze of summer – something that might well be needed in the freezing climbs of an Icelandic winter.

Low Roar

Harpa Kaldalón, Friday @ 20:0o

Having moved to Reykjavík from San Francisco, Ryan Karazija’s honest, glitchy electronic pop project deals with the isolation and incarnation of change that comes from moving to a foreign land. His stark, simple arrangements and quivering voice are quite simply stunning.

Kira Kira

Harpa Kaldalón, Saturday @ 21:00

Born Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir, Kira Kira’s compositions embody the ethos of the Kitchen Motors label and collective: melting together art forms in a twisted, experimental cacophony that finds themselves occupying a fleeting, delicate and dramatic space.

Stafrænn Hákon

Amsterdam, Wednesday @ 00:00

Subtle compositions and a distinct inclination towards lo-fi mark Stafrænn Hákon’s absolutely breath taking output.

The full line-up can be found along with more information on Iceland Airwaves’ website. Now to find a pair of mittens!

Gigs of the Week, 26 October

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:23:11 +0000

Photograph by Ryan McGinley

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Bat For Lashes, Halls and Tame Impala. We’ve also noticed a bit of a theme emerging, this week it feels all about either hitting the throttle or just blubbering in the corner: take your pick.

Bat For Lashes @ University of East Anglia, Norwich 26/10

Having debuted at number 6 in the UK charts, Natasha Khan’s beautiful, bold and dramatic third full length record The Haunted Man serves as a beacon of hope in an increasingly drudgey chart pop world.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Bat For Lashes shows.

DZ Deathrays @ The Old Blue Last, London 27/10

Alright so you don’t want to get all emotional listening to ‘Laura’ on repeat on a weekend night out?! Get yourself along the Old Blue last on Saturday night for the dirty, thrashing guitars and sweaty mosh pit sounds of Aussie duo DZ Deathrays.

Free Entry. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more DZ Deathrays shows.

Luke Sital-Singh @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 28/10

With the beauty of Jeff Buckley’s guitar work and a voice never afraid to show its forlorn, heart broken cracks Luke Sital-Singh could reduce the world to tears in mere seconds. Bring tissues. In fact if you’re planning on pushing play below, get tissues now.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Luke Sital-Singh shows.

Japandroids @ The Harley Hotel & Bar, Sheffield 29/10

I defy anyone to listen to Japandroids and refrain from air-drumming. Go on try it? It’s impossible. But now instead of walking down the street and slightly embarrassing yourself whilst defiantly mouthing the words “Remember that night you were already in bed / Said “fuck it” got up to drink with me instead!” you can do it in the confines of The Harley Hotel & Bar, along with loads of other people! Expect frenzied riffs and anthemic chorus hooks that make you nostalgic for a youth you probably never had anyway.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Japandroids shows.

Halls @ Birthdays, London 30/10

Time to get all introspective again, this time courtesy of Sam Howards’ shimmering, flickering electronic debut enterprise Ark.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Halls shows.

Night Works & San Zhi @ The Sebright Arms, London 31/10

What better way to spend All Hallows Eve with the mysterious minds behind Night Works? Expect slick, affected ambient numbers swelling with R&B beats after San Zhi have swept everyone up into their dream pop arms.

Free Entry. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Night Works shows.

Death at Sea & Wolf Alice @ Queen of Hoxton, London 31/10

Two new favourite of ours playing on the same freaking night?! You better believe we’ll be there. You should too, if either understated guitars, female vocal harmonies and analogue sounds or straight up, carefree indie rock are your thing that is.

£4 on the door. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Death at Sea shows. Check out more Wolf Alice shows.

Tame Impala @ The Ritz, Manchester 01/11

Our favourite psych rockers returned this year with their sophomore full length Lonerism and we’ve been foaming at the mouth in anticipation since waiting to see them live. Get your head banging/grooving muscles at the ready.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Tame Impala shows.

Gigs of the Week, 19 October

Lauren Down — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:55:00 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland.

All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent.After a couple of bumper weeks for live music we have realised this week, whilst being no exception, is actually pretty incredible not only for the amazing calibre of bands performing but for the combination of those acts on the same bill. Foxes, Syron and Faye all in one place? PINS and Chateaux? Drop Out Venus and Ides? Yes please. The list goes on and, trust us, you want to read it.

G R E A T W A V E S & Regal Safari @ Live at The Bunker, Salford 19/10

If slow, maudlin, minimal and mesmerising ambient records are your thing then you could do a lot worse than Sways Records’ G R E A T W A V E S and, at the moment at least, you’d be heard pressed to do better.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more G R E A T W A V E S dates. Check out more Regal Safari dates.

Metz @ Library, Leeds 21/10

The raw momentum contained within this Toronto trio’s drums alone is enough to make us want to actually pay to use the cloakroom and throw in with every sweaty, hardcore fan that will undoubtedly be at the front.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Foxes, Faye & Syron @ Madame JoJos (White Heat), London 23/10

Three of pop music’s biggest stars, (or at least that is what this would read if we were in charge of pop music), in one room can’t be anything less than amazing can it? Expect a powerhouse of crisp, powerful, slick female vocals with differently flavoured undercurrents from R&B through to euro dance.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Foxes dates. Check out more Syron dates. Check out more Faye dates here.

Seams, Face + Heel & Breton @ Scala, London 24/10

We’ve probably spent too much time banging on about how much we love these artists, but we really really do and you should too. You should definitely think about spending your Wednesday night amidst the angular notes of Breton, the ebbing electronics of Seams and the intoxicating down tempo, dubstep fused beats of Face + Heel.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Seams dates. Check out more Breton dates. Check out more Face + Heel dates.

PINS, Bird & Chateaux @ The Sebright Arms, London 24/10

A northern invasion that doesn’t involve more bands from Birmingham? Brilliant. PINS bring rich, textured atmospherics from Manchester, Bird offer up haunting, fractured folk tales from Liverpool and last but certainly not least Manchester’s Chateaux bend synths to their will with really rather stunning consequences.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more PINS dates. Check out more Bird dates. Check out more Chateaux dates.

Actress, Evian Christ & Teengirl Fantasy – Village Underground, London 24/10

A chance to see Tri-Angle signed, twisted, minimal R&B producer Evian Christ alongside Werk Discs techno pioneer Actress and Ohio duo Teengirl Fantasy? God damn it why can’t we be in two places at once? Why doesn’t that technology exist yet?! Huh?!

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Actress dates. Check out more Evian Christ dates. Check out more Teengirl Fantasy dates.

Drop Out Venus & Ides @ The Sebright Arms, London 25/10

The minds behind What She Said are ready for their inaugural East London outing with a more than worthy evening line-up contender of Drop Out Venus and Ides. You’ll definitely find us here.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Drop Out Venus dates.

Palma Violets & Childhood @ Brixton Jamm, London 25/10

Celebrating the release of their Rough Trade debut single ‘Best Friends’, Savages frequent touring partners bring their raucous, early Walkmen reminiscent frenzy to Brixton this week. They’re also bringing with them re-emerged favourites Childhood.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Palma Violets dates. Check out more Childhood dates.

Mikhael Paskalev, Ólöf Arnalds & The New Tigers @ The Lexington, London 25/10

Another bout of musical goodness but this time of the Nordic variety as our sister site brings her club night back to The Lexington for a very special Ólöf Arnalds featuring edition of Ja Ja Ja.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out our sister site Ja Ja Ja.

Sauna Youth, Cold Pumas and Playlounge @ The Cricketers, Kingston Upon Thames 25/10

Party Politics presents a night of scuzzy, throwing caution to the wind, high octane guitar music.

Tickets are £3 on the door. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more Sauna Youth dates. Check out more Playlounge dates. Check out more Cold Pumas dates.

EKKO Festival 2012

The Line Of Best Fit — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:08:10 +0000

Bjørn Torske by Kim Hiorthoy

What do the delicately crafted ambient experiments of John Talabot, the twisted sonics of central Pennsylvania native Alec Koone, aka Balam Acab, the slick, Balearic pop efforts of El Perro del Mar, the minimalist wonders of Pearson Sound and a documentary about LCD Soundsystem all have in common? Yep, you guessed it, they’re all making an appearance at Bergen’s EKKO Festival. Held in Østre House in the city from 20 October – 3 November, Ekko boasts a seriously impressive, adventurous programme of electronic music, visual art events and film screenings.

Pearson Sound

El Perro Del Mar

Bjørn Torske

John Talabot

Drink To Me

We went last year and couldn’t recommend it highly enough, so why not take a gander at the events below and tell us you’re not tempted?

October
20 – Mikal Telle, Trevor Jackson and ‘Shut Up and Play The Hits’
26 – Sewing Machine Orchestra (Live), Balam Acab, Sprutbass, Sandra Kolstad, Gus Gus, Sanhueza
27 – Snasen, Boska, Monolake: Ghost in Surround, Jimmy Edgar: Majenta Live Show, Barker & Baumecker, Lots Lots DJs
31 – Lemur: Critical Band, Stian Westerhus

November
1 – Origami Boe, David Toop, Drink To Me, El Perro del Mar, Ital, DJ Robot
2 – Bjørn Torske, Skatebård: Transilvanian Galaxi, Todd Terje: Bestillingsverk, Âme, Tobii
3 – Ekko DJs, Gavin Russom Solo, John Talabot, Pearson Sound

More information and tickets can be found here.

Supersonic Festival 2012

Jude Clarke — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:55:19 +0000

For ten years now the Supersonic Festival has been bringing its adventurous and experimental line-ups to Birmingham. The resolutely urban weekend, in the heart of the city’s Custard Factory, has gone from strength to strength. The festival has always showcased an impressive, obscure, challenging and fascinating range of acts, and also offers festival-goers the opportunity to attend a range of classes on everything from fanzine-making to electronic instrument creation. Taking place from 19-21 October, tere are some of our picks for likely highlights this year.

Goat

This much talked-about world-music-meets-psychedelia act come from a remote and mysterious part of northern Sweden. Pretty apt that they themselves are remote and mysterious then. If they can channel the creative energy of recent album World Music live, then this should be an incredible show.

Six Organs of Admittance

Guitarist Ben Chasny’s main vehicle, Six Organs of Admittance are often associated with “New Weird” Americana, although the music is as much endebted to eastern influences, with its evocative blend of drone, chimes, and hypnotic percussion. East meets West in a hypnotic, enthralling melange.

Body/Head

Sonic Youth‘s Kim Gordonneeds no introduction, and she’s all over the schedule for the Supersonic weekend. Performing with free-noise guitarist Bill Nace as one half of the duo Body/Head (described by the festival organisers as “unpredictable”), she is also bringing her Reverse Karaoke (a collaborative installation with artist Jutta Koether) to Supersonic.

Gnod

An act with an uncompromising aesthetic, Gnod’ combine their “psycho-delic, doomsday motorik” with improvisation and bizarre half-human toasting. Indescribable, unsettling, eerie and mind-bending, this is a band to witness in a darkened room, as your head spins and your bowels quite possibly shake.

KK Null

Kazuyuki Kinshino from Tokyo is a Supersonic favourite. This multi-instrumentalist and experimental musician makes it his business to explore the relationships between traditional rock and extreme noise . Anyone who witnessed his show-stopping collaboration with Lash Frenzy at 2010′s event might just about have a graspe of the dramatic and disorientating work that he is capable of.

Modified Toy Orchestra

Some no-less thought-provoking, but rather gentler, lighter musical experimentation is available once again this year, in the form of the charming Modified Toy Orchestra. The clue’s in the name: the orchestra explore the hidden and latent potential inside redundant technology, such as abandoned children’s electronic toys, producing curious and often impressively sophisticated new musical instruments. A beautiful, impressive and highly entertaining show ensues.

Tickets are still available from the Supersonic website.

Sŵn Festival 2012: Essential Picks

The Line Of Best Fit — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:50:27 +0000

Last year’s Sŵn Festival was nothing short of brilliant. We hosted a stage, drunkenly stumbled down chip alley and most importantly saw some amazing bands. Naturally when it was all over we couldn’t wait for the next one. Luckily we’ve only got a couple of days left before it starts all over again and this year we’ve got two stages, the full line-up of which you can now see above) and even more amazing bands to check out. We tried to keep this list to a manageable 10 but we’re pretty sure we’ve gone way over, but with the likes of Foxes, Faye, Among Brothers, Peace, Deptford Goth and AlunaGeorge all making appearance what were we supposed to do?! Check out our essential performance picks taking place from 18-21 October.

Gulp
Thursday @ Solus, 8.15pm & Ten Feet Tall, 10pm

Super Furry Animal‘s man Guto Pryce gets his side-project kicks with Scottish born singer Lindsey Leven in the beautifully tripped out, understated romantic pop of Gulp.

Foxes
Thursday @ Buffalo, 10.15pm

Continuing on a pop kick but with a seriously amped up late night disco edge is 22 year old Louisa Rose Allen, aka Foxes. Irresistible, sultry and pitch perfect, much like our next act.

Faye
Thursday @ Buffalo, 11.15pm

Having released her debut single ‘Water Against The Rocks’ via our very own Best Fit Recordings earlier this year, Faye continues to deliver infectious, synth driven, power-house pop numbers wrapped in distinctly Swedish textures and the kind of slick precision that could only come from being involved in the industry since the age of 12.

Cut Ribbons
Friday @ Dempseys, 10.45pm

Llanelli locals and Kissability signings Cut Ribbons offer up anthemic guitars and euphoric indie-pop in equal doses.

Jewellers
Friday @ O’Neill’s (St Mary St), 7.00pm

Newport’s answer to Gold Panda, electronic duo Jewellers offer up slinky, minimal beats best suited to crowded, dark dancefloors illuminated by the occasional flashing light.

Mazes
Friday @ Great Hall, 7.15pm

Spiky post-punk guitars and rattling west coast garage rock Jack Cooper and co promise a carefree, head-rush of a show.

Deptford Goth
Saturday @ Buffalo, 2.30pm

South London’s Daniel Woolhouse delivers beautifully crafted, fuzzy, hypnotic beats as Deptford Goth.

PINS
Saturday @ O’Neill’s (St Mary St), 6.15pm

Recent Bella Union darlings, PINS definitely fulfil half the festival’s buzz factor by themselves, but more than just a buzz band PINS offer up bewitching textured pop, permeated with rumbling drums and perfect brooding vocal harmonies.

AlunaGeorge
Saturday @ Buffalo, 6.30pm

Aluna Francis and George Reid’s fresh take on R&B fuses funky bass lines and saccharine bubble gum pop vocals effortlessly.

Face + Heel
Saturday @ Buffalo Bar, 8.00pm

London/Cardiff duo Sinead Mcmillan and Luke Taylor’s warm ambient creations are the perfect soundtrack to those hazy, early morning after party hours.

Childhood
Saturday @ Clwb Ifor Bach (Upstairs), 8.15pm

‘Blue Velvet’ has just about everyone in 2010 raving about Childhood, then without warning they seemed to vanish into the overly stuffed Christmas ether but the shoegaze indebted duo are back, ready to officially release the aforementioned track in November via House Anxiety.

Bright Light Bright Light
Saturday @ Buffalo, 9.15pm

Shimmering, 80s inspired electro pop from Welsh born Rod Thomas sounds almost as if it was designed for a Saturday night and the picturesque, slow motion nostalgia that can inspire.

Among Brothers
Sunday @ O’Neill’s (St Mary St), 3.00pm

Blissful, chamber pop reaching romanticism from Cardiff’s very own Among Brothers.

Swiss Lips
Sunday @ Clwb Ifor Bach (Upstairs), 5.45pm

Straight-up indie flecked dance pop from Manchester five-piece promises to get any dancefloor moving, even if it’s still only early evening.

Luke Sital-Singh
Sunday @ 10 Feet Tall, 7pm

The forlorn heartbreak held within Luke Sital-Singh’s voice and gently plucked acoustic guitar strings will provide a rare and much needed moment of respite.

Rozi Plain
Sunday @ 10 Feet Tall, 8.00pm

Purveyor of alt folk-pop, Winchester born Rozi Plain is set to release her sophomore album Joined Sometimes Unjoined via Fence Records on 22 October, so why not help her celebrate.

Gigs of the Week, 12 October

Lauren Down — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:13:26 +0000

Mount Kimbie @ QEH, London 13/10

Post dub-step duo Dominic Maker and Kai Campos are set to play their first live UK show in quite some time as part of Ether Festival. Expect minimal, hypnotic beats and perhaps some new material from their forthcoming sophomore record. They’ll be collaborating with installation and light artists Caleb Madden and Bartosz Dylweski for the show so we reckon this will be pretty special.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Tamaryn @ Soup Kitchen, Manchester 14/10

The follow up to 2010′s The Waves, Tamaryn’s new Mexican Summer released record Tender New Signs fuses blissful sonics and sultry vocals for the perfect daydreamy haze.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Dirty Projectors @ The Arches, Glasgow 15/10

On the heels of their recent critically acclaimed, most accessible album Swing Lo Magellan, Brooklyn six-piece Dirty Projectors are heading our way and will undoubtedly be treating fans to numbers from their forthcoming EP About To Die.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Fun Adults @ Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds 15/10

Celebrating the release of their Tough Love debut single, Fun Adults will be bringing their gentle sounds, clattering beats and smooth vocal harmonies to Leeds.

£3 on the door. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Faye, Cut Ribbons & Among Brothers @ The Shacklewell, London 17/10

Kissability vs. The Line of Best Fit: Soaring, Scandivian pop; rumbling indie guitars; dreamy, intricate and dramatic instrumentals. What more could you want from a Wednesday night?!

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Liars @ Rainbow Warehouse, Birmingham 18/10

Emerging from New York’s post-punk dance scene Angus Andrew, Aaron Hemphill and Julian Gross really don’t sound like anything else, bringing in elements from recognisable cannons but twisting them into their own unique, at least on WIXIW, electronic creations.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds & A Winged Victory For The Sullen @ Hackney Empire, London 18/10

Classical music meets the contemporary world as Bird On The Wire, Drowned In Sound, Clash Magazine and Classical Music Magazine present an evening of music in celebration of Erased Tapes‘ fifth birthday, with performances from Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, A Winged Victory For The Sullen Chamber Orchestra and special guest Anne Müller.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Ether Festival 2012: Best Fit speaks to Tyondai Braxton

Andrew Hannah — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:55:29 +0000

Alongside the likes of John Cale, Christian Marclay, Mount Kimbie and iamamiwhoami, this year’s Ether Festival – one of the capital’s premier music, arts and technology events – at the Southbank Centre features a special performance by former Battles member Tyondai Braxton. Always a contemporary composer, and very much now an esteemed solo performer in his own right, Braxton is uniting with the London Sinfonietta – some of the finest avant-garde players in the country – for a recital of his 2009 album for Warp Records, Central Market. Initially recorded with the Wordless Music Orchestra, that album was a triumphant melding of the orchestral, minimal and rock worlds, and following a successful show at the Lincoln Center with the Wordless players, Braxton has brought his work to London town for a second time following a rendition at Steve Reich’s Reverberations in 2011.

We caught up with Tyondai to find out how this show came about, the acts he’s sharing the bill with, and also asked about his recent collaboration with the legendary Philip Glass.

Hello Tyondai, does this London performance of Central Market excite you or fill you with nerves?

I’m more excited because my core group and I know the music really well. Everyone is settled in a bit more and I’m excited to join forces with the London Sinfonietta.

How did you get involved with the London Sinfonietta?

It came about through Gillian Moore and Southbank. She was at the Barbican when we did Central Market with the BBC Symphony Orchestra for Steve Reich’s Reverberation festival last year. We got a chance to meet and talked about doing it at Ether this year.

Did you ever expect that when you recorded Central Market in 2009 that it would evolve like this, or was that all part of the plan?

I knew I wanted to do live performances of this music but how it would come together had yet to be determined when I completed the record. Wordless [Music Orchestra] and I talked about it during the process of recording and the opportunity revealed itself for the Lincoln Center show last year.

What are the difficulties in translating Central Market from record to a live setting? Have you had to change or drop anything?

I did have to re-orchestrate some elements in order for the pieces to be played, but not too much actually. I ended up adding some parts as my orchestrations ended up being lopsided in certain pieces.

What can you tell us about the other acts on the bill, are you an admirer of their work?

The other pieces on the program are all composers whose work I admire. The London Sinfonietta will be performing all of the works. I studied with Ingram Marshall when I was an undergrad studying music composition. His music is informed by minimalism in some ways, but he has a unique sensibility that is wholly him. Edgard Varese and Toru Takemitsu are very important to me and I have gone through long periods of obsessing over their music. Edgard Varese in particular I listen to constantly and it’s been like that for years. Bryce [Dessner] who is in the band The National is also a brilliant composer, whose work I’ve gotten a chance to know over the years. I’m excited to hear the re-orchestration of his piece Aheym for the Sinfonietta.

Someone like Bryce Dessner draws a few comparisons with you – he plays in “rock” bands but also finds time for the “avant-garde. Do you know him at all, is he a kindred spirit?

I’ve actually known Bryce for about 12 years. I met him when I wrote music for this dance troupe in 2000. I got to know his music from another project he’s been a part of for years called Clogs before I knew The National. I do appreciate his ability to work in a lot of different ways as seamlessly as he does. He works hard and does really great projects.

What can we expect visually? How is the recital set up – do you take centre stage?

No, I’ll just be performing in the electric guitar section, just another performer.

How many other players are there?

There’s something like 35 players in the orchestra.

Do you enjoy working with an orchestra?

I love working with orchestras. Each one is different and it’s always a great experience to see how each one operates.

How did you end up working with Philip Glass for your All Tomorrow’s Parties collaboration in New York?

Beck and Hector Castillo, a producer/engineer for Philip, asked me to do a remix for the remix record that’s coming out at the end of this month. I remixed his piece ‘Rubric’ from Glassworks, one of my favourite records of his. I guess they were into the remix and his management and mine orbited each other and they ended up reaching out to us asking if I’d do a duo for ATP. I jumped at the opportunity and it ended up being such an incredible experience. I’m grateful to Philip for his music and influence, but also for his character and kindness.

How did the ATP collaboration go, was it a success? Was it difficult to plan out and execute, or did you work well together?

I really loved our show at ATP. It sounded amazing on stage to me and the crowd seemed to be into it. Some people complained about sound issues in some reviews I read – yes I do read reviews sometimes – but it sounded great from where I was. We rehearsed a couple of times so it wasn’t straight up improvised, but there were elements of improvisation. It thought our universes connected in exciting ways. I’m very happy to have had a chance to experience that.

Is he someone your father [composer and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braxton] knew or worked with? Did you discover his work separately from your dad or is this music you heard growing up?

I don’t think they ever played together. I heard his music growing up for sure but I couldn’t fully understand it and appreciate it until I got older.

Is Glass very much a “remixable” composer?

You’d be hard pressed to find a composer whose music lends itself more to being remixed than Philip Glass. This is a man who reinvented repetition and pulse, along with composers like Steve Reich, Terry Reilly and Lamonte Young and influenced what electronic music and dance music eventually grew out of.

Would you regard yourself as a composer, like Glass or Steve Reich?

I would say that I’m a composer but I can’t say I regard myself like Glass or Reich. They are in a class of their own.

Can I ask about your time in Battles? Do you feel more at home working as a solo artist?

I’m glad for my time in Battles. It got to a place where it wasn’t possible to continue. I think we did great work together and I’m glad to move on. It’s not that I feel more at home doing my own music… it’s more that I have to do my own music. I still believe in collaborations and I’m excited to do more.

What’s next for Tyondai Braxton?

I’m working on a new record and a new project for next year, that’s more electronic based. I’m also in the process of completing two commissions, one for the chamber orchestra Alarm Will Sound to premiere at Carnegie Hall next year and one for this ensemble from Brooklyn called Yarn/Wire. We’ll be bringing Central Market to LA as well, performing with the LA Philharmonic.

Tyondai Braxon and the London Sinfonietta will play at Central Market at part of the Southbank Centre’s Ether festival on 09 October. Tickets and more information are available here.

Gigs of the Week, 5 October

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:56:26 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafes and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week, we’ve got an Ether Festival special featuring the likes of Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble, Apparat and iamamiwhoami, with a couple of extras thrown in from the likes of Why? and Angel Haze for good measure.

Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London 05/10

The Berlin based 10-piece techno project effortlessly wrap electronic beats around classical structures and instruments, producing a minimal yet wonderfully organic sound.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Ghostpoet/Soap&Skin @ Royal Festival Hall, London 05/10

The Mercury nominated singer and the experimental Austrian artist is not some obscure fairytale but what you can expect from tonight’s show at the Southbank Centre from Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam man Obaro Ejimiwe and 22 year old Anja Plaschg.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Apparat @ QEH, London 06/10

Having cancelled a couple of dates earlier in the summer to get himself back on track, Berlin’s Sascha Ring returns to London with Apparat to unleash the sumptuous and engaging tunes from 2011′s The Devil’s Walk, and hopefully a couple from Walls, the mesmerising album that made us fall un love with Apparat in the first place.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Radiohead @ Manchester Arena, Manchester 06/10

In the midst of a string of European tour dates, Radiohead head to Manchester to bring their eclectic and unmistakable blend of soaring vocals, majestic melodies, off kilter rhythms and eccentricity to the famously friendly Manchester crowd.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

For John Cage by Morton Feldman @ Purcell Rooms, Southbank Centre London 08/10

In celebration of John Cage’s centennial year, Darragh Morgan and John Tilbury interpret Morton Feldman’s specially inspired work For John Cage. Having taken this performance around Europe, the pair are now set to adorn the stage of the Purcell Rooms to give this special performance a London airing.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook.

Angel Haze @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London 08/10

“I run New York” is the chant running through the American rapper’s latest tune, so let’s see what the 21 year old musician makes of London. Incredibly talented, and with an the ability to twist and spit words like nothing we’ve seen or heard, this show is set to be intense and very memorable.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Tyondai Braxton and London Sinfonietta @ QEH, London 09/10

Ex-Battles man and bona fide solo artist Tyondai Braxton will join forces with the London Sinfonietta to perform a special concert at London’s Ether festival, handing the experimental American composer the tools to demonstrate his musical prowess alongside one of the most respected chamber orchestras in the world.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

LCMDF @ The Social, London 09/10

Finnish sisters LCMDF – full name Le Corps Mince de Françoise – are returning to London for a series of dates around town, and to unveil tracks from their forthcoming series of EPs. Gallantly energetic and an irresistible live proposition, we can’t wait to hear the new tunes they have in store.

Free Entry. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Balam Acab @ Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh 09/10

Pennsylvania’s Balam Acab heads to Edinburgh in the midst of his European tour, to showcase the mesmeric, ghostly mixes and entrancing soundscapes that have made him one of the most exciting electronic artists around.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Aphex Twin @ Barbican, London 10/10

Let’s now move from a new electronic artist to an absolute musical institution, as Aphex Twin presents the first UK performance of his Remote Orchestra concept, with help from the Heritage Orchestra and Choir. This event is very much sold out, but if you’ve already got a ticket, you’re set to witness something incredibly special.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

iamamiwhoami @ QEH, London 10/10

A performer that has used the tool of YouTube to present her sonic and visual works to an audience of hungry music fans, this show, part of the Southbank Centre’s Ether festival, marks Swedish singer-songwriter Jonna Lee’s first UK performance.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Anna Meredith & Horsebox @ Purcell Room Southbank Centre, London 10/10

A young but highly acclaimed composer, Anna Meredith will be performing her mesmeric productions alongside her band, Horsebox. Having supported the likes of These New Puritans, Broadcast and James Blake on tour, Meredith’s performance at Ether festival is set to show how she’s well on her way to becoming a compositional icon of her generation.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Why? @ The Fleece, Bristol 11/10

Celebrating the release of their new album, Mumps, Etc. Yoni Wolf and co. are set to take the UK by storm with their tales of love, life, sex, death and…other things.. If you’re feeling a bit blue Bristol, get yourself down to The Fleece for this performance which will make you laugh, gasp, smile and dance, all within the space of about an hour.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Boy it’s a good week for shows huh?

Gigs of the Week, 29 September

The Line Of Best Fit — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:47:12 +0000

Nicolas Jaar @ The Warehouse Project, Manchester 29/09

Taking some time out from remixes and collaborating with famous kids, our favourite American via Chile producer is set to bring his innovative, left field sonic collage to Manchester tonight for a live show in and along side Maya Jane Coles, Julio Bashmore, Four Tet (DJ) and Joy Orbison.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Echo Lake @ The Lexington, London 01/10

After the tragic loss of drummer Pete Hayes, Echo Lake are ready to return to the live circuit to treat fans to the woozy dream pop featured on their stunning debut album Wild Peace.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Ray Davies @ The Sage, Gateshead 02/10

The Kinks‘ legendary frontman continues to pay homage to the classics whilst cautiously airing newer material and is guaranteed to be nothing short of spectacular.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Azealia Banks @ O2 Academy, Liverpool 02/10

The ’212′, rap “quitting”, album delaying star is finally set to tour the UK and we can’t wait to see what she has got.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Shonen Knife @ The Glee Club, Nottingham 03/10

The Osaka all-female three-piece have been peddling their punk infused, 60s pop inspired wares since 1981 and well, their infectious, simple guitar driven melodies have held on to their vitality pretty tightly.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Swim Deep @ The Sebright Arms, London 04/10

Birmingham really is just a one stop shop for incredible new bands at the moment. We’re not quite sure what they’re putting in the water up there but we’re pretty sure whatever it is was distilled in the 90s.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Wintersleep @ Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow 04/10

The Nova Scotian indie veterans’ recent full length album Hello Hum is a mournful, optimistic and stirring collection of tracks that will undoubtedly result in held breaths and heaving sighs from those lucky enough to experience it live.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Gigs of the Week, 21 September

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:54:49 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland, although we have to admit this week it is, unintentionally, all about London. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Drop Out Venus, Dan Deacon and The Beach Boys.

Deep Time @ The Lexington, London 21/09

Previously known to you and I as YellowFever, Austin duo Jennifer Moore and Adam Jones released their twisted, post-punk, pop full length as Deep Time via Sub Pop imprint Hardly Art in July.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Best Friends, BITCHES, Colours & Omi Palone @ The Brixton Windmill, London 22/09

The Brixton Windmill offers up an incredible all day line-up bursting at the seams with gnarly Sheffield born California inspired surf pop, killer deadpan melodies and a BBQ.

Tickets are available on the door. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more about the ‘Nothing Bad Will Ever Happen’ all day-er here.

Drop Out Venus @ Madame JoJos, London 25/09

Our favourite Deptford trio’s double A-side single ‘Elastic Teen Rent/I Kill Foxes’ is due out via Dirty Bingo Records very soon but as anyone who as already seen them in the flesh will know, their live shows are what it is all about.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Mark Stewart & Factory Floor @ The Village Underground, London 26/09

Post industrial experimentalist Factory Floor and The Pop Group founder Mark Stewart promise an evening of austere yet warm beats and just about every pop culture reference you can think of.

Tickets are available on the door. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Dan Deacon @ The Scala, London 26/09

There is probably nothing that Baltimore’s Dan Deacon has not done. He’s been busy scoring Francis Ford Coppola movies, writing his own classical masterpieces and remixing tween-pop songs but he’s kindly decided to take a moment to grace us with his sonic presence.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Ja Ja Ja presents Sandra Kolstad, Phantom and The White Album @ The Lexington, London 27/09

Our favourite nordic affair is back, and we can’t bloomin’ wait.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out our sister site here.

Peace & Temples @ The Barfly, London 27/09

Birmingham’s finest are set to invade Camden for the buzziest show of the week.

SOLD OUT. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

The Beach Boys @ Royal Albert Hall 27/09

The jangly surf pop vibes inspired by these 60s legends is pretty ubiquitous in this gig guide alone, not to mention the general musical landscape at the moment, so we can’t imagine anything better than going back to the source. We’ll be praying it still sounds as good.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Gigs of the Week, 15 September

The Line Of Best Fit — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 12:58:38 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Jens Lekman, Casablanca and Richard Hawley.

Lemonade @ Button Factory, Dublin 15/09

Having played London this past week, the New York electro pop trio are making their way to Dublin to treat crowds to the balearic, euphoric perfection contained within their recent True Panther Sounds full-length Diver.

Tickets are available on the door. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Casablanca @ Old Blue Last, London 18/09

Celebrating the launch of their brand new single ‘Yes’, Jacob Wheldon, Callum Akass, Tom Herzberg and Tom MacColl – aka Casablanca – are set to bring their lovelorn, jangly guitar driven pop melodies to the Old Blue Last and they’re bringing old schoolmates Theme Park along to DJ too.

Free Entry. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Dntel @ The Temple HMV Institute, Birmingham

The brainchild of Jimmy Tamborello, Dntel’s latest record Aimlessness is a twelve track journey through warm ambient electronics that features perfect collaborations from the likes of Nite Jewel.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Richard Hawley @ Brighton Dome, Brighton 19/09

Richard Hawley’s sixth solo album Standing at the Sky’s Edge has just garnered him a well deserved Mercury Prize nomination, if you’ve not managed to catch his legendary live performances you’d do well to head along to at least one of the many shows he is playing across the UK this month.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Frightened Rabbit @ Deaf Institute, Manchester 19/09

The follow up to last year’s eponymous EP, Selkirk’s finest are set to release State Hospital on 24 September but will be playing a handful of shows beforehand. Expect an evening of heart breaking, emotive, folk tinged shivers to be sent down your collective spines.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Jens Lekman @ Hackney Empire, London 20/09

The Gothenburg native’s latest album is a collection of bruised romantic tracks, enveloping in their intimacy and light-hearted in their wit.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Gigs of the Week, 7 September

The Line Of Best Fit — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:02:38 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of shows happening in the grand concert halls, dimly lit basements, airy cafe’s and grimy sweatboxes across the UK and Ireland. All acts featured come with the Best Fit ‘Seal Of Approval’ so you can be assured that your hard earned cash will be well spent. To tempt your wallets this week we’ve gathered dates from the likes of Patti Smith, Chad Valley and the rather unique The Africa Express tour.

The Africa Express @ The Big Top, Creative Common, Bristol 07/09

Having already stopped off in Middlesbrough, Glasgow, Manchester and Cardiff The Africa Express is set to bring its rather unique collaborative event to Bristol tonight. Expect appearances from the likes of Damon Albarn, Amadou & Mariam, Carl Barât, Kano, Kyla La Grange, Spoek Mathambo, Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club), Temper Trap, the Yeah Yeah Yeah‘s Nick Zinner and many more.

Sold Out. Check out more dates here.

Deap Vally @ Rescue Rooms, Nottingham 08/09

According to our News Editor this Californian duo “look like they’ve walked straight from the set of ‘Natural Born Killers’”, which we have to admit is a pretty damn accurate descriptions: their “liquor-store chic” underlying explosive guitars, raw Joplin-esque vocals and simple rock ‘n’ roll values.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Patti Smith @ Corn Exchange, Cambridge 10/09

Patti Smith’s tough, poet activist exterior belies a warmth and passion that can be a little too hard to come by these days, and despite her worries to the contrary, her most recent record Banga and its subsequent tour proves she is still relevant – vital in fact.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Jonathan Boulet @ The Shacklewell Arms, London 12/09

Celebrating the release of his new album We Keep The Beat, Found The Sound, See The Need, Start The Heart, the Sydney native is bringing his Mae Shi flecked harmonies to East London’s buzziest pub this week.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

MS MR @ Birthdays, London 12/09

When the New York City duo released their debut single ‘Hurricane’ back in May we just couldn’t wait to see what they would do live. Unfortunately we had to as they post-poned their UK tour but boy has the time flown by and here we are again, standing on the brink of a slick-pop filled evening.

Tickets are available now. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Chad Valley @ The Sebright Arms, London 13/09

Hugo Manuel is back. The full length follow up to his 2011 EP Equatorial Ultravox, entitled Young Hunger is set to drop on 19 November and it looks like The Sebright Arms will be the first chance we’ll get to hear some new material, other than the excellent taste we’ve already had in the Glasser featuring number ‘Fall 4 U’.

Sold Out. RSVP via Facebook. Check out more dates here.

Bestival 2012: Ten To See

The Line Of Best Fit — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:10:36 +0000

Bestival, in all its fancy dress, boutique-to-blockbuster glory, famously marks the end of the summer festival season so as you all dust off your wellies, decant your spirits and get ready to curse the distance from the car to the campsite for the last time this year, we thought we’d give you the low-down on a couple of acts you should at least attempt to see in between the partying.

Sigur Rós

You probably couldn’t get much closer to blissful transcendence at a festival than listening to Sigur Rós’ epically cinematic, sweeping harmonies wrap themselves around thousands of hushed revellers. Not one for drinking beer and chatting through guys, we know it’s hard sometimes, but just this once.

Bat For Lashes

If you’ve managed to watch the above video for ‘Laura’, the first track to be taken from Bat For Lashes’ forthcoming album The Haunted Man, without welling up, you’ve stronger tear ducts than all of us – maybe the festival atmosphere and thousands of people singing along will get to you.

Gold Panda

Undoubtedly one of the best acts we saw at Field Day this year, Gold Panda’s scintillating electronic offerings are guaranteed to pick you up out of any kind of stupor, drag you into your second wind and get you moving – well that is if you can move for all the bodies that, if they know what is good for them, will be crushed around you.

Daughter

Daughter’s Wild Youth EP was genuinely one of the most heart breaking records to have emerged last year, so now Elena Tonra & co have signed with 4AD we’re naturally expecting more of the same. Please help satiate our curiosity by going to see them.

Dirty Beaches

Taiwanese-born Canadian Alex Zhang Hungtai, aka Dirty Beaches, has an affinity for the eerie, dark tones that underlined much of the 50s slick, motocycle aesthetic. A set to lose yourself in if ever there was one.

Jessie Ware

Responsible for possibly the finest pop record this year, Jessie Ware’s delivery of Devotion live is pretty damn flawless.

Stealing Sheep

Heavenly Recording darlings Stealing Sheep have been touring the UK more extensively than anyone else we can think of right now and every time we see them they just get better. So whether you’ve seen them before or have never experienced their gently lilting folk offerings now would be the perfect time.

Alunageorge

Aluna Francis and George Reid offer up a deliciously distorted, electronic take on the slicker half of the 90s so if you like the idea of r’n'b with a modern twist you would be a fool to miss this.

Actress

It’s the mix of two-step and tech with just a hint of UK garage that makes Wolverhampton-born, south London based producer Darren Cunningham’s output so damn irresistible.

Willis Earl Beal

Last time we saw the Chicago native’s sharp cut figure he stepped on stage and cried ““Welcome to the Holy Church of Willis Earl Beal” before proceeding to read from a leather bound collection of poems. Unpredictable and inspiring, his performances come pretty damn close to life affirming.