Music Reviews, News, Interviews & Downloads
We sent National fangirls Jen Long and Laura Snapes to Eindhoven, Holland for the Cross Linx Festival. Here’s what happened.
Coachella Festival 2011 looks set to be a scorcher, with a line up that includes a reunited Death From Above 1979, Arcade Fire, PJ Harvey, Warpaint and Suede.
Boundlessly topping end of year lists left right and centre with ‘High Violet’, The National end a truly triumphant year with a three night stint at London’s Brixton Academy. Here, Valerio Berdini captures the third and final night in photographic form.
Belle & Sebastian, The Flaming Lips, Mogwai, Fleet Foxes, Animal Collective, Swans, Suicide, The National, Mercury Rev and Velvet Underground’s John Cale have all been confirmed for Primavera Sound ’11.
Way Out West could be regarded as two, overlapping festivals. When the forest closes at midnight, it passes the musical torch to a number of clubs around the city centre. This divide between Way Out West and Stay Out West (the club gigs) are both the festival’s forté, and it’s biggest problem.
Now in its 20th year, the initial line-up of France’s premier Summer festival has drawn quite a cast of artists; Massive Attack, The Flaming Lips, The National, Caribou, Liars and Owen Pallett are all confirmed for the three day festival which takes place in St Malo between August 13-15.
The National have confirmed a special hometown performance for May 15 at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music). All ticket proceeds will benefit Red Hot, a leading international organisation dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.
While the songs on High Violet might not be as immediately affecting and compelling as those on the National’s last two records, these tracks have a lasting, absorbing appeal that only flourishes over time.
More wonderful music news for a Tuesday morning, featuring one of TLOBF on Radio 1 this evening, a new single from worriedaboutsatan, The National confirm album plans and Band of Horses announce a couple of regional tour dates.
No amount of words can do this band justice – it suffices just to say that it’s a new song by The National, the name alone acting as a kite mark of sublime quality.
Their new album will be released THIS YEAR, and the band have confirmed a one-off show at the Royal Albert Hall for May…
It’s the last TLOBF feature of the year… The best, and must hear, albums since the noughties arrived – as chosen by TLOBF contributors. Enjoy.