Florence and the Machine

Wow, this lady is decent looking, belts out original punk rock, and has a very unique edge to her music. Might not be everyone's favourite sound but certainly worth a look. She has a hell of a lot going for her and odds on shes going to go massive. I hate to say this after that "doos" coined the phrase, but she's got the X-factor.

Anyway she's got quite the gigtastic UK lineup with three shows at the Shepherds Bush Empire, 27, 28 and 29 September, £15 a ticket. I reckon for that price she's definitely worth it.

This Is My Last Resort (Papa Roach)

I've been listening to Papa Roach for a number of years now. Specifically the song, "Last Resort" which was my introduction to this hard rock band. They certainly are close to my heavy threshold, but their intense energy and solid guitar riffs make them a satisfactory listen. And their song openings are insane!

The new album "Metamorphosis" grows on you as you listen to it, but with the exception of "I almost told you that I loved you" it lacks a certain dynamism. The lyrics almost fade away rather than being indelibly etched on your mind like "Last Resort".

"Suffocation! No Breathing! Don't give a F.ck if I cut myself bleeding" Thats a really difficult line to forget.

Anyway they're playing Brixton Academy on October 10. So if you're in the mood to throw down 17 quid 50 (quite good value IMHO) and enjoy a night of hard rock Do It!

Franz Ferdinand

Take me Out to see Franz Ferdinand... Brixton Academy

A bit too poppy for some, but he certainly does have a few catchy tunes. I find them catchy, but for the most part dry and uninspiring. So I don't think I'm going to shell out my hard earned poundarani for this one but "No You Girls" and "Ulysses" as individual singles definitely have a certain uniqueness & head back towards their Indie Roots.

Being the predecessor to bands in the same genre such as Kaiser Chiefs, Arcade Fire and the Arctic Monkeys they have unfortunately lost a lot of ground. One of the biggest disappointments is that the songs all seem like more of the same. You can almost sing, "Take You Out" over all the instrumental sequences. Try it I dare you!

All in all its pleasant listening, with a funk beat that makes you want to dance, but really thats not what we look for in Indie bands is it now!

Tickets are still available on ticketmaster 23rd & 24th October 2009, well priced at £21.50.

Where is my mind

Pixies - Where Is My Mind (Live)
Uploaded by spotless-mind.

The Pixies stir up memories of school socials and massive varsity benders. Their tunes are for the most part timeless and have remained in my mind for years. (sorry) So although the Pixies might not be everyone's bag, they are my Christian Louboutin! I will certainly be going to this gig and I recommend that you follow suit.

The band itself split up years ago and then rejoined in late 2003. I haven't been following them in the last couple of years but I've heard that they are still a great act.

Tickets are unfortunately sold out but I guess you can seatwave them or look up a gumtree.

Probably looking at about £50 for the real article on gumtree, or £55 on one of the other sites

Frank Black has and always will rock, and the Brixton Academy is perfect for this type of vibe...

The Shotguns - Launch Party

This South African band has recently recorded an album in Abbey Road Studios. Yes that is right, the same Abbey Road which hosted the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Green Day, Iron Maiden, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, & of course the legendary Cliff Richard...

Got to be a good sign for this up and coming edgy Indy alternative band. They have a really different & original sound, but one that I really enjoy. They approach difficult topics in their lyrics, something that you've got to admire. (Breaking Bongweni & Anti Apartheid, to name just 2) You can check them out on http://www.myspace.com/theshotgunsband
Or just make it to the Half-moon in Putney on the 14th of August 2009, and to sweeten the deal its a launch party for their new LP recorded at, yes you guessed it, Abbey Road.

By the by the Half-moon itself has played host to some serious talent including The Rolling Stones, U2, Kasabian, & Van Morrison!

TWO GALLANTS

Despite What You've Been Told


Yeah I know this band have disappeared off the face of the planet, and I certainly don't know of them making a trip to London anytime soon, but this sound is freaky cool. The lyrics are amazing!

"To you all things come by suprise. I should set the steel trap of your thighs and dive right in!"

So officially I don't know of them making another trip to London, but this is a cool song, so there we go...

http://technorati.com/posts/OVEuKtl0gX3S3sqwyy0JOOgLWhFVk8YR0R5hPGrb0hY%3D

Youtube them!!

Imogen Heap

Well this is what I would call late notice... She's playing a free preview gig tonight... 4th August 2009

The event takes place in a room called 'The Glade' at Sketch, 9 Conduit Street (off Regent St), London, W1S 2XG.

But the good news is that you can download a song from her new album for the very high price of one tweet...

Tweet away

By the way the new album is out 24 August 2009!

http://twitter.imogenheap.com/

http://immi.fm/PcX #imogenheap

The Londonpaper Headliners

Hmmm,

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this one. But the concept seems pretty cool. Intimate venues, some indy tunage, some semi-commercial, some commercial.

But here's the difference. Unlike normal festivals, the gigs are going to be staged in different venues in central London. You get a wrist band for your £20 / £40 and you can select your gig / gigs of choice. If the venues are packed out to capacity then you will not be granted access. The other problem is that the festival is based on a Wednesday / Thursday.

So, the key is to come up with a strategy. Either watch one very popular band like the Doves or Sophie Ellis-B, followed by a less popular band with a more Indy following, or watch one band the entire evening. I personally don't think you'll be able to get in more than that, but I will give it a shot, because at £20 for one night, £40 for both, the bands on offer are worth your quidage.

Bands on offer include: The Magic Numbers; Fink; The above mentioned and further bands to be added.

Rumour has it that the Friendly Fires might be making an appearance - I'm a massive fan.

Anyway I will keep you posted on any new logs on the pile.

http://thelondonpaperheadliners.com/line-up/

Levi's Ones To Watch

Levi's have unearthed some pretty serious talent with their One's To Watch series. Unfortunately its all but over for this season, but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of some of these bands. Read Friendly Fires, Passion Pit etc...


http://eu.levi.com/en_GB/lotw/index.html

FRIENDLY FIRES

More to come...

http://www.nme.com/news/friendlyfires/39743

U2 - 360 DEGREES

So I was loathe to post this one... Why, because I believe that U2 has done a 360 degree turn around and I am appalled by their transition into the commercial airwaves.

Don't get me wrong U2 has at times been in my top 5, and I've been to about 4 live U2 gigs, but really I feel a bit cheated by them. I look at top price tickets for Wembley (ticket only) and they are costing £150!! Absolute madness, no wonder there are still top price tickets left, especially in this small financial crisis that we find ourselves in...

So, you can get the nose bleeds for £30 and yes I agree, that would seem less expensive than previous U2 concerts, but lo and behold its these tickets that still remain.

Anyway as I say. The tickets remaining are the £30 and £150 tickets. Ticketmaster them if you feel the need.

The tickets for which there are the most demand, being the standing tickets are sold out, surprise surprise.

Guess you could use seatwave and get them at £90, a 60% markup...

If you are going to go, make sure you get the Saturday tickets, because they include Glasvegas support, who play some pretty decent riffs themselves. The Friday alternative is Elbow, who certainly aren't my cup of Earl Grey!

2manydjs (Soulwax)

Ok, so this is a pretty unheard of dance group with an alternative edge... But for all those who went to Rock Werchter in Belgium they will certainly not be unheard of!

The excess of DJ's are comprised of 2 brothers from the very well known town of Gwent in Belgium... They also make up a part of Soulwax which plays a more alternative vibe... Basically they rock. fullstop

With names like 2manydjs and Soulwax, basically how can you go wrong?!?

So they are gracing the Island of mud with their presence in early December (11th & 12th - Brixton Academy). Tickets are still available through ticketmaster!! Get on the train and get yourself a ticket, you will not regret it!

If there wasn't enough motivation above, tickets are on the inexpensive side at £22.50 a pop.

Pearl F.cking Jam

Well this one is an intimate audience at Shepherds Bush with Pearl Jam. One night only!

Pity that its in the Aussies backyard.

The tickets sold out on the day and either you have them or you don't!

Maybe you can try one of those ticket sites that got so screwed when Micky J kicked the big one, and pay £300 - £555 Quid! Crazy business that!

Although if you managed to steal a bonus from Joe Public and you love them that much, maybe it's still an option... And there's always Gumtree for those gamblers...

Oh yeah, and there is the small matter of the new LP (Backspacer) that should be hitting our shores on the 21st of September for those who don't work at Silvergirl Sacks...

http://www.timeout.com/london/music/event/155034/pearl-jam

http://www.seatwave.com/pearl-jam-tickets/shepherds-bush-empire-tickets/11-august-2009/perf/236747