FRIENDLY FIRES
After staying out of the spotlight for a while Friendly Fires are back, and may we all have mercy from lead singer Ed Macfarlane’s liquid hips. Apparently they’re dance punk, but really, these three guys from Hertfordshire just make excellent indie pop tunes with a samba twist. With songs that force you to throw some shapes, it’s no surprise that the first festival of the summer is the first to get the band that’ll be the sound of the summer. (JC)
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS
Straight from New Zealand this electro pop outfit are gathering a lot of hype after being featured in the BBC’s Sound Of 2011 list. Their big single ‘Young Blood’ gained massive popularity after being covered by Jessie J, following in the footsteps left by Passion Pit but adding some dancefloor melodies; and as well as writing tunes suitable for any club, the great thing about The Naked and Famous is they’ll treat you to some post-rock masterpieces too. (JC)
THE VACCINES
Some bands seem to burst into success out of nowhere, and before you know it their music is everywhere. The Vaccines have churned out indie hits that are definitely accomplished musically; Pete Robertson’s drumming in particular is incredible. They’ve cited 80s hardcore as their influence and it shows, with catchy tunes and high energy but maybe sometimes lacking in depth. This isn’t where their popularity comes from though. In the end this is more pop than rock, but likeable pop all the same. (SJ)
YAAKS
Eastbourne boys YAAKS have a thing for strange spelling and capitals, their latest single ‘HRHRRHYTHM’ has gained quite a bit of airplay over the radio and they’re set to take you by storm. With bits of Friendly Fires and Foals thrown together with some extended instrumentals in there too, they’re making remarkably well-crafted songs, with a foot stomping brilliance that surely makes them ones to watch. Plus, they have an auxiliary percussionist in the band too, and that’s just brilliant. (JC)
THREE TRAPPED TIGERS
With their debut album ‘Route One Or Die’ out at the end of the month, Three Trapped Tigers are on the loose all over the UK. Following favourable comparisons with Battles, Sigur Rós and Foals, their album is highly anticipated, so catch their show for a sneak preview. Blending emotional post-rock with live electronica and classical elements, with a large side of tortured vocals, Three Trapped Tigers’ diverse influences enable them to create a novel sound that separates them from their contemporaries. (JMM)
KATY B
Having risen from being a teenage guest singer to a force in her own right, Katy B’s avoided the typical trappings of being a Brit School graduate. She pens catchy lyrics over dubstep produced by some of the field leaders, such as Benji B and Geeneus. While having friends in the scene undoubtedly helped, this Brit School girl has chosen an unconventional route into the charts, and as Rinse FM’s prettiest darling, we can expect to see much more of her in the next year. (JMM)
LUKE ABBOTT
Fresh from shows supporting Four Tet and releasing a well-received album, Holkham Drones on Border Recordings, 2011 looks set to be the year that Norfolk’s Luke Abbott gets the attention he deserves. An experimental electronic artist and producer in the vein of Nathan Fake crossed with Boards of Canada, Abbott effortlessly weaves a rich tapestry of contrasting sounds into a beautiful, unpredictable creation, both rhythmic and refreshing. His live sets are reportedly both more ethereal and, more importantly, bass-heavy than his records, so bring your dancing shoes. (JMM)
DJ SHADOW
The mighty DJ Shadow is in Brighton for the festival, and for those lucky enough to get a ticket, you’re in for an unforgettable treat. Instrumental hip hop pioneer, innovative sample-based producer, trailblazing turntablist, creative visionary, God… The list of praise is continuous for DJ Shadow, and well deserved. Witness the master in action live for an experience that you will be able to brag about for the rest of your life. (JMM)
WARPAINT
Following the release of their debut album late last year, Warpaint have emerged as one of the hottest contenders for best new band. Their debut ‘The Fool’, out through Rough Trade, is a stunning feat of velvety psychedelic rock, weaving hypnotic harmonies with pulsating drums and dreamy washes of guitars and synths. With the Los Angeles all-girl quartet’s album receiving rave reviews from major outlets – and given their gig at last year’s Great Escape was a stand-out – you can expect this to be one of the highlights of this year’s festival. (KG)
RADIO DEPT
The Radio Dept have cited the Pet Shop Boys as an influence – well it sounds like them if they were on an all night drug-fuelled drive, contemplating joy, despair and everything in between. Described as shoegazing dream pop, their hypnotic chill out sound sucks you into a world of cityscapes in the nowhere hours between day and night. It should leave you with a slow burning buzz, if not a shock to the system. (SJ)
GROUP LOVE
If you like your indie pop music anthemic and uplifting then this Los Angeles five-piece will be for you. Creating songs that start simply and build up to a crashing climax is their finest trick and they do it fantastically well. Contagious indie music like this has earned them plenty of online coverage in recent months, as well as a signature with the Atlantic sub-label Canvasback. The debut album should be in the middle of its release cycle so we hope to catch the band in full live swing. (TR)
CLOUD CONTROL
This Australian quartet are an absolute joy to watch live. Although they’re better known in their homeland, having released their debut album ‘Bliss Release’ there many months ago, they’re now setting their sights on the UK. They arrive with a set of off-kilter vocal harmonies that you’ll be hard-pressed to find bettered during this festival, alongside a string of radio-friendly indie pop hits in the waiting. Warm, rewarding and not to be missed. (TR)
TROPHY WIFE
There’s a music scene that’s recently developed in Oxford called Blessing Force. It’s been responsible for unifying a handful of interesting indie bands. You can catch examples of this exciting movement throughout this year’s Great Escape, with Chad Valley and Fixers both appearing, but perhaps the best of the bunch is Trophy Wife. Their intelligent indie pop trinkets are laced with some utterly beautiful moments, alongside plenty of swaying beats. (TR)
ALEX CLARE
This north London solo artist has an exciting debut album coming out later this year and, due to the distinctive soulful vocals that belie his years, it will be an LP that’s bound to be noticed. Add to this the fact that he’s had one of the hottest production teams on board in the shape of Diplo and Switch and you can understand why he earned the major label signature from Island Records. (TR)
ECHO LAKE
You can’t read a review of this London-based band without the words ‘buzz’ and ‘hype’ written all over it. The blog world wet its virtual pants as Echo Lake released their initial ‘Young Silence’ EP earlier this year, on the equally buzzing independent record label No Pain In Pop. Be prepared, as their live sets are usually very loud, as they blast out their wall-of-sound, reverbed shoegaze. That’s if you’re lucky enough to get in of course. (TR)
FOSTER THE PEOPLE
Having initially got backing from the successful independent record label Neon Gold, the chatter quickly got going online for this American three-piece, eventually earning them a signing to the major label Columbia. Their pop music is tinged with sunshine and will perfectly suit a slot at this May music festival by the beach. Their shows will be in demand, but they’re expected to be doing at least two performances over the weekend. (TR)
BEAT CONNECTION
This duo from Seattle have just released their debut album, ‘Surf Noir’, on the Moshi Moshi imprint label, Tender Age. Fans of the afropop of Miike Snow will adore this set, as they bounce through their fantastic blend of beats and soundscapes. The buzz is riding high for them currently as they play a set of UK gigs, so expect this Brighton showcase to be packed. (TR)
REAL FUR
This East London trio are an intriguing bunch, throwing a selection of events around London called Safari Funk parties, inside unusual venues. They show off their superb tropical indie pop tunes and make it feel more like a party than a gig, in a unique setting. This showcase is happening under the Great Escape radars – it’s the only show you’ll see inside a launderette. It will fill up fast, so get there early on the Saturday night. (TR)
SUFJAN STEVENS
SOURCE has witnessed some pretty special moments in music over the years. Seeing Sufjan Stevens transfix the congregation of a 100 year-old Icelandic church a few years back will certainly take some beating. His performance that night saw the one-man orchestra wearing wings, a testimony to his vaulting ambition which once included an album quinquanology encompassing all American states, now wisely ditched. No matter, because tonight’s gig should still showcase the unrivalled skills of a bravura modern day pop composer with few equals. (BG)
DOG IS DEAD
You could measure the amount of buzz about this exciting quintet from Nottingham by the number of A&R reps queuing outside their shows. Their live set is very special, as they deliver their intelligent pop music infused with elements of indie and folk. The best instruments on show, aside from the trumpets and saxophones, are their astonishing combination of vocals, which will be competing for the public’s hearts alongside Mumford & Sons by the end of the year. (TR)
FACTORY FLOOR
Listening to Factory Floor is akin to being trapped inside a synthesizer. Like New Order doing an early 80s Berlin DJ set, they count drummer Stephen Morris amongst their disciples, alongside Throbbing Gristle, Liars, Gavin Russom, No Age and Fuck Buttons. But just because the London three-piece make hypnotic, motorik techno, don’t start throwing about comparisons with urban futurism and industrial production. “My Dad used to take us fucking walking and all that, a lot of the outdoors kind of thing,” the band retort, pointedly. (BG)
TREEFIGHT FOR SUNLIGHT
Bella Union are an independent record label with a lot of good form for releasing artists that jam out shoegazing, psyche pop and Treefight For Sunlight are no different. This Danish four piece will leave you feeling warm and positive, as there are few bands out there doing a better job of performing this brand of smart, uplifting pop music. This will be their first return to Brighton after the release of their self-titled debut LP. (TR)
YOUNG EMPIRES
They’ve only played the occasional set in the UK prior to this festival appearance, including a performance at one of The Recommender’s showcases last year at Audio. If that set was anything to go by then this Canadian trio will be ones to look out for. Rattling, tropical rhythms dance around an upbeat brand of indie pop music, creating the kind of atmosphere that will suit those looking to dance. (TR)
VISIONS OF TREES
Bewitching duo Visions of Trees are definitely an act to keep your eye on, with a highly-acclaimed single recently released, a staggering number of live dates planned, and more remixes flying around than you can shake a tree at. Merging ethereal, haunting vocals that soar over rhythmic, hazy, beats with an enchanting live set-up of stage costumes, drums and a wood block, Visions of Trees shake off their witch-house tag with aplomb. Fresh, original and undeniably cool. (JMM)
JOY FORMIDABLE
If there’s any justice Hector’s House will be heaving when Joy Formidable make their way on stage. Their debut album ‘The Big Roar’ lived up to the name for the grunge rock outfit. Drawing welcome comparisons with bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, they’ve got a restless, hyper style, guitar surging beneath Ritzy Bryan’s energetic, youthful voice. ‘Cradle’ is a standout anthem, and their reputation for live performances should end up bringing the house down-no pun intended. (SJ)
SPARK
The BRIT School is responsible for providing a washing line of successful female solo artists, such as Kate Nash, Adele and more recently Jessie J and Katy B. Jess Morgan, aka Spark, is the next off the pegs and she comfortably slots in between all of the above, with melodic, punchy pop that has plenty of tidy flourishes. Expect this set to be busy as people get their first glimpses of a performer that could be a star by the year’s end. (TR)
ANTLERS
Inspirational indie rock from Brooklyn, Antlers have a controlled artfulness and quietness of tone that is refreshing and often moving. Calling to mind Radiohead and Death Cab for Cutie, their songs are sad and epic, and anything if not ambitious. Their album ‘Hospice’ was designed to tell a story of an emotionally abusive relationship between a hospice worker and a patient, just to give you an idea of this ambition. Maybe not feel-good, certainly feel inspired. (SJ)
GRIMES
Solo artist Clare Boucher, better known as Grimes, is the perfect example of just how useful a good set at a music festival can be. She blinded people with her mesmeric, melancholy dreamscapes at March’s SXSW, drawing up comparisons to early Bjork by the subsequent press and blog attention. Her acclaimed EP, Darkbloom, then arrived in April, so the buzz continues to ride very high. This will be a must see. If you can get in. (TR)
THE NAKED AND FAMOUS
A unique electro-pop outfit, Naked and Famous are an exciting addition to the festival and a great sound to start the summer to. With touches of MGMT and Sleigh Bells, it’s retro synth-pop on offer here and no mistake, but with other ingredients thrown into the mix. An incredibly controlled musical style, and achingly catchy melodies are combined with the cool, dreamy vocals of singer Alisa Xayalith. All this makes for some unforgettable anthems infused with style. (SJ)
THE VACCINES
They just released their debut album ‘What did you expect from The Vaccines?’ to critical acclaim, and what can you expect from The Vaccines? Well, some lethally groove-laden rock guitars and the same amount of energy as a case of Red Bull. The great British guitar band is back, and they’re going to be reigning in the great British summer with their infectious sound. They’re already on the rise, catch them before they explode. (JC)
YAAKS
This will be another busy show, as not only are this six-piece band making waves throughout the industry with their charming, multi-layered indie, but they’re also from the South Coast. Talk of ‘the new Friendly Fires’ bounced around during a blog storm that followed their early demos, which quickly spread to getting playlisted on Radio 1. This of course means that a lot more folk know about them now so get there early. (TR)
POLARSETS
This trio from the North East tick so many boxes with their blend of cowbell-indie pop music that you can expect them to star on Radio 1 throughout the year. They’re perfect for the teen market, so expect fans of Fenech Soler and Two Door Cinema Club to be seen at their Great Escape showcases as they bounce along to the giant synths and enormous choruses. (TR)