Travis
J Smith
Red Telephone Box
Forget what you know about Travis – by their standards, this is a ridiculous single. A mini-opera, with dramatic choirs chanting, big Who-esque riffs and Fran Healy sounding in the best voice in ages. more… “Travis”
My Bloody Valentine
Glasgow Barrowlands
Thurs 3rd July
Playing the second of two nights in Glasgow’s most famous music venue, My Bloody Valentine are not so much a band to silence their critics but to deafen them instead. You can usually tell that you’re not attending a normal gig when the bars and merchandise stall give out free noise reducing ear-plugs. more… “My Bloody Valentine”
Half Light
Sleep More, Take More Drugs, Do Whatever We Want
self-released
When you hear of a band who have such an attempt at a rebellious sounding album title, it’s hard not to conjure up a first impression of another bunch of scruffy looking guys from London thrown through their nearest branch of Topshop and sent on their way towards the limelight, quivering with guitars in their hands and silly trilby hats resting upon their awkwardly cut fringes. more… “Half Light”
The Music
Strength In Numbers
Polydor
Much has been said about the Music’s troublesome four years away from the spotlight, what with being dropped from their record label and many personal problems within the band. This would be enough for many bands to call it a day and move towards an unsuccessful solo project, but The Music have defied the odds and put out another album. more… “The Music”
Weezer
Pork & Beans
Geffen
Now in his thirty-eighth year, Rivers Cuomo returns with the lead single from yet another self-titled album that takes a pop at the state of popular music and a refusal to change his image to suit the market. more… “Weezer”
Laura Warwick
No More
Warwick
Call me cynical but when an artists CD comes with the opportunities to buy shares in “this project”, you can’t help but wonder if it’s all a ploy to release incredibly radio friendly music designed to shift copies or just a legitimate way of raising money to release records free from the shackles of a record company. more… “Laura Warwick”
Rock Ness
Loch Ness
May 31st / June 1st, 2008
SATURDAY
Entering its third year, the Rock Ness festival on the banks of Loch Ness boasted Fatboy Slim and Razorlight as headliners. Over 30,000 people turned up to enjoy quite agreeable weather and a mix of indie, dance and electronica. more… “Rock Ness”