LONDON LINE-UP: STAFF PICKS
As with any festival, you’re bound to have a list of bands you’re intending to check out, but what about the gaps in-between? Or perhaps there are several acts that you’ve been hearing good things about, but you’re struggling to decide between them? Well, maybe this’ll help. Here’s some of our picks, straight from the Stag & Dagger offices. Our best tip, though? Go and check out some new bands that you’ve never seen before. Who knows – like all those who were lucky enough to witness the likes of The XX playing last year’s festival, this time next year you could be bragging to all your mates about some of the bands you saw before everyone and David Cameron’s mum caught on.
Our Top 5:
BANJO OR FREAKOUT
Ultra-emotive electronic soundscapes from a man who performs juggling acts with the multitude of instruments, pedals and synths he brings to the live stage in addition to his laptop. Not literally of course, although that would be impressive. Animal without the Collective.
Banjo Or Freakout play the Sexbeat stage @ Cafe 1001 at 11:30pm
COMANECHI
The Dalston-based duo display a mesmerising post-punk dichotomy, with Simon Petrovitch’s drone-grunge guitar riffs and mostly-static stage presence providing the ultimate contrast to Akiko Matsura’s visceral drumming and raw, uncompromising vocals. But amongst all the bravado and ferocious bravado are moments of equally raw emotion and vulnerability – their debut single “My Pussy” is a childhood tale about the loss of a kitten. Seriously. Expect the unexpected.
Comanechi play the Feeding Time stage, Downstairs @ CAMP at 9:20pm
DOPPLEREFFEKT
In the age of the internet, and when Justin Bieber simply mentioning what he had for breakfast creates enough web traffic to crashTwitter server, any band that maintains a level of anonymity is worthy of respect. Even more so, however, when they’ve been doing it for over 15 years and they’re also one of the most legendary producers of Detroit Techno in the world. The whole “riddle within an enigma” thing may as well have been created just for these guys. We can’t even say ‘expect the unexpected’ here because we really don’t have a clue – all we know is that we wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Dopplereffekt play the Blogger’s Delight vs. Allez Allez stage @ Hearn Street Car Park at 12:30am
FM BELFAST
Iceland has had a lot to answer for in recent weeks – responsible for thousands of cancelled holidays, stranded tourists and plenty of general chaos and disruption. Just as well they can make it up to us then, as Icelandic electronica act FM Belfast won’t let mere volcanic ash stop them from tearing up London’s dance-floors with their since-fuelled, angst-ridden tracks of urban claustrophobia. Karma.
FM Belfast play the Club.The.Mammoth stage @ The Hobby Horse at 10:30pm
PRIMARY 1
Primary 1, aka British singer-songwriter/producer Joe Flory, should be a bona-fide pop star by now. He’s been responsible for some of the best pop/club crossover hits of the last few years, be it The Shoes’ remix of his track, “Hold Me Down”, released in 2008 on Erol Alkan’s Phantasy label, or his collaborations with Riton last year (“Who’s There” and “Radiates”), both of which ended up in the top tracks list of every DJ worth their salt. There’s going to be no stopping him in 2010 though – new single “Princess” is without a doubt one of the best pop songs you’ll hear all year. The clubs have already taken note, the charts are next.
Primary 1 plays the Adventures In The Beetroot Field (in association with Time Out) stage @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen at 9:45pm
