london in stereo // may 2016

MAY 2016ISSUE 37 // FREE

GOLD PANDA2016 FESTIVAL SPECIALYUMI ZOUMA

CAR SEAT HEADREST MODERN BASEBALLOSCAR

WEDNESDAY 04 MAYELECTROWERKZ

WIKI &SPORTING LIFE+ BLACK MACK

BELLY

KAYTRANADA

FRIDAY 13 MAYTROXY

TELEVISION

SUNDAY 12 JUNEELECTRICBRIXTON

JILL SCOTT

SATURDAY 16 JULYEVENTIM APOLLOHAMMERSMITH

JONES

WEDNESDAY 01 JUNEOSLO

TA-KU

TUESDAY 12 JULYVILLAGEUNDERGROUND

SNAKEHIPS

THURSDAY 06 OCTOBERKOKO

THURSDAY 05 MAYTHE OLD BLUE LAST

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BRONAGHGALLAGHERMONDAY 12 SEPTEMBERTHE LEXINGTON

CHAIRLIFT+ DENAI MOORE

THURSDAY 09 JUNEELECTRICBALLROOM

THURSDAY 21 JULYO2 FORUM

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STAFF ON REPEATthe tracks we can’t stop listening to this month

JESS: ALBERT GOLD - DON’T LET ME GO

DAVE: BEN LUKAS BOYSEN – GOLDEN TIMES 1

LOKI: OLIVER WILDE - BIFIDA

DANNY: GRUFF RHYS - I LOVE EU

GEMMA: A.K. PAUL - LANDCRUISIN’

JACK: M83 - GO!

It’s May and therefore it’s the real kicking-off of festival season (no SXSW, you don’t count). We're starting it in style with our own stage at The Great Escape, judging the Green Man Rising competition and digging out sensible footwear for End Of The Road. Not to mention getting excited for the always-a-completely-brilliant time at Field Day on our very own doorstep, plus brilliant new London additions Sunfall and Citadel. Phew. I'm genuinely ridiculously excited for this year’s excellent line-ups; festival bookers, you really have excelled yourself.

Regardless of whether you fancy sticking around London, heading off to the rolling countryside hills or jumping on a plane and having an adventure, we've got you covered with festivals from New York to Berlin. And if we can escape our deadlines then maybe we’ll even see you there.

ALBERT GOLD

GOLD PANDA

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+ DJ CHEEBA + PROBLEM CHILD + MR FLEX

THE DELTASAINTS

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PLUS SPECIAL GUESTCRAIG

GALLAGHER

LiS 05

londoninstereo.com @LondonInStereo /londoninstereo /london-in-stereo londoninstereo

2016 FESTIVAL SPECIAL

08. ON THE STEREO

13. NEW SOUNDS

17. TALES FROM THE CITY

20. YUMI ZOUMA

26. GOLD PANDA

32. ALBUM REVIEWS

41. 2016 FESTIVAL SPECIAL

51. GIGS OF THE MONTH

54. LIVE LISTINGS

73. IN LONDON

LONDON IN STEREO IS:Editor: Jess [email protected]

Deputy Editor: Dave [email protected]

Sub-Editor/Sales: Loki [email protected]

Staff Writers:Danny WrightGemma SamwaysJack Urwin

Photography: Gold Panda cover story:Tim Boddy (timboddy.com)

Contributors: Lee Wakefield, Rhian DalyRachel Grace Almeida, Jake May,Geoff Cowart, Kate Solomon,Tim Hakki, Thomas Hannan,Hayley Scott, Henry Wilkinson, Tom Walters, Woodrow Whyte,Grant Bailey, Nick Mee.

CONTENTS

LIS_TEMPLATE.indd 1 19/04/2016 20:32LIS_TEMPLATE.indd 1 19/04/2016 20:32

THURSDAY HEADLINERS

FUTURE S0UNDS, COSMIC CAMPFIRES, MINDFUL ESCAPISM, INTERGALACTIC RAVES… & MEXICAN WRESTLING IN A LUMINOUS DREAM WORLD ON AN ISLAND IN THE SUN

THE CURE MAJOR LAZER HOT CHIPFATBOY SLIM CARL COX DIPLO

BASTILLE YEARS & YEARS RICHIE HAWTINDAMIAN “JR. GONG” MARLEY SKEPTA CRAIG DAVID’S TS5

KATY B ODESZA RIDE SHY FX’S PARTY ON THE MOON WOLF ALICE SKREAM THE HUMAN LEAGUE ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

EATS EVERYTHING ESKIMO DANCE: WILEY, SECTION BOYZ, CHIP, BIG NARSTIE, NEWHAM GENERALS, FRISCO, P MONEY, ELF KID,

AJ TRACEY, JAMMZ, FEKKY, LOGAN SAMA, MAXIMUM KANOCARAVAN PALACE MØ KURUPT FM: CHAMPAGNE STEAM ROOMS

DAVID RODIGAN PRES. RAM JAM DJ YODA GOLDIE JAGWAR MA HOSPITALITY PRES: CAMO & KROOKED, LONDON ELEKTRICITY, S.P.Y

B2B NU:TONE, DANNY BYRD B2B BROOKES BROTHERS, MADUK, DYNAMITE MC & WREC KREPT & KONAN GHOSTPOET SNAKEHIPS

MURA MASA WSTRN LADY LESHURR BILLIE MARTEN & SO MUCH MORE

PLUS HEADLINING THE SPACEPORT

THE SPACEPORT BOLLYWOOD TENT THE BIG TOP INVADERS OF THE FUTURE CLUB DADATEMPLE ISLAND CARAVANSERAI THE BLIND TIGER SUGAR SKULLS & MANY MORE

SLOW MOTION THE LOVE-BOT CARNIVAL PARADE MEXICAN WRESTLINGFIREWORK SPECTACULAR INFLATABLE CHURCH THE FEAST COLLECTIVE & MORE

FUTURE ESCAPISM INCLUDING

MINDBLOWING ARENAS & COSMIC SOUNDSYSTEMS

CAMPING PLUS HOSPITALITY CAMPING TIPIS YURTS CLOUDHOUSES BELL TENTS BOUTIQUE CAMPSITES

SELVHENTER

‘Modern Soul’ came out of nowhere and continues where James Blake left off with his Mercury Prize-winning album Overgrown. Hanging piano chords almost shatter under the delicate weight of Blake’s soulful vocal melodies. All the while an insistent beat drops in and out, propelling the slow burn emotion of this long awaited comeback track. ‘Modern Soul’ is an excellent tease for what is surely one of the most anticipated albumsof 2016.

JAMES BLAKEMODERN SOUL

‘The Wheel’ was the first song to emerge from The Hope 6 Demolition Project and it’s a startling introduction to such an ambitious enterprise. As soon as the handclaps start, instruments clatter into view; urgent guitar chords, distorted lead and saxophone all pulsating to the rolling rhythm inferred by the title. PJ Harvey hints at the futility of making the same mistakes over and over again, whilst the listener is reminded of an artist who is never afraid to reinvent herself.

PJ HARVEYTHE WHEEL

Field Day runs June 11-12th at Victoria Park. fielddayfestivals.com // @fielddaylondon // facebook.com/fielddaylondon

LiS 09

DEERHUNTER

FLOATING POINTS

‘Living My Life’ is the moment Deerhunter became the most lovely pop band on the planet, just in time for a main stage set at Field Day. Like latest album Faded Frontier, ‘Living My Life’ is a statement of intent for a band that have grown more expressive with every release.

DEERHUNTERLIVING MY LIFE

An act I'm super excited to see live, Mbongwana Star rose up after the demise of the acclaimed Congolese group Staff Benda Bilili. Album From Kinshasa is constantly surprising, subverting what is considered ‘typical’ African music and never resorting to cliché or well worn tropes. This opening track from From Kinshasa introduces these vital musicians to the world again.

MBONGWANA STAR KINSHASA TO THE MOON

Floating Points’ debut album was only released late last year despite Sam Shepherd’s act seemingly being around forever. ‘Nespole’ is an excellent introduction to the album and the ever-changing Floating Points sound - shifting textures and lush, expansive electronic instrumentation now augmented by a full band for an unmissable, mesmerising live show.

FLOATING POINTS // NESPOLE

Dates, times & tickets: www.hoxtonsquarebar.com

HOX TONSQUAREBAR | HOX TONHQ | HOX TONSQUAREBAR

MAY 2016

1st Hip Hop Karaoke / 2nd Camp Lo / 5th Revere

7th Jehst / 9th Sound & Vision: Janis: Little Girl Blue

11th Sounds Familiar Music Quiz / 13th The Travelling Band

16th Quilt / 17th Kaki King / 22nd The Aussie BBQ

23rd Me & My Drummer / 24th Antwon / 25th The Computers

27th Marsicans / 31st Plants & Animals

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Kings of the capital’s

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SUNDAY 17TH JULY VICTORIA PARKTHE ULTIMATE SUMMER SUNDAY

SIGUR RÓS

SUNDAY PAPERS LIVEFT. EDDIE 'THE EAGLE' EDWARDSi-D & SOFAR SOUNDS

FABRIC SUNDAY SESSIONS

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KIDS' GAMES & RACESW/ ARCOLA THEATRE

OLD VIC NEW VOICES

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ANDREW WEATHERALLMARIBOU STATELIVE

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GO EXPLORING W/ SECRET ADVENTURES

A LONDON EXCLUSIVE

ART WORKSHOPS BY THE INDYTUTE

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SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA

DELECTABLE COCKTAILS & BLOODY MARYS

BATTLES

FEASTS FROM STEPHEN HARRIS (THE SPORTSMAN)

LIANNE LA HAVAS

NATHANIEL RATELIFF& THE NIGHT SWEATS

MATT CORBY

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SUBJECT TO LICENCE

LiS 13

LISTEN TO: Fading LinesONLINE: amberarcades.net // @AmberArcadesfacebook.com/AmberArcadesLIVE: Lexington, June 7th.UK FESTIVALS: The Great Escape, Lunar,Deer Shed, Green Man, End Of The Road.

While most of us can just about muster up the energy to show up to our 9-to-5s, Annelotte de Graaf is currently juggling critically-important work as a human rights lawyer with a critically-feted musical career. On paper that might sound unsustainable, but de Graaf’s drive and dedication to Amber Arcades is such that she blew her entire life savings on a ticket from her native Netherlands to New York, to record with her favourite producer. Happily, the gamble paid off.

Produced by Ben Greenberg of The Men, featuring a backing band made up of members of Real Estate and Quilt, and reportedly inspired by influences as diverse as Stereolab and Suicide, de Graaf’s forthcoming debut is a beauty. Currently scheduled for 3rd June via Heavenly Recordings, Fading Lines’ summer release feels perfectly-timed too: from the rippling, Deerhunter-esque dream-pop of the title-track to the delicate, krautrock shimmer of ‘Turning Light’, de Graaf’s sun-dappled melodies and Hope Sandoval-meets-Molly Rankin sighs shouldprovide the ideal soundtrack to long, hazy days spent in green spaces, doingvery little.

Of course, while we’re all relaxing, de Graaf will be keeping busy, playing a string of club shows and festival dates, including The Great Escape, Green Man and End of the Road. You can only imagine that she wouldn’t have it any other way.

AMBERARCADES

NEW SOUNDS by Gemma Samways

C O M M U N I O N P R E S E N T S

20162016

S A T U R D A Y 1 8 J U N ES A T U R D A Y 1 8 J U N E S H E P H E R D S B U S HS H E P H E R D S B U S H

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Great Lake SwimmersTUE 3RD MAYTHE FORGE

Sarah NeufeldWED 4TH MAYELGAR ROOMROYAL ALBERT HALL

Shobaleader OneTHE BRAND NEW PROJECT FROM SQUAREPUSHERSUN 8TH MAYISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL

Juan WautersMON 16TH MAYMOTH CLUB

QuiltMON 16TH MAYHOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN

Kaki KingTUE 17TH MAYHOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN

BleachedWED 18TH MAYMOTH CLUB

HomeshakeTHU 19TH MAYTHE VICTORIA w/ Mass GothicFRI 27TH MAYRED GALLERY

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Porches + Frankie CosmosMON 23 MAYOSLO

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Aidan KnightTHU 2ND JUNSEBRIGHT ARMS

GlobelampTUE 7TH JUNSERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS

Destroyer + Ryley WalkerWED 15TH JUNOVAL SPACE

The Tallest Man on Earth + Damien JuradoTUE 21ST JUNROYAL ALBERT HALL

WoodsWED 22ND JUNTHE DOME TUFNELL PARK

Moonface and SiinaiMON 27TH JUNHOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN

Mac DeMarcoMON 27TH JUNELECTRIC BRIXTONTUE 28TH JUNKOKO

Alex CameronWED 29TH JUNTHE WAITING ROOM

The Very BestTUE 5TH JULXOYO

Visions FestivalSAT 6TH AUGHACKNEY / LONDON FIELDS

GrandbrothersTHU 22ND SEPTCORSICA STUDIOS

Nzca LinesWED 28TH SEPTVILLAGE UNDERGROUND

Julia HolterMON 14TH NOVO2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE

NadjaTUE 15TH NOVCAFE OTO

MORE INFO AND TICKETSBIRDONTHEWIRE.NET

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I think my family were more excited than I was about me going to London. It always seemed a bit far away from home to me. We flew directly from Seattle to London, which is an eight-hour time difference; I didn’t sleep on the flight at all, because the night was about eight hours too short. I spent the next four days feeling like an alien on a slightly shittier version of earth, where the money and the electrical outlets were all wrong.

This was our first major touring experience, and it almost broke me.I stupidly had a cup of coffee before our first show, which I never do, and which guaranteed I would not be getting on a survivable sleep schedule anytime soon. We played in the BBC studios the next day - I think I’d gotten about two hours of sleep. Strangely, our performance turned out excellent; maybe the pseudo- meditative state I’d entered into during the hours I spent lying awake in bed helped. In any case, I was in a terrible, sleep-deprived, Tom Waits mood for the

entirety of the trip. In fact, I wrote half a song that I’ll never be able to finish because it’s too Tom Waits for me to sing properly. I would share it right now but my iPhone ate all my notes.

Looking back, though, was it a good time after all? No. In fact, I’d successfully put it out of my mind until I started writing this article, and now I’m just remembering more and more things that sucked about it. Like the venue telling us we were too loud after our soundcheck! That always burns us. We’re not that loud. And the food was lousy...and we got stuck on the underground...I’m sorry, London. I’m sure there’s good food and sunny skies and a venue with no noise limit somewhere in you. I’ll keep looking for them when I return.

LiS 17

T A L E S F R O M T H E C I T Yby CAR SEAT HEADREST

Car Seat Headrest release Teens Of Denial May 20th, via Matador. LIVE: 100 Club, June 21st. ONLINE: @carseatheadrest // carseatheadrest.bandcamp.com

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MAY 2016

ometimes I get really sick of me, and I’m me,” Josh Burgess mock-grudgingly

admits on the subject of Yumi Zouma’s gruelling tour schedule, amongst giggles from his band mates. It kind of makes sense. After all, this is a band that never intended to play live – they were content in letting their recorded output do the talking, each track nestling in the heart of the next drooling blogger, only for heady support slots to prove too tempting to ignore...

“Chet Faker asked us to play his Australian tour and Lorde asked us to open her New Zealand tour so we got real busy, real quick,” Charlie Ryder explains to me.

“ . . . A F T E R D O I N G I T FO R

E I G H T E E N M O N T H S’ W E

ACT UA L LY B ECA M E A

R E A L BA N D . ”

YUMIZOUMAWORDS : LEE WAKEFIELD

LiS 21

Sam Perry, freshly added to the lineup in the midst of those unexpected live shows, recalls a sobering period of experimentation. “I remember thoseChet Faker shows and we’d been aband for about a week and having these really crack-up band practices in frontof thousands of people. After doing itfor eighteen months, we actually became a real band.” Refreshingly carefree, there’s little doubt that it seeps into their music too.

That initial reluctance to play live is a far cry from the views they hold now (“We get to see some pretty amazing places. I couldn’t ask for a better way to live my life,” Christie Simpson enthuses), and the claims of evolving into a “real band” are reinforced on every passing second of Yoncalla, their debut album. It’s something of a privilege to confirm that yes, Yumi Zouma have delivered the album of sun-kissed dream pop that we craved and damn right demanded since

falling under the joyful spell of ‘The Brae’ two years ago. It’ll suit long summer days, a Yumi Zouma record all but guarantees that, but this isn’t merely a collection of tracks destined to stagnate on a forgotten BBQ playlist - Yoncalla soothes and seduces and stuns in a manner that urges meticulous, repeated visits. “There was no pressure to make the album sound a certain way,” Charlie maintains, and he’s right; it’s a record that retains everything you adoredwhile continuing to explore a cluster of daring themes.

Often spoken of as if hushed folklore, EPs I and II were birthed in slightly unconventional circumstances. “Incestuous” is how they describe the years preceding Yumi Zouma, with each member crossing paths in Christchurch, NZ via previous musical projects at one time or another. It was only when they scattered, as Josh explains, that anything of substance began to materialise.

“I moved away and Charlie stayed in Christchurch and we stopped working on music for about six months. I sent a few things, one of them was ‘A Long Walk Home For Parted Lovers’. We sent it out to a few labels and they really liked it and asked if we had enough for an EP and we said of course we do.” He grins. “We only had one song. Looking back, it was actually really stressful.”

Charlie shares similar sentiments. “Every time someone interested was going to Skype us, we had to write a bunch of new songs. Basically, the early version of EP II was finished really quickly because this dude from some big management company wanted to hear it.”

So if the EPs were thrown together out of necessity, what about the LP? “During the II tour, we wrote it together. When we recorded separately, you can hear a Charlie part, Sam’s part, that’s a Joe part, but this album is the first time I

can’t remember who wrote which part.” Despite writing intensively as a collective for the first time, the band barely deviated from their usual approach.

Josh sums it up fittingly: “I think you’ve got to have faith that people connected with the music you wrote when no one was listening, so you shouldn’t try to tailor it to what you think is going to be well received.” From initially dismissing the live arena, to being thrust under the bright lights of cavernous rooms, and piecing together songs from thousands of miles away while now sporting a fantastic, fully-fledged album, you get the sense that Yumi Zouma take it all in one languorous stride.

Yoncalla is released May 27th via Cascine.

ONLINE: yumizouma.com // @YumiZouma facebook.com/YumiZouma

LIVE: Moth Club, June 21st.

“ W E O N LY H A D O N E S O N G . LO O K I N G BAC K ,

I T WAS ACT UA L LY R E A L LY ST R E S S F U L . ”

Plus Special GuestsSaturday 17th SeptemberO2 Academy Brixton

Fat WhiteFamily

STEVE GUNNTHURS 21 APRILTHE LEXINGTON

MISTY MILLERMON 25 APRILMOTH CLUB

BEACH BABYWED 27 APRILTHE LEXINGTON

WOVOKA GENTLETHURS 28 APRILTHE PICKLE FACTORY

OUR MOTHERSTUES 3 MAYTHE WAITING ROOM

LAFAWNDAHWED 4 MAYRYE WAX

BARLIWED 4 MAYTHE PICKLE FACTORY

ROZI PLAINFRI 6 MAYMOTH CLUB

ROSIE LOWEWED 11 MAYSCALA

KAGOULEWED 11 MAYTHE LEXINGTON

LAIL ARADTUES 17 MAYCHATS PALACE

SOCIETYTUES 17 MAYTHE LEXINGTON

BEVERLYWED 18 MAYDALSTON VICTORIA

MONIKAWED 18 MAYOSLO HACKNEY

SOREN JUULWED 18 MAYSERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS

MOTHERSWED 18 MAYCHATS PALACE

JESSY LANZAWED 18 MAYTHE PICKLE FACTORY

MMOTHSWED 18 MAYCORSICA STUDIOS

DIET CIGTUES 24 MAYTHE VICTORIA

WHITE LUNGTHURS 26 MAYTHE VICTORIA

CATE LE BONTHURS 26 MAYOVAL SPACE

BC CAMPLIGHTMON 30 MAYTHE LEXINGTON

ROYAL HEADACHE TUES 31 MAY TUFNELL PARK DOME

ASTRONAUTALISTHURS 2 & FRI 3 JUNETHE WATER RATS

WOLF PARADETUES 14 & WED 15 JUNESCALA

CAR SEAT HEADRESTTUES 21 JUNE100 CLUB

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FAT WHITE FAMILYSAT 17 SEPTO2 ACADEMY BRIXTON

BEATY HEARTTHURS 6 OCTBUSSEY BUILDING

EZRA FURMANMON 31 OCTROUNDHOUSE

LA FEMME THURS 17 NOVO2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE

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anguage has a lot to do with a culture’s uniqueness: and there

are some words in the Japanese language that simply don’t exist in English. These are beautiful and sometimes bizarre expressions that evoke ideas you or I would need whole sentences to explain.‘Komorebi’, for example, captures the idea of sunlight filtering delicately through trees, while ‘ukiyo’ means the floating world, detached from the bothers of life. And, rather wonderfully, ‘irusu’ means pretending to be out when someone calls round.I mention this because Gold Panda’s new album, Good Luck And Do Your Best, was inspired by a chance encounter on one of his many trips to Japan when a taxi driver in Hiroshima tried to translate the phrase ‘Ganbatte, Kudasai'. “As we got out he said ‘Good luck and do your best’ to me in English. And I thought ‘That’s got to be the album title’. I guess you say it a lot in Japan but it doesn’t really translate. You just can’t say that phrase in English, you say ‘Good luck’ or ‘Do your best’ but you don’t put them together, not naturally anyway.”

LiS 27

“I was trying to do a recordbecause of Berlin...I don’t think Imake club music so maybe thatwas a bit of a misstep.”

And this is far from the only inspiration Japan has provided him with: it’s a country that’s been close to his heart sincehe lived there as a nineteen- year-old teaching English. “Everything I do is influenced by Japan because I’ve spent a lot of time there and I became such a fan of it.I try to go back twice a year to keepup my language skills, and now the friends who I made when I was nineteen are all getting married so I get to see another generation.”

Yet when Derwin set out to Japan for one of these trips in 2014 it was not with an album in mind. Accompanied by photographer Laura Lewis, his plan was to collect field recordings from his trip.

“The original idea was to do a book and include a CD of these field recordings and that would be it because I didn’t want to do another album… but then I ended up doing another album.”

So we can thank a Hiroshima taxi driver for being the catalyst for this new record, one which is his most coherent, most positive to date, a record that is warm, expansive and inventive. He explains simply, “I had the title and then I just made a motivational positive album.”

Not that’s what he originally wanted either. “I didn’t want to do positive, happy music. If you’re doing dark electronic music it feels like there’s something more genuine about it in some ways, so I’d always been embarrassed about doing happy electronic pop music.”

But this positivity is painted in joyful hues, inspired by the unique colours of Japan; the haze of the beautiful pink and green light that rains down on the country in certain months. And with this record he’s created a bewitching sonic approximation of these vivid twilight hour colours.

“At certain times of the day there are these pastelly colours; it’s like having a

filter on everything. The first time I went it was April when all the cherry blossoms are out and these pink and greens were the dominant colours on packaging and on buildings - and then the light dips and there’s this warm glow about everything. I don’t know, maybe it’s smog, you just don’t get it here.”

Being somewhere he loved and felt at home, travelling round the streets of Kyoto and Tokyo, gave him the freedom to create something that was him. “It’s a lot more natural. I think with the last record I was trying to do a record because of Berlin and that’s kind of a double-edged sword. Berlin’s got such a rich history you want to make a club record and I don’t think I make club music so maybe that was a bit of a misstep. I think this one is the best, most together of the Panda albums.”

“All my other albums have been done very quickly and this was done over two years. I was worried that would mean it wouldn’t have a similar sound but actually it sounds more together than the others and I think that’s because I’ve had time to pick tracks that fit together.”

You can hear it. The imagery and colours, the exploration and travel he took inspiration from reveal themselves on tracks like ‘Time Eater’ and ‘Halyards’. And you can tell how happy he is with it; “I feel like there’s no fluff. There’s songs and they’re poppy and I’m happy with them all production wise.”

Yet for all this exoticism, the track ‘In My Car’ was inspired by something literally closer to home.“I bought a car second hand from my parents’ neighbour - he looked after it really well, washing it every weekend so I said ‘Yeah, I’ll take it’. I was

Good Luck And Do Your Best is releasedMay 27th via City Slang.

ONLINE: goldpanda.bandcamp.com // @goldpanda // facebook.com/iamgoldpanda

LIVE: The Dome, June 30th.UK FESTIVALS: Field Day, Standon Calling.

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really excited about having a CD player in a car: I thought I can make tunes and listen to them while I drive round and maybe that can be my thing. But I got the car and it fucking doesn’t play CDR so the only way to hear my tracks in my car is to get my album mastered, get it made and then get the actually CD and then play it!”As the interview draws to a close, we return to talk of Japan. “I thought about doing a travel blog. I always feel like I should do more to share my Japan with people but then I don’t want it spoilt, I don’t want to give it all away.” Yet this album feels like that gift: an insight into his love of the country, a love letter to its unique culture. As we leave, I ask him if there are any other untranslatable phrases he remembers from Japan. “There’s ‘Otsukaresama deshita’. You say it at the end of work and it’s like ‘You did a good job, thanks for your hard work’” Japan, you took the words out of our mouth.

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Holy Ghost is released May 13th via Big Scary Monsters Records.ONLINE: modernbaseballpa.com // @ModernBaseball // facebook.com/ModernBaseball

95% of our writers asked to review Holy Ghost - so we didn’t let anyone do it. Instead we asked Rachel Grace Almeida and Jack Urwin this: why the hell are Modern Baseball so damn popular?

LiS: Come on, what is it about this band?

RGA: I think people connect with Modern Baseball because they are direct. Apart from being extremely lovable, they communicate things in a straightforward way.

JU: Like, they touch upon the heavy stuff but also the joyful mundanities of life. There’s a line in the last album about staying in bed all day and watching Planet Earth which I love. I think there’s something very human in that.

LiS: If we told MoBo we’re chatting about them as an emo band, what would they think? Would they be happy being called ‘emo’?

RGA: I don’t think they really care, tbh. I just don’t think they give a shit about that really.

JU: Yeah, same. Emo is very punk in that it’s very emo to not care about whether you’re perceived as emo or not.

LiS: Oh, like Marge Simpson being cool?

JU: Hahaha, yes.

LiS: I’m always wary of emo lyrics, I struggle with the self-pity and lack of awareness.

JU: See, lyrically I can’t think of many genres that are more self-aware and injected with humour.

RGA: It’s face value stuff and I think people have a problem digesting that, cos you know, lyrics are meant to be drenched in metaphor.

LiS: Is Holy Ghost witty? What’s it about?

RGA: It’s witty but heartwarming and also crushingly sad. It’s about loss – losing people, losing your sense of self.

JU: ‘Apple Cider I Don’t Mind’ basically killed me, it’s got all the hallmarks of an early emo breakup song (eg ‘The Summer Ends’ by American Football) in that it’s not just bitter or sad but kind of about learning to move on. I guess there’s something about that vague sense of hope that makes it incredibly relatable.

LiS: How good aModern Baseball record is it? JU: I love Holy Ghost, it sort of feels like we’ve been watching them grow in real time. It’s a lot more adult and contains all the bad and good stuff that comes with adulthood.RGA: Some parts of this album sound like they were written in desperation (namely Brendan’s half of the album). It’s quite urgent in places.LiS: It’s written in two halves? RGA: Well, Jake wrote the first half and Brendan wrote the last half. JU: I found the first half a lot more accessible, it took a fair bit of time for the second half to make sense, but when it clicked it really clicked.RGA: Yes Jack! Exactly that.LiS: Do you think Holy Ghost will win new fans?RGA: I think it can because it’s darker sounding. It’s more accessible to the music snobs.JU: I think Holy Ghost isn’t as immediately accessible as You’re Gonna Miss It All.RGA: Really? I find it can be to the real indie bros. Less ‘adolescent’ in their eyes.JU: YGMIA, for me, was an instant delight. I fell in love on the first listen of the first song. This has taken more time and I don’t know if more casual listeners are likely to give it that time.RGA: I know what you mean. I think it’s because we’re open to that genre anyway.LiS: Do you have a current favourite track?JU: ‘Mass’ and ‘Apple Cider...’ for me.RGA: ‘Everyday’, ‘Just Another Face’, ‘Apple Cider’. The galloping bit towards the end of ‘Everyday’ is perfect.

MODERN BASEBALL // HOLY GHOSTRECORD OF THE MONTH:

Kaytranada’s XL debut is impressive at first, but on repeated listens the 23-year-old’s compositions reveal more charming lustre than meaty substance. Craig David collaboration ‘Got It Good’ is an early highlight, as is the trip-hop influenced ‘Bus Ride’, and it’s remarkable how Kaytranada manages to serve

up an hour of house, trap, hip hop, psychedelia and R&B while always seeming to be in control of his ideas, but the lasting appeal needed to revere this bold work simply isn’t there. The production is great, the music is melodic and, as in the case of ‘Weight Off’, the basslines are hard. It’s hard to diagnose the ailment 99.9% suffers from, but experience and stronger lyrical collaborations would go some way towards curing it.Tim Hakki

Intentionally or not, Andy Shauf nailed his own epitaph when he named his last LP The Bearer of Bad News. Three and a half years on, the Saskatchewan-raised multi-instrumentalist returns with another set of amusingly gloomy character studies, only this time he’s turned his glass-half-empty

outlook to parties. Whether they’re “overdressed and under-prepared” (‘Early To The Party’) or unsuccessfully hitting on their best mate’s ex (‘Quite Like You’), Shauf’s protagonists blunder along from one embarrassment to another. Fortunately, easing the awkwardness are some very pretty arrangements – often centred around piano and strings – plus the soft-focus, 70s production-feel recently re-popularised by Tobias Jesso Jr. As listeners, you’re left relieved not to be privy to the forced fun, but thankful to be an onlooker. Gemma Samways

KAYTRANADA99.9%XL Recordings // May 6th

ANDY SHAUFTHE PARTYANTI- Records // May 20th

Since the release of White Lung’s last album – 2014’s great, critically-acclaimed Deep Fantasy – Mish Barber-Way, the band’s vocalist and lyricist, has got married. She’s in a job she likes, fronting a band that tours the world and, in her own words, she’s happy…Though you might not have guessed it on

a listen to Paradise. The Canadian three-piece’s fourth record is every bit as fierce, loud and in-your-face as any White Lung fan has come to love and expect – with crashing drums, shredding guitar and Mish’s vocals as powerful as ever. But listen a little closer and you might just hear it. These may be punk songs, but they’re big, well-produced, and certainly not lacking a chorus. Chat shit, get bangers. Jake May

WHITE LUNGPARADISEDomino // May 6th

ANOHNI’s first solo album outside of Antony & the Johnsons could be the first classic protest record of our age, if it weren't so thoroughly dejected.Straight from the opener ‘Drone Bomb Me’, she’s bluntly beckoning explosives not to cease, but to “blow my head off” and “explode my crystal guts”. Elsewhere, if Natalie Bennet handwrote every Green Party leaflet in her own

blood, the warnings of irreversible climate change still wouldn't hit home quite as hard as they do on ‘4 Degrees’, and ‘Obama’ is a digital dirge detailing in no uncertain terms her disappointment with the U.S. President – specifically how she “cried for joy” at the election of a man whose legacy is now tarnished by “executing without trial” and “punishing the whistleblowers, those who tell the truth”.Sonically (owing in part to having co-produced the album with Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke) it’s frankly astonishing. But the words are either a thing of genius or just, well, really not helping matters. I’m not sure yet. Lyrically, Hopelessness is steadfastly outward looking, in that its concerns are almost solely to do with the ensuing horrors of the wider world. But ANOHNI’s tortured delivery is one that seems intensely personal, and as the title suggests, it offers no solutions.If there’s any small comfort to be taken from this music, it’s that if you too are paralysed by the inescapable shiteness of everything, ANOHNI knows how you feel. Thomas Hannan

Ever since ‘92, Helen Love have been peddling a kind of hyperactive punk-pop that’s somewhat divisive: “the Ramones on an incredibly intense sugar high” isn’t exactly for everyone, and their predilection for cheap synthesizers, tinny guitars and shrill vocals might grate on some, but their unashamed approach to making music that’s simply fun and unpretentious is something to admire.

While most bands focus their attention on singing earnestly about love and everyday grievances, Helen Love has always maintained a joyously light-hearted lyrical approach. Here, she sings about space boys on the aptly-titled, synth-driven ‘Spaceboy’, and name-drops Polystyrene on pleasingly trashy X-Ray-Spex ode ‘Thank You Polystyrene’. Helen Love’s affinity for The Ramones – the band that brought them together due to a mutual appreciation – is also still hugely prominent: Smash Hits is littered with references to them; look no further than ‘You Can’t Beat A Boy Who Loves The Ramones’, which has snippets of Dolly Parton singing “Where have all the good men gone…” - an amusing, if slightly baffling, recurring theme throughout the album. The best thing about Helen Love is that amidst the over-the-top chaos, there’s always a hint of irony – take them too seriously, and you’re simply missing the point. They’re the perfect antidote to trad-rock drudgery, and for that, we should all be grateful. Hayley Scott

ANOHNIHOPELESSNESSRough Trade // May 6th

HELEN LOVESMASH HITSAlcopop! Records // May 20th

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German producer Pantha du Prince, aka Hendrik Weber, aimed to introduce more “human elements” into his strain of mercurial, ambient techno, in this his first full-length offering since his acclaimed third album Black Noise.On the contrary, The Triad has a more celestial than earthly

atmosphere, largely due to its transient arrangements. Sparse vocals, scattering snares, humming bass and distant bells continually morph and form nocturnal movements that transport you far beyond 'human' and into a much more intriguing place. This is particularly true on the wistful ‘In An Open Space’ and the aptly-titled ‘You What? Euphoria!’ The Triad is a beautiful record, best enjoyed as a whole; an asterism of mutating beats and twinkling droplets of unfamiliar sounds that maintain a gripping hold throughout. Woodrow Whyte

PANTHA DU PRINCETHE TRIADRough Trade // May 20th

Outer Heaven sees Greys riding the steely edge between palatable pop punk and more exciting (but decidedly weird) experimentations

in surf, shoegaze and acerbic slacker rock. Like a sober FIDLAR emerging from a weekend bender into the crisp Toronto daylight, this latest iteration of Greys feels jubilant and grubby. The production is dirtied up with all the homespun grime of an underground demo tape. It crackles and pops in all the right places but, paradoxically, feels a little overcooked. This is precision-engineered dirt on the faces of what are actually driving, infectious pop punk songs. And in tracks like ‘My Life as a Cloud’ and ‘Strange World’ Greys demonstrate their proficiency at the dreamier end of the genre spectrum. A warm and likable release with an identity crisis. Grant Bailey

GREYSOUTER HEAVENCarpark Records // May 20th

“I woke up feeling alright because there was milk in the refrigerator” sing Stockholm’s Magic Potion on album

opener ‘Milk’, released on the brilliant PNKSLM label. It begins a journey along the Real Estate – Ultimate Painting trajectory stopping off at B-town indie and the Ninja Turtles without even breaking a sweat. A slacker record for dreamers, they sing about having too much time on their hands, putting the garbage out (well, nearly) and skateboarding in a way that recalls the best bedroom guitar pop. “The truth is that I’m bored” they confess on ‘Booored’, and you could say that not much happens on Pink Gum. However, just like the longest, laziest of summers, you’d be happy for this one to go on forever. Henry Wilkinson

MAGIC POTIONPINK GUMPNKSLM // May 27th

After WU LYF burned out in a flash of melodrama, no one was really sure what would become of its most recognisable element: Ellery James Roberts and his voice that seems high and low and gravelly and smooth all at once. The answer was a whole lot of nothing for four years, during which Roberts

shelved projects for “giving me no joy” - at last, he seems to have found a bit in LUH (which stands for Lost Under Heaven). Not much, mind. There’s still existential hand-wringing to be done and over-the-top lyrics to be sung, but joining forces with Dutch artist girlfriend Ebony Hoorn has lent Roberts a lighter touch, a synthier sound and maybe even something approaching peace. Kate Solomon

Of the many reference points on this Brooklyn trio’s second album, whose starry indie jangle could belong to any of the past 30 years, the most unexpected is The Dead Kennedys – the SF punks’ ‘Moon Over Marin’ riff is all over the brooding midsection of ‘Contact’. Elsewhere, comparisons are easier

to anticipate: the fuzzbox bubblegum of The Primitives on single ‘Victoria’; Teenage Fanclub’s lo-fi pop melodics on wry love drama ‘Crooked Cop’; Camera Obscura’s lilting swing across stalker confessional ‘The Smokey Pines’. These highs, likewise the kicking psych-rocker ‘Bulldozer’, demand that frontwoman Drew Citron carry the weight and, when her dream-like voice is glossy and sonorous, and her guitar licks coil and spark like Peter Buck’s, Beverly’s middleweight indie-pop packs an impact you just didn’t see coming. Nick Mee

LUHSPIRITUAL SONGS FOR LOVERS TO SINGMute // May 6th

BEVERLYTHE BLUE SWELLKanine Records // May 6th

Post-punks Eagulls have chosen an anagram of their name for their second album Ullages, which in turn plays out like an anagram of the band’s sound - it’s comfortingly familiar, and their bleak lyricism and deadpan delivery are firmly in check, yet they sound far less aggressive than on their debut album.

Not to be mistaken for a transformation, it’s more of a re-organisation as such, and the result is a seriously solid collection of Smiths-esque pleasures. Sure, ‘How Soon Is Now?’ springs to mind throughout, but on tracks like ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Lemontrees’, it’s hard not to be engulfed by Eagulls’ wholly addictive take on the melancholic North. On Ullages, Eagulls have tapped into an incredible knack for making the dreary sound delightfully dreamy. Tom Walters

EAGULLSULLAGESPartisan // May 13th

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Goldenvoice Presents

BILL BAIRD28.04.16SCOTCH

BROKEN HANDS28.04.16DINGWALLS

VANESSA CARLTON03.05.16THE LEXINGTON 18.05.16SCALA

ESTRONS+ OUR GIRL05.05.16THE WAITING ROOM

TOURIST+ XO11.05.16XOYO

EAGULLS19.05.16ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL

FATHER JOHN MISTY18.05.16THE ROUNDHOUSE 19.05.16THE ROUNDHOUSE20.05.16THE ROUNDHOUSE

YAK+ INHEAVEN24.05.16DINGWALLS

SHURA+ PUMAROSA26.05.16O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE

PIXX+ LITTLE CUB26.05.16THE PICKLE FACTORY

WAKA FLOCKA FLAME+ DARK E FREQUER& 808INK& JIKAY29.05.16JAZZ CAFE

ALGIERS+ BLOOD SPORT30.05.16100 CLUB

CLARE MAGUIRE06.06.16ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH

BLOODY KNEES08.06.16ELECTROWERKZ

CROWS15.06.16BARFLY

JP COOPER26.10.16O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN

SLEAFORD MODS10.11.16ROUNDHOUSE

THE SPECIALS15.11.16THE TROXY 16.11.16THE TROXY

SOLD OUT

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LiS 41

Festival season starts with the first excited glance at initial line-up announcements and ends months later, exhausted, stuck on a motorway and fervently wishing for your own bed. Pretty much every second that leads up to that moment is worth it though. Whether you’re sprawling on grassy hills in the middle of the countryside or sprinting round city venues trying to cram as much in as humanly possible, festival season is hands-down the best time of year to see a ridiculous amount of music. From special sets delivered by your favourite artists (we’re still reminiscing about Sufjan at End Of The Road last year) to the giddy thrill of discovering new treasures tucked away in smaller tents or upstairs in pub rooms, this is the bit where we fill our pop boots. Here we bring you a selection of those festivals where we think all the best kicks are going to happen.

photo: Sonny Malhotra (EOTR)

Contributors: Rhian Daly, Jack Urwin, Danny Wright, Geoff Cowart, Tom Walters, Dave Rowlinson.

2016 FESTIVAL SPECIALLONDON // UK // REST OF THE WORLD

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August 6th // Hackney, various venues.Go see: Young Fathers, Mykki Blanco, Ulrika Spacek.@VisionsFestival // visionsfestival.com

June 11th-12th // Victoria Park, E3.Go see: Skepta, Anna Meredith, Loyle Carner.@fielddaylondon // fielddayfestivals.com

July 17th // Victoria Park, E3.Go see: Sigur Ros, Caribou, Lianne La Havas.@CitadelFestival // citadelfestival.com

VISIONS FESTIVAL

CITADEL

“It should be a right laugh!” That’s the verdict on this year’s Field Day extravaganza from Sleaford Mods. The pissed-off Nottingham duo rock the Victoria Park party as the festival celebrates its tenth year of blowing eardrums and minds. The acts supplying the smiles in Hackney include PJ Harvey, Ata Kak, Deerhunter, Little Simz, Kelela, Girl Band, Novelist, Orchestra Baobab and Daphni. Plus, of course, the return of Aussie legends The Avalanches.

FIELD DAY

Don't want the hassle of leaving the city or having to pitch up a tent to enjoy some top live music? Then Citadel is here for you. The one-dayer is the latest fest to take over Victoria Park, holding its inaugural bash last year. There’s loads to do away from the music here, too - you can take part in arts and crafts workshops, try and beat the competition in a sports day or just sit back and indulge in a feast from Kent’s The Sportsman, no less.

If you’re more of a ‘play it safe and not risk the literal shitstorms’ person when it comes to British festivals, Visions is for you. A handful of ace venues team up on one glorious Saturday in August to bring you a line-up that’s not only packed with guaranteed good time-bringers such as Lightning Bolt but also represents the breadth of London’s homegrown talent from the likes of Anna Calvi’s glorious art rock to Lewisham’s much-celebrated grime MC, Elf Kid.

FESTIVAL SPECIAL - OUR LONDON PICKS

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July 9th // Brockwell Park + various venues at night.Go see: Kamasi Washington, Moodymann, Jamie xx.@SunfallLondon // sunfall.co.uk

July 15th-16th // Victoria Park, E3.Go see: LCD Soundsystem, Stormzy, Run The Jewels.@LoveboxFestival // loveboxfestival.com

August 6th-7th // Fulham Palace, SW6.Go see: Super Furry Animals, Gwenno, Darren Hayman.@CBTRThames // caughtbytheriverthames.com

SUNFALLLondon’s inaugural Sunfall Festival aims to bring a little bit of the Berlin party scene to the sunny sights of Brockwell Park. Featuring an incredibly diverse range of electronic acts and DJs from Ben Klok to Jamie xx, Sunfall promises to set itself apart by providing not only the biggest daytime vibes this summer, but also a fantastic range of after parties across some of south London’s most vital venues. There’s also going to be an independent record market to dip in and out of.

LOVEBOXWe know you’re going to Lovebox because LCD Soundsystem are playing their only London show there. They’ll probably play all their hits. We’ll all dance and hug and the sun will probably be shining. And we’ll have the sounds of Major Lazer and Stormzy and Run The Jewels and MØ all buzzing in our ears too. So we know you’re going, but we’re still writing this. Why? Because we needed this space to write down those acts so we knew it wasn’t just a dream.

CAUGHT BY THE RIVER THAMESA new arrival on the London festival scene – and an incredibly welcome one. As a nation rejoices in all things bucolic (have you seen those Countryfile viewing figures?) this festival with a concern for nature, as well as incredible music, is one to treasure. A glass of red wine watching Lauren Laverne interview Chris Packham followed by the beautiful live experience of Super Furry Animals is our definition of idyllic, and that’s just the Sunday. We can’t wait to party by the river.

Jamie xx

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September 2th-4th // Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset.Go see: Joanna Newsom, Teenage Fanclub, Whitney.@EOTR // endoftheroadfestival.com

May 19th-21st // Brighton, various venuesGo see: Porches, Diet Cig, Stormzy.@thegreatescape // greatescapefestival.com

Sep 30th - Oct 1st // Dreamland, Margate, KentGo see: TBA.@ByTheSeaUK // bytheseafestival.com.

END OF THE ROAD

BY THE SEA

Okay, so Brighton doesn’t have the frozen margaritas, world-class street food and warm evening sun that Austin boasts, but it does have pretty good seaside fish and chips, and, more importantly, in spite of its location still succeeds in positing itself as a genuine rival to SXSW. Each year scores of A&Rs flood to the coast, and with good reason: the future of music exists here. Come for the showcasing of new talent, stay for the old favourites.

THE GREAT ESCAPE

If you've ever wanted to ride the UK’s oldest rollercoaster between watching bands at a festival, you’re in luck. By The Sea, held for the first time last year, takes place at Margate’s Dreamland, home to just that ride. Although the Scenic Railway probably won't give you too much of a fright, the event should be enough of a thrill to make up for it. There's no bands confirmed yet, but last year saw the likes of Foals, Hot Chip and Loyle Carner perform.

An idyllic setting, boasting one of the very best line-ups, and with peacocks strutting about on site; End of the Road is a festival nearing perfection. This year’s line-up is chocked full of greatness: Animal Collective, Joanna Newsom, Teenage Fanclub and Broken Social Scene, to name just a few. Oh, and Stewart Lee on the comedy stage. And also a raclette food stand for all your melted cheese needs. Perfection is getting that little bit closer.

photo: Richard Gray

FESTIVAL SPECIAL - OUR PICKS FROM THE UK

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September 8th-11th // Robin Hill, Isle of Wight.Go see: Kano, K.Flay, Wolf Alice.@Bestival // bestival.net

July 14th-17th // Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk.Go see: Courtney Barnett, Anna Meredith, Aurora.@LatitudeFest // latitudefestival.com

August 18th-21st // Brecon Beacons, Wales.Go see: Grandaddy, Warpaint, UMO.@GreenManFest // greenman.net

BESTIVALThe success of Bestival, since its first weekend in 2004, has been one of the more heartening festival stories of the last ten or so years. A real testament to the idea that if you’ve got the imagination and the drive you can make something special happen that people will buy in to. A trailblazer for the boutique festival experience and equally famous for it’s fancy-dress themes as it is astonishing line- ups, Bestival is something to treasure. Probably goes without saying that this year’s edition is mint.

LATITUDESince pretty much its inception, Latitude has been the butt of all white, middle-class, bring-the-kids, what-a-fabulous-yurt jokes – and, in fairness, that’s not an inaccurate analysis. But the fact is, Latitude remains almost unrivalled in both line-up and general atmosphere, boasting an array of big name favourites such as The National, M83 and Grimes, a solid selection of more obscure artists, and probably the most comprehensive comedy, poetry and theatre billings of any UK festival.

GREEN MANHeld in the Brecon Beacons, Green Man doesn't spoil the beautiful scenery with tons of advertising boards. In fact, there's no sponsorship at all at this idyllic festival and no VIP area either. The result? An all-in-it-together community feel, where enjoying the bands and activities on offer take precedence over hierarchical nonsense. What's more, the line up is always one of the best going, this year pulling in headliners Belle & Sebastian, James Blake and Wild Beasts.

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July 22nd-24th // Randall’s Island Park, NYC, USA.Go see: Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem.@PanoramaNYC // panorama.nyc

July 7th-9th // Kobetamendi, Bilbao, Spain.Go see: Pixies, Foals, Tame Impala.@bilbaobbklive // bilbaobbklive.com

June 4th-5th // Bois de Vincennes, Paris, France.Go see: Floating Points, Kelela, Savages.@WeLoveGreen // welovegreen.fr

PANORAMA

WE LOVE GREEN

Not enough festivals take place in their own specially built complex on the side of mountains, but Bilbao BBK is one of them. Head to Bilbao's Mount Cobetas and you'll find picturesque views, fresh air and the best bands from around the world. This year they’re toasting their tenth birthday, too, so expect even more of a party atmosphere as celebrations begin, and maybe just keep going.

BILBAO BBK LIVE

As you might guess from the name, the focus here is very much on the environment, seeking to dish out learns and party in equal measure. It’s an admirable approach, and makes so much sense, given how much time we spent luxuriating in the embrace of nature all festival season. You’ve got to have the music to back it all up though, and We Love Green has totally aced it with an absolutely huge line-up. Food looks amazing, too. Winwinwin.

Just as new festivals constantly pop up in the UK, fresh events are also arising elsewhere in the world. Panorama, New York's newest festival, is one of them. It takes place on the same site as the long- standing Governor’s Ball and is organised by the Coachella people so is immediately destined to bring some big names to the city. Imagine watching LCD Soundsystem close out the final night with a view of Manhattan’s glorious skyline in the distance.

FESTIVAL SPECIAL - AROUND THE WORLD

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July 29th-30th // various venues, Berlin, Germany.Go see: Mykki Blanco, Zhala, Ballet School.@yosissyberlin // yosissy.com

August 11th-13th // Slottsskogen, Gothenburg, Sweden.Go see: Anohni, Sia, Anna Von Hausswolff.@wayoutwestgbg // wayoutwest.se

August 12th-14th // Helsinki, Finland.Go see: Jamie xx, Thee Oh Sees, Pantha Du Prince.@flowfestival // flowfestival.com

YO! SISSYYou know those pictures you see from some festivals? The ones that just look a total bro-fest, where dodgy attitudes complement dodgy line-ups? Yes that guy in the Eat Sleep Rape Repeat t-shirt, we’re looking furiously at you. Thank fuck then for Yo! Sissy. Set in Berlin, and initially funded via Kickstarter, this festival celebrates the very best in queer music and culture, with an emphasis on female and trans-gender performers. Berlin’s just the best, huh? Why are there not more Yo! Sissys?

WAY OUT WESTWe’ve been to Gothenburg, we’ve eaten a ‘halv special’, we’ve wandered through the forest where the festival is staged, but we’ve never been to Way Out West. This year seems the time to put that right. Everyone comes away from WOW talking about what a hugely positive experience it’s been even beyond the music, which is pretty much all the temptation we need. That said, the line-up is so rich in eclectic and exciting acts, that this festival really does seem to have just about everything.

FLOW FESTIVALSometimes it takes just a glance at the line-up to see dozens of names jumping out at you and you’re all ‘Yep, this is the festival for me. Now, where is it?’. That’s 100% the case with this year’s Flow Festival, so know now that it’s in Helsinki, Finland and it’s time to get on Skyscanner to start checking those flight prices. Held in an decommissioned power station just outside the city centre this promises to be a unique experience bolstered by a bill that revels in both the thrillingly new and the big-hitters.

Peaches at Yo! Sissy 2015

Weddit presents:SCHLOMO/D33JPURPLE /NICK MELON

SOPHIA

TITUSANDRONICUS

THE FIELD

JULIEN BAKER

ALICE PHOEBE LOU

YUMI ZOUMA

BY THE SEA

SONGHOY BLUESwith Fatoumata Diawara

THOMASCOHEN

THE MYSTERYLIGHTS

RADIATIONCITY

LET’S EATGRANDMA

GILLIGAN MOSS & BAYONNE

VISIONSFESTIVAL

OSCAR

THREE TRAPPED TIGERS

SPRING KING

SUDAKISTAN

DAWN

KEVIN MORBY

AMBER ARCADES

FATHER JOHN MISTY

KIRANLEONARD

SWANS

MUTUALBENEFIT

BLAENAVON

TOOTHLESS

NEON INDIAN

CHASTITYBELT

MATMOS

BLACKPEACHES

SUNFLOWERBEAN

POLIÇA

ShapesFriday 20 May.

The LexingtonMonday 09 May.

The DomeFriday 09 June.

Moth ClubSaturday 30 April.

Upcoming London Shows www.rockfeedback.com

The ForgeThursday 26 May.

Bush HallTuesday 17 May.

Moth ClubTuesday 21 June.

Dreamland, MargateFriday 30 September.

RoundhouseSaturday 21 May.

Chats PalaceMonday 16 May.

Shacklewell ArmsFriday 09 June.

The VictoriaWednesday 04 May.

ElectrowerkzWednesday 01 June.

The Pickle FactoryTuesday 17 May.

VariousSaturday 06 August

The DomeTuesday 04 October.

ScalaThursday 28th April.

ScalaThursday 26 May.

The VictoriaTuesday 17 May.

XOYOWednesday 15 June.

OsloThursday 05 May.

The LexingtonWednesday 07 June.

RoundhouseWed 18, Thur 19 & Fri 20 May.

100 ClubWednesday 24 August.

Islington Assembly HallThurs 13 & Fri 14 Oct.

Bush HallThursday 28 April.

DingwallsThursday 26 May.

Moth ClubTuesday 17 May.

Oval SpaceThursday 16 June.

The DomeFriday 06 May.

OsloWednesday 07 June.

Moth ClubThursday 19 May.

ScalaThursday 15 September.

RoundhouseWednesday 19 October.

presents

LiS 51

DANIEL ROMANO

THE LEXINGTONDANIEL ROMANO // KACY & CLAYTONThe UK really seems to be embracing all thingscountry music right now, and Daniel Romano’s gift forgritty storytelling should be at the forefront of that.We heard incredible reports from his last London show.

31/05/16 - £10adv // @thelexington

THE OLD BLUE LASTBAD BREEDINGPrepare to get wonderfully pummelled by the intense and crazedrock party that Bad Breeding bring.

@theoldbluelast04/05/16 FREE

SURYABLACKBIRD BLACKBIRDBringing his dreamy electronic folk from California, a heady mix of thetextured brilliance of Caribou and the hazy pop of Washed Out.

@Surya_London22/05/16 £11adv

KINGSCROSS

SHACKLEWELL ARMSPOSTILJONENA warm-up for all those Great Escapeantics we’ll be having. If scheduleclashes might keep you away from theseNordic synthpop wonders in Brighton,then make sure you don’t miss this one.

BRIXTON WINDMILLYOUNGTEAM // CULKIN //SATSANGI + MORENorthern Star celebrate ten years of psychedelica, headed up by SwedishMogwai fans, Youngteam. Gonna be ace.

BRIXTON@windmillbrixton14/05/16 £10adv

ANGEL

BUSH HALLANDY SHAUF // EVENING HYMNSWe’ve been totally won over by AndyShauf lately, check out our review onpg.33, and get to a classy night.

@Bushhallmusic25/05/16 £10 SHEPHERD’S

BUSH

@Shacklewell Arms18/05/16 FREE DALSTON JUNCTION /

KINGSLAND

OLD STREET

GIGS OF THE MONTHOUR PICK OF THE BEST SHOWS HAPPENING IN MAY 2016

LiS 52

GOLD PANDA(photo: Tim Boddy)

THE GOOD SHIPSHMU // THE COLD BONESWe’re really excited to see Shmu onthese shores. Genre? Well, that’s tough.We’ll say grungeydreampopchaos.

@thegoodshipNW618/05/16 £5adv

TOTTENHAMCOURT ROAD

KILBURN

THE DOMEGOLD PANDAWell, obviously we think you should go tothis show. Our cover star has made his bestalbum yet, and we can’t wait to get lost inthe magic of it at The Dome.

@DomeTufnellPark30/05/16 £14.50adv

HACKNEY CENTRAL

OSLOFLAMINGODSBahrain and London come together tocreate uniquely twisted psychedelica.

@OsloHackney11/05/16 £7.50adv

TUFNELL PARK

HOXTON BAR AND KITCHENQUILTThere’s something very breezy andbucolic in the gentle pop yarnsthat Quilt spin. Perfect music forSpring turning into Summer.

@HoxtonHQ16/05/16 £8.50adv OLD

STREET

SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERSSEGOIf the unholy racket of Girl Band is you’rekind of thing, then get along to this showfrom the L.A. duo. New album is radness.

@ServantJazz24/05/16 £6adv DALSTON JUNCTION /

KINGSLAND

O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMYSEPTEMBER GIRLS // THEBLACK TAMBOURINES // MUTTIndiepop and shoegaze haze combine tomake the very great September Girls.

@O2Islington19/05/16 £8adv

ANGEL

NEW CROSS INNHUSKY LOOPS // WINNARETTAA) Great band name. B) We’ve been waiting for a chance to catch theseraucous newcomers, and now it’s here!

@NewCrossInn12/05/16 £3 NEW CROSS /

NEW CROSS GATE

BORDERLINEBENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICHWith an album on Dirty Hit (Wolf Alice, the 1975) on its way, whata time to welcome this delicate & timeless performer back to London.

@theborderline12/05/16 £15adv

LiS 53

THE FAMILY RAIN

BEDROOM BARJOE NOLAN // MARTIN PIEHLMEIERWe’re absolute suckers for a theremin, soadd that to Joe Nolan’s knack for raw andpowerful tunes and you’ve got us hooked.

@Bedroom_Bar17/05/16 FREE

FABRICTHE BUG FT. P MONEY //FLOWDAN // PHAELEH + MOREDescribe something as ‘head-sheeringapocalyptic dancehall’ and you’vealready got us there, and dancing.

@fabriclondon06/05/16 £14adv

PAPER DRESS VINTAGETHE FAMILY RAIN // WELLThe thought of seeing The Family Rain’salmighty racket in the confines of PaperDress is pretty damn thrilling. Expect loud.

@paperdressed09/05/16 £5

BIRTHDAYSOPEN MIKE EAGLE // MILO // QUEEN CITY STOOP KIDSA rapper of magnificent skill, we’re expecting Open Mike Eagle tohave a huge year. Both serious, and seriously witty, this will rule.

@_Birthdays23/05/16 £10adv

@thelocktavern06-08/05/16 FREE CHALK FARM /

CAMDEN TOWN

THE LOCK TAVERNWHISTLEJACKET // TIGERCATS //ALDOUS RH + MANY MOREThis Spilt Milk Weekender has so manygreat new bands playing, it’s just ridiculous.

OLD STREET

WAITING ROOMLEGENDS OF COUNTRY Born from the indiepop heart of The BoyLeast Likely To, LoC are the UK’s verybest purveyors of all things Nashville.

@WaitingRoomN1611/05/16 £4 DALSTON JUNCTION/

KINGSLAND

DALSTON JUNCTION/KINGSLAND

100 CLUBALGIERSRecalling DC hardcore, no waveand post punk, Algiers are intense,fired-up and this will be incredible.

@100clubLondon30/05/16 £10adv TOTTENHAM

COURT ROAD

FARRINGDON

HACKNEY CENTRAL

SUNDAY 1ST MAY

MONDAY 9TH MAY

TUESDAY 10TH MAY WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY

THURSDAY 12TH MAY

FRIDAY 13TH MAY

SATURDAY 14TH MAY

SUNDAY 15TH MAY

MONDAY 16TH MAY

TUESDAY 17TH MAY

WEDNESDAY 18TH MAY

BEVERLY

THURSDAY 19TH MAY

FRIDAY 20TH MAY

SATURDAY 21ST MAY

SUNDAY 22ND MAY

MONDAY 23RD MAY

TUESDAY 24TH MAY

WEDNESDAY 25TH MAY

THURSDAY 26TH MAY

FRIDAY 27TH MAY

SATURDAY 28TH MAY

SUNDAY 29TH MAY

GOLD PANDAThe DomeMay 30th

photo: Tim Boddy

MONDAY 30TH MAY

TUESDAY 31ST MAY

FOR ALL THE LATEST & MOSTUP-TO-DATE LISTINGS, AND TOSIGN UP TO OUR GIGS OF THE WEEK EMAIL, VISITLONDONINSTEREO.COM

Orange Yard, o� Manette St, London W1D 4JB

Follow us @theborderline and facebook.com/theborderline Tickets from theborderlinelondon.com or 0844 847 2465 (24hr)

Classic Indie, Rock & Brit Pop

FRI 29 APR 7PM

RECREATIONSSAT 30 APR 7PM

ASHESTOANGELSSUN 01 MAY 7PM

WALLS OF JERICHOMON 02 MAY 7PM

NIKKI LANE PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

WED 04 MAY 7PM

THE RECORD COMPANY PLUS GUESTS

THU 05 MAY 7PM

JACK HUES & THE QUARTETWITH KEVIN CORCORAN

FRI 06 MAY 7PM

THE CHASE ALBUM LAUNCHMON 09 MAY 7PM

MICK ABRAHAMS - A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS OF MUSICRICK WAKEMAN (YES), RAY DORSET (MUNGO JERRY), GEOFF WHITEHORN (PROCOL HARUM), CLIVE BUNKER (JETHRO TULL), ELLIOTT RANDALL (STEELY DAN), DENNIS GREAVES AND MARK FELTHAM (NINE BELOW ZERO) PLUS MORE

TUE 10 MAY 7PM

XIXAPLUS GUESTS

WED 11 MAY 7.30PM

MOON SAFARIFRI 13 MAY 7PM

BAND OF FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION OF RORY GALLAGHERSAT 14 MAY 7PM

THE DOWLING POOLE ALBUM LAUNCHMON 16 MAY 7PM

THE HILLBILLY MOON EXPLOSIONPLUS SUPPORT

TUE 17 MAY 7:30PM

ARMY OF BONESTHU 19 MAY 7PM

SHARKSFRI 20 MAY 7PM

RYAN MCGRAVEY & BAND SAT 21 MAY 7PM

COLDRAINSUN 22 MAY 6.30PM

SIMON MCBRIDE

EVERY FRIDAY

There ain’t no party like our 90s party

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK

PRESENTS

LondonInStereo_12Apr.indd 1 18/04/2016 11:45

Oscar’s debut album Cut And Paste is released May 13th via Wichita Recordings.ONLINE: oscaroscar.co.uk // @oscar_scheller // facebook.com/oscaroscarLIVE: Rough Trade East, May 11th // The Dome, October 4th. UK FESTIVALS: Latitude, Secret Garden Party, Festival No.6, End Of The Road.

LiS 73

Why do you live in London?I live in London because I was born there and it’s my home!

Where do you like to eat and drinkMy favourite place to eat is JJ's Jerk Chicken in Harlesden because it's home cooking and the conversations are great in there. And to drink at The Lexington before a gig.

Winter’s over, Spring is in the air, how do you like London in the springtime?It’s probably my favourite season to be in London. There is a really special feeling of the new in the air and when the sun shines in London everyone is in such a good mood and you can feel that!

What makes a great day in London?The days when I can just mosey about town, looking at records, eating chocolate bars and popping in on friends. Also, any day spent mostly in a park is a great day in London.

Speaking of which, favourite outdoor space?Hampstead Heath.

Which gig venues do you like?Village Underground, The Lexington, Oval Space and Corsica Studios.

And the best show you’ve played here?Village Underground for Lucky Number’s 10th Birthday.

Does London ever influence the music you write?It most definitely does. I like to think you can hear it in the music. Just the mash-up culture that London in particular generates.

How would you advise someone to getthe most out of the city?As with any metropolitan city it helps to know people who are native. Befriend locals and get them to take you out.Avoid tourist traps. Be cultured and get ready to spend some money!

IN LONDONwith

OSCAR


PRESENTS


london in stereo // may 2016

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