Quartet-lab’s concerts have been nothing less than mind blowing. Think of music being taken to a scientific lab for experimenting with newness, just like students play around with dangerous chemicals in a chemistry lab to come up with a new kind of a compound. Those of you who have been to Wigmore Hall recently in…
I didn’t go to Glastonbury this year, and it’s the first time I can remember not thinking ‘I wish I was there’ while watching the coverage on the BBC. The weather played a big part in that – no matter how much people try to kid themselves that the mud doesn’t matter, it does. When…
Life as part of a massive rock band is filled with drama – and when you’re touring and recording with the same people all the time relationships are bound to become a bit strained at times. It’s not surprising then that some of the world’s most successful rock bands have had their fair share of…
If you’re a musician on the move, then the chances are you’ve already got a laptop or tablet PC ready to go. However, to connect your guitar or keyboard, you’re going to need a suitable interface. Today, we’re going to take a look at what we think are the best value interfaces available on the…
The 56th Annual Grammy Awards are taking place this Sunday (26 January), and judging by the latest betting odds it looks like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are set for a big night. The Seattle duo are nominated in the big categories like Best New Artist, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year, and…
I don’t know why I’m surprised, especially after last years very drab Brit Awards. Some part of me had hoped for a bit of excitement and drama this time round, but today’s Brit Awards nomination announcement has well and truly killed that hope. Why, I hear you ask? Because Bastille have the most nominations. During…
First things first: Happy New Year! Now that’s out the way, let’s get stuck into the serious business of looking forward to what 2014 has in store for us all. After a pretty impressive 2013 for big albums – Bowie, My Bloody Valentine, Daft Punk, Jay Z, Kanye, Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire, Beyonce to name…
So in this final part, here are my top twenty songs of 2013! 20. Gary Barlow – ‘Let Me Go’ (Released: November, No. 2) After a few years captaining the reformed Take That man-band, Barlow released his first major solo single in fourteen years. Taking inspiration from Mumford and Sons, this perky, country-tinged number feels…
With the majority of my countdown already covered, let’s get a bit nearer to my top twenty with numbers #40 through to #21. 40. Clean Bandit – ‘Mozart’s House’ (Released: March, No. 17) Possibly one of the least accessible tracks of the year, Clean Bandit’s ‘Mozart’s House’ was, however, an eye opener, mixing in electronic…
With forty songs already covered, let’s get into the top sixty, with numbers 60 through to 41. 60. Bellowhead – ‘Roll The Woodpile Down’ (Released: February, didn’t chart) Around for the best part of a decade, this second single from their ‘Broadside’ album grabbed my attention with its catchy folk-indie-pop vibe that fitted neatly onto…
