Buzzin Music » Dance Music

The Playground presents 93 Feet East – a night of electro, alternative & indie music

Edwin Huxley — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:34:39 +0000

The Playground presents a night of electro, alternative and indie music

The Playground presents a night of electronic, alternative and indie music @ 93 Feet East, east London on Saturday 31st July 2010.

Room 1:
La Shark
Fiction
Pope Joan
Lighthouses
Twelve Clay Feet

Room 2:
DJ Mason
Les Gillettes (Kitsune)

DJ Mason
DJ Mason is the stage name for Dutch music producer duo Iason Chronis and Coen Berrier. After their track, Exceeder topping at number one on the UK Dance Chart in 2007 they have been touring the world and ripping-up the music scene with their Breakbeat-Electro stylings.

Les Gillettes
With a ‘raving’ alter-ego in place, the Swedish-born, London-based techno DJ Les Gillettes has come from the Indie Clubs of Helsinki all over the ‘Hip n Hot’ cities of Europe ready to grace the stage behind her decks with more of her Beastly beats and ‘Devil-dancing’ style that we know and love.

La Shark
Hailing from New Cross, South London the band-of-five consider their sound to be influenced from the music of the Bee Bop era, sort of ‘Plastic Pop’ with a bit of ‘..early 20th century pornography thrown in to add that spark..’ Whatever it is that appeals to you, you won’t be left disappointed.

“La Shark offer great beats, quirky lyrics, pretty harmonies, pandemonic circus-clown percussion and overall weirdness… makes for addictive listening.” Time Out

Fiction
Having only been together a year the New Wave/ Post Punk sound of this London-based foursome have already graced the stages of the Offset Festival and the Huw Stephens-curate Swn Festival, as well as recording live sessions for BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and Radio Diesel. “..Fiction hit the rhythmic, Post Punk nail on the head on so many levels. Fact!” Loud & Quiet

Pope Joan
Pope Joan have clearly established themselves as part of the new wave of exciting and experimental British art-pop, with a sound that has been described a being somewhere within the realms of Les Savy Fav and early-era XTC along with the sonic spectrum of TV on the Radio, which has already played along-side the likes of New Young Pony Club, Shy Child and Danananankroyd to name but a few. “A colourful explosion of post punk adorned, effects laden guitar lines, quirky synth noises, elasticated bass lines and creative drum patterns topped off with an undeniable pop sheen.” Artrocker

“Brighton boys Pope Joan are a fantastic and quirky proposition indeed.”  NME

Lighthouses
Delpic vs. Death From Above or Hot Chip vs. Daft Punk?! East London’s Joe Boyle and Richard Williams make-up this Electro-Indie two piece, having formed from a curiosity and interest in fusing Dance with Rock music and have created such clash of sounds that the only way to describe their music is by cross-comparison.

Twelve Clay Feet
The Cambridge-based foursome have already showcased their Indie-Rock stylings along-side the likes of the Editors, Hard Fi and The Little Flames, and after having toured the country on the Radio 1 backed Transit Tour and making it to the Final of The Music League 2010 competition, the stage is set in anticipation for their urgent, beautiful and soulful musings.

The Playground presents
93 Feet East
150 Brick Lane London E1 6QL
Saturday 31st July 2010

Time: 7pm – 1am
£5 advance £7 door
tickets from www.ticketground.co.uk

Dreadzone – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells, live review

Annie Payne — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:19:17 +0000

Dreadzone Live at at The Forum, Tunbridge Wells

Dreadzone Live at at The Forum, Tunbridge Wells on Thursday 20th May 2010.

Converted public toilet, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells, is a unique and extremely intimate venue to experience the eclectic dub, reggae, techno fusion sound of Dreadzone. From the minute they arrived on stage the band were undoubtedly enjoying the gig as much as their fans, which makes a huge difference to the atmosphere when watching a live performance. The unmistakable vocal talent of MC Spee and his charismatic stage presence further captivating the audience.

As this latest tour is to promote their new studio album EYE ON THE HORIZON, which was released on 26th April 2010, their set included several of their new songs all of which were very well received by the audience. ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’, ‘Changes’, ‘Gangster’, ‘American Dread’, ‘For A Reason’ and the slightly more rock influenced and aptly titled ‘Beyond A Rock’.

The audience appreciation for the new single ‘Gangster’ was encouraged by MC Spee who was waving his crutch (not crotch) in the air like some crazy conductor.

Old favourites ‘Lion Shirt’ and their closing track, the iconic top 20 hit ‘Little Britain’, from the 1995 Album Second Light… whipped the adoring crowd into a hot and sweaty dance frenzy and only left us wanting more.

And more we got, the encore song was a rendition of ‘Captain Dread’ which had MC Spee goading the crowd into Ahoying their hearts out and ensured we all left on a high.

The new Dreadzone studio album EYE ON THE HORIZON is OUT NOW through Dubwiser Records. Founder member Greg Roberts and bassmaster Leo Williams, the unique MC Spee, Studio One vocalist Earl 16 alongside Chris Compton on guitar and Chris Oldfield on technology make up the current team of Dreadz.

ACR – A Certain Ratio – Mind Made Up, album review

Terry Lane — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:47:24 +0000

ACR - Mind Made Up

In 1976 The Sex Pistols played the Lesser Free Trade Hall to about 60 people. Amongst the crowd were individuals that would help shape the post-punk sound of Manchester; and two years later A Certain Ratio (ACR) were formed. They were the cool, ‘thin white boys’ of post-punk.

With Tony Wilson as their manager they were very much part of the whole Factory Records movement but unlike Joy Division they were influenced by the funk of George Clinton and Parliament as much as the punk ethics which is perfectly demonstrated in their debut single, a cover version of an underground jazz funk song Shack Up.

They are amusingly described by Tony Wilson (played by Steve Coogan) in the film 24 Hour Party People as “having all the energy of Joy Division but better clothes.”

Funky bass lines and jagged guitars was a perfect accompaniment to Simon Topping’s dulcet grey northern tones, and following The Graveyard & The Ballroom cassette only release in 1980 they released their debut album, To Each… in 1981 – a classic post-punk funk album.

With the following albums Sextet (1982) & I’d Like To See You Again (1983) ACR showed they were constantly evolving and experimenting with new ideas and genres including jazz and Latin percussion.

Following the departure of Simon Topping in 1983, original bass player Jez Kerr took over vocal duties and in 1986 the band had their most commercial hit with the single Wild Party.

Since then the band have continued to record and play live and still consist of original members Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson along with long-time member Tony Quigley and Liam Mullan. They have now released 10 studio and 5 live albums, the latest, Mind Made Up was originally released in 2008 and will be re-released in June 2010 by LTM.

Mind Made Up has a familiar ACR sound, the funky industrial throbbing bass, crisp, tight percussion, chugging guitar and the nonchalant but perfect vocal delivery.

The new album includes 12 new tracks including Teri which includes a part from one of the first song’s written by the original members of ACR called Intro Talk In, It was played live a few times in the late 1970’s but it has never been recorded or released until now.

Mind Made Up ends with the awesome funky percussion-led instrumental workout Very Busy Man, reminiscent of Fermi O Grido from Live In America (1985).

Unlike post-punk era groups that disappeared, got fat and old, and have recently reformed, A Certain Ratio have kept doing the du, aged well both personally and musically and with the re-release of Mind Made Up show they still have the X Factor!

For more ACR information visit www.myspace.com/acertainratio

Melt! Music Festival 2010 in Ferropolis, Germany

Edwin Huxley — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:35:52 +0000

Melt! Music Festival 2010

The summer music festival season is nearly upon us, and everyday we are receiving information from the biggest music festivals right across Europe, with some amazing line-ups!

Melt! Music Festival 2010 will be held on 16th – 18th July in Ferropolis, Germany. The anticipation for the 13th Edition of Melt! grows – just like its line up, now bolstered by the news that Jónsi (singer and guitarist of Sigur Rós), Broken Bells and Groove Armada will all perform at the festival with more names still to be announced.

Sigur Rós singer and guitarist Jónsi will bring his bombastic show to the crowds at Melt! for his only music festival gig in Germany.

Other highlights include Danger Mouse producer Brian Burton and The Shins frontman James Mercer will play their first ever German show as Broken Bells. Groove Armada will also be presenting their new live show exclusively at this years’ Melt music festival.

After selling out in record time last year, Melt!was also awarded with a LEA (Live Entertainment Award) for “Best Festival”. Once again, tickets are selling out fast for this years event so we advise buying tickets for Melt’s wonderland Ferropolis very soon to avoid disappointment.

Jónsi
Iceland’s forces of nature are unpredictable apparently, as is the music that originates on the rough rock formation. Who would have though that Jon “Jónsi” Birgisson, singer and guitarist of Sigur Rós, was gifted with a true pop attitude? Yet Jónsi announces his debut “Go” with full force. All melancholic sound walls were put aside and the shy frontman Jónsi reached for a little more cheerful instrumentation. Now the album is full of whistles, chirps, hammering and tunes that will make your day. Simply wonderful.

Broken Bells
At first glance, producer and DJ Brian Burton a.k.a. Danger Mouse and Shins singer and guitarist James Mercer might not seem like a perfect couple of mates. However, when they first met somewhere in Denmark, they musically bonded in an instant. A music session was arranged. Its result, a self-titled debut, is available in record stores since March 2010. The album is a mix of relaxed pop music with soul influences, playful organ sounds and a strong leaning towards experimentation. What else do you need on a sunny Melt! day.

Groove Armada
British Groove Armada are back with their new release “Black Lights”. Strangely enough, the album doesn’t have anything to do with black lights at all. Rather it’s a colourful kaleidoscope of pop: romantic messages are loudly chanted (“Paper Romance“), 1980’s dark wave features mix with true disco tunes (“History”), and rock songs (“Look Me In the Eye Sister“) meet soft synth waves.

All confirmed acts so far

For more information visit www.meltfestival.de

Melt Music Festival Tickets

3-day ticket valid for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
EUR 94 zzgl. plus pre-sale fee and EUR 5 garbage deposit

2-day ticket valid for Friday and Saturday:
EUR 74 zzgl. plus pre-sale fee and EUR 5 garbage deposit

The ticket price includes camping and parking (from Thursday 15.07. 01:00pm until Monday, 19.07. 03:00pm).

See more ticket information at www.meltfestival.de/en/tickets

Bestival Bestival Music Festival 2010

Katie Gibbons — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:20:31 +0000

Bestival 2010

For some reason most of the big name festivals in the UK do not have as much appeal to me as a number of the European ones. I don’t know exactly why? I suppose the changeability of the British weather has something to do with it. That and I find it hard to find a festival that fulfils the diversity (or equally the specificity) of the music I like. What can I say, I’m quite fussy and a bit hard to please?!

The line up for this year’s Bestival however, has managed to get me very excited indeed.

Rob da Bank’s line up includes some of the most interesting bands, DJ’s and acts to perform together at one festival. Not only do you get to hear these people perform, but you also get to dress up whilst doing so! The theme for 2010? Fantasy!

My all time hero Richie Hawin is performing his new multi-media live Plastikman show. Another act that is pushing their boundaries of their usual live approach is The XX who has a 3-D instillation of their work to run concurrently with their show. Throw in New Zealand funk/ dub/ jazz seven piece Fat Freddy’s Drop and you’ve already got a pretty damn amazing mish mash of musical styles.

But it doesn’t stop there… for me I definitely want to check out LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Flaming Lips, Fever Ray, Seth Troxler, The Vegetable Orchestra (I mean how could you not be intrigued by this?), Tricky (who I last saw amid a tropical rainstorm in New Zealand in 1996), Mumford and Sons, Vitalic, Dub Pistols (I once hitched a ride into Cologne with Barry Ashworth- a long, long story), DJ Yoda, Four Tet…..

The thing, which interests me about the above, is that there is so much variety in the style of music these artists play and yet what binds them is their playful approach to their live performances. It is this playfulness of theme that the Bestival organisers use as the platform for the festival. It doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously, but what it does take seriously is good music. Extraordinarily, I’ve never been. I’ve always wanted to but for various reasons I haven’t been able to make it, like last year when I was completing my Masters dissertation. This year finally is my chance to experience what I think is the best festival on offer in 2010.

For the complete line up visit www.bestival.net or the blog for music and regular updates http://besti-blog.blogspot.com/

Dreadzone – Eye On The Horizon album review

Terry Lane — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:47:26 +0000

Dreadzone new album, Eye On The Horizon

Dreadzone release their new studio album, Eye On The Horizon, on 26th April 2010.

Eye On The Horizon paints a familiar picture for Dreadzone fans everywhere with its well produced mix of commerical radio-friendly pop sounding reggae and uptempo dance rhythms. Songs like Tomorrow Never Comes & Changes stand out as possible chart-friendly UK hits, while the forthcomnig single Beyond A Rock sees Dreadzone rock out.

Eye On The Horizon includes ten new tracks. American Dread is a personal favourite, and is more akin to the sample drenched Dreadzone roots which err towards their Big Audio Dynamite rhythm section beginnings. It also includes a catchy sample that reminds me in a strange way of the floor-filling Little Britain.

Dreadzone’s original sound, enthusing dub reggae, house music, trance and pop helped them to become one of the UK’s original dance music pioneers in the early 1990’s. MCing and reggae vocals partner the mix of live guitars, electronic beats and dub bass to perfection.

Eye On The Horizon features iconic samples (notably, the legendary theme from Long Good Friday on Gangster, a spoken word piece from Woody Guthrie and Dennis Brown’s Greensleeves classic Whip Them Jah on American Dread) all of which compliment the bass and beat heavy Dreadzone style perfectly.

Live performances have always been separate from the more polished, commercial sound of Dreadzone’s studio albums. Though I’m aware daytime radio and UK charts dictate an overproduced sound, I have always preferred the Dreadzone live experience more, where bass speakers and a sweaty, happy dancing audience will have me grinning from ear to ear.

The Dreadzone story began with Alan McGee‘s Creation Records and their first groundbreaking album 360, continuing with major waves their seminal 1995 album Second Light picking up support from John Peel (who included the album in his top ten favourite albums of all time).

The core members Greg Dread (drums), Leo Williams (bass), MC Spee, legendary Studio One vocalist Earl 16 alongside Chris Compton on guitar and Chris Oldfield on technology make up the new line up.

Dreadzone - Eye On The Horizon tracklisting:

1.TOMORROW NEVER COMES
2.FOR A REASON
3.CHANGES
4.AMERICAN DREAD
5.BEYOND A ROCK
6. GANGSTER
7. YEAH MAN
8.MY FACE
9. WALK TALL
10. JUST LET GO

For more information visit www.dreadzone.com

Hadouken! – Mic Check video & single out now

John Williams — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:44:58 +0000

hadouken! - mic check

Mic Check is the second single to be taken from Hadouken!’s current album For The Masses and is being played just about everywhere right now.

For some reason it only makes Radio 1’s ‘B’ list, but still managed ‘Record of the Week’ on the Fearne Cotton show and was Zane Lowe’s ‘Hottest Record in the World.’

Elsewhere the video is playlisted on all the favourite channels, such as MTV, NME and Kerrang!

Hadouken!’s headline dates in every major UK town and city have proven once again that they’re one of 2010’s most potent live forces, with an energy and exuberance on stage that has drawn comparisons to the Prodigy and Pendulum. Farther afield, the band debuted in the US in February, and will be returning to play Coachella later in the spring. A European tour kicks off shortly.

‘For The Masses’ was recorded with gilded Dutch electronic producers Noisia and is available on Hadouken!’s own Surface Noise Recordings. In contrast to the art-school show ponies and electro-pop crooners that make up UK music’s current establishment, Hadouken! go in loud, hard, and fast.

‘For The Masses’ captures their raw, visceral sound, and lands somewhere between the Prodigy’s ‘Fat Of The Land’ and Pendulum’s ‘In Silico’.

Check out the new video here and now!

Hadouken! – Mic Check

For more information visit the Hadouken! MySpace page.

The Playground presents Gary Numan and much more in April & May

John Williams — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:29:26 +0000

the playground presents..

The Playground at London’s Scala and 93 Feet East is promising some rare events during April and May, starting with a return to the ‘live’ stage for electronic pioneer Gary Numan who will be performing for the first time in years, ahead of a busy schedule of festival dates.

Numan will be playing at The Playground at London’ s Scala on April 13th as a warm up for his appearance at the Coachella Festival in California and other dates along the West Coast in La and San Francisco.

Seemingly as popular as ever, Numan recently broke all records at the BBC when 1.3 million viewers watched his collaboration with Little Boots for BBC 6Music via the interactive ”red button”.

Numan will feature at The Playground at 93 Feet East on May 8th when he will headline alongside Ade Fenton in an eclectic alternative East London night out that runs until 4am.

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Larry Tee and Punx Soundcheck to name but a few, will be supporting Numan and Fenton in a party that will spread throughout all 3 rooms within 93 Feet East, for what is sure to be an epic event.

Between the two Gary Numan appearances, on April 24th The Playground presents yet another night of epic proportions at 93 Feet East, featuring Django Django-Dj, These Monsters, Kong and Turbowolf, who will be ably supported by a cast of upcoming bands Bull See Red, Subsource (single launch) and Jumping Ships, plus much more.

Tickets for Gary Numan performance at The Scala in London on April 13th are available from ticketground.

Information for The Playground @ 93 Feet East events:
Gary Numan & Ade Fenton
Saturday 8/05/10
Time: 7pm – 4am
£ 10 advance £12 door
Free drink on entry
Tickets from www.ticketground.co.uk
93 Feet East
150 Brick Lane London E1 6QL

Django Django & These Monsters
Saturday 24/04/10
Time: 7pm – 1am
£ 6 advance £7 door
tickets from www.ticketground.co.uk
93 Feet East
150 Brick Lane London E1 6QL

Dreadzone @ The Quaterhouse, Folkestone Live Review

Terry Lane — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:24:54 +0000

Dreadzone Live @ The Quaterhouse, Folkestone Kent – Friday 19th March

Dreadzone played their first live date at Folkestone’s Quarterhouse; a venue I had not visited before now. But what a great little venue it was. With a capacity of 500 people it was no surprise Dreadzone was a sell-out.

Dreadzone were formed in 1993 and their new album, Eye on the Horizon, is their sixth studio album. It’s fair to say their commercial popularity waned after peaking in 1996 with their only UK Top 20 hit single, Little Britain. But live they still command a fanatic fan base and tonight the crowd were a mix of generations ranging from original ravers to teenage students; all were friendly and ready to have a good time.

In true rock n roll tradition, the band left the audience waiting after a stirring DJ set of dub-heavy underground dance tracks. But when the four musicians took to the stage, it was well worth the wait. The sound was good and the music was very tight – drums, samplers, guitar and bass.

I couldn’t help noticing how Greg Roberts (drums) was not using a click track. Which, considering the amount of samples that were being used, was very impressive indeed. Add to this two vocalists, and the Dreadzone faithful were mad for it.

The music doesn’t quite fit into any one style but is best described as a mix of dub, dance, reggae, with a hint of trance and a sniff of folk.

The set list included tracks from the forthcoming album, Eye on the Horizon and a selection of live favourites from their previous 17 years, culminating of course with a great rendition of Little Britain. And tonight in Folkestone, the screeching seagull introduction seemed more apt than ever before.

If I’m being honest, I like the older tracks much more than the new material. Those old rave dub tracks still cut the mustard!

Dreadzone may have fallen far away from the commercial radar. But tonight showed they have a solid and loyal live following; and that quite simply is because, live they rock!

Dreadzone Announce New Album & UK Tour

Edwin Huxley — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:55:46 +0000

Dreadzone - New Album & UK Tour

Dreadzone have announced they will be releasing their new album Eye On The Horizon on 26th April 2010.

The new album sees Dreadzone continue to create great dub dance pop music, a style that has helped them to become celebrated as one of the UK’s original dance music pioneers , with a style that has since spawned many sub genres.

MCing and reggae vocals partner the mix of live guitars, electronic beats and dub bass to perfection. The album features iconic samples (notably, the legendary theme from Long Good Friday on Gangster, a spoken word piece from Woody Guthrie and Dennis Brown’s Greensleeves classic Whip Them Jah on American Dread) all of which compliment the bass and beat heavy Dreadzone style perfectly.

The Dreadzone story began with Alan McGee‘s Creation Records and their first groundbreaking album 360, continuing with major waves their seminal 1995 album Second Light picking up support from John Peel (who included the album in his top ten favourite albums of all time).

The top 20 hit from that album Little Britain has since gone on to acquire classic status. Five critically acclaimed albums later they are set to remind people why the Dreadzone sound is still very much a part of the musical landscape of this country.

The core members Greg Dread, original bassmaster Leo Williams, the unmistakable MC Spee, legendary Studio One vocalist Earl 16 alongside Chris Compton on guitar and Chris Oldfield on technology make up the new line up.

Dreadzone’s influence extends not only out into the current scene as one of the pioneers of dub based music in this country, but rewinding to back in the day as the rhythm section of Big Audio Dynamite in the 1980’s. Their roots are embedded in the history of West London sound clash and with a drum and bass partnership of 25 years this year Leo and Greg are still rolling strong and rocking the nation with their distinctive rhythms.

“A welcome return from the defenders of bass! Dreadzone are back with their new album ‘Eye on the Horizon’ and as usual they draw fast and shoot straight to the heart of the matter: music to move your mind and your feet”
Don Letts

Dreadzone – Eye On The Horizon track listing

1.TOMORROW NEVER COMES
2.FOR A REASON
3.CHANGES
4.AMERICAN DREAD
5.BEYOND A ROCK
6. GANGSTER
7. YEAH MAN
8.MY FACE
9. WALK TALL
10. JUST LET GO

Dreadzone UK Tour Dates

To promote the new album, Dreadzone will be playing a short UK Tour.

Fri 19 March
FOLKESTONE Quarterhouse

Sat 20 March
READING Plug n Play Studios

Fri 26 March
SOUTHAMPTON The Joiners

Sat 27 March
HITCHIN Club 85

Fri 16 April
YORK The Duchess

Thurs 22 April
SALISBURY Arts Centre

Fri 23 April
STROUD Subscription Rooms

Wed 28th April
LONDON Cargo

Fri 14 May
PONTARDAWE Arts Centre

Sat 15 May
WOLVERHAMPTON Wolves Little Civic

Sun 16 May
DERBYSHIRE Bearded Theory Festival

Thurs 20 May
TUNBRIDGE WELLS The Forum

Fri 21 May
LUTON Hat Factory

Sat 22 May
MANCHESTER Academy 3

Fri 4 June
BRIGHTON Komedia

Sun 6 June
CHELTENHAM Wychwood Festival