It has been confirmed that Radiohead are the first headliners of Glastonbury Festival 2017. The official announcement arrived after rumours surrounding an odd crop circle that appeared on the site of the famous Pyramid stage on the festival’s live webcam, which later turned out to be the band’s “bear face” logo. This will mark the third time the band have headlined the festival following performances in 1997 and 2003. Radiohead will be performing on Friday 23rd June with the other headliners yet to be announced, although those rumoured to be appearing include Daft Punk and The Stone Roses.
Top Tracks: Oh Wonder – All We Do
Spellbinding synthpop duo Oh Wonder have outdone themselves with their brand new video for ‘All We Do’. To create their new video they reached out to artists and filmmakers across the globe and asked them a single simple, yet impossibly complex question: What does it mean to be human? Interspersed between Anthony and Josephine’s mesmerising trademark harmonies we are further gifted with life affirming messages from people of all walks of life. This is certainly the most moving video I’ve seen in a long time. The multitude of beautiful thought provoking statements represent the very best of humanity. We each have our own views on what it means to be human, but with all the hate and darkness currently suffocating the world we are all in need of such beautiful music and such a powerful message.
Album Review: Kings of Leon – WALLS
Kings of Leon – WALLSTop Tracks: Albert af Ekenstam – Made of Gold
There is a bitter chill in the air, fallen leaves litter the ground and winter is well and truly on it’s way. In many ways that often pass by unnoticed we as people change with the seasons, and for many of us the bleak autumn and winter months prompt the need for an introspective and melancholy soundtrack. Swedish singer/songwriter Albert af Ekenstam is the perfect solution, with his Bon Iver inspired arrangements brimming with powerful, emotive storytelling. With hints of The National and Kaleo his new single, the piano driven ballad ‘Made of Gold’, has a grand cinematic feel, yet at the same time carries a bittersweet and understated elegance. His deep brooding vocals cut through the delicate atmosphere to really capture your attention. What begins as a solemn funeral march concludes with a sense of new life blooming from the ashes of loss. Albert’s fittingly titled debut album Ashes is out now.
Spotlight!: Mariam
Judged solely on her gorgeous, silky smooth vocals Mariam is a phenomenally talented artist and certainly one to watch. However look beyond her fantastic voice and you’ll find that this South London based singer/songwriter has a lot more to offer. Songs such as her debut single ‘Be There For Me’ has all the hooks you could want for a big hit alongside meaningful lyricism and heartfelt storytelling. On tracks like the folk inspired ‘Running’ it becomes apparent that she has a way with weaving her innermost thoughts and emotions into a rich musical tapestry, creating a profoundly passionate yet accessible work of art. Musically a diverse and expansive backdrop takes the songs to new heights with all the hints of pop, folk and soul building up to create an inviting and addictive atmosphere. Here we find an artist that can create something truly beautiful that speaks to some deep down part within all of us. I doubt it will be long until Mariam is selling out venues across the country and has Jools Holland rushing to call.
Fans of Belwood favourites Samm Henshaw, Eryn Allen Kane and Rationale should check out Mariam’s debut EP Heart to Heart, which is out 4th November.
Top Tracks: Hieroglyph – Starlight (The High Priestess)
If you had to assign the term “awe-inspiring” to a certain genre it would fit very well with the world of progressive metal. With a plethora of virtuoso musicians and grand ideas it operates on a level few other bands can match. This six piece are a welcome addition to the family, and with their upcoming debut being a concept album they are not a band to hold back. Ouroboros, released on the 18th November, follows the theme of the first 11 Major Arcana Tarot cards, charting a journey from The Fool to The Magician. The band’s first single from the album ‘Starlight (The High Priestess)’ features high-octane guitar work, a frantic driving beat and the great two pronged attack of the melodic tones of Valentina Reptile and the harsh vocals of Mark Howes. There’s no doubting they have the necessary talent and ambition to produce a stellar debut. You don’t need Tarot cards to see the bright future this band has in store.
Bob Dylan wins Nobel prize
Legendary songwriter Bob Dylan has been announced as the surprise recipient of the 2016 Nobel prize in literature. The longstanding Swedish institution awarded the folk icon with the prestigious prize “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”. Widely considered the greatest living songwriter, his selection has been met with divided opinion with some praising the choice and others questioning the bold move to award the prize to a songwriter for the first time in the institution’s history. Regardless of what it means for the Nobel prize there is no doubting Bob Dylan’s incredible impact to the world of music and there can surely be no other songsmith more worthy of such praise.
Top Tracks: Pale Honey – Real Thing
After their critically acclaimed debut album, Swedish garage rockers Pale Honey are back with an electrifying new single. The Gothenburg girls have a sound far more expansive and diverse than you’d expect from a rock duo and this slick snaking single is a real testament to their talents. Kicking off with a fierce, no-nonsense riff the various layers soon build up an exhilarating tension, a barely restrained chaos ready to erupt. It’s subtle labyrinthine twists and turns wouldn’t sound amiss coming from St Vincent and it is simply brimming with attitude and Baltic badassery. The band deftly maintain the balance between experimenting with new sounds and the age old garage rock ideal of keeping things simple and to the point. With a new album on the way in the spring it seems their star is set to rise.
Album Review: Seasick Steve – Keepin’ The Horse Between Me And The Ground
Seasick Steve – Keepin’ The Horse Between Me And The Ground
Blues | Americana | Country
62%
Top Tracks: City Of Ashes – Sometimes
As part of world mental health day, Brighton based alternative rock outfit City Of Ashes have put together something special. With sponsorship and support from The National Lottery, Barclays, The London Eye and The Samaritans the band have put together this moving video (premiered via Louder Than War) to raise awareness and honour those suffering with depression. It comes as part of ‘The Sometimes Project’ which the band set up a few months ago to create a safe place online for people to talk about their struggles. The band have also set up ‘Stand As One’; a simultaneous benefit gig in different cities all across the UK on the 19th November in which the artists will also share their own experiences. ‘Sometimes’ is from the band’s upcoming album Rise.
Belwood Music 