It’s the showdown we’ve all been waiting for; rock legend Dave Grohl versus everyone’s favourite Muppet Animal. The Foo Fighters frontman faced the drummer of the house band The Electric Mayhem on the latest episode of The Muppets. After some trash talk and a couple of smashed drum kits they called it a draw, but who do you think is the winner?
Spotlight!: Billie Marten
Rising singer/songwriter Billie Marten may only be fifteen, but she has talent beyond her years. The stunning sparse arrangements on songs like ‘Bird’ and ‘Ribbons’ put her angelic voice at the forefront. Growing up listening to Nick Drake it should come as no surprise that she can craft a lyrically driven song with a blissful melody. Her talents don’t end there however, the melancholy ‘As Long As’ features some intricate acoustic fingerpicking and her unplugged cover of Royal Blood’s ‘Out of the Black’ is one of the best and most surprising cover versions I have heard in a long while.
Her latest EP ‘As Long As’ is out now and is sure to impress fans of Laura Marling, Birdy and Gabrielle Aplin.
Foo Fighters release surprise EP
Following a mysterious countdown clock on the band’s website, Foo Fighters have released a surprise EP. The five track Saint Cecilia EP was made from demos recorded in the hotel of the same name in Austin, Texas during sessions for their most recent album ‘Sonic Highways’. If the tracks are any indicator of what the future may hold for the band, then they will be back on top form after the misstep of ‘Sonic Highways’. The EP is being offered as a free download and Dave Grohl has dedicated it to the victims of the Paris attacks.
Benjamin Clementine wins Mercury Prize
Avant garde pianist Benjamin Clementine has won this year’s prestigious Mercury Music Prize for his album ‘At Least for Now’. He followed in the Mercury tradition of rewarding lesser known acts and beat more famous albums from Florence + the Machine and bookies favourite Jamie XX. His compelling and poetic music has been widely compared to Nina Simone. He has delivered one of the most memorable Jools Holland performances in recent years and has earned such famous fans as Bjork and Paul McCartney. The award is well deserved recognition for an unspeakably talented artist.
David Bowie premieres new song
Rock legend David Bowie has premiered his latest single ‘Blackstar’, the title track from his upcoming 25th studio album. The song begins as an odd mix of electronica and jazz, before gradually becoming more pop orientated. The equally surreal video features astronauts, solar eclipses, devil worship and gyrating scarecrows. At ten minutes in length it certainly goes against the norm for singles. Bowie has demanded that there are no shortened radio edits however a snippet of the song is used in the credits of the new Sky crime series The Last Panthers. If the track is anything to go by then Bowie’s new album is going to be pretty out there.
Album Review: Lanterns on the Lake – Beings
Lanterns on the Lake – BeingsLive Review: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Rock City Nottingham, 10th Nov 2015
Photo credit: Jordan Curtis Hughes
These four Llandudno lads have quickly become the hottest indie band in the world. They have toured relentlessly in support of their debut album ‘The Balcony’, including delivering one of the stand-out sets at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Even their harshest critics can’t deny that they are one of the best live acts around and the band have one of the first ever BBC Music Awards sitting proudly on their mantelpiece. Every stop on their latest UK tour was sold out, but I managed to squeeze in to a packed venue to see them in their element. Continue reading
Album Review: ClayToRide – Glass Vessels
Terrorist attack at concert in Paris
Photo credit: Ian Langsdon
An Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan Concert Hall was one of the targets of a number of simultaneous attacks across Paris. Reports state that 8 gunmen took members of the crowd hostage and killed without hesitation. Explosions and mass shootings have thought to have occurred with the death toll currently at least 100 people. The band themselves have apparently escaped the carnage. Though the concert seems to be at the epicentre, there have been reports of similar attacks at restaurants, bars and the Stade de France football stadium. The nation has declared a state of emergency and has closed it’s borders.
Our thoughts go out to the people of Paris and updates on the situation will be posted as it develops
Edit: The death toll has risen to 120. 200 people are injured, 80 of them seriously. Eight attackers have died, seven of which by explosive suicide belts.
Belwood Music 