London
Live Review: Bianca James – Strongroom Bar, London 17.10.2023
Pop music is a fickle force. For every Amy Winehouse or Adele that has soaked up acclaim and amassed millions of record sales, there’s also a Candie Payne or Gemma Ray – respected and talented artists who probably still worry about the mortgage rate. Welcome, then Bianca James. The Canadian songstress – with English and …
Live Review: Black Country, New Road – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London 10.10.2023
Words and photos by Fearghal McGlinchey On Tuesday night, the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London was treated to a captivating performance by the enigmatic and experimental band, Black Country, New Road. It was my very first time seeing the band perform so I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but from the very first …
Live Review: The Joy Formidable – The Clapham Grand, London 28.09.2023
Without The Clapham Grand, I probably wouldn’t even be here. Some seventy years ago my teenage father evaded his home chores and escaped through a Wandsworth window to meet my mum at The Clapham Grand. A secret rendezvous. A night at the pictures. My own hot date tonight is with The Joy Formidable. On arrival I’m first …
Live Review: Django Django – Factory Theatre, Sydney 01/10/2023
Last night, the Factory Theatre was transported to another dimension as the British art rock sensation Django Django graced the stage. The quartet of David Maclean, Vincent Neff, Jimmy Dixon, and Tommy Grace brought their otherworldly sounds to Sydney, delivering an unforgettable experience that left the audience in awe. Django Django, a band with a …
Live Review: Dexy’s Midnight Runners – The London Palladium, London 20.09.2023
We need to talk about Kevin. Over the four decades since forming Dexy’s Midnight Runners, frontman Kevin Rowland has always sought to innovate, refresh and radically change the direction of the band. Kevin’s chameleon like desire never to bask in past glory or get complacent has seen him (literally) wear many hats through his Dexy’s …
Album Review : And Is Phi – ‘Double Pink’ : Vibrant and vital nu-jazz vocalist opens up a new chapter.
Vocalist, song writer, dancer and visual artist, Andrea Isabelle Phillips (aka And Is Phi) talks about her first album ‘Double Pink’ out now on Albert’s Favourites as something that’s been cultivated over time. Well it may have been simmering in her imagination for a while but that doesn’t mean we have a recording that’s stewed, …
Track/Video : Producer/drummer SHOLTO previews incoming cinematic soul ep ‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’ with the dramatic ‘Vampire’.
You’ve probably latched onto the music of producer, composer, drummer and instrumentalist Oscar ‘SHOLTO’ Robertson, many times without ever knowing it. He was part of the indie/r&b leaning, Deltasonic-signed Hidden Charms who in 2015/16 looked set to break through on the back of a series of stomping singles and a spell in LA working with …
Premiere: Ghost Patterns gift us with the thunder and lightning of ‘Prize’: a shoegaze haze of the highest order.
We are very honoured to bring you a first listen to the new single ‘Prize’ from London-based shoegaze maestros Ghost Patterns. ‘Prize’ is a cataclysmic onslaught of jangling, scything guitars and fuzzy, ambulant bass that creates an immersive wash, while distant, observant and louche dual vocals stream through the undercurrent. The driving attack has ghostly …
Live Review: South Facing Festival Primal Scream / Jesus & Mary Chain / The Black Angels – Crystal Palace Bowl, London 04.08.2023
Crystal Palace Bowl and the Park has a long history of hosting music events with the likes of Elton John, Depeche Mode at the bowl and even Bruce Springsteen playing at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre 20 odd years ago. Now south Facing Festival is reviving the tradition by hosting a series of live events …
News: The Clockworks announce debut album ‘Exit Strategy’, and unveil shimmering and dramatic new single ‘Westway’ as a tasty hors d’oeuvre.
Here at Backseat Mafia, we have been long time admirers of the thrilling brand of indie rock emanating from Galway bred but London based The Clockworks. It is exciting news indeed to report therefore that they are releasing their much awaited debut album ‘Exit Strategy’ on 10 November 2023, recorded with Grammy, BRIT & Mercury …