Art Brut: Top of the Pops?

I must admit, I’ve always had a soft spot for Art Brut. It’s not something I can really justify logically; it’s just that every time I’ve ended up at one of their gigs I’ve always had a really, really good time. Jumping around in a sweaty crowd, spilling beer all down my arm, shouting along at the top of my voice: “modern art…makes me…want to rock out!” just shouldn’t be so much fun. But it is.
Read more

Great of the Pier

Synthesisers, guitar licks and electro beats are what this inspired and palm-sweatingly original band are about. Having listened to their sound, one might not have guessed they are from the relatively ordinary East Midlands town of Castle Donington. This, for me, is what makes Late of the Pier even better.
Read more

The Walkmen need to start taking bigger strides

Through every fault of my own, several years have lapsed since I was first acquainted with The Walkmen. The story of how I came to discover New York’s best kept secret is fairly dull, revolving entirely around Roddy Woomble’s decision to invite the band to support his own act (that act being the temporarily defunct Idlewild) on a tour of the British Isles. Read more

Valentine’s date with a twist…?

For those who fancy something a little bit different from the normal Valentine’s Day date, the world of performance has a lot to offer come 14th of February!
Read more

Not from round here: I’m From Barcelona

I’m From Barcelona @ Concorde2, 26 November

The Scandinavians have a reputation for being the most depressive people of Europe; an unfair stereotype based on the 28 members of Swedish indie-pop posse I’m From Barcelona. If anyone left their gig last week at Brighton’s Concorde2 without a big smile on their face, they must have a heart of stone.
Read more

Mosshart and Hince kill the mood

The Kills @ Concorde 2, 21st November

If I’m completely honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot from The Kills. Critically acclaimed they may be, but when it comes down to it, the produce of Alison “VV” Mosshart and her best friend Jamie “Hotel” Hince is something I have found rarely appealing.
Read more

Das Pop: does exactly what it says on the tin

The three part Belgian, one part New Zealander band which stormed on stage last night were definitely what the crowd of people surrounding the stage was calling for a taste of. Read more

Introducing… Bear Hands

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Bear Hands play a dark, melodic brand of indie with a hint of punk-rock. The band combine spiky, angular rhythm guitar and sparse, mechanical drums with lush, ambient lead guitar lines to build up a rich wall of contrasting textures. Sonically exciting and lyrically adept, Bear Hands deserve to be heard. The Badger sent Ben Hobson to have a chat with them before their recent gig at Concorde2.
Read more

The Holloways: Relentlessly average at Concorde2

Judging a book by its cover, or more specifically a tour by its name, I am anticipating that the ‘Relentless No Half Measures Tour’ will be a night of exciting, passionate and possibly raucous music. Oh, how I wish I were right…
Read more

Does it offend me? Definitely not!

The teaming up of two bands that make dance music using angular guitars, screaming electro sounds and the occasional shouted chorus would lead most to believe this to be a typical nu-rave gig. But it was not. Read more

Next Page »