NME/RADIO 1 STAGE
Friday 26th August at Leeds Festival
With the release of their debut album ‘Crazy For You’ last summer, BEST COAST were hailed by many as ones to watch - with the album figuring highly in many end of year polls . The NME were gushing in their praise when they said “Best Coast have shot straight to the top of the pile for two reasons; great songs and immense charm” before handing the Los Angeles trio their favourite new band of 2010 gong. This summer marks a Reading & Leeds debut for Best Coast when they arrive with their infectious lo-fi summer soundtrack including the online hit single ‘Boyfriend’ to the NME/Radio 1 stage.
www.myspace.com/bestcoast Led by the legendary Pink Eyes/Damian Abraham, ****ED UP bring their hardcore punk all the way from Toronto to get things going in the NME/Radio 1 tent this year. With a history of raucous and rocking live shows the band have won over lots of fans in the UK. New album ‘David Comes To Life’ is a rock-opera (honestly!) which promises blistering melodic rock ‘n’ roll, crossed with all manner of psychic weirdness.
www.myspace.com/epicsinminutes DANANANANAYKROYD bring ‘Fight Pop’ (their description!) to the Reading & Leeds Festivals this year. Since releasing their first records in 2006 they have picked up support and fans around the world for their ‘part craft pop, part noise, all energy’ sound. The Glasgow six-piece have a new album ‘There Is A Way’ due later this summer which is sure to find yet more fans drawn to this exciting live act.
www.dananananaykroyd.co.uk Saturday 27th August at Leeds Festival
Since emerging from the hyperbole last summer Southern US four-piece MONA have certainly caused a rumpus, be it the buzz of their first couple of low key releases, their (early) appearance on Later…With Jools or the London debut at Rough Trade East, the band certainly know how to get attention. Having won MTV’s Brand New For 2011 seeing off competition from Jessie J, The Vaccines and Jamie Woon, the imminent release of the much anticipated self titled debut album in May, gigs with both Kings of Leon and Morrissey and a first showing at Reading & Leeds, 2011 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for the band which has already seen The Guardian heralding them as “…very much rock ’n’ roll’s great white hopes.”
www.monatheband.com Expectations run high for MILES KANE playing his debut solo appearance at the festivals this year. The ex. Rascal and part time Last Shadow Puppets man has stepped out as a solo artist and releases his album ‘Colour of The Trap’ in May 2011. Described as ‘half boy- next-door, half charisma-firework’ Kane has instantly lovable star quality. The single ‘Inhaler’ dominated the airwaves at the end of 2010 and so far this year he has toured with Beady Eye as well as played his own shows. Look out for the darker corners of vintage pop, psych and blue-eyed soul sounds.
www.mileskane.com Sunderland’s FRANKIE & THE HEARTSTRINGS come armed with their acclaimed debut album ‘Hunger’ when they hit Reading & Leeds Festival this summer. The band have drawn comparisons to the likes of Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Orange Juice amongst others and built a reputation for their live shows and in particular the exuberant antics of frontman Frankie Francis. Primed with a clutch of brilliant singles and an ever growing fanclub, Frankie & The Heartstrings look set to be one of the weekend’s highlights having evolved into one of the country’s best loved bands.
www.frankieandtheheartstrings.com Hailed by The Observer as “surely the best live band in Britain”, Yorkshire’s PULLED APART BY HORSES come highly recommended. Long recognised as a phenomenal live experience since their inception back in 2007, the quartet released their debut album last year and is a fitting accompaniment to the band’s incendiary live shows which more often than not witness much carnage both musically and physically. Catch Pulled Apart By Horses and you’ll see a band excel in their natural habitat with a whirlwind of noise and acrobatics!
www.myspace.com/pulledapartbyhorses Sunday 28th August at Leeds Festival
Not your conventional outfit, EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS fronted by Alex Ebert – who in turn becomes his childhood alter ego whenever the group perform - started playing together about two years ago and their shows have borne out scenes of euphoric joy as the group by turns bring their rousing, wildly adventurous, almost choral psychedelic folk rock to the live arena. With excitement building Stateside and debut album scheduled for later this year, catch this unique and incredible group when they play this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival.
www.myspace.com/edwardsharpe The release of YUCK’s debut eponymous album this year continued the rise and widespread acclaim for this London based band. Formed from the ashes of Cajun Dance Party, they’ve taken the spirit of Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jnr, Teenage Fanclub and Pavement amongst others and created their own fresh sound. Having been featured in the BBC Sound of 2011 poll, everybody is invited to check out one of the best and brightest new bands around, not to mention one of the most mercurial and unpredictable.
http://yuckband.blogspot.com California’s FUNERAL PARTY bring their punk-disco to Reading & Leeds Festival. Their kick-ass single ‘New York City Moves to the Sound of LA’ infected the airways on its release and the album ‘Golden Age of Nowhere’ which “shakes your hips as well as grabs your balls” followed earlier this year picking up more fans along the way. Expect frenetic dancing and moshing to infectious tunes.
www.myspace.com/funeralparty