Foster The People Live in London

So last week I headed down The CAMP in Old Street for Foster The People's 1st gig in London. This band have been creating a buzz for a while stateside and the sold out crowd in London last Wednesday (13th)  had an air of excitement.  The LA boys bounded on stage with such energy and enthusiasm it was very difficult not to be entertained by Foster The People who have been compared to MGMT. A set that was punchy, tight and full energy kept the crowd at CAMP dancing until midnight. These boys attract an up for it, happy following, even for their 1st gig in the UK.

Set highlights for me were Helena Beat:


Helena Beat by joebourjac

and the brilliant Pumped up Kicks

Pumped Up Kicks by j.wilson


And today saw the release of this amazing remix of Pumped Up Kicks by NYC's The Knocks - just up for it and brilliant - I be giving it a spin on Saturday...

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks (The Knocks Remix) by The Knocks

FTP played Coachella at the weekend and are returning to the UK in May to kick start a string of dates across Europe before playing all over Canada and the US including 2 sold out dates at El Ray in LA... Its a big year for these boys....


Andy in London

2 Huge Album Releases Last Week That Deserve Your Attention

For some reason last week saw the arrival of 2 fantastic albums that will be played endlessly all year and come December I know I will be saying these are some of the real the highlights of the year! Have I peaked too early? - possibly, only time will tell.

After spending another chunk of March travelling to and from Boston I have had the time to really absorb The Vaccines debut album- What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

We have seen much written, talked and shouted about London boys The Vaccines- and you have to say they fully deserve the rapid rise to success and the hype whirlwind that has followed them is just deserved...

This album is crammed full of post punk gems that are so infectious they will stick in your head all day and night. Wreckin Bar opens the album and sets the pace:

Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) - The Vaccines by gregkent

I am seeing them twice this year and am genuinely excited to see this band live. NME said The Vaccines are the return of the great British guitar band and I have to agree. This album reminds me of when The Strokes exploded and then heralded in a new post punk scene - maybe electro is slowly curling up and crawling back into a hole somewhere?- 2011 will be huge for this band.

I have to say I haven't noticed any US marketing other than SXSW - but I have the feeling the imminent invasion of the USA by The Vaccines will come towards the end of 2011- keep your eyes peeled and be sure to catch them live!

Highlights from the album are current single If You Wanna & Blow It Up:

Blow It Up by The Vaccines

As well as the more delicate and passion filled - A Lack of Understanding:


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I cant fault this band and their debut in my opinion is one of the best albums of the last 10 years, utterly brilliant from start to finish. Thank god for the The Vaccines. Believe the hype!

Ok - 2nd great album release in the last 2 weeks is The Naked And The Famous's debut album - Passive Me  - Aggressive You. Flying the flag for New Zealsnd - NATF are a big synth band who have managed to get great dream pop right and mixed it with some excellent guitar based melodies.

Passive Me - Aggressive You is an album that grows in its sound and grows on you as it wins you over. This band are producing noise filled, electronic,  sometimes experimental tunes that stay with you. Ok, to get you into them and to find out what they are about check out my highlights from yet another superb debut album :



School of Seven Bells had a fight with Passion Pit and then had an affair with MGMT and Foster The People at the same time, anyone?

I am enjoying this remix of their single Young Blood too:

The Naked And Famous - Young Blood (Dave Sitek Remix) by The Naked And Famous

Iam sure this is another band that will have more & more success this year.

So, there is loads to dive into here - get stuck in and enjoy. I am loving these new bands and their debut albums.

On a side note and a little nod to Boston over the St Patricks Day weekend how's about a bit of The Dropkick Murphy's - why not eh?

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston by tadpoletunes


Andy in London :-)