Tom Robinson - Producer Jax https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tomrobinson/ Tom Robinson showcases the best new online tunes by under-the-radar artists suggested by listeners and musicians Recommend an artist en Copyright 2012 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:59:42 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.33-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Standon Calling Festival
Stealing Sheep

 

Summer festivals have featured heavily in news stories lately, with talk of too many to chose from and poor ticket sales this year. So how would Standon Calling Festival stand up in the current climate? The festival started out with just 25 friends, a swimming pool, a set of decks and a birthday BBQ back in 2001. It has built up in size and reputation with a commitment to championing new artists while maintaining its homegrown ethos.


 You may remember a few weeks back we had festival booker Tamsin Mclarty in as a guest on the show who talked us through the Road to Standon competition: an opportunity for young and aspiring bands to stake a claim for a main stage spot. We are happy to say that Fresh on the Net faves Citizens were the lucky winners who got to play a set on Friday.


From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere couldn't have been warmer. The site is compact but feels spacious and what a joy to see a good sized main stage with decent sound - plus an amazing bar nearby built into a clump of towering horse chestnut trees, well-staffed and free of queues! You really do feel like the festival is putting the punters first.

Musically the line-up ranged from plenty of new and emerging artists mixed up with a few more established names like Lamb, John Cooper Clarke, Hercules and Love Affair (who played to a packed tent) and the chillwave blissed out grooves of Washed Out who were a big hit with the Friday night crowd.

  Washed Out

Battles provided an intense headline set on Friday night, followed by Azari and111 over in the Twisted Licks tent. And things don't close down after the bands finish. You could enjoy the 6am licence, as DJs and various other performers continued through the night at an open air club this year decorated to fit the festival's theme of Gods and Monsters with an array of home-made furry (not very scary) critters.


 
For those of a more folkie, chin-strokey persuasion the Magpie's Nest was a great little stage nestled up near the main house on the lawn.  Amongst the stand out acts of the weekend on this stage were Introducing faves Stealing Sheep, and The Moulettes, who headlined on Saturday night with a blinding set featuring their virtuoso cello and violin players.  Special mention must also be made to Sunday openers Downtown Wolves who roused revellers from their morning snoozes with their distinctly non-folkie Zeppelin/ QOTSA inspired riffs! And Sound Of Rum who managed to lure the crowds away from the dog show on Sunday Afternoon with Kate tempest's awe inspring rhymes

The festival had a real genuine mix of people and it's definitely one for new music lovers. It makes a refreshing break from the corporate festivals that punters have to endure and yes you really could swim in the pool if you so desired! Long may Standon continue ...

 

]]> Producer Jax Producer Jax https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tomrobinson/2011/08/standon-calling-festival.shtml https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tomrobinson/2011/08/standon-calling-festival.shtml Festivals Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:59:42 +0000 A VISIT TO PRIMAVERA SOUND FESTIVAL 2011 Primavera Sound in Barcelona. My first visit was back in 2004 when the festival took place at Poble Espanol. Now in its 11th year, the festival takes place at the Parc Del Forum - an idyllic setting with sea views.

 

 

Primaverasound has gained a reputation for having the best line up of any music festival in the calendar and this year was no exception, with Pulp choosing the venue for their first comeback show, as well as performances from legendary influential artists like Suicide, PIL, John Cale and Pere Ubu.

 

There were a few teething problems on the first night including massive queues for the bars as organisers thought it would be a good idea to use top up Oyster style cards for payments which unfortunately didn't work, leaving punters thirsty - and increasingly tetchy - for the first few hours until cash bars were hurriedly set up.

 

There were also noticeably more people than previous years which was making me nervous: had my favourite festival reached a tipping point?

 

I decided to head to one of the smaller stages to check out some new international bands for Introducing.

 

The Adidas Originals stage was the place to hear new artists from around the world, showcasing bands from Spain, Canada, Chile, Poland, Austria, Brazil, Australia and the UK.

 

First up BBC Introducing favourites Bearsuit from Norwich, who pulled in a decent crowd for their Thursday night slot.

 

 

And then I watched a set by five-piece rock outfit The Car Is On Fire from Poland, who played an enjoyable set swapping their instruments and encouraging some interesting crowd participation.

 

 

Other highlights from Thursday included the much talked-about new duo Cults, then Ducktails, Caribou, and on the bigger stages Grinderman, Big Boi, PIL and Suicide - the latter performing their debut album in its entirety.

 

 

One of the great things about the festival is the warm Barcelona night air which continues well into the early hours, no jacket required! Then instead of passing out in a stuffy tent you can retreat to the comfort of your hotel or apartment bed and revitalise yourself for the next late night/early morning.

 

PrimaveraSound is a great chance to see new emerging talent on small stages, this year curated by Pitchfork, Vice and ATP.

 

So on Friday, to a Canadian showcase with a new band called No Joy who channel MBV shoegaze with Sonic Youth guitar lines; Laura and Jasamine provide the guitars vocals (and hair!)

 

 

Then back to the Adidas Originals stage to see a band from Galicia called Garotas Suecas who make a joyful noise with keyboards, adding a modern twist on their blues-driven riffs - some nice harmonica work too.

 

 

Other highlights from the night were a peaceful interlude with James Blake over on the Pitchfork Stage and of course 6 Music's very own Jarvis Cocker wowing the Spanish and very Brit-filled audience with the first of Pulp's comeback shows.

 

 

On the final day we tracked down an Austrian band called Frances International Airport who we've been playing on the show for an interview. They told us about what the new band scene is like in Vienna (which you can hear in this week's show).

 

 

First memorable performance of the night was from Hackney band Yuck, in the early evening sunshine on the ATP stage.

 

 

A quick dash over to see Fresh on The Net favourites Tuneyards Merrill Garbus providing an amazing show, looping her voice live and playing tracks from new album Whokill. Then a very long walk to Warpaint who played on the new Llevant stage. Their hypnotic, meandering sound works well in a festival setting but I was disappointed not to see them on a different stage later in the evening as the large Llevant didn't feel intimate enough for them.

 

 

Other highlights included PJ Harvey who drew one of the biggest crowds of the weekend with a 'Let England Shake'-centric set.

 

 

Then off to Suicide Of Western Culture, and finally an exhilarating performance from LA rap collective Odd Future, complete with stage diving and a full-on stage invasion with the hyped-up,chanting audience refusing to leave the stage.

 

 

Despite the crowds and the excessive corporate branding this year, the festival still retains a laid back atmosphere and for music fans (and probably most 6 Music listeners) the line up is probably the best you will find on the festival circuit. I'm hoping that PrimaveraSound will retain its uniqueness and eclectric line ups and not become victim of its own success.

 

]]> Producer Jax Producer Jax https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tomrobinson/2011/06/a-visit-to-primavera-sound-fes.shtml https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tomrobinson/2011/06/a-visit-to-primavera-sound-fes.shtml Primavera Sound Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:12:41 +0000