Preview: Twelve Of The Best Value UK Music Festivals In 2019

Words: Saam Das

Can you feel it coming? Festival season is almost well and truly under way so we figured we'd try to pick out some brilliant UK music festivals that we also think are brilliant value for money. On a per capita band basis, Glastonbury Festival and its behemoth of a line-up should probably be on here but with tickets around £250 quid, we've understandably opted more for smaller scale festivals for those with a lower budget.

Listen: RAC - Let Go (feat. Kele + MNDR) [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

RAC once stood for "Remix Artist Collective". But as is acknowledged on their homepage RAC.fm, "that name doesn't make much sense anymore". Andre Allen Ajos has very much taken the reins, and expanded his repertoire to original compositions. His latest effort ropes in Kele Okerere from Bloc Party and electro sensation MNDR. A bit of a double coup there - well played, Andre. Check out 'Let Go', it's finger-clickin' good.

Album Review: Bloc Party - Four

Bloc Party - 'Four' (UK Release: 20 Aug '12) // Words: Saam Das

Bloc Party's third album 'Intimacy' came out in 2008, followed by a period of hiatus. Rumours and hearsay suggested the band may have split but four years after 'Intimacy', they return with their fourth studio record, simply titled 'Four' - the heaviest offering of their back catalogue and also the most lacking in terms of immediacy and anthems.

Listen: Bloc Party - Octopus [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

For a while, it very much looked like Bloc Party were finished. And yet, 2012 will see the release of the band's fourth studio album, the imaginatively titled 'Four'. The first full track from the record was premiered on BBC Radio 1 recently but now we have a video for 'Octopus', which you can watch below.

Intimacy Remixed

Bloc Party have a new album out this week. A couple of years ago, I'd probably have been pretty excited. Now, I'm pretty indifferent.

It's not just the fact that following the fantastic debut album 'Silent Alarm', we have seen ever diminishing returns in the forms of 'A Weekend In The City' and the most recent effort 'Intimacy'. No, it's more to do with the fact that this new album is a remix album. While I didn't really listen to the alterno versions offered on 'Silent Alarm Remixed', I just wonder what the point really is of a remix album. A showcase for new artists? An opportunity for Bloc Party tracks to be played in dance clubs across the world? Or just a shameless cash-in?

Signs (Armand Van Helden remix) from Bloc Party on Vimeo.

However, I thought it'd be unfair to tarnish 'Intimacy Remixed' with such ignorance, before I've even bothered to listen to it. Especially when it's available on Spotify (leave a comment with your email, if you need). There are some interesting names involved too - the likes of Mogwai and Armand Van Helden being joined by the likes of Gold Panda and KHI fave Banjo Or Freakout. It also seems to include the last ever remix by Paul Epworth under his 'Phones' moniker. Ultimately, my opinion on the album hasn't changed much, which is a shame really.

I do however think the We Have Band dub of 'Halo' is ace, unfortunately I don't have that to post. Instead, have an equally ace track, in the form of Bloc Party semi-covering Prince's 'I Would Die For You' live at Reading Festival 2008.

BLOC PARTY - I WOULD DIE FOR YOU (LIVE PRINCE COVER)

If, like me, you were unsatisfied with the remix efforts but if, unlike me, you have remix talents then go forth and remix 'Signs', 'Ares' or 'Ion Square' at [blocparty.com]. Or all three if you fancy.

If, on the other hand, you actually really liked 'Intimacy Remixed' then buy it at [Play] or at [Piccadilly Records] which should soon have the epic triple LP version on sale.

Bloc Party Get Intimate

The whole blogosphere imploded at the news that Bloc Party were suddenly releasing an album. Having only announced their intentions on the 18th, the 21st saw their third studio album ('Intimacy') become available for download. Except it had a few tracks missing. Those will appear on the cd version, coming out October 27. In the midst of all that, the band entered Steve Lamacq's Hub (oo err) for a BBC 6Music Session.


The brass heavy 'Mercury' single divided opinion and with previous single 'Flux' in mind, many expected that the new album would be a significant departure from the Bloc Party we had seen in the past. Judging from the tracks on offer currently, that doesn't really appear to be the case with the experimental moments being far from overwhelming.

BLOC PARTY - FLUX (BBC 6MUSIC SESSION)//MIRROR
BLOC PARTY - MERCURY (BBC 6MUSIC SESSION)//MIRROR

So you can preorder the cd version for about a tenner on blocparty.com and receive the mp3s now but as I mentioned before the cd will have some extra tracks. Until then, I don't really want to play my cards but let me know what you think so far if you wish.

p.s note the Andrew W.K t-shirt in the photo. Awesome. Oh and if you get a chance, vote for me in the [BT Digital Music Awards]. I promise more exciting/individual posts. Cheers.

Reflux

Guess who's back? Not Eminem. Or Tracy Emin. So yeah, me. Following the amazingly random appearance of Girls Aloud at my uni yesterday (filming a new Kit Kat ad apparently), I shall also quite randomly provide you with a remix and a mash-up. Both of which put popular music into a headlock, wrestle it to the ground then bring it back in a familiar, yet ruffled manner.

The first track is a remix by my friend Glen, under his Hunchbakk moniker. And the band he's remixed is one of the least likely bands to ever appear on this blog....yes, it's everybody's favourite The Jam tribute band, The Enemy! They're not that bad really but they've released seven (SEVEN) songs from their album. I suppose it's possible that all these tracks are single worthy but, less is more? In lieu of their single release this week of 'This Song', Glen was nice enough to send me his remix of the track.

It deconstructs the song entirely, rebuilding it in a Missy Elliot meets Massive Attack manner, complete with a political slant. Well worth a listen. If you enjoy Glen's "dubstep influenced electronic indie" (as he calls it!) then you could do yourself a favour by popping along to the Hunchbakk myspace [link] and listening to his other stuff.

The Enemy - This Song (Hunchbakk's Youth Of Today Remix) [Yourfilehost download]//[Sendspace mirror]


Now for a track that I've been listening to LOADS over the last few days. Firstly, thanks to Panda Toes [link] for putting it on their blog. Secondly, because they had put the track up recently, I was in two minds about featuring it here. I try to feature predominantly new stuff here so I wasn't sure whether I should bother putting the track up after it's already had such an impact. But what the hoo-hah, it's hardly going to turn into the Vampire Weekend clusterfuck that ruined the Hype Machine for a couple of weeks. Although some smart arse will probably point I helped contribute to that, which is true. But at least I posted a radio session which was unavailable anywhere but my blog!

Anyways, so it's a mash-up by DJ Sunderland, who I didn't realise was behind 'Supermassive Mandy', the Spinto Band vs Muse mash up of yesteryear. In fact, DJ Sunderland's done quite a few good things and check his MySpace for dozens of mash ups. But none of them are quite as good as the one I'm about to post. This is a Bloc Party vs The Ting Tings. Now I said earlier in the year that I wasn't much of a fan of The Ting Tings; and I'm not but the lyrics are quite catchy and I can certainly relate to them! You'd be surprised how many people get my amazingly difficult (it must be, it has FOUR letters in it) name wrong. And well, I just love the electro vibe of Flux so it's a nice mix.

DJ Sunderland - That's Not My Name (Bloc Party vs The Ting Tings mash-up) [Yourfilehost]//[Sendspace mirror]

Bloc Party In A State Of Flux

You've probably already got the studio version but this is a live version of the new Bloc Party single that's been making the rounds over the last few days. The radio rip is fairly different to this version, from the American TV show 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien'. Although that's mainly because the vocals in this version are a bit rubbish - they are meant to be a bit vocodered but that doesn't come off great here. It doesn't help that Kele doesn't sing into the mic at the start.

Anyways, if you haven't heard it already, the new non-album single 'Flux' is erm, an electro ballad?! It's a bit weird. Reminds me of when Stereophonics came up with something a bit different (and surprisingly good) out of the blue with 'Dakota'. I suppose 'The Prayer' had a similar vibe, away from "vintage" Bloc Party. The jury seems to be out on 'Flux' however, with ardent fans championing it and others claiming it sounds "like Sash". Some are in between and disgruntled about Jacknife Lee's (who also produced 'A Weekend In The City') production, and also feel the band are moving in the wrong direction.


Photo courtesy of NBC.com

On the other hand, I like it for its poppiness. Then again, I also liked Sash. It is radio-friendly and I would have thought its purpose was simply to generate interest in 'AWITC', which seems to have been suffering flagging sales. But they could have just released 'Waiting For The 7.18' which would have done the job just as well really. Unless someone is thinking electro is "in" and now's the time to grab people's attention...

Bloc Party - Flux [right click, save as]//[Sendspace link]

'Flux' will be released on November 12th, with 'Emma Kate's Accident' and 'The Once And Future King' as b-sides. Bloc Party will be doing a handful of UK dates in December.
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Thanks for voting in the BT DMAs if you did, god knows what the results were as they don't seem to be doing a Top 50 like last year. We can only hope I beat Lemar's blog this time around at least. Consider my new podcast as a present, download here [link].

Oh and wowzers at the rugby today, have you ever actually seen Paul Sackey and Kele Bloc Party in the same place together? Multi talented bloke.

Bloc Party unreleased track - Vision Of Heaven

Is it sick and wrong that I really like the new Snow Patrol and The Fray singles? Probably. Lucky for you this post is about Bloc Party. Or unlucky for you, seeing as they truly are the flavour of the month. Although understandably seeing as their second album 'A Weekend In The City' has finally been released - on first few listens, I think it's a good effort and I'm absolutely loving 'Waiting For The 7.18', reminiscent of the more anthemic nature of the debut record.



Thanks to Purevolume.com [link], here's an unreleased Bloc Party track called 'Vision Of Heaven'. Quite probably future b-side material, it reminds me a bit of The Cure. It's simple and melodic, even with the slightly spazzed out-ness towards the end, 'Vision Of Heaven' remains an easy listen. A bit sub-So Here We Are, yet still pleasant and perfectly acceptable output from one of the finest British bands of the last few years.

And here's your tenuous link for the day - one of the lyrics is about throwing "my mobile phone into the sea" and guess what? 30 fans had their phones nicked at a recent Bloc gig [link], although thankfully the perpetrator was caught and the phones returned.

Bloc Party - Vision Of Heaven

p.s Is it me or does the new BP site [link] look a bit similiar to The Rakes' site [link]?

New Bloc Party track - studio demo

I'm sure you're fully familiar with who Bloc Party are, so I'll just cut to the chase. A recording of 'Song For Clay' (formerly 'Merge On The Freeeway') from an April demo session has leaked. I'm a big Bloc Party fan (first saw the fellas in Feb 2004 when they were still largely unknown) so the prospect of hearing album demos was almost pant wetting. Alas, I've had a bit of trouble downloading the track, I'm sure you won't though.

"The new Bloc Party tune, 'Song For Clay' is about the main character in [Brett Easton Ellis' novel 'Less Than Zero'], a rich young college student who returns to his hometown of Los Angeles for the winter break. Clay subsequently becomes bored and turns to drugs and cheap thrills to keep him occupied, resulting in further boredom. This dizzying spiral of desperation takes him to relentless parties in glitzy mansions, seedy bars, and underground rock clubs as he seeks inner direction."Blocparty.net

Bloc Party - Song For Clay (Studio Demo) - Expired
Many thanks to Patti from Poland for providing another link! [Expired]
So the Yousendit links have gone, here's a Megaupload one [link]. Also, apparently Kele exclusively revealed to XFM at Reading Fest that the new album will be called 'Weekend In The Sea'.

If you get here too late, you can at least download a live bootleg of 'Song For Clay' from Blocparty.net
[link]