Festival Review: Are You Listening? Festival 2018

Are You Listening? Festival @ various venues across Reading, 29 April '18 // Words: Saam Das

Are You Listening? Festival took over Reading for the sixth time in 2018, growing in reputation and attendance for its biggest and arguably best outing to date. One of the chief beneficiaries of the success of the event is the festival’s official charity partner, Reading Mencap. Here’s how the day went for us and some of the bands that graced Reading with their presence:

The Longcut

Mancunian experimentalists The Longcut have just announced details of their second album, 'Open Hearts'. Hurrah! It follows the 2006 debut 'A Call And Response' released on the Deltasonic label.

The band have since parted with Deltasonic and in the age of non-traditional release models have opted to make 'Open Hearts' downloadable immediately on MP3/FLAC for those who order it prior to the October 5th release date. Bloc Party did a similar dealio for their third studio LP 'Intimacy', albeit holding a couple of tracks back for the physical release. The Longcut however are allowing fans to get hold of all the tracks a good few months earlier than the CD and vinyl releases by ordering through [Melodic].



Not only that, they've elected to donate a free mp3 ('Tell You So') to tickle our pickle as well as showcasing a selection of album tracks on their MySpace. Although I must admit, offering up a track clocking in at over 6 minutes is somewhat brave. Then again, it worked for The Horrors with their 8 minute odyssey 'Sea Within A Sea'. While that track signified a vast change in orientation for The Horrors, The Longcut's second album appears to be very much in the same experimental electronica meets dancedance post-rock mould that they carved a niche for with their previous material.

With 'A Call And Response' going largely unnoticed, let's hope that this new album turns some heads. And finally, I simply have to point you to the wonderful [video] of the equally wonderful single 'A Tried And Tested Method', which I gushed about on here ages ago.

THE LONGCUT - TELL YOU SO

For full details on how to order the album and information on forthcoming tour dates, head over to [thelongcut.com].

The Longcut

After mentioning experimental three piece The Longcut recently [link], I received a lovely little nugget in my inbox in the form of their new single, 'A Tried And Tested Method'.

The Longcut formed as a four piece in 2002 but with the vocalist leaving soon after, they carried on with Stuart Ogilvie attending to both drumming and vocal duties with the help of drum loops and synths. I'm not sure how this equates live exactly but rest assured it means frantic hurrying about and the band are well known for their intense live performances.

They burst onto the scene in late 2004 with their critically acclaimed 'Transition' EP out on Deltasonic, followed that up with another sold out EP before releasing their debut album 'A Call And Response' this summer. Produced by Johnny Dollar (Massive Attack cohort) and one of them out of TV On The Radio (I hope that's the guy with the amazing beard) no less. It's surprising they haven't pushed further on really.

'A Tried And Tested Method' is one of their more introverted tracks, one which shows the influence of by fellow Mancunians Joy Division, The Stone Roses and The Smiths on its sleeve. This is a melodic mish mash of jangly guitar lines and pulsating beats with an added hint of desperation. It all seems so simple yet it's deceptive - the track remains captivating and poignant after several listens. The Go! Team are on remix duty and as ever offer an animated transformation of the single! Listen to the remix on The Longcut's MySpace [link]

The Longcut - A Tried And Tested Method

The Longcut are a band who are as bewitching as they are frenzied, an essential listen. 'A Tried And Tested Method' is out on October 2nd on 7", CD and download. For a host of downloads heard to the downloads section of The Longcut website and enter the password "lonesome".

Their debut album 'A Call And Response' is available from HMV [link].

Free is a magic number

I've plucked this track by The Jane Bradfords straight off the BBC Radio 1 unsigned site [link], which is usually on the money about new artists. The Jane Bradfords are in fact one lad (Deci Gallen) and a laptop, with a band joining him for live performances. It's all sounding a bit Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly isn't it? Never fear, this is unashamedly bright pop countered by gravelly vocals. It's lovely and the intro even reminds me of The B52's or something.

The Jane Bradfords - Hide From The Cold
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Jamie T, the West London scamp signed to V2 records is spoiling us once again by offering up a new track of his for free. 'Oh My Girl' is up for download on his website [link]. New single 'If You've Got The Money' is out on 16th October.
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Manchester madmen The Longcut ("frontman-is-drummer-say-what?") have made a download of 'Spires' available on the XFM website [link]. New single 'A Tried And Tested Method' is out on September 21st and includes a remix by The Go! Team, sounds exciting.
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Finally, Mystery Jets-alike quirky popsters GoodBooks (not to be confused with Good Shoes) released a download only single ages back but here it is anyway. Artwork and lyrics and stuff can be found on their website [link].

GoodBooks - Turn It Back