On Friday, The Great Escape really kicked into gear, as some of my most anticipated acts were performing. I got up early to collect a fast track (guaranteed entry) pass for Iggy Azalea, then went on to watch several talks on marketing.
I felt I had to attend Where Blogs Fit In, but I was confused by the presence of only one blogger on the debate panel. As he represented a blog which I consider to function more like an editorial site than a typical blog, it’s a shame he was the only spokesperson for us. I understood his points, but my experience has in many cases been the complete opposite, for example their music discovery system depends on what they are fed by PRs and other tastemakers, while I seek out my own new talent to feature. I had to wonder what the point of running a blog is if you don’t make the most of the autonomy you have compared to print media.
I began my evening at Komedia, where Island Records were showcasing some of their new acts. Girl rock duo Deap Vally were first on, and attracted a large crowd. The music was too heavy for my tastes but I love their attitude and style. Next up were Little Green Cars, who I only watched due to being too lazy to move. I wished I had bothered to go elsewhere as it was very dull. However, the third Island act John Newman made up for it, as a surprise highlight of the festival so far. I’ve realised this weekend my no.1 priority with live shows is energy on stage, and John had it in spades. He was a surprisingly fun performer and his new single Love Me Again sounded great.
I then headed to The Warren, which is basically a warehouse with a beer garden which becomes a festival venue each year, this time heavily sponsored by Vevo. I saw Nina Nesbitt, who was very sweet and cute, but her music is a bit too Amy McDonald for 2013. She was followed by the much more 2013-appropriate Iggy Azalea, who put on a very fun show which was a breath of fresh air at a mainly indie festival. She has huge stage presence and a great look, although I did find myself wishing she could sing as well as rap. Completing the trio of pretty pop girls at The Warren was Arlissa. I’m not sure her music and performance style really match, but I enjoyed all her songs and she has good pop star potential.
After stopping by a strange DJ gig at a community centre, I called it a night, but overall I can say it was a good day for pop at The Great Escape. Today I’m hoping to see Rainy Milo, Ella Eyre, Chloe Howl and Chvrches so it should be a very poptastic conclusion to the festival. Follow me on Twitter to keep up with my updates, including photos and videos from the shows.
This year I could ease myself into the Great Escape experience as none of my most anticipated acts were performing on the first day, but I still saw some exciting new talent.
During the day I attended several talks on the theme of Data and Discovery at The Old Courthouse. The most interesting people were the founders of Songkick, Eventbrite and Who Sampled, all sites I use and approve. Later on I went to the Digital Pitch Party, where new music startups explained their products, and this was the most fun part of the convention so far. I was impressed with Songdrop, where you can compile playlists from YouTube, Soundcloud and other sites, and MPme, which recommends online radio stations from around the world based on your music taste.
An unexpected trend this year, which I haven’t noticed in the past, is for speakers to get shirty about awkward questions. If you’re not prepared for an interrogation from the music industry, you shouldn’t sign up to give them a presentation!
After enjoying the Brighton tradition of chips on the beach with the We7 team, the music began. I started with old friends (and regular This Must Be Pop Live attendees!) Ruen Brothers, who were well received in the huge St Bartholomew’s Church. I then headed to Blind Tiger for another retro rocker, female singer Findlay. I loved her high energy performance but did feel she was missing a more subtle moment amongst the rocking out. Overall she definitely showed star quality and from the packed venue I’d says she’s one to watch.
Next, I returned to the giant church to see a band I recently reviewed not so positively, London Grammar. I still wouldn’t buy their music but appreciated their musicianship and there were a few songs with potential. However, my final act of the night reminded me exactly why I don’t bother with indie music. American rapper Brooke Candy bitched her way through a raucous set at the Noisey night at Audio. The venue was split – the Tumblr teens at the front loved it, the grumps at the back said it was “a showcase of the worst things about humanity.” I was with the teens.
Follow me on Twitter for more updates and photos during the rest of the festival.
When I quit my full time job two years ago and bravely/stupidly went off to face the music industry on my own, my no.1 aim was to cross off as many items as possible on my pop bucket list. I started a live music night, organised industry meetups, wrote my first ebook, and now I’ve achieved another goal: start an independent pop label! I’m collaborating with fellow pop lover Jen Anderson of Euphonios (who knows much more about setting up record labels than me!) and this week we are officially launching the label, POP unLTD, with the announcement of our first three releases.
Giant Fang – Aqualung (19th June)
Our focus with POP unLTD is to release music by up-and-coming artists from all over the world, but we’re starting not too far from home with Glasgow’s Giant Fang. This is the pseudonym of Douglas Wilson, a producer, singer and musician who has attracted a great deal of buzz over the past few months. His first single Kingdom was a big blog hit, with comparisons to indie crossover acts such as The XX and Foster The People. Aqualung is next up and the response so far has been great, with early support from Radio 1 and many tastemaker blogs.
DENA – Thin Rope (7th July)
Bulgarian (via Berlin) singer DENA made a big splash last year with her brilliantly quirky debut single Cash, Diamond Rings, Swimming Pools, which was accompanied by one of my favourite recent music videos. She is now preparing to release her debut album, but first she has a new single Thin Rope, which will come out via POP unLTD in July. Her music is witty and catchy, and she has a unique artist persona which is refreshing and totally different to any other artist in the world right now.
Kirby Kaiser (28th July)
Fans of retro-pop girlbands The Pipettes and Those Dancing Days will love the sound of American singer Kirby Kaiser. She’s a talented songwriter with a lovely voice, and a classic sound that transcends generations despite her young age. Kirby takes The Ronettes and Amy Winehouse as inspiration, and her dreamy lyrics tell stories of teen romance. Kirby’s first release with POP unLTD will be announced soon, but for now enjoy There’s A Boy from her self-titled 2011 debut EP, recorded when she was just 19.
Show POP unLTD and our new artists some support by liking the label on Facebook and following on Twitter.
Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.
This week’s Future Hits playlist is all about the British boys. Watch out for these new singles featuring heavily in the charts this summer.
Tracklisting:
- John Newman – Love Me Again
- Dizzee Rascal ft. Robbie Williams – Goin Crazy
- Union J – Carry You
- The Wanted – Walks Like Rihanna
- Olly Murs – Dear Darlin’
Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.
London Grammar are one of the most talked-about new indie acts of the moment, with many comparisons to The XX. Like The XX, they do little for me. Pleasant but irrelevant. I do like lead singer Hannah's lovely, versatile voice, which reminds me of Claire Maguire on Hey Now and Florence or Birdy on Wasting My Young Years. But the problem is, I'm just left imagining how well her vocals might complement a more interesting tune. London Grammar are an attractive trio and clearly well connected, as they feature on Disclosure's new album, so I expect to hear a lot more of them in the year ahead, but I suspect my first voluntary listen to their music will also be my last.
Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.
RaeLynn was one of my favourite contestants on series two of The Voice U.S. – as a cute, fun and talented 17-year-old she had true pop star potential. She's a country-pop crossover artist, and following her unreasonably early elimination she was signed to a subsidiary of Big Machine, home of Taylor Swift. Her single Boyfriend was the first by a The Voice artist to hit the Billboard charts. Recently Big Machine began a new partnership with pop-rock producer Dr Luke's publishing company Prescription Songs, and RaeLynn is the perfect artist to benefit from the two companies' expertise. She's now working with Prescription's pop writers, which combined with her southern roots could provide the first credible successor to Taylor's country-pop throne.
Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.
Continuing my recent theme, here is another pop treat from New Zealand. Ginny Blackmore (not to be confused with fellow Kiwi Gin Wigmore) has already achieved success as a songwriter, as she co-wrote Christina Aguilera's 2012 ballad Sing For Me. Ginny's debut single Bones is a touching, cleverly-constructed song, which has already become a top 40 hit in the US. When songwriters try to become stars it doesn't always work as well as expected (is Skylar Grey ever going to happen?) but if she's wise enough to keep her best songs for herself, like Taio Cruz and Bruno Mars have done, she might just make it as an artist.
Here are my top 20 singles from the past month. I hope you enjoy them too!
- Lorde – Royals
- Avril Lavigne – Here’s To Never Growing Up
- Selena Gomez – Come and Get It
- Miguel – How Many Drinks
- Florida Georgia Line – Cruise
- Bastille – Laura Palmer
- Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky
- Betty Who – Somebody Loves You
- Union J – Carry You
- Drumsound & Bassline Smith ft. Fleur – One In A Million
- Ida – Underdog
- Quadron – Hey Love
- Kim Cesarion – Undressed (Oliver Nelson Remix)
- Faydee ft. Lazy J – Laugh Till You Cry
- Emblem3 – Chloe (You’re The One I Want)
- Beldina – What Can I Say
- Alida – Feathers
- Manda – Sweetest Heartbreak
- Cody Simpson – Pretty Brown Eyes
- Laura Jansen – Golden
Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.
This week’s Future Hits playlist features five summery dance tracks that should be huge… if the sun ever makes an appearance!
Tracklisting:
- Chris Malinchak – So Good To Me
- Drumsound & Bassline Smith ft. Fleur – One In A Million
- Sub Focus ft. Alex Clare – Endorphins
- Armin van Buuren ft. Trevor Guthrie – This Is What It Feels Like
- Iggy Azalea – Bounce
Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.
Quadron are a Danish duo who are soon to release their second album, and it's likely to get a lot more international attention than their self-titled 2009 debut. They recently signed to Epic in the US, or to be more specific, Sylvia Rhone's new sub-label Vested In Culture, also home to the brilliant Kat Dahlia. The first single is Hey Love, a catchy, soulful indie-pop tune with a fun video. Lead singer Coco O makes an appearance on the Great Gatsby soundtrack on a song called Where The Wind Blows, while producer Robin Hannibal is also a member of the hotly-tipped electro duo Rhye.
