Future Pop is a weekly email featuring the hottest new pop songs and artists that you need to know about. This week it’s a special edition focussing on some of the most exciting new artists I discovered at the Great Escape festival over the past few days. So read on, listen up and make sure you tweet me @poptastic to let me know what you think of my picks!
This Must Be Pop Live
This month's This Must Be Pop Live is just one day away! Come along to our ace new venue Queen of Hoxton from 7.30pm tomorrow to see War of Words, Poppy and the Jezebels and E.B.R.U. perform live, have a dance to some amazing pop songs and meet lots of other friendly pop fans. Buy your ticket in advance for just £3 here and find out more about the event here.
Future Stars
I was very dubious about the idea of a band fronted by Pixie Geldof, but it turns out she makes an absolutely amazing pop star! She's got a fantastic voice, looked fab on stage and has some great songs too. The ones online so far are more indie dream-pop, but the others she performed had actual chart hit potential. The music could be compared to Lana Del Rey or Florence and the Machine, which makes sense as Violet are signed to Luv Luv Luv, a new label set up by Florence's management. If you get the chance to see them live, I highly recommend it.
When Lulu spoke for the first time during her set, the audience actually laughed in shock. You don't get many soulful dub-pop singers with Newcastle accents! Lulu is not signed yet, but I hope when she does work out a deal she takes some time to find the right songs. I liked most of the songs she did, but I didn't hear a hit among them. She sang an acapella Temper Trap cover during the set which was incredible, but as well as the great vocals she also has star quality and a cool look. She needs development but she definitely could be a big name in the future.
I'd heard good things about Haim, but the music I listened to online didn't appeal to me. However, I decided I had to give them a chance at the Great Escape and I'm glad I did. I still wouldn't buy their album but I think a lot of indie boys will as they are clearly great musicians, they're pretty girls and they're funny and entertaining on stage. On my way out after the gig, all I could hear was “amazing!” “incredible!” and “best gig I've seen!” and their second performance at the festival was one of the busiest the next day as word spread about their impressive live show.
To read about my top ten favourite Great Escape performances, including Friends, Madeon and AlunaGeorge, click here.
Future Hits
This week's playlist features five songs by artists who performed at the Great Escape which could be their breakthrough hits:
Tracklisting:
- Boy – Little Numbers
- BIGkids – Drum In Your Chest
- Aiden Grimshaw – Is This Love
- Grimes – Oblivion
- Alabama Shakes – Hold On
Thanks for reading – I'll be back next Monday with more Future Pop! In the meantime don’t forget to email and tweet me with your thoughts on the songs and artists above, and any suggestions for next week. Plus it would be great if you could spread the word about Future Pop to anyone you think might enjoy it and encourage them to subscribe.
do you know pop band Kitty & The Lost Boys? you may want to give them a listen