Mumford and Sons have enjoyed a hugely successful 2010 after the release of their first album and numerous festival appearances. They have now embarked upon a sold out Europe and UK tour and will later hop over to the US which has also seen virtually every date sell out.

Since forming in late 2007 the members of Mumford & Sons have shared a common purpose: to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously. This sense of playing music for the love of it has continued as the main theme through the band’s short history. They booked their first rehearsals in the late autumn of 2007: “As soon as we sat down together, just the four of us, we knew we had become a band cos what came out was unique to us four as individuals,” says Ben. Out of this session came their first band songs: Awake My Soul and White Blank Page, highlights on their debut album.

The debut album was produced by Markus Dravs who also recorded Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible, Björk’s Homogenic and The Maccabees’ Wall of Arms, who made the band buy good instruments; set them a daily routine; and encouraged them to try and work even more instinctively, to strengthen their already-powerful musical personality. “He wanted us just to sound like us”, explains Ben. “He talked about us working on our music’s most jubilant and melancholic moments, and make them even more evocative. And over those four weeks, everything came together.”

It is amazing just how quickly this band have managed to grip the world with their gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the might of Kings Of Leon, if you are lucky enough to catch them as they pass through Brighton we salute you, it is going to be quite an event!!!!

This Saturday Audio bring one of Brighton’s most up and coming acts to you..for FREE!!

Soon to embark on a European tour Mirror’s have been kicking up quite a storm, with Steve Lamacq likening them to Depeche Mode they cling tightly to the wonders of the 80′s, giving us the stunning sombre synth sounds that made that decade what it was.

‘Weirdly, a little digging around indicates a connection between members of Mirrors and defunct… Bexhill-on-Sea landfill indie rockers Mumm-Ra, whose drummer went on to join White Lies. So that makes two bands that have formed out of one, positing Mumm-Ra as the Future, White Lies as the Human League and Mirrors the Heaven 17 of the piece. OK, enough with the early-80s synth-pop references already.’ Paul Lester – The Guardian

www.myspace.com/mirrorsmirrorsmirrors

Influenced by an interesting array of great artists including Erykah Badu, Peaches and The Gypsy Kings, London’s Martyna Baker will be serving up some no doubt stunning support!

www.myspace.com/martynabaker

Baltimore based new wave pop trio Future Islands have recently embarked upon their European tour and this coming Thursday they hit Brighton!! With a reputation for being one of the most intense live bands around this is bound to be a spectuacular show so get your tickets now!

It has been quite the year for Future Islands. In April the band released the 12″ EP In The Fall, (their first release on Thrill Jockey). The 12″ featured the summer hit “Tin Man” as well as a song with Katrina Ford of Celebration. Following right on the heels of the 12″ was the band’s full length In Evening Air, an album that was critically acclaimed across the board.

Comprised of J. Gerrit Welmers (synthesizers and programming), William Cashion (bass), and Samuel T.Herring (vocals), Future Islands has continued to make passionate music through an electronic medium for the past four years. [Although, the three have been working and performing since the spring of 2003.] They call their music “Post-Wave,” taking in part from the emotional fragility of New Wave and coupling it with the power and drive of Post-Punk.

Arriving at the Concorde it was clear that much of the crowd’s anticipation had been building up for weeks. As they took to the stage bass rumbled through our bodies, causing involuntary eye shakes and an overwhelming feeling of something on the cusp of explosion, slowly the band picked up their instruments teasing layers of sound built up until the first track became recognisable and the venue’s excitement overflowed…read more >

Having never experienced live music within the small surroundings of The Volks it was hard to contemplate how an act that refuse to play gigs confined to one spot would conduct their famed set. It takes a venue with a special kind of attitude to accommodate the chaotic maelstrom these guys create, as expected all three members stripped down to their underpants and warmed up by arranging genitalia and cranking the amps to full output! Read more >

Saturday September 11th 2010, gates 10am
Newstead Village (nr Nottingham)
Adult tickets £30 Get Tickets
www.headstockfestival.com

This weekend a brand new festival kicks off which comes about thanks to a BBC One and Big Lottery Fund backed scheme to help lift mining village Newstead’s community from deprivation. With a focus on bringing people together this one day event costs a mere £30 and has a great eclectic line up including Nick Harper, The Clay, Edward II, Gypsy Fire and headliners Ash.

To find out more about Headstoock check out our festival preview >

I like this term, finding it twee and slightly sneery which is the way I feel about this particular sub genre. Although I do probably feel this way as I’m no longer a teenager by a long shot. Anyway, for this type of thing, Holy Vessels were very good and I’m sure they will find much success (and screaming teenage fans).

Speaking of screaming teenage fans, on to the main act of the night The Maccabees (a smooth transition between bands there I think you’ll agree). As ever the adopted Brightonians were excellent, playing a seamless live set after entering to Sam Cooke’s Summertime. They played mainly second album songs with a totally new song which hinted to a more soulful sound for their new album.

The band must be doing alright as they can now afford to have a brass section live, which made their second album stuff sound complete and let them play a ska-ish version of First Love off their first record.

Written by Jack Cassidy

Photos by Richard Julian Jones

Sadly the final summer bank holiday is over, and winter feels a bit too close for comfort! Alas we are back tomorrow night to offer a gentle wind down from the weekend, providing more local tallent for you to enjoy.

Performing Above Audio will be Jade Hopcroft who has a unique ability to create music that is deeply textured, combining her distinctive vocal style, impressive range, and haunting use of harmony.

www.myspace.com/jadehopcroft

Also taking to the stage will be Atmosphere and the Dot Dot Dot’s Adam Brown who will serve up a selection of solo work

Described by BBC Southern Counties as having ‘absolutely towering songs’, Lostaura have been touted as one of the bands to look out for in 2010 by BBC Introducing.

Lostaura formed in 2007 and have toured across the South East with other buzz bands like Band of Skulls, The Airbourne Toxic Event and Everything Everything, buildinga strong following and garnering enthusiastic radio support from BBC Essex, BBC Southern Counties, BBC 6 Music and XFM.

The name ‘Lostaura’ comes from Princess Aura running away with Flash Gordon. At the start of ‘Flash’by Queen you hear the phrase ‘Im lost Aura.’

http://www.myspace.com/lostaura

also performing will be:

May Day:

May-Day are an acoustic duo from the south coast of England, their music has hints of folk blues and pop music drawing influences from artists such as Paolo Nutini, Jason Mraz, Seasick Steve, Bob Dylan and Ray LaMontagne to mention a few. The duo have a broad and eclectic music taste which comes across in the range of sounds and different styles used in their original music to date. May-Day have been encouraged on their work so far by The Rev (ex Towers of London and Prodigy now with Dirty Harry) who said – ‘great tracks guys, guitar sounds great nice picking and the voice has great depth! good job boys!’

http://www.myspace.com/maydaymusicuk

Brighton four-piece Ramona will have just finished an extensive UK tour to support the release of their debut 7” single ‘How Long” through Bullitt Records on September 6^th. They will be having their launch party at Brighton’s infamous Prince Albert this coming Tuesday.

Their recent tour kicked off with a rapturously received show at London’s leading day festival Wireless, where they shared the bill with the likes of Pink, Gossip and The Tings Tings, before a few regional shows, and onto the mighty T in the Park.

Fronted by the irresistible Karen Anne, Ramona have caused a huge stir in their local musical circles (and beyond) with their modern take on the classic new wave sound (early comparisons have included Blondie, Siouxsie and the Banshees etc). Their early recordings and live shows have earned them a dedicated, fast growing fanbase who have waited patiently for this first, official Ramona release.