IT'S ALL INDIE

It seems bad to start a live review by referencing an artist that has nothing to do with band playing, but the first thing that strikes you as you walk into the 100 club is the similarity in the demographic of the audience, and the overall feeling of excited adulation, to a Mac Demarco show. But whereas Mac arouses this reaction through sheer force of personality, Alex Giannascoli, AKA Alex G, does it through the sheer power of his song-writing. One of the most prolific artists of the past couple of years, Alex has made a name for himself by producing cool, laid-back yet truly emotional songs, and indirectly become a ‘generation X’ pin-up for a swathe of disenchanted indie kids. Tonight’s set draws from the highlights of his 4 albums, naturally leaning heavily on recently released ‘Beach Music’ and break-out LP ‘DSU’. Taking to the stage in a low-key manner, Giannascoli and band faff around setting up before launching into the one-two punch of ‘Beach Music’ singles ‘Bug’ and ...

Introducing... KRAFTKLUB

Music from Germany doesn't exactly have the best reputation. Music IN German is usually pretty bad. One of the exceptions to this "tradition" is German band KRAFTKLUB. Describing their music isn't an easy task, leading to every music magazine in Germany assigning them to a different genre. If the band from Chemnitz, a city in former eastern Germany, were an instrumental band they would sound like an indie guitar band, similar to the Arctic Monkeys. But that's a big IF, since there's the not-so-small matter of lead singer Felix Brummer (whose brother Till plays bass for KRAFTKLUB). With him rapping often ironic and humorous lyrics and guitarist Karl Schumann occasionally singing they don't fit into any standard genre. In their song "Eure Mädchen", a song featured on FIFA 13, they claim: "Wir machen Pop Musik", (We make pop music) ironically showing that they themselves don't care who listens to their music and what their fans l...

Single Review... Ideals - Reflections

A standard Tuesday waiting around for the evening and what happens? Ideals suddenly release a FREE download of 'Reflections' An utter surprise and a lovely track to listen to on quite a dull day in Cambridge. I remember hearing this track way back in January when they headlined the Haymakers in Cambridge, still it lingered in my mind as one of those tracks always does, you can't remember much but when you hear the studio version you just get bowled over! Catchy hooks, riffs, pulsating bass lines and the drummer working so hardly make this track become one with Andrews catchy lyircs. "And if he looks in the mirror and sees a reflection Of a boy on the path to redemption" They seem to be getting better and better as time goes on by, this song (so far) is the jewel of the crown in their collection of songs... for now maybe? I think this can be one of their tracks that stands the test of time, much like 'Lungs' which I still listen to and will always love. Ide...

An Interview with... The Garden

The Garden are one of the most exciting young bands right now, live and recorded. From Orange County in California, the twins have built a name for themselves at home and across the pond but still show no signs of slowing down. Whilst on tour with Warpaint, the duo are playing a one of show at London's prestigious 100 Club where a sold out show get the chance to go wild to The Garden's unique style and stage performance. Photo by Nathan McLaren-Stewart Nathan McLaren-Stewart sat down with the band backstage before the band played to 350 sweaty fans to talk about playing rooms that hold up to 5000 people, their unique sound and girls stealing their jackets. When you come to the UK does it feel like you have already established that support you have back home in America or do you think that's something you need to work on? Wyatt: I think here and back home, both support systems aren't fully established. I think they're on their way and I think that the UK i...

The Origins of Indie Rock Music: From Underground Roots to Global Stages

Indie rock music is one of the most beloved and influential genres in modern music. Known for its DIY ethos, raw authenticity, and refusal to conform to mainstream industry norms, indie rock has evolved from underground beginnings into a global movement. But where did indie rock come from, and how did it grow into the genre we know today? What Does “Indie Rock” Mean? The term “indie” originally stood for independent . In the late 1970s and early 1980s, bands that weren’t signed to major record labels released their music through smaller independent labels . Over time, the word “indie” became less about the business model and more about the sound and attitude —raw, experimental, and often outside the mainstream. The 1970s: Punk and Post-Punk Influence Indie rock’s origins are deeply tied to the punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. Bands like The Sex Pistols and The Clash proved that music didn’t need polished production or major backing to make an impact. Out of punk came post-punk ...

19 Of The Best British Female Vocalists

British vocalists always get praise all over the world, but a portion of them get over-looked at festivals and when radio stations do their 'playlists'. This is just a total shambles for equality and can be seen as sexist, especially when a certain festival rhyming with Bedding and Beads books an incredibly small amount of acts including a female - let alone female vocalists. I'm a guy and can't stand it that in 2018 sexism exists still, especially in the music industry when people write about their deepest feelings and express them to all. Below is a MASSIVE list of acts that have a female vocalist leading the group or an astonishing singer-songwriter proving that gender is just a word and you should be judged on music. If we go by these rules, if anything, the men will be put to shame! Fickle Friends Gabrielle Aplin Lucy Rose Wolf Alice Frances CHVRCHES Oh Wonder YONAKA ...

Oasis: Their Enduring Impact on Music and Hints of a 2026/27 Tour

Few bands have left as profound a mark on modern rock as Oasis . Emerging in the early 1990s from Manchester, the group — fronted by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher — quickly rose to global fame with their signature blend of Britpop swagger, anthemic melodies, and unforgettable choruses. Today, decades after their debut, Oasis remain a cultural touchstone, their influence stretching across generations of indie and rock acts . The Oasis Sound and Legacy Oasis’ defining sound combined gritty guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and lyrics that balanced working-class grit with poetic ambition. Albums like Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) became instant classics, propelling the band into international superstardom. Tracks such as Wonderwall , Don’t Look Back in Anger , and Champagne Supernova are now timeless sing-alongs that have transcended the era they were created in. Their influence can be heard in countless bands that followed, from Arctic Monkeys...

Tom Hartman shares the beautiful new song, "High Tree Climb"

Coming out of the scene in Rotterdam, Netherlands, is singer-songwriter Tom Hartman. His beautiful new song opens up with a tremendously stunning guitar piece that sounds like one of those finger-picking tones that the likes of Ben Howard is famous for. ... a breathtaking folk gem filled with delicate guitar, warm harmonica and timeless Americana charm. It's an incredibly rich track that is very much folk-leaning and is the kind of offering that is sure to capture your ears within the first minute. The track is built around the acoustic guitar and Tom's stunning vocals, with an atmospheric sound featuring harmonica and some simple keyboard sounds added for extra depth. It's a very peaceful track that has lots of Americana and folk influences and is a shimmering example of how Tom Hartman is thriving in his scene. I personally loved the harmonica solo after the halfway point, almost confirming the fact that his talent is incredible and belongs on the biggest of stages. It...

The Pixel Rain reveal their cinematic new offering, "Last"

London-based The Pixel Rain have recently delivered their dark and cinematic new offering, "Last". The track is their lead single from their upcoming debut album, and right from the get-go, you can easily hear that this is going to be one of those post-punk-driven tracks. ... a dark, cinematic post-punk storm where haunting synths and huge guitars collide. The mood here is already set, and before the first minute is done, you can hear pulsating synths and haunting vocals wallowing in the background. Once those vocals come in, however, towards that one-minute mark, it becomes even darker. It's moody and filled with atmosphere. It's like the best parts of Joy Division, New Order, Editors and Interpol have come together. With influences ranging from Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein and Depeche Mode, there is no surprise that this track has ended up being this atmospheric, this full-on and this moody, with some absolutely huge guitars. I'm sure this is going to capture anyb...

The Race make a stirring return with "D of E"

Reading, England's The Race make a stirring return with "D of E". The scene in Reading is known to my friends and me as an absolute hub of bands that just know how to make sweet, sweet indie rock sounds that are sure to get you addicted from the very first play. This band sounds like one of those. ... a soaring indie rock comeback filled with dreamy melodies, huge hooks and festival-sized ambition. The Race have crafted an absolutely soaring indie anthem that balances storytelling with sweeping musical sounds that feel like they are written for the big stages. It's very dreamy in places, with vocals that sound like they are designed to grip everyone who's listening and entice them into a good old-fashioned sing-along. The band have been releasing music in one form or another since 2005, so it's no wonder that when they returned after a 17-year hiatus, their sound was instantly appreciated by thousands. There is a massive revival for this sort of sound in the l...

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