Legendary singer-songwriter Richard Thompson has been announced as this year’s Meltdown Director.
Named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the Top 20 guitarists of all time and the recipient of both an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting and the 2006 BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, Thompson first emerged in 1967 as a founding member of British folk-rock innovators Fairport Convention before carving out an extremely successful solo career and establishing himself as one of the leading singer-songwriters of his generation. Over his career he has collaborated with Linda and Teddy Thompson, Nick Drake, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Loudon Wainwright III, David Byrne and director Werner Herzog amongst others. Continue reading →
Since his album Veneer reached the UK Top Ten José González has experienced record-breaking international success with a shower of awards and acclaim accompanying his latest album In Our Nature. In 2006 González’ cover of The Knife’s ‘Heartbeats’ became virtually ubiquitous after featuring in a Sony commercial accompanying the sight of 100,000 multi-coloured bouncy balls flying down a hill in San Francisco.
Heartbeats
Bringing his agile fingerstyle guitar technique to some surprisingly dark subject matter, González has re-worked the songs of Joy Division and Massive Attack whose revered work sits comfortably amongst González’ own accomplished songwriting.
This May Joanna Newsom returns to Southbank Centre to play two very special nights at Royal Festival Hall in support of her eagerly anticipated new triple(!)-album Have One On Me (Drag City) out later this month. Not short of new material the folk-inspired harpist and singer will perform songs from her new record along with highlights from Ys and The Milk-Eyed Mender, backed by her band.
Support on both nights will come from renown folk singer-songwriter Roy Harper.
Tickets for the two shows are available to Southbank Centre members from 10am on 17th February, and on general sale from 10am on 18th February
Gil Scott-Heron’s I’m New Here represents one of the most talked-about and most welcome artistic comebacks of recent years. Stark, tough, modern, wise and utterly uncompromising Scott-Heron’s new record has had praise lavished on it from all corners of the music press, The Observer declaring:
‘This is as striking a return as we’re likely to hear all year’
with Pitchfork giving the album it’s ‘Best New Music’ accolade and noting:
‘We could be looking at one of the most memorably resurrected careers of our time – a man renewed’
Me and The Devil
Produced by Head of XL Recordings Richard Russell, who provides dark flickering almost industrial arrangements lending rhythmic structure to Scott-Heron’s rich broken baritone. Exchanging production nods with Kanye West who sampled Scott-Heron on Late Registration, I’m New Here opens with a sample of West’s ‘Flashing Lights’, whilst Scott-Heron speaks of the broken home of his childhood it’s clear his eyes and ears are still trained on contemporary America. Almost 30 years since he laid the blueprint for modern rap with ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’ Scott-Heron’s music remains as compelling and important as it has ever been.
Download ‘Where Did The Night Go’
Thanks to XL we can offer a free download of ‘Where Did The Night Go’ from I’m New Here
See Gil Scott-Heron Live at Royal Festival Hall as part of Ether Festival 2010
Gil Scott-Heron will play two shows as part of Southbank Centre’s Ether Festival this April, a few tickets are still available for the 24th April date, but will not be around for long – to book visit: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/ether
Win a copy of his new album I’m New Here
Just tell us what your favourite Gil Scott-Heron track is in the comments box below and we’ll pick a winner at random. There’s a wealth of brilliant music to pick from before you even reach his incredible new album…
‘One of the most ambitious albums ever released under the name of ‘pop’… a masterpiece.’ – Rolling Stone
‘John Cale’s 1973 album Paris 1919 has long been justly celebrated as the most accessible and most purely beautiful record of his storied, multi-faceted career.’ – Pitchfork
Carving a new frontier on pop performance The Irrepressibles have been responsible for some of the most extraordinary live spectacles seen in the UK in recent years. With a team of film, dance, costume and make-up artists Jamie McDermott leads his 10-piece performance orchestra through mystical and theatrical stories of love, anger, lust and loss. Mixing elements of early David Bowie, the androgynous vocals of Antony & The Johnsons and luxurious arrangements of Scott Walker they fashion songs that are by turns soaringly cathartic and intimately enchating.
You can take a look at the type of spectacle they create at the incredible video below and download a free track from their debut album Mirror Mirrorhere:
In association with Red Bull Music Academy Southbank Centre presents a very special night of electronic music at Royal Festival Hall. Bringing together a host of pioneers from the world of experimental electronics and avant-garde music.
Gigs Community | Southbank Centre 