Blogs
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10 Bands To Fill The Oasis Void Who can take over the Gallaghers' mantle as Britain's biggest band?...
By Alastair Thompson on 17 September 2009
Although the demise of Oasis was as expected as the clamour for a kebab after a night on the piss, their disbandment has left a huge hole. Like them or not, an output of seven studio albums, two live albums, one B-sides collection and a 'Best Of' made them the biggest current British band up until the 29th of August that is (Rolling Stones are exempt on account of them being around too long for debate). And before anyone starts, U2 can go back to their charity-bowl begging tax haven.
‘What’s The Story’ sold nearly 4.5million copies over here alone - third in the all-time list behind Queen Greatest Hits and Sgt. Pepper’s. 'Be Here Now' too is still the fastest-selling album in British history. Admittedly line-up changes to rival the Sugababes gap-year programme and some dross ('Little James' for one) followed but name another band’s B-side that 80,000 people know every word to? Know what I mean?
And so to the point of this semi-ramble, with impending solo careers beckoning for the brothers, a re-union doesn’t look likely. Therefore, by default, who is now the biggest band in Britain? Ruling out Blur and The Verve as they have re-formed and honorary Brits Kings of Leon (see ‘Fans’ for reference), here is a run down of all the contenders (and pretenders) to the Oasis throne.
NB: Kaiser Chiefs and Razorlight missed the cut because they’re shit and for no other reason.
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Your New Favourite Band: The Drums Introducing the Californian quartet...
By David Renshaw on 14 September 2009
As the heat and relaxation of Summer gives way to the bluster and leaves of Autumn you may well be in need of one last hurrah, a final sunshine fling to wave the season goodbye. If you want a band who conjure up images of beaches, iced drinks and devil may care attitude then look no further than The Drums.
This method of mis-direction was a deliberate move however explains guitarist Jon, “I think we're all pretty miserable people so the lyrics just tend to come out that way, but we're also tired of hearing everyone complain about how miserable they are so we try to disguise a bit.” before adding “We took what we love about music and wrapped it up in a way that we didn't think anyone had ever done before. So it's sort of like we were so tired of everyone being unique we wanted to make something more familiar. ”
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First Taylor Swift, Now Kanye West's Interrupting Barack Obama The spoofs are appearing already...
By Jason Gregory on 14 September 2009
It was inevitable. But still, it's barely been 12 hours and the first spoof of Kanye West's outburst during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards has already surfaced online.
In the clip, Kanye West takes the brave – and perhaps Hennessey Cognac encouraged – decision to interrupt the US president Barack Obama as he lays out his plans for healthcare reform.
“The reforms I'm proposing do not apply to those who are here illegally,” says Barack, before Kanye interjects: “I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.”
As you can imagine, neither Barack nor his vice-president Joe Biden or house speaker Nancy Pelosi, take favourably to West's decision to butt in. But Barack being Barack, addresses the interruption in his usually calm and politically correct way.
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Born By Ted Baker Gig Race - The Road To Victory For Richard Hulligan...
By Ted Baker on 11 September 2009
The Born By Ted Baker Gig Race came to an end this week and Richard Hulligan was declared the winner after attending a massive 27 gigs in 14 days!
Richard attended a range of venues and gigs including Athlete at Pure Groove, Hot Rat at the Old Blue Last and Reverend and the Makers at the Tate Modern.
Lucky Richard is now on his way to Bestival after winning a pair of tickets and £1000 worth of Born By Ted Baker clothes.
Check out our gallery of Richard on his journey!
Richard Hulligan Wins Born By Ted Baker Gig Race...more »
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Manchester Orchestra's 'Mean Everything To Nothing' Video Series Explained by the directors!...
By Jason Bognacki and Clay Lipsky on 7 September 2009
'Mean Everything to Nothing' is a music video/film series directed by Jason Bognacki & Clay Lipsky of Destroy Rock Music to accompany Manchester Orchestra's awesome album of the same name - re-released this week. When played in order, the eleven instalments form a cinematic tapestry that details a structured narrative intertwined with an abstracted montage of faded films and lost memories.
Here, the directors speak to Gigwise about the journey step by step as the videos unfold…
Ultimately this film follows our hero, Elaine, on a surreal journey through her mind's eye to confront the demons of her past and free herself from the emotional burdens that haunt her. Classic themes of life, family, love and loss are explored as she digs through a landscape full of challenge and change. Deep huh?!
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Reading Festival 2009 By ActionAid's Bllocks to Poverty competition winner Gavin Topley Read about our man's antics here...
By Gavin Topley on 2 September 2009
After possibly the best weekend ever, music moguls Gigwise have asked me to write a round up for them, and its the least I can do. So here goes...
Reading Festival was a real eye opener for me this weekend. Armed with a guest area pass, some laminated props, and the knowledge that when world leaders meet in Copenhagen in December, this really could be D Day on climate change, I was all set. I really hoped that I would come across people who actually and genuinely gave a damn about climate change, and its knock on for people living in abject poverty around the world.
Do you know what? I was not disappointed!
From their enthusiasm, energy, commitment to giving people a good time and all around general aesthetic qualities, you might liken ActionAid's 'BOLLOCKS TO POVERTY' team and volunteers to a bunch of socially and environmentally conscious club 18-30 reps.
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Just What Has Happened To The US Music Chart? Our American blogger wants change...
By Caroline Lees on 28 August 2009
Art Brut sagely advises, “Stop buying your albums from the supermarket,” and people have taken heed. In light of constantly dwindling album sales, I like reading the somewhat quaintly outdated US Neilson Soundscan chart. The thing about the chart that interests me most is what’s not selling - it reflects little about the music (predominantly rock and indie) that most people I know enjoy .
In fairness, my friends and I spend a lot of time on independent music websites; we’re not exactly the Lady Gaga fan club. But I assumed that Lady Gaga and her Top 40 contemporaries would dominate sales, so the country and rap albums that populate the top 20 surprise me, as does the lack of rock besides Nickelback and their abysmal sound-alikes. The sole entry that could even remotely (at this point, incredibly remotely) be termed indie in last week’s chart was Kings of Leon. Where is the music that my friends listen to? Hell, where is the music that my parents listen to?
Country is easy to understand; its audience skews older, making their conversion to digital music slower. And country fans are fiercely loyal to their favourite artists; purchasing an album is a sure way to support Carrie Underwood or George Strait (whose albums are certified 68x platinum - talk about loyalty).
Rap is harder to explain. Its fans are young, and considering the number of new rappers charting, it’s safe to say they don’t have much “brand loyalty”. My best guess is that music blogs just aren’t hosting the latest rap leak, so listeners access their music the old fashioned (or just legal) way. In an unscientific test, I searched high-charting rapper Fabolous and indie newcomers The XX on blog aggregator elbo.ws. The results? 236 hits for Fabolous, and 1256 for The XX, who released their debut in America just last week. Fans might want to get their music online, but the option just isn’t there to the same extent.
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Don't Ban Flags At Festivals! Huw Jones on why flags should be a mainstay of British festivals...
By Huw Jones on 27 August 2009
Ever since our prehistoric ancestors began hanging out in big groups, they’ve been used to communicate. Countries employ them to stake territorial claims and display patriotic respect. Individuals bear them to voice silent protest, pride and support. There’s even one on the moon. Yet this age old and most basic form of identification, integral to freedom of expression, has along with crowd surfing and aerosols over 100ml, been banned from this years Reading and Leeds Festivals.
We are of course talking flags, which according to festival organiser Melvin Benn are a “nightmare” that “restrict the view of people behind”. But are they really that bad, do they really block the view that much and can they really ruin your festival experience? I for one think not.
Unless you’re prepared to lean all day against the metal stage barrier, while continually bombarding you’re M8s via OMG TXT MSGS with trumped up tales of fun and frolics, while failing to mention the constant pins and needles or lack of human contact, save for a Hi-Vis huddle of SiA security guards, just so as you can get a good, stiff necked look up Alex Turner’s left nostril, then you’re not going to see all that much anyway.
That’s why big screens are positioned on each side of the stage, so that those umpteen rows back can see what’s going on umpteen rows forward, and of course to create more revenue by advertising the latest Lynx scent, Airwaves flavour or Tampax size. Flag or no flag, the viewing experience won't be drastically improved or otherwise.
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Meet The Ted Baker Gig Racers Check out this year's contestants...
By Ted Baker on 27 August 2009
The Born By Ted Baker Gig Race has kicked off and the selected contestants are all making their way around the country to attend as many gigs as they can in the hope of winning the coveted prize of £1000 of Born By Ted Baker clothing and 2 tickets to the sold out Bestival Festival.
The racers were selected by a judging panel including Master Shortie, Puregroove Records owner Simon Singleton and Gigwise's editor Scott Colothan. But just who did they deem worthy enough to be in with a chance of the prize and being crowned the ultimate gig goer.
Take a look through our image gallery from yesterday's launch event to find out. Plus don’t forget to stay tuned to Gigwise or visit www.bornbytedbaker.com to be kept up to date on their latest antics.
Ted Baker Gig Race...more »
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Put That Down In Front...So Long Festival Flags It's time to say goodbye to giant flag poles...
By Jason Gregory on 27 August 2009
If, like me, you experienced the Glastonbury Festival on television this year (in my case, it was Michael Jackson's fault), then you probably found it quite a frustrating experience. While the line up was its usual eclectic self and the sun – for once – shone brightly, something was missing.
It's taken me a while to come up with what, but this week, when Festival Republic boss Melvin Benn complained about flags at festivals, it suddenly struck me: I couldn't see anything.
For those who haven't read Benn's comments, the organiser of the Reading and Leeds festivals criticised those who brought flags to festivals, describing them as a “nightmare”. Benn, who also acts as a co-organiser for Glastonbury, added: “The people behind them - not immediately behind them, but 20 or 30 rows behind them - can't see.”
And he's right. I was considerably more than 20 rows from the front at Glastonbury – in fact, I was about 200 miles away – but as Bruce Springsteen headlined the Pyramid Stage on the second day, I still found myself struggling to see past a nuclear disarmament flag fluttering on the end of a 15ft pole. It was like the Spanish Armada had arrived to overthrow the Queen again – or, in this case, the Boss – armed only with giant, annoying flags.
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