Are Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros The Future Of Indie Music?

The revolution is coming - and there’s not a leather jacket in sight.

So, much has been made about The Vaccines debut, Brother’s outspoken attitude, the secretive Wu Lyf, and the return of The Strokes; but what if the future of the alternative sound doesn’t lie with indie bands in skinny jeans? What if, in today’s crumbling world, all we needed was a band of merry men and women who just wanted to spread some love?

Well, we may have found just that band: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Already causing quite a stir in the US, the Magnetic Zeros, fronted by the charismatic Alex Ebert (not actually a guy called Edward – confusing) is a Californian band of eight guys and two girls who make beautiful, euphoric music. The word happy could have been invented for the troupe. Think the Polyphonic Spree on acid.

Ebert’s preaching voice seems to go from a wide-eyed angel to a soul singer with sordid stories to tell in a sentence, all the while telling tales in a bid to rival the great Bob Dylan.

Now before you cry: “I have to dodge enough Hare Krishnas on Oxford Street – why do I need more do-gooders in my life?” as I’m sure at least a couple of you are; just hunt them down and watch them live. I defy anyone to leave a Magnetic Zeros gig without feeling better about the world.

Paisley scarves, waistcoats and hats are abundant on stage. In that cool way where it looks like you’ve spend your life floating from Woodstock to Glastonbury, and back again. Definitely not in a Johnny Depp circa Pirates of the Caribbean wannabe way.

At a recent intimate gig at the Old Vic Tunnels, south London, the band paused to ask for a minute’s silence for the people affected by the Japanese earthquake that had happened earlier that day.

This band have good vibrations and kindness dripping from every pore – the infectious music is just a by-product. And maybe that’s just what we need right now.

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