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The Hawley goes up in flames |
Crunch year, but credit where it’s due
2008 - REVIEW OF THE YEAR
IT’S been a year of 80s revivals, man-band resurrections and burned-down celeb haunts. A time when the cash has run out and the axe has fallen on a multitude of venues.
Studios are going under and labels are under threat. But there’s nothing better than a struggling artist – the conditions are now ripe for a 2009 of angst-ridden creativity.
So while we sit back and look forward to what’s to come, here’s a round-up of musical memories from the past year – serious critics look away now.
Most Successful Boy Band Revival:
Take That
New Kids on the Block have made almost no impact, Boyzone are limper than ever and ’N Sync plan to follow suit with or without JT. But the undoubted success has been Take That. Ending the year with a No 1 album, lucrative contracts with Morrisons and M&S, and an appearance on the Royal Variety Performance, there’s no escaping these boys, sorry, men.
Most Bizarre Video:
N-Dubz
I hope they can forgive me for this, as Grooves has long been a supporter of Camden Town collective N-Dubz. This young trio have accomplished so much in such a short time, won a Mobo award last year and have just released their first album. So it’s strange to see such a trippy video accompany their single Papa Can You Hear Me – a tribute to songwriter Dappy’s father, the group’s late manager Byron Contostavlos. The heartfelt track is winning huge amounts of airplay. But turn down the sound and watch the crazy clouds drift by, N-Dubz members floating in the sky, and Dappy’s comical hat and it’s all a little surreal.
Most Appropriately Named Band:
Skint and Demoralised
Charming, unassuming Sheffield spoken word/singing act, I saw them at the Union Chapel last month and smiled at the fact that they pre-empted the economic crisis with their moniker.
Best Live Performance:
Florence and the Machine, Union Chapel
I missed FATM in April as I was stuck in a Camden Crawl queue; likewise, her show at Bestival’s Reunion Tour at Koko in May was good but lost in the distractions of people in fancy dress, juggling and day-glo skipping. So her stripped-down show at the Mencap Little Noise Sessions at the Union Chapel was the perfect venue to appreciate the might of the fiery singer with the twisted songs.
Indie Club Anthem:
MGMT, Time to Pretend
It’s been doing the rounds for a while but still has the power to get indie kids everywhere back on the dance floor.
Fave Music Show:
Orange Unsigned Act
Yes, it’s another reality TV music talent show and granted it’s sponsored by a brightly coloured mobile phone company but it’s still a great way to start the weekend.
Best Grooves Interview:
Cage the Elephant/The Rascals
I couldn’t choose between these two. CTE’s Matt Shultz was on another planet, and I was never quite sure if he was telling the truth, but he was in great spirits and highly entertaining.
The Rascals’ Miles Kane was just a giggly musician with a mischievous streak whose Scouse accent won me over. I saw them play the Astoria earlier this month, and underneath the fun are some seriously talented musicians.
Also gotta mention Camden Town regulars Akala who’s the smiliest rapper I have ever met and Graham Coxon for his gentle, awkward manners and his abstract world observations.
Irresistibly Danceable Tune:
Madcon’s Beggin'
It’s a cover but the tune – and the video – are so contagious that you have to dance wherever you are.
Blaze of the Year:
Nambucca
The Hawley was impressive, but the prize goes to Nambucca which fell to the fire gods a few days ago, leaving an indie-shaped hole in Holloway Road. One commentator noted the irony of the situation when The Holloways became one of the victims of Nambucca’s downfall – losing thousands of pounds of equipment in the fire – only months after playing a benefit gig to help resurrect The Hawley.
Record of the Year:
I don’t have one so I’m just going to list the people I’ve been listening to this year.
TV on the Radio, The Last Shadow Puppets, Ahuman, Semaphore, The Courteeners, Laura Marling, Glasvegas, Reverend and The Makers, The Rascals, Florence and the Machine, Bloc Party and The Hot Melts. |
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