Mumford and Sons return from their debut tour of the US for a string of UK dates ahead of the release of new EP, Love Your Ground.
Peggy Sue release latest set of monthly demos
Limited 100-copy run of September demo CD released, plus the band tour the UK with singer-songwriter Jeremy Warmsley.
Jayhawks Founder Members return with new album and brief UK soujorn
Americana Heavyweights Mark Olson and Gary Louris have put their differences aside and returned with their first collaborative set since The Jayhawks’ essential 1995 LP Tomorrow the Green Grass.
Joan Baez joins Amnesty International tour
Legendary folk singer Joan Baez has joined human rights organisation Amnesty International’s Small Places tour.
Giant Cardiff music festival back for triumphant second year
Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens brings his South by Southwest mimicking bandfest to the Welsh capital for a triumphant second year.
Emmy the Great announces single, album news
The aptly monikered Emmy the Great will release the first single from her hotly anticipated debut album in November.
The track ‘We Almost Had a Baby’ will be available on limited edition 7″ vinyl as well as to download.
The release will follow a three-date mini tour, comprised thusly:
Saturday November 8th – Glasgow Twisted Wheel,
Sunday November 9th – Manchester Deaf Institute
Monday November 10th – London ICA
Dylan’s new album available online
Bob Dylan’s new album Tell Tale Signs, a two-disc collection of rarities from the past two decades, will be available to stream in its entirety from tomorrow (30th September).
Martha Wainwright and NATW play Liverpool Music Week
Martha Wainwright, Noah and the Whale and Gideon Conn will play shows as part of Liverpool Music Week.
Album Review: Babel – Crooked Timber
Bristolian sextet Babel have produced an album they describe as an “erstwhile search for ‘the essence’ of things”.
Break from gigs + new songs = Theoretical Girl album
Electro-tinged folk-popper signs to Memphis Indistries to produce her first studio album.
Tickets for End of the Road 2009 on sale now
The EOTR mud hasn’t dried on the FFS team’s boots yet, but tickets for next year’s event are already on sale.
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Festival Review: End of the Road – Sunday
The last day of the festival began for FFS at the Garden Stage. Spirits were high –conditions underfoot were dramatically improved from the night before and the sun was showing its face once again. The Wave Pictures performed an accomplished and lively set which saw lead singer David Tattersal accidentally insulting his mother before dedicating scrumptious pop fiesta ‘Love You Like a Madman’ to her. I’d have forgiven him. There followed drum, lead and bass solos to showcase the not inconsiderable talent of this three-piece. Indeed, bassist Franic Rozycki’s solo was so good that Tattersal could not help but declare his surprise. Stand-out songs included ‘Now You’re Pregnant’ sung by drummer Jonny Helm, which featured these delightfully funny lines on the death of Johnny Cash: ‘And you say “It’s not like Elvis” / and you would be right’. For we sleepers-in, this was the perfect way to begin our Sunday. (Keep your eyes peeled for appearances from the members of the Wave Pictures in the ensuing account of the day. They really do get about a bit). [HT]
Festival Review: End of the Road – Saturday
As thousands of bleary eyed festival-goers awoke sweating in their tents as the sun beat down on them, still harbouring the muddy wellingtons and rain-lashed clothing from the day before in their porches, it was clear the second day of End of the Road was going to be an absolute belter. Welcoming the Indian Summer onto the main stage from midday were the warm, deep vocals and slow paced soothing tunes of London five-piece Absentee, who briefly burst into more stompy, upbeat rock to showcase the sound of their new album Victory Shorts, due out on September 22.
Festival Review: End of the Road – Friday
For FFS, End of the Road kicked off with Peter and the Wolf and this reviewer was alone among her cohorts in enjoying his set, from his rambling tales about New York rich kids who walk across America to his story-telling old-school folk. He was swiftly followed by Laura Marling who, in the couple of months since FFS last saw her headline, has grown into her pageboy crop as well her stage persona. Her inter-track chat leaves you wanting for exactly the intimacy her songs deliver. My Manic and I was a particular highlight as was Cross Your Fingers b-side ‘Blackberry Stone’ which features the lyrics ‘I’m sorry I never did hold your hand as you were lowered’ a reference surely to the boy with black curly hair, Charlie Fink from Noah and the Whale. Marling was supported by her usual band, including drummer Marcus Mumford and bassist Ted Dwane from Mumford and Sons, whose were booked to play later in the evening, but cancelled because they had to fly to the US for the Marling/Flynn tour.
It Hugs Back kick off UK tour at Brixton Windmill
Dreamy Kent popsters It Hugs Back kick off their UK tour on Tuesday 30th September at Brixton’s Windmill.
Folk the south: Winchester Live
Winchester (incidentally For Folk’s Sake hometown) is to play host to a plethora of folk favourites at the inaugural week-long Winchester Live festival.