News

HEADLINES:

RSS

Arcade Fire

Related pictures

Latest articles

Soundcheck: Musicians invading new genres

23.10.09

Pop can no longer contain Sufjan Stevens, whose latest album, The BQE, is a multi-format extravaganza. And now there is a fresh ambition among musicians... more

CDs of the week

24.07.09

There's enough pop to keep A-ha relevant on their latest record and Master Shortie is trying to satisfy the current public appetite for poppy rappers.... more

CDs of the week

24.04.09

Bob Dylan returns with his 33rd studio album, The Enemy reinvent themselves as rock gods and the Handsome Family get mellow.... more

You can whistle to Airborne Toxic Event

05.02.09

The Airborne Toxic Event, a Los Angeles quintet, are unashamedly a pop group, brimming with instantly hummable, unashamed pop songs.... more

Norman Cook brings beach vibe to the park

07.07.08

Brighton's most illustrious DJ, Norman Cook, turned the O2 Wireless Festival at Hyde Park into one massive beach party.... more

Ones to watch

21.04.08

The Camden Crawl hosts a range of musicians from indie to jazz acts. Here are some of the ones that stood out at this year's event.... more

Enduring love for goth veterans

25.03.08

The Cure's three and a half hour set at Wembley was a reminder that no one can top this band for gloomy grandeur, says André Paine.... more

Can't resist the cheese

20.03.08

The Feeling's hyperactive nature rubbed off on the audience at Shepherds Bush Empire. Frontman Dan Gillespie Sells even managed to get his grannie to her feet.... more

Jarring comeback lacks Power

11.01.08

British Sea Power are one of our most intriguingly bold bands, but despite some thrills, they really had too many ideas.... more

Off the record

12.10.07

David Smyth takes a look at a new live music venue opening in New Cross and checks out what's new on the net.... more

Symphonic rock and fancy dress

04.09.07

With fans dressed in Jesus robes, The Polyphonic Spree seemed to be encouraging a synergy of choral symphonic rock.... more

Off the record

31.08.07

David Smyth talks to Paul Weller's son, Natt, about London's club scene and casts his eye over what's new on the net.... more

Off the record

03.08.07

David Smyth discusses free music downloads, the online arrival of Led Zeppelin and the future of the Chemical Brothers.... more

A hard Gray's night

19.07.07

David Gray was fitfully brilliant as he played to 500 fans at St John's in Westminster. But among a dozen classic songs, there was also plenty of pedestrian material, says Andre Paine.... more

Critic's choice: top five comedy

12.07.07

It's festival mania this weekend with Bill Bailey, Alan Carr, Stewart Lee, Reg Hunter, Michael McIntyre and Richard Blackwood all taking the stage at shows across London and the south.... more

Not quite as Bella as it should be

11.07.07

The first of two 10th anniversary shows for the record label Bella Union saw patchy performances and will need to improve to make it to their 20th year... more

College rock with lessons to learn

06.06.07

Glastonbury-bound indie-pop group Los Campesinos! failed to live up to expectations in their biggest gig since forming last year... more

Beautiful sculptors of a racket

16.05.07

Kissaway Trail's ska punk style and sculptured racket-making prove a hit with reviewer Johnny Sharp at their performance at the Barfly.... more

A quiet voice that makes a huge impact

09.05.07

Understated American pop act Simone White shows reviewer Sophie Harris that sometimes a whisper can be more powerful than a shout.... more

Your ultimate guide to summer festivals

04.04.07

Glastonbury sold out in 90 minutes, but all is not lost. There are dozens of other fantastic music events, says David Smyth. And you can still get tickets - just.... more

Metal kids aren't brighter, they're just more needy

27.03.07

... more

Park hit the mark with a softer punch

26.03.07

Maximo Park were the surprise success story of 2005 with their literate, funny, moving guitar music. Paul Connolly reviews their second album, Our Heavenly Pleasures.... more

Earlies are perfect for romantics

07.03.07

A feast of instruments ranging from cellos to bongo drums and flutes to synthesisers all featured during an eerily motionless performance by The Earlies.... more

CDs of the week

02.03.07

This week sees the release of new albums by Montreal's ludicrously hip Arcade Fire plus Willy Mason and the return of The Stooges.... more

Off the record: David Smyth

16.02.07

David Smyth discusses why the Fratellis deserved their Brit and the danger advertising poses to rock festivals in his weekly column.... more

Rakes are progressing

07.02.07

Unfailingly polite, moving with the curious, gawky grace of a prep school pupil auditioning for Gilbert and Sullivan, John Aizlewood was fascinated by The Rakes singer Alan Donohoe.... more

Metric need more killer tunes to measure up

31.01.07

Metric's star has been steadily rising since NME named Monster Hospital the fifth best single of last year. Marcus Foley says all that is needed is a few more killer tunes.... more

Fire at centre of universe

30.01.07

Arcade Fire sold out this week's five comeback shows in less than two minutes. The Montreal band's Smith Square gig left David Smyth feeling he was at the centre of the universe.... more

Are Koopa the next Arctic Monkeys?

12.01.07

In a new column, David Smyth examines the potential impact of unsigned Koopa on the revamped chart plus gives the new Bryan Ferry a listen.... more

Free jazz with a pagan edge

06.09.06

A bit like a rural Arcade Fire who've ingested too much free jazz, Brooklyn four-piece Grizzly Bear, who were a highlight of the Homefires festival, look set to ignite the audience at Cargo.... more