Laneway Festival Preview
By Caleb Rudd • Jan 25th, 2009 • Category: News
Phew, it’s been a hectic January/February for Australian/NZ gig-goers but there’s one last festival of the Summer and it’s almost upon us — St Jerome’s Laneway festival. We made it last year to the Brisbane leg and had a great time swaying to Damn Arms, The Devastations, Feist, Stars and Broken Social Scene. Once again the line-up is suitably star studded so to help you navigate your timetable here are our picks:
Stay Positive the fourth long player from Brooklyn’s The Hold Steady, hit pay-dirt for the band last year with their brand of brash Springsteen influenced rock. The disc received good notices and admirable placings on the UK and US charts. They wowed Laneway a few years back so expect a ruckus come this time round.
LA noise merchants No Age (Randy Randall and Dean Allen Spunt) are tearing up stages following the release of Nouns on Sub Pop last year which earned ridiculously good reviews. As No Age are subscribers to the Sonic Youth school of, “one louder” aka “more is more” philosophy we can offer you only one piece of advices. — bring earplugs!
We imagine it is must be a bit daunting being such an influential electronic-rock group, yet last year’s Chemical Chords showed that Stereolab still had it (we said: ”Chemical Chords is a refreshing and enjoyable listen”). And who can forget their legendary 1997 show in Brisbane which saw 700 punters squeezed into a venue designed for half that? We’re sure no such cynical shoehorning will befall their Laneway dates and instead it will be memorable for the right reasons.
Spiral Stairs
Webcuts makes no apologies for our love of Pavement and with Spiral Stairs (Scott Kannberg), an integral part of the DNA of that band and soon to release a solo effort (after two albums as Preston School of Industry) we’re pretty excited about seeing the man in action. Just don’t call out for “Cut Your Hair”, kay?
Memphis native Jay Reatard (Jay Lindsey) has been making a name for himself since the late 90s, in bands like The Reatards and Lost Sounds, mixing up garage rock and synth punk. Recently signed to Matador Records under his own name, his output with them to date has been a succession of hit and run 7″ singles, each brimming with punk fuzz and lo-fi brilliance (from Our review of his Matador singles compilation).. Miss him at your peril.
Architecture in Helsinki
Cameron Bird and his flock have had a busy couple of years since 2007′s Places Like This which received a mixed critical reception but was warmly received by fans, especially after witnessing them in concert. With another slice of skewed pop Vision Revision ready to drop, 2009 is shaping up to be another full-on year for the Melbourne five piece.
2008 was a watershed year for Cut Off Your Hands, one of New Zealand’s brightest hopes, seeing it was the year that their debut disc You & I was released. Bright Johnny Marr style guitar chords traded space with delightfully off-key vocals, bouncy bass and rapid fire drumming all encased by perfect three minute pop structures. Can they deliver live? We’re going to find out.
Plus
Augie March, Girl Talk, Holly Throsby, Pivot, Port O’Brien,The Drones and many more.
What: Laneway Festival
Where/When: Brisbane – Sat 31 Jan, Melbourne – Sun 1 Feb, Perth – Fri 6 Feb, Adelaide – Sat 7 Feb, Sydney – Sun 8 Feb
Website lanewayfestival.com.au
Webcuts will naturally feature a full review with lot’s of nice pictures after the Brisbane date.
Caleb Rudd is blu-tacking baby!
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