Electric Guest, Manchester Ruby Lounge, 29th April 2013 9/10

Sometimes finally hearing one of your favourite albums live is a disappointment: perhaps it's easier to concentrate at home than stood in a venue with a sound system with more volume than transparency. I've loved Mondo since it was released last year: it's a must hear, particularly if you've grown impatient for Broken Bells' sophomore album. Yet Electric Guest is an act you simply have to hear live to appreciate fully. If you have the chance to catch one of their shows, don't squander it.

The music is heavily influenced by the 70's and 80's and is essentially escapism- there's no danger of this review being sidetracked into an academic analysis of hidden meanings (although it may well be a critique of the superficiality of modern society). The biggest influence wasn't present tonight: Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, whose production on the album is a key part of its appeal. He lured Asa Taccone to Los Angeles, and whilst I missed some of the gloss of the studio sound last night, he's key to Electric Guest's easy on the ear slickness.

If I have a reservation, it's that I missed the harmonised vocals of the album (despite the presence of a backing singer at the gig). Sometimes the falsetto range of Asa's voice was a little insecure, but this may have reflected the fact that it was the first night of their tour. It's in fact a wonder that he managed to sing so strongly overall, given the amazingly energetic dancing throughout. He's a highly charismatic frontman, and I couldn't take me eyes off his movement and facial expressions. My favourite song, Troubleman, was like much of the set utterly absorbing: the only thing that mattered was the present and joyful moment. The album has only 10 songs, and the set was extended to an hour with some new numbers, which didn't diverge from their earlier style.

Asa was extremely warm and friendly towards the audience (I was amused by his story about the bemusement he was met with when trying to tip in a Manchester restaurant). The band sounded tight, the tunes catchy, but this was above all memorable as a shared experience. The audience made up for its small size with enthusiasm: even the band was surprised by our knowledge of the words, and as well as much singing along there was clapping (especially during Waves), and above all dancing. I felt so privileged to experience music making of this level amongst maybe 50 others, from the front of an intimate venue: those in the know must spread the word about this American explosion of happiness.

Set List

• Under the Gun
• Waves
• Amber
• Awake
• Back on Me
• Holiday
• The Bait
• American Daydream
• This Head I Hold
• Control
• Troubleman
• Jenny
• Holes

Matthew E. White, Sound Control Manchester, 26th April 2013 8/10

Music is intimately related to place, and Helado Negro talked of places 'far more tropical tropical than this'; of humidity; and palm trees. His musical style takes the form of slow dub pop, with an experimental feel: this is music that is demanding of the audience, and takes time to adjust to. He sings in Spanish: foreign language lyrics seem normal to an opera lover like me, yet could be a barrier to some people's appreciation. Yet he won us over through his facial expressions: sometimes his eyes were closed, yet sometimes he gazed straight into our eyes. It had a hypnotic effect, and his warm, relaxed persona made entry into his exotic world easier. His real name is Roberto Lange, he's based in Brooklyn, and his stage name bizarrely means 'Black Ice Cream'. This was his first visit to Manchester, yet he's an experienced performer, and his Ecuadorian roots helped to make this a transportational set.

Matthew E. White by contrast brought part of Richmond, Virginia to this rainy part of England. More specifically, he talked warmly of the musical community he helped to nurture there, and he felt like an evangelist for it. He founded a record label, Spacebomb Records, in 2011 and its first album is Big Inner. No less than 40 local musicians feature on it; tonight the brass and chorus were understandably absent. In fact so was one of his five fellow band members, who'd fallen ill, prompting Matthew to explain to applause how differently we approach health care in the UK. This debut album has attracted much critical acclaim, Paste and Consequence of Sound naming Matthew E. White their 2012 breakthrough artists of the year.

I've rarely encountered a musician who has such evident gratitude for the audience: he explained how lucky he felt that he could sell out a gig in a town half way across the world he'd not played previously. The album has a slightly muted, laid back feel, yet live there was far more energy. The musical influences include funk, southern soul, Motown and art rock, yet it was the American roots vibe (complete with use of pedal steel) which connected most strongly with me. His soulful baritone voice was at times subdued, but this was very much a collaborative effort, and the band jammed together in a way they could only after refining their act over the long term. At times I felt the sound was opaque, yet this is clearly intentional, as listening closely to the album revealed the same mix.

Towards the end of the set, his true masterpiece Brazos, a deconstructed Gospel song, was performed. Some may find the religious references uncomfortable in Matthew E. White's work, yet this is subtle songwriting, the antithesis of superficial mainstream pop. The hosannas are not to be taken too literally: this song talks about slaves who've not seen much compassion from organised religion (and the gospel song descends into discord by its conclusion). I found this music intensely spiritual, and having been through personal challenges recently, I found peace and contentment in this experience. There's no doubting the passion and sincerity here, which like the support act challenges you to delve deeper into the meaning of our existence. Yet this was not a dry, academic exercice. There was humour, not least around the difficulty for an American to understand the Mancunian or indeed Scottish accents, and I came away feeling uplifted.

Set List

• Will You Love Me
• One of These Days
• Steady Pace
• Country
• Hot Toddies
• If You Need
• Big Love
• Human Style
• Gone Away
• Brazos
• Sail Away (Randy Newman)
• Ain't That What Love Is

Coachella 2013 Day 3 Photos

The final day of Coachella turned into a sand storm, and it came close to being cancelled. This led to an early exodus from the polo fields for many, yet there were still musical riches.

1) Grimes 9/10
It's wonderful to see how the introvert Grimes has developed her act over the last year, adding two dances and moving her own body far more than previously. Meanwhile, the music was as magical as ever.

2) Little Green Cars 8.5/10

The Irish indie folk act provided an upbeat and lively early set in the Gobi tent, and experienced from the front rail were captivating.

3) James Blake 8/10
James Blakes' set was moody, atmospheric and was sufficiently interesting to inspire me on my return home to buy a ticket for one of his headline shows later this year.

4) Smith Westerns 8/10
The Smith Westerns were joined by a giant snail on the Outdoor Stage, and their country tinged melody was soothing in the midday heat.

5) DIIV 8/10
I'd seen DIIV earlier in the week supporting How to Destroy Angels in Pomona, and they once again gave a tight, powerful set.

6) Father John Misty 8/10
This Americana act was the surprise of the day, with outstanding energy and warm, slightly eccentric banter from the front man Joshua Tillman.

7) The Lumineers 7.5/10
I may have enjoyed this set more had I been closer to the stage: the music seemed too intimate, and stripped down for such a huge stage, and I their live act lacked depth.

8) Jessie Ware 7/10
This was my first time seeing the British soul singer; she commanded the crowd and gave a confident performance in the Mojave tent.

9) Wild Belle 7/10
This was the start of my final day, in incredible heat, and whilst the music is more suited to this environment than rainy Manchester, I found a lack of variety in their songs, despite the delightful saxophone playing.

10) Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds 6/10
By this stage, the wind had gathered pace, sand was in my mouth and eyes, and I found this set bombastic, for all its energy.

The Festival

Coachella 2013 Day 2 Photos

Top Performances

1) Portugal. The Man 10/10
It's too long since I've seen the Alaskans live, and this set was amazing. I can't wait for the new album.

2) Puscifer 9.5/10
This is the first time I've seen James Maynard Keenan, and he's clearly a genius. Carina Round impressed too and the quirky white trash set added to the sense of creativity.

3) Sigur Ros 9/10
Musically, this was unbelievable, but conditions at Coachella weren't ideal to appreciate them, with less immersive visuals than in a theatre, and some noise leakage from the Phoenix on the main stage.

4) Spritualized 9/10
This was the first time I'd seen this group, who were accompanied by a full choir and drew me in completely to their rich textures on the outdoor stage at night, the mood enhanced by candles on stage.

5) Savages 8.5/10
These Brits were the surprise of the day for me- staggering energy and commitment which was compelling to watch. I can't wait to see them on home ground next month.

6) Two Door Cinema Club 8/10
This British group is always fun, but the Coachella experience couldn't match the small venue I saw them in last September, and it would have been more apt if they'd been entertaining a crowd in the midday sun than at night.

7) Bat for Lashes 8/10
Natasha Khan attracted a huge crowd which was unable to fit in the Mohave tent. After a slight tentative start, her moody pop was surprisingly moving.

8) Shovels and Rope 8/10
The duo from South Carolina seemed genuinely happy to be performing, and their high energy country was an invigorating start to the day.

9) Wild Nothing 7.5/10
This dreamy sound was apt for the midday heat, even if it felt slightly low energy following directly Shovels and Rope.

10) Janelle Monae 7/10
I can quite understand if this set was some people's highlight of the day: I was weary by this stage, but it was a truly collaborative and spectacular effort.

11) Simian Mobile Disco 7/10
I was amazed at the party atmosphere in the Mojave tent when I stumbled across this show as Spirtualized finished.

12) Mona 6/10
This mainstream rock from the Tennessee group was a little too close to Kings of Leon for my taste.

The Polo Fields

Coachella 2013 Day 1 Photos

Coachella 2013 proved to be my favourite yet musically. Here I post some photographs of the performers who wowed and disappointed me, and the atmosphere on the first day of the first weekend.

The Highlights

1) Alt-J 9.5/10
One of my favourite acts, who were utterly compelling in a packed Mojave tent: great to see them winning over the hearts of Americans.

2) How To Destroy Angels 9/10
If I hadn't seen one of the best shows ever two days earlier in Pomona, this would surely have been the highlight of my festival. As it was, the visuals dazzled a little less in the Mojave, and the audience whilst attentive, was surprisingly thin. Still chillingly atmospheric.

3) Of Monsters and Men 8.5/10
The Icelanders never fail to give joy, and the late afternoon sun of the Outdoor Stage was a strangely apt setting to enjoy their folk pop.

4) Metric 8/10
I heard reports of poor sound for this set, but where I was stood in the centre of the main stage, it was fine, and Emily Haines' energy in a set heavy in songs from Synthetic was compelling.

5) Jake Bugg 8/10
I'd seen Jake Bugg a year earlier in a relatively small venue in Manchester and was a little under whelmed, but he's matured immensely since then, and now I understand the hype.

6) Beach House 8/10
On the Outdoor Stage at night, Beach House were depending on your point of view, utter perfection, or static and dull. On this occasion, they were a welcome palate cleanser after so much more depending music.

7) Stars 7/10
The Canadian indie pop band played the main stage in the afternoon heat and were engaging enough that I wish I'd been able to catch the whole set.

8) Band of Horses 7/10
There was a familiarity about this Seattle outfit despite the fact I haven't seen them before; their rootsy sound was perfect to sooth my now tired soul.

The Disappointments

1) Polica 5/10

2) Modest Mouse 5/10

3) Local Natives 7/10

The Atmosphere