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The Camden Crawl is this week, on Thursday April 19 and Friday April 20 to be exact. Lots of bands, both large of profile and large of hype, will descend upon north London’s dirtiest streets to play rock music for you, the people with tickets. Tickets ripe for exchanging for wristbands. Wristbands you’ll use to get into lots of different clubs and pubs and bars. Clubs and pubs and bars which are playing host to bands. Et cetera.
It doesn’t matter if you have to queue a bit: it’ll be sunny outside, promise*.
Here, we bend an ear the way of ten bands playing the Camden Crawl. You could call this piece a ‘preview’, if you like. Perhaps you’ll like to follow the links to listen to the bands before you see them later this week – that, that’s technology in effect. For super-fresh information on the Camden Crawl, do click to its official website, HERE. Day tickets still available!
All words by Mike Diver and Gareth Dobson.
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iLiKETRAiNS** (pictured, right; MySpace)
The evils of describing bands like iLiKETRAiNS mean that you end up swamped in vagaries and clichés like 'ethereal', 'spectral' and 'widescreen'. But we saw these formerly post rock (but very much still) favourites at SXSW and they basically tore Austin a grandiose new arsehole. Expect glorious new tunes from their forthcoming debut LP proper at their Crawl show.
Foals (MySpace)
Not seen the magnificent picture of the puzzle-rock quintet in sporting whites recently? Clearly you haven't picked up any form of printed media in the past six weeks. Close to becoming ubiquitous, the Camden Crawl is actually one of Foals’ first major outings. The buzz is expectant; triumph is predicted.
Loney, dear (MySpace)
Most of the world still probably thinks that these Swedish exponents of lilting quirk balladry are actually called Lonely, dear. To be fair, that would be a reasonable name: their music is uplifting but sad, in the way much Scandinavian pop manages to be. And they're all more attractive than you. True story.
These New Puritans (MySpace)
The most pleasing thing about TNP is that you stare at the keyboard for 20 minutes and still can’t sum them up in 30-or-so brief words. Annoyingly, half their MySpace tracks are clips only. However, these are more than enough to get a flavour of their avant-minimal-futuristic-punk-beat-filth. Score. Alluring and exciting.
** The Kissaway Trail** (MySpace)
Another fine group creating beautifully wistful widescreen pop, Denmark's Kissaway Trail remind us of the Polyphonic Spree, but with only five members; and, somehow, they’re hugely less annoying. At the SXSW Bella Union showcase – their debut album is due through said label this month – they had the balls to headline above local deities Midlake. And they pulled it off.
Malcolm Middleton (pictured, right; MySpace)
With his third LP out now on Full Time Hobby, former Arab Strapper Middleton’s profile has never been higher. His tales of love gone awry are still wonderfully engrossing, and thoroughly unique in their execution, but his latest collection A Brighter Beat does reflect its title so far as chinks of light go. You’ve got to have them for shadows to form, after all.
Frank Turner (MySpace)
With his debut album Sleep Is For The Weak proving that the former Million Dead screamer is a solo artist to be reckoned with, hard-touring Frank Turner is sure to be a head-turner at this year’s Crawl. A livewire performer, even with just an acoustic guitar to hand, he’s able to electrify the air of any venue. ‘Ladies Of London Town’, head his way. Lads, you too.
Cajun Dance Party (MySpace)
It’s not just DiS that has time for these Londoners (see this review) – _NME _made their debut single their track of the week, and they recently sold out King’s College. Respectable work, to say the least, at such an early juncture in their bound-to-be-sweet careers. Still young of person and profession, expect the Crawl to be the platform CDP need to rise those extra rungs.
Late Of The Pier (MySpace)
They played Fopp for us last week. Thanks, guys. We summed them up before that show like this: Midlands-spawned synthesizer rockers with pop hooks pulsing in their veins and bright-like-neon keyboard licks aplenty. Yep, still sounds about right. Bring your best dancing shoes.
I Was A Cub Scout (MySpace)
While most guys their age are busy doing A-Levels and the like, the awesome duo of electro-emo-pop sorts I Was A Cub Scout are selling out venues up and down the land. Their touring schedule is hectic to say the least – by comparison, this year’s Camden Crawl will be something of a breather! With a scintillating live show honed, expect IWACS to fulfil their potential before long.
_DiS is hosting a stage at this year’s Camden Crawl, at NW1 on Parkway. Do come see us, won’t you? For more information click here.
*Lie_
