Canadian superstars Arcade Fire, who’ve crushed all their live shows in our fair city, from their memorable concert in 2016 at Razzmatazz to a massive set at the 2017 Primavera Sound Festival, are back in town to wow fans once again, this time tonight at Palau Sant Jordi. Their infallible power pop led by Win Butler and Régine Chassagne is sure to bring about yet another collective catharsis on this tour where they present their fifth album, ‘Everything Now’ (2017).
The duo from Nottingham of singer and founder Jason Williamson and musician Andrew Fearn (who joined in 2012) excel at expressing the raw emotions of the most jaded working class, thanks to their nihilistic and raging catharsis that comes out of the UK and under the post-punk banner. Their lyrics speak of masculinity and weakness, of professional liars and the great rock and roll swindle. They present their latest album, ‘English Tapas’ (2017) tonight at Razzmatazz.
American pop diva Lana Del Rey, who’s created an aura of a cult star around herself, especially since the release of her 2011 release ‘Video Games’ and her languid retro look, comes to Barcelona during her ‘La to the Moon’ tour as she presents her fifth album, ‘Lust for Life’ (2017). No doubt her most ardent fans will be queuing up at Palau Sant Jordi for days, come rain or come shine, to get as close as they can to one of the biggest fan phenomena in recent times, and on top of that she’s touring what could be her best album to date. Before we will enjoy Cat Power.
London-based duo APRE have just unveiled their debut single All Yours, a captivating indie cut with infectious pop sensibilities. Lyrically the song captures the intensity of that point where you are ready to give yourself to someone entirely. Musically, too, APRE twist those most intimate moments into widescreen, alternative pop, drawing equal inspiration from the likes of Foals or Bombay Bicycle Club as red-blooded 80s pinups like Tears for Fears and ABC.
Rolling Blackouts CF, as they are sometimes known, as if they were a sports team, did a test “Find out what guitar band you would be” and they got The Go-Betweens. They did it again and the result was The Bats. And the third time, The Chills. Being indie in the antipodes was too heavy. They were never going to be The Feelies, although they strum 6, 12 and even 18 strings with the same gusto and a skilful right hand. Anyway, the Melbourne quintet was happy with the other results. Jangle, kiwi, indie… they feel represented by all of these pop traditions. Although this is, in fact, straight up pop. Because Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever remind us that it is called pop because “music that makes you walk through life with a smile on your face, thinking that everything will be all right” is far too long.
On Tuesday the 3rd of April, King Krule was invited to play a few songs, live on BBC Radio 1. Those included ‘Biscuit Town’ and ‘Logos’ from his latest album The Ooz, and an outstanding take on Connan Mockasin’s ‘Forever Dolphin Love’.
