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The Yorker presents this week's succinct guide to goings-on of the musical variety, both locally and nationally. Here you'll find previews of a selection of single and album releases from the week ahead, as well as a guide to the hottest tickets in town for live music.
In a landmark week for the University Concert Series, the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall hosts two not to be missed evenings of music. On Wednesday 2nd, the University Chamber Choir and Baroque Ensemble join forces for a performance of J. S. Bach's epic masterpiece, the St Matthew Passion. Starting at the earlier time of 7pm, Peter Seymour directs while James Gilchrist and Peter Harvey take on the central roles of the Evangelist and Christus respectively. As if to wind down the week in smoother fashion, on Friday 4th the same hall hosts one of the University's ensembles in residence, the Julian Argüelles Octet. Formed in 1996, the group brings together some of the most prominent jazz musicians in Britain today under the leadership of composer and saxophonist Julian Argüelles.
The Duchess offers the possibility of livening up the close to the working week with two noteworthy gigs. Thursday 3rd sees the visit of Ben Ottewell, one-fifth of Southport-based, Mercury-winning band Gomez. Ottewell is currently touring in support of the release of his long-planned solo album, Shapes And Shadows, a collection of compositions written across a five year period between band commitments. The following night, the same venue will resonate to the freshness of the Rock Sound Exposure Tour, a series of gigs showcasing some of the new talent currently being championed by the music magazine. Topping the bill on Friday 3rd will be Leeds-based trio Dinosaur Pile Up.
However, if you can't wait until then for your live music fix, quench your thirst at Fibbers. On Tuesday 1st you can catch the psychedelia leanings of fast-rising musical force The Naked And Famous, while on Wednesday 2nd there's a chance to hear another up-and-coming band, Wild Palms. Their album Until Spring is due out next Monday and you can watch a live performance of the taster single 'Delight In Temptation' here:
Foo Fighters - 'Rope
It cannot be denied that this single is typical Foo Fighters - it's loud and unavoidable. Not as catchy as the taster singles from past albums have been (take ‘All My Life’ and ‘DOA’ for example), but don't fret Foo fans; if you liked them, you'll like this. It's full of energy and heavy guitars and Dave Grohl's grinding vocals never fail to deliver. But is the rock game won? Only the new album (out April 12th) will tell.
Faye Dobson
Katy Perry ft. Kanye West - 'E.T.
'E.T.' or 'Extra-Terrestrial' has Katy Perry dropping the popstar candy girl persona for some tense, moody electronica, offering up a refreshingly dark side to her cheesy music catalogue. This single version features Kanye West, but his contributions unfortunately ruin a song about a jarring metaphorically-laden encounter with a lover, containing a nonsensical astronomy rant and all-too-literal disturbing descriptions of alien rape, with lyrics like "Imma’ disrobe you, then Imma’ probe you".
Natalija Sasic
Elbow – 'Neat Little Rows
With crunching bass hooks, cheery tambourines, and Guy Garvey’s distorted vocals soaring over the top, the band’s new single contains all the key ingredients of a rather lovely Elbow song. It’s an upbeat little tune, but I just wish I were deep/clever/drunk enough to understand the lyrics. And be warned: that plinky-plonky piano riff will nestle inside your brain for weeks on end like a musical parasite.
Catherine Munn
Chilly Gonzales – 'You Can Dance
The man responsible for the return of piano-driven dance music brings us another early 90s-inspired song. In a world of heavily treated vocals and effects that are pretty much standard procedure for most dance music these days, the use of clearly recognisable instruments is thoroughly refreshing. An upbeat disco tune with a light strings motif; the track ends just before it becomes too repetitive. Not exactly the almost hypnotic ‘Never Stop’, but still likeable. Expect it in a club near you soon. Oh wait, it doesn’t contain nearly enough auto-tune for that.
Lucie Vincer
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