Between the 13th – 15th of October, Manchester plays host to the annual In the City festival. This year, it’s relocating to the Northern Quarter, and looks set to play host to it’#s most exciting line-up in years, giving both the industry professionals and the normal gig goers a chance to get involved with it’s unique mix of exciting concerts and engaging keynote speakers. Wristbands are currently priced at £29, which gets you access to some of the most exciting shows the city will see this year. If you’re not quite sure who to see yet, here’s some help:
It’s a cliché, but up north there’s still a lingering perception that London’s streets are paved with gold, figuratively of course. And whilst the walkways are grimy and slate, one thing that can be ensured is that the basement’s of the capital city are always going to be offering up some of the hottest new talent in the country. Case in point: New Cross’ Labyrinth Ear. Formed just a few months ago, the duo have already seen their expansive array of demos talked about all across the web. Their remix of Local Natives’ World News may be the headline grabber, but it’s their own work that gives the biggest hints of the talent beneath.
This is undeniably pop music, but not quite as we know it. The last couple of years have seen a huge shift and diversification in what the public at large listen to, and that’s something echoed in the band’s sound. Comprised of Tom and Emily, the two possess the ability to make glitzy electro music that dazzles, a more knowing take on the miniature La Roux front revival a year or so back. But there’s more than shimmering beats and neon rhythms here, with notes stolen from Crystal Castles, arguably the masters of the genre. It’s almost as if a stereotypically English slant has been put upon the works of the Ontario twosome with a quaint type of reserve placed upon the hallmark sound teamed with an instant accessibility, which makes for an enthralling listen. Comparisons are easy to draw given the boy/girl, synth/vocalist set up of both acts, but Labyrinth Ear seem to actively court them, echoing the distortion of Glass’ voice throughout their earlier recordings, even if her viscera has been left out. They’re truly a juxtaposition in terms – glamorous yet gritty, ambitious and almost brash but staying strangely detatched, echoing the past whilst ultimately being forward thinking.
Labyrinth Ear – Lithium
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