Laneway Festival 2013 – Should you go? Hell yes!

PUBLISHED December 5th, 2012 02:00 am | UPDATED January 21st, 2016 08:10 am

It’s festivals like Laneway coming to Singapore which really show that we have become an international destination for not just the mainstream, but very talented indie artists as well..

And recently, when the lineup was announced….I almost exploded in excitement! Last year was so good, how could they top the likes of M83 and Feist? Well…they just did.

So, the name that probably jumps out when looking at the lineup is Gotye and Kimbra. I don’t know know how many times I’ve listened to ‘Somebody that I used to know’…I even learned to play it on my ukulele. But Laneway is not about Gotye and Kimbra getting on stage for a duet (Dear organisers – if they don’t – this Nomad is gonna open up a 10 ton can of whoophass on someone).

Of course we’re all excited about these guys, but there are at least three bands performing which I am at least equally excited about seeing here in Singapore…. and they are Kings of Convenience, Alt-J & Of Monsters and Men.

KINGS OF CONVENIENCE

I cannot ever express how excited I am about Kings of Convenience performing. I still remember when I first heard ‘I don’t know what I can save you from’ from a random Swedish backpacker in Laos eight years ago…Of course I ended up downloading the whole album…and their subsequent two albums as they came out. These are one of the groups who when you buy their album, you really get your money’s worth. Not one or two good songs but an album packed with highly listenable tracks.

It’s driving music, it’s contemplation music, it’s picnic music, it’s chill-the-f*ck-out on a miserable rainy day music. Their lyrics are playful, carried out in beautiful harmony by the voices of duo Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe over melodic and subtle guitar rifts.

To get an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s a few of my favourite tracks which really exemplify their unique, and super-awesome style. (links to youtube videos)

Winning the battle, losing the war (Quiet is the new loud album, 2001)

I don’t know what I can save you from (Quiet is the new loud album, 2001)

Cayman Islands (Riot in an empty street, 2004)

Boat behind (Declaration of Dependence, 2009)

Basically, go see them. They’re awesome and will make your life better.

OF MONSTERS AND MEN

I’ll admit, I only even heard about these guy through the Laneway site as I wanted to check out the groups I didn’t know, and I am so pleased I did.

Hailing all the way from Iceland, I would like to see them overtake Bjork as the country’s biggest cultural export. In fact, their lead single ‘Little Talks’ from ‘My Head is an Animal’ was a commercial success, reaching the Top 20 in over five countries and No. 1 on US Alternative Songs. And damn right, it’s a great song…just listen to it here.

I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something just so uplifting about their songs even if the lyrics can be somewhat dark like in ‘Your Bones’. I know that I’ll be getting my groove on and dancing like there’s no tomorrow when they come on stage.

ALT-J

Alt-J recently won the Mercury Prize. For anyone who doesn’t know what that is, this is a major and revered British music award established by the British Phonographic Industry and British Association of Record Dealers in 1992 as an alternative to the Brit Awards (which is more ‘poppy’). The annual prize goes to awesome newcomers on the British scene and is always intensely anticipated. Past winners have seen the likes of Pulp, Blur, Paul Weller & The Prodigy…In other words, it’s kinda awesome.

Alt-J produce a sound combining genres such as folk rock with a touch of dub. For some great examples of their work, check out the following songs:

Tessilate (An Awesome Wave, 2012)

Matilda (An Awesome Wave, 2012)

So if you’re still umming and ahhing about whether or not to come to Laneway, I politely and respectly suggest you get save the date now. Rain or shine, Laneway 2013 is going to be an event to remember with superb musical talent.

Laneway is taking place at the very groovy Meadow, Gardens by the Bay on Saturday 26th January 2013. Standard tickets cost $145. Tickets are available via Sistic here.

We’ll see you there…