In this blog post of two halves, Jen Long kicks off…
It’s so nearly festival season, I can almost taste the cider and feel the welly sweats. And the one weekend that always kicks off my calendar is Brighton’s The Great Escape. BBC Introducing is back for another year at what is now one of the world’s most important new music conferences and festivals and I couldn’t be happier. We have an incredible line-up this year and to be invited back is not only testament to the strength of last year’s stage but also to the sheer amount of incredible musicians this country continuously has to offer.
The first time I heard Lessleg by Charlie I was transfixed. A gorgeous and bare track carried by an echoing thump and a lilting vocal, it was straight in that week’s show. A Next Hype spin from Zane Lowe followed, and rightly so. Supported by BBC Introducing in Oxford, he’s an opener most certainly worth getting down early for.
I saw Sophie at a Roundhouse Rising event a couple of months ago and although I’d been enjoying her sparse and tender tracks online, nothing had prepared me for how heartbreaking and captivating her live show would be. Supported by BBC Introducing in Berkshire, her new single Stain is getting a release on the LuvLuvLuv label and it’s a beautifully accomplished affair. If you’re coming to check out Sophie at The Great Escape, please do me a favour and listen. If you start chatting I will shhh you. This is music that deserves your full attention.
And for the second half, writing duties were handed to one of the tallest men in Scotland, Sir Ally of McCrae.
Couldn't agree more, what a voice and yes, Jen will DEFO shhh you, she isn't just saying that. Rightly so, this line up really does demand attention.
This will be one of Y.O.U's first live outings, which I guess sometimes can be an awkward affair; your enthusiastic aunty comes along because "aww it's nice to see you doing something with that guitar your dad bought you" or you're first on to some dodgy cover band, but this time, we have something pretty different on our hands... For the last few years, when not being a session musician playing keys to arenas with Editors, 23 year-old Elliott Williams has been writing, recording and putting together a band, to seriously make his own mark.
Sonically, and with only one track out (on French label Tiger Sushi), it's intelligent pop, rhythmic, looping and upbeat but with bit of a dark undercurrent, which will all be reviled as more music is released. That said, I heard the EP the other day and there was an almost disco track on there, it's smart, exciting, interesting pop music. What am I on about? You better come find out eh!
Although his name makes me think of breakfast and that chain that will put anything in a wee pot for you, this London via Edinburgh producer/vocalist's set at our showcase is one not to be missed. Pounding bass, super-melodic synths and glitchy, almost 2-step beats just work with his vocals and genuinely heartfelt tales of late nights and young love. Expect to see my limbs flailing excessively from the outset, please dance with me or Jen will get all embarrassed by me, again.
There will be raving.
BBC Introducing at The Great Escape takes place at The Blind Tiger Club on Friday 9th May 2014.
The timings are as follows:
1945 – Charlie Cunningham
2030 – Leon T Pearl
2115 – Sophie Jamieson
2200 – Y.O.U
Free entry for those in possession of a Friday or Weekend wristband for The Great Escape Festival. More details on the event can be found here.
Jen and Ally are on the Radio 1 airwaves every Sunday night at midnight with an hour of new music, including tracks plucked from the BBC Introducing Uploader. Make time for them!
