Jonathan Hatchman (@JonHatchman) picks out the sounds and stories that have been making headlines over the last seven days… and presents them all as a handy playlist
Originally set for release on Monday (23 March) Kendrick Lamar surprised everyone earlier this week when he released his second album – To Pimp A Butterfly – one week early. And if the early release of the long-awaited follow up to 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City wasn’t enough to cause a media storm, Lamar’s new album also managed to break the World record for Spotify album streams, picking up over 9.6 million listens upon its release date.
With festival Season that’s fast approaching, the Isle Of Wight Festival – set to take place in 11-14 June – has unveiled further line up additions, with The Charlatans, the latest announcement also features Sunset Sons, The Shires, Larkin Poe and Stiff Little Fingers. These new additions will join the likes of Fleetwood Mac, The Prodigy, The Black Keys, Pharrell Williams, Paolo Nutini and many more.
In yet more festival news, Kanye West was announced as the latest headliner for Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage. The announcement sparked protests… by a lot of people who’ve never been to the festival… Let’s hope this is in the set.
London’s Visions festival also announced acts for 2015 bill. Along with Toy, Peaking Lights and Son Lux, it’s second time luck for Fat White Family who had to drop out of the multi-venue event in Hackney last year just hours before showtime. Fingers crossed they’ll be there on 8 August.
Following on from news of Tom Delonge’s disputed exit from Blink-182 a few weeks ago, the pop-punk band played their first show with Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba replacing the guitarist. Playing an intimate show at The Roxy in Hollywood, a swarm of fan footage from the updated lineup has surfaced online.
Jonathan’s Pick of the Week
“The heart can make you crazy,” explains Sophie-Rose Harper, lead singer of The Night VI, speaking of their new song Turn Your Light On Me. Taken from the band’s as-of-yet untitled EP release which is due for September, the track precedes a run of upcoming tour dates alongside label mates Osca. Exploring lyrical themes of a love triangle featuring two women both in love with one man, presented as a vocal duet between Harper and vocalist and keyboardist Kirsty Marie Buglass, taking the form of a bright, shimmering indie pop recording that makes The Night VI’s rise to prominence even more exciting.
