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It really doesn’t get any easier. My perfectionist personality doesn’t help either, it makes me read through the entire list of the 2009 album releases, 5000 albums give or take, just to make sure I don’t overlook anything. Then comes the relistening, the scrapping, the adding, the positioning, the turmoil. But eventually I get to my destination, invariably feeling hopelessly incomplete and doubting my final list before it even hits this screen.
Ah well, sod it. Here are my top 10 albums of 2009. I will be soon posting the best single releases list too, just need to get a xanax refill first.
10. Rock Plaza Central
…at the Moment of Our Most Needing, Or If Only They Could Turn Around, They Would Know They Weren’t Alone
No mechanical horses this time, but there’s still plenty of off beat story telling on Rock Plaza Central’s 2009 lengthy titled album. Arguably RPC singer, or often narrator, Chris Eaton’s voice is a bit of an acquired taste, but hey, so was your first beer. Do try and stick with him, because you will reap a great reward of orchestral Canadian quirkiness!
9. Fanfarlo
Reservoir
Fanfarlo’s album is an unassuming little number but it packs a multi instrumental punch. From the toe tapping crescendo of songs like I’m a Pilot and the amazing Howard T. Wilkins, driving piano chords and banjo strumsincluded, to the gentle meandering of Comets, this album is bursting at the seems with love for making music.
8. The Decemberists
The Hazards of Love
Say the words ‘concept album’ and most folks, brokenbranches included, usually won’t be overexcited. The risk of overworked, far fetched constructions looms dangerously. In a way Hazards of Love is indeed far fetched with it’s tales of fauns, forest queens, impossible love and wicked baby murdering rakes, but how wonderfully weird it is!
7. Gossip
Music for Men
Beth Ditto does it again. She gives you a kick up the arse directed towards the dance floor and gives your hair an orange mohawk makeover in the process. Heavy Cross is without doubt one of the best singles of the year, but the rest of the album is not to be sniffed at. Yes it’s shaky in parts, no it isn’t very innovative, but this is ROCK ladies and gents. Not for wall flowers.
6. Patrick Watson
Wooden Arms
What a great idea of Patrick & co to record and tour with The Wooden Arms! They add such warmth to this album and lift their trademark cinematic compositions to new heights. Stand out track Beijing showcases Robbie Kuster’s status as percussion genius, the pretty Big Bird in a Small Cage superbly shows their radio friendly side and Man Like You is bound to be their new Great Escape.
5. Fever Ray
Fever Ray
Karen Dreijer Andersson possesses the rare talent to explore the darker side of life without alienating you. When she sings If I had a heart I would love you, you feel her desperation. In When I grow up you simultaneaously experience the joy of being a child and the pain of still waiting to be acknowledged as a grown up. It is haunting and sincere, a thing of sheer beauty.
4. Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest
All of a sudden there it is, the album you know will see you through the year. Right from the magnificent opening composition Southern Point (preferred concert opener and rightly so), stunning lead single Two Weeks (the creepy video is a must see) all the way through to the fragile still-life closer that is Foreground. Harmonies that Brian Wilson would take notes from. Repeat.
3. DM Stith
Heavy Ghost
Take Patrick Watson’s soundscapy experiments, add some falsetto Antony Hegarty come Jeff Buckey vocals, warm strings, electronic glitches blips and bells, a dash of slightly unsettling multi layered vocal arrangements and you might get an idea of what DM Stith’s debut album Heavy Ghost sounds like. I am entirely seduced. Possibly one of the most accomplished debuts ever.
2. Florence + The Machine
Lungs
When I first heard Florence I was intrigued; who is this Kate Bushy vixen? The album sucks you into every song, despite the potentially off-putting variation of styles. But what all the songs have in common, whether they discuss coffins, one eyed girls, fist fights or drums, is the unabashed and irrisistible celebration of love. I think the world could do with some more colour and heartfelt drama and I think Florence is the one to do it.
1. The Maccabees
Wall of Arms
What a sneaky little gem of an album took the lead! On first listen I didn’t really take that much notice, but enough to keep it in rotation. Then, slowly but very surely, it completely won me over. This is an album full of pent-up excitement, like wanting to tell your major crush you fancy the pants off them but only just managing to keep a lid on it. Practically every song on this album is single worthy, but Young Lions, Seventeen Hands, Can You Give It, William Powers and No Kind Words I just want to lock up in a box for safekeeping.
Incidentally I was lucky enough to see both my numbers 1 and 2 live at Lowlands this year and Florence admitted she had a massive crush on Maccabees singer Orlando Weeks and could later be seen jumping around and singing along to their gig at the side of the stage.
If anyone is remotely interested to see the debris of my album list turmoil, here are the runners up in alphabetical order:
[scroll to the end for some beautiful pictures of The Decemberists’ performance]
If you dislike raving reviews you might want to avert your eyes dear reader, for I feel a few coming on. The second night of Crossing Border was sublime in my modest opinion. Where to start…
I started the evening with Londonders Mumford and Sons, up in the unbearably hot room suggestively named Paradise. Although I like their debut album Sigh No More, I didn’t know what to expect live. As it turns out these four fetching young folkers managed to get everyone dancing in no time, what an infectious bunch! Yes they use the simple but effective method of building up layers of instruments and gradually picking up speed in most songs and yes the lyrics can be a bit twee, but who cares when it sounds like this? Plus, they can say appelbollen.
There was no avoiding my dear beloved Patrick Watson, I gave in to my slight obsession yet again. What a venue for Watson and his Wooden Arms, perfect for their favourite party trick: the acoustic song (this time Man Like Me) on the edge of the stage. It wasn’t their best show I’ve seen, a bit too short too, but they still make my Crossing Border top three.
I love the way the band plays the songs differently each time I’ve seen them. The only one that has lost its sparkle in a new rendition is The Storm, too rushed an none of the wonderful backing woooo’s. Luscious Life and Beijing still the golden nuggets for me.
No time to waste, off to the venue next door to get in for The Decemberists nice and early. The great thing about Crossing Border is that there is always something going on, and so we managed to catch three poets/ authors in between bands (Flemmish rock ‘n roll poets Andy Fierens and Stijn Vranken and Dutch columnist and language buff Paulien Cornelisse). I would recommend reading all three of them; funny and ripe with sharp observations.
The atmosphere in front of the stage before The Decemberists was one of giddy anticipation. Right in front of me stood a gorgeous little 4 year old girl dressed up like a fairy and her mom, who turned out to be Becky Stark‘s sister. They had flown out especially to see the band perform The Hazards of Love in its entirity for the very last time.
The band came on without being announced, I guess to keep the atmosphere of a performance piece rather than a Decemberists gig, and did as promised: they played the Hazards of Love from start to finish. There was the blossoming love between faun and white fairy (Colin Meloy and Becky Stark), there was the jealous mother come forest queen (the absolutely amazing Shara Worden) and the tragic trade off so the lovers can once more be together. Drama! Passion! Tragedy! Guitars! Drums! (one drum even broke from sheer force of pounding) What’s not to like?
The band were obviously really enjoying this last performance together, smiles all round. The girls were an absolutely amazing addition and were clearly sad to be ending their collaboration with the band, Colin Meloy gave them a warm thank you at the end. We were lucky enough to get a six song encore after The Hazards of Love, what a great perfomance.
After all that excitement there was one more must see on the list: Monsters of Folk. When we walked in the room there was a really cool juxtaposition of the poshness of the room with the excitedly hollering and dancing crowd to be seen. We caught the last 40 minutes of their near 2,5 hour set (!), and I’m glad we did.
As a band I think their material is a bit all over the place and not all of it is particularly good, but what a joy to see Conor Oberst and Jim James on stage together! They were clearly having a great time playing, Conor in particular bouncing all over stage and jumping up onto the drum kit, their energy spreading to the crowd. I was glad to hear a few Bright Eyes songs in the set and sad not to have seen the whole show.
In fact, how dare those Bordercrossing organisers, having Decemberists and Monsters of Folk play the samen timeslot! Though to be honest, that would be my only complaint about this great little festival. Next year a little less folk perhaps?
Thanks to Guus Krol here are some beautiful pictures of The Decemberists with Becky Stark and Shara Worden:
Sunday, the last day of the festival, absolutely crammed with must sees. Still sunshine galore and sweltering heat, but there’s no time to work on my tan, the race begins!
First stop of the day is the charming Fanfarlo: “We’re missing half our band because they missed the plane, we fucked up!” said frontman Simon Balthazar with an apologetic grin, “will you help us with clapping and singing?”. Not a problem!
With no drums or strings they had to adjust their set a bit, but it made the gig ll the more spontaneous and the crowd loved it. In fact, they wouldn’t stop cheering until they came back for an encore, at the Charlie stage! Unusual and justified. I enjoyed their Bonnie Prince Billy cover of A Minor Place too.
photo: 3voor12
After that there was some more Brooklyn based indie on the menu: Vampire Weekend. I’d been looking forward to their show as I missed them last year, but have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. They play their songs adequately, all the hits are in there and some new stuff too (bit more electropoppy it seemed), but therejust wasn’t any magic. Was it the heat? Or their lack of stage presence? They could do with a bit more livening up as far as I’m concerned.
photo: 3voor12
Next stop: the dogg pound in the Alpha tent. As there wasn’t really anything else decent on at that time, absolutely everyone was headed to see Snoop Dogg. I decided to admire from a far, but was still entertained by the greatest hits machine on stage. It would be nice to see Snoop’s darker side a bit more, but in this case it was a well oiled crowd pleasing festival set.
photo: 3voor12
After heated internal debate I decided to go and see Little Boots in stead of Patrick Watson, who were programmed in the same slot. Reason being I’d seen Patrick four times before, but never miss Boots.
As I stood listening to her in the half empty India tent though, I got cold feet. Sure Little Boots gave a solid performance, but there wasn’t much excitement there. You can see the potential in songs like New In Town and Remedy, the rest is a bit bland and needs polishing. So after about 4 songs I couldn’t resist any longer, Patrick wait for me!
photo: 3voor12
I rushed into the front of the Grolsch tent which luckily had enough room for me to wriggle in and felt immediately at home. Truth is I could go and see Patrick Watson & is guys ten times a year and it still wouldn’t bore me. They had no problem mesmerising that big old circus tent right to the back with the clever build up of their songs.
For the encore Patrick asked the crowd if they wanted to hear The Great Escape or To Build A Home. What!? “TO BUILD A HOME!!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, but alas.. He let some girl at the front decide and the dimwitted child went for the familiar Great Escape instead. Grrr. Maybe I’ll get my chance at Crossing Border in November.
And now, for the most anticipated act on my Lowlands logistical schedule, Florence and The Machine. I went to the Charlie stage over half an hour beforehand thinking I could get right in front, think again! Obviously the Florence buzz has spread, there were already quite a lot of people sitting on the floorboards to mark their territory.
I find it hard to describe what happened the 45 minutes after she took to the stage. This is going to sound horribly cheesy, but it was as if everybody there was temporarily transported to planet Florence, where there is love, drama, fairytales, hate, moon and stars and twilight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone, particularly at the age of 22 (!!!), be so vulnerable, real and compelling at the same time.
She stood there, red locks blowing in the wind, black dress floating up just enough to show gold sequined shorts, belting out one after another amazing song. The hopeful Dog Days Are Over, the tongue in cheek Kiss With A Fist, the hypnotising Cosmic Love, a more sultry version of My Boy Builds Coffins, each one a gem.
At the end of Drumming Song she spun around so vigorously she fell to the ground laughing. In between the songs she’s this slightly mad & chatty young girl, all giggles and funny stories. But then within seconds she has the ability to move you in a song. During her powerful version of You Got The Love a girl in front of me teared up and turned to her boyfriend for a big hug, I almost had a lump in my throat myself.
Florence seduced, mesmerised, shook, twirled, sparkled and sang her way right into my Lowlands 2009 no. 1 spot. My two “Florence virgin” friends who tagged along were also completely bowled over and gobsmacked. Can’t wait to see her full concert later this year!
Still on a high, we stuck around Charlie stage to see The Maccabees. The first few rows are filled with jumping indie teenagers, by the look of them all Brits. They sure know how to get a party going and Maccabees guitarist Hugo White plays on this to great effect. They perform a crackling set that thrives on their specialty of suppressed tension building up and the cool vocals of Orlando Weeks.
Although the Brit brigade love the more jumpy early work, the songs off their last album get a great crowd reception too. It seems their turning the corner towards bigger and better, I’m interested to see where it takes them.
As Lowlands draws to a close and pretty much everyone is on their way to see the Arctic Monkeys, I decide to take the road less travelled with a bit of Grace Jones (hula hooping her way through Slave To The Rhythm) and some festive Mongolian throat singing courtesy of Hanggai. Only at Lowlands.
After running around the terrain like a blue arsed fly on Friday I was very happy to see the Saturday lineup afforded me a bit more down time. I soaked up some sun for a while, listening to a floating opera singer dressed in umbrellas, how refreshing!
DeVotchKa gave the musical kick start to my day, and what a great way to get in the festival swing of things again. Sunshine, the newly opened up Lima stage and a sousaphone, what more could you want? Frontman Nick Urata’s vocals were hard to hear, but maybe that was because I was right in front of the stage. As expected, they closed with the beautiful How It Ends, much to the crowd’s delight.
When I looked back at the end of DeVotchKa’s show there was a strange sight to be seen, the entire field surrounding the Grolsch stage had become one congealed mass of immobile people all facing one way. Sure enough it was time for Lowlands’ worst kept secret suprise act, Them Crooked Vultures.
How strange to have such a massive turnout for a band nobody even knows yet. The only glimpses I got of the band were over a hairy nude back on the outside screen, but the sound had no problem reaching far and wide. QOTSA II anybody? It had that pleasing sharp and sturdy Homme sound and the animalistic Grohl drums, but I missed some catchy hooks to lure you into the songs. Memorable Homme quote: “It’s hotter than a klootzak in here!”.
photo: 3voor12
I decided to follow a few friends to Maximo Park afterwards, who were optimistically booked in the Alpha tent to say the least: it was barely half full. I finally figured out why the Maximo Park bug never got a hold of me, the songs just aren’t that great. Which is kind of sad, as it’s a decent band and singer Paul Smith is a natural born entertainer. The tragedy of being a great frontman in a mediocre band.
photo: 3voor12
If there were any doubts about Dutch sensation Kyteman and his Hiphop Orchestra justifying an Alpha slot, they were smashed to smithereens by thousands and thousands of festival goers pooring in and spreading out all around the tent. Kyteman has arrived, and so has his massive on stage posse, including a huge choir for the occasion.
I watched the whole spectacle from the top of the hill, and even from there it was impressive. Even though musically it’s a bit all over the place, the sheer enthusiasm and collective talent of the people involved pulls you right through. They pulled it off with gusto, well done.
photo: 3voor12
As Kyteman wraps up the sun sets on Lowlands and it’s time to shake some limbs, who better to shake them up for you than Basement Jaxx? Is their music a tad hysterical? Yes. Should producers Buxton and Ratcliffe refrain from singing temselves? Probably. Did anybody care on Saturday night? God no. They blew the roof off the Grolsch with their sample insanity and I jumped right the way through their set. They left the crowd begging for more, that’s how it’s done.
Here we go with part one of the brokenbranches Lowlands walk through: Friday 21st of August. Luckily enough the thunder and hail storm the weather reports had been warning us about for days only amounted to half an hour’s worth of heavy rain and a few flashes, we were happily unimpressed and managed to get our little tent camp up no problem.
Feeling a bit groggy from Thursday night’s celebratory drinks we stumbled onto the sundrenched terrain on Friday around two, and were immediately welcomed by the sassy rhymes of Amanda Blank (my get um girls!), dressed in what is probably best described as a black swim suit and sneakers. Even though the festival was just getting started she gave a really lively performace and got the curious onlookers dancing. Good start of the day!
photo: 3voor12
Next we headed to the girl with the funkiest hairdo of the festival: La Roux. Her uncompromising brand of squealing is a bit of an acquired taste, but the songs are very well put together with rediculously catchy eithies synth and singalong lyrics. Enjoyable, but I wouldn’t have been able for more than a relatively short festival set. She wrapped it up with crowd pleaser Bulletproof.
photo: 3voor12
I was a bit afraid what to expect of Bon Iver playing in the big Grolsch tent as this is the kind of band you should really see as close up as possible. To compensate I snuck in the front and was not disappointed. The band managed to play a warm and intimate gig despite the setting, and with additional drums on stage they packed some more power into the songs which was definitely a good idea.
They played some interesting new material too (Beach Babies and Blood Bank among others), and got the crowd to sing “What might have been lost” during The Wolves, always a smart move during a festival.
photo: 3voor12
Holding onto our laid back mood we stayed in the Grolsch to watch wonderboy Zach Condon and band, otherwise known as Beirut. I was suprprised by how receptive the crowd was to their Yann Tiersen meets mariachi style music, and equally by how shy Condon is!
They didn’t blow me away (even with all their horns and trumpets), but they played well and had the crowd lovingly swaying side to side. Perfect soundtrack for a sunny mellow afternoon.
Right then, time to wake up and follow the masses to the stage among stages: Alpha. As we walk in Lily Allen is already in full swing, trotting around the stage in her high heels, flirting with the cameras filming her. She knows exactly what she’s doing and she does it well. Whether it’s the tongue in cheekiness of It’s Not Fair, the order to all flip the finger during Fuck You or a clubby cover of Brit’s Womanizer, we’re lapping it up. And she hit every note, credit where credit’s due.
From a cheeky girl to a cheeky chappy, next stop: Dizzee Rascal. He had the Bravo tent filled up without it being jam packed, everyone there seemed very up for some dizziness despite the temperature inside approaching boiling point. He mixed the old with the new, threw in some samples and a lot of “make some fuckin noise!”.
Even though the sound of tracks like Bonkers, Dirty Cash and Dance Wiv Me is commercial miles removed from his early stuff, the two work well together and the audience doesn’t seem to mind one bit.
At the end of the day I left all my friends (and most of Lowlands) who headed to the Alpha to see The Prodigy and I joined the minority splinter group in the India tent to see my most anticipated act of the day: Grizzly Bear. I was stood right at the front and got a good look at the harmonious Brooklyn foursome.
Southern Point made for an amazing set opener building up and quieting down again ending in a big climax. Their set was a mixture of soundscapes, beautifully layered vocals and even noiserock, with the Veckamtimest material as standout tracks. However, it soon became clear that the audience didn’t have the necessary patience for a Grzizzly Bear gig at this time of the evening (or maybe it was the niggling knowledge Prodigy was a 5 minute walk away?) and the tent gradually lost more and more people.
It didn’t bother me though, Grizzly Bear was my Friday highlight and I can’t wait to see them again in November!
It is done. The tents are back in their carrier bags, empty plastic cups are strewn around the desolate looking terrain, the neon lights no longer illuminate the festive music carnaval that was Lowlands 2009 for these past three days. All that remains now is a an aching bodies, bags full of clothes impregnated with dust, sweat and beer and a feeling of satisfied exhaustion.
Before I crash and burn I felt I should post my festival highlights in this state of near sleep, so I can’t spend too much time deliberating about their precise order. I saw 22 shows in three days (when I say “saw” I only count the ones I watched for at least 2/3 of the set). Out of those 22 I have to say not one was a big disappointment (is that the afterglow talking?) and many were memorable.
Without further ado, the brokenbranches top 5 acts at Lowlands 2009:
5. The Maccabees
4. Basement Jaxx
3. Fanfarlo
2. Grizzly Bear
1. Florence and the Machine (the no. 1 by miles, devastatingly good!)
Stay tuned for day by day brokenbranches reviews!
In about 15 minutes festival bud MB is coming to pick me up for our favourite annual road trip: the drive to Lowlands!! Apparently they are expecting thunder, torrential downpour and even hailstones for this afternoon, so the line in front of the gates will be something to look forward to.
There’s just enough time to sum up my expectations for the 2009 edition. Top of the bill for me this year are Florence + The Machine (have been listening to her album non stop), The Maccabees, Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend and Fanfarlo. Can not wait to see these bands live!! Hmm indie galore I’m just realising now.
My worries are Fever Ray (will it translate live?), Little Boots (besides New In Town I thought the album was a bit so so), Lily Allen (how will that voice hold up on a massive stage?) and The Prodigy (can they live up to our immense nineties expectations?).
I’m expecting full on party mode during Dizzee Rascal, 2 Many DJ’s, Basement Jaxx and La Roux, they should have the crowd shakin their bits to the hits.
I’m hoping to be surprised by The Arctic Monkeys (Josh Homme & The Monkeys, should be inetersting!), Jack Penate (supposedly great live) and the exquisitely scary Grace Jones. And all signs point to Them Crooked Vultures for the “mystery act” on Saturday! They’ll definitely show up on my manic logistical plan if that’s the case.
But most of all I can’t wait to just get there! Brokenbranches recap on Monday folks.
Dear mr or mrs repsonsible for Lowlands bookings,
Even though we’ve never met I’m tempted to cut right to the chase: why must you torture me so? Weeks and weeks I’ve hungrily anticipated this day, like a child waiting to tear into his gifts on Christmas morning. Today you published the Lowlands 2009 timetable and I am devestated.
Let’s start with the worst of it, the first festival day, Friday August 21st. You’ve crammed it so full of delightful audio goodness that I fear a nervous break down will be my brain’s only possible response. This day contains no less than six (!) Sophie’s Choice situatons. How to choose between Bon Iver and Passion Pit? Grizzly Bear and The Prodigy? Michachu & The Shapes and La Roux? And why push The Gaslapm Killer all the way back to 3:30? Lord have mercy. And grant me good running shoes.
I must admit, I’m grateful you’ve allowed me some time to recover on Saturday, when the tastiest acts are much more spread out across the day. I could easily wake up with a bit of Airborne Toxic Event, mosey on over to Patrick Wolf, have a nap in the grass before Devotchka, take in some Maximo Park and Lady Sovereign before getting the hips back in action with Kyteman and Basement Jaxx. Then some Fever Ray and maybe a movie to finish the day.
But then, yet again, you taunt me with your Sunday lineup! How can I be expected to take in all these treats without cloning myself at least twice? The day starts out magnificently with Fanfarlo and Vampire Weekend, and perhaps a peek in the Snoop show. But then you make me decide between my beloved Patrick Watson and Little Boots! And that’s nothing compared to the next fork in the festival road: Metric vs. Calexico vs. Florence + The Machine!! Now it’s getting personal. You’re lucky you have Bloc Party and The Maccabees to smooth things over afterwards.
Well, I hope we meet one day and you will get the opportunity to explain to me how you can inflict all this torment on the music obsessed hearts of me and fellow victims. In the mean time I thank you for doing the best you could. Wish me luck for the next three weeks of decision purgatory.
Kind regards,
brokenbranches
It’s that time of the year again. With a mere month until Lowlands 2009 kicks off, last Friday saw this year’s Lowtunes Release Party. This edition is an exceedingly cool one if I do say so myself, due to a collaboration with my graphically talented friend MBR.
As always the editing process was tough and the cuts were cruel, but I’m very happy with the final result. There’s a bit of main stream and a bit of undercurrent, there’s smash hits and album tracks, there’s Dutch produce and foreign affairs, there should be something to please all Lowlands visitors.
I’ve put the tracks up for downloading HERE for all to enjoy, as well as the artwork. What follows here are the Lowtunes 2009 liner notes (the Dutch version of which features in the artwork). Feel free to spread the word, all comments are extremely welcome.
LINER NOTES LOWTUNES 2009
[artists in BOLD CAPITALS feature on the cd]
So, you’ve got your ticket, you’re officially a Lowlander. But what to do when you get hold of the 136 artist line-up and you wake up in a cold sweat from sheer choice overkill? Do not fear, the Lowtunes 2009 guide is here to drag you out of musical limbo with seven “Lowlands for dummies” categories.
“Shake ya ass”
[dance/ electro/ techno/ dj’s/ glowsticks are so 2005 but still kinda fun]
There is only one band to rightfully kick off this category in 2009: THE PRODIGY. It’s been 17 years since their smash hit Out of Space, but rumour has it these boys are still on fire. Not to be missed! Only the Dewaele brothers would come up with a funky mix of Dolly parton and Röyksopp, making 2manyDJ’s a compulsory visit. Basement Jaxx have earned their reputation as dancemasters supreme, with some big soulmoma vocals thrown in as an added bonus. Glowsticks out ladies and gents: the Klaxons are back in town. Afterwards it’s all hands up in the air for some up beat dance moves courtesy of TOMMY SPARKS and a mellow cool down with Whitest Boy Alive’s nerdy disco.
Then there’s the class of 2009’s electro pop princesses, make sure to enjoy them this year cause who knows how long they’ll stick around: LITTLE BOOTS, LA ROUX and the Finnish female three-piece Le Corps Mince de Francoise, who have clearly been listening to CSS quite a bit. Turning the corner to the land of sexy beats, Belgium’s raunchy Stijn deserves a mention. If you’re in for a new experience, the Basque beats produces by duo Chrystal Fighters might be for you, try the funky freakbeats by The Gaslamp Killer, or permanently damage your eardrums during a Noisia set.
“Melting Pot”
[fusion/ everybody to the dance floor/ pikkepoelie/ take every random instrument from the attic and form a band/ grab your neighbour and do a little circle dance]
Now it’s time to get your ethnic groove on. Do your buttocks prefer to be shaken up Colombian style? Head over to Bomba Estéreo. If you’ve always dreamt of a lead role in Anatevka you should make your way to the Amsterdam Klezmer Band. For those who are more French inclined, get folky with Babylon Circus and the festive gypsy tunes of La Caravanne Passe. One you’re done dancing up a frenzy, you can recover to the beautifully melancholy Amelie-music of BEIRUT and DeVotchKa, the latter was responsible for the critically acclaimed Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack. If you prefer to let your mind wander the dusty desert landscapes of Arizona, CALEXICO is just what the doctor ordered. But my personal melting pot favourite is London based FANFARLO!
“Yo Moma”
[hiphop/ grime/ street/ soul/ R&B/ yo yo diggity wassup fo shizzle/ what do you mean “did you forget your belt??”]
The head pimp himself is attending Blowlands this year: Snoop Dogg! Let’s just hope he leaves hit travelling porn show at home and doesn’t get too spaced out to play. There are some quality home-grown hiphop acts on the bill, such as 2009’s wonderboy KYTEMAN and his extensive posse, Fakkelbrigade, and Dio who’s bringing The Madd to back him up with some guitars. DIZZEE RASCAL and Lady Sovereign are going to attempt to educate Lowlands in the delicate art of grime. Laugh at Vanilla Ice all you want, there’s no denying he paved the way for many a white boy with rhyming ambitions. New kid on the block is Asher Rith, preppy frat boy come rapper, a surprisingly good combination. If it’s some soothing soul and reggae sounds you’re after to zone out in the grass for a while, look no further than Selah Sue and The Aggrolites.
“Rock the Casbah”
[pop/ rock/ ’n roll/ britpop/ The [Insert random name]s/ blues/ what’s wrong with some MF guitar, bass and drums anyway?]
After many years of mostly embarrassing attempts at the concept of The Rock Band, Holland finally boasts two decent stand up specimens: DE STAAT and Moke. Check them out. For straight up sex & drugs & rock & roll you need to visit the king of the porn tache: Eagles of Death Metal. These days we even have a Dutch version called Drive Like Maria. Old school legends Faith No More should satisfy any metal nostalgia, but if bluesy Americana is more your cup of tea, Wilco is your man. Further out into redneck country you’ll come across Hank Williams III and ASSJACK (who cites ‘coon huntin’ as one of his pastimes on myspace, gotta love that).
A smidgeon more sophistication is brought to us by the delegation from across the North Sea. The cheekiest boys in town are back: Arctic Monkeys will no doubt thrill us with some new material. The gents from Bloc Party will whip up a batch of nervy punk pop, and more tight tunes with a groovy edge will be brought to you by Kasabian. MAXÏMO PARK and Razorlight are reliable suppliers of quality pop, but if it’s jump-around-sing-along entertainment you’re after, Kaiser Chiefs will probably get your vote. You’ll probably have to squeeze yourself into the Alpha tent to catch post-punk’s latest darlings White Lies, but be sure not to miss THE MACCABEES regardless which tent they play.
Then there’s some cross Atlantic import, like The Virgins who do a damn good job of sounding rather like genre buddies Razorlight and The Kooks. If you pine for the days of rockabilly, milkshakes and petticoats then you’re in luck, Kitty, Daisy and Lewis are brought to you straight from the fifties it seems. SPINNERETTE’s punky LA-style is altogether more gritty, and they have a sassy inked up songstress to match.
“Heartstrings”
[singer-songwriter/ pop/ shoegazing/ depths of the soul/ I’ve been wearing this flannel shirt since 1991]
In the left corner we stumble upon a happy go lucky club of singing songwriting lads the likes of JACK PEÑATE, with his penchant for African rhythms. Teen mag favourite Paolo Nutini is marching his new shoes on over and he is joined by locals Bertolf and Miss Montreal.
In the right hand corner we find introspection, the bare soul, vulnerability. It doesn’t get much more straight from the gut than BON IVER, who turned his despair into music in a remote Wisconsin log cabin. More low fi comes from The Tallest Man On Earth, you might say a Swedish Bob Dylan. Brokenbranches husband to be Patrick Watson and his band will hopefully be recruiting a string section to do their glorious new album justice. Patrick Watson can rely on his flamboyant and sexually ambiguous stage persona to grab the crowd interest and then win them over with his music.
Representing the ladies and very high up on the brokenbranches wish list is FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, this redhead vamp slash fairy is a sight to behold, but more importantly an amazing singer and composer. Another foxy vixen, though more of an alt-country kinda gal, is the wonderful Jenny Lewis, also known for singing in Rilo Kiley. Those whose demeanour is heavy with the pangs of heartbreak will find a shoulder to cry on with Nina Kinert and Jessica Lea Mayfield. If it’s witty lyrics that push your buttons Lily Allen is your next stop, and maybe try Roosbeef along the way to work on your Dutch.
“Freaks & Geeks”
[indie/ weird & wonderful/ undergound/ an acquired taste/ I listen to bands that don’t even exist yet]
Considering the title starts with “Freaks” it is clear we must start with the queen of these conflicted people, her majesty of bizarre, Grace Jones. Also far from plane jane is Karin Dreijer Andersson, better known as FEVER RAY. Go check out her dark electrobeats, if only to see the face behind this illusive persona.
Indie, it’s a term that will probably never receive a satisfactory definition. However, what is defined is this year’s splendid indie line-up: GRIZZLY BEAR with their tranquil gems of songs, Broken Social Scene spinoff Metric’s new wave, Micachu & The Shapes with their slightly mad experimental electro tunes, PASSION PIT’s MGMT style psychedelics and last but most definitely not least: the graceland sound of prodigal sons VAMPIRE WEEKEND. They should have been at Lowlands 2008, but we won’t complain.
For pomp and circumstance romance that snuggles up nicely to Arcade Fire, it’s off to The Airborne Toxic Event, the band that simultaneously gets awarded “weirdest band name 2009”. Finally, Australia has waken up to the indie alarm and are sending us the wonderful band The Temper Trap, make sure to catch them if you’re a drums kind of person.
“Blow Your Mind””
Fed up compartmentalising? Ready to redefine your boundaries and go for a bit of out of the ordinary? Here are some recommendations you’re unlikely to hear at your cousin’s wedding.
Huoratron: heartracingly fast and furious Finnish beats
Kees van Hondt: if you’ve heard the stories about walking plant pots and flying tables and are wondering what the fuss is about
Opeth & Sonata Arctica: gruntrock extraordinaire with a snippet of synth and prog, challenge someone to a lyric interpretation battle, unintelligible stuff
Peaches: electroclash diva and self proclaimed “dirty bitch”, keep track of the ‘pussy’ word count for fun
Rolo Tomassi: representatives of the not-suitable-for-Sunday-tea genre of ‘mathcore’, with female (!) vocals
brokenbranches 
