Fran Slater: I’ve been a casual fan of Kevin Morby for a few years now, and that interest grew when he released the album This Is A Photograph last year. For me, it was his best and most consistent work so far and it made me keen to catch him live as soon as I possibly could. And thank fuck that I did. I went to New Century Hall in Manchester expecting a decent, enjoyable set and came away feeling like I have been guilty of chronically undervaluing one of the best musicians at work on the planet today. His set was mindblowing. He has a swagger I was simply not expecting, the coolest band I’ve watched in many a years, and a repertoire of songs that came to new, exciting life on stage. I’ve been obsessively listening to him ever since the show and I don’t understand how I wasn’t already a super fan.
I nearly didn’t get to go, as well. Looking for some gigs to go to together on the rare occasion we could get a babysitter, my partner had told me that she wanted to see a singer called Macie Stewart and I agreed to book tickets. When I went to do so, I realised it was the same night as the Kevin Morby gig and decided to wear my disappointment silently like the amazing partner that I am (Kirsten might tell you that I moaned and whined about it, but don’t listen to her). As I went to book, though, it turned out that it was the same gig after all – Macie was the support act, and I genuinely don’t remember a support set as captivating and involving. A cracking night all round.
Tom Burrows: Ever grateful that the BBC invests so much in bringing Glastonbury to our living rooms, I watched a number of excellent sets from this year’s edition. The entrancing stage presence of Fever Ray. The effortless humour and beauty of the Weyes Blood performance. The energetic fun of Charlotte Adigery and Bolis Pupul. And I somehow newly discovered the discography of a band that formed in 1989 in Slowdive’s beguiling set. Strangely it was this year that really made me want to make the pilgrimage. I’ll try my hand at the lottery of ticket buying for next year.
As for new releases, I had the new Aphex Twin single on repeat, and saved a few strong tracks from the wide-ranging Amaarae record – ‘Co-Star’ and ‘Come Home To God’ are my favourites.
Sam Atkins: There were two albums that stayed with me for most of June, both from acts I’ve talked about at length on this website. First up is Ben Howard with his best music in around a decade. Is It? sees him truly expand the sound even further than he did on his previous album and the result is a consistently engaging album.
It’s Christine and the Queens with Paranoia, Angels, True Love though that shone in June. I reviewed the album so I’ve been listening for even longer than that, but it’s a record that only gets better with each listen. I think his performance at Glastonbury brought me even more clarity on the album too, a truly cathartic depiction of grief and soul searching it’s a theatrical album that got the theatrical performance it deserved. An album that will be even better into July, August and the rest of the year.
Matt Paul: The new Django Django release Off Planet was the clear standout of the month for me. It’s an ambitious project as a quadruple EP that clocks in at 1hr 19min. Despite it seeming a little intimidating, it’s an engaging listen with little deadweight. Blending a variety of different electronic music styles, it bounces around decades and genres whilst still retaining that discordant but playful Django Django sound. Unsurprisingly the highlights include ‘Complete Me’ the 90s-esque collab with Self Esteem and my personal favourite ‘Don’t Touch That Dial’ with Japanese rapper Yuuko bouncing all over a very fun beat. Good Stuff.
James Spearing: I thought I wasn’t ready for a new Christine and the Queens album less than eight months since the last. And when it arrived I knew I wasn’t ready. It’s a 96 minute beast. I bought the highlights LP as I couldn’t bring myself to shell out big bucks for the full version, and while it is a shame there isn’t a happy medium between the two, there is plenty there to love. Let ‘True love, ‘We have to be friends’ and ‘Tears can be so soft’ be the intro that convinces you to put the time and effort in. You will be rewarded.
There’s still LOADS of sets from Glastonbury to watch and, I expect loads more to enjoy. But I’ll pick out a few highlights so far. I’m happy to say I’m now a full convert to Los Bitchos and Caroline Polachek. After seeing their music performed, it spoke to me in a way it didn’t on record. Billy Nomates and Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul smashed it too.
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