The bands to see in 2009
You might be asking yourself why I have decided to do this feature now in the middle of March instead of at the beginning of the year. The answer is pretty clear cut really – now I have a good idea of what bands will tour and/or will release new albums to go on tour with. Had I made this list in January I would assure you that at this point I would have regretted making it because it would have changed entirely. So in the light of some new information in the past couple of months, here are some of the bands that I want to see this year.
Doves – Their new album, Kingdom Of Rust, is out three weeks from now and the band are currently on an intimate UK tour this week with their bigger tour (including two dates at the O2 Brixton Academy) following in April. Several festival dates are also being planned including an appearance at Glastonbury.
Animal Collective – As predictable as it sounds, Animal Collective have released one of the albums of the year so far in Merriweather Post Pavillion. Their live shows are bound to be as magical as the record itself and they are set to play a show at the Forum in Kentish Town next week and hopefully some festival appearances in the summer.
65daysofstatic – Besides the live CD/DVD they have planned, the Sheffield quarter hope to get an album out by the end of the year and will be roadtesting some new material on the road next month. The Musical Chairs will be covering the London date at Dingwalls in Camden on the 26th April.
Kasabian – The band will be releasing a new album in June and whilst there aren’t many live date plans at the moment, including a Teenage Cancer Trust gig later this month and a Great Escape gig in Brighton in May that still makes me grumble, one hopes that they’ll be playing a few more headlining summer dates or at least something in the autumn.
Antony & The Johnsons – Antony Hegarthy is currently responsible for my favourite album of the year so far (The Crying Light) and will be playing some UK dates in May, including a date at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo.
Fleet Foxes – After initially questioning why this band were so hyped at the tail-end of last year, I finally see why Fleet Foxes are being critically acclaimed. Their appearance on The Culture Show the other night now makes me want to see them live – here’s hoping for some festival appearances.
Nine Inch Nails – The ‘will they or won’t they play Reading saga‘ continues but those who are going to Sonisphere will be witnessing what could be the live finale of Nine Inch Nails in the UK for a while. The band are also playing outdoor dates in the US & Canada with the newly-reformed Jane’s Addiction starting next month.
Radiohead – Just when I thought they were going to relax for the year, Ed O’Brien lets slip that there might be some summer dates. This seems to add some substance to the rumour that they will headline Reading/Leeds on what was the ‘RAWK’ day.
Muse – Drummer Dom let slip on his MySpace blog (yes, people still use MySpace as a blogging platform) that the band were hoping to get an album out at the end of the year and he also hopes that they’ll be some live dates in the autumn. It is just ever so slightly possible that a UK tour might be on the cards.
That’s my list, but who are you hoping to see in 2009?
Like this? Try these!
Posted on March 16th, 2009 by Max
Filed under: Features, Gigs
Leave a Reply