Virgin

Never ones for exclusion, the Scots look set to bring the diesel power to the summer months as the UK’s best-named festival returns for its fourth year and boasts as an eclectic line up as any set to grace the tail-end pages of the NME in the coming months. Set on the banks of Loch Ness, sightings of mythical beings roaming in its murky waters may well be few and far between during a weekend in June but there’s a concrete guarantee that amazement and wonder will ensue.

A blending of the boundaries that set guitars and hair styles apart from synths and strobes is scribed all over the cards this time round although there are sure-fire hit-makers across the spectrum. From the international to the local, unsigned champions to chart-topping juggernauts, Rockness has every base covered; Super Furry Animals and The Flaming Lips trawl their unique brand of meaningful psychedelia up the Scottish moors and down the other side to the Loch, The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx and Dizzee Rascal bring their mainstream musings to the download-chart generation and Scots Biffy Clyro and Mylo bring their speaker-crunching sonic sytlings to proceedings, brandishing St. Andrews flags all round.

If all sounds somewhat familiar, Rockness has surpassed itself with pristine stereo gems, from the glitchy electro-pop of Chew Lips to the battering beats of Ed Banger, home to Justice and just about every credible French strand of electro since Jean-Michel Jarre. And that’s all before Orbital’s essential return to minimal techno.
Monsters aside, Rockness looks set to strive in its subdued surroundings free from the splatterings of corporate sponsors, bringing this summer’s unmissable party extravaganza to the rolling hills of Clune Farm. Roll on June.

http://www.rockness.co.uk/

Fortune tellers around the indie rock scene have gazed upon their mystical crystal balls to foretell who they think are gonna really break through this year. Amongst the list was a three piece from Kingston upon Thames called Tubelord. 2008 was undoubtedly a great year for these guys whilst endlessly touring they have made an appearance in the Radar section in NME and signed to indie label Big Scary Monsters (BSM). Self described as making ‘pop songs for rock kids’ these guys are definitely doing something right as they stir up a storm in music forums whilst also having more and more people singing back the lyrics at their live shows.

When I first read ‘pop songs for rock kids’ my immediate reaction was that I was going to be bombarded with yet more over produced Kings of Leon-esque club infestation tatter. Oh how I was proved wrong when I listened to their second 7” EP I Am Azerrad (BSM), the harmonised vocal intro of the first track (I Am Azerrad) had me tentatively tuned in and despite not knowing the lyrics I felt the urge to learn them so I could sing along (badly). The EP is an upbeat initiation of foot tapping with the B side upholding the tempo and feel-good quality with Dun Dun Dun, Scissor, Rocks and Tonne. Their first release with BSM, Feed Me A Box Of Words, is also commendable as their influences of early Biffy Clyro shines through – and let’s be honest – early Biffy is the best Biffy (ie: before they farted themselves into the grating mainstream crap).

It then became an imperative to see these guys in action and so I caught them in their hometown supporting Johnny Foreigner (the result of which can be seen on the Beatcast TV podcast). I was left astounded, the vocals were spot on and the pure energy that seemed to pour from this band was hungrily lapped up by, not only myself, but everyone there, Tubelord fans or not. I caught them again at the fourth annual Artrocker Festival (Friday 16th January) as they opened for Pulled Apart by Horses and Kong (whom I also recommend profusely) as this was reportedly their last gig until the 31st  March when they will be coming back with a tasty supply of eagerly awaited new material.

If you’re not one for hyped bands then I urge you to stand down and check the hell outta this band - that is all I ask… for now.

MySpace / iTunes / last.fm / Amazon

The summer is officially over, so this episode of Eleanor Conway Presents comes ‘atcha from the UK Festival Awards at the O2 indigo, London.

350,000 people voted in this year’s awards, for Best Major Festival, New Festival, Rock Act… the list goes on.

Catch up with Eleanor as she chats to Rob Da Bank winner of Best New Festival (Camp Bestival), goes camping with Best Rock Act winners Biffy Clyro and Pete and the Pirates and chats to hat trick winner Michael Eavis (Glastonbury) as he dishes the dirt on Jay Z and next year’s line up.

View previous episodes of Eleanor Conway Presents on music.virgin.com/author/eleanorconway.

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