The Brits Nominations Through the Eyes of The Jaded and Vaguely Sarcastic

I had meant to post this before the show aired, but didn't get the chance. Apologies.

On Thursday of last week I found myself at the O2 Indigo, cheering my head off for The Wanted as I watched them perform a shabbily choreographed dance routine to a backing track. No, this isn't some kind of hallucination, you are still on Irrelevant Twaddle (I'm not about to let loose on a rave about how TOTES AMAZIN Bieber is or anything like that, don't worry, I haven't quite lost my marbles yet). Why then, you may ask? Well, you see, it was a very special night. It was the night in which the nominations for this year's Brits were announced. And I was there to witness all the excitement.

Ooh arr.

Photo taken from the Brits site.

Now if you know anything about the Brits, you'll know that in all honesty it's nothing more than an excuse to shift a few more copies of dreary mainstream pop fodder to the nation's chavs and write stories about celebrities getting plastered and making arses of themselves (which in turn creates more sales. Ah the circle of life). But it's not all bad; the shortlist for this year holds a few gems amongst the predictable fools gold of Cheryl Cole et al. Both Mumford & Sons and The XX each received 3 nominations, including one for the former for Best British Breakthrough Act. Not too shabby. Shockingly Biffy Clyro even received a nod for Best British Group: which, considering they've been going strong for at least 10 years, is good to see, even if their latest album is the tiniest bit sub par. Considering they're up against the likes of the 2 mentioned above as well as the mighty Take That however, the chances of them actually obtaining the little statuette remain forever elusive. Sorry chaps.

But of course it's not what most of the blogging world has been buzzing about since the release of the nominees. Since New Year I don't think I've gone a day without hearing about The Vaccines and how amazing their 2 songs are. Now I can even find them in the nominations for Critics' Choice Award. Sadly, they missed out to Brit school alumni Jessie J (conspiracy? Hmm...), but it does show that whoever draws up these lists has actually had their ears on more than just Radio 1 for a change, it's quite refreshing. Jessie J was actually at the launch night and treated us lucky people to a beautiful acoustic rendition of her appallingly written Do It Like a Dude. Dressed as some kind of Egyptian princess, she managed to make a song I originally despised sound wonderful; not the easiest of things to accomplish by any means. She really does a remarkable voice, the Brit School have clearly trained her well.

While I'm nattering about performances, I may as well explain the rather bizarre position I found myself in back at the beginning of this spiel. That-band-that-appeared-from-nowhere-to-become-one-of-pop's-rising-acts, aka The Wanted, performed a track that was not only live, but so catchy it seems to have wormed its way into my head (where it has lodged itself for the past 4 days. I am not amused). Obviously a live setting can make all the difference when it comes to the more commercial side of music, but they definitely lived up to the teenage hysteria that seemed to exude from the slightly pissed crowd. I'm not exactly going to go around wearing an 'I love The Wanted' t-shirt after watching their performance or anything, but I will admit that for what they are they're pretty good at what they do. Mcfly watch out.

The best performance of the night however was obviously going to be Tiny Tempah and his electropop sidekick Ellie Goulding. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of Ellie, I bloody love the Tempah for reasons unknown, and his rather bombastic performance failed to disappoint. In theory I shouldn't like Tiny, but his charisma and energy always make up for his achingly elementary lyrics (rap by numbers anyone?). I can't say it was much of a duet though; from where I was standing you could hardly hear Goulding, not that I'm saying that's a bad thing necessarily. All in all, an interesting if slightly mind opening evening.

If you're actually bothered about the results of the Brits then you'd better get voting. Voting is taking place on the Brits 2011 website until 12 noon on February the 11th. Just do me a favour and vote for anyone but Scouting for Girls.

Dawn of the Dead?

After all the excitement of the halloween festivities and a heavy night on the cider, the thought of facing another working week may leave you feeling slightly zombified. Bits of decimated pumpkin scatter your street and your house looks post-apocalyptic after that ill advised halloween party (never again you say, until next year of course). Sound like you? Well, don't go fretting, all hope is not lost. The mighty power of Spotify will help you put the spring back in your step- slowly but surely.

Et voila:

Teenage Kicks- A Spotify Playlist

Tracklisting:

1. Jonsi- Animal Arithmetic
2. Elephant Parade- Friday Night (perfect on a Monday morning)
3. Radiohead- Idioteque
4. Peaches- Give 'Er
5. Cold War Kids- Hang Me Up to Dry
6. Dan le Sac and Scroobius Pip- Thou Shalt Always Kill (a favourite here at Irrelevant Twaddle)
7. Metric- Gimme Sympathy
8. Frightened Rabbit- Keep Yourself Warm
9. Lykke Li- Dance, Dance, Dance
10. Alessi's Ark- Magic Weather
11. Pixies- Monkey Gone to Heaven
12. The Go! Team- Get It Together
13. Newton Faulkner- Feels Like Home
14. Babyshambles- Albion
15. The Postmarks- Summers Never Seem to Last
16. Nicholas Stevenson- Cambridge
17. Johnny Foreigner- Sofacore
18. Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More
19. Noah & the Whale- Love is an Orchestra

We don't pretend to be miracle workers here, but 9 times out of 10 it's been proven to inject some much needed oomph back into even the most hungover scoundrel (as tried and tested on the Irrelevant Twaddle minion).

Attention Folk Fans

If you're not listening to Radio 1 then do so.

RIGHT NOW.

Mumford & Sons are doing a one off gig at seminal folk house Cecil Sharp House with other indie/low fi giants Laura Marling and Bombay Bicycle Club, showcasing some of the finest British talent on the scene right now. Oh, and The Maccabees will be there too.

If that sounds like it's right up your street then get to it now, you've already missed a beautiful rendition of Rambling Man.

Check it out: bbc.co.uk/radio1

If you missed out on the fun and frolics at Cecil Sharp House, here's a taster of what went on:

Finally my Glasto dream lineup is shaping up quite nicely!

Rockin' banjo band Mumford and Sons have been confirmed by my favourite farmer Michael Eavis that they are to play The Park stage at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

I am quite literally as giddy as a schoolgirl to hear that these guys will be gracing my spiritual home with an appearance. Ever since the release of their debut I've fallen head over heels for Mumford and co. Infact, it's hard to think of anything NOT to like about them. Innovative, hearty music that just screams DANCE, without being drenched in vocoder or troweled in Mockney accent (Daisy Dares You, anyone?) To be honest, I'd even go as far as saying they are one of the finest bands to emerge from the last 5/10 years.. I can almost envisage it now: as the sun begins to set atop the glorious Park stage, a few thousand people all standing in this fairylit wonderland, swaying to the breathtaking 'you are not alone in this' refrain during Tinshel, completely content and at one with the world. Right before Little Lion Man starts playing and everyone goes apeshit.

Bring it on.



I know I'm a bit behind the times with this, but I've been very lazy lately with updating. Expect more frequent posting.. when I can be bothered.

OCD Time

Ok, so this isn't exactly original, ground breaking citizen journalism, but I thought I should make the most of my OCD ninja powers and give you my interpretation of the year that was 2009.

So, I guess, this being a music blog and all, we'll start with the choons. Innit.

Lady Ga-Ga

Bands

• Frank Turner- What can I say? His second album was phenomenal and has currently overtaken The Smiths in my most played. This should speak for itself. If you ever get the chance to see this man play live you'd be only foolish, FOOLISH I TELLS YE to miss it. Frank takes the singer songwriter niche to another dimension with shouty, rambunctious music designed to make you smile.

• Lady Gaga- At the start of this year I really hated her. I mean, REALLY hated her. Just another boring talentless drone who loves making a tit out of herself. Now, in December, not much has changed (I'm actually stunned at some of the outfits she's come out with this year) but musically I think she's been one of the most refreshing artists to come out of this year and indeed decade. Say what you like, but we ALL know you've been singing along to Pokerface, don't try and deny it. But then who can blame you? Lady Gaga is an example of pop at it's weirdest and most wonderful.

• Mumford & Sons- Is it wrong that I herald these guys as the Fleet Foxes of 2009? I hope not, I adore Fleet Foxes. For me they made the winter months at the start of this year that much more bearable with their warm, cosy melodies and beautifully folky harmonies. But Mumford & Sons have somehow managed to bring the whole low fi country to the kids. They're getting daytime airplay on both Radio 1 and 6, and it's only a matter of time until the NME jumps on the bandwagon and starts singing their praises too.

All together now.. GHOSTBUSTERS!

The World

So, we've survived Swine Flu, MJ's death hysteria and the biblical flash floods of Glastonbury; not to mention nearly being sucked into a black hole by those crazy guys at the CERN. It's been a good old year really. But what we really want to know is what have been the best bits according to a bored 17 year old blogger?

- Jedward: Coming soon to a Butlins near you.

-Trafigura-Gate: A major step forward in the fight for free speech and shows just how powerful 140 characters can be.

- AS Exams: If ANYONE says that A Levels are getting easier next year I will personally make them pay.

- Star Trek: Yes there were major plot holes, but I've been waiting for a really good, engaging Star Trek film for ages. My name is Madison, and I'm proud to be a Trekkie.

-Kanye West being, well Kanye West: Funny for about the first five minutes, but I'm as tired of seeing pisstakes of this on the interweb as I am of those blasted Lolcats.

- Growing Up: When you've reached the point where you'd rather stay at home and watch Come Dine With Me marathons instead of getting pissed in the park, you know you're not a kid anymore. Midlife crisis at 17, who knew?

-Sartre: I never thought I'd fall in love with a French, communist, existentialist Philosopher. But there we go. Being and Nothingness is one of the most demanding books I have and will possibly ever read, but when it comes to trying to explain our existence, he makes a good point. Be who you want, do what you want, just make sure you know you're responsible for it. Some may call it depressing, I call it bloody brilliant.

Jack Whitehall

TV, Films, ET CETERA..

• Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Thoroughly disappointing: it seems the director has lost their original vision of creating the alluringly bewitching world of witchcraft that every child dreams of, into just another mega budget Twilightesque romp. I'll still buy the DVD though, of course.

• Which brings me to Twilight. I haven't seen the films but I've read enough of the books to know that it isn't worth the hype that the swathes of preteen girls seem to be creating. Seriously, if I have to hear about Jacob and fucking Edward ONE MORE TIME there will be blood. And there'll be nowt sparkley about that.

• Misfits: Think it's just another variation of Skins? Think again. Take the unconventional superhero style that Heroes does so well and mix with a large dose of comedic realism of what it's like to be a young offender in Britain. Both the writing and acting are superb: Nathan's character is brilliantly loveable and I've found myself warming to even the chavviest of them throughout the series. A definite must-watch.

• Dave: The saviour of Saturday nights. Where would we be without endless repeats of Have I Got News For You from 2008?

• Comedy: This year has seen the likes of Michael Mcintyre, Russell Howard, Marcus Brigstock and Jon Richardson finally get the recognition they deserve. Jack Whitehall has also shown that us yoof can be funny too; I'm hoping that he will rise to the same heights that Howard and Frankie Boyle have over the past 12 months.

2009 has been one hell of a year. The lows have been gut wrenchingly grim, the highs have been utterly unbelievable and it's made me fucking RELIEVED I only have a few more months left before I can finally unleash the bonds of Bristol and see what lurks beyond the veil of childhood.

Midwinter Lullabies

So, it seems at long last this year has taken its toll on me. College is becoming a living nightmare and I find myself embroiled in a pathetic teen drama that isn't even Hollyoaks worthy and, lets face it, it's not that difficult a depth to sink to. Still, amongst all the teenage angst I've managed to uncover some delicious music for you to sink your teeth into.

Well, maybe not 'sink your teeth' so much as caress it gently, for these guys are more hypnotising than heavy. Nevertheless they're just what the doctor ordered in terms of mood and style on a cold winter's eve. Whether or not you've yet succumbed to the hype of Mumford and Sons, you should know that they are possibly one of the finest acts to emerge from 2009. They are everything Fleet Foxes were last year and more: their songs pack a punch in terms of lyrical content, as well as having numerous singalong choruses (definitely at least half of the album is single worthy; not an easy feat for a band only two years into their career). However, the punch is soon negated by an overwhelming sense of warmth protruding from nearly every crevice of this album.


Sigh No More has been on repeat for the past few days, I find it's the perfect wind down to a stressful day. Winter Winds and a nice cup of tea- what more could a girl ask for?

Seriously though, if you download one album this year let it be this one, it's brilliant.

Sigh No More is out now