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Reading/Leeds new bands tent has been announced... and the good news is there's a coupla good new bands on the bill (Colour of Fire, Mclusky and Hope of the States), but obviously more garage rock and skanky blues than you can shake a heroin OD'd leather jacketed Libertines fan at.
And now, at the height of laziness, is the blurb from the pr people, which will also appear in the programme. Headliners first, then the rest.. full line-up pasted on the comments board for easy reference. Have whacked links on the names of the bands we like the mostest..
Reading only Friday 22nd August
The Mark Lanegan Band : Taking a break from touring duties with Queens Of The Stone Age, the former Screaming Trees frontman returns to the UK for a headline show at the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals. Currently working on his fourth solo album this gig could be a first chance for fans to hear his new material.
Reading Friday 22nd August/ Leeds Saturday 23rd August
Sparta : Featuring three former members of At The Drive-In, Sparta have been making waves with their debut album ‘Wiretap Scars’. Currently on a European tour with Queens Of The Stone Age, Sparta’s return to the UK this summer will be highly anticipated.
The Black Keys : America’s hotly tipped electric blues duo, The Black Keys, are attracting much critical attention with their recent second album ‘thickfreakness’. Their debut American album saw them feature in many end of year polls including Mojo, Rolling Stone and Spin.
Reading Saturday 23rd August/ Leeds Sunday 24th August
Billy Bragg : Twenty years on from the release of ‘Life’s A Riot’, Billy Bragg goes back to basics for a one-off solo show. Last year’s album ‘England, Half English’ was his first collection of songs to be released since 1996, with his seminal, Grammy nominated work on Woody Gunthrie’s unrecorded lyrics being his previous release. One of the most talented and highly political songwriters in the country, Bragg’s appearance at the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals will be quite a coup for the event.
Brendan Benson : Hailing from Detroit, emotive singer-songwriter Brendan Benson recently released his second album, ‘Lapalco’ to much critical acclaim. Having toured the States last year with the White Stripes, Brendan’s live performances have also been receiving a great deal of attention. [aka the guy who's famous for being Jack White's mate!]
Reading Sunday 24th August/ Leeds Friday 22nd August
British Sea Power : We may only be half way through the year but British Sea Power’s debut album for Rough Trade is already being hailed as one of the debuts of the year. ‘The Decline of British Sea Power’ has received comments such as ‘one of the most exciting albums of 2003’ (Daily Telegraph) and ‘best band in Britain’ (Sunday Times). Definitely one band whose set on the Carling Stage will be a landmark occasion.
Manitoba : Electronica meets the Flaming Lips, expect a flamboyant live show from the band whose debut album, ‘Up In Flames’ has also been receiving glowing reports across the press.
Other acts confirmed to play across the weekend include:
Reading Friday 22nd August/ Leeds Saturday 23rd August
McLusky: Hailing from Cardiff, McLusky released their second album earlier in the year through Too Pure records [drummer pending, probably!].
Jackson (Friday Reading only): After headlining the main stage last year, Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett returns to the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals with his other band, Jackson.
Vue: Having recently been working on their debut major label album, San Francisco’s Vue will be returning to the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals for the second time this summer.
The Hiss: The Hiss are about to set off on a tour of the states with fellow Carling Stage act, White Light Motorcade, The Hiss are also working on their debut album for Loog Records/Polydor.
Rocket Science: Australia’s Rocket Science have already been making a name for themselves in the UK after having supported The Vines earlier in the year. Their debut single ‘Run Like A Gun’ was released in April.
Franz Ferdinand: Taking their name from the Duke whose assassination started World War One, Franz Ferdinand will be an interesting band to keep your eye on this weekend.
The Blueskins: Recently signed to Domino, The Blueskins’s debut single ‘User Friendly’ has already become a firm favourite with the likes of Xfm and the Evening Session. [They sound like the White Stripes from Wakefield]
Colour of Fire: Hailed as one of the best bands from 2002’s In The City, Colour of Fire have been attracting a great deal of attention from the music industry. The band have already secured themselves support slots with Placebo, Idlewild and Silverchair.
Reading Saturday 23rd August/ Leeds Sunday 24th August
The Bandits: Liverpool’s The Bandits have been finding friends in high places since the release of their debut single last year. Support slots with Oasis have helped them to build a very dedicated live following.
Soledad Brothers: Ohio two piece, Soledad Brothers, have worked with Jack White on both of their albums to help produce their raw blues sound. Yet another band the White Stripes have brought our attention to who we should all be keeping an eye on.
The Sights: Formed in 1998 by Eddie Baranek whilst both he and his bandmates were still in high school, The Sights have been playing ever since with their infatuation on Motown, 60’s pop and garage records. Their debut album, ‘Got What We Want’, was released at the end of 2002 paying attention to the classic pop and rock records of the past 40 years.
The Sons: Based around twins Ben and Steve Tegel, The Sons have been working with producer Tony Hoffer since being discovered at an LA residency. An EP will be released through Fierce Panda later in the year.
Ima Robot: Ima Robot is the project of long time Beck bassist, Justin Meldal-Johnson. Having just signed a long term deal with Virgin Records in the States, the Carling Stage will be the perfect opportunity to find out more about the band.
The Revs: Donegal’s The Revs started their assault on the UK music scene after having garnered a gold album and three music industry awards in Ireland over 2002. Their recent single ‘Death of a DJ’ was a Kerrang single of the week and with magazines such as Hot Press firmly behind the band, success over here is looking every bit as likely.
The Sun: America’s The Sun have released one EP so far in the states. Having worked with producer Jay Bennett, formerly of Wilco, the record received a glowing review in Rolling Stone.
Whirlwind Heat: Michigan’s Whirlwind Heat recently supported the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s at their secret London gig. The band have the honour of being the first band to sign to Jack White’s Third Man imprint label.
The Go: Perhaps the quintessential Detroit band merging the city's R&B and soul traditions of the '50s and '60s with the garage and punk of the late '60s and early '70, The Go released their debut album ‘Whatcha Doin’ in 1999 through Sub Pop.
The Agenda: With no beating about the bush, Georgia’s The Agenda came over to the UK in May for the ‘We’ve Come For Your Birds Tour’. Their debut LP, ‘Start The Panic’, was released last month. [Signed to the awesome Must Destroy label!]
Reading Sunday 24th August/ Leeds Friday 23rd August
Hope Of The States: A five piece from Chichester, Hope of The States are amongst NME’s predictions for the bands ‘most likely to’ this year. Their recent debut single ‘Black Dollar Bill’ has only furthered the cause for the band to be one to watch on the Carling Stage this year. [recently signed to The Man!]
Har Mar Superstar: Having caused outrage amongst London councils with posters for forthcoming single ‘Ez Pass’, Har Mar Superstar will return to the UK in the summer to play at the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals.
Longview: Manchester’s Longview are set to release their debut album, ‘Mercury’, this summer. Having toured with the likes of Athlete, Goldrush and Easyworld over the past year, Longview will soon be proving themselves to be yet one more fantastic band to be added to the city’s musical heritage. [signed by the same guy who signed longwave. true]
Calla: New York based Calla are at present one of the bands to be keeping an eye on in the city. Godspeed You Black Emperor, Nick Cave and Sigur Ros have so far proclaimed themselves to be fans of the band’s live act. The band have recently released their third full length album, ‘Televise’.
Instruction: Formed by ex-members of Errortype:11 and Quicksand, Instruction are currently one of the hottest bands to come out of the east coast. Tours with Hell Is For Heroes and Biffy Clyro have helped to establish them in the rock press as the band to watch this summer.
Winnebago Deal: Fierce Panda’s Winnebago Deal will be releasing a new single ‘Manhunt’ in August. Having toured recently with Kinesis, Burning Brides and The Blood Brothers, Winnebago Deal are Oxford’s next brightest rock hope.
The Stills: The Stills are a four piece from Montreal via New York. Taking in influences from The Cure to The Smiths, the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals will be one of the first chances for the UK to discover their talents.
Keane: Keane are the rather unusual three piece consisting of nothing more than a singer, pianist and drummer. Having known each other for a life time, growing up together in East Sussex, the band have recently released their third single ‘Everybody’s Changing’ through Fierce Panda.
White Light Motorcade: New York’s White Light Motorcade released their debut single over here back in March with their following debut UK shows going down a storm. The band’s appearance on the Carling Stage this summer will be a welcome return to the country.
Cardia: Compromising of former members of Rival Schools, 2 Skinnee J's, The Verve Pipe and Shudder To Think, Cardia’s debut recording was released last week.
The Prosaics: Having been described by the New York Metro as the ‘thinking man’s punk’, The Prosaics have been attracting fantastic attention from the press whilst on their US tour with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Liars.
DiScuss: What's missing? Ain't pr talk funny?
