'The Guardian' Recommends
Who better than the Brits to handicap SXSW UK?
By Michael Cragg, Fri., March 18, 2011
SATURDAY
Jonquil
10pm, Emo's Jr. One of the things the UK does well when it comes to music is creating scenes. Be it Britpop, "Madchester," or Girl Power, we love a good banner under which we can organize our bands. Oxford's Jonquil are part of a scene called Blessing Force, which basically involves about 10 bands, all sharing band members, recording in the basement of their nominal leader's house, and generally being pretty darn good. Jonquil offers a very English take on Vampire Weekend's brand of yacht rock, but with extra dreaminess.
Veronica Falls
10pm, Latitude 30 London fourpiece Veronica Falls make the kind of ramshackle, reverb-heavy, unashamedly twee indie-pop that first started on UK shores – via bands like the Pastels – before being shipped over and recast by the likes of American bands the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Crystal Stilts. With singer Roxanne's brilliantly deadpan vocals cooing over jangly guitar riffs and 1960s doo-wop drums, it's a pleasantly familiar sound. Since their debut single, the eerie "Found Love in a Graveyard," caused a stir across the music blogs in 2009, they've been hard at work on their forthcoming debut.
Frankie & the Heartstrings
11pm, Latitude 30 Sunderland sextet Frankie & the Heartstrings emerged in the middle of last year deliciously out of step with everything around them. Singer Frankie Francis sports an immaculate quiff and one band member dresses like a World War I evacuee, while their sound is influenced by early 1980s bands like Orange Juice (founder Edwyn Collins produced their debut album), Dexys Midnight Runners, and Aztec Camera. Last year the band played a gig in Sheffield to a handful of people, the members nearly matching the audience in numbers. Unfazed, Francis played as if the venue were full to the brim, creating such excitement that the small gathering became part of the hardcore faithful they have now. Prepare to be converted.
Jamie xx
1am, Barcelona In addition to being one-third of indie minimalists the XX, Jamie Smith is one of the most in-demand remixers and producers currently at work. Recent rerubs include a delirious, clap-heavy version of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," a grimy reworking of Jack Penate's "Pull My Heart Away," and a complete two-step makeover of Florence & the Machine's "You've Got the Love." Add a remix of Gil Scott Heron's "I'm New Here," his own solo material, and his work on Drake's forthcoming album, and you have all the makings of a pretty hot new talent. Expect a rib-rattling, slow-burn DJ set of epic proportions.