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Issue 40 - 2012

Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.

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44 INDIE / ROCK www.guestlist.net FUN. 14th May @ XOYO Issue 40 / 2012 GUESTLIST RECOMMENDS SUNSET RUBDOWN This Canadian rock group is built around lyricist Spencer Krug's unique vocals and eccentric musical compositions. Setting the World on Fire. Fun. are currently riding high in the singles chart with 'We Are Young' – but that hasn't stopped them playing an inti- mate show in London. Nate and his talented group of minstrels are still out here promoting their latest album Some Nights, but tonight sees an even mix of both that and their previous album, their début Aim and Ignite. The clang of mingled English and American accents paint the dark room with an ex- cited clamour, before the band's long-awaited appearance; at this stage of their career, their fanbase in many countries is still largely native USA, but their chart success will more than likely change that soon. And any doubts of whether they can fully break that transatlan- tic barrier are quashed when the hip-hop fuelled 'One Foot' announces their crashing ar- rival. Nate's tongue circles his manic grin – he knows he's got London in the palm of his hand. Fun. have certainly got their live demeanour down pat with Nate, the ever-effervescent frontman with vocal chords of gold, and the note-perfect wallop of his bandmates; they come up top on nearly every aspect of their show. Canadian musician Spencer Krug is the driving force behind a number of projects, such as Wolf Parade, Swan Lake, and too many others to even list. However, none match the grandiosity and scale of Sunset Rubdown, with which he displays a unique approach to indie rock composition. Full of ten-minute songs, orchestral percussion, and operatic vocal flourishes embellishing what are often essentially guitar- driven rock tracks at heart. Pretentious? Maybe, but few modern releases can boast the intricacy and delicacy of songs like "Shut Up, I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings". While songs like this are less immediately accessible than much of the modern indie canon, Krug has mastered the art of creating prog-indie tunes, which are full of cryptic lyrics about dragons without feeling overlong. Once accustomed to his strange vocal style, these are a joy to listen to. Having not released anything since 2009's fantastic album Dragonslayer, the time is nigh for Krug to return to Sunset Rubdown. Until then, their seven-year history has created four full- length albums and two EPs, all of which are worth a listen if you're interested in something a bit out of the ordinary. TOUR SCHEDULE : KEANE REGINA SPEKTOR @ ROYAL ALBERT HALL Following the release of their fourth studio EP 'Strangeland', the East Sussex born band Keane will be embarking on a worldwide tour Check out our list for a date near you. 29th May @ O2 Academy, Leeds 30th May @ O2 Apollo, Man- chester 4th June @ Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone A veteran of New York's anti-folk scene, this quirky songwriter will be hitting the UK for what is ex- pected to be an exciting show. Russian-American singer/ songwriter Regina Spektor is set to do a one off gig at London's Royal Albert Hall. Over the last few years she has risen from the scene of New York's East Village. Her vivacious offbeat charm is winning her a growing following and if you're a fan of melodramatic melodies then Spektors Royal Albert Hall gig is not to be missed. She will be playing a mixture of her four albums 'Kitsch', 'Begin to Hope', 'Far' and 'Soviet', and delivering her jazzy ramblings and spooked folk whilst touting her newly released EP 'What We Saw From the Cheap Seats,' not to be missed. 5th June @ O2 Academy, Bristol 6th June @ De Montfort Hall, Leicester 8th June @ O2 Academy, Brix- ton 9th June @ O2 Academy, Brix- ton

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