Camden Crawl 2009 - the inthenews.co.uk preview
Camden Crawl 2009 - the inthenews.co.uk preview
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Wednesday, 22, Apr 2009 05:33
Unlike many a Camden Crawl, you'll need two hands to count the number of acts you've already heard of but as with every year, there's quality throughout the two-day lineup and countless artists who'll soon be firm fixtures in mp3 collections across the land.
With more than 100 acts performing at 27 different Camden venues - including the infamous Hawley Arms, making a glorious return after 2008's fire-enforced absence - it's little surprise that day tickets for the 2009 Crawl are sold out (though a weekend ticket is well worth the money for the ease with which you'll be able to boast about having already seen bands who are going to be huge in about six months' time).
As Lewis Bazley prepares to sacrifice his body for two days of rising stars and musical heavyweights sprawled across north London, here's a guide to the highlights of the 2009 lineup.
Friday
The Crawl's move to book more established artists than in previous years is wholly evident on day one with Scottish stalwarts Idlewild 80s favourites Echo and the Bunnymen and Midlands social commentators the Enemy (previewing their impressive second album) all on the bill.
That said, this two-day Camden jaunt should always be about discovering new artists, so take a look at 'the next Strokes' the Virgins, quirky and summery folk from Hella Cholla, accomplished rockabilly teens Kitty Daisy and Lewis and hotly-tipped Aussie pop-rock four the Temper Trap. Other must-sees include Brakes, Skint & Demoralised, the Whip and the returning Von Bondies.
But with new album It's Blitz revealing an exhilarating new electrorock direction, the Roundhouse is the place to end your Friday in the company of Yeah Yeah Yeahs - check out the Zero video below.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Zero
Saturday
Day two brings the same coupling of rising stars and relative relics, with Pacific State dance greats 808 State alongside the brilliantly-named S****y Limits, rock survivor Justin Hawkins and his new band Hot Leg on the same bill as old stager Billy Bragg and heartwarming indie trio Golden Silvers descending on north London along with the lad rock might of Kasabian. The View and the Maccabees will be showcasing their surprisingly good second albums, big-haired kook Josh Weller reveals his witty and nostalgic ditties and there's also an eagerly awaited Roundhouse set from BBC Sound of 2009 winner Little Boots - might be best to start queuing now for that one.
Innerpartysystem, Toddla T, King Creosote and grumpy veterans the Fall also play on Saturday but for pure synth-pop magic - and what could be better with the Pet Shop Boys again de rigeur? - be sure to catch the fantastic Frankmusik - sing along to Better Off As 2 below.
Better Off As 2
Both days
And finally, take heart at the amount of bands performing on both days - long queues and dehydration need not mean you miss your favourite act.
Among those hitting the Crawl on consecutive days are Alessi's Ark, Fight Like Apes, Kasms, the King Blues, VV Brown and Sportsday Megaphone but for a look at an artist who's almost certain to be massive in the near future, stop by one of the two sets from Marina and the Diamonds. Watch the Obsessions video below to see why.
Marina & The Diamonds, "Obsessions" from Neon Gold Records on Vimeo.
Lewis Bazley
Venues
Daytime Venues
Bucks Head (202 Camden High Street, NW1 8QR)
Camden Tup (223 Greenland Place, NW1 0AP)
Edinburgh Castle (57 Mornington Terrace, NW1 7RU)
Fifty Five (31 Jamestown Road, NW1 7DP)
Good Mixer (30 Inverness Street, NW1 7HJ)
Jazz Cafe (5 Parkway, NW1 7PG)
Lock Tavern (35 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ)
Spread Eagle (141 Albert Street, NW1 7NB)
The Enterprise (2 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2BL)
The Hawley Arms (2 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8QU)
Upstairs at World's End (174 Camden High Street, NW1 0NE)
Evening Venues
Barfly (45 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AN)
Bullet (147 Kentish Town Road, NW1 8PB)
Dublin Castle (94 Parkway, NW1 7AN)
Earl Of Camden (55 Parkway, NW1 7PN)
Electric Ballroom (184 Camden High Street, NW1 8QP)
Fifty Five (31 Jamestown Road, NW1 7DP)
Jazz Cafe (5 Parkway, NW1 7PG)
KOKO (1a Camden High Street, NW1 7JE)
Lock 17 Dingwalls (Middle Yard, Camden Lock, NW1 8AB)
Purple Turtle (65 Crowndale Road, NW1 1TN)
Roundhouse (Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH)
The Black Cap (171 Camden High Street, NW1 7JY)
The Cuban (Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH)
The Monarch (40-42 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8BG)
Underworld (174 Camden High Street, NW1 0NE)