PREVIEW: QOTSA & Friends @ Finsbury Park, 30.06.18

Anyone who knows me will know of my love of Queens Of The Stone Age. Anyone who knows me will also know of my love of championing women in music. So, although I am EXTREMELY excited about seeing QOTSA and the legendary Iggy Pop next Saturday, 30th June, in Finsbury Park, I’m also particularly looking forward to the rest of the incredible line up, which is 50% female…

Brody Dalle:
I have been wanting to see Brody Dalle since I was a 16 year old listening to The Distillers’ Sing Sing Death House for the first time, and being completely blown away by her seething, riotous power. Catch me at the front re-living my teenage angst.

Deap Vally: 
Blues-rock duo Deap Vally are the band I turn to whenever I need some motivation. Their empowering passion and glorious, gritty aggression when delivering their raging feminist anthems is really an immense spectacle to behold.

Hinds: 
Having seen the Spanish band Hinds three times before, I can assure you they will not disappoint live. Their infectious, sunny charisma never fails to put a smile on my face, and their immense, buoyant energy creates a sweeping sense of raucous euphoria whenever they perform.

Black Honey:
Fronted by Izzy B Phillips, Brighton’s Black Honey have been building quite a reputation over the last few days, receiving acclaim from the likes of The Guardian and NME for their lush, swooning vocals and catchy, jangly melodies.

Belako: 
Second Spanish band of the line up, Belako are known for delivering catchy slices of post-punk and their recent album Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence is a gritty collection of raw, swirling offerings.

Skinny Girl Diet:
Long time favourites of GIHE, it’s wonderful to see Skinny Girl Diet building their reputation and playing such big stages. I first saw them at The Shacklewell Arms a few years ago, and they blew me away with their seething, Riot Grrrl-inspired energy and rousing, grunge-fuelled sound.

Catch all these bands for QOTSA & Friends in Finsbury Park next Saturday 30th June. More info and ticket links here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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ALBUM: Belako – ‘Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence’

A “head twisting mix” of punk, techno, indie, & electro, Spanish band Belako have shared their third album Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence via Primavera Sound’s label El Segell. The group were already well versed in fusing different genres and their talent for doing so has thrived on this record.

Upbeat cacophony ‘Maskenfreiheit’ kicks things off in trademark Belako style, with a manic mix of electronics, guitar riffs and lush vocals. There’s no time to catch your breath as ‘Lungs’ immediately follows, still bursting with the same organised musical chaos.

‘Two Faced Simulation’ impresses with its gritty bass lines, restless guitar riffs and heavier vocal delivery, whilst following track ‘Over The Edge’ keeps up the momentum with sharp, persistent percussion and more driving bass lines. ‘Nice Church’ is a joyful tune, combining both buoyant and dense synths with watery-fx vocals and more powerful percussion. Even when they sing of losing emotional focus on ‘Stumble’, Belako keep everything together musically. ‘Stumble II’ is equally as well constructed, with gentle keys tripping over more lush vocals.

The stripped back, hazy ‘Strangers In A Box’ follows, before brief instrumental ‘Render Arp’ leads in to title track ‘Render Me Numb’, which is permeated by forceful beats. The uplifting party-style synths on ‘The Fiend Thinker’ will get listeners feet moving, whilst the happily named ‘Something To Adore (Arinau)’ rolls out in the same passionate vein.

Penultimate track ‘Hegodun Baleak II’ meanders musically for five minutes, before the brief ‘Maskenfreiheit II’ bookends this fusion of manic indie and alternative sounds. With Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence, Belako have shown their skill for creating carnivalesque, yet ornate and considered music.

Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence is available now. Follow Belako on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Belako – ‘Lungs’

Spanish indie rockers Belako effortlessly combine slick riffs, pounding drums and lush vocals on their latest single ‘Lungs’, providing a musical breath of fresh air. The track is taken from their upcoming album Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence, which is set for release on 23rd February via Primavera Sound’s in-house label El Segell.

The Basque country-based four piece have said their new record is going to be a “head twisting mix of punk, techno, indie, folk & electro,” and they’re expected to embark on a tour shortly after the album’s release, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for future Belako gig dates.

Listen to ‘Lungs’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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