It's another tradition to honour. The Primavera Sound Festival will unveil its line-up on January 28th, it seems that with a movie (intriguing!). The few names announced so far, Arcade Fire, Pixies and Neutral Milk Hotel are not very exciting for me, and rumours like NIN, Beck, Neil Young or Kanye West are so worrying, not to mention terrible proposals like Daft Punk (just my opinion of course). So, as we did on previous years, here's how my wish list would like. It's a mix between personal desires and bands that, seeing their agendas, could very well be in Barcelona next May... Fingers crossed, because it could be an incredible edition! If you follow my advice... maybe the slogan #bestfestivalever might be true, hehehe....
Alpaca Sports. The pluperfect indiepop band, how long without them in Barcelona? Not fair.
Beth Orton. Needed. Too long since the last time I saw her.
Cat Power. Dropped last year, but she's still touring, so second chance in 2014? It would be fantastic.
DIIV. Same case as Chan Marshall. Eagerly expected.
Fear of Men. Debut LP ready for Spring. Mandatory band to watch & hear on 2014
Go Violets. My best EP of 2013. They deserve a spot in Barcelona...
Hospitality. New album arriving on early 2014, they do have to cross the Atlantic this time...
Julie Ruin, The. Kathleen Hanna is back, and happily, she's also touring. Even more than that, they play in France on May 27th, so their schedule fits wonderfully... Enough said.
National, The. I know it. You know it. Everybody knows it. Dates fit so well. Won't be as special as seeing them in L.A. but of course, we'll be there.
New Zealanders. Primavera Sound bring newcomers Trick Mammoth and Males to Barcelona. And Prophet Hens (all three bands courtesy of Fishrider Records). And Astro Children. I could go on....
Real Estate. We know there's an album on the making, so we want them back.
Rose Elinor Dougall. Arguably one of the most haunting voices ever imo, her latest EP, "Future Vanishes", is another solid step on her striking solo career so far. Sophomore album and tour are on the works so please make a stop in Barcelona...
San Fermin. Can you imagine how amazing could be a San Fermin gig at Auditori? American tour ends in March, so why not an European leg in Spring?
Sleater-Kinney. Wild Flag is over, they gathered on stage at a Pearl Jam's gig recently and the buzz keeps going. If it's not just a rumour, this is a MUST for Primavera Sound. Enough said (part II)
Slowdive. Kind of a rumour again, although Rachel and Neil are reuniting for some gigs in London, so here's hoping...
Softies, The. Or any combo, new project in which Rose Melberg is involved. With The Softies I want to claim a much bigger space for indiepop at Primavera please!!
Torres. Another MUST (why only in Madrid this Autumn?). At Auditori it would be mind-blowing.
Wild Swans, The. Reissues and more reissues, why not a tour throughout Europe? Or at least Barcelona in Spring? Paul Simpson say yes!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Didn't like "Mosquito", one of the biggest disappointments of the year imo, but I have to see Karen O at least once live...
Fountains. The most exciting band to reach my inbox lately is this five-piece based in London. Only three songs available (run to their bandcamp, download freely and get the ultra-limited tapes!), but what an impressive debut is this "No Sleep" EP, out since February (review coming soon). The Wild Swans meeting Joy Division? The combination sounds too great to believe it, but this tunes are THAT BIG. They define themselves as shoegazers, but I dare to say this is "just" astonishing indie music. They've told me they are looking for the right label now. If there's hope in this planet they should have their phone collapsed by calls.
Maple Leaves. Still in Glasgow (with a bit Northern England) for our third proposal. Maple Leaves formed at an open mic night in 2008 by Anna Miles and Julian Corrie, quickly evolving into a trio. They made quite a buzz, receiving the praise of Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian, who selected Miles as a singer on his "God Help the Girl" project. They debuted in 2010 with the EP "Golden Ether", and now as four-piece, they will release "Robots" EP this spring. Skilled but dreamy and compelling indie-pop, infused by a folkie and lush instrumentation (that flute). Lovable band.
We start a new section of the blog today, with the only purpose of "rescuing" songs (one on each post) that no one should miss, and build a very special Indie Anthology while we rediscover or enjoy for the first time this not so well-known indie gems.
Song: Revolutionary Spirit
Band: The Wild Swans
Year: 1982
Our first song is a wonder that celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. The debut single (never to appear on a regularly released album) of The Wild Swans, the cult and damned band from Liverpool, who disbanded in 1990, but luckily returned to music in 2011.Leaded by the ridiculously talented Paul Simpson (former member of the also essential group The Teardrop Explodes). Post-romantic, epic lyrics, with one of the best melodies post-punk/new wave's style has given to music. Thanks to Pete de Freitas (Echo and The Bunnymen, Simpson's friend and flatmate) who funded, produced and played the drums on the single.
It's another tradition to honour. The Primavera Sound Festival will unveil its line-up on January 28th, it seems that with a movie (intriguing!). The few names announced so far, Arcade Fire, Pixies and Neutral Milk Hotel are not very exciting for me, and rumours like NIN, Beck, Neil Young or Kanye West are so worrying, not to mention terrible proposals like Daft Punk (just my opinion of course). So, as we did on previous years, here's how my wish list would like. It's a mix between personal desires and bands that, seeing their agendas, could very well be in Barcelona next May... Fingers crossed, because it could be an incredible edition! If you follow my advice... maybe the slogan #bestfestivalever might be true, hehehe.... 
