Augustines surprisingly announced that their autumn tour would be their last. The news was announced via their Facebook page: The statement from the bands members read:- “Over the last six years we have far exceeded any and all expectations we had when we started Augustines. Our original mission was to create music we believed in, to be conscious at all times and to pursue joy in our lives. And, that is exactly what we have done, and will continue to do”. However, their Leeds date on the tour was more a celebration than a wake with a set that lasted two and half hours and included most of their final album This Is Your Life which was Augustines’ third LP. It followed 2014’s eponymous second album both recorded in New York and Los Angeles with long-time associate Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Frightened Rabbit),
Whilst Augustines may be leaving the music scene, Corrine Bailey Rae has very much returned to it much to the rejoicing of her fans at a sold out concert at Leeds Town Hall. Her just released new single ‘Hey, I Won’t Break Your Heart’ is one of the highlights from the album The Heart Speaks In Whispers and is about the hesitancy of love for the second time with the same person. It provided yet another pin-drop moment in Corinne’s live set which was received with rave reviews across the magnificent setting, fans heaped superlatives on her captivating performances throughout. She is even after five years away from the scene the supreme jewel of British soul who discharges magnetism. She is simply “spellbinding” live. Incidentally she was supported by Jodie Abacus, recently lauded by Elton John who played a lavish support set which got the whole of the Town Hall up on their feet and dancing: He is going to be one to watch in 2017 as are Clean Cut Kid.
Clean Cut Kid are, in a time of expected instant fame, a breath of fresh air. One of the hardest working bands you could wish to find they have performed at an incredible thirty two festivals this year as well as headlining at Headrow House on their latest tour. Clean Cut Kid’s first four singles ‘Vitamin C’, ‘Runaway’, and ‘Pick Me Up’ and ‘We Used To Be In Love’ introduced a band brimming with unshakeable hooks and full of imagination, with songs that demanded your attention from the first second to the last. Having spent much of 2016 blowing audiences away with their energetic live shows, Clean Cut Kid will be heading into the studio to finish work on their debut album which is slated for release early next year.
You can see both Clean Cut Kid and Jodie Abacus at Outlines in March 2017. The organisers of Sheffield’s Outlines Festival have announced the first wave of talent for 2017’s event, with Jagwar Ma, Slow Club, Lady Leshurr and The Selecter among the key names so far.
The multi-venue metropolitan festival will return to Sheffield City Centre for its second year from 3rd to 4th March 2017, showcasing a blend of established artists and up-and-coming acts. The event is programmed and promoted by some of the team behind the city’s much-loved Tramlines Festival, and was created with the aim of serving as a little sister to Tramlines during the colder months. After the success of 2016’s debut event, the festival’s organisers have extended the event, which will now take place across two days.
Heading up the bill are Australian psychedelic rock outfit Jagwar Ma, whose newly released second album Every Now & Then has been earning critical acclaim and is already promising to build on the success of hits such as ‘Come Save Me’ and ‘Uncertainty’.
Additional Sheffield talent comes from indie-pop quartet The Crookes, who return to the city following an extensive US tour in support of their latest, Fierce Panda-released single ‘Roman Candle’. Those looking to discover new bands and alternative music will be catered for too, with Islet, The Orielles, Blood Sport, Luxury Death, and Azusena among the first announcements. Where as in 2016, Outlines took place throughout a single day, 2017’s event will be happening across several key venues from 3rd – 4th March. The festival is set to feature a genre-hopping bill of up to 150 artists.
