It’s Berlin Music Week and if you ask me, First We Take Berlin is its absolute highlight. FWTB was established last year as a pre-festival to the annual Berlin Festival. About 100 of up-and-coming acts will strut their stuff over 2 evenings in 15 clubs during the showcase festival. Last year London Grammar, SOHN, and Fenech-Soler were on the bill among many others. With over 100 acts its evidently impossible to see everything so we’ve taken the liberty of giving you a few recommendations.
Thursday
Sivu
Sivu is the one-man show of one James Page from Cambridgeshire in the UK. The 25-year-old musician finds city life rather stressful which undoubtedly reflects in his music. Quirky, yet pop-oriented pop gems telling charming stories to the listener that could’ve only taken place in the countryside.
Thursday 18:00 – 18:30, Tante Emma
Thursday 20:00 – 20:30, NBHAP pres. ATC @ PrivatclubRacing Glaciers
Racing Glaciers is a rock band from Macclesfield who have just released their second EP Don’t Wait For Me. Their debut EP Ahead Of You Forever was released earlier this year. Being one of the more sophisticated rock acts currently out there, you should keep an eye on these guys.
Thursday 22:20 – 23:00, FluxBau
Thursday 19:00 – 19:40, o2 World Spreebar curated by Mighty OaksCrashCaptains
CrashCaptains, a Berlin-based band fronted by two brothers, Nicolas and Tobias Heintz, released their self-produced, crowdfunded debut album, Some Time Soon, earlier this year. The band reminds me a lot of DeatH Cab For Cutie.
Thursday 20:00 – 20:30, Radio Eins @ Lido
Fickle Friends
Fickle Friends are a tex book pop band example. Within three months, the band’s Soundcloud page went from a couple of thousand plays to 500,000. The band plays enjoyable catchy pop that is nothing out of the ordinary but quite entertaining.
Thursday 21:10 – 21:50, The Great Escape @ Glashaus
Blaenavon
It’s hard to believe that the three boys of Blaenavon are only 17 years old because they make music that is well beyond their years. They count The Proclaimers among their influences (‘before they got shit’, they say) as well as Joy Division. You can certainly hear those influences on the Koso EP, which was released via Transgressive Records.
Thursday 22:40 – 23:20, NBHAP pres. ATC @ Privatclub
Talisco
After mediocre experience with several rock bands, Bordeaux-based Talisco decided to find his own voice and write music to start his solo career. Talisco’s only single so far has elements of synth pop and folk and is quite catchy. I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy was the proverbial next big thing,
Thursday 23:10 – 00:10, Bureau Export pres. French Connection @ Bi Nuu
http://youtu.be/W6RNU1bXlzw
Friday
Glass Animals
Glass Animals are an Oxford-based band who play catchy pop with tropical flair and R&B influenes in the style of Bombay Bicycle Club. Their debut album Zaba was released this summer. They’re already quite big in the UK so keep an eye on them.
Friday 19:30 – 20:00, Astra Kulturhaus
ΩRACLES
With only one song on her Soundcloud page only and a handful of ive performances, five-piece band Oracles have already made quite a name for themselves in their hometowns, Berlin and Cologne. With a mixture of psychedelia, krautrock, Afro-beats, Disco and 70s elements, this band is a must for any Flaming Lips or Tame Impala fan.
Friday 20:20 – 21:00, Astra Kulturhaus
Man Without Country
The Welsh duo have been one of my favourite acts ever since their debut record Foe dropped in 2012. It’s their second time at FWTB and Berlin Festival. The duo creates enormous electronical soundscapes with deep and meaningful lyrics. If you like acts such as M83, Röyksopp or Sigur Ros you need to check them out.
Friday 20:50 – 21:20, Berghain Kantine
Ballet School
Ballet School is a Berlin-based, originally from London, trio who play 80s style pop. Their debut album The Dew Lasts An Hour will drop on September 9th via Bella Union. Check out the Cindy Lauper-esque Heartbeat Overdrive below.
Friday 21:40 – 22:20, Berghain Kantine
Highasakite
Highasakite is the latest Norwegian dream pop export. It’s hardly a surprise that the five-piece band was recently asked to open for London Grammar in Oslo. Highasakite’s new album, Silent Treatment will be out this summer.
Friday 22:10 – 22:50, Nordic Playlist @ Glashaus
Zoot Woman
Definitally one of the absolute highlights of this showcase. When Stuart Price writing songs for the likes of Madonna he writes songs with his friends, brothers Johnny and Adam Blake, looking for the perfect, contemporary embodiment of pop music – mostly located between Hall & Oates and Pet Shop Boys. The band has been around since 2003. Every album they’ve released so far has been like the overdue visit of an old friend. Their new record will be out later this year.
Friday 23:20 – 00:20, Astra Kulturhaus
Eliza And The Bear
I’m a bit undecided about these guys. Their folk pop is definitely catchy but does the world really need another folk pop band. Probably not. Anyway, their easy going mainstream sound is going to make them just as popular as American Authors, Family Of The Year or any such act. You name it.
Friday 23:30 – 00:30, Vevo pres. The Agency Group @ Bi Nuu
RÜFÜS
Nothing like some decent electro to call it a night. RÜFÜS are a three piece from Sydney mashing together disco and house creating catchy pop tunes that will lure you onto the dance floor in a second. For quite some time now, Rüfüs have been touring the globe with their debut album, Atlas.
Friday 23:40 – 00:40, Berghain Kantine
