MTV Brand New for 2012 - Tuesday 24th Jan

There is no denying that the line up for both nights had me extremely excited. On Tuesday 24th it was The Maccabees who headlined the show and from the safety of some steps by the top bar I was thrilled to witness a band, whom I have been following for some time now whip the crowd into a frenzy to hit after hit. It took no time for the dance floor to be turned into a mosh pit and drinks and revellers were flying! For anyone who didn't manage to catch them in the UK before they head off to Europe next week on tour they will be back in March and I strongly recommend you purchase your ticket to Alexandra Palace, where they will be headlining again in June! 

Charli XCX opened up the show, and while I hadn't heard her music before my friend informed me that she was definitely going to be one to watch out for, and I think he might have been a little bit right...The feisty London girl rocks the stage with confidence with her self proclaimed experimental pop. Having already featured in glossy fashion mags I predict she will be the next British fashionista we will all be lusting after with her edgy look! I couldn't help but think of Cyndi Lauper in her hey day when I watched Charli perform.. especially when I clocked her mingling with friends and fans on the dance floor later during The Maccabees set, proving that like Cyndi, Charli XCX is a definitely a girl who wants to have fun!

It was no doubt a huge disappointment that Lana Del Rey cancelled her performance, some 45 mins prior to the start of the show due to ill health however I can't help to feel for the girl. She has received some pretty harsh press in recent weeks and I can imagine that the critic, coupled with the stress of her album release today may well have effected her recovery... I have heard mixed reviews about her live performances, but as ever I like to make my own mind up about these things and I think both her recorded work and videos are beautiful.. therefore wish her a speedy recovery, think we should give her a break and I look forward to catching her again soon... xx

http://charlixcx.tumblr.com/

http://www.themaccabees.co.uk/

http://www.lanadelrey.com/

MTV Brand New for 2012...... I should KoKo

Normally when attending live gigs there is always a fly in the ointment for me - the line up, the location, the crowd, the ticket price etc, however last week I was luckily enough to attend the MTV Brand New for 2012 events at KoKo in Camden.

KoKo has always been a fave venue of mine.. I have fond memories of nights out in my late teens when it was the infamous Camden Palace... the former theatre holds a feeling of nostalgia and the set up is perfect for intimate gigs... providing a dance floor to skank out on, boxes for industry types and gorgeous panoramic views which make filming and photographing events simple and quite beautiful.

Admittedly for some people Camden can be a bit of a mission to get to, but those who really love their music go out of their way to make sure that they are the first in line to see their favourite acts. On both nights the crowds were mixed in age, sex, race... there was no attitude and everyone was there for one reason and one reason only, the music.

MTV have been renowned for spotting and acknowledging up and coming talent and in my view have rarely got it wrong... This years line up being no different... check out my reviews on both nights covering  

The Maccabees, Lana Del Rey and Charli XCX from Tuesday 24th January and Delilah, Michael Kiwanuka and the gorgeous Emili Sande from Weds 25th January.

http://www.koko.uk.com/