Entertainment

Let's face it, this summer was a bit of a wash-out. Still, if you weren't fussed about getting a tan the UK festival game was strong. Whether you're braving one of the last fests of the season, heading out camping or generally spending a bit of time outdoors, you're probably going to want some tunes. That's where we can help! The good people at JAM Audio have given us a Thrill Wireless Speaker to offer to one of our lucky...

Kane Power (@ElHeavio) Blacklisted are a band that divide opinion. A definable growth over 13 hard-fought years and a drastic style shift in 2009 have made it difficult for the band to retain a large portion of their segmented fan base. The first iteration of their sound, characterised by fast and raw hardcore punk, recently evolved towards post-hardcore, heavily leaning on grunge, perplexing and alienating a large portion of their long-time fans; a sentiment reflected in their aptly named new...

By Declan Roberts (@DeclanMR) Night Beds’ sophomore record combines a mixture of elements from techno, folk and hip hop. Winston Yellen’s lyrics are reminiscent of artists like The Weeknd and Frank Ocean, working out break-up after break-up in line after line. The subject of love and love-loss forms the key theme of Ivywild. Many tracks, such as the crooning piano ballad ‘Lay Your Hands’, run the risk of cliché. The repetitive, sample-heavy ‘Love Streams’ and glitter-ball dirge ‘I Give It’...

By Will Bateman (@WillBateman6611) After years of touring, building word of mouth support the old-fashioned way, The Spitfires have started to make an impact. The Watford 4-piece have recently come off support slots for Paul Weller and The Specials- both personal invites, both personal idols for the band. Now, with their latest album, Response, comes a reaction to the "musical drought of meaningful music and lyrics". According to front man and songwriter Billy Sullivan, the album is the sound of...

By Will Bateman (@WIllBateman6611) Mac Demarco’s most recent full-length, the acclaimed Salad Days, defined his scruffy indie melodica without compromising the lo-fi DIY of his previous LPs Rock and Roll Nightclub and 2. Each provided a surge of scrappy originality in an uninspired indie-rock scene. They also helped build his overly-simplistic reputation as a hard-partying slacker, an image exacerbated by notorious on-stage antics, an endless supply of vintage 5-panel caps and songs about Viceroy cigs and apologising to his mother....

Since his quirky supernatural TV show Being Human became a smash hit for BBC3 in 2008 (making stars of its leads Aiden Turner, Lenora Crichlow and Russell Tovey in the process) writer Toby Whithouse’s career has gone from strength to strength. His latest glossy six-part drama, The Game, was lauded by critics and fans alike – and he’s even being talked about as the next Doctor Who showrunner. Felicity Evans caught up with him to find out more…   The...

Chattering skulls, flaming cacti and naked cowboy showdowns. All this and more can be seen in the new video for 'Black Hole, Weirdo Shrine' from surf-noir quartet La Luz. Imagine the hallucinations Daria might have watching the opening credits from A Fistful Of Dollars on a peyote trip and you're pretty close to the band's vision here. La Luz' second album Weirdo Shrine is out now. Catch them on tour this October. La Luz Tour Dates 16th October - Brighton, UK - Bleach...

By Rob Foster @futuresinfinite Inequality: What can be done? by Anthony Atkinson, published by Harvard University Press Civic Capitalism by Colin Hay & Anthony Payne, published by Polity Press Issues of economic inequality continue to be at the forefront of much of the political discourse in the UK and beyond. There may be broad consensus that income inequality is a problem (although how large or important an issue is a matter of conjecture), but the causes & possible cures for...

By Will Bateman (@WillBateman6611) 5.8.15, The Islington, London The Islington is an intimate venue for any band making their debut appearance in the capital. The Mynabirds appear on stage amidst dim lights and red floor-to-ceiling curtains, singer-songwriter/pianist Laura Burhenn (who you might recognise from now-defunct Seattleites The Postal Service) exuding a playful and welcoming presence. The band seem genuinely grateful to their audience, Burhenn acknowledging the trials they must have endured to get to the show. "So you're the brave...