There are four stages that will be splattered with the best artists around – Dingwalls, Roundhouse, Fest and the Electric Ballroom. We have the festival gig listings by day here.
If you haven’t got tickets, you can at least watch your favourite artists on the 6music livestream via the BBC iPlayer. Beings it’s sold out, unless you can find tickets on the day, this is the next best thing.
There are a lot of awesome acts. Unfortunately, the planned headliner Michael Kiwanuka had to drop-out due to last minute illness. From the Roundhouse site: Following medical advice, Michael Kiwanuka has today been diagnosed with acute viral Laryngitis and has announced that he is postponing all his current UK Tours. The 6 Music Festival ‘By Night’ event will still be going ahead with Brittany Howard now headlining, Nadine Shah who has recently been added to the line-up and Black Midi.
I have followed Michael since his first album, which was already pretty strong, now he’s coming into his own as an artist, with his third album, Kiwanuka. He’s got soul/pop down with a gravely voice and encouraging lyrics (don’t hesitate / time heals the pain / you’re not the problem).
“Hero” is probably his strongest track so far – it’s kinda filmic and super understated. The tune has a timelessness and sexy guitar riffs that might just last.
If you like tight rock bands, Black Midi might be more your thing. They’re a duct-tape-on-your-guitar kind of a band. Enough of an experimental vibe to make them interesting and a fuck-tonne of passion.
A bit shouty. Whiny guitar tones. And of course, being one of the lead players at 6music fest, they’re just really fucking good.
Brittany Howard is another level of Soul. His sweet voice sounds a little like Beverly Knight. He’s romantic, and thank goodness, ’cause it can be difficult to find it within the sea of artists these days.
Particularly looking forward to hearing Kojey Radical, who again brings a little sweat and funk and cashmere tears, with his music.
Here’s a new release, just posted yesterday by Greentea Peng:
Bangin’ reggae track, ironically about owning rainy London town. Her smooth as silk voice just works. She likes wearing a hat. I enjoy her arrangements, fluttering sax and keyboard that sets that chill weed vibe down for “Mr Sun”.
The Bombay Bicycle Club shouldn’t need any introduction. They’re obviously good. The tunes never fail. You can rely on them for a more active fest experience, dancing – dancing and feel good songs.
They’ve been going 10 years and more recently nearly quit the whole thing. “We had the affair and then came crawling back,” confessed Jack, guitar.
Other acts worth watching (basically the entire fest) include; Kate Tempest (catchy political rap), Hot 8 Brass Band (review), Jehnny Beth (she da man), The big moon (great summer pop/indie vibes) and Kokoroko (indie jazz guitar instrumental and sweet female harmonies with shuffle percussion).
So yeah, enjoy Camdeners!
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival takes place in Camden from the 6th-8th March and will be broadcast on 6 Music and BBC Sounds across the weekend. Performances will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and bbc.co.uk/6music, with highlights on BBC Four and BBC Red Button.
