2009

So being the first month of 2009, people are starting to comment on who they think is going to blow up this year. NME's top 10 tips include Florence and The Machine, The Virgins, Little Boots and even locals - Empire of The Sun - just to name a few....

What's your hot tips of 2009? Are there any local bands out there that you think are the next big things? Let us know at Levity because we LOVE new music....! We are yet to formulate our own opinions on what might be, but here's 2 for you.

Murmurs on the local scene say to watch out for Melbourne lads, the Temper Trap. Having watched these boys from the beginning and seeing their live show now - you can definitely say they have stepped it up a notch. Comprising of more members on stage a hell of a lighting show, and the new stool for front-man Dougy to shine on - it seems they have all the makings to indeed make something big happen in 2009. Go see them live in this new Temper Trap era and see what your thoughts are. www.myspace.com/thetempertrap

They've been mentioned before on the Levity blog, last year I believe - but Brooklyn lads, Amazing Baby, are a true favourite of mine. Who knows if they will take off this year but their T-Rex-ish-ness coupled with the new breee of physcedlic guitars, definitely takes you somewhere that music hasn't taken us in a while. www.myspace.com/theamazingababy

What else is out there? Let us know and come back soon so we can tell you more as soon as we discover them. xxx

Summer Lovin'

Hey there! Well the summer didn't really start off like summer at all. It poured non stop - well where the music was anyway, at Meredith Music Festival! Heading down to MMF a couple of hours out of Melbourne, is definitely a trek worth doing for those of you out there who have not yet done so. Even if it did pour for 3 full days, it's one of the most invigorating music festivals in Australia you'll go too. I dont know if its the fresh air, the new faces, or the true music fans who make the trek that make it what it is, but there is definietly something magical about it.

Kicking of the festivities was Violent Soho and (some) vodka, and what a way to start.... I would have to say it was definitely my main musical highlight of the weekend. These Brisbane boys just rip up the stage and make you want to let your hair down and move your head until it falls off, because it would complete the music if it did. I'm not sure if they were stuck in a huge tupperware container in 1991 and only just opened fresh from the packet recently, but it sure feels like that - IN A BLOODY GOOD WAY. The sound, look and smell of them just oozed everything you love about that era. Rumor has it that the Soho camp returned fresh from a US stint performing showcases for some industry big whigs, you can tell they are already seasoned professionals even though more than half the crowd hadn't seen them play before. Definitely check them out as soon as you can. www.myspace.com/violentsoho

Fast Forward all through Friday Night and Saturday (you don't want to hear how I slept in a tarago) and you get to MGMT. After waiting for about 20 delayed minutes the boys finally stepped on stage. Having already seen them twice that week I was anticipation a grand finale for the long 18 month tour. Unfortunately technical problems throughout the set, rain and annoying booners in the vecinity of well, me - didnt really help the cause. I'm gonna blame my deflation of anticipation on where I chose to stand. I should have gone up front to the barrier with the fans to sing a long....

Coming back to Sydney where the rain was a little less full on, it was straight into the annual Christmas parties. Oyster Mag threw theirs @ Oxford Art Factory and was headlined by a band I so sorely miss, Red Riders. They played a bunch of new tracks and I cant wait for the new record, I heard its coming out this year! WOOHOOO!!!! New guitarist too... Brad from the Vines. Hot looking bunch, they always have been.

After the Christmas period subsided it was time to venture back into gig land, and I just had to do it, you're all going to hate me right now because i'm not sure how much music credibility they have - The Honey Brothers. Vinnie from Entourage eg. Adrian Grenier's band! You know what, they were fun and they played really well and Adrian looked sparkling. It was an entertaining night and if you feel free to break down you harshful judgemental barriers you might sometimes enjoy bands for just the FUN of it.

One more band to mention before I go to bed. After the release of their record Twenty-One last year (one of my favourites of 08) I just had to see them live. Mystery Jets ARE AMAZING! With a set of killer songs everyone was singing along and dancing their hearts out. If you haven't heard the record I urge you to go get it now. Every song is absolutely killer and when you see them live it's like your heart melting onto your favourite flavoured ice cream. I-spyed fellow UK mates Actic Monkeys also catching the show with girlfriend's in tow. I have to admit, I was more excited to see one Miss Alexa Chung than the boys.

Well that's it for me till next week.... when I see Temper Trap, Franz Ferdinand, Santogold, Oh Mercy, Philadelphia Grand Jury and more Red Riders.

xx