POPMUSIC
‘ op is backl‘. Same Difference exclaim in typically camp fashion
on the advert for their not-so- innovatively-titled debut. erm. Pup. Simon (‘owell’s karaoke factory might not be the best example of it. but their statement is bang on. Strictly speaking. pop never really left us. but it‘s fair to say it lost its sheen — not to
mention its credibility — for a
while. In the dirge-filled days of
the late 90s. when forgettable Take 'l‘hat-alikes were spewed out by bloated. cocky record labels. simply striding onstage with a guitar and doing a Beatles/T- Rex/Stone Roses (insert legend here) impersonation was enough to make people sit up and take notice. But not today. ‘Serious‘
bands: sorry. but we‘re bored. Most music industry major players are dads now (see ()asis. U2 and Radiohead) and a second generation is impatiently waiting to fill their stadiums (say hello to Bloc Party. Snow Patrol and
Razorlight). The prevalence of
guitar driven ‘landfill indie‘ has peaked and acts like Kaiser Chiefs and The Kooks just aren‘t selling
Whether its R&B Uber stars, 905 classics or indie craftsmen, pop music is set to delight this year. Camilla Pia reports
like they were three years ago. The reason‘.’ Maybe because they're trying to be ‘proper‘ artists now. while people liked them in the first place for the pop they produced. Pop music has always come in all shapes. sizes and colours but 2009 looks like a year where the face of pop shall be painted with a big smile and embraced in its myriad of forms. First. the big league. Beyonce. Britney and Rihanna. aka the holy trinity. all working tirelessly recently to keep the mainstream
thrilling. Following the success of
‘Womanizer‘. more smash singles can be expected in 2009 from Britney‘s chart-bothering Circus and Beyonce‘s I am. . Sasha Fierce. while Rihanna is back in the studio working on the sequel to Good Girl Gone Bad.
They are the tip of the US pop iceberg; there's a wealth of other tunes to be squealed out and pogo- ed to: Katy Perry's ‘Hot ‘N‘ Cold and Pussycat Dolls' ‘When I Grow Up‘. both prime pop confections from last year. will be performed here live in 200‘). Anyone doubting the burlesque popsters’ appeal (beyond the bedrooms of teen boys) can check PD‘s live show this fortnight at the SECC: a prelude to a US tour with Britney in the Spring. And let‘s not forget Girls Aloud who. six albums in. still shove together the best of six decades of music in a way that really shouldn‘t work. adding irony. edgy production and eccentric lyrics. Sometimes all in one song. As for the boys. Take That's success (currently the lfK's biggest touring band) has spawned a flurry of boyband comebacks.
Harry hysteria kicks in again for the fifth cinematic installment. Bothersome books and blossoming love are on the cards for our favourite magical teens. 77 Jul.
26 THE LIST 8 7? .Jan 900%!
This festival — another Homecoming event — celebrates genealogy. family history and heraldry of Scots at home and abroad. Stramc/yde University, 27—24 Jul.
Now in its eigtli year and picking up a Clutch of awards at the UK Festival Awards this year. Wickerman remains a solid bet for grassroots musical fun. Dumfries/iire,
24 -25 Jul.
The Edinburgh Festivals Edinburgh will once more be happily (or not so happily) overwhelmed by five weeks of drama. comedy. art, music. books and more. Various venues. 30 Jul—6 Sep.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival There is fun to be had with puppets. dancing. bands. storytelling. Buddhist temples. food and fancy dress on top of a tOp musical line-up. Beau/y, lnverness- shire, 7-8 Aug.
EH 1
Ricky MaGowan and the guys behind Live at Loch Lomond bring together the stars of Scottish clubbing for a mammoth three-day party featuring Colours and the like. Royal Highland Centre, lng/iston, 74- 16Aug.
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