London – The year-end holidays of course can have a damaging effect on both your wallet and waistline. Add to that any over-indulgence on New Year’s Eve and you have first world populations suddenly vowing to detox, lose weight, stay home and spend next to nothing in January. If that sounds like you, fear not as help is at hand. Thankfullythere are some amazing new bands on tour to tempt you out of your cosy bolthole over the winter months heading into spring. Here are nine such artists to look out for who could be coming soon to a town or city near you.
First Aid Kit
1/14 – 3/11 U.K., Europe, Australia
Caught in the act by Best New Bands in October giving a gold star performance at the CMJ Music Marathon, Swedish sister act First Aid Kit is back on the road next week with a 3-month tour taking in venues across the U.K., Sweden and Australia. Support act on the U.K. dates is the intriguing Kimberly Anne while the full itinerary can be found here. Last year saw the Söderbergs’ star very much in the ascendency with an exceptional album, Stay Gold, and live exposure in prestigious venues, including a sell-out show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. If you’ve yet to see FAK live, catch the duo this winter and prepare to be astounded by exquisite harmonies and songs with a heady mix of grace and power. You might also be surprised to see that these girls can also rock out with the best! (Photo by Liz Rowley for BestNewBands.com)
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Hozier
1/21 – 4/19 U.K., Europe, North America
Andrew Hozier-Byrne’s abbreviated moniker, Hozier, was one that featured regularly on Best New Bands throughout 2014. Hailing from Co Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland, the singer-songwriter received his first Grammy nomination and two nominations in the Best New Bands Newbie Awards while the artist’s breakthrough year was crowned when his “Take Me To Church” was announced as Spotify’s most streamed song of 2014. Hozier’s success was underlined by extensive touring and to date all his headline shows across the globe have been sell-outs. A little over one year on from headlining the 100-capacity Troubadour in London’s Earls Court last January, his U.K. and European winter shows will culminate in two nights at London’s 2000-capacity Shepherds Bush Empire before heading to the U.S. for three solid months of gigging. Warning – book soon in case that sold-out record continues in 2015! (Photo: Facebook – Not Credited)
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Ben Howard
1/15 – 2/15, 3/18 – 4/29 North America, World
English troubadour, Ben Howard is another artist whose rise has been frequently charted on these pages. His 2011 debut album, Every Kingdom, became a slow-burn hit. Two BRIT awards followed and Howard’s compelling live performances soon garnered him an army of passionate fans. The follow-up, I Forgot Where We Were, hit #1 in the U.K. and Howard has slowly and surely spread his reputation across the ocean. As witnessed by Best New Bands in November, Howard combines sensitivity with raw power on stage, conjuring a rare intimacy with his audience. Ben Howard hits the U.S. next week on a tour that last four weeks before heading off to Australia and then back through Europe. Once again his concerts have the tendency to sell out so an early bookmark is suggested. (Photo by Ariela Kozen for BestNewBands.com)
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Kongos
1/17 – 3/5 North & South America
Alt rockers Kongos, the four sons of South Africa-born singer-songwriter John, take to the road in January on a huge tour spanning both North and South America. The Lunatic Tour styled in honour of the band’s debut album is the platinum-selling outfit’s first as headliners and follows acclaimed support slots with the likes of Kings of Leon and OneRepublic, among others. Want to see more of the band that cut one of the signature songs of 2014 in “Come With Me Now,” there are plenty of chances. The full tour dates and, in a show of unfettered marketing, even some access-all-areas VIP packages can be found here. (Photo by Sarah Hess for BestNewBands.com)
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Royal Blood
1/10 – 3/28, 6/19 – 8/30 Europe, Far East, Australasia & North America
Best New Bands Newbie Awards nominee, Royal Blood from Brighton, England, is another act to have enjoyed an arching rise to fame over the past 12 months, including a #1 debut album in the U.K. With no time to rest on laurels the duo is off on an exhaustive set of dates taking in Europe, the Far East, Australasia, the U.K. and North America. Rumour has it that the next tour will kick off 37 miles from the surface of the planet as support to Hotblack Desiato’s Disaster Area. If space travel isn’t your thing though, catch one of the terrestrial shows to experience the bass guitar being played as a lead instrument, towering drumming and rock music at its blistering and energetic best. (Photo: Facebook – Not Credited)
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Alvvays
1/16 – 4/13 Europe & North America
“Among this season’s new music, it will be challenging to find a narrative better presented” was how Best New Bands summed up Toronto five-piece Alvvays’ self-titled debut album released in July 2014. The band will be busy showing off its live wares from this month heading to the U.K., Europe and back to North America. Channelling lo-fi dream pop that’s big on nostalgia with influences of 60’s surf rock and lo-fi 80’s garage pop to the fore, Alvvays live delivery is energetically smooth with Molly Rankin’s vocals perfectly attuned to the medium. (Photo by Caitlin Peterkin for BestNewBands.com)
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Catfish and the Bottlemen
1/17 – 4/8 Australia, North America, U.K.
Hailing from Llandudno, North Wales, indie-rockers Catfish and The Bottlemen typify the hard work ethic that can quite often create success. The quartet had been plugging away on the U.K. rock circuit but once signed to U.K. label Communion Records in 2013 bigger things clearly beckoned. The band continued to gig hard, playing over 100 shows in 2014 alone and topping that by winning the Introducing Award for “Best New Act” at the 2014 BBC Music Awards. A debut album The Balcony drew plaudits following its U.K. release and came out in the U.S. this week. Catfish and the Bottlemen now hit the road with some Australian dates in January followed by a tour of North America before the band returns to native shores for more shows. (Photo: Facebook – Not Credited)
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London Grammar and Until The Ribbon Breaks
1/21 – 2/7 North America
North American audiences get the chance to see two of the best new British exponents of electro-pop in January and February as London Grammar and Until The Ribbon Breaks join forces and cross the pond. Headlining the tour is London Grammar, fresh from a year of reaping the benefits from its 2013 debut, If You Wait. As evidenced by Best New Bands at a Chicago show last April, the trio specialise in creating a wholly tranquil vibe at its gigs – indeed this is one band that’s unlikely to ask a crowd if they’re having a good time. They just are, only in a different way to a normal gig. Vocalist Hannah Reid’s smoky lower range combined with timely excursions into the higher register gracefully compliment the chilled backdrop of guitar, keys and drums provided by her band mates. A must-see if they are coming your way. (Photo by Sarah Hess for BestNewBands.com)
Supporting London Grammar on the tour will be another U.K. trio, Until The Ribbon Breaks, purveyors of a more avant-garde brand of electronica. The band name was inspired by creating mixtapes and playing the cassette over and over until the tape breaks. Unless you avoid YouTube you will have come across this band’s signature self-made videos. If you are still looking puzzled check out this Best New Bands interview. (Photo: Facebook – Not Credited)
Tony Hardy
Tony’s great passion in life is music and nothing gives him more pleasure than unearthing good, original new music and championing independent musicians. His association with Best New Bands brings great opportunities for this. He also writes for Consequence of Sound and is a judge for Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent Competition.
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