Originally written by Luke Slater · 16 December 2009
It's a simple fact that, as us humans deal in definite blocks of time with little or no bleed from one to the other, at the end of every year there's going to be an onslaught of musical predictions and tips from every Tom, Dick and Debby. That's just the way we work.
This has now extended to a festival, put together by HMV (those music and entertainment selling people) and MAMA, who I've never heard of but I'm sure are pretty big things around here. The festival's called The Next Big Thing, and sets out to 'find' just exactly that.
It'll take place across various HMV/MAMA owned venues in London Town - which includes the Borderline, The Garage and Heaven as well as a few others - from February 5 - 14, so fairly soon into the new DECADE.
OK. I'm guessing that, so far, you may not be massively enticed by this particular prospect. A quick butcher's at the line-up may very well change your mind, though. Confirmed so far are:
The Soft Pack Tinie Tempah Jesca Hoop Lissie Cate Le Bon Hamel Leddra Chapman Hadouken! Unicorn Kid Slow Club The Low Anthem The Wave Pictures Paloma Faith Ian King Example Cosmo Jarvis The Miserable Rich Plastiscines Chew Lips Alex Gardner First Aid Kit Jersey Budd Band Of Skulls Polly Mackey & The Pleasure Principles Joshua Radin
Tickets go/are on sale TODAY at/from 9AM from various sources, but you can get them here, as well as at HMV Tickets Kiosks and on this number 0844 209 0330.
Here's what Feargal Sharkey had to say about it all:
““I think this is a fantastic initiative from HMV and MAMA Group. The music industry continues to evolve and embrace all manner of exciting changes, but it will always, and should always, be rooted in discovery and investment in the careers of new artists, composers and musicians. Next Big Thing acknowledges this and offers a great platform for a new generation to play some of London’s best live music venues.””