(Photo: The Drums - last years ITC success story)
In The City 2010: Designer Magazine PreviewIn The City selections are always contentious ones - basically for the iniatiated imagine Gamu-Gate times a million and you're somewhere close to the debates that go around about why X, Y and Z have been selected for an ITC showcase or ITC Unsigned List. Even here at the Designer Magazine towers we've thought why the f*ck have *** been selected, but the thing about In The City that makes it so good is the bad decisions are always outweighed by the good decisions 10-1.
In the past as well as the Coldplay's Oasis, and Muse's of the world there's also been some great early shows from the likes of The Darkness, Orson, Nizlopi - bands who may not be around now, but came and shon at ITC, went stellar and then burnt out and faded away as quickly as they came
As we write this we look back to our 2005 preview which featured the likes of Mystery Jets, Dear Eskiimo (now the Ting Tings), Forward Russia (of which this year there's a new band below from former FR members), Lucky Soul; 2006 was Friendly Fires years for our previews; our 2008 reviews featured the likes of Twisted Wheel, The Detroit Social Club, The Mandigans and Gideon Conn.... you get the idea basically that ITC has discovered some great bands and the list above doesn't even include the ones that should have really made it
After the success of The Drums storming In The City last year and with the likes of Great Escape in Brighton and Sound City in Liverpool, this years In The City has shifted focus slightly with some larger bands on the bill such as Skepta doing the Mobo Showcase or Architects heading up the rock bill.
Below is our selection of our fave bands to check out at this years ITC
(Photo: Futures - who play Moho Live on Weds)
WEDNESDAYFICTION
Who: Guitar Pop band from London that we heard about a few months go on the blogosphere. This appearance at In The City will probably be the last time they head out on the road with Warpaint and The Klaxons,2 bands we personally think won't be as good as the support actFor fans of: The Departure meets Mystery Jets
What track: Curiosity on www.myspace.com/fictionlondon
Where can I see: Umbro Stage on Weds and Hit Club stage on Thurs
FUTURES
Who: Storming rock band who actually played last years In The City gig at the Roadhouse. This time they play the much bigger Moho Live following a sell out UK Tour. They've been compared to the likes of YMA6and like most bands of this ilk are being produced by the bloke out of AFor fans of: Commerical pop rock ala Kids In Glass Houses
What track: The Boy Who Cried Wolf on www.myspace.com/futures
Where can I see: Moho Live
DRY THE RIVER
Who: We dont have much details about these guys but have seen them described as going to be "bigger than Mumford & Sons" on twitter through to be passed around teenagers walls on facebook. Emotive stripped back folk music
For fans of: Mumford & Sons, Antony & The Johnsons, Nu-Folk
What track: Shaker Hymns on www.myspace.com/drytherivermusic
Where can I see: Band On The Wall
THE MILK
Who: Our favourite new discovery thats come out of this years In The City. We dont know or dont care where they come from cos it really is all about the tunes.
For fans of: Everything in your dads old soul collection
What track: Chip The Kids on www.myspace.com/thisisthemilk
Where can i see: Dry Bar
Also recommended for the Weds are... O Children, Stealing Sheep, Simon Says No
(Photo: The Neat who play Moho Live on Thursda)
THURSDAY
HEY ZEUS
Who: It says London on the In The City page, but we're pretty sure they were Manc when they opened up Versus Cancer last year at the MENFor fans of: Indie pop with an 80s slant
What track: Sirens on www.myspace.com/heyzeussound
Where can I see:
KISSES
Who: LA Disco Duo who are playing one of their early gigs here before heading out to CMJ and a string of US dates
For Fans Of: Radio friendly disco pop
What track: Kisses on www.myspace.com/blowkissess
Where can i see: The Castle
THE NEAT
Who: Hull based band on a mission against everything 2010. They seem to be on the same sort of destructive mission as Mclusky, Terris and early Manics
For fans of: McLusky, Terris, The Fall, Joy Division, early Manics
What track: Fruits on www.myspace.com/uptheneat
Where can i see: Moho Live
BERLIN BERLIN
Who: Launching themselves at In The City as a very very new band - they used to go under a previous name which some of you would know in Manchester but we'd have to kill you if we told you
For fans of: Dramatic epic indie pop ala Rialto
What track: A Girl called Lonesone on www.inthecity.co.uk
Where can I see: Moho Live
Also recommended for the Thurs are... Rum Shebeen, Diagram Of The Heart
(Photo: Bright Light Bright Light playing Mint Lounge on the Friday)
FRIDAY
BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHTWho: Last year we saw the one man pop show known as Bright Light Bright Light at Huw Stephens showcase for ITC and he was by the far the best act of the year (yes better than the Drums ITC fans)
For Fans of: Assured credible popjustice readers through to Housewifes who listen to Top 10 at 10 on Key 103
What track: Cry at Films on www.myspace.com/brightlightx2
Where can I see: The Mint Lounge
ED SHEERAN
Who: Singer songwriter out on the road with Example at the moment and previous work with the likes of Nizlopi and Gabriella Climi
For fans of: Mishka and Nizlopi
What track: Homeless at www.myspace.com/edsheeran
Where can i see: Night & Day
DEVLIN
Who: We always get mixed up with Devlin and Fugitive, but Devlin's "Bud, Sweat and Beers" is the voice of young london rather than the one man Blazin Squad of the latterFor fans of: The Streets
What track: Brainwashed on www.myspace.com/officialdevlin
Where can I see: Night & Day
HONOUR BEFORE GLORY
Who: Whiskas from Forward Russia's solo project
For Fans of: Hardcore FR fans and epic shoegaze rock
What track: Broken Bottles, Empty Hearts at www.honourbeforeglory.com
Where can i see: Gullivers on Friday
Also recommended for the Friday are....Japayork
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For full In The City listings please check out
www.inthecity.co.ukFull ITC Festival wristbands are available there
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(Photo: Of The True Class playing Copper Face Jacks on Thursday of ITC Fringe)
IN THE CITY FRINGE EVENTSAs well as the main ITC Festival the fringe events are where you see some of the magic happening with the real underground bands coming up through the ranks
Designer Magazine, Dusty Pop and Encore Events are all putting on some great fringe events which you can find the full listings and times for here - www.myspace.com/designermagazine
Why should you see the fringe events as well as the ITC acts? Well, if you'd have come previously you'd have seen early shows from the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club for example who play a tiny show at The Music Box before the hotly tipped at the time El Policia. A couple of years ago you'd have see a riotous show from Twisted Wheel who nearly toar Dry Bar apart with their mental fans and previous years have seen the likes of Hard Fi, Eighties Matchbox and the like. Simply put the fringe events are a hotbed of new talent than any music fan should check out
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For full Designer Magazine, Dusty Pop, Encore Events fringe listings check out
www.myspace.com/designermagazine
All events are able to pay in on the door
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Designer Magazine unless otherwise stated.
All Interviews by Alex McCann unless otherwise stated
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