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Kingston’s Musical March

Let’s just ignore my three-month hiatus shall we.

KINGSTON! You spoil us.
Has anyone noticed how earth-shatteringly great 2013 is turning out to be for music lovers? I think you’ll be hard pressed to tell me there isn’t an album, tour, or glorious reunion (cough Fall Out Boy cough) that you’re not looking forward to this year. If you’re lacking, keep a close eye on this town. Here’s an easy and in no way totally comprehensive list, simply including this blog’s highlights of Kingston’s music scene in March:

• Palma Violets
  Can you feel the ground rumble with their invasion?! Well, maybe not, but at least the floors in Kingston’s McClusky’s (New Slang) were being delightfully stomped on in tune to Palma Violet’s album release show this Thursday (28 February). The band have now got the NME award for best new band under their belt and new release ‘180’ to show off – see them in London tomorrow (4 March) before household-name status blows them out of our reach.

• Yellowcard
  ‘Ocean Avenue’ may not be the most appropriate song for the dismal, grey month we’re having but newest album ‘Southern Air’ (read my review here) from Florida pop-punk legends Yellowcard is bright all on its own. Not only that, but the band are playing Kingston’s intimate venue The Peel tonight (3 March) AND today – strange as that sounds, what I mean is that there’s a matinee at 4pm and another show at 8pm, because they’re just too damn awesome for one. Look out for The River Newspaper‘s gig review and upcoming interview!

• Bastille
  Debut album ‘Bad Blood’ out tomorrow (4 March), this South London band has some brand new baubles to flaunt at their Kingston Banquet Records acoustic instore on 6 March. Fun fact: Bastille leader Dan Smith shares a name with Kingston’s own Radio Nipper host and music student Dan who brings you chart-topping hits every Thursday from 4-6PM!

• Man Like Me
  The Ktown veterans are back to play for Banquet Records again; best to let them tell you about it: “Yeah! Man Like Me instore! One of our favourite bands of recent times are back with a new album Pillow Talk. They return to play in the shop ahead of their New Slang show that same night. We guarantee this will be fun, they’re never not!”

• Jack Grace
  Kingston uni is churning out competitors to the above – read my first interview with Jack Grace here and read The River’s article on his participation in the University Music League. On 12 March his UML journey continues at London’s Borderline and his new EP ‘Home’ drops on the 14th. Fellow student support is a must.

Happy Musical March!