PrettyInScarlett

Live at last! First trip to The Point in ages (doesn't change much) but most definitely a great start to the gig year . Sell out crowd, too, and, perhaps an indication of 'trends', a substantial part of the Tegan and Sara starved audience were teen-young (and therefore much shorter than us) and sporting a wide variety of fashion. We weren't the oldest, though... First up (picture above) were a New York based 3 piece, Northern State , who seem to tour a lot with Tegan and Sara. Its quite hard to define these 3 sassy ladies, but I'll give it a go with: articulate, sometimes political and often humourous lyrics (and banter) delivered in a style reminiscent of TLC, Beastie Boys with a touch of Bonde do Role and CSS. Hearing is believing, and whilst the band were certainly entertaining (and favourites of a good portion of the crowd). Worth a second hearing. Tegan, Sara and band arrived (and left, for that matter) to tumultuous applause and cheers. Seems we've arrive...

There is a lot of discussion at the moment about the new female face(s) of pop, dominated by the likes of (mostly) singer-songwriters Amy Winehouse, Kate Nash and newcomers such as Adele. I'm not a huge fan of this genre, although Adele has an excellent stage presence, see post Does anyone have a website anymore? . This week, though, after my latest trip to Spillers Records , there may be an alternative. I purchased Tegan and Sara's new album The Con as well as the new Goldfrapp album Seventh Tree. Both very good on first listens, although Seventh Tree has all the hallmarks of a grower. The Con has a lot of catchy tunes (and I can't wait for Sunday's gig at The Point) and comes highly recommended. It made me think, I heard quite a few similarities with Carina Round's album Slow Motion Addict, and a certain Shirley Manson vibe. Is this the new trend, female led indie-pop with an edge? Personally, I hope so, as Slow Motion Addict has quickly become a frequent favourit...

2008 already! Time flies and all that.... and lots of fun had in 2007. The best gig of the year may have to go to The Who, although lots close followers! Some of the up 'n' coming people were the best, such as Hedrons, Remi Nicole, Newton Faulkner; and of course Jeff Scott Soto and Misty's Big Adventure were both fab as ever. Great(est) atmosphere has to go to Skid Row (again) and Alabama 3's send-off gig at the Coal Exchange. Definitely not to Cardiff Calling! This year? The 'big gig' (so long to wait) is Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band at Cardiff Millennium Stadium, all the way in June. Hooray! The first 'discovery gig' booked so far is Tegan & Sara who are at the Point in March. Heard them on 6Music a while back & looking forward to more. New discoveries? A review in Observer Music Monthly led me to 17 Hippies and their latest release 'Heimlich'. Low-fi originality galore in this mix of French, German & English songs, trul...