CloseUp Festival Preview
Close Up
Hoxton Bar & Grill – London
Tickets here.
Words: Daniel Burton
This line-up is full of Popped Pals and other great acts, so getting the opportunity to go to this event was one we couldn’t turn down, and it is certainly one that you shouldn’t. We know this is going to be one hell of a few days at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen. This a big blend all the sounds Popped Music loves. With the bill split over 2 days across 2 rooms, it is going to be an action filled non-stop festival that we will want to be sure to catch every second of.
Ones To Watch
SPINN
SPINN are my top pick for this festival. After hearing their first few releases nearly 2 years ago, to seeing them at SoundCity this year, they have gone from strength to strength and are a band that have continued to grow and show no signs of slowing down. Having just released their debut album less than a week ago, they will bring lots of new music to their set and are guaranteed to be one of the bands to soundtrack your summer. With now obligatory body popping moves from singer Johnny accompanying every song, making you feel like you’re at an 80’s disco, if you do not see SPINN at this event, then you will have missed out on possibly the night of your year.
Find Spinn on Facebook
Listen to Spinn here:
BANFI
BANFI is a band that has grown on me more and more as they have released new music, and their latest EP, The Travel Bands (the last of 3 released in a space of a year), is 4 tracks filled with irresistibly infectious indie pop. I am yet to see this band live, so I am certainly going to be up the front enjoying every second. If you have any questions of whether they are worth seeing or not, make sure you go along and they will give you the ’Answer’!
Find Banfi on Facebook
Listen to Banfi here:
SHANGHAI BLUES
With this east-London based 4-piece, there is somewhat of peace and calm that runs throughout their tracks despite the inherent loudness they bring to the chorus’. Their most recent release, On My Mind, combines a chilled yet upbeat start that descends into a crashing chorus that sounds so full yet simple at the same time. If tracks like this are performed live with even just a fraction of the power in their records, this will be a band that will set the night alive!
Find Shanghai Blues on Facebook
Listen to Shanghai Blues here: