My Greenbelt Five: Luke Leighfield
We’re asking people for My Greenbelt Five – five things at this year’s Greenbelt that they’re excited about. To see all Greenbelt Fives, click here »Here are the selections of power-pop supremo Luke Leighfield:
1. Rams’ Pocket Radio
You know when you hear a song by someone and they instantly become one of your favourite bands ever? That’s what happened the first time I heard Coal, my lips are sealed by Rams’ Pocket Radio. RPR make piano-led indie rock with pop hooks, weird time signatures and Peter McCauley’s gorgeous Irish lilt over the top. Every time I’ve seen them play they’ve made me grin like a loon. Don’t miss them! Listen here »
2. Flight Brigade
Watching Flight Brigade live is a wonderful experience. The seven members make a joyous pop-folk racket with a shade of post-rock indulgence, where strings and beautiful harmonies complement their immaculately-crafted songs. They get compared to people like Mumford and Sons. I think they’re far superior. Download their new EP for free here »
3. Luke Sital-Singh
The British Bon Iver? Quite possibly. Luke is currently winning plaudits from lots of important people, with recent radio play from the likes of Huw Stephens (Radio 1). One listen to Fail For You and you’ll be hooked. Watch him now before he’s super famous so you can talk about how you “saw him first” and “prefer his earlier work” and all of that. Listen here »
4. Jose Vanders
Jose (short for Josephine – not a Mexican man) has big hair and even bigger tunes. If quirky piano-pop à la Ingrid Michaelson / Regina Spektor is your vice, like it’s mine, then you won’t want to miss her. We did a Bon Iver cover together last year. She’s wonderful. Listen here »
5. Immanu El
These chaps are coming to Greenbelt all the way from Sweden (!!!) and I, for one, am super excited about it. If you like the beautiful instrumental soundscapes of Sigur Rós but sometimes wish that they would, well, grow a pair, then Immanu El have got you covered. As far as Scandinavian post-rock goes, it doesn’t get much better than Immanu El. Listen here »
