Glasgow label Chemikal Underground are curating next Saturday (30 August) for The Last Big Weekend festival which takes place in Richmond Park in their hometown, while fella residents, labels Numbers and Optimo take control on Sunday. Stewart Henderson of Chemikal Underground, Richard Chater of Numbers and JD Twitch of Optimo present their personal picks in a Playlist for Q.
Mogwai – Kappa (pictured)
Stewart Henderson: “One of the world’s most extraordinary live acts and totemic alumni of Chemikal Underground, Mogwai guarantee a thrilling headline performance for The Last Big Weekend’s Saturday lineup. Kappa is taken from the recent reissue of the band’s classic 1999 album Come On Die Young.”
Fuck Buttons – The Red Wing
SH: “Fuck Buttons have made no secret of their love for Mogwai so having them perform back to back sets was an opportunity too good to miss; earplugs might be a wise investment. The Red Wing just happens to be the track we’ve chosen from their extraordinary Slow Focus album, every track is an exhilarating sonic joy.”
James Holden – Renata
SH: “Taken from his gloriously psychedelic LP The Inheritors, Renata finds Holden in typically adventurous form, coaxing layers of synth and live drums into an hypnotic, swirling crescendo. Brilliant stuff.”
The Wedding Present – Dalliance
SH: “Perennial favourites of the revered John Peel and an invaluable, formative influence on Chemikal Underground creators The Delgados, it’s right, proper and flat-out tremendous that The Wedding Present join our inaugural bill. Dalliance, the Steve Albini-produced single from 1991’s Seamonsters, captures their lyrical bite and squalling guitars perfectly.”
The Twilight Sad – Nil
SH: “The Twilight Sad rank amongst Scotland’s most compelling and literate songwriters. Their 2012 SAY nominated album No One Can Ever Know – and this track, Nil – showcased their flair for spartan keyboards and the incredible vocals of frontman James Graham.”
Young Fathers – Get Up
SH: “This year’s SAY Award winners, Edinburgh’s Young Fathers are one of the most exciting acts to have emerged from Scotland in years. Their psychedelic, bass-heavy hip-hop is infused with reggae, African cadences, electronica and soul, but they take these familiar sounds and steer them into newer, darker territory. Get Up is taken from their new album Dead.”
Swervedriver – Duel
SH: “Falling somewhere between shoegaze, grunge and hyper-melodic rock, Oxford’s Swervedriver sought to ‘push the boundaries of the electric guitar within a pop format’ when they formed – and boy, did they deliver. Duel was their most successful single and underscored their knack for searing distortion and sublime melodies.”
Holy Mountain – Tokyo
SH: “Signed to Chemikal Underground, Holy Mountain’s blistering take on 70s psychedelia eschews the more flamboyant excesses of heavy metal and opts instead for the high energy rock and roll of MC5, the riffs of Black Sabbath and the frenzied energy of Lightning Bolt. Tokyo is taken from their recent album Ancient Astronauts.”
Honeyblood – Bud
SH: “FatCat signees, Glasgow grunge-pop duo Honeyblood variously summon the blues-punk and riot grrrl ethos of Bikini Kill, the harmonic barbed-indie of The Breeders and the dreamy, bruised Americana of Stevie Nicks. Bud is a standout track from their eponymous debut album released earlier this year.”
TNGHT – Higher Ground
Richard Chater: “Hudson Mohawke has released and worked on so many great records but this one always goes off in a big tent.”
Nozinja – Tsekeke
RC: “Nozinja’s of Shangaan Electro fame debut 12 for Warp Records. Uptempo South African dance music that will provide a nimble footed start to the day.”
SOPHIE – Bipp
RC: “Hyper modern pop music that is taking over smart phones all over the world.”
Golden Teacher – Like A Hawk
JD Twitch: “African inspired hypnotic acid DIY from Glasgow.”
For more, including the full line-up and latest ticket news head to Eastendsocial.com.
