[Beacons] Our Most Anticipated Artists of the Festival

As far as straight up awesome festival line-ups go, Beacons Festival has nailed one of the most diverse and ear pleasing rosters I've seen in recent years in 2013. The festival itself is an infant, still finding its feet in the ever growing rough terrain of the small festival wilderness in the UK and in 2011 it had to be cancelled due to the good old UK weather. Last year was a raging success however and this year promises to be bigger and better than that. We'll be heading over to the site in Skipton, Yorkshire, tomorrow morning to take in the gorgeous countryside, and of course some of the top notch line-up while we're there. We may have to try a good sample of the amazing Ales on offer too, but we'll talk about that next week. If you make the jump you can see who we're very eager to see and what we think will make for a very special weekend. 

Who: Local Natives

Why? Their second album showed a growth from the LA band, evolving from Gorilla Manor into a mature, more subtle in places, but every bit as sonically brilliant band. Hummingbird is sure to see their live dynamic grow too. Their live performances are pure brilliance as is and we're sure this will be a highlight of the weekend for many. 

Who: Ghostpoet

Why? His ear pricking style of spoken word and rap are sure to burrow their way into your subconscious, talking to memories you long forgot about. Paired with his multiple styles of backing, he's certainly one to watch during your times in the fields. 

Who: Danny Brown

Why? On the surface when you first see Danny Brown you may just laugh. Don't judge a book by its cover, for Danny is going from strength to strength and if there's an artist who deserves more recognition here in the UK it's this Detroit export. Tongue in cheek, all the while keeping your attention firmly fixed between the ridiculous and the serious. He will not disappoint.

Who: Lulu James

Why? Lulu hails from the north east of the UK and offers up an infusion of throwbacks to the 70's combined with modern tendencies. Her sound is being called "21st Century Soul" and upon hearing her infectious tracks it's easy to see why. Think Donna Summers meets Grace Jones with a brand new twist. Pop to see Lulu and get you glad rags on, 'cause she's bound to be dressed better than you. 

Who: Fucked Up

Why? If you're fancying something a little more brash. Maybe you're feeling a little worse for wear over the weekend and need a pick me up, go see Fucked Up. The Canadian hardcore punks will leave you out of breath and still wanting more. Their live shows pack in more energy than most within the opening 5 minutes. 

Who: Findlay

Why? Findlay hails from Manchester but when you first hear her you'd be forgiven for thinking she comes from Tennessee next door to Jack White for she wears her influences firmly on her sleeves and the results re magnificent. Raw, powerful and in your face blues rock.

Who: Wet Nuns

Why? Wet Nuns hail from Yorkshire, so it's fitting that they should play one of its best festivals this summer. The two piece bring more noise than most bands twice their size in numbers. Think desert rock sounds like Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age with enough guitar noise to warrant two sets of ear plugs. The guys even have their own festival; Detestival. They don't take nonsense, and neither should you. Go watch 'em.

[Watch] The Canine Race Goes Extinct in Local Natives' Depressing Clip for "You & I"

It's Wednesday, it's sunny (at least it is here in Vancouver) and Local Natives decided to go ahead and pluck at the heartstrings of every dog lover out there. If you've ever read Brian K. Vaughan's Y: The Last Man or P.D. James' The Children of Men, you know where I'm going with this. Unlike the extinction of every male species in Y: The Last Man or of the entire human race in The Children of Men, the video for "You & I" focuses on the global extinction of canines. Focusing on the last living dog on earth—the adorable Sandra Hamilton—the clip takes us through the emotional turmoil felt by humans worldwide. As the dog slowly edges towards death, tempers flare and people resort to alcohol or anger in this time of desperation. Watch Daniel Portrait and Kamp Grizzly's bleak future below.

[News] Beacons Festival Adds More Bands to Line-Up

After the initial line-up annoucnement for Beacons Festival which takes place on the 16th-18th of August in Skipton, North Yorkshire we were pretty excited to make the trip over to the hills for the event. Already announced acts included Django Django, Theo Parrish , Eats Everything, Jaws and Wolf Alice. Today they've announced some more bands making it all the more sweeter; LA's finest Local Natives will be gracing the stage along with Savages, Solange, Fucked Up, John Talabot, Lunar C, Paradise, East India Youth and Gabriel Bruce. 

To grab yourself some tickets for the event simply jump over to the official website. If you grab them at the early bird rate you'll save enough money to grab your friends a few rounds at the event too, you can't say fairer than that.

[Watch] Local Natives - "Heavy Feet" (Official Video)

Part documentary, wholly heartwarming, Local Natives' new video for Hummingbird single "Heavy Feet" focuses on a trio of blind men who build and fly model airplanes. Adding a dash of humor, though, is a plate of sandwiches who sing the lyrics to the song, all of which adds up to a fully entertaining video experience. Bravo to Local Natives for bringing some charm and humanity to the day.

[Watch] Local Natives Perform "Heavy Feet" on Fallon

Having seen Local Natives live, they sound just as amazing in person as they do on their records, and they proved that once again when they performed "Heavy Feet" last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Naturally, the live rendition of the Hummingbird cut was vibrant and spine-tingling. Jimmy was certainly impressed. Check out the performance below.

Hummingbird is out now through Frenchkiss Records.

[Watch] Local Natives Perform Eight Songs During KCRW Session

Little over a week ago, we posted footage of Local Natives performing their new single "Heavy Feet" during a recent live session at SoCal radio station KCRW. During the performance, the band reportedly previewed eight songs from their upcoming sophomore album Hummingbird, and now the entirety of that performance has made its way online. During the live session, Local Natives debuted "Ceilings", "Colombia", "Black Spot", "Bowery", "Three Months", "You & I", as well as the previously heard singles "Breakers" and "Heavy Feet". Check out the full performance above.

Hummingbird drops on January 29th.

[Listen] Local Natives - "Heavy Feet"

Local Natives recently dropped by the KCRW studio to perform for Morning Becomes Eclectic to preview songs from their second studio album Hummingbird. During the live session, the band delivered a chilling rendition of "Heavy Feet", the second single from their forthcoming LP. Upon my first hearing the song, it sent shivers down my spine, with emotional harmonies and echoing guitar plucks resonating deeply. On the other hand, it could have been the pairing of a cold apartment and shirtlessness, but that's neither here nor there.

Stream "Heavy Feet" below, with both the live KCRW version and a studio stream of the song available for your listening pleasure. Hummingbird is out on January 29th through Frenchkiss/Infectious.

[Watch] Local Natives - "Breakers" (Official Video)

I was bloody over the moon when Local Natives returned last month with a brand new track "Breakers", so much so that I've been listening a little bit too much to Gorilla Manor, but you can forgive me for that, right? The new track has just been given the official video treatment and it's a little bit of a lot to take in... Like, it's pretty random and full of space men on a beach and scary masks.

The track is the first to be taken from their new album Hummingbird, which is to be released via Frenchkiss/Infectious on January 29th 2013. Mark your calendars.