London Grammar, Mogwai and Tune-Yards are all nominated and they're all playing in Laois very soon...
As far as JOE is concerned, Electric Picnic can't come soon enough because there is so much brilliant music on offer that we're sure to feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
Having seen them play live before, it's safe to say that we are massive fans of London Grammar, and the Nottingham trio lead the nominations for the Association of Independent Music (AIM) awards, with nods in four categories. The Hannah Reid-led group have been nominated for best album, best indie breakthrough, live act and track of the year for their hit single, 'Strong.' If you haven't seem them play live before then we thoroughly recommend checking them out at E.P.
In the album category they face competition from Glasgow post-rock legends Mogwai and their album 'Rave Tapes', which saw the band move into the world of electronics, keyboards and synths for the first time.
'Nikki Nack' by Tune-Yards is another stunning album that sounds like a sonic assault on your senses as a multitude of instruments joyfully overlap each other. You can hear all of these albums live and loud at Stradbally in a few weeks' time.
Irish festival-goers may already be familiar with the soulful sounds of Vienna-based Londoner SOHN, who has been nominated for Independent breakthrough of the year. He faces competition in that category from Young Fathers, who will soon be heard playing at the Body & Soul stage.
Electronic singer songwriter Sampha will no doubt amaze festival-goers with his hypnotic and soulful DJ set and we're not surprised to see his song 'Too Much' nominated for the track of the year category. Another Picnic act, the supremely-talented FKA Twigs, is also in the running for this award with her track 'Water Me.'
Everyone has their 'must-see' acts playing at Electric Picnic, but all of the above are definitely worth seeing. Especially these lads...
H.T -
BBC
