 |
London Calling – a Brief History of the Capital’s Musical Heritage
Author: Elisha Burberry  | Posted: 05-11-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 2 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
Way back at the beginning of this decade we’ve come to know as the 'noughties', it was The Libertines that first kick-started the new revolution of bands loudly and proudly proclaiming their London roots; name-checking both Caledonian Road in Islington and Vallance Road in Bethnal Green on their debut album, 'Up The Bracket'. Later, rapper Dizzee Rascal also paid homage to his hometown through his rhymes – “I socialise in Hackney and Bow / I wear my trousers ridiculously low”.
Likewise, during the 1960s and 1970s bands such as The Kinks, The Clash and The Jam penned numerous odes to their hometown, most notably The Clash’s anti-Racism anthem “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais”.
So it’s not that this was a new trend; it was just that London bands proclaiming their hometown pride had become scarce in music for over a decade. Previously, for example, in the late 1990s, Manchester had stolen most of the nation’s musical limelight, with the emergence of the massively popular ‘Madchester’ scene, as well as the rise of bands such as The Smiths and The Fall during the 1980s.
Today, London again seems to be experiencing something of a renaissance. A handful of recently founded independent record labels have helped breathe some new air into the somewhat smoggy London scene. Founded in 2004, Transgressive Records released early singles by recent Mercury Music Prize nominees 'The Young Knives'. Its reputation for being synonymous with new cutting-edge British indie music soon saw it snapped up by Warner Brothers as a subsidiary. Likewise, the Angular Recording Corporation was founded in 2003 and gave the likes of Bloc Party their first exposure.
Meanwhile, London girls Lily Allen and Kate Nash were looking to the internet as their means of gaining mass exposure. Both soon took the mainstream by storm with their informal, colloquial vocal style (sample lyric: “You look well nice”) and both saw their debut albums hit the top of the charts.
London’s live scene is a deep ocean of talent, largely made up of acts massively popular in the capital, but yet to really make a mark elsewhere: acts such as Emmy The Great, who sits at the forefront of the London anti-folk scene, was the latest to perform a Black Cab Session, a gig that takes place inside a genuine, moving London black cab and then gets posted on YouTube.
And how about Wallis Bird, whose powerful voice and noisy guitar is sure to have her hailed as “the new KT Tunstall” in nationwide publications before very long; or George Pringle and her unique brand of spoken word electro. All of these musicians and more have healthy representation on the London circuit, and fans from outside the capital can get in on the act too – there are a selection of hotels in London available to suit all accommodation needs (just make sure your room hasn't been trashed by an over excited rock star!).
In terms of the future of British music, London certainly seems to be a hotbed of talent to keep an eye (and ear) on.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/london-calling-a-brief-history-of-the-capitals-musical-heritage-252529.html
About the Author:Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen movie-goer from Scotland. Her interests include travelling, cooking and photography.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
London Sightseeing and Hotels
By: Rohit Goel | 20/02/2006 | Hotels
London is a world class city that has a long and prosperous history. It is a city which is known for its entertainment and attractions
Globe Of A Master
By: Anil Gupta | 03/08/2006 | Travel
Step back into Shakespeare's time with a visit to the Globe Theatre in Southwark, a stunning reconstruction of the Bard's early playhouse.
Summer in London City: Cooling Down in the Capital
By: Elisha Burberry | 10/08/2007 | Travel
Summer in the city can really heat up, but you don't have to leave London to cool down. The capital has a range of outdoor cool spots, so just strip and dip!
Get Away for Thanksgiving
By: Adam Singleton | 16/11/2007 | Destinations
If your family is spread across the globe, instead of trying to get them all to the USA for Thanksgiving, why not all meet up in an exciting European city like London?
Cheap Hotels in London is a Priority of London Tourism Department
By: Nancy Eben | 07/03/2008 | Travel
London is the finest one example of cross culture and civilization. Every year thousands of people with different purposes come to London city. There are many must see sights in London like Buckingham palace, the houses of parliament, the tower of London, the millennium wheel, Greenwich observatory and Madame Tussaud’s wax museum.
London – Every Travellers Dream Destination
By: Mohit | 22/05/2008 | Vacation Rentals
London is one of the most visited destinations around the world and a dream for every other traveller to visit. The London city attracts the visitors for its famous historical sites, shopping centers, nightlife and other tourist attractions.
London - For The Connoisseur
By: Anil Gupta | 15/07/2006 | Travel
London - the grand resonance of its very name suggests history and might. Its opportunities for entertainment by day and night go on and on and on.
London - the Contradicting City
By: Anil Gupta | 07/08/2006 | Travel
Discovering London and making it your own can be a bit of a challenge. Daniel Defoe wrote about London "stretched out in buildings, straggling, confused, out of all shape, incompact and unequal; neither long nor broad, round nor square. The actual City of London proper is 1 square mile
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Music Articles
Steve Glotzer Wins Airplay Direct's "all Things Digital Jazz / Latin Jazz / World"
By: Eric de Fontenay | 20/08/2008
Winner Steve Glotzer will receive the Grand Prize package which is worth over $18,000
Tim Young Releases Third Album 'the Cost' on not Fade Away Records
By: Eric de Fontenay | 20/08/2008
Album to be available through major digital retailers on September 9th
Kazaa Free Music Downloads - O Kazza
By: Ben Levanger | 20/08/2008
In this day and age, millions surf the internet in search of free music downloads. There are numerous websites that offer access to thousands of audio files. Hence, now music buffs can enhance their song collections by downloading music files from these sites.
Free Music Downloads For Itunes - Why You Should Avoid Them
By: Ben Levanger | 20/08/2008
iTunes is the worlds favorite personal jukebox from Apple Inc and is being widely used by Apple iPod owners for organizing all their music and videos in one place. iTunes is noted particularly for its ability to synchronize with Apples favorite music player iPod and iPhone, for transferring music.
Friends and Family Join Ray Brown Jr. on His New Release
By: Eric de Fontenay | 20/08/2008
Ray Brown Jr.'s newest CD, "Friends and Family" is an all-star duets album with Ray joined by some of his well-known musician friends including Dionne Warwick, Dr. John and Sophie B. Hawkins
The Musical Box Tickets—reliving the Wonder of a Genesis Show
By: Andrew Good | 20/08/2008
A tribute band to out-tribute them all, The Musical Box salutes the innovation and celebrates the music of the band Genesis with a spectacular display of creativity.
Musical Starstreams Tapped for Nightly Airing on Wnua, Chicago, #3 National Media Market
By: Eric de Fontenay | 20/08/2008
Long-running syndicated program of exotic electronica on radio, satellite and the internet, Musical Starstreams, commences nightly run in Chicago on WNUA
Nylon Magazine Music Tour Tickets—see Your Favorite Magazine’s Favorite Bands!
By: Andrew Good | 20/08/2008
Alway on the lookout for the hottest new bands? You've read the magazine, now check out the music tour with bands that are tearing through the usual noise at the Nylon Magazine Music Tour.
More from Elisha Burberry
Tour China: Exploring the Red Giant
By: Elisha Burberry | 26/03/2008 | Exotic Locations
China's vast size and massive diversity may at first seem bewildering to the traveller, but with such a great choice of escorted tours on offer, getting the most from this fascinating land is easy.
Stay in Touch With Long Distance Video Calling
By: Elisha Burberry | 24/03/2008 | Travel Tips
It is now extremely easy to stay in touch from anywhere in the world, and thanks to free video messaging conversations with friends and family are only a click away.
Hungary for Hot Water? the Baths of Budapest
By: Elisha Burberry | 07/03/2008 | Destinations
Budapest's opulent bath houses are drawing more and more Brits who are Hungary for a hot and steamy experience in this Eastern European capital.
Call of the Clog: Holidays in Holland
By: Elisha Burberry | 06/03/2008 | Destinations
Many Brits typically head south on their holidays, hoping to escape the UK's dreary climate in search of some fun in the sun; however Holland is an excellent place to visit if you're looking for culture, nature and great cuisine.
Photography: Thanks for the Memories
By: Elisha Burberry | 05/03/2008 | Visual Art
Photography, the way it is taken and the way we use it has evolved out of all recognition since the first photograph was created in 1826.
First-time Buyer Affordability 'worsens'
By: Elisha Burberry | 05/03/2008 | Real Estate
First-time buyers are finding it harder than ever to fund the purchase of their first property. However, an internet savings account could help them save for their deposit.
Paradise Drowning: Maldives Under Threat
By: Elisha Burberry | 20/02/2008 | Exotic Locations
As the lowest country in the world, the Maldives - a collection of some 1200 islands - will be the first nation to go under as sea levels continue to rise due to climate change.
Society’s Elite Gear Up for the Gumball 3000 Rally
By: Elisha Burberry | 20/02/2008 | Cars
Since 1999 the Gumball 3000 - a 3000 mile international, transcontinental rally that takes place on public roads around the world - has been the annual adventure playground for society’s elite with celebrities racing every day and partying every night.
|
|
Art and Entertainment 
