St. Jerome's Auckland Laneway Festival

Final Announcement.
St. Jerome's Auckland Laneway Festival

Presented by 95bfm, C4 and Real Groove

Monday, February 1st 2010. Britomart Square, Auckland, New Zealand

The very first St Jeromes Auckland Laneway Festival has already got you very excited. We at festival HQ are very excited too! You already know the line up is quite possibly one of New Zealand best ever featuring: ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, FLORENCE & THE MACHINE, DIRTY THREE, THE 3D’S, THE XX, BLACK LIPS, N.A.S.A, CUT OFF YOUR HANDS, FAMILY CACTUS & DEAR TIMES WASTE.

The roll call of artists is now even better! To complete an impossibly perfect Auckland Laneway Festival line up and to ensure Britomart will look and sound better than it ever has before, we are very proud to announce the final additions to the bill:

•DANIEL JOHNSTON
•SARAH BLASKO
•HOCKEY
•THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION
•SURF CITY
•THE NAKED AND FAMOUS
•STREET CHANT

The Sydney Laneway festival has already sold out. So friend, you best be getting your ticket now!

DANIEL JOHNSTONE gate-crashed an MTV episode in the mid-80’s an ever since the beloved folk-pop singer, songwriter, artist and musician from Austin, Texas, has a developed a cult following, inspiring performances from Kurt Cobain, Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Bright Eyes and a legion of other indie artists. Johnston has translated his lifetime battle with the demons of his mind into a vast catalogue of songs of heartbreaking honesty and charm, and his unpredictable live performances are nothing short of compelling. Before DANIEL JOHNSTON heads to New Zealand for the first time, we recommend you see the 1996 documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston, a fascinating insight into this fragile spirit and singular talent.

As of Thursday’s Aria awards SARAH BLASKO is now officially Australia’s best female artist. She has long been a star but As Day Follows Night, her Bjorn Yttling (of Peter Bjorn & John)-produced latest LP elevates her to the status of one of Australia’s national treasures. The album is an intensely personal offering in equal turns melancholy and hopeful. Its resounding beauty and depth is matched by Sarah’s impressive stage performance.

Portland‘s HOCKEY bound athletically across the history of soul, punk and rock and roll on Mind Chaos, an album with the swagger of (a young) Rod Stewart. It’s an audacious, gate-crashing sound. The confidence can be heard in the breakthrough single ‘Too Fake’ or the rap-inspired curveball that is ‘3A.M. Spanish’. The Guardian decreed Hockey’s Mind Games as ‘witty, literate songs you can dance to’, which happen to be our favourite kind.

THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION are charming men. Their live shows defy expectation. When you expect it loud they will play delicate indie folk, and when you expect the former you can find yourself lost in a psychedelic wig out. They will always charm you. Their last album Happy Ending is adored by all and described by The New Zealand Herald as “one of the best examples of pop music that this country has produced" . TPF have played New Zealand’s biggest festivals, toured the US and UK and it is undeniable the six-piece has emerged as one of the country’s finest acts. “TPF will play some songs off the new album (Not “Merry Kriskmass”, the other, newer one) and they will be so amazing you'll pee your pants, but that's cool man." - Samuel Flynn Scott.

Giving international bands a run for their money, SURF CITY emerged as one “easily one of the most anticipated bands at CMJ 2009” (New York’s Brooklyn Vegan). And it’s no wonder. They were all over US College Radio and setting the blog world on fire. Since the band’s beginnings in 2004, they have become notorious for their sets of mastered cacophony. Stories of their performances have spread like Chinese Whispers and garnered them international supports with Interpol, Dinosaur Jnr, Battles and MGMT. According to The Washington Post their songs, “work up a head of steam but never boil over into chaos…a fine line that Surf City walks admirably”. Following a couple of local tours, numerous day jobs and several flat evictions, Surf City have a brand new album all set for worldwide release.

In just one year THE NAKED AND FAMOUS have become the later most certainly. In little over a year the band has released the “This Machine” and “No Light”EP's, supported their idols (Nine Inch Nails at Reznor's request) and have truly stepped forward as songwriters, players and producers and they caused a stir at CMJ in New York in 2008. Alisa Xayalith, Thom Powers, Aaron Short, David Beadle and Jesse Wood the band have enjoyed a month long residency at the top of the NZ Alt Chart, as well as shocking out punters in a most positive way on the gig circuit, with every show.

STREET CHANT (formerly Mean Street) aren't slouches. A teenage education via the 1990s grunge compilation called "The Trip" learned them good. They know what being a heavy guitar pop trio is all about. Turn it up loud, hit the distortion pedal and get to the point. Smart but economical. If there is an Auckland underground, then they have driven a bulldozer through the middle of it. They are one of this towns best live bands and have notched up a couple of b-Net hits with "You Do The Math" and "Scream Walk". According to many, including Under the Radar, their forthcoming album is one of the most anticipated for 2010.

For ticketing information go to www.lanewayfestival.co.nz

ENDS

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