Music, Style & Culture

5 Bands To See At Barclaycard Wireless Festival ‘10

A bit of The Ting Tings in an inner city park isn't usually enough to get us out of bed.

We'll be honest, a bit of The Ting Tings in an inner city park isn't usually enough to get us out of bed at the weekend. That doesn't mean that Wireless isn't worth the attention, though. A multi-genre festival with some diamonds to be found, they may not be unheard of names, but they're still gems non the less. And yes, we are serious about Alphabeat.

The Temper Trap

Yes, it's likely that almost everyone will be there for 'Sweet Disposition' then naff off to watch the Ting Tings. What wasn't really mentioned by press around the time of the single's saturation was that the album is filled with songs of similar quality, if not quite the same immediacy - say what you like about 'SD' but you can't deny it's a damn fine pop song. Their appearance on the New Bands stage at Glastonbury last year was a highlight of the TV coverage - appearing at least to minimise any saccharine qualities to the studio. Singer Dougie Mandagi's falsetto vocal may be difficult to replicate live: it will be interesting to see whether he can achieve this or whether the band will compensate by tuning their instruments down (which generally gives a heavier, edgier sound). A band that didn't get the credit they deserved for 'Conditions', their performance on a Friday evening should be a highlight.

Listen to The Temper Trap on Spotify

Alphabeat

Ignore the rubbish second album first and foremost. 'This Is Alphabeat' had the greatest collection of pop songs on any record released in 2008 and 'Fascination' was THE song of 2008. Live, their energy and exuberance makes for an uplifting, joyous experience. Stine and Anders' control of the stage and ability to work the crowd is garnered from solid touring and Anders' rubbish-yet-actually-somehow-quite-good is extremely infectious. Bring your dancing shoes, if you have a fabulous side feel free to explore it. The unexpected funk and subject matter of songs such as 'Touch Me Touching You' and 'Rubber Boots' belies the apparent innocence of the band - fans of Scissor Sisters would be advised to attend with an open mind.

Listen to Alphabeat on Spotify

Magnetic Man / DJ Shadow

For this writer, the clash of the festival. The style of music may not be the first choice of many readers of this site - there will be no spiky guitars and uptempo rhythms here. Both are intriguing prospects live though - DJ Shadow's 'Endtroducing' is notorious not only for being one of THE truly groundbreaking hip-hop albums but also for being constructed entirely from samples. His live shows are a tour de force in turntable skills and the potential for mishaps provides a greater thrill than most other acts - did you ever really notice if Gordon messed up his bassline at a Bloc Party show? Magnetic Man comprise Benga, Skream (the men responsible for the two most recognisable dubstep tunes in 'Night' and the 'In For The Kill' remix) and 'Artwork', luminaries of the aforementioned scene. Their boundary-pushing work as a collective also encompasses performance - they essentially are the first 'live' dubstep act, constructing the components of each track in a live setting. The freedom that this set up gives them means their sets are genre-bending and not restricted to just dubstep: though it would be wise to expect plenty of near-disemboweling basslines. A choice between the glorious past and possibility of a glorious future awaits attendants of Wireless - one you expect many will make at the last minute.

Listen to Magnetic Man on Spotify

LCD Soundsystem

If you're attending Wireless and aren't excited about seeing LCD Soundsystem, you shouldn't even be on this site. Seriously. Never mind that this is 'it' as far as Murphy is concerned and likely to be one of their last British gigs, just go and listen to all three albums. Now imagine hearing those songs live. If that doesn't do it for you, no hyperbole provided here will change your mind and you should be consigned to your ignorance.

Listen to LCD Soundsystem on Spotify

Friendly Fires

Again, it's highly probable if not a certainty that all reading this know who Friendly Fires are and know how good their first album is. The more prominent focus on percussion displayed in 'Kiss Of Life' bodes well for new material, some of which you would expect to be debuted in this set. Even if it isn't, the quality of first album material is more than sufficient to provide a good show. Having spent the past 6-8 months in isolation working on the album, they'll be itching to play live again and are well versed in festival sets, having played seemingly every one in existence over the past two years. Plus singer Ed is the only man on Earth with so-bad-they're-good moves to rival Alphabeat's Anders. The opportunity for comparison is too great to pass up surely?

Listen to Friendly Fires on Spotify