Jack Garratt covers Disclosure's "Latch" in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge

Jack Garratt has covered Disclosure's "Latch" in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge on Saturday, the singer-songwriter is known for his hearty acoustic/folk tracks and this cover just - if anything - proves his talent and shows if off rather beautifully.

Watch him cover it below.

 
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[WATCH] Disclosure ft. Sam Smith - Omen

Disclosure have unveiled their latest video for their next single from their new album 'Caracal'. Following on from 'Holding On' featuring Gregory Porter, the track 'Omen' features flawless vocals from the one and only Sam Smith who ensures that the track becomes a future hit. The familiar Disclosure sound is definitely carried through, with Sam providing yet another soulful chorus, which is inevitably a catchy tune. 

The video is the second part to Disclosure's single series set in the future, leading up to the release of their sophomore album 'Caracal' on September 25th. Stated for realease on 28th August, 'Omen' can be pre-ordered on iTunes now.

Check out the new video to 'Omen' here:

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From Alt-J to Azealia Banks: Who Stole The Show at NOS Alive

It was The Prodigy’s Maxim shouting “All my fucking people here in Lisbon, all my Prodigy people” which created a swirl of euphoria amongst the NOS Alive crowd on Friday night. The day two headliners provided the highlight of the weekend and took years off their 25 year spanning career with tracks such as ‘Omen’, ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Smack My Bitch Up’.

MC Maxim paraded the stage, screaming and flicking his tongue at a bouncing crowd as the band played seven tracks from their new album, ‘The Day Is My Enemy’. It was the 21 year-old ‘Voodoo People’ though that sent the audience into hysteria as drummer Liam Howlett thrashed the drums with revived lunacy.

Muse close the first night of NOS Alive, streamers 'n' all.

Before them, Mumford and Sons had taken to the stage, opening up with their sinister new Ben Howard-esque track ‘Snake Eyes’. The band, who ditched the waistcoats for a much smarter, all black look, opted for electric guitars over banjos in light of their stadium-filling new album ‘Wilder Mind’. There was room though for the likes of ‘The Cave’, ‘Roll Away Your Stone’ and a thrashing ‘Dust Bowl Dance’ from debut album ‘Sigh No More’. 

Keyboard player Ben Lovett explained their “fond memories” of the festival before singer Marcus Mumford took to the drums for a symbol crashing version of ‘Lover Of The Light’. The intensity ebbed and flowed throughout the set, ending with singalong favourite ‘Little Lion Man’ and latest pop-rock infused track ‘The Wolf’.

The day before, the festival opened on the Palco NOS Stage with The Wombats and James Bay, who was greeted by a sea of white hats and a sign reading “James please give me your hat”. He toyed with the crowd, getting them to sing back to him before ending on a energetic performance of ‘Hold Back The River’. 

Alt-J light up the stage with one of the standout sets of the weekend.

 Later on the Thursday night, Alt-J gathered one of the biggest crowds of the weekend as they fused old tracks with new songs such as ‘Hunger of the Pine’ ‘Every Other Freckle’ and ‘Left Hand Free’ from second album ‘This Is All Yours’. Earlier track, ‘Something Good’ presented an epileptic onslaught of scribbles on screen and ‘Fitzpleasure’ brought about a clattering of lights. The band sounded as crisp live as they do on record from Joe Newman’s twisting vocals in ‘Matilda’ to the deflated bag pipe, bhangra fluttering ‘Taro’. 

Muse followed the band over ten years their junior to headline the first night following the recent release of seventh studio album ‘Drones’. The trio played an EDM inspired ‘Dead Inside’ and ‘Mercy’ from the new album but also delved into older tracks such as ‘Plug In Baby’, ‘Time Is Running Out’, finishing on ‘Knights of Cydonia’ with singer Matt Bellamy parading around the stage, draped in a Portuguese flag whilst big bouncing balls and streamers adorned the crowd. 

Scottish trio, Young Fathers give an intense show.

The same day also boasted sets from the entrancing Young Fathers and party starters Metronomy

on the Palco Heineken Stage. The electro-pop Londoners filled the over-capacitated tent with their up-beat catalogue, featuring the glitchy ‘Reservoir’, ‘I’m Aquarius’ and ‘Love Letters’ from the same titled 2014 album. Singer Joe Mount was on top form hopping between synth and bongo drums whilst sporting an even thicker, yes thicker, bundle of hair.

Unlike most British festivals, Saturday was the final day for the Portuguese faithful, who were treated to Sam Smith on the main stage. The ever-rising popstar showed off his vocals and got the crowd singing along to ‘I’m Not The Only One’ before dedicating his back to back covers of ‘Tears Dry on Their Own’ and ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ to Amy Winehouse. Smith explained how his next song was about someone he had been in the studio with who was “making music for money”, before launching into ‘Money On My Mind’. The singer also did his own slowed down version of ‘Latch’ which he worked on with Disclosure.

19 year-old Raury performs one of the rawest sets of the weekend.

Elsewhere, whilst Azealia Banks was getting rowdy on the Heineken Stage American singer and voice of the people, Raury took to the tiny Raw Coreto Stage to a crowd of dedicated fans who knew all the words to his hit ‘God’s Whisper’. In a few years he could well be playing the main stage, which is where people flocked for a last gasp of Disclosure before the end of the festival. The Lawrence brothers provided a mammoth lights and visuals show whilst showcasing new material from upcoming second album, ‘Caracal’. Infamous for their guests vocalists, the pair were joined by Kwabs for new track ‘Willing and Able’ but no Sam Smith was to be present for their ending song, ‘Latch’.

Musically NOS Alive had it all, and that’s not to mention the ability to remain dry and provide reasonably priced food and drink. It was a weekend of returning heroes and new beloved idols. Here’s our favourite quotes from some of them:

The Wombats

“The next song’s called ‘The English Summer’ which is pretty much the same as a Portuguese summer but with no sun.”

Mumford and Sons

“The only two words I know in Portuguese are Cristiano Ronaldo.”

The Prodigy

“This one’s yours, it’s even for the fucking security.”

By Josh Shreeve

Disclosure Reveal Stunning New Set at NOS Alive

Howard and Guy Lawrence are constantly on the move. Just last month they hosted their new festival ‘Wild Life’ following the announcement of their second album, ‘Caracal’. On Saturday they were at Lisbon’s NOS Alive festival to show off their new set to fans abroad.

The brothers from Surrey headlined the final night of the Portuguese festival with a set that included tracks from their debut album such as, ‘White Noise’, ‘F for You’ and ‘When A Fire Starts To Burn’.

The new album, ‘Caracal’, named after the wild cat is just as stunning on stage as the name suggests and gives the duo a chance to reinvent their live show. Soul singer Kwabs was the only guest to be welcomed onstage for upcoming new track ‘Willing and Able’ whilst pre-recorded vocals from Nao were used in super sleek and sexy track ‘Super Ego’.

Another new track, ‘Hourglass’, featured vocals from rising star Lion Babe, which boasted a mix of modern dance and old school house reminiscent of Artful Dodger’s ‘Movin’ Too Fast’. The set alights though with the pair’s own vocals in ‘Jaded’ as contouring lasers bathe over the stage.

Visually, it’s a striking performance, and their latest track ‘Holding On’ is big enough to fill arenas as is the fifteen-foot, outlined caracal which struts along the screens behind them. Elsewhere, old and new floor fillers, ‘Grab Her!’ and ‘Bang That’, keep the crowd moving till the early hours of the morning. 

The pair finish the set with a swaying encore of ‘Help Me Lose My Mind’ but fail to lure Sam Smith, who performed just two hours before, onto stage for their finale of ‘Latch’ but perhaps it’s for the best. Disclosure are onto their new batch of vocal talents whilst still providing their infectious blend of house and dance.

By Josh Shreeve

One Festival To Watch; NOS Alive

NOS Alive hasn't even neared double figures yet and it's already proving the place to be for bands and DJs on their summer circuits.

The festival is held in the Western side of Lisbon, Portugal and has boasted fine line ups over the years. A sizzling combination of Muse, The Prodigy and Disclosure are set to headline shore side stages, but it's not just these three which will be grabbing the attention over the July weekend.

From 8th-11th July a feast of new blood, returning favourites and festival-fillers will be making their way to play in front of the sun-kissed masses. NOS Alive boasts three huge stages to keep your eyes on which include: Palco NOS Stage (the main one), Palco Heineken Stage (basically the NME/Radio 1 stage for you Reading and Leeds fiends) and the Palco NOS Clubbing Stage (self-explained really). Here's a rundown of what to expect across the stages at what is quickly becoming one of the highlights of the European party calendar:

The Old Dogs

Still regarded as moderately young by most, Muse will be celebrating their 21st birthday this year and showcasing their latest album, 'Drones.' They're the most booked headliner with 23 places to hit up this summer, so don't be expecting Matt Bellamy to be wandering around for the rest of the weekend. Elsewhere, The Prodigy, who headlined the same slot in 2009, will look to keep the city alive way into the early hours of Saturday morning.

Returning Faces
Second album syndrome gets to the best of us, but for Alt-J and Mumford and Sons, they'll be hoping to put any criticisms to the sea bed with the latter being labelled as 'too Coldplay' by many. Like it or lump it, if it means those banjos are gone, we're in.

Brits Abroad
Washed out to sea on a pedalo with your budgie smugglers down clutching onto a crate of luke-warm Carlsberg not your scene? Don't worry I doubt it's Sam Smith or Mr Bay's either. What you can expect of the Brits though is domination. From The Wombats, to Jessie Ware, they're scattered throughout and crop up as the third headliner, with Disclosure closing the festival. The Ting Tings are even hoping to steal a seat on the flight to Lisbon, yes really.

Plug Out Baby
If Matt Bellamy's inhaling is too loud or Keith Flint's bulging eyeballs are too disturbing, you can opt for something more laid-back with the likes of James Blake and Metronomy who are both headlining the second stage. Other no access guitar acts include Flume, Chromeo, Ten Walls and Julio Bashmore.

Putting the 'Muse' into amuse
The music not quite doing it for you? Well despite the fact you're probably ready this with an intense thirst for instrumental noise, there is another sound that comes from the festival grounds, and that's laughter. Thursday and Friday is the chance for comedians to hit the comedy stage. Be sure to check it out for a laugh, unless you don't understand Portuguese, which may be funny enough as it is.

Tickets are a reasonable €109 which leaves money left over for a knock off fedora, suntan lotion and half a dozen crates of Red Bull to see you through to the early hours. Did we forget to mention flights?

@JJShreeve

Bombay Bicycle Club cover "F For You" by Disclosure

The London band popped into Radio 1 with Rae Morris and a smattering of friends to record a cover of "F For You" by Disclosure.

Is it me or does this really suit their latest album so well? Anyway, scroll on down to check it out!

Reading + Leeds announce first batch of acts for 2014

The Festival has announced Blink 182, Disclosure, Metronomy, Jake Bugg, Wilkinson, Of Mice & Men and I Am Legion for the double header in 2014.

The festival will once again be ran over the Bank Holiday weekend in August with tickets available to snap up already! A £50 deposit for a weekend ticket, links below!

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Mercury Music Prize 2013 nominations revealed

With London Grammar favourite to be nominated with their new debut album, anticipations and rumours for the final twelve were finally put to bed as the shortlist was announced today (11th September). With a strong focus on both indie and electronic music this year, the list this year is surprisingly less eclectic than in previous years.

Indie titans Arctic Monkeys and Foals lead the way alongside Savages where as more acoustic based music comes in the form of Jake Bugg's debut album, Laura Marling's 'Once I Was An Eagle' and Villagers. Electronic music is shown by 'Settle' by Disclosure, the sound of 2013 in my opinion, with James Blake's incredible 'Overgrown' and Jon Hopkins latest album being strong contenders. Rudimental's debut 'Home' which was commercially successful is also nominated. 

David Bowie's much anticipated album 'The Next Day' got a mixed bag of reviews when it first came out but the judging panel has decided to place the LP in the top twelve alongside Laura Mvula's powerful 'Sing To The Moon'. 

The full list of nominations; 

Arctic Monkeys - 'AM'
David Bowie - 'The Next Day'
Disclosure - 'Settle'
Foals - 'Holy Fire'
James Blake - 'Overgrown'
Jake Bugg - 'Jake Bugg'
Jon Hopkins - 'Immunity'
Laura Marling - 'Once I Was An Eagle'
Laura Mvula - 'Sing To The Moon'
Rudimental - 'Home'
Savages - 'Silence Yourself'
Villagers - '{Awayland}'

Watch Peace cover Disclosure's "White Noise" and Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall"

Peace are ones for covering tracks, and not just that, putting their own unique spin on them with wah pedals and gorgeous fuzz laden guitar strings on them.

Here Peace cover Disclosure's "White Noise" with a surprise verse from Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall" for BBC Radio 1, the video is just below!

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Stream Disclosure's début album "Settle"

You can now stream the debut album from Disclosure here. Blending garage, indie, dubstep and all kinds of 90s dance touchstones, "Settle" looks likely to be regarded as one of the albums of the year.

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Stream / Disclosure - Settle