Jack Garratt

Here is a recap of my best albums of 2016 including a diverse range of genres and musicians compiling my list featuring the likes of Kings Of Leon, Drake and Jake Bugg.

The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything you've Come to Expect
An 8 year wait marks a return for duo the Last Shadow Puppets offering Everything you've Come to Expect and my number one in the top 10 of 2016. Aviation is charming and seductive being described as psychedelic pop hooking the listening from the get go. Miracle Aligner, Everything you've Come to Expect and Bad Habits all have lyrics and roll of the tongue song titles with its smart production of James Ford with a simple yet effective sound.

Continue reading: Chloe Dobinson's Top Ten Albums Of 2016

Set up by music blogging platform Hype Machine and officially sponsored by Mazda, Hype Hotel took place over five days from March 14th - 16th during SXSW in Austin, Texas. It was a week split up with various showcase sessions opening in the afternoons and evenings, and was a particular go-to area for its mixture of both establish and up-and-coming artists, and its amazing dance vibe.

Over 60 acts took to the stage at Mazda + Hype Machine's Hype Hotel this year, some of which played more than once and none of which were really worth missing. Here are just a few highlights from 2016's line-up:

Continue reading: SXSW 2016 Is Over: Here Are The 7 Best Acts From Mazda + Hype Machine's Hype Hotel

So, it's finally been announced; the winner of the 2016 Brits Critics' Choice Award. Now Jack Garratt will join the long line of success stories that are the last eight recipients of this prestigious accolade, and if anyone most certainly deserves it it's him.

Jack Garratt is this year's Critics' Choice winner

The Buckinghamshire 24-year-old has been announced as the ninth musician to receive the Critics' Choice Award, following the 2015 winner James Bay. He's got an impressive musical background behind him, being able to play pretty much any instrument including drums, guitar, trombone and piano and coming from a musical family, but even then his first steps into the industry were brave ones. He actually dropped out of university where he was studying to be a primary school teacher in pursuit of his dream and was subsequently picked up by Island Records. 

Continue reading: Jack Garratt 'Humbled' To Win 2016 Brits Critics' Choice Award

The shortlist for the 2016 BRITs Critics' Choice Award has been unveiled with three up and coming artists all hoping they could be the next Adele, James Bay or Sam Smith. Frances, Izzy Bizu and Jack Garratt are all nominated for the prestigious prize, with the winner being announced on Friday 27 November.

BRITs Critics' Choice Award nominee Izzy Bizu.

Izzy Bizu is a 21 year old singer from South London whose debut album A Moment of Madness is set to be released in May of next year. She has already released three singles 'Give Me Love', 'Diamond' and 'Adam & Eve'.

Continue reading: Brit Awards 2016 Critics Choice Shortlist Revealed

It's common for a lot of musicians to come from a musical background, or at least one with music in it. For Jack Garratt it went a little deeper, and for a childhood circled entirely around music, it was no surprise what he ended up doing as a career.

Jack Garratt has a busy year ahead

The Buckinghamshire-based 22-year-old released his debut EP 'Remnants' in October 2014 after signing with Island Records, and things are just getting more and more crazy for this multi-instrumentalist. It's no wonder he's become such a hit though, with his ethic that all instruments are out there to be played - a sentiment he developed from his music teacher mother as a child.

Continue reading: Music Virtuoso Jack Garratt Reveals Early Forays Into Multi-Instrumentalism

It's been eight years since a bunch of music venues in Leeds first opened their doors to hardy metropolitan festival-goers for Live At Leeds. Following the tried and tested format of SXSW and the Camden Crawl, Live at Leeds has risen to become the country's foremost inner-city gathering of bands, musicians and like-minded music fans. 

Though the booking is invariably spot-on, key to Live at Leeds' popularity is the quality of the venues, including The Cockpit, The Hi-Fi Club and the stalwart Brudenell Social Club. The bustling Belgrave Music Hall is a welcome addition to this year's festival. In order of appearance, here are 10 of our suggestions for this years event.

Continue reading: Something For Everyone! 10 Of The Best At Live At Leeds