COUNTDOWN TO ELECTRIC PICNIC: International ones to watch

Elbow
Guy Garvey and the gang rarely miss an opportunity to visit Ireland, where the Guinness-swilling, baritone-voiced mainman always puts on a magnificent performance. Famed for their breakout singles ‘One Day Like This’ and ‘Seldom Seen Kid’, Elbow ascended to a high pinnacle with their fourth album – also titled Seldom Seen Kid – and never quite left it. The band may have been around for 20 years now (could it really be that long?), but age has hardly blunted any of their songwriting talents, nor has the departure of their long-time drummer Richard Jupp. Latest album Little Fictions is another belter.

Interpol

Arguably the best band ever named after an intergovernmental agency, the five members of post-punk revivalists Interpol shot straight from the East Village of NYC to international success in the early 2000s. Much of their early success was down to their seminal debut album, Turn On The Bright Lights, still referred to as one of the noughties’ most influential albums. The Killers, Editors and even EP headliners The xx all cite Interpol as an inspiration – but we’ve no doubt that the band’s phenomenal tunes will speak for themselves at EP.

Run The Jewels

When Kendrick Lamar rapped: “Critics want to mention that they miss when hip hop was rappin’/Motherfucker, if you did, then Killer Mike’d be platinum” on To Pimp A Butterfly, he seemed to prophesise Run The Jewels’ mainstream breakthrough. Formed in 2013 by record producer El-P and sometimes Bernie Sanders surrogate Killer Mike, the duo gained legions of new fans after the release of incredible third album RTJ 3 late last year. Not only have their lyrics tapped into the social concerns of a generation, their unique chemistry has also made their live shows a serious treat.

Chaka Khan

A singer whose music transcended the boundaries of R&B, gospel, funk and disco; who paved the way for the likes of Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige; and whose songs have been sampled and covered by everyone from Kanye West to Christine and the Queens – there really is no other artist like Yvette Stevens, aka Chaka Khan. A 10-time Grammy winner with over 40 years of groundbreaking work behind her, she’s an absolute must-see.

Father John Misty

The one-time Fleet Foxes drummer commenced performing as his alter-ego Father John Misty in 2012, but his real breakthrough under the moniker came with the release of 2015’s I Love You, Honeybear. The enigmatic artist can be described as part lounge singer, part new age prophet, part modern-day poet and he forged a new musical path with the sprawling 75-minute opus Pure Comedy, one of 2017’s most brilliantly ambitious albums.

Phoenix

It’s rare enough that alternative rock outfits from mainland Europe break into the mainstream in Ireland, rarer still that they stay there. But considering that French group Phoenix are on album number six and still in high demand, we can call them a welcome exception. Lead singer Thomas Mars was once described by Bill Murray as “the only Frenchman that could play rock and roll, ever.” Exaggeration maybe, but remarkable synth-pop tunes like ‘1901’ and ‘Lisztomania’ have earned them huge international popularity.

The Pretenders

It matters not how old they are, who’s in the current line-up or how many break-ups they’ve had, lead singer Chrissie Hynde’s punk credentials are indisputable. Formed in 1978, The Pretenders had a string of huge hits in the ’80s, including ‘I’ll Stand By You’, ‘Brass In Pocket’, ‘Back On The Chain Gang’ and ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong’. They’ve had their ups and downs since, but latest album Alone marked a welcome return after eight years, and commenced an exciting new chapter in The Pretenders’ remarkable story.

Birdy

Jasmine van den Bogaerde, aka Birdy, broke into the charts in 2011 as a mere 14-year-old, courtesy of a breathtaking cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’. One of modern music’s most unique voices, she released an album covering contemporary pop songs the same year. Since then, Birdy’s unmistakable vocals have been a fixture on radio, and the young singer, still only 21, now has three successful albums to her name. Birdy’s live shows are always a spellbinding experience.

London Grammar

When London Grammar landed slap bang onto the scene with their debut album If You Wait back in 2013, they caused such a stir that, four years, an Ivor Novello prize, and 1.5 million album sales later, they’re still being talked about as one of the best British acts to emerge for years. Many made assumptions that the band’s fallow period between 2014 and 2016 might see them wind up as one-album-wonders, but London Grammar put those ideas to bed with the release of their equally stunning sophomore LP, Truth Is A Beautiful Thing. Lead singer Hannah Reid’s voice is a wondrous thing and is truly as good live as it is on wax. Put them high up on your list of acts to see.

Perfume Genius
The Seattle-based Mike Hadreas blends indie, art-rock and chamber-pop to mesmerising effect. While the singer’s earlier albums were noted for their brooding intensity, his latest release, No Shape, is a collection of infectious pop songs. Renowned for his superb live shows, Perfume Genious should add to his growing army of fans in Stradbally.