In news about as shocking as day following night, Public Service Broadcasting are our final artist to Listen Out For in 2013. You didn’t really think we’d leave them off did you?
2012 has been kind to Mr J. Willgoose, Esq and Wrigglesworth and understandably so. Four time winners of Steve Lamacq’s Rebel Playlist on 6Music, acclaim upon acclaim for The War Room EP (which, spoiler alert, will feature prominently in our round-up of the year next week) and sold out Transmissions across the country. If that wasn’t enough, they even got to meet us twice this year! Well, you can’t have it all I suppose.
With the release of The War Room a band that was bubbling under, suddenly started to boil over and make a delicious mess on the kitchen counter of the music world. Interest in the pair is increasing daily and everyone we speak to about them has the same reaction of excitement and enthusiasm, they love what they have heard and want to hear more.
If all goes to plan, we should be hearing more sometime next year. An album is being worked on and if PSB are able to continue on their current trajectory, the results could be quite spectacular. Looking back at the early releases, you can see how the pair has grown musically. The fun and frivolity of the likes of “Introduction (Let Yourself Go” and “ROYGBIV” has been enhanced by the depth and emotion of “London Can Take It”, “Waltz For George” and “Everest”. That’s not to say you can no longer dance to it, as anyone who was at their sold out show at XOYO last week will tell you.
What was interesting about that show in particular, aside from the next (old?) generation stage set-up they used, was that the cinematic samples were not as prominent. Intentional or not we don’t know, but in that night they were able to show that they are more than just their gimmick. The balance was strongly in favour of the music and, while the samples were still audible, they didn’t feel like the focus. There was no question that it was the music and the guys performing who were providing the entertainment. People were dancing, whooping and hollering. The fevered crowd devoured it and cried out more.
We already anticipated a big year for the esteemed gentlemen but their show last week reaffirmed in our mind, as good as 2012 was (and it was brilliant), 2013 should be even better.
Read More: Prepare for Transmission: Public Service Broadcasting Interview / In Review: Public Service Broadcasting – The War Room EP / Listen: Public Service Broadcasting – “Everest”
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Alphabet Bands 
I saw these play and they do offer something very special, the visual blended with the music makes you wonder why more people arent doing this sort of thing!