One story has dominated the music world over the past week: the needless and mindless torching of a warehouse on London’s outskirts that has plunged the independent music sector into chaos. With £millions of stock up in flames, entire backcatalogues wiped out and the future of some of the country’s most beloved indie labels hanging in the balance, NME asks: will the UK indie scene ever be the same again?
Plus, the big clean up. The riots may have smashed up our cities, but they can’t break our spirits. Kaiser Chiefs, Emmy The Great, Everything Everything and Sam Duckworth lead the way as the UK music scene mucks in to get Britain back on its feet. Go indie!
Also in this issue, thought Laura Marling was all cute folkie stylings and seriousface balladeering? Think again. We headed up to Scotland with the Queen of Reinvention for a spot of hardcore melon bowling. That’s right, bowling, with melons. Find out who won, and the story behind her brilliant new record inside.
Plus, thought Serge from Kasabian was a bit bonkers? Okay, you were right on that one. What started as a nice chat about their brand new album artwork turned quickly to dinosaurs and why you shouldn’t underestimate them or the band. Someone give that man a knighthood.
As well as all that we talk fivesomes and rocket launchers with Cerebral Ballzy, Friendly Fires pick out the cream of dance music’s past, present and future, Kanye West mouths off about Hitler, and Frank Turner orders us not to shit on his tour bus.
Plus all the week’s albums reviewed and rated and the UK’s biggest and best gig guide.
Enjoy.
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