|
|
|
| | Arts Calendar / June 23 / Concerts |
|
|
|
|
|
English indie rockers alt-J, named for the delta symbol that appears when pressing "Alt" and "J" on a Mac keyboard, first formed in 2008 under the moniker FILMS. The quartet members, all of whom met at Leeds University, spent two years rehearsing before inking a deal with Infectious Records in 2011. Their signature blend of layered, folk-inflected dub-pop and soaring alternative rock was first heard on the 2012 singles "Matilda" and "Fitzpleasure" with the group's full-length studio debut, An Awesome Wave, arriving later that year. The album would eventually go on to earn the prestigious Mercury Prize, alongside three Brit Award nominations. They soon became mainstays on the U.K. and European festival circuit expanding outward with tours in the U.S. and Australia as well. The band's increasing success and heavy touring schedule eventually led to the amicable departure of bassist Gwil Sainsbury at the end of 2013. It was announced on Twitter that he had decided to leave, but the band would continue, stating that they were still best friends with Gwil. In early June 2014, alt-J announced a 2014 tour to take place in North America over October and November. The 23-day tour started in Vancouver, B.C. on October 14 and ended in Washington, D.C. on November 19. The remaining trio of singer/guitarist Joe Newman, keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton, and drummer Thom Green continued undeterred and their sophomore record, This Is All Yours, was issued in the autumn of 2014. Well-received critically, This Is All Yours debuted at # 1 in the U.K. and fared similarly well in Europe and the U.S. (# 4 in the US Billboard chart and subsequent top 10 positions in the majority of Europe) where they earned their first Grammy nomination. Now a three-piece, the band continue to excel as a genre-defying act, receiving nominations for "Best Alternative Album" at The Grammys 2015 and "Best British Group" and "Best Album" at The BRIT Awards 2015, as well as selling out the 02 and Madison Square Garden Arenas. Read more
Crocus City Hall  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The virtual community for English-speaking expats and Russians
