This Saturday (12 Dec) sees us welcome the uber-talented London quintet Led Bib to Champions. Prior to being nominated for this year’s Mercury Music Prize Album of the Year the band were bubbling predominately under the radar, whilst still attracting the attention of various music mags and broadsheets. There was certainly high praise coming in from some cool quarters, but since that nomination the vast majority of credible press types have clearly sat up and taken notice. Here’s just a selection of quotes…

“And if the Mercury Prize judging panel gives them the token jazz-act nomination- which is the least reward their third album Sensible Shoes deserves – bigger stages will certainly beckon.” The Sunday Telegraph *****

“You’ll be hard pressed to keep the lid on this explosive tour de force of ensemble intelligence” The Independent ****

“’Sensible Shoes’ is a chink of light in ever darkening skies” Artrocker
“Rarely have two saxes, keyboard, bass and drums sounded so dangerous yet so compelling” Observer Music Monthly ****

“This is the sound of a band having fun… like a hot chainsaw through butter. The Wire

“It’s exuberant, intense, varied and exciting.” BBC Music Magazine ****

“…one cool mutha of a death-jazz-cum-math-punk-freakout, as if Mike Patton had his wicked way with John Zorn” Time Out

“Quite possibly they’re the missing link between jazz, prog and experimental rock, which puts them in a field of one” The Scotsman (live review) ****

“The future of jazz” The Times

“…a masterpiece of musical foreboding” The Metro

“One of the UK’s most adventurous groups” Jazzwise ****

“…like a gale of fresh air” The Guardian

“Sensible Shoes sounds very much like a jazz classic” Metro

“There is a passion and a sense of vulnerability that proves Led Bib is not all bluster. These guys have soul.” The Herald (live review) ****

“Veering from wild, Downtown-style free improvisation to rock-worthy riffola, with the odd subtle, sensitive moment thrown in too, it’s a hands-down triumph” The Independent, ‘Ones to Watch’ feature

“Like a wake up call from an air-raid siren” Irish Tribune”

It all adds up to an invigorating listen and quite a prospect as a live experience” The Herald (album of the week)

“This is a blast, in all senses of the word” Chris Parker

To accompany the live might of Led Bib we’ve chosen two local bands to whom many of the above words could also be associated. Achilles have had a hugely prosperous 2009, winning three superb festival slots courtesy of their DUMA success. They’ve enjoyed a monthly residency with Devil’s Music at The Winchester and have received big-ups from Tom Robinson and Huw Stephens.

Skitanja have big plans for 2010 – a tour de France is being planned with other further away destinations currently being scheduled. They too have received big-ups from our friends at RECKNO, Ejector Seat and our own Dan Barrow…

“Sounding not unlike a 10 disc cd changer with ADD, loaded with jazz, gabba, skronk and opera, turned up loud and pushed down the stairs.” – RECKNO

“SKITANJA are new. They sound like an electronica act that have too many ideas for their own good, which is a good thing. For fans of Adaadat records.” – Ejector Seat

“…frightening synth blurts, sampled farm noises, razor-sharp guitar shards, and the sight of hipsters, attempting to consume their over-expensive meals, turning round and looking, wondering WHAT THE FUCK THIS RACKET IS.” – Dan Barrow (bh one)

Entry to this controlled explosion is from 7.30, with Skitanja striking first at 8.45. Tickets have been selling at £5, with the door price being set at £7. Anyone reading this just needs to say “bh one” on the door to get in for a fiver – no ticket required. Nice.

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