Wavves

After a bit of a meltdown at the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona last month, Wavves, aka 22-year-old Nathan Williams, and drummer Ryan Ulsh, have unfortunately canceled their summer European tour.

Wavves have received an intense amount of attention since only recently being thrust into the spotlight. But hype is hype and anyone who cares to separate the music from the superficial will find that Williams plays catchy California pop-punk melodies, often beneath walls of My Bloody Valentines-esque fuzzy drone.

Catch them this August when Nathan’s feeling better.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/wavves

Animal Collective

Since their humble beginnings back in 2000, Animal Collective has been a band that finds music in even the most commonplace sounds.

Their sound has changed drastically over 9 years, steadily evolving into a wholly original amalgamation of electronica, live instrumentation and vocal harmonies. The band’s live show involves a continuous flow of tracks melded together, at times made indistinguishable from their original versions.

See them live and experience a highly unique band whose hypnotic, chugging beats will have you wondering why music hasn’t always been like this.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband

Sonic Youth

What can be said about Sonic Youth that hasn’t already been said? This summer sees the release of their 16th studio album, The Eternal, and their first for indie label Matador Records.

For nearly 30 years, Sonic Youth has stayed true to the musical forms and styles they’ve perfected: crazy tunings, more effect pedals than you could fit in a large warehouse, the fusing of poetry, painting and performance art into music and of course, Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore’s woozy, laid back vocals. A legendary band worth seeing again and again.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/sonicyouth

Peter, Bjorn and John

For many, Peter Bjorn and John will always be “that band that sings that Young Folks song”, which is too bad because that’s a gross misunderstanding of what these three Swedish lads are capable of.

Their music surges with experimentation, at times highlighting streaks of dark humor. There really is something for everyone and anyone who cares about good music in this band’s style, and their live show should prove to be one of those pleasant surprises, a decent combination of surprises and freaky pop.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn

Common

There’s something entirely laid back and comfortable about Chicago native Common’s music. Comfort music maybe? At any rate, although recent efforts have arguably failed to capture the same level of musical continuity that made 2005’s “Be” so damn satisfying, there’s no denying that Common has the skills to rock a crowd.

His recent decision to rap on a Jonas Brothers track is more than slightly disconcerting, so maybe it’s best to see him now before he gives up his career as a hip-hop artist for life in a boy band.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/common

Moderat

Moderat was formed as a side project/merger between the insanely good Modeselektor and the very good Aparat, who both happen to hail from Berlin, Germany, aka the Mecca of electronic music.

While Aparat’s style may slightly crowd out Modeselektor’s, this is still very good stuff. Not only that, but Moderat are the closest thing that anyone is going to get to seeing a Modeselektor performance this summer. This is a live show guaranteed to have its share of some of the heaviest, filling loosening beats that machines have to offer. Brace yourself.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/mdslktr

Damian Marley

Simply put, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s brand of reggae isn’t his father’s.

Musically more along the lines of Peter Tosh than Bob, Damian’s verses hover between ghetto nightmare and laid back images of a sun soaked ganja Eden. Despite these differences in subject matter however, the vibe of Marley’s music somehow always manages to stay the same – nice and chill.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/damianmarley

Dan Deacon/No Age/Deerhunter

This is arguably the most interesting tour of the summer: three bands on stage at the same time, each taking their turn to play.

Dan Deacon alone has the proven ability to whip audiences into a seriously participatory experience, but when you bring along California punk two piece No Age – who incidentally pack the auditory punch of a five piece – as well as the psychedelic sway of Deerhunter, then you’re in for something that just might blow your mind to smithereens.

Tour dates: Dan Deacon – http://www.myspace.com/dandeacon,
No Age – http://www.myspace.com/nonoage,
Deerhunter – http://www.myspace.com/deerhunter

Radiohead

Though Thom will be performing a solo show this summer, Radiohead have five performances booked as a band.

Perhaps it’s a stretch to say that they’re actually “touring” this summer, but the way that I see it is that anytime this band collectively gather and plug in their instruments, it’s time to pay attention. If you can only see one band this summer and it can’t be Animal Collective, make it Radiohead. And if you can only see one solo artist performance this summer, make it Thom Yorke’s. You’ll thank yourself for it later. Repeatedly.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/radiohead

Bon Iver

Speaking of solo performances, Bon Iver sings sweet and cosy, folky, sitting around a campfire, drinking bourbon in a log cabin, beard and flannel inducing, acoustic guitar songs.

The majority of his dates this summer are festival dates, which could really lend themselves to the performances. This is exactly the kind of music you want to be listening to outside, under a star filled, summer night sky.

Tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/boniver

Feature Photo by douglemoine

Photo from Cannes: zoethustra

Looking for something other than fiction? The IDFA is the largest documentary film festival in the world. In 2008 the festival sold over 150,000 tickets and screened over 309 documentaries. In addition to this there are master classes, debates and two film markets for filmmakers. All this in one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

Photo: the author

Each year more than 19,000 film industry professionals from 120 countries around the world converge on Berlin as it hosts the largest audience of any festival in the world. 4,000 journalists are accredited and more than 20,000 tickets are sold. This festival is truly a first class event that every cineaste should attend at least once in their lives (just be prepared to get up early to buy tickets for screenings).

Photo: MK Media Productions

This is the international film festival, full stop. A glitzy, grade A cinematic celebration. The only problem is that unless you’re a filmmaker or you happen to have some seriously good connections, you won’t see any films. Screenings are closed to the public, meaning that the best you can hope for is a glimpse of the stars as they walk the red carpet. Still, no film festival list is complete without a mention of Cannes.

Photo: the author

I had the displeasure of attending the 2007 IFFI and was astounded at the disrespect of the audiences and organizers toward the screenings and filmmakers. Constant disorganization mars this festival at every turn, as it strives to capture the exoticism of Cannes, yet fails to supply any of the professionalism or substance that makes a world class festival a world class festival.

My experience was of petty arguments in place of professional announcements, faulty equipment, mobile phone conversations during screenings and blatant disrespect toward invited filmmakers and dignitaries alike by members of the viewing public. This festival is a definite miss. Avoid.

Photo: Nicholas Babaian

Dealing exclusively in feature length films, the Locarno festival has established itself as an important event for auteur filmmaking. Locarno displays a wide range of films, giving the world a taste of new and influential international film work to come.

Photo: Driusha

Latin America’s finest film festival, it was first held in 1954 but because of political and social unrest, the festival did not resume on an annual schedule until 1996. A competition and a stellar line up of Latin American films are always on the menu.

This is the longest running film festival in the southern hemisphere as well as the most important film festival in Australia. Over 400 films are screened and MIFF is regularly increasing the size and notoriety of its film market.

Showcasing a wide array of Asian films and over 300 screenings from sixty-plus countries around the world, this is Asia’s largest film festival. You’ll want to devote some serious time here, particularly if you’re a fan of Asian cinema.

Photo: mockstar

Sundance is widely regarded as the place to be for independent, up and coming cinema. Many films from America and around the world make their debut here and are quickly snapped up by big and small distributors alike. This little mountain town becomes a frenzy of activity during January, despite the snow and cold. Films are screened, parties are thrown and careers are made.

Photo: jeffrey95112

Slamdance is the Sundance festival’s younger, more experimental sister. A festival run by filmmakers for filmmakers, Slamdance highlights the efforts of first time writers and directors who manage to create on very modest budgets.

Though tickets to screenings are expensive and often hard to come by, throngs of people attend TIFF each September, making it the largest public film festival in the world. Last year the festival screened 312 films from 64 countries around the world. This year looks to be even bigger now that the Canadian government has dumped $3million into the festival’s coffers.

Photo: skunks

A luxurious locale for a film festival, VIFF provides historical retrospectives, films, art, parties and everything spectacular that you’d expect from a city as unique as Venice.