REAL GONE GOES OUT: My Life Story, Islington Academy, London 22/12/2017

In August 2017, Real Gone attended the Star Shaped Festival in London. Like so many, the re-formed Sleeper were the big draw for us, but the day brought something rather unexpected. A mid-afternoon set from Jake Shillingford’s My Life Story ranked a close second in terms of entertainment. We approached the set with no real expectations and…an hour later, we considered ourselves fans. It wasn’t just the material that won us over; it was Shillingford’s command of the stage and audience. At approximately 3:30PM, from the back of the venue, we watched as a few pockets of people bounced, while others looked on. About forty minutes later, most of the venue was bouncing and waving in unison, so obviously swept along with the band’s infectious levels of enthusiasm. We knew, after that, we just had to see My Life Story again…

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NO VACATION – Intermission

After a couple of false starts, demo recordings, line-up changes and gigs played under different names, this EP finally kick starts a career in fine style for No Vacation, a five piece dream pop collective from San Francisco. The pieces of music captured on ‘Intermission’ – representing their first full trip into professional recording – are things of beauty. These tiny nuggets of other-worldly pop will almost certainly appeal to those who miss Elastic Sleep or perhaps wonder what happened to London indie poppers Honey Moon.

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Sleeper announce a string of tour dates for 2018

Following their four much celebrated appearances at the Star Shaped Festival, the recently reformed Sleeper announced a headline show at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire scheduled for December.

Very much gathering momentum, Sleeper have now confirmed a run of live dates for next year. Details of dates and venues can be found on the poster below.

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PERSIAN LEAPS – Bicycle Face EP

Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota – once home to the legendary Husker Du – indie rock/power pop act The Persian Leaps can be expected to come with a certain level of musical pedigree. Across four EPs, released between 2013-2016, they’ve more than proved themselves. Having already honed a great sound that takes elements of the most melodic Huskers, early R.E.M. and Let’s Active, their first four releases potentially sets them up as the greatest 80s college rock band that never was.

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Take a ‘Vacation’ with The Orwells

In June 2017, The Orwells played at the British Summer Time event at London’s Hyde Park, alongside Green Day, Rancid, Bash & Pop and more besides.  This coming weekend they’ll be appearing at the Reading and Leeds Festivals (August 25-27, 2017).
Later in the year, they’ve secured support slots with both Weezer and the legendary Pixies.  It’s certainly a busy time for the Chicago based band.

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