The NME "Cool List"

Accurate portrayal or are they just trying too hard? 

So it's that time of year again, NME have compiled a top ten cool list for 2011. I've included a small insight into each artist, you may need it... 

1. Azealia Banks - Unsigned female lyricist from Harlem, NYC. Created waves within the music industry with her very first recording 'Seventeen'. Currently working on a debut album. A fairly expected number one spot from NME-namely as no one seems to have heard of her.

2. Jarvis Cocker - Self explanatory figure head of the Britpop movement of the 1990s with band 'Pulp'. Going on to secure legendary status with a well decorated solo career and eccentric reputation.

3. Honor Titus - Lead singer of punk band 'Cerebral Ballzy' originating from Brooklyn, New York. He has an energetic stage presence and anarchic attitude.

4. Serge Pizzorno - Guitarist/Lead song writer for Leicester rock band 'Kasabian'. One of the most emphatic lyricists and dressers of our time.

5. Tom Meighan - Lead singer for band 'Kasabian'. Comes with swagger and a cocksure attitude worthy of topping any frontman poll position. 

6. Lana Del Ray - A stage name inspired by late Hollywood actress 'Lana Turner' and the Ford Del Ray. Or Elizabeth Grant to friends and family. Is an American singer/songwriter and darling of daytime radio.

7. Rhys Webb - Formally known as 'Spider Webb' it's hard not to include this organ/bassist from band 'The Horrors' in the top ten...right?

8. Theo Hutchcraft - The slightly serious looking, impeccably dressed singer of Manchester electro/synth/pop band 'Hurts'.

9. Matt Helders - Rap enthusiast and beat keeper for Sheffield indie muses 'Arctic Monkeys'. Upholding the bands famously dry/witty sense of humour with various youtube hits.

10. Ellery Roberts - Lead singer for Manchester based band 'Wu Lyf' - World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation. Creating suspense and mystery by not giving interviews or releasing information to the press until recently. They describe their music as "Heavy Pop". Probably the most talked about new British act from last year.

So there you have it, NME's idea of cool. You may feel disillusioned by some of the results feeling that some candidates are more worthy than others or that several artists were overlooked. Is this list a comprehensive guide or just a forced conception of what NME deems 'cool' for the benefit of its target readership?

You decide.

Bon Iver live @ The Hammersmith Apollo 24/10/2011

Bon Iver- electronically enhanced bliss

As soon as Justin Vernon performed 'Skinny Love' on 'Later...with Jools Holland' in December 2008 I knew I had to see him live. Three years later my dream became a reality.

After a busy day in and around London, seeing a lot of what our capital has to offer, the scene was set and I descended on The Hammersmith Apollo with bated breath and raw enthusiasm. The venue living up to its prestigious reputation, entering the crowd in the efficiently sloped standing section it's hard not to realise how beautiful a setting it really is. The balcony cascading out in an almost eager fashion craning its neck pushing the crowd closer to what is about to unfold.

After somewhat enthusiastically familiarising myself with the bands newly released self titled album 'Bon Iver' released on 21st June this year I knew I was in for a treat. Their second album truly advancing from where 'For Emma, Forever Ago' so blissfully left off.

After what seemed like hours, as it so often does whilst waiting for a much anticipated act to arrive on stage he strolled out from side of stage. His 6ft plus frame welcomed with an eruption of applause from the sold out crowd. Flanked on each side by his band consisting of two drummers, a bass player, guitarist, percussionist and brass section the anticipation reached its pinnacle. A shy and withdrawn figure crowds the microphone and welcomes us to the show."Hi, we're Bon Iver". Make no mistake, Vernon is the engine room, the inspiration, the main man behind this project but it is a collective of musical talents making up this performance and we are humbly welcomed so.

First song 'Perth' raises the crowd decibel rating to a climax, a song from the new album it's a chance to see their new material in all it's glory. Subtle, soft and dreamy the guitar and melodic harmonies floating in wave like form over the audience. Backed with tight simultaneous workmanship from both drummers, forming a thunderous tribal intensity seamlessly rolling into next song 'Minnesota'.

'Minnesota' again from second album 'Bon Iver' introduces the bands newly formed electronic inspiration, and it's tastefully done. Subtly emphasising the vocal and guitar lines whilst adding its own venture of melody it is a welcomed new tool to Bon Iver's currently impenetrable armoury. As they glide through songs new and old the crowd becomes increasingly rooted by the intensity of the performance. Justin's vocals bouncing effortlessly across octave scales, whilst the brass section lifts the whole performance beyond levels of distinction.

'Skinny Love' predictably however not disappointingly commenced the encore and the crowd roared with elation, a true sing-a-long of which everyone knew the words. However they weren't finished yet, choosing to end with 'The Wolves (Act I and II)' encouraging crowd participation on a culminating chorus of "what might have been lost" it was a fitting end to an unforgettable experience.

We had travelled through quite a journey watching this show unfold, every song painting a picture in your mind. So needless to say I will be making sure it is not another three years before I see them again.