The Chart Show: alt-J surge to #1 ahead of Twin Cities Halloween gig
by Mark Wheat
October 23, 2014
alt-J jump to the top this week on a flood of excitement for a chance to win tickets to their show at Myth Nightclub on Halloween. What will their fans dress up as, I wonder? Perhaps witty lyricists of days gone by? In her Album of the Week review of This Is All Yours, Jade geeked out on the references buried in alt-J tracks. There's a long list of all the word play heard on the record including a shout out to Escher's staircases to nowhere!
Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win tickets to United States of Americana's 5th Birthday Party at the Turf Club on Thursday, Nov. 6 featuring Israel Nash and Frankie Lee!
Lorde is a new entry with "Yellow Flicker Beat," a song she wrote for the upcoming Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. She also curated the soundtrack which includes Kanye West, CHVRCHES, Grace Jones and ... Simon le Bon!?
We have been super blessed by a spate of excellent in-studio sessions this month and my favorite session was with Royal Blood. The British duo's "Figure It Out" is another new entry at #19.
Sam Smith is the highest new entry this week riding on the back of a major 2015 tour announcement. He stops at St. Paul's Roy Wilkins on Jan. 24. The tour also includes his first Madison Square Garden date. Isn't it a little early in his career to be playing such a large venue?!?!
Sylvan Esso have announced their biggest gig in London on NME. They got a big bump up this week and are poised to be inducted to the Chart Show Hall of Fame.
First Aid Kit are inducted for the third time this week, and we lost Leonard Cohen and Jack White.