end of the road

I guess there are probably worse jobs to return to after a fortnight’s holiday. I arrived back in the Uncut office yesterday to be greeted by a big pile of new releases, which I’m still picking my way through. Currently playing: Track Two of Damon’s reissued “Song Of A Gypsy” – “Generally regarded,” it says here in the press release, “as one of the finest privately-pressed psychedelic rock records” of the late ‘60s. We shall see.

David Byrne & St Vincent at End Of The Road 2013 - review Ethan Johns at End Of The Road 2013 - review Eels at End Of The Road 2013 – review Parquet Courts at End Of The Road 2013 – review Mike Heron & Trembling Bells at End Of The Road 2013 – review William Tyler at End Of The Road 2013 - review Belle & Sebastian might not have surprised anyone with their last two albums, 2006's The Life Pursuit and 2010's Write About Love, but it seems their fans' love for them is growing even deeper - these two are their highest charting records, in the UK and America.

Belle And Sebastian at End Of The Road 2013 - review Ethan Johns at End Of The Road 2013 - review David Byrne & St Vincent at End Of The Road 2013 - review Eels at End Of The Road 2013 – review Parquet Courts at End Of The Road 2013 – review Mike Heron & Trembling Bells at End Of The Road 2013 – review One of the highlights of this weekend's Uncut Tipi Tent is almost certainly William Tyler's performance on Sunday afternoon. It's hot and dry in Dorset, and Tyler's dusty, crystalline solo guitar pieces are the perfect counterparts.

Belle And Sebastian at End Of The Road 2013 - review David Byrne & St Vincent at End Of The Road 2013 - review Ethan Johns at End Of The Road 2013 - review Eels at End Of The Road 2013 – review Parquet Courts at End Of The Road 2013 – review William Tyler at End Of The Road 2013 - review Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band has teamed up with Trembling Bells a number of times over the last couple of years - in fact, I saw them almost exactly two years ago to the day at London's Vortex Jazz Bar.

Belle And Sebastian at End Of The Road 2013 - review David Byrne & St Vincent at End Of The Road 2013 - review Eels at End Of The Road 2013 – review Parquet Courts at End Of The Road 2013 – review Mike Heron & Trembling Bells at End Of The Road 2013 – review William Tyler at End Of The Road 2013 - review Producer turned artist is weird enough, but Ryan Adams producer Ethan Johns playing new songs produced by Ryan Adams is even stranger...

Belle And Sebastian at End Of The Road 2013 - review Eels at End Of The Road 2013 – review Parquet Courts at End Of The Road 2013 – review Ethan Johns at End Of The Road 2013 - review Mike Heron & Trembling Bells at End Of The Road 2013 – review William Tyler at End Of The Road 2013 - review When David Byrne and Annie Clark got together to make an album you wouldn't necessarily have imagined they'd be united by brass - especially the kind of brass parts that can only be described as 'fidgety'.

Belle And Sebastian at End Of The Road 2013 - review Eels at End Of The Road 2013 – review David Byrne & St Vincent at End Of The Road 2013 – review Ethan Johns at End Of The Road 2013 - review Mike Heron & Trembling Bells at End Of The Road 2013 – review William Tyler at End Of The Road 2013 - review This time last year they were unknowns self-releasing their Light Up Gold album in a limited run, but now New York/Texas indie-punks Parquet Courts are packing out the Big Top tent at End Of The Road.

Belle And Sebastian at End Of The Road 2013 - review Parquet Courts at End Of The Road 2013 - review David Byrne & St Vincent at End Of The Road 2013 - review Ethan Johns at End Of The Road 2013 - review Mike Heron & Trembling Bells at End Of The Road 2013 – review William Tyler at End Of The Road 2013 - review "Look what we brought you!" shouts E. "A motherfucking wonderful glorious double-rainbow!"

Uncut will be at the End Of The Road Festival this weekend, at its traditional home of the Larmer Tree Gardens in North Dorset. Uncut will be hosting the Tipi Tent stage that this year features, among others, Bob Lind, Daughn Gibson, Julianna Barwick, Mike Heron & Trembling Bells, John Murry, William Tyler and Valerie June. Stick around after the scheduled bands have finished, too: we’re organising a few secret late-night sets in there.

David Byrne & St Vincent are set to join Sigur Ros and Belle And Sebastian in headlining this summer's End Of The Road festival. Talking Heads man David Byrne and Annie Clark of St Vincent released their acclaimed debut collaborative album, 'Love This Giant', last year. A host more new bands have also been announced for the event, which takes place in Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset from August 30 to September 1.