British Sea Power have been plying their trade on the UK alt-rock scene for nigh on a decade now, building a solid fan base and proving impervious to trends in fashion, press hype, and, unfortunately, mainstream success. Maybe they’re just too genuinely odd to enter the popular consciousness, or perhaps their not willing to play certain corporate games, but either way they don’t seem to care much and continue to plow their own eccentric furrow.
This Spring the band embark on their first tour of America in 3 years, in support of their new album Valhalla Dancehall, and if you can catch one of their shows I’d recommend it. I first saw them eight years ago when they decked the tiny stage with stuffed animals, bits of plants and trees, and had a look somewhere between an army of bird watchers and a deranged scout troupe. It was a great show. Times have changed (the animals and plants have gone, replaced with a kind of bizarre wrestling chic) but the music remains as rousing as ever, especially in a live setting. Arcade Fire have copped a lot from this band.
In support of the tour BSP have made a video for the Valhalla Dancehall track “Who’s In Control?”, and in keeping with the anti-authoritarian theme of the song, the video features young people fighting, demonstrating, partying, and getting naked. It’s actually better than that sounds, it’s a great video, but it’s not safe for work:
British Sea Power - “Who’s In Control?”
Valhalla Dancehall is available to buy here.
British Sea Power North American tour dates:
Mon Mar 21 - Hoboken, NJ, Maxwells
Tue Mar 22 - Brooklyn, NY, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Thu Mar 24 - Toronto, ON, Lees Palace
Fri Mar 25 - Cleveland, OH, Grog Shop
Sat Mar 26 - Pontiac, MI, Pike Room
Sun Mar 27 - Chicago, IL, Lincoln Hall
Mon Mar 28 - Iowa City, IA, Blue Moose
Tue Mar 29 - Minneapolis, MN, Cedar Cultural Center
Fri Apr 1 - Vancouver, BC, Biltmore
Sat Apr 2 - Seattle, WA, Neumo’s
Sun Apr 3 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
Tue Apr 5 - San Francisco, CA, Independent
Wed Apr 6 - Brookdale, CA, The Brookroom @ Historic Brookdale Lodge (Big Sur)
Thu Apr 7 - Los Angeles, CA, Troubadour
Fri Apr 8 - San Diego, CA, Casbah
Sat Apr 9 - Tempe, AZ, Clubhouse
Mon Apr 11 - Marfa, TX, Padres
Wed Apr 13 - Austin, TX - Mohawk
Thu Apr 14 - Dallas, TX, The Loft
Fri Apr 15 - Little Rock, AR, Stickyz Rock N Roll Chicken Shack
Sun Apr 17 - Atlanta, GA, The Earl
Mon Apr 18 - Carrboro, NC, Cats Cradle
Tue Apr 19 - Washington DC, Black Cat
Wed Apr 20 - Philadelphia, PA, Johnny Brendas
Thu Apr 21 - New York, NY, Bowery Ballroom
Bonus! Some BSP live clips:
“Carrion” (the “wilderness” years):
“No Lucifer” ((the “Wrestling” years)
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