Sep 20 : Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

To kick off concert season, they don’t get much bigger than Noel Gallagher, former songwriter, guitarist and vocalist for the legendary British rock band Oasis. Three years after the band’s acrimonious split, Noel is still not on speaking terms with brother and former bandmate Liam. But, not to worry, he will finally return to Bangkok as part of an Asia tour with his High Flying Birds project. Expect a bunch of classic Oasis sing-alongs like “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Little by Little” together with newer solo material. Thai crooner Hugo will open.
Where: BITEC Bangna, 88 Bangna-Trad (Km. 1) Rd., 02-749-3939.
Tix: B1,000-3,000 from Thaiticketmajor
Brought to you by: Rock N’ Rolla

Oct 4: Keane

Hot on the heels of the rock n’ roll royalty, another slightly younger Britpop sensation, Keane, will arrive on our shores. Since releasing their first studio album Hopes and Fears (2004), which saw singles “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Everybody’s Changing” become worldwide hits, the band has constantly fought off rumors of a split, while frontman Tom Chaplin also had a stint in a clinic for drink and drug problems. But they’re still kicking around and Bangkokians will be treated to tracks from their fourth album, Strangeland, which came out last year.
Where: Moonstar Studio, 701 Ladprao Soi 80, 02-539-3881.
Tix: B1,800 from www.we-booking.com
Brought to you by: Lullaby Entertainment

Oct 8: Maroon 5

Had enough of Brit-rockers? After bringing us their Jagger-like moves this time last year, American pop-rockers Maroon 5 return to Bangkok in support of their newest album, Overexposed, which contains the hit “One More Night.” But it’s too bad if you don’t already have a ticket—the concert sold out just one week after going on sale. We can only hope that Adam Levine and co. pencil in an annual trip to Thailand.
Where: Impact Arena, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4455.
Tix: Sold out
Brought to you by: BEC TERO

Nov 17: Culture One 2012

Thailand’s original outdoor electronic event Culture One Bangkok is set to get even bigger this year in celebration of its 5th Anniversary. The organizers are promising five big stages packed with over 30 Thai and international artists including Dash Berlin (Holland), Sean Tyas (USA), 808 State (UK) and Young Knives (UK). There’s also the curious inclusion of Happy Mondays percussionist/mad dancer Bez, with more still to be announced.
Where: Lakeside BITEC Bangna, 88 Bangna-Trad (Km. 1) Rd., 02-749-3939.
Tix: Early bird tickets are now up for grabs at B1,500 from Café Democ (Silom Plaza) and Dickinson’s Culture Café (Pra Artid Rd.), with this type of ticket requiring you enter the venue before 7pm. Pre-sale tickets are B2,000 from We-booking.com (from Oct 1 onwards) while it will be B2,500 on the door.
Brought to you by: Club Culture

Best Bars to catch indie Concerts in Bangkok

Song: Lyin’

Artist: Funky Gangster
Label: Zoo Studio
House duo Funky Gangster have been kicking around for over a decade, but their signing to fresh new label Zoo Studio (run by DJ Kingkong of Animal Machine fame) seems to have given them a new lease on life. Their first single “Lyin’” should well and truly lift them out of the Bangkok underground, with an insistent beat and slick production that wouldn’t sound out of place on swanky dance floors the world over. But it’s fresh-faced female vocalist Yona who really steals the show with a dynamic and surprisingly soulful turn.

Song: “Pra Yok Bok Lao”

Artist: Greasy Café
Label: Smallroom Records
While Shambala, the film about a journey to a mythical Buddhist kingdom, hasn’t exactly got the critics raving, at least one point in its favor is that we get another single from man of the moment, Lek, aka Greasy Café. “Pra Yok Bok Lao” is his contribution to the blockbuster’s original soundtrack and, as we’ve come to expect, it’s a huge, emotional power-ballad. Lek’s lyrics cleverly touch on the themes of the film atop some soaring guitar and marching drums that trump the film for grandeur—and hint at what might have been.

Song: “Chow (Morning)”

Artist: Scrubb
Label: Blacksheep Sony Music
Fans of this iconic indie duo are well aware that their lyrics mostly deal with memories of the past, both bright and bleak. Their catchy new single, “Chow,” is no different, painting the picture of someone taking a morning jog and taking stock of all the events that have shaped his life. Musically, too, the track gives off such a laidback vibe that you can almost feel the sun on your shoulder.

Song: “Kid Toong (Miss You)”

Artist: The Jukks
Label: Smallroom Records
The Richman Toy might be better-known, but their label-mates The Jukks are just as adept at combining hilarious lyrics with playful melodic rock that rarely fails to lift the spirits. New single “Kid Toong” riffs on the broken language of today’s Thai teenagers who mispronounce “kid tung” as “king toong,” and also features cartoonish dialogue from Paripan Watcharanon, leader of film-dubbing company Panthamitr. It’s funny, it’s catchy and the 8-bit video game-inspired MV only adds to the song’s charm.

Song: “Bab Nee”

Artist: Sqweez Animal
Label: Spicy Disc
After claiming Record of the Year from Fat Awards 2012 for their heart-wrenching hit “Kam Bang Kam” (co-produced by Xavier Boyer and Pedro Resende from Tahiti 80), funk-infused pop duo Sqweez Animal finally return with another slick offering, “Bab Nee.” Cute and catchy as ever, the new single sees usual frontman Win hand over lead vocal duties to his partner Singh. Nothing is lost in the switch—this is more toe-tapping soul n’ funk from two musicians well-versed in the art.

Song: “Doey Kwam Jing Jai”

Artist: Abuse the Youth
Label: Blacksheep Sony Music
If you’re a regular gig-goer you would have found it difficult to avoid Abuse the Youth over the past few years, as the three-piece appeared on bills at venues all over Bangkok. Having forged a strong reputation on the back of their stirring live show and their debut album Under Skin, an underground classic, released back in 2009, it wasn’t much of a surprise when the band signed to Sony Music earlier this year. Slick new single “Doey Kwam Jing Jai (Sincerely)” ticks all the right boxes in terms of major label pop-rock: the production is clean, it’s catchy and will probably lodge itself in your head. But it lacks the character and rough edges of the band’s independent debut. And there’s more than a passing resemblance to the Foo Fighters. For now we’ll just stick to our well-worn copy of Under Skin.

As a child: I was very lonely. Because I was the only male in my family, besides my dad, it was kind of hard to find someone to spend time with. When I would feel lonely I turned to music. I feel like music has been one of my best mates ever since.

First job: I used to run a street clothing label called “Diorama.” I designed some of the products and was also in charge of the marketing strategy. I quit the job when my business partner moved to New York.

Rule for life: Give a lot of love to the people who love you and care about you. Be optimistic and open-minded to what life can offer you.  
Happiest moment: When I graduated from Chulalongkorn University. Finally it was over—thank God!

Can’t live without: My family, my friends and cigarettes.

Hum in the shower: I hum along to anything my iPod is playing at that moment. I always put music on loud speakers when I shower.

Musical guilty pleasures: Some of Skrillex’s tunes and “Levels” by Avicii.

Best gig I have ever been to:  UKF 3rd Anniversary in London.

Biggest inspiration: My dad. He works hard, plays hard and will do anything to keep his family happy. I have so much respect for the man.
Most annoying thing about everyday life: People who talk too much but don’t know shit... oh, and stupid drivers.

Three words to describe yourself: Passionate, stubborn and aggressive.

In 20 years: I will be married, have two kids and definitely still live in Bangkok. I might be running something of my own and also DJing part-time, if I’m not too old for it.