Tuned In

March 23rd, 2012 | 10:17 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: Lana Del Rey Gives An Assured Performance On American Idol

Last night Lana Del Rey performed on American Idol… Well, OK, not really — the performance was pre-recorded, we suspect to make sure Lana gave a glowing vocal performance and avoid another Saturday Night Live style debacle. Perhaps the pre-recording worked, or maybe Lana is starting to come into her own as a performer, because as she stood on the stage singing “Video Games” she seemed more self-assured than ever before. Cracking a few coy smiles, Lana seemed relaxed, although she stuck to the same standing in one spot and swaying back and forth routine that has become her trademark. Her vocals were near perfect too, as she seamlessly hit the flourishes in the bridge and chorus, and even touched some whimsical high notes towards the end. Kudos to Lana — it looks as though things might be coming together for her performance wise, despite all the hatorade.

March 22nd, 2012 | 10:23 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: Tennis Play Their Gorgeous “Origins” On Leno

Tennis stopped by The Tonight Show With Jay Leno last night to play their gorgeous track “Origins,” from their album Young & Old. The duo appeared with a full band and backing singers, but the simple pleasure of the song wasn’t lost in the crowded stage. Instead, the performance was beautifully uplifting, with the vocals teetering somewhere between vulnerable sweetness and worldly knowing. Likewise, the track itself is poised in the middle — making happy bedfellows of pure 70s style pop and the current “chillwave” craze to create something as smooth as honey and as catchy as any chart single you’ve heard recently, but much less offensive on the ears.

March 21st, 2012 | 10:18 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: KISS Rocks “Detroit Rock City” On Jimmy Kimmel Live!

In a literally explosive show, KISS took to the stage to rock out “Detroit Rock City” on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Proving that glam rock has no age, the guys stormed the stage in full make up and costume, and gave a high energy, tongue wagging performance that culminated in the very rock and roll destruction of a guitar. With flames engulfing the stage throughout the show as explosions and flashing lights abounded, the performance was met with roaring applause from an enthusiastic, face-painted audience.

March 20th, 2012 | 10:11 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: Esperanza Spalding Plays Her “Radio Song” On Letterman

Esperanza Spalding played live on The Late Show With David Letterman last night, and blew us away with her amazing fusion sound. Somewhere between jazz and pop, Spalding’s track “Radio Song” is a contradiction, frenetic in it’s influences and unpredictability but somehow still completely soothing and soulful. We half expected to see Mark Ronson playing guitar behind her, and we can already see the success of a future collaboration (hint hint). “Radio Song” is from Spalding’s new album Radio Music Society, and it’s the kind of track that’s going to be perfect for sunset cocktails and driving with the top down when the sun is shining.

March 16th, 2012 | 11:13 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: The Joy Formidable Take “A Heavy Abacus” To Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Promoting their new album “The Big Roar”, The Joy Formidable played on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. A cross between M83 and Arcade Fire, with a haunting chillwave vocal, The Joy played “A Heavy Abacus”, which moved between a soaring hook and unassuming verses that built into an epic, stadium ready sound. That’s not to mention that the band themselves are pretty adorable, in that inoffensively quirky way that musicians in this newly defined genre of artists are. They Joy really are quite formidable!

March 15th, 2012 | 9:57 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: The Ting Tings “Hang It Up” On Letterman

The Ting Tings, Ke$ha‘s British counterparts, performed their new track “Hang It Up,” live on The Late Show With David Letterman last night. With their uber pop roots still apparent, the Ting Tings took on a rock edge, reminiscent of the noise pop popularised by Sleigh Bells, but not quite as aggressive or mosh-ready. Nevertheless, The Ting Tings bought high energy to the stage, with great vocals and the impressive playing of multiple interments by the drummer/guitarist who switched between the two seamlessly.

March 14th, 2012 | 10:18 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: The Chieftains And The Low Anthem Play “School Days Over” Live On Letterman

Irish band The Chieftains are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band with the album Voice Of Ages. The iconic band stopped by The Late Show With David Letterman to play “School Days Over” with The Low Anthem. The song is folksy and pleasant, with a rural, almost medieval vibe. The perfect way to celebrate their anniversary, the performance was filled with soul and reverence, and if you close your eyes, will take you back to a rolling, misty, fantastical landscape filled with magic.

March 13th, 2012 | 10:07 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: Keane Perform A Romantic “Silenced By The Night” On Jimmy Kimmel Live

Promoting their forthcoming album, Strangeland, British rockers Keane stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live last night to play their new single “Silenced By The Night”. The track has a vague country feel, and under the blue lights of Kimmel’s stage Keane’s romantic sound was given an otherworldly presence. The earnest sentiment of the lyrics and soaring melody of “Silenced By The Night” is a warm enveloping hug from the Keane machine, definitely a love ballad for the whimsical at heart.

March 5th, 2012 | 10:03 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: Jack White Performs “Love Interruption” On Saturday Night Live

With his forthcoming solo release, Blunderbuss, due on April 24th, Jack White performed the lead single from the album, “Love Interruption”, live on SNL this weekend. Singing with the divine Ruby Amanfu, who looked ethereal in a long white gown, the performance was impassioned and heated in the understated way that Jack White is master of. Intense bur refined, the performance reflected the honesty and rawness of the lyrics perfectly.

March 2nd, 2012 | 10:09 am by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: Elvis Costello Does Springsteen’s “Fire” On Fallon

Want to see one rock legend cover the song of another rock legend? Well here you go: Elvis Costello covering Bruce Springsteen‘s “Fire” on Jimmy Fallon’s Springsteen Week (which kicked off on Monday with The Boss & E Street Band playing “We Take Care Of Our Own”). Try not to let your head explode, because that would suck for you and also, gross. But this really is a treat to behold — Costello’s husky vocals fit Springsteen’s lyrics perfectly, and with The Roots providing funky, summery beats, the song transcends either artist, and just becomes something of an icon in itself. Costello’s rendition might not have the raw, gritty sex appeal of Springsteen’s, but it has all the romance and desire, and we’d be happy to just sit here all day and alternate between the two, thank you very much.