15 songs you have to hear before Roskilde!

Battlekat.

So much is gonna be going on next week in Roskilde, and it can be slightly confusing to get a hold of all the interesting music in this year's line-up. I've tried to collect a handful of tunes from a handful of very different and very interesting artists, that I think will give you a good taste of why exactly these artists could be worth seeing!


'LOVE IS A LASERQUEST' by Arctic Monkeys.
I am ever so slowly getting into the new Arctic Monkeys record, Suck It And See, and I'm realizing that what might eventually elevate this album all the way to being on par with the three others are the astonishing lyrics, even as I haven't really gotten into the nooks and veins of them yet. I felt like highlighting one of the more obscure tunes though, and 'Love Is A Laserquest' is just that, and what beautiful lyrics!
Arctic Monkeys play Orange, Saturday, 19.30.


'BUSINESS', by Battlekat.
Battlekat are still pretty cool, even if all the mystery surrounding the outfit has gone. They're one of the most interesting Pavilion Jr. acts we've seen in a long time, and their dark electronic sounds had even Pitchfork dumbfounded.
Battlekat play Pavilion Junior, Wednesday, 22.00.


'ATLAS', by Battles.
Battles, as I've mentioned before, have quite a task in upping their show from 2008, but if they bring along a fair share of their iconic debut album, Mirrored, they might have a chance. Atlas is one of the tunes that could really lift them.
Battles play Arena, Sunday, 20.30

Bright Eyes.

'FIRST DAY OF MY LIFE', by Bright Eyes.
Conor Oberst is a pretty sensitive feller, it seems, and 'First Day Of My Life' is just a beautiful little ballad, that will definitely be a highlight of Bright Eyes' much anticipated show.
Bright Eyes play Arena, Friday, 14.00.


'HIMLEN', by Fastpoholmen.
I don't know many other tunes by this Swedish outfit, whose music is curiously described as forest-reggae - now, what the fuck is that? Anyway, this tune alone is almost enough to convince me to go and see them on opening Sunday.
Fastpoholmen play Pavilion Junior, Sunday (warm-up), 22.00.


'BLUE BLOOD', by Foals.
This tune includes one of the mightiest bass-lines that will hover over Roskilde this summer. As the opener of masterpiece sophomore album Total Life Forever, it has a special significance for the entire Foals experience, which'll of course be awesome.
Foals play Arena, Thursday, 20.00.


'YOU', by Gold Panda.
Gold Panda is one of the more interesting mid-size electronic names this year, and I really think it's gonna be a sweet chill. 'You' is just an instantly likable tune.
Gold Panda plays Gloria, Sunday, 19.00.


'BAMBOO BANGA', by M.I.A.
So, M.I.A. got her night-time slot at Orange, and how awesome is that? This tune off Kala is gonna be one of the most party-starting this year - it's so raw and vivid.
M.I.A. plays Orange, Friday, 01.00.

Nicolas Jaar.

'MI MUJER', by Nicolas Jaar.
Sure, I am a sucker for Spanish, but most of Nicolas Jaar's lyrics are actually in his adopted language English. Whichever tongue, this Chilean-American electronic shooting star is gonna bring it down massively Friday afternoon!
Nicolas Jaar plays Cosmopol, Friday, 14.30.


'INNUNDIR SKINNI', by Ólöf Arnalds.
Even though I've gotten the album now, and there are a number of sweet tunes on it, I keep coming back to title track 'Innundir Skinni', which was my first impression of this intriguing Icelandic songstress.
Ólöf Arnalds plays Gloria, Friday, 15.00.


'WE CARRY ON', by Portishead.
As much as their ballads are astonishingly beautiful, the late-addition Bristol outfit are gonna need tunes like 'We Carry On' to properly set fire to Orange - which I'm sure they'll do.
Portishead play Orange, Friday, 22.30.


'REPTILIA', by The Strokes.
There are good tunes on the new album Angles, and there are almost nothing but good tunes on legendary debut Is This It, but if you had to pick just one tune from The Strokes, it's pretty hard to ignore the dead catchy riff on 'Reptilia'!
The Strokes play Orange, Saturday, 22.30.


'WHERE DO MY BLUEBIRD FLY?', by The Tallest Man On Earth.
This is just mmmh, nothing more, nothing less. By the way, the title is erred, it's not my fault...
The Tallest Man On Earth plays Odeon, Saturday, 15.00.


'LOVER'S DAY', by TV on the Radio.
OK, so even though I probably wont get to see TV on the Radio this time around, I've still taken a huge liking to this tune, with its tranquil flutes and beautiful lyrics.
TV on the Radio play Arena, Saturday, 18.00.

The Walkmen.

'BLUE AS YOUR BLOOD', by The Walkmen.
I haven't completely warmed to The Walkmen yet, but this tune, off last year's album Lisbon, is nothing short of marvelous with its hushed guitars and haunted mood.
The Walkmen play Odeon, Sunday, 16.30.