LISTEN: Magique - 'Real Love'

It isn't an entirely new track, but I am smitten with this from Magique, shared online yesterday. Last May, I caught Willie J Healey playing live in an Oxford art gallery on the day I'd submitted my last piece of coursework for my degree. One of my last gigs in the city, it was a celebration, and a brilliant gig in wonderful company, kicked off superbly by support act Magique. I was particularly struck by the track Real Love, but it sadly got taken off of the internet a few months after the show upon the release of the equally cracking tune Eventually. I've missed it since and I'm so glad that it's back! If you're a fan of artists such as Gengahr, All Tvvins and Hudson Scott, you'll probably enjoy this one. For me, the sound is familiar and yet unique, the lyrics moving and the tune of the chorus incredibly memorable. Get listening!

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WATCH: Magique - 'Eventually'

If you're a band with only one track up online for potential fans to discover, it's pretty important that it's a good one to win them over. Luckily for Magique, their recent track Eventually is an absolute tune and more than enough to grab my attention. With the start of Spring and the weather getting a little warmer I am 100% up for listening to tracks filled to the brim with summer vibes, and this track, and it's new video, tick all the boxes.

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LISTEN: Magique - 'Eventually'

Magique graced us with a new single last week, which is currently sounding great on my 2018 playlist alongside new ones from the likes of Park Hotel, Banfi, The Wombats and Geowulf (listen/follow here.) The tune is a little dreamy, more than a little magical and delivering some long awaited Summer vibes - it's also making me think of the duo All Tvvins too, sonically.

Writing online, the Leicester-based artist said that "this has been my baby for the past year, I'm setting it free and now it's yours! Look after it, get to know it and keep it right by your side. This track means the absolute world to me, so I hope it can become the soundtrack of some important/fun/sad/loving times for you too." 

I caught Magique playing a brilliant opening set for Willie J Healey last May at a show which was a couple of days after handing in my last assignment for university, so quite a memorable night! He's opening for Geowulf at their album launch show a week today at The Lexington (info/tickets here) - their debut record Great Big Blue is sounding completely spellbinding, so I'm sure that will be a really special evening!

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LIVE: Willie J Healey at Modern Art Oxford (5/5/17)

He's come a long way since I saw him playing a support set back in December 2014, and I was chuffed to catch Willie J Healey again last Friday. Tickets for the free show were all snapped up within a matter of hours, showing you his popularity and affirming the suggestion that it might be one of the last chances to see him playing in a venue of this size. It is the basement of a funky art gallery where you lose phone signal and *shock horror* actually have to talk to people - not an issue though as tons of familiar faces from the local scene were there and it was a great night!

Opening up the night was a stripped back Magique, which was a really nice way to be introduced to the tunes. I'm listening to their latest release, Real Love, while writing this and it takes on a whole other life with the addition of drums in the studio version. They are back at the venue for a full band show in July! I've just added the track to my 2017 playlist on Spotify: be sure to follow for updates on that. 

Shortly after their set Willie and the band took to the stage and treat us to a set of old tracks and new, showcasing just how much their busy touring schedule (they'd just finished up on a tour supporting Palace) has helped them harness their live set, giving a super impressive and tight performance. It was real fun and they finished off the set with the wonderful Greys, before we all headed to the pub and a local posh pizza van at 1am.... oh the life of a student after deadlines!

Willie J Healey plays The Great Escape on Friday night before heading out for some headline shows in June, taking in Leicester, London, Guildford and Southampton (announcement post and ticket links here!)