2014: Strictly for the Dance Floor?

With a new year upon us, we can only hope it brings with it some filthy bangers. Fingers crossed, come 2050 when you’re living the dream working in an office somewhere in Londinium, you’ll remember 2014 as “two thousand and more-teen” – the year we got more swell tunage than we could possibly shake our ass to.

But will 2014 be another year of laptop beats, or will old school reign supreme? Here to help you wade through the waves of noise are Jonny Watkins and OJ Watson – two more contrasting musical tastes have never existed.

Jonny’s Pick of the Year

Most awaited album?

2013 was a silky-smooth year for dance music, heralding the triumphant return of the platform shoes and glittery suits we’ve oh so missed since 1979, with Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. Other delights came in the form of Kölsch’s debut LP 1977, an EDM fan’s wet dream – Avicii’s True – and deep house’s comeback to the mainstream in the form of Disclosure’s Settle.

For me though, 2014 will look to continue on that disco pathway when  Todd Terje comes out with his debut album this March.

Todd Terje; two tickets to the gun show please

After the success of Inspector Norse (scooping him Mixmag’s Dance Track of the Year in 2012) and being asked to remix the likes of Bryan Ferry and Joakim, this Norwegian born, nu-disco maestro’s Classixx-esque vibes and peppy melodies will make this LP one to whack out this summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwBUKKbp0GA

Spiral – 80s funk by Todd Terje

Most awaited festival?

If we were to look across the pond, we find Coachella, providing 2 weekends of the biggest acts across the music spectrum. Par exemple, just from a dance-eye-view, we have Duke Dumont, Bonobo, Flight Facilities, Fat Boy Slim and Tiga all tearing up the south Californian desert. All da hipsters will be out in full force this year, so for all the Daily Mail showbiz fans out there, prepare yourselves for a few more LiLo pics…

You sure about that LiLo?

Most awaited tour?

Although I didn’t put it as my ‘most awaited LP’, 2014 promises to funk-up yet another notch when Chromeo releases their 4^th album White Women. To accompany the release, electrofunk maestros Dave 1 and P-Thugg will be embarking on their Come Alive Tour. Any fan of funk, disco or electronic music in general should try and get their hands on some ticks to their show at the Roundhouse this June. Unfortunately for us Cam students though, this falls right in the midst of the VK-related madness that is May Week…

Come Alive (Feat. Toro y Moi) 

OJ’s Pick of the Year

Most awaited album:

2013 brought with it a wave of nostalgia, with stalwarts of the music industry producing some top drawer albums such as Arctic Monkeys, Foals and Queens of The Stone Age, as well as Glastonbury returning in fine form. 2014 has some tough shoes to fill, but making my shortlist are new albums from Iron Maiden, Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springstein, Wu-Tang Clan, Beck, Against Me!, Of Mice and Men and We are the In Crowd.

But I’m particular happy, because my most awaited album is out on February 3^rd, and it’s the fourth from Bombay Bicycle Club – “So Long, See You Tomorrow”. The band last fortnight premiered new single “Luna”, which will be part of their 10 new tracks I’ll be sinking into on the 3^rd.

Bombay Bicycle Club making a splash with new single Luna

Most awaited festival:

No surprise with the bands listed above, but Download 2014 has already posted one of the best rock line-ups I have seen in a while. With headliners Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park and Aerosmith I will be ecstatically happy at Donington Park this year, with personal highlights being the chance to see Steve Taylor – no matter how mummified he looks.

Download 2014; the rock festival with family values

Most awaited tour:

Justin Timberlake’s now sold out appearance in April promised to bring back those teenage years of trying to sing and dance like JT in the bathroom.  Asking Alexandria was another tour that crossed my mind after lead vocalist, Danny Worsnop, tore his vocal cords at the end of 2012, but is now back and screaming like a pro.

But I fear there will be no bigger show than the upcoming “The Mrs. Carter Show” by Beyoncé. I won’t be attending personally, but there is no denying that an almost 6 night straight booking at the O2 arena in London at the end of February is remarkable – but tickets will take a serious chunk out of the student loan now nearing £100.

The one and only Beyoncé

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So there you have it. Let us know what highlights we’ve missed, and what you’ll be looking forward to in 2014.