Blow Up News

31.01.12 Blow Up Snaps: 2011 Highlights
Some Blow Up highlights of 2011, including HMV’s Next Big Thing back in February, another return to the USA and Japan, Latitude Festival in July, The Bongolian’s fourth album and the club finally coming of age (b. October 16th 1993). read more...

23.01.12 Sulk + Fractures live at Blow Up - April 2012
Blow Up’s new monthly West London residency at Ginglik in Shepherd’s Bush continues with live guests this month hotly tipped new bands SULK and FRACTURES with Blow Up DJs Paul Tunkin & Ian Jackson… SULK.... Under the rainy skies of London, the shining sounds of Britpop, Shoegaze and Psychedelia are back in bloom. Locked up in the back room of an east end gallery stirring up 90s inspired sonic harmonies, this five-piece’s influences are less worn on their sleeves, than branded on their hearts. Bands such as The Stone Roses, Suede, Ride and The Verve are wholly evident, but this isn't nostalgia for old time’s sake. It’s a whitewash of powerful prettiness; with sun-drenched vocals, ethereal guitars and pounding drums, rooted in 90s vibes but with its eyes to the future... "Epic, stadium-indie guitars, baggy beats and trippy lyrics, this Suede-meets-Oasis number sets Sulk far above other 1990s revivalists" The Independent, November 2011 read more...

22.01.12 B-Movie: 30th Anniversary Show at Blow Up - May 2012
Cult 80’s New-Wavers B-Movie return to Blow Up for a special one-off Anniversary Show for their single ‘Nowhere Girl’ read more...

03.01.12 The Wolfmen live at Blow Up - March 2012
Blow Up's new monthly West London residency at Ginglik in Shepherd’s Bush, continues with live guests this month THE WOLFMEN, BERMONDSEY JOYRIDERS & RKC... Marco Pirroni and Chris Constantinou formed The Wolfmen in 2005. Marco (guitars) enjoyed extraordinary success with ADAM & THE ANTS and later worked with Sinead O’Connor. Chris (bass, lead vocals) previously led JACKIEONASSID and has worked with Adam Ant, Annabella Lwin(Bow-Wow-Wow)... read more...

07.11.11 Blow Up Christmas Party: The Bongolian + Thee Faction live - Fri. 2nd December
The 2nd of Blow Up's new monthly West London residency at Ginglik in Shepherd’s Bush, and just in time for Christmas! Always guaranteed to get the party going is BIG BOSS MAN's Nasser Bouzida aka THE BONGOLIAN & his band, with support from THEE FACTION. Plus of course Blow Up DJs Paul Tunkin & Ian Jackson (and the occasional guest) spinning their trademark mix of Pop Stylism, 60's Soul, Beat, Garage, Funk, Ska, Soundtracks, Electronica, Library Music colliding with British Pop, Glam, Indie-Pop and New-Wave. THE BONGOLIAN: Playing tracks from his eagerly-awaited 4th album 'Bongos For Beatniks' released this May - a wildly eclectic rare groove fusion of Funk Soul Hammond Beat Jazz and a Sci-Fi Boogaloo. The first single from the album 'The Riviera Affair' was a BBC 6music Lunchtime Love and if you listen to Craig Charles you will have heard more than a few spins on his show too: "Mightily funky, Hammond driven bongo rhythms... part mod, part Sergio Mendes, very swingin'..." TIME OUT "A bakers dozen of gems. Bongo powered grooves at their very best. Preston Epps eat your heart out" SCOOTERING 'RECOMMENDED' THEE FACTION: Blistering, visceral socialist R&B with an explicit political agenda: "As good as Slade Alive. Yes, THAT good" Chris Roberts, The Guardian read more...

24.09.11 Blow Up 18th Birthday & New Monthly Residency - Friday 4th November 2011
BLOW UP 18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY & NEW MONTHLY RESIDENCY @ GINGLIK FRIDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2011 Blow Up is pleased to announce that it will be taking the club to other parts of London outside the West End, starting this Autumn with a new monthly residency at Ginglik in Shepherd’s Bush, launching on Friday 4th November for Blow Up's 18th Birthday. Blow Up's playlist is far from being defined by the Brit Pop genre it helped kick-start back 18 years ago in 1993: alongside live bands expect to hear British Pop, Glam and New-Wave colliding with 60s Soundtracks & Electronica, Library Music, Indie-Pop, 60's Soul, Beat, Garage, Funk, Ska & more. A celebration from the other side of Pop where the Kinks, Bowie, Blur share the dancefloor with current newcomers Pete & The Pirates, British Sea Power and Metronomy, all alongside Blow Up’s trademark mix of Swinging Soundtracks & TV Themes (The Italian Job to Barbarella), 60s Exotica & Electronica (Jean-Jacques Perry), 60s Club Soul (Motown, Stax etc.), Northern Soul, Beat, Mod Jazz, French Pop (Jacques Dutronc, Bridget Bardot) and New Wave (XTC, Wire). Advance tickets £6: ticketweb.com • seetickets.com • wegottickets.com • Please arrive early! read more...

23.09.11 Blow Up TOKYO - October 7th 2011
Blow Up heads to Tokyo! Blow Up founder / DJ Paul Tunkin will be joined by DJ Nori (aka Masanori Ikeda), Blow Up resident DJ from the Laurel Tree / Wag-era Blow Up back in the mid-90s! http://www.blowupclub.com/eventinfo.aspx?id=111007t http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217106668350808 http://www.blowup.co.uk/blog/#201110_Blow_Up_Tokyo http://www.liquidroom.net/schedule/20111007/7848/ read more...

23.06.11 Blow Up back in the USA - California June 2011
This June Blow Up teamed up with Leisure (San Francisco), Club Underground (LA) and Lipstick! (Sacramento) - thanks to everyone in California for making this trip the most memorable yet! Photos here >>> read more...

09.06.11 Blow Up @ Latitude Festival 2011
Blow Up has been invited to see out the final night at Latitude Festival this year - check out link for more info + line up on Latitude site: <br /><br /> <i>"A wild celebration from the other side of Pop where the Kinks, Bowie, Blur share the dancefloor with current newcomers Pete & The Pirates, British Sea Power and Metronomy, all alongside Blow Up's trademark mix of Swinging Soundtracks & TV Themes (The Italian Job to Barbarella), 60s Exotica & Electronica (Jean-Jacques Perry), 60s Club Soul (Motown, Stax etc.), Northern Soul, Beat, Mod Jazz, French Pop (Jacques Dutronc, Bridget Bardot) and New Wave (XTC, Wire). Club founder & DJ Paul Tunkin will be joined by long-time co-resident DJ Mr. Ian Jackson who both guarantee to keep you dancing 'til dawn (well 2am!)"</i> read more...

16.03.11 Blow Up Easter Special: 21st April feat. live: The Bongolian + Special Needs + Silvery + Blow Up DJs
Following February's sell-out HMV Next Big Thing night, Blow Up returns to its one-off events with an Easter Special at Madame JoJo's on Thursday 21st April. This will be the first of several larger club events for 2011 in the UK and abroad featuring special live guests. Confirmed live for 21st April: The Bongolian + Special Needs + Silvery + BLOW UP DJs + TBA read more...

04.03.11 The Bongolian 'Bongos For Beatniks' - album out May
The sleeve for the Bongolian's 4th album is finally revealed! 'Bongos For Beatniks' will be released on Monday 9th May, but if you can't wait that long you can download the first single 'The Riviera Affair' which was recently featured on Nemone's Lunchtime Loves on BBC 6music (she also interviewed Nasser before his BlowUp/HMV show in February), alongside support plays by Gideon Coe and Craig Charles. The track is also Sky Sports Soccer AM's track of the week. The album is also featured in Scootering Magazine's 'Recommended Listening' this month alongside an early review of the album, an interview with The Bongolian and a live review of February's Blow Up/HMV show. Stay tuned as from next week the album will be available to pre-order, with some limited edition bundles. read more...

14.02.11 Little Barrie live at Blow Up - Saturday 5th March
Little Barrie return to Blow Up, where they played one of their first ever London shows almost a decade ago. The now London based power trio take their name from singer and guitarist-extraordinaire of the same name Little Barrie. Barrie has lent his talents (either on tour or in the studio) to the likes of Primal Scream, Edwyn Collins, Morrissey, Paul Weller, Spiritualized to name but a few. more ... read more...

14.01.11 Big Boss Man added to Blow Up @ HMV Next Big Thing - Fri 4th Feb
BIG BOSS MAN ADDED TO THE BILL - playing a late night show as part of the Blow Up club night that follows. read more...

08.12.10 Blow Up @ HMVs Next Big Thing - February 2011
Just announced Blow Up @ HMV Next Big Thing 2011 - The Bongolian, Baltic Fleet & Silvery live followed by Blow Up club - February 4th 2011 read more...

23.11.10 The Bongolian - live at Blow Up - Saturday 4th December 2010
Following his show in France, The Bongolian (aka Big Boss Man's Nasser Bouzida) and his band drop into London for a rare Christmas show at Blow Up. They will be previewing tracks from his forthcoming 4th album (early 2011) alongside tracks from 2008's critically acclaimed 'Outer Bongolia' and early classics such as Bongohead. Let The Bongolian take you on musical journey though dirty percussive bongo driven Funk and Spaced-out Latin Soul - 100% Heavy Bongo Vibes guaranteed! Followed by resident Blow Up DJs Paul Tunkin & Ian Jackson bringing you a mix of Orgasmic Pop 60s Mod Soul New Wave action. Expect to hear a selection of pop from Beatles to Bowie to Blur, 60s - Soul, Garage, Ska, Beat and Swinging Soundtracks. Since his 2001 eponymous debut, THE BONGOLIAN's albums have become recordbox essentials for DJs, finding a wide appeal from Dance and Hip-Hop to rare groove and funky 45s fans, and to date The Bongolian and his band have toured USA, UK and Europe: "Nasser Bouzida is a man with talent to spare. A Latin-flavoured jazz-funk odyssey" Q "Forget your preconceptions, this is the REAL incredible bongo band" Clash "Totally mind-blowing" WHAT'S ON "Mightily funky, Hammond driven bongo rhythms... part mod, part Sergio Mendes, very swingin'..." TIME OUT read more...

18.08.10 Silvery live at Blow Up: Saturday 21st August + Saturday 11th September
Following the release of their critically acclaimed 2nd album 'Railway Architecture' this August, London artrockers Silvery play two intimate shows at Blow Up on Saturday 21st August and Saturday 11th September: Silvery founder and singer-songwriter James Orman is still immersed in Bowie, Blur, XTC and all things eccentrically English, The Silvery sound is based around an amalgamation of non fiction, childhood memories, love of historic machinery, 70's TV detective-isms and a musical philosophy of 'anything goes'. From the glam rock assault of previous single 'Devil In The Detail', New Wave blast of debut 'Horrors', neo Bond theme drama of 'Will Self', through brief snatches of ska to music hall and spoken word, there is very little left untouched in between. Sounding somewhere between a Dada or Situationist musical, the new album has been described as: "Exhilarating art-pop from band bordering on greatness" * * * * UNCUT "Hunt down this album" * * * * ARTROCKER "Delicious and daringly at odds with almost everything else out there" * * * * CLASH "Genius twisted pop. A truly original masterpiece" * * * * BIG CHEESE read more...

26.07.10 THE SOUND OF POP ART live at BLOW UP - Saturday 7th August 2010
Just confirmed for Saturday 7th August are The Sound Of Pop Art (acoustic set) and an opportunity to hear some genuine Beatnik Pop / Acoustic Soul of the finest order. Think, Odessey & Oracle The Zombies, Syd Barrett, Up The Junction Manfred Man, John Barry TSOPA features Chris Free who previously wrote/played sonic guitar for one of the UK's first & finest beat punk groups The Users, and was asked to join Paul Weller's Respond label as songwriting duo A Craze, penning the 1983 UK summer soul hit for Tracie Young Give It Some Emotion: "English to the hilt, Cambridge's T.S.O.P.A. see former The Users and A Craze guitarist/songwriter Chris Free (with Users drummer Andrew O'Hanrahan) propelling a trio who update Mod riffs and attitudes and pour sunny harmonies over them. Influenced by The Who, The Kinks and The Jam, they succeed in turbo-charging these time-honoured tropes with gung-ho gusto. Tony Jenkins sings of shopping centres and high street girls in a flurry of optimism. 'Visions Of You' and 'Let's Make Love in London' add a dash of Barrett/Bowie whimsy. Infectiously enthusiastic, this is classic boho pop: plenty invigorating" **** Chris Roberts - Uncut read more...

28.06.10 Blow Up & Silvery at Leuka Mini Masters - 16th July 2010
Blow Up's Paul Tunkin will be spinning records as part of the Leuka Mini Masters annual celebrity golf tournament in aid of the Leuka charity, and Silvery (Blow Up Records) will be playing live too. Find out more info at: http://www.blowupclub.com/eventinfo.aspx?id=100716a read more...

28.04.10 Big Boss Man live at Blow Up - Saturday May 29th 2010
Just confirmed at Blow Up are Blow Up Records' very own Big Boss Man - on stage 10.30pm (doors 10pm): The band are fresh back from their 2010 tour of Spain , and along side favourites such as 'Sea Groove' and 'Party 7', Big Boss Man will be playing tracks from their 3rd album 'Full English Beat Breakfast'. Followed by resident Blow Up DJs Paul Tunkin & Ian Jackson bringing you a mix of Orgasmic Pop 60s Mod Soul New Wave action. Expect to hear a selection of pop from Beatles to Bowie to Blur, 60s - Soul, Garage, Ska, Beat and Swinging Soundtracks. read more...

08.01.10 Blow Up in Oxford - Friday 29th January
Blow Up comes to Oxford for a special one off at The Cellar this January - Resident Blow Up DJs Paul Tunkin & Ian Jackson will be bringing you a mix of Orgasmic Pop 60s Mod Soul New Wave action. Plus special live guests Blow Up Records' The Bongolian. read more...

21.12.09 Blow Up New Year's Eve Party - Tickets Now On Sale
Blow Up will be seeing the New Year in at our regular haunt 4 Denmark Street - tickets on sale from 4.30pm today Monday 21st December. read more...

27.11.09 Blow Up in the USA - 16th Birthday dates this December
Blow Up is pleased to announce the first of a series of Birthday Shows to celebrate it's 16th Anniversary. Starting with two one-off shows on the East and West Coast of North America. More dates tba for 2010. read more...

23.11.09 Louis Eliot (ex-Rialto) confirmed for 5th December at Blow Up
Just confirmed for Saturday 5th December are Louis Eliot & The Embers. Heralded by Vogue magazine as a "country troubadour" and the Times as a "true pop genius", Louis Eliot is the former main man of 1990s Britpop Romantics, Rialto, who enjoyed three UK top 40 hits and a top 20 album, read more: http://www.blowupclub.com/eventinfo.aspx?id=091205r read more...

26.10.09 This Saturday 31st October - Blow Up Hallowe'en Special
This Saturday 31st October - Hallowe'en special for Blow Up in its new basement venue at 4 Denmark St., with 60s horror flicks and creepy drinks. Expect the usual mix of orgasmic pop 60s mod soul new wave action from Blow Up DJs with some spooky soundtracks thrown in for good measure! Event Info: http://www.blowup.co.uk/club/events.aspx#LDN091031 FB invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158955536052 read more...

01.10.09 Big Boss Man live - Fri 2nd Oct in Newbury, Sat 3rd Oct at Blow Up
Catch Big Boss Man live this Friday 2nd October at The Arlington Arts Centre in their hometown of Newbury and there's another chance to see them in London at Blow Up on Saturday 3rd October read more...

07.09.09 Big Boss Man - Full English Beat Breakfast - 3rd Album - out now
The long awaited 3rd album from Big Boss Man 'Full English Beat Breakfast' is now out! Available on CD, a lovely vinyl LP and as a download from all good retailers including Norman, Piccadilly, Rough Trade, Amazon, HMV, iTunes, eMusic, Amazon Digital and more.... read more...

11.08.09 Blow Up Club: New London Venue for Saturdays! 12th September 2009
Blow Up are pleased to announce that Blow Up club will reconvene for its Saturday night residency in London from Saturday 12th September 2009. The new basement venue is a stone's throw from the Metro Club (RIP) in London's legendary Denmark Street aka 'Tin Pan Alley'. The first night will have live guests Blow Up Records very own Big Boss Man who will be playing tracks from their third album 'Full English Beat Breakfast'. read more...

16.07.09 woZZon interview with Blow Up founder Paul Tunkin
woZZon's John Coleman talks to Blow Up founder & resident DJ Paul Tunkin about the Blow Up club and label... read more...

08.05.09 Mockingbird, Wish Me Luck to support Lucky Soul on June 6th at Blow Up Club
Blow Up's very own swedish indie popsters Mockingbird, Wish Me Luck will be supporting Lucky Soul on Sat. June 6th at the Blow Up Club read more...

21.04.09 Lucky Soul confirmed for Blow Up Club - Sat. 6th June 2009
The excellent Lucky Soul have just confirmed for Saturday June 6th at Blow Up... "Pop at its most glorious and heartbreaking" 5/5 Metro Album of the Week "A band to fall in love with" Independent on Sunday "A glorious collection of pop symphonies...it's hard not to be won over" **** Uncut "Grand, unabashed pop." 8/10 Pitchfork read more...

22.03.09 Blow Up now on Twitter
You can now follow Blow Up on Twitter for all the latest on the Blow Up Club and Blow Up Records read more...

23.01.09 Blow Up Club New Residency Launch at Bar Rumba - Sat. 24th Jan
Saturday the 17th January 2009 was last night ever of the Metro Club, 19-23 Oxford Street, London W1. Thank you to everybody who celebrated our last night with us and helped us go out with a bang! (more about the venue closure here). A very special and very memorable night (photos to be uploaded soon). Apologies to everyone who queued in the rain and didn't manage to get in! Tomorrow on Saturday 24th January 2009, Blow Up will start a new Saturday night residency at Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue. This is an exciting move for the club, signalling another new era with a shift back to the Wag-era concept of Blow Up - a bigger capacity with 2 sound systems once again, lights, visuals - and essentially a return to the larger weekly 'special event' featuring weekly live showcases as part of the club itself. Blow Up DJs Paul Tunkin and Ian Jackson will be also be joined by weekly guests DJs including some familiar names from over the club's history. read more...

16.01.09 Last Blow Up at the Metro / Last Ever Night of The Metro Club - Sat. 17th Jan. 2009
Take part in history - this will be the LAST EVER NIGHT at The Metro due to the venue closure. The Metro Club has been open as a club (under various names) since the 1950s - this will be your last chance ever to come to the venue. Tickets will not be on sale for tonight. Doors will open early - early arrival recommended! Blow Up will continue the following week on Saturday 24th January at Bar Rumba. read more...

22.12.08 BLOW UP club moves to new Saturday residency at BAR RUMBA - Sat 24th Jan 2009
Sat. 17th January 2009 - Blow Up - Last Ever Night of The Metro Club (details below) Sat. 24th January 2009 - Blow Up - Opening Night at Bar Rumba - (details below) A bona-fide legendary club night, and now in its 15th year, Blow Up was the centre of the early to mid Nineties Brit Pop explosion, influencing the style and sound of a generation, and voted No.4 in Time Out's Top Ten Clubs of the 90s. From its original venue The Laurel Tree, Camden Town (1993-1996), to the Wag Club (1996-2001) and then to the Metro Club (2002-2009), Blow Up has continued its long run of sold out nights for over 15 years in an unbroken run. And now, after a seven year residency at the Metro Club, Blow Up will be held here for the very last time on Saturday 17th January 2009, which will also be the last ever night for the Metro Club itself, after which its doors will close forever as a live venue and club (for press release re. venue closure see: www.blowupmetro.com/closure.aspx). The following week, on Saturday 24th January 2009, Blow Up will start a new Saturday night residency at Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue. This is an exciting move for the club, signalling another new era with a shift back to the Wag-era concept of Blow Up - a bigger capacity with 2 sound systems once again, lights, visuals - and essentially a return to the larger weekly 'special event' featuring weekly live showcases as part of the club itself. Blow Up DJs Paul Tunkin and Ian Jackson will be also be joined by weekly guests DJs including some familiar names from over the club's history . Blow Up was founded by DJ and promoter Paul Tunkin in a Camden pub in Oct 1993. Records were played from the emerging 'British pop' scene (that came to be known as Brit Pop) together with Brit-centric 60s and 70s moves and grooves; swinging soundtracks to Mod Beat and Soul; classic pop from The Beatles to Bowie to Blur. The club still stays true to its early ideals - you will hear a selection of indie pop, new wave, pop electronique, underground 60s instrumentals, experimental grooves and easy listening - all sitting nicely alongside a selection of the current favs from artists such as MGMT and Vampire Weekend. Despite its love of buried treasures, Blow Up remains an accessible yet essential night that is always a great party, week after week, year after year. read more...

16.12.08 Blow Up New Year's Eve Party - Last ever at The Metro Club
This will be the last ever New Year's Eve at The Metro Club and as usual Blow Up will take the controls for the celebrations... Tix. £15 adv from the usual agents... http://www.myspace.com/blowupclub read more...

21.10.08 Blow Up Club is 15 years old!
It's official, last Thursday 16th October was exactly 15 years after the club opened its doors for the first time in Camden. Here's some of the nice things below that people have said over the years, and stay tuned for the Anniversary celebrations next year! If you've got any memories or photos from the last 15 years we'd love to hear from you too, drop us a line at webmaster [at] blowup.co.uk or on our facebook group / fan pages: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21140595328 http://www.facebook.com/blowup Don't forget we're still on every Saturday at The Metro, and as usual arrive early! http://www.myspace.com/blowupclub http://www.blowupmetro.com/clubinfo.aspx?id=bu read more...

30.06.07 Exclusive Blend Volumes 1 and 2 Reissued
After a long wait during which saw some copies fetch silly prices on eBay, Volumes 1 and 2 have finally been reissued including a brand new pressing on vinyl. Compiled by Blow Up founder and main DJ Paul Tunkin, Volume 1 features Hammond-heavy classics from the KPM music library, and Volume 2 yet more dancefloor-friendly cuts from the KPM, De Wolfe, Amphonic and Sylvester music. Essential for DJs and collectors alike! read more...