Technotronic alumnus Eric Martin releases his new single ‘Be’. Martin seems to have been born with headphones on. Gifted with skills that can’t be measured by degrees of education, his contribution to the growth of house music as a global phenomenon is undeniable.

Starting as a programmer for Zomba/Jive Records, Martin came to fame as an original member of the seminal ’90s house act Technotronic, co-writing their classic Pump Up The Jam multi-platinum album. Selling over 14 million copies worldwide, sales figures don’t even do justice to the stature of anthems Martin created.

A true production czar, his musicianship and stage skills have seen him release two hip-hop projects as Me-One, working alongside immortals such as Guru and The Roots. Equally at home with reggae and blues, Martin has also written and produced for Maxi Priest, Capleton and Jeff Beck.

In an ever-changing industry, Eric Martin re-enters the stage with new sounds and new ideas with his new label, Hypernation Music. ‘Be’, which features the sweet and soulful voice of Lifford, is the first of his new releases.

Bristol noise merchants Idles release their debut album on Balley records on march 10. Brutalism is a Ronseal title. From the opening sample of Belfast’s infamous ‘No Surrender Woman’ through the vicious beats and sardonic lyrics, Idles twist Shellac, Blacklisters, and Future Of The Left into their own perverse shape. The Maccabees have announced the band as support for their three goodbye shows at the Alexandra Palace in June.

The lyrics of Joseph Talbot are dedicated in part to the loss of his mother, who adorns the record’s cover, and partly to a perceived decimation of society, from the NHS to public services across Britain. Brutalism is a deadly serious indictment on popular culture – Mary Berry, Trevor Nelson and Rachel Khoo are just some of the names referenced here, often alongside the unpleasant, but always amongst the real.

The November release of single 'Well Done' saw the band rise to no.1 on Spotify’s Viral Charts & paired with intensive radio support from Huw Stephens, Annie Mac, Steve Lamacq and regular Radio 6 play has brought them to the forefront of ones to watch.

Full tour dates below:

January 2017

Saturday 28th – London - Omeara

March 2017

Monday 6th - Cambridge - Portland Arms

Wednesday 8th - Bristol - The Fleece

Thursday 9th - Colchester - Arts Centre

Friday 10th - London - Moth Club

Sunday 12th - Southampton - The Notes Café

Tuesday 14th - Birmingham - The Hare And Hounds

Wednesday 15th - Guildford - Boileroom

Thursday 16th - Brighton - The Prince Albert

Friday 17th - Tunbridge Wells - Forum

Saturday 18th - Bedford - Esquires

Monday 20th - Oxford - The Bullingdon

Tuesday 21st - Sheffield - The Plug

Wednesday 22nd - Newcastle Upon Tyne - Think Tank

Thursday 23rd - Aberdeen - Tunnels

Friday 24th - Dundee - Buskers

Saturday 25th - Edinburgh - Sneaky Pete’s

Monday 27th - York - The Crescent

Tuesday 28th - Hull - The Adelphi

Wednesday 29th - Nottingham - The Bodega

Thursday 30th - Liverpool - O2 Academy 2

Friday 31st - Wakefield - Unity Hall

April 2017

Monday 3rd - Stoke-On-Trent - The Sugarmill

Tuesday 4th - Preston - Guildhall

Wednesday 5th - Cardiff - Clwb Ifor Bach