Photo: Chris MacDonald
Nottingham indie star Jake Bugg performed two new songs today (14 July, 2013) at Optimus Alive in Lisbon, Portugal.
Performing on the main stage at 7pm on the final day of this year's riverside festival, the 19-year-old revealed new tracks 'Slumville Sunrise' and 'Me And You.
Having worked on his second album in the US, the American influence is clear in both new tracks. 'Me And You' is a mellow, country and western influenced track, while 'Slumville Sunrise' has 'comeback single' written all over it. The latter is an uptempo, 'Lightning Bolt'-esque stomper with classic guitar twangs and more than a touch of US hillbilly rock (via Nottingham, obviously).
Speaking to Gigwise ahead of the performance, Bugg told us that his early slot at Optimus Alive was the perfect place to trial the new songs, which had previously never been performed live.
"We are lower down on the bill, so the reaction won't be a kick in the teeth," he said backstage at the event. "At smaller festivals you try things out, just give it a try and see what people think. If it sounds shit, don't do it again."
He also revealed that 'Me And You' was one he was particularly interested in performing live, as it is a track he penned without co-writers.
Watch Jake Bugg perform 'Slumville Sunrise' below
Bugg added that he was keen to get back into the studio in August to continue work on the follow up to his self-titled debut, but that he felt no pressure from the success of his first record.
"People expect there to be a lot of pressure for how well the first one did, but I couldn't have anticipated how well that was going to do, not dwell on that fact, spend the time wisely and actually work on the second record," he added. "If there's any pressure it comes from me. I want to prove to myself that i'm progressing as a writer and as an artist, moving forward."
Below: Jake Bugg performs live at Leeds O2 Academy
