Category: Preview

Tenement Trail, 12th October 2024, multi-venue event across Glasgow

Now in its tenth year, Tenement Trail is set to rack up another smorgasbord of talented breakthrough artists and bands, as it returns to Glasgow’s East End in just a few weeks’ time. Venues include The Barrowland Ballroom, Saint Luke’s, BAAD, Van Winkle, 226 Gallowgate and McChuills – all within easy access of each other to let you catch the optimum number of acts. 

Headliner Declan Welsh said: “Tenement TV were the first ever people to put me on a festival line-up. They’ve been with me ever since so to headline TENEMENT TRAIL feels like a proper homecoming moment. Last time we headlined The Barras, the place was sold out and bouncing. There’s nothing like this city and that venue and we know we can give a set that no one else can. Excited is an understatement.”

Make sure to look at the full line-up as there are some excellent inclusions sprinkled throughout. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s an early bunch of five recommendations from us:

VLURE – always our headliners, if you’ve not seen one VLURE’s visceral live sets yet don’t waste any more time…

The Era – compelling, absorbing, intriguing and all with a harp thrown in – this track is available on Spotify today, show it some love…

 

TTSSFU – if you’re looking for a modern day nod to Cocteau Twins, look no further… 

Imogen and The Knife – take some time out to get lost in the dreamy sounds of Imogen and The Knife…

rEDOLENT – a magic mix of synth-pop and dance beats, this should be a fun set…

Remaining tickets available here

Words by Siobhan

Published 20th September 2024

Mutations Festival, 5th-9th November 2024, multi-venue event across Brighton

Now very much a part of the Brighton festival scene, Mutations returns in November with a line-up that’s sure to offer up something you’ll love. Big names include Warmduscher, Kneecap and BC Camplight – across the board you can find treats in store from Adult DVD, Baba Ali, Dog Race, Hamish Hawk, Jopy, Spielmann, VLURE and Whitelands amongst many others. Making best use of the plethora of local venues, the Mutations website states:

‘We love Grassroots Music Venues, they’re the life blood of the music industry, the breeding ground for the next big thing and the beating heart of your local scene. Without these 9 key cultural spaces and the passion and commitment their teams provide, Brighton wouldn’t have the rich, vibrant, diverse music scene we get to call home. Please support your local Grassroots Music Venues, you’ll miss them when they’re gone’.

Those playing host over the week are Alphabet, Chalk, Dust, Folklore Rooms, Green Door Store, Patterns, Revenge, The Hope & Ruin and The Prince Albert.

More details and tickets available here

Words by Siobhan

Published 19th September 2024

Brighton Psych Fest, 30th August 2024, multi-venue event across Brighton

Adding to a growing chain of psych fests around the UK, Brighton will be making its mark with a new one-day multi-venue event across the city. And there’s clearly been no temptation to start things off slowly, as there’s a stellar line-up in place from the word go.

Lots of south coast talent on display from the likes of Genn, Ladylike, Hutch and Opal Mag, and some well established big names and emerging talent elsewhere on the bill too. Always an effervescent performance from The Bug Club, that’s one set that you will for sure leave with a smile on your face. Nottingham’s Divorce are well on everyone’s radar now and definitely worth a look to see how their music is developing. And Ebbb continue to maintain an under the radar profile, but are getting known none the less, their industrial electronic vibe befitting of the darkest Euro nightclub.

Top of the bill sits a band almost 20 years in existence, and who’d have thought back in 2005 that the black leather-clad five-piece would see out many a competitor and become so much more than an obvious guest on The Mighty Boosh. Over the years, The Horrors have confirmed that their talent is way deeper than their original goth-rock persona, producing some exquisite albums from Strange House and Primary Colours through to V. Expect a stand out set.

Brought to you by Joy Concerts, along with the team behind Manchester and Edinburgh psych fests, this looks to be a great addition to the diverse range of music events that sit so well in Brighton’s eclectic surroundings. Confirmed venues so far include Pryzm, Concorde 2, The Hope & Ruin, Komedia, The Green Door Store and The Prince Albert. Check the full line-up and grab some tickets here and give them a follow on Instagram for updates.

Preview by Siobhan

Published 16th August 2024

Victorious Festival, Southsea Common, Portsmouth, 23rd – 25th August 2024

Just a month to go until the magic of Victorious turns Southsea Common into an entire festival village for the late summer bank holiday weekend again. It truly is a festival site with a view, where you can catch some of your favourite acts while the boats go by in the distance on the Solent, or use the castle as a handy meeting point. 

This year’s event, as always, has some huge names playing and loads of other activities too. Headline slots are filled by Fatboy Slim (Friday), Jamie T (Saturday) and Biffy Clyro (Sunday). Across the various stages you can also catch the ever popular on the festival circuit Sugababes, boy band member turned indie champion Louis Tomlinson, near neighbours from the Isle of Wight Wet Leg, dance act award winner Becky Hill, the critically acclaimed Arlo Parks, and alt rockers old(er) and new(er) Pixies and IDLES. But don’t forget to check out the names further along the line-up too, as there are some artists there with big live reputations – keep an eye out for Fast Trains, Welly, Personal Trainer and Panic Shack amongst others.

Fancy a break from the music? There’s comedy from Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle & Al Murray, a kids’ arena, roller disco and rows of food stalls and other vendors. Bring your sun cream and if it’s a family day out do make sure you have ear protectors for any little ones (hearing safety tips come for free – it’s a personal bugbear!).

Remaining tickets available here but don’t hang around too long! There are also loads more details, the full line-up and FAQs on the website – do take a look to make the best plans for your weekend.

Preview by Siobhan

Published 23rd July 2024

Truck Festival, Hill Farm, Oxfordshire, 25th – 28th July 2024

With just 5 weeks to go until Hill Farm fills with music, tents and hopefully not too much mud, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s on the sonic menu at this year’s Truck Festival. And there’s much to choose from with over 120 acts playing the various stages – impossible to fully narrow it down but we’ve had a go, here are some of our favourites…

Thursday 25th

For those opting for early entry, not only more choice about where to pitch your home for a few days, but also the opportunity to catch some extra artists. And this is by no means a gentle warm up as IDLES will be dropping in to set the tone for the weekend. With their latest album TANGK putting them right back in the spotlight, and live dates worldwide going down a storm, this will definitely be a lively start to proceedings!

Friday 26th

Headliner – a singer-songwriter with a raft of big songs under his belt, Jamie T was way ahead of his game on the UK scene, front-running the half sung, half spoken style that went on to become so popular. Also on the Truck stage, indie royalty Peace and newer kids on the indie-punk block, Carsick.

Elsewhere, some absolutely cracking acts to catch – check out blended hip hop poetry from Antony Szmierek, enchanting vocals from the ever powerful English Teacher, maudlin surfbeats from The Wytches, bold in your face punk with Problem Patterns, and satisfy your nostalgia for trippy psych with Mandrake Handshake.

Saturday 27th

Headliner – having caused a stir with their debut album back in 2022, Wet Leg are playing a few select festival stages this year and surely worth a glimpse at what they’re up to now. The Truck stage also plays host to the cacophonous energy of Soft Play, and the more muted but equally well respected Lime Garden.

Over on the other stages don’t miss confrontational restlessness from New York’s Been Stellar, the dark gothesque subtleties of Nightbus, and industrial beats with Ebbb. Steadily working their way higher up multiple line-ups you’ll find the mad energy of Fat Dog, while Office for Personal Development can teach you a thing or two about succeeding in the workplace and bringing a water cooler to the stage.

Sunday 28th

Headliner – get dazzled by the unerring talent of The Streets, their back catalogue now a huge collection of singalongs making them the perfect festival closers. Earlier in the day, the main stage will doubtless see the next in a long line of excellent performances from Sea Girls, and happy times with Coach Party.

Across the festival, Divorce will have you swaying along to their delicate harmonies, while Dog Race bring a heady mix of prickly post-punk, and Personal Trainer guarantee a big crowd and lots of fun for all. The last two to mention from our list are worth the trip alone. At last starting to receive the recognition they deserve, Bob Vylan are a must see live, a fusion of punk and grime with no prisoners taken in their political message. And always BG favourites VLURE are also not be missed – their Glaswegian dance tunes with the heaviest of thumping backdrops could well be the set of the weekend.

So there we are, you have a hint of the music on show – keep some time though to get along to a range of other activities as well, including Musical Bingo, Hip Hop Karaoke, a late night dance area and Barrioke featuring Shaun Williamson (you can push him off a cliff Janine, but you’ll never take his crooning). With less than 10% of tickets left, don’t sit on this one – all details and bookings on the Truck website here – enjoy!

Why not have a listen to our playlist whilst you book your ticket?

 

Preview by Siobhan and Callum

Published 24th June 2024

SON Estrella Galicia micro-festival at The Prince Albert, Brighton, 15th May 2024

Following on from the recent success of their first Brighton event (with Panic Shack and Plantoid), the music and events arm of independent family-owned Spanish beer brand Estrella Galicia have announced the line-up for their second micro-festival in the city, again to be held at The Prince Albert.

‘Escape From The Albert’ will include local acts Currls and Projector, and sees indie stalwarts Swim Deep take the headline slot. Along with live music upstairs, the downstairs bar offers up DJ sets from Marcus Harris, Ryan Scott Löehmann and Las Titis, beer activation workshops, and food pairing recommendations from local vendor Carlito Burrito.

The last event proved to be a great day out and this is set to follow suit. Grab a ticket while they’re still available here.

Preview by Siobhan

Published 2nd May 2024

The Great Escape Festival, Brighton, 15th-18th May 2024

Just a matter of weeks now until the many venues of The Great Escape open their doors and set up stage for hundreds of acts from far and wide. Time to take a closer look at the line up as the full schedule is now available – though there’s always time for a few last minute surprises.

We’ve pulled together just 30 artists that we know are worth a shout, but one of the joys of an event like this is discovering new talent, so we’re currently also looking through the extensive list of names new to us, and would love to hear any recommendations. In the meantime, here’s the A-Z of our 30 on the starting blocks, with dates and locations – some inevitable clashes but choice is a great thing, right?

Adult DVD – Friday 330pm, Hope & Ruin / Friday 115am, Dust

Alien Chicks – Thursday 1030pm, Three Wise Cats / Saturday 115pm, Komedia Studio

Antony Szmierek – Friday 1130pm, Horatio’s

Been Stellar – Thursday 1015pm, Charles St Tap / Friday 330pm Charles St Tap

Big Special – Friday 930pm, Horatio’s

Bishopskin – Friday 1030pm, One Church

Cardinals – Thursday 915pm, Horatio’s

City Parking – Thursday 915pm, Paganini Ballroom

EBBB – Thursday 1030pm, Green Door Store / Saturday 930pm, Dust

Fräulein – Friday 1230am, Waterbear Venue

Friktion – Friday 715pm, Waterbear Venue

Gallus – Friday 930pm, Chalk

Kuzi Cee – Thursday 715pm, Waterbear Venue / Saturday 330pm, Green Door Store

Lizzie Reid – Thursday 915pm, Fabrica

Man/Woman/Chainsaw – Friday 715pm, Dust

Midnight Rodeo – Saturday – 930pm, Horatio’s

Nightbus – Thursday 715pm, Charles St Tap

No Windows – Thursday 830pm, Green Door Store / Saturday 130pm, Patterns Downstairs

Peter Xan – Thursday 930pm, Revenge

Picture Parlour – Thursday 1115pm, Horatio’s

Pip Blom – Friday 915pm, TGE Beach The Deep End / Saturday 230pm, Horatio’s

Pys Melyn – Friday 315pm, One Church / Saturday 1030pm, One Church

Sailor Honeymoon – Thursday 730pm, Green Door Store

Saloon Dion – Friday 1030pm, Three Wise Cats

Slate – Thursday 1115pm, Komedia Studio / Friday 215pm, One Church

Spielmann – Saturday 1230pm, Patterns Downstairs

Tony Njoku – Thursday 215pm, Revenge

Vanity Fairy – Thursday 100pm, Jubilee Square / Thursday 230am, Patterns Upstairs

Velvetine – Friday 930pm, Queens Hotel / Saturday 630pm, Dust

Whitelands – Saturday 930pm, TGE Beach Soundwaves

Check out the full schedule on the TGE website and grab a ticket before it’s too late – see you by the sea…

Published 20th April 2024

Truck Festival, Hill Farm. Oxfordshire, 26th – 28th July 2024

With  a line-up already heaving with big names from the indie A list, this year’s Truck Festival is looking a very attractive proposition. Set in the midst of Oxfordshire’s countryside, Truck is a well established part of the summer circuit – big enough to lure some great artists, small enough to retain a personal touch, particularly on the smaller stages and the range of family-friendly and wellbeing activities on offer.

But back to the music and a look at what’s on the menu for 2024. Announced at the top end of the line-up are Jamie T, Wet Leg, The Streets, IDLES and The Kooks, all set to bring big crowds and singalongs at the end of each night. Always the making of a quality festival though are the acts scattered across the stages throughout the day, and there are plenty here to catch your eye. Here are just a few of our initial recommendations…

Nightbus

Really excited to see Nightbus live; their releases over the past year have been understated but highly memorable. Widely compared to Manchester bands of the past, they’re very much becoming an act to be judged on their own merit.

Antony Szmierek

Szmierek is picking up rave reviews from gigs around the UK, making poetry accessible with a psych-pop backlight. His set looks like being a real lighters in the air moment.

Problem Patterns

Belfast punk quarter Problem Patterns channel the brutality of The Slits and Bikini Kill with a colourful twist. The mosh pit awaits…

English Teacher

Slowly but steadily amassing a well deserved following, English Teacher combine hypnotising vocals with swathing guitar riffs. Surely bigger things are on the horizon.

Mary in the Junkyard

Experimental dreampop with added viola strings make sure this trio stand out from the crowd. Their songs are really quite beautiful and they seem to be developing in confidence; this would be a great time to catch them.

VLURE

Come on, you didn’t think we weren’t going to mention VLURE did you?! Consistently performing live to the max, VLURE’s mastery of electro-techno with a Glaswegian lilt will clearly translate into one of the sets of the weekend. Don’t miss this one.

With more additions still to be announced, notably from the Band App shortlist where you can have your say on who should be playing, keep an eye out for further announcements and don’t leave it too late to grab your tickets, there is a limited number of tier three availability. All you need to know can be found here on the Truck website – see you in the fields!

Preview by Siobhan

Published 15th March 2024

 

 

150 more artists added to this year’s line up and Brighton is looking very good for The Great Escape in May. The latest announcement features  a host of emerging talent including Wunderhorse, Lauren Mayberry, Soft Play, Jalen Ngonda, Gallus and Been Stellar.

In line with its tradition of supporting new music, the festival will also be working with a number of  independent labels who will be showcasing their artists on the Saturday – an impressive list that takes in Fat Possum, City Slang, Alcopop, Big Scary Monsters, Future Bubblers, Nice Swan, Secretly, Chess Club, Heavenly Records and Fat Cat. 

There are still some tickets available, now with options to purchase single and two day tickets. If you can, get down for the whole weekend though. If you’ve been before you’ll know how vibrant the city becomes during TGE, if it’s your first time prepare to find your new favourite band and discover a hive of musical activity on every corner. 

Tickets and full line up so far available here

Published 11th March 2024

Victorious Festival, Portsmouth, 23rd – 25th August 2024

With the line-up ever growing, this year’s Victorious has a huge assemblage of artists ready to take the stage. Alongside daily headliners Fat Boy Slim, Jamie T and Biffy Clyro, there are newer names who will doubtless also bring in big crowds, such as Wet Leg, The Murder Capital, Panic Shack and Personal Trainer.

The event takes place on Southsea Common, though you would barely recognise it as the festival village sets up adjacent to the sea – castle and museum included. Offsite camping was introduced a few years ago, and loads of family friendly activities make this a popular choice for all ages.

If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet now would be a good time, as the last tier of early bird prices closes on 4th March – link for daily and weekend tickets here, and the full line-up is here.

Words and header photo © Siobhan

Published 21st February 2024

End Of The Road Festival (EOTR), Dorset, 29th August – 1st September 2024

Festival line-up announcements coming in thick and fast now and, although a big player on the circuit, EOTR manages to retain a certain sense of intrigue and respect. Its line-up may well feature some better known names but also always includes a huge chunk of emerging talent, some of whom will doubtless go on to become household names. On the higher end of the bill this year (announced so far) are the likes of Slowdive, IDLES and Baxter Dury, with Bill Ryder-Jones, CMAT, Sprints and English Teacher not far behind. Lots more names to check out too, including the varied mix of Gurriers, Sarah Meth, Big Special, Jess Williamson and Freak Slug.

Very much worth your while keeping an eye on the ‘more to be announced’ list, but plenty here already to justify a ticket purchase. See poster/website for full details of artists confirmed so far and check the link for ticket purchases.

End Of The Road

Words by Siobhan

Published 14th February 2024

Tiffcuff Festival, The Roundhouse London, 2nd September 2023

Post-festival blues kicking in now most of the summer events have passed? Wait just a second because this coming weekend sees an impressive line-up heading to Camden for Tiffcuff Festival, a surefire way to end the season on a high.

Doors open at 2pm and things kick off soon afterwards with performances from Hongza, Snake Eyes, Manny, Kit Trigg, The Faux Faux, Shelf Lives, Sad Boys Club, Slaney Bay and Wings of Desire.

Following last year’s acclaimed LP release I Don’t Belong Anywhere, October Drift will doubtless be offering up their usual animated live set, while late addition Another Sky bring captivating vocals and staging to the mix. And with a new album pending, it will be interesting to see what The Pale White have in store.

But that’s not all… the big three for the day start with indie stalwarts Spector, expect songs old and new and a fair sprinkling of humour.

Reason enough to grab a ticket on their own, Glasvegas remain a consistent light in the industry, no matter what trends come and go their music is powerful and beautiful, and their live performance not to be missed.

Taking the headline slot, The Cribs never disappoint live and have such a huge back catalogue of incredible tunes that they make the perfect fit to close the event. There are still a few tickets available; if you don’t have yours yet you can grab one here and we’ll see you there!

Tiffcuff Festival

Words by Siobhan

Published 29th August 2023