The UK’s holy grail for new music returns this week and we have 10 picks for you to see that may have flown under your radar!
Slaney Bay
Only last week were Slaney Bay invited for a live lounge set for BBC Introducing South East, so it’s a mere walk down the road for the alt-indie three piece. Two years on from their debut single Talking About You, Slaney Bay have made a bigger and more polished sound for themselves – they’re definitely a band to catch on the Thursday @ Horatios, 19:15.
For fans of: Inhaler, beabadoobee, Wolf Alice
Listen to: Move On
The Kairos
Hailing from Liverpool, indie-rockers The Kairos are quickly picking up steam with their two latest singles Thick Of It and P.O.P, clearly a testament to their growth as a band. Fast approaching their next EP Better Late Than Never (19th May) and huge hometown show @ Hanger 34 (20th May), The Kairos will be sure to blow the roof off The Hope And Ruin on the Saturday, 21:00.
For fans of: The Mysterines, Liam Gallagher, The Black Keys
Listen to: Thick Of It
Coach Party
This ‘hotly tipped’ four piece from the Isle Of Wight have just announced their debut album KILLJOY, (8th September), and will be in a mood to impress. They’ve done enough to impress Queens Of The Stone Age, earning support slots across their UK tour in June, so with three sets across the festival, there’s no excuse to miss them. Find them on the Thursday @ The MTV Stage, 16:30, Friday @ Komedia Basement, 13:25, and Saturday @ The Arch, 21:30.
For fans of: Queens Of The Stone Age, The Amazons, The Mysterines
Listen to: All I Wanna Do Is Hate
The Rills
Originating from Lincoln are The Rills, with a sound that sounds like the energy of a band trying to work their way out of a small town. The use of TikTok has helped the band break out of the local scene, however these hometown anti-heroes are anything but a pop phenomenon, with biting, streamlined indie and witty, acerbic vocals. They can be found @ Revenge on Saturday, 14:30.
For fans of: The Vaccines, Bull, Wet Leg
Listen to: Spit Me Out
Harvey Jay Dodgson
With a huge Pompey following behind him, Harvey Jay Dodgson only needs to go down the road to make it to Brighton. Whilst it may only be his name on the tin, Dodgson’s sound is anything but small, as displayed in his recent Sunday Session, found here. Mixing grooves and riffs, Dodgson has a very distinct sound that becomes apparent upon first listen. You can see him @ North Laine Brewhouse on the Thursday, 21:45.
For fans of: Tom Grennan, Vampire Weekend, The Coral
Listen to: Marilyn Rose
FEET
Many of you may have seen FEET on their support tour with Inhaler through February, but now they’re the main act. Closing out the Friday @ Waterbear Venue, at 1:30 in the morning will be no small feat. Early birds will also get the chance to catch them at The Black Lion at 5pm on the Thursday.
For fans of: Sports Team, Yard Act, Courting
Listen to: Changing My Mind Again
She’s In Parties
Whilst sharing an affinity with Ireland’s burgeoning music scene, She’s In Parties connected over their love of 80s and 90s shoegaze and alternative scenes, Cocteau Twins, Slowdive and The Cranberries to name a few. She’s In Parties’ latest release Cherish proves to be their biggest hit as singer Katie names Hayley Williams as newer inspiration. Find She’s In Parties playing The Hope and Ruin on the Thursday at 20:45.
For fans of: Cocteau Twins, Hayley Williams, Wolf Alice
Listen to: Cherish
English Teacher
Also playing an extensive three sets across the festival are English Teacher. A staple of the post-punk revival scene, if you’ve attended Windmill Brixton you’ve either heard of English Teacher or their your next favourite band. Releasing their latest single Song About Love on cult phenomenom Dan Carey’s (Fontaines D.C., Foals, slowthai) label Speedy Wunderground, English Teacher will make for compelling viewing on Thursday @ Horatios, 22:15 or Friday @ Fabrica, 15:30 and The Old Market, 19:15.
For fans of: Yard Act, Sports Team, Black Country, New Road
Listen to: Song About Love
Tapir!
Coming off the back of support slots with Black Country, New Road, are Tapir! Employing the use of paintings, set design, soundscapes, costumes and short films in their live shows, Tapir! invite their audience into their exciting and mysterious world. Tapir!’s tender songcraft glistens with folkish charm whilst twiddling guitars, drum-machines and vocal flights flutter your heartstrings. You will get to see Tapir! twice on the Friday, 16:00 @ Charles Street Tap and 20:30 @ Prince Albert.
For fans of: Richard Dawson, SPELLLING, Harry Nilsson
Listen to: On A Grassy Knoll (We’ll Bow Together)
Egyptian Blue
Every element of Egyptian Blue’s angular and uncompromising sounds brings with it an urgency which is both rare and vital. Their jagged riffs offer a mesmeric power whilst their rhythm section produces nervous energy and intense post-punk grooves in equal measure. Find Egyptian Blue @ The Old Market on Friday, 20:15.
For fans of: Foals, Bloc Party, Sports Team
Listen to: Geisha
Writing by Hugo Harris
All credits go to original photographers