Sneaky Pete's

Du Blonde ‘s swaggering, heart-on-sleeve rock came into being when musician, composer, animator, and video director Beth Jeans Houghton reinvented her music. On albums including 2019’s self-produced Lung Bread for Daddy, Houghton matched the heavy sounds of punk, blues, garage rock, and soul with cathartic songwriting. Later, she let some glimpses of pop peek through on 2021’s Homecoming without sacrificing any of her music’s bravery or honesty about heartbreak and mental illness.

“The grunge-pop guitar don is throwing a hell of a party–and you’re absolutely invited too” – NME

“Made me feel excited about listening to new music again” – Loud & Quiet

“Unstoppable as a lava flow” – MOJO

“Heartfelt, raucous pop-rock”- Uncut

“An artist who finds energy in constantly moving and shaking things up”- The Line Of Best Fit

Du Blonde releases fourth LP ‘Sniff More Gritty’, out today (November 15th) via Daemon T.V.

Spawning acclaimed lead singles ‘TV Star’, ‘Blame’, ‘Next Big Thing’ and ‘Solitary Individual’, ‘Sniff More Gritty’is an album of many faces, some belonging to Du Blonde, others belonging to a host of characters from past loves, to record industry executives, each played with humour and heartbreak in a one-man pantomime of glam-rock, punk, and a single, acrylic nail adorned middle finger. The glimmers of pop teased on 2021’s acclaimed ‘Homecoming’ LPbecome firework displays that illuminate stories of missed connections, anxiety, controlling relationships and hard earned peace. In spite of darkness, Du Blonde is choosing fun.

Having self-produced her third album, after years of working relationships with record labels and industry producers, Du Blonde found herself able to finally express herself musically in a way that her previous situation would not allow. The freedom that came with her return to production and engineering opened up a new sonic world for Du Blonde, one that is arguably catchier, more colourful and more exciting than anything she had been allowed to bring forth previously. Aside from live drums, played by Chris McManus, ‘Sniff More Gritty’ is entirely performed, engineered and produced by Du Blonde, and also features unique collaborations with Skunk Anansie’s Skin, Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, Maximo Park’s Paul Smith and The Futureheads’ Ross Millard.

Throughout the record, Du Blonde revels in solitude and stares down assumptions about her life choices. On ‘Solitary Individual’, a folk-punk freakout featuring Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, she touches on the glee of ignoring societal pressures to socialise, and embracing a hermitic lifestyle, celebrating ’Pants off, late nights and lie-ins’. ‘Radio Jesus’ is a love song to the media platforms Du Blonde enjoys in her private time – television, radio, podcasts… She is joined by Maximo Park’s Paul Smith and The Futureheads’ Ross Millard for a divine ‘Hey Jude’ coda set to induce joyful audience singalongs. ‘Yesterday’, with its Fleetwood Mac gloss, is a song Du Blonde regards as the most comedic song she has ever written. A self-deprecating ribbing of her tendency to fall rapidly in love with charismatic fuckboys with zero substance, its cathartic silliness is typified by the slapstick thwack! that accentuates her references to swatting a fly. Indeed, audio sampling is a technique found throughout ‘Sniff More Gritty’. From ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Dollar Coffee’, to ‘TV Star’, thunderclaps, car screeches, steam and even the heavy sniff of a cokehead adorn the tracks at opportune moments, part decoration, part audio documentary.

With widespread acclaim circulating throughout the press community in recent years (The Guardian, The Times, The Sunday Times, Pitchfork, Brooklyn Vegan, NME, MOJO, Uncut, The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Loud & Quiet, Crack, Wonderland, Under The Radar, The Needle Drop, Guitar World), as well as considerable attention across the BBC 6 Music (Steve Lamacq – ‘Homecoming’ was his 2021 album of the year, Chris Hawkins) airwaves, Du Blonde has certainly become a formidable presence within the indie landscape and will be taking her scintillating live show on the road in January and February 2025 (incl. a Scala, London headliner), showcasing ‘Sniff More Gritty’ in full.

Speaking ahead of the LP release, Du Blonde stated: “”I’m so excited to be releasing ‘Sniff More Gritty’ into the world. It’s been fun expanding on the more theatrical side of songwriting, and having the freedom to make more left-field decisions with performance and production has resulted in one of my favourite albums I’ve ever made. It was a joy to make and I hope the listening experience will be just as fun for someone else out there.”

Du Blonde’s ‘Sniff More Gritty’ (LP) is out now via Daemon T.V and available on all digital platforms. 

Nottingham born, Indie/ Post-punk four-piece Cucamaras are described by Dork as “A band stamping their authority on the next wave of alternative guitar music”. The band were named on the NME 100 in 2023, and gained multiple spins throughout the year on BBC Radio 1 and 6 from last year’s Buck Rogers Time EP.

The last year has seen the band establish themselves as a live force across the UK and Europe, playing festivals such as The Great Escape, Reeperbahn and Eurosonic. The band are fresh off their 2023 tour dates, supporting the likes of Sundara Karma, The Amazons and Hotel Lux, as well as selling out their own headline shows in cities such as Nottingham, London, Paris and Barcelona.

The band have recently finished recording new music in the studio, and 2024 looks to be a seismic year for the four-piece; an EU tour, the band’s US debut, a hectic festival season in the UK and much more to be announced.

Cheap Dirty Horse is a big rowdy 6-piece Queer Folk-punk Dad-kissing band from the UK. Screaming about politics, gender, washing machines and kissing dads. We bring the party, you bring the dads to kiss.

The colourful, kaleidoscopic sounds of Brighton jangle-psych band Hutch are suffused with whimsy and a desire to break free from the mundane. Setting their stall on celebrating the wonders of the natural world and their own giddying adventures within it, snails, rainbows, wintry lakes and radiator shops rank high among the band’s subject matters of choice.

Formed by Jack Pritchard, Dan Shepherd, Charlie Bogg, Owen Bullock – with Eva Lunny guesting on Harp and Synth for studio recordings – Hutch have been gigging prodigiously since their live debut in 2021, regularly selling out venues in their native Brighton. Currently in the midst of a 13 date EU/UK tour with Gitkin, the band have recently earned support slots with legendary psych bands Love and Os Mutantes, in addition to shows with Yín Yín, Do Nothing, Oracle Sisters, Trudy and the Romance, Surprise Chef and Personal Trainer.

Performing at this year’s The Great Escape, last summer saw them reach the longlist for Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition and hit the stages of Dot to Dot, Victorious and 2000 Trees festivals.

Jacob Alon is a Scottish singer-songwriter with a profound gift for storytelling. Both intimate and devastatingly introspective, their music is touched by a rare timelessness. Alon’s sound cuts through the air with their powerful and haunting vocals, intricate guitar playing, and pensive, poetic lyrics.

Alon was born and raised by a young single mother in the quiet suburbs of Dunfermline, Fife, between the winding woods and industrial park mystics. They learned their first piano piece from their mum for a school show at age 9 and later picked up the guitar at 15, enchanted by the intimate, somber beauty of wizards such as Nick Drake and Adrianne Lenker.

You’ll often find Jacob playing in the folk bars of Edinburgh and sneaking into places they shouldn’t be. They like roasted aubergines and great Scots Pines, and appreciate the cozy smell of warm wet earth outside their window as they dance, naked, in their flat when no one else is home.

When disenchantment runs high, when city life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be — when you’re forking out seven quid for a pint, shivering in a queue for a club night you don’t really care about, getting ripped off by landlords over blu tac stains, and squeezing in studio sessions around a relentless 9-5 schedule, there is only one logical response: fun.

That’s exactly what Home Counties provide on their debut album, Exactly As It Seems. A newly-purchased synthesiser, a fresh outlook, and a steady diet of early 2000s pop kicked open a world of melodic possibility for the band, resulting in an album that’s upbeat from start to finish: swapping wry social commentary for personal experience and big tunes.

Produced in its entirety by the band’s guitarist Conor Kearney, and mixed by the renowned Andy Savours (Black Country New Road, Róisín Murphy, The Kills) – the album dutifully captures the band’s rapturous live performances; a fizzing display of eclecticism all with a focus on melody in its purest form.

Thematically, the album traverses the ups and downs of London life in your late twenties; laments on renting and how rubbish landlords are on the Gang of Four/Devo-indebted “You Break It, You Bought It”, turning 25 and not wanting to go clubbing anymore on the agitated indie-disco of “Uptight”, and fear of social isolation in old-age on the shapeshifting art-rock of “Wild Guess”.

Home Counties always manage to balance the duality of lyrical frankness and musical buoyancy

with gusto. With an eye for the day-to-day, all-too-relatable details of crap modern living, yet – coupled with an ear for hook-filled, grin-inducing melodies – the pay-off is one riddled in joy rather than despair.

Punk hellraiser and 90s no wave icon Lydia Lunch crossed paths with Alan Vega and Martin Rev of the group SUICIDE when she arrived in New York at the age of 16, at the end of the 1970s. The first SUICIDE show she attended was a real shock, a revelation on a form new, theatrical, free, violent, what a concert could take. Since then, a close bond, both artistic and friendly, connects them, she recently performed on stage and on record “Frankie Teardrop” by Suicide and sang in duet with Alan Vega the song “Prison Sacrifice” which closes the album SNIPER by Marc Hurtado & Alan Vega in 2010.

Marc Hurtado, had already reunited Alan Vega and Lydia Lunch on the album RE-UP by Etant Donnés in 1999 and formed with her the project My Lover The Killer in 2013, with which they recorded an album released in April 2016 on Munster Records. They have often performed on stage together in France, Mexico and Europe through a show at the Berlin Opera. In 2020 Marc Hurtado directed the film My Lover The Killer with Lydia Lunch, a cinematic extension of the album of the same name.

Since 2019 Lydia Lunch and Marc Hurtado have joined forces for an event that is a kind of sonic and visual explosion, a shamanic ceremony, where the two artists burn their souls in the volcanic heart of the songs of Alan Vega and SUICIDE.

BBC Introducing and Sneaky Pete’s present

Waverley.
waverley. fuse Americana tinged indie with moments of intensity and intricacy to create a sound that is uniquely theirs. Folk-rooted songwriting and fierce dynamic shifts makes the band’s music both expansive and intimate, winning them plaudits from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music and The Skinny, bringing their music to fans across the UK, from Hackney to the Highlands.

Saint Sappho
“Courtney Love fronting Oasis” – Scotsman Lovers of britpop, obsessed with the sounds of the 90’s. We write, record and mix all the music ourselves, hopefully you couldn’t tell.

Pedalo
Drawing on an eclectic melting pot of influences, pedalo have gained momentum with sold out shows around Scotland at venues including: The Poetry Club, Nice N Sleazy, The Old Hairdressers, Sneaky Pete’s and The Tooth & Claw. As well as this the group have made a number of festival appearances including King Tut’s Summer Nights and New Year Revolution, Crowded Flat & SMC’s House Guest, and Tenement TV’s Tenement Trail.

Alternative indie duo Sarah McGrigor & Sam Gotley released their debut album ‘Late Night Calls’ in 2022, produced by Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi). Their debut single ‘Undercover’ was BBC Radio Scotland’s record of the week, and they played a guest session on the station.

They return in 2025 with an outstanding new record and an intimate tour, shaking off their Americana roots to explore a sophisticated take on modern British alt-pop that drifts from sizzling space disco to swirling cinematic indie rock.

The sprawling new album Peace Cult finds the trio of Jill Lorean, Andy Monaghan (Frightened Rabbit) and Pete Kelly working with space and control, Jill’s fragmented ideas brought together over time, deliberate care and attention, with a generous focus on the finer details.

Released via Monohands Records, it makes for a bold new step in Jill Lorean’s career. From early success with her band Sparrow & The Workshop, then Three Queens In Mourning (with Alex Neilson and Alasdair Roberts), Scottish collective Hen Hoose, and a rich body of theatre and soundtrack work. 

Front and centre of the new work is the burgeoning relationship on Jill Lorean as a trio, rather than the solo project that the name suggests. 

Monaghan and Kelly infuse Jill’s sketches with vivid ideas and bring the songs into electrifying shape. On record the result is an expansion of the previous palette, a rousing concoction of piano, synth, harmonica, bowed guitars, and more. Live they distil the already paired back arrangements to their core and use dynamic instinctively, often using fuzz as their guiding light to take us through Jills narrative landscapes, new shapes and colours are presented all of their own. 

Peace Cult feels like being in the heart of a journey, rather than at the end of one looking back. That unsteadiness makes such a varied and interesting listen. 

“It is good to have an end to journey toward,” wrote Ursula Le Guin, “but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

Edinburgh band Fright Years announce their first ever headline show at Sneaky Pete’s on February 7th.

Crafting music that’s as emotionally charged as it is cinematic, their songs are born out of the pure joy of making music together, with each track designed to tell its own story, full of mood and depth. 

The band will showcase upcoming work recorded with Theo Verney (English Teacher, Lime Garden, Blood Wizard) which pushes their sound into new territory as well as playing the songs that have made them one of the most exciting new bands in the UK.

Open the Door is the debut album from London songwriter Tilly Scantlebury (they/them) as Lazy Day. Bold and bright indie rock with a canny ear for a hook – the project reaches full fruition here. In the process, it marks Scantlebury out as a fresh, singular voice and a real one to watch.

It follows EPs including 2017’s Ribbons and 2019’s Letters – early releases that saw them heralded by critics as “A lo-fi dream pop force to be reckoned with” (Under the Radar) and “combining the introspection of Elliott Smith, the reverb-drenched resonance of Slowdive and the wonky pop sensibility of Kate Bush” (Noisey). Their first studio album remains dazzlingly Lazy Day, with the volume and saturation turned all the way up.

Lazy Day’s previous releases drew support and acclaim from the likes of VICE, The Fader, DIY, Clash, Dork, The I, The Line of Best Fit and more, as well as radio airplay from folks including Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens, Jack Saunders and Matt Wilkinson.

It’s damn near impossible to start a band these days, and it’s even more impossible to actually make great music once you do. Swedish four-piece Girl Scout are a band quite happy to defy the odds. Throwing down the gauntlet with a rave received debut EP, ‘Real Life Human Garbage’, the band has earned comparisons to everyone from The Breeders to Snail Mail, all while embellishing a sonic finesse that, often, outstretches those names in technicolor 4K. NME, DORK, Under The Radar and more tipped them as ones to watch 2024, others augur them with the same shooting star career as Wet Leg. Features in Clash, The Times, The Guardian, Gaffa, Atwood, Billboard, and too many more to name them all here sang the band’s paean as one of the most innovative and energetic newcomers around.

Girl Scout continue to weave the tapestry of a sound that has already become so big and unbelievable, pulling patient pleasures from eras they didn’t even exist in but have strong, reverberating reverence for. Their critically acclaimed second EP ‘Granny Music’ arrived to much critical acclaim spawning some huge tunes – ‘Monster’ being one.

Having now toured the UK and Europe extensively, the band have just released their biggest song to-date – the gigantic ‘I Just Needed You To Know’. This song is pricking up ears around the world with even the New York Times jumping on it. The band continue to tour and will be opening for Alvvays on their UK and EU shows this summer.

Dutch Criminal Record are an indie surf band from Chichester on the south coast of the UK, whose signature sound is guitar-driven, energetic, and packed with nostalgia. They take influence from ’60s giants’ pop vocals while lacing each track with narratives of living in 21st-century Britain with blooming harmonies and dreamy instrumentation.

DCR have unveiled their gorgeous debut album ‘Novium’ via AntiFragile Music. Translated from the Latin for ‘Chichester’ (the band’s hometown), ‘Novium’ represents a culmination of all that the band have achieved up until this point and an opportunity to reflect on their roots and admire the growth. Known for their infectious melodies, glossy guitar chords and vibrant live energy, DCR offer a sun-soaked debut album that blends nostalgic indie surf vibes with a psychedelic, Gen Z twist. The DCR boys conceived the album as a love letter to themselves and we invite you to join in on the romance.

‘Novium’ manages to embody heart-melting moments of indie pop and glorious crescendos of shoegaze-y rock, taking the listener through a sonic journey through the highs and lows of growing up, affection and self-appreciation. Jam-packed full of tunes designed to crank the volume up and roll the car window down, ‘Novium’ is an irresistibly catchy coming-of-age album, shining with captivating energy that Dutch Criminal Record are proud to share after years of hard graft.

On sale on Wednesday 13 November 2024 at 10:00

At the bottom of the Southwest Virginia foothills half-a-mile from the nearest neighbour, 21-year-old Colby T. Helms resides in an “underground house” built by his late father on land his family has owned for generations.

Colby first dreamed of making music his life at age 12, when a group of Blue Ridge Mountain old-time and bluegrass players performed songs like The Ozark Mountain Daredevils’ “Standing On The Rock” and the gospel classic “A Beautiful Life” at his father’s funeral in Boones Mill, VA.

To make his dream a reality, he taught himself guitar, banjo, and mandolin by watching local performers and YouTube videos. On the day he turned 16, he bought his first car, a stick-shift Jeep Wrangler, and hit the road to play anywhere people would have him.

A veteran performer in the Blue Ridge/Appalachian Mountains region by age 18, Colby wrote the songs that would become his upcoming semi-autobiographical concept album, ‘Tales of Misfortune’, as a senior in high school.

The album delves into the beginning of his story – starting off as a dream and ending with the passing and remembrance of his father. “Higher Ground” is about the choices he has made to realize his dream of becoming a touring musician – and their cost. “Mountain Brandy” brings the listener back to Colby’s home at the bottom of the Blue Ridge Mountains and sets the tone for the rest of the album.

“Smoke and Flames” chronicles his experience as a fledgling musician, honing his craft and searching for validation while still in high school. Album closer “Daddy’s Pocket Knife” cuts the deepest. A true story that also serves as a metaphor for Colby’s own artistic journey, it reminds us that some things lost can be found. Colby T. Helms will release his debut album on Photo Finish Records in January 2024.

JENNY DON’T AND THE SPURS new album BROKEN HEARTED BLUE 

Based in Portland, Oregon in the US Northwest, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have spent over a decade building a reputation as hardworking and musically-driven stalwarts of the Country Western scene. Despite facing challenges-singer Jenny had vocal surgery in 2019 and drummer Sam Henry was lost to cancer in 2022-they have remained resilient and fully committed to their musical journey. With a fierce DIY ethos, they have independently released the majority of their output (three albums, ten singles) on their own label, cultivating a vast international following via extensive tours across Europe and Australia/New Zealand, as well as performances in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Mexico. The group most recently attracted attention with their album ‘Fire On The Ridge’, a collaboration with the Fluff and Gravy label that topped the Alt Country charts and earned excellent reviews in the UK, where they toured in 2023. The year also saw them win the coveted ‘Outlaw Group of the Year’ award at Dale Watson’s Ameripolitan Award Ceremony held in Memphis, plus they joined Charley Crockett for multiple dates on his US tour.

“Lee Hazlewood and Duane Eddy’s spirits are surely swirling all over this astonishingly great album that should send them to the top of the scene”
9/10 VIVE LE ROCK

There are all sorts of stylistic goodies bubbling up to keep your ears on high alert. Sonically and aesthetically, it provides a nice dip in the bygone C&W timestream that works as well today as it did back then”             
 ”NO DEPRESSION“

They are doing more than most to drag country music away from the overblown arena acts and take it back to the dive bars where it belongs    
4.5/5 VINTAGE ROCK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUUHMrCGQxA

Shapeshifting avant-pop star BABii returns this February racing feverishly through hyperpop, deconstructed club, UKG, R&B and more in support of mind-blowing new album DareDeviil2000.

The dynamic trio from Lisbon, comprising João (guitar), Tomás (bass), and Halison (drum + vox), made a significant impact on the Portuguese music scene with the release of their debut album on January 27, 2023. With their energetic performances that blend dance culture with heavy-hook songcraft, the band quickly gained a reputation among audiences.

Drawing inspiration from repetition/minimalism-centered styles such as Krautrock and Industrial Techno, MAQUINA. fearlessly explores the boundaries of these genres by incorporating elements of rock and electronic music into their distinctive sound. The album “DIRTY TRACKS FOR CLUBBING” showcases a mix of pulsating beats, scuzzy bass riffs, and noisy guitars, challenging norms and pushing the limits of conventional music. They have successfully carved out a distinctive identity in the music scene.

One of the standout features of MAQUINA.’s live performances is their commitment to authenticity and musicality. Unlike many electronic acts that heavily rely on machines and programmed beats, this trio challenges convention by excluding the use of machines and clicks during their concerts. Instead, they embrace the raw power of live instruments, providing an electrifying experience that resonates with the audience on a deeper level.

Amsterdam’s PERSONAL TRAINER on sale FRIDAY 10am! Pop music to keep you on your toes. Their superb second album Still Willing is released on 2nd August via Bella Union. DIY indie-pop exuberance, dynamism, vim and charm. Spry melodies, effusive arrangements and subliminal sounds, playful lyrics.

Blackbird are running a series of events called February Femininomenom: nights full of female presenting and non-binary fronted acts!

Helping raise funds for Scottish Women’s Rights Centre

This their our mixed genre night, so if you want to hear indie, rock, acoustic music all in the same night, this nights for you.

Annie & The Jays

Emma Dunlop

Gambit

In The Wild

With a guitar in his holster and a full clip of songwriting ammunition at his disposal, Carl Marah is answering the beckoning call of the wandering troubadours before him and stepping out to bring his own distinct brand of musicianship to stages far and wide across the land – on his own terms.

Having cut his teeth in the Edinburgh music scene for the past ten years, most notably co-leading psychedelic pop outfit Logan’s Close across the nation and throughout Europe, he is now cultivating his own solo venture, using it as a vehicle to realise treasured compositions he has amassed during this tenure.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Sixto Rodriguez, Donovan and Paul Simon, his songbook ranges from tender acoustic ballads to haunting electrified anthems. Exploring all musical possibilities and channeling whatever he sees fit into his music, this is a performer that demands to be heard.

With his upcoming debut single “Siren Song”, produced by Rod Jones (Idlewild, Hamish Hawk mgmt), Marah is heading out on the road across the UK to promote the release. The premier show of the tour in Edinburgh at the legendary Sneaky Pete’s promises to be a special night. You know what to do.

Website: www.carlmarah.com

Social Links: www.linktree.com/carlmarah

Canadian punk folk pioneer Eugene Ripper returns to Edinburgh promoting his latest recordings – bringing limited edition lathe cut

heavy 7” vinyl – on at sale a the show only.

“…a one man folk punk explosion…one of Canada’s most respected songwriters…former guitar slinger from Stark Naked & The Fleshtones, now plays fast n furious folk punk with a nod to the roots of rock and even film noir…a mashup of Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer and The Ramones with a splash of big audio beats…all wrapped up in an acoustic songwriter punk stance…volleying between punk, folk and rock, Ripper jumps all over each style, stealing from one and reshaping another until he comes up with a unique sound and vibe all his own. “ 

Eugene Ripper is a trailblazer in Canada’s punk folk scene. From his early days with Canada’s first-wave surf punk rockers Stark Naked and the Fleshtones and throughout his enduring solo career, Ripper has been a master of blending punk, folk, blues, country, beats and rock into a unique musical footprint. Celebrated for this hybrid approach imbued with a DIY punk rock ethos, Ripper’s musical journey has seen him flourish from the Toronto punk scene to the muddy roots of Vancouver and the vibrant anti-folk scene of New York City’s East Village. His latest releases include “Punks and Pushers” and “Go Van Gogh” both framed in a driving punk blues rock infused sound serving up Ripper’s vivid sharp lyrical touch 

Tickets on sale Friday 25th October at 10AM

An eclectic 3 piece band taking influences from all different genres of music!

Fair Weather Son (Mark Ellis) is an Edinburgh based Singer, producer and BMG published songwriter who has been writing and performing for 20 years. His last two releases 38 Years (4,500 Spotify streams) and Measures (1,172 Spotify streams) both received national radio play on BBC Scotland along with multiple local radio stations and also made their way on to the Amazing Radio’s Best In Country playlist among many other playlists.

Jim Gellatly of Amazing Radio describes Fair Weather Son as “Timeless Americana and New Wave with Elvis Costello vibes.”

Releasing his self-produced EP in 2020, the lead single This Thing Is Better later received radio play on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Cambridge 105 and inspired award winning director Jonnie Howard to animate a video which generated over 14,000 views on YouTube.

South London alt-rock newcomers Dead Air are already causing an early stir on the live circuit with their arrestingly fresh brand of alt-rock.

Drawing influence from that shared love of melodic, heavy, riff-driven rock (think Queens of The Stone Age, meets Deftones, Rage Against The Machine and Red Hot Chilli Peppers) the three piece have the fundamentals of the genre down pat, all topped off with Moonasar’s powerhouse vocal hooks that together create the uniquely Dead Air sound—not to mention an attitude and live show that is pure, unbridled, cathartic energy.

Quickly breaking away from the pack driven by the success of 2022 debut EP, City Sins and lead single, ‘Teeth Grinder’, which racked up over 700K organic views and 13K subscribers on YouTube—Dead Air have so far been supported by BBC Radio 1 Introducing Rock, Kerrang! Radio, and Planet Rock, and have played Bloodstock, Isle of White Festival, and have toured with Himalayas.

With their new E.P ‘Elements’ out February 7th on Fly Tip Records, the trio are ones to watch in 2025 , and are poised to show the world just how refreshing their re-energised strain of alternative rock is.

Hailing from the Welsh town of Carmarthen, Adwaith grew up surrounded by a rich tradition of Welsh-language indie-rock, and a tight-knit scene of experimental, artistically-minded bands that frequented their beloved local venue The Parrot. Inspired by the lineage of boldly experimental bands that emerged out of Wales in the ‘80s – Datblygu, TraddodiadOfnus and Fflaps to name three groups spearheading new wave Welsh rock music at the time – Adwaith knew that they wanted to be similarly uncompromising in their own vision. When Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony and Heledd Owen first went about founding their own band in 2015, they were also equally influenced by newer acts they’d seen playing at local indie venues and Welsh-Language music festivals, where they bore witness to another new wave of musicians wielding Welsh as an exciting musical instrument.

After signing to Carmarthen-based indie label Libertino, Adwaith released their debut single ‘Pwysau’ in 2016, and steadily built on these promising foundations as they delved into mangled, free-wheeling post-punk recalling just some of their heroes: CAN, The Breeders, and NEU! That same year, debut album ‘Melyn’ perfectly skewered the anxiety and unease of becoming an adult in a fraught political climate, in a region too often sidelined and ignored by Westminster. The record went on to win the prestigious Welsh Music Prize, and the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, KEXP, NPR and BBC Introducing’s Huw Stephens all threw their support behind the group along the way.

In 2022, meanwhile, the band released their widescreen follow-up ‘Bato Mato’ – inspired by illuminating train journey into the remote rural reaches of Siberia aboard the Trans-Siberian Express to play UU.Sound festival in Ulan-Ude. In a historic first, the band became the first act ever to win the Welsh Music Prize twice over, and now have three headline tours, two acclaimed Glastonbury sets and Manic Street Preachers and IDLES support slots under their belts.

Adwaith might be a band with clear roots set down in Wales – but looking towards the future, they’re now keenly focused on taking the language worldwide.

*Rescheduled from July*

Random Rules is our new series of monthly shows with the hottest new bands on an affordable £7 adv ticket price!

TATYANA made of of our favourite albums of the year, designed to make you dance. KLEO was as revelation at Sirens Festival last year and SHEARS has been one of the best Scottish producers around for a while.

Though he grew up in the generally frozen landscape of Troy, New York, Sean Rowe spent many of his formative summers in DeLand, Florida where his father was a residential caretaker at a home for troubled youths. It was there, in a mercifully air-conditioned, mostly unused building filled with donated musical instruments, where he taught himself to play drums and then bass.

Sean credits those early experiences for what has evolved into his distinctly low and percussive approach to guitar playing. During those same years, when he wasn’t listening to heavy metal or building his early musical chops, Sean was in the woods exploring, foraging, and obsessively learning all that he could about the natural world around him.

Since then, his fascination with the subject has only grown and through his web-series, Can I Eat This?, he’s found a means of indulging two of his great passions: music and nature. In each of the forthcoming episodes, Sean will guide a fellow musician on a foraging mission for all manner of wild foods. The two will use their harvest to prepare some tasty creations and end their adventure by performing a cover song together.

Over the course of his career, Sean Rowe has recorded five full-length albums and several EPs. His music has been used widely throughout film and television, with notable examples including NBC’s hit dramas, The Blacklistand, Parenthood. Rowe’s song “To Leave Something Behind” was one of two non-score tracks to be featured in Ben Affleck’s hit 2016 feature film, The Accountant. The song accompanied the film’sf inal scene and has since received nearly 14 million streams on Spotify alone.

Hot one! girl/boy centred vocals and eccentric fuzzed guitars lying on a bed of break beats and thunderous bass. Yum.

Neverfine are a Glasgow-based Alternative Pop duo, blending rock, metal, electro-pop, and industrial elements into their distinctive dark, synth-driven sound. Fronted by vocalist Ashley Palkowski and multi-instrumentalist Craig Kelly, the band draws influence from artists such as CHVRCHES, Purity Ring, Nine Inch Nails, and Deftones, crafting emotionally charged music with an experimental edge.

Their debut EP, Do Everything, Feel Nothing, was released in September 2023. This coincided with a sold-out headline show at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh, solidifying their position in Scotland’s music scene.

In 2023, the band were also featured as a showcase artist at the Resonate Music Conference, performed a live session for BBC Introducing in Scotland, and closed the year with a performance at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut for BBC Introducing Live.

Their live performances have drawn praise for their energy and emotional intensity, earning spots on the Scottish Live Music Awards 2024 longlist, two nominations for The Weekender Awards 2023, The Skinny’s Future Sounds of 2024, Tenement TV Radar Artist 2024, and Vic Galloway’s 25 Scottish Artists to Watch in 2024.

2024 saw the release of the single “Colours,” as well as festival appearances during the summer at Kelburn Garden Party, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, and Tenement Trail.

Neverfine continues to evolve, with more releases and shows on the horizon.

Hailing from Stoke on Trent, UK, All the Young are the classic tale of overnight stardom to rock n roll’s forgotten sons. The only difference is, they are still here to tell the tale!

Formed by brothers Ryan and Jack Dooley in 2009, the band was signed to Warner Bros Records in 2011 and hit the UK charts with their debut album Welcome Home, recorded with rock legend Garth Richardson (Chilli Peppers, Rage against the Machine, Biffy Clyro). They toured the world along with supporting the likes of Morrissey, The Kaiser Chiefs, Hard-Fi and The Pigeon Detectives. Even taking the 1975 out as THEIR support act on one tour.  A hefty record deal often leads to one thing with an artist in the rock industry though and boy did All the Young find that out the hard way. A few years milling around in side projects such as Ryan’s ‘Faraday’ and a whole lot of life experience has brought them back to where they started – making records again.

With a new line-up led by Ryan and ex Faraday members Arron Darlington and Mike Davies, they recruited Tom Crompton on lead guitar and ATY are suddenly alive again.

They released their 2nd album Tales of Grandeur to much joy from their loyal fanbase in 2022 along with playing sold out shows in both the UK and Europe. It seems ATY are ready to climb the ladder once more (a little older and wiser this time!)

C Turtle are one of those bands whose sound people can’t seem to pin down. Mercurial and moody, theirs is a protean kind of oozing fuzzy-jumper rock that’s as much about slickly spun lyrical poetry and unfiltered emotion as it is fractal riffs and howling feedback whines yapping at their heels.

Fresh from touring with Evan Dando and Travis, Howling Bells singer Juanita Stein presents her fourth solo album, produced with long time collaborator Ben Hillier (Depeche Mode, Doves, Blur, Elbow).

It’s an intensely human document with a profound sense of dignity, exploring her restrained side armed with experience. It is all the lighter for it. Your attention is effortlessly claimed without being demanded. Every sound, every choice, has earned its place.

M60 are a rising indie rock band hailing from Manchester, known for their raw sound and infectious energy. Drawing inspiration from the city’s rich musical heritage, their music blends guitar-driven anthems with introspective lyrics.

M60 are carving out their own space in the ever-evolving landscape of British indie rock.

With multiple sold out headline shows, UK tours and festival appearances under their belt, M60 are ready to embark on their biggest UK tour to date in 2025.

London neo-soul songstress Nia Chennai blends soulful 2000s-inspired pop and R&B with soft, honeyed vocals to reflect love and life as a young woman in an unforgiving world.

‘Those who have yet to latch onto them are surely missing something special….Indie, powerpop, accomplished harmonies, alt.country tendencies. What’s not to love?’ The Herald newspaper (UK)

Edinburgh-based Dropkick release their new album, Primary Colours, as a joint release with Bobo Integral Records (Spain) and Sound Asleep Records (Sweden). ‘Primary Colours’ is Dropkick’s most accomplished and fully realised collection of songs to date, featuring ten new, concise, jangly guitar-orientated songs, showcasing their ear for melody and harmony. 

 ‘A guarantee of Instant melodic fulfilment….Dropkick triumph in giving new edge to familiar themes.’ (R2 Rock n Reel Magazine, UK)

Daniel McGeever is an Edinburgh-based singer songwriter. As a solo artist he has released two critically acclaimed records, the most recent of which, Spirals, was released in 2023 by Pretty Olivia Records (Spain) He has also written and performed for the The Wellgreen, producing equally engaging and melodic songs. 

Star Trip are a power-pop band from Valencia, Spain who combine powerful, chiming guitars with a healthy dose of vocal harmonies, recalling bands such as Teenage Fanclub, Fountains of Wayne and Velvet Crush. This is their first time playing in Scotland since 2018. Their new album, Velocidad’, has just been released to immediate acclaim via Pretty Olivia Records (Spain). 

Website: https://prettyoliviarecords.bandcamp.com/

Spotify

This high-energy Irish guitar noise act are firing on all cylinders confronting the ills of the modern world on their debut album, Come and See, a truly thrilling collection of razor-sharp progressive punk songs.

LUNA J is a 23 year old artist who grew up in Edinburgh and now living in London. She has captured the attention from artists like Nickelback and The Struts.

In 2023 she released her debut EP “A State Of Mind” which features “Addiction” that received track of the week credits on BBC Introducing Scotland.

LUNA J takes influence from Dominic Fike & Avril Lavigne

Since relocating to London early 2024 LUNA J has seen a rise in gig numbers and the energy she brings to the stage with her band is up there with some of the biggest names.

LUNA J is one to be looking out for in 2025 

The latest installment of our hot new bands series is a total cracker and heads up it will sell out pretty fast.

Oslo Twins are a genre-blending musical duo known for their dreamy, ethereal sound that merges elements of trip-hop, electronic, and 80s-inspired pop. Based in Bristol, UK, the pair have gained recognition for crafting atmospheric tracks that feel both cinematic and intimate. Their music often features lush, layered instrumentals paired with emotive vocals, creating a sound that is simultaneously nostalgic and forward-thinking?

The duo first gained attention during the lockdown era, developing a collaborative process of sharing and refining ideas remotely. Their DIY beginnings have informed their creative approach, with traces of initial demos often remaining in final tracks, adding a raw and personal touch to their polished productions?

Oslo Twins cite a broad range of influences, from the haunting tones of 80s new wave bands like Orange Juice and Aztec Camera to the introspective electronica of Sharon Van Etten. Their sonic palette also draws from Scandinavian pop’s dreamy aesthetics and industrial music’s experimental edge?

Emerging from the vibrant underground music scene in Belgium, RONKER delivers a visceral blend of noise rock, punk, and hardcore, channeling raw energy into every note. Known for their relentless live performances, RONKER creates an overwhelming sonic experience, combining razor-sharp riffs, guttural vocals, and punishing rhythms. Their sound echoes influences from legendary acts like The Jesus Lizard, Big Black, and Metz, yet remains fiercely original, cementing their place as one of the most electrifying bands in the European noise rock circuit.

RONKER’s music is a chaotic yet calculated assault, drawing listeners into a whirlwind of distortion and defiance. Their lyrics delve into themes of societal frustration, existential angst, and the raw grit of everyday life, resonating deeply with fans who crave authenticity. The band’s DIY ethos and commitment to pushing boundaries have earned them a loyal following and critical acclaim within the scene.

With an unapologetic attitude and a sound that demands attention, RONKER is not just a band you listen to—they’re a band you feel. Whether on record or in a sweat-drenched venue, RONKER guarantees an unforgettable experience, leaving audiences craving more noise-fueled chaos.

PIT PONY’s only Scottish date! ON SALE NOW.

‘Dead Stars’, their outstanding 2nd album, is released today via Clue Records and EMI North. For fans of IDLES, The Duke Spirit, English Teacher. Their motorik energy bursts into huge reaching choruses.

Over the years they’ve toured extensively with the likes of IDLES, alongside standout performances at Long Division, Stockton Calling, Waves, The Last Train Home festivals & more.

Continuously, the Newcastle band remain loyal to their roots sonically nodding towards regional titans Nadine Shah and The Futureheads. With the “ENGLISH ACCENT god damn it” reminder on PJ Harvey’s ‘Uh Huh Her’ in mind, Jackie Purver stays true to her accent.

Edinburgh-born Shuna Lovelle brings a fresh perspective to soul music. Growing up in her father’s studio, she began showcasing her deep, soulful vocals at just seven years old, recording with breakbeat duo Scuba Z. With over eight years of live performance experience, Lovelle has honed her craft on stages big and small, captivating audiences with her powerful voice. 

Her sound blends the power of classic soul with the rhythms of breakbeat, drawing inspiration from Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Alabama Shakes, and Rudimental. The result is a distinctive mix of timeless influences and modern energy.

Lovelle has already started the year off strong firstly, performing at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay First Footin and being selected to perform at this year’s Celtic Connections.

Her debut EP, Disappointment is My Expectation, released through Sony Music’s The Orchard, reflects themes of self-discovery and the challenges of modern life. Combining heartfelt lyrics with dynamic beats, it offers a soulful journey that’s as personal as it is powerful for listeners seeking something fresh and emotive.

Atlanta emo indie punks Michael Cera Palin are here bringing their sad-happy, happy-sad twinkle rock this May.

Armed with ready wit, raucous vibes and a shed load of grin-inducing great songs, Ben Brown is the newest signing to Xtra Mile Recordings. Hailing from Manningtree, on the Suffolk/Essex border, Ben has honed his songwriting craft over a number of years and in a number of different guises. Previously in bands Dingus Khan and SuperGlu, gaining support from Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens, Rob Da Bank and Mary Ann Hobbs, Ben is now branching out on his own with new music and live shows in the pipeline.

Tramhaus is the live wire postpunk sensation from Rotterdam, heralded for their energetic shows filled with fiery songs. The band is known for their broad and ever electrifying sound that reaches from shoegaze to punkrock.

“THEY SAY ROCK N ROLL IS DEAD, BUT HERE WE ARE.”

Indie, Rock and Alternative Live Artist of the Year 2024 nominees Oh Romance have been making waves since selling out their debut UK tour in 2022, lighting up iconic venues across the country.

From King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and Stag & Dagger to Y Not? festival and beyond, Edinburgh’s sensational alt-rock trio are nothing short of thrilling. Their raw energy and electric live performances make them a must-see act – time and time again.

Showcasing their appeal within Scotland’s burgeoning alt-rock/indie scene, the group have cemented their reputation in Scotland’s central belt.

If you don’t know, get to know.

Follow Oh Romance on:

Spotify   Apple Music   Instagram   X (Twitter)   Facebook   TikTok

The much anticipated launch night for Chris Reeve’s debut album ‘Gift Of Sorts’ (Last Night From Glasgow / Stereogram Recordings).

Chris’s songs are restless and crackling with colours. They’re tightly crafted gems, flirting with various facets of ’70s pop, and defined by a sardonic yet lively wit. There’s a subtle grandeur in the mix, a classic balladry to the storytelling and a cartload of playful character sketches.

Joined by a full band, and supported by David Luximon.

‘warm, jazzy and gently psychedelic confections’ – The List

‘We like the sound of that’ – Roddy Hart, BBC Radio Scotland

‘timeless and seamless’ – The Scotsman

Summer of 1995 Chicago Illinois I listen back to a tape recording I made and accidentally discover a guitar arpeggio I created which has been compared many times to a U2 stadium hook. Feeling inspired and in search of a new start I chase this song across The Great North American Plains over Rocky Mountains into San Francisco and “Lucid Dreams” was born.

Wind the clock forward to April 2004 Edinburgh Scotland I perform at finals of the Emergenza battle of the bands. October 2016 I make the finals of Open Mic UK in Airdrie then a few months pass into January 2017 I make it down to the final 14 acts out of 1000 and perform the main stage O2-ABC Glasgow Soundwaves finals to an audience of 2K.

August 2021 I sign with Smash Records Global however management do not deliver on their promise to their artists. Mark S Berry a famous record producer based in Canada who worked with Paul McCartney, Carly Simon and Prince to name a few showed interest in my work and more recently ALMS music publishing which I’m still considering!?

October 2023 Separate ways is released with Lucid Dreams and Red Sky at Night followed up in November 2024 with Thank You for Christmas and The Man in Red gaining traction on Spotify and YouTube. The songs appeared on some Spotify curator’s playlists including Radar45/BBC Introducing. I occasionally perform on live radio small music festivals. 

On Sale  Mon 25th Nov 10am

Atlanta pool-rockers Lunar Vacation return to Edinburgh this May bringing honey-sweet, dreamy indie-pop for us at The Mash House.

a JOY. Concerts and Holler Live presentation

Emily Zeck does a lot of things including country music, surfing and dilly dallying

Following their previous upgraded and sold out Edinburgh show, we are stoked to welcome back this incredible St. Louis Missouri band. 

Their self-titled fifth album Foxing (7.8 Pitchfork) might just be their best. They balance hopefulness with nihilism, the pastoral with the tumultuous, visceral noise rock and intimate bedroom cassette experiments. Sometimes cruising at the edge of collapse, the dramatic dynamics in Foxing’s music have never felt so extreme.

Current Line-Up

DEADLETTER | George Clanton | Honeyglaze | Do Nothing | Crocodiles | Bubble Tea & Cigarettes | Deary | Goblyns | Mojo & The Kitchen Brothers| Blind Yeo | Adore | Swiss Portrait | Linzi Clark | BIN JUICE + DJs | Food & Drink | Merchandise 

Taking place across multiple Edinburgh venues, and with many more acts still to be announced the festival promises another unforgettable day filled with mind-bending sounds, trippy visuals and a celebration of all things psychedelic. 

£24.50 super early bird tickets SOLD OUT. £30* early birds tickets are on sale now.

*LINE-UP SUBJECT TO CHANGE | VENUE CAPACITIES ARE BASED ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE SO CUSTOMERS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY FOR SPECIFIC ACTS  | 31.08.25

Rescheduled date. Original tickets still valid.