Scientists of Sound - sos-MUSIC

Georgian - Crackled Grounds (Official Video)

2026-04-09T21:18:00.007+01:00

Manchester based five-piece Georgian have returned today with their expansive new single Crackled Grounds. Filled with darkened pop nuances, the track's gothic feel serves up an exciting introduction to their year ahead. The track is taken from their forthcoming EP of the same name due out later this year. Take a listen below.

i: https://www.instagram.com/georgianbackstage

Brook Fox - Rome

2026-04-09T20:24:00.000+01:00

Photo Credits: Stay Focused Photography

Welsh singer-songwriter Brook Fox has returned this week with his euphoric new single Rome. Gathering support by BBC Radio Wales, achieving the Welsh A-List playlist twice, driven by anthemic energy and impassioned vocals, the track’s infectious melodies signal an exciting year ahead. Recorded with trusted producer/mixer Tim Hamill, it also marks the debut studio outing for Brook Fox’s live band, capturing a glimpse of the raw, exhilarating energy they bring on the road. Take a listen below.

Upcoming Live Dates 2026
May 22nd - CWRW, Carmarthen
May 23rd - In It Together Festival, Margam
May 30th - Afan Ales, Port Talbot
June 11th - Fuel, Cardiff
June 12th - Bunkhouse, Swansea

i: https://www.instagram.com/brookfoxmusic

COURTEENERS Announce 'God Bless The Band' Best Of Album & Huge November 2026 UK Arena Tour

2026-04-09T19:18:00.001+01:00

Courteeners © Joshua Halling 2026

They say good things come in threes. Today sees Courteeners announce details of their forthcoming album God Bless The Band, the very best of Courteeners, announce a huge arena tour celebrating the band’s phenomenal 20-year career and unveil their brand-new single The Luckiest Man Alive. God Bless The Band celebrates an incredible two-decades of the band, featuring tracks from their seven studio albums - St. Jude (2008), Falcon (2010), Anna (2013), Concrete Love (2014), Mapping the Rendezvous (2016), More. Again. Forever. (2020) and Pink Cactus Cafe (2024) - along with two brand-new tracks ‘The Luckiest Man Alive’ and ‘Plus One Forever’ produced by Liam Fray and James Skelly. Speaking about the release, Liam Fray says “In October it's 20 years since our first gig, so with a couple of new songs fresh from the studio, the timing just seemed right for a Best Of. If we mean half as much to people as they have done to us over the years, then we've not done too bad. We look forward to seeing you down the front… God Bless The Fans x” Take a listen to the new single below along with a full rundown of dates including London, Alexandra Palace.

Newly Announced Arena Dates:
Fri 06 Nov Leeds, First Direct Arena
Sat 07 Nov Cardiff, Utilita Arena
Fri 13 Nov Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
Sat 14 Nov London, Alexandra Palace
Fri 20 Nov Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Sat 21 Nov Birmingham, Utilita Arena

Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday 15th April.
General sale from Friday 17th April from ticketmaster.co.uk and gigsandtours.com

Additional Summer Shows already announced:
Thu 23 Jul Stoke-On-Trent, Victoria Hall (SOLD OUT)
Sat 25 July Sheffield, Tramlines (festival headline, SOLD OUT)
Thu 27 Aug Leicester, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)
Sat 29 Aug Manchester, Wythenshawe Park (SOLD OUT)

God Bless The Band album tracklist:
1. Are You In Love With A Notion?
2. Cavorting
3. Acrylic
4. You Overdid It Doll
5. Pink Cactus Café
6. Summer
7. Take Over The World
8. Bide Your Time
9. Small Bones
10. The 17th
11. Fallowfield Hillbilly
12. That Kiss
13. Lose Control
14. Modern Love
15. Sycophant
16. Hanging Off Your Cloud
17. The Luckiest Man Alive
18. What Took You So Long?
19. Not Nineteen Forever
20. Plus One Forever

Deluxe Album Formats:
21. Sweet Surrender
22. Chipping Away
23. Smiths Disco
24. Sunflower
25. Winter Wonderland
26. The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home
27. International (Acoustic)
28. Beautiful Head
29. More. Again. Forever.
30. 20th Century Boy/Cigarettes & Alcohol (BBC Radio 2 Session - Live At Glastonbury)
31. Here Come The Young Men

i: https://www.instagram.com/courteeners

Alex Amen - Diamonds (Official Music Video)

2026-04-08T22:28:00.007+01:00

Photo credit: Jackie Domi

Signing to ATO records, 26-year-old indie folk-country singer-songwriter Alex Amen announces his debut album, Sun of Amen, out June 12th. Sharing the record's latest single Diamonds, we get a tasty insight in to what lays ahead with his soft playing vocals and warming melodies. Take a listen below. The accompanying video features footage of Alex rock climbing, his time in Vashon where he took up wooden boat building and his excursion sailing from Washington to Canada last summer.

i: https://www.instagram.com/alex.amen

Truthpaste - Friendship Is The Truth (Official Video)

2026-04-07T21:06:00.002+01:00

Photo credit / Billy Emery

Following on from last month's return with Bus Stop, Manchester's Truthpaste are back with their latest single, Friendship Is The Truth. Taken from their newly announced debut EP 'I Don't Know Either', set for release April 28th on Dirty Hit & Memorials Of Distinction (caroline, Grove, Naima Bock), the track's bittersweet melodies thread seamlessly through its track’s interlocking instrumentation, coming together in a deeply satisfying listen. On the new single, 'Friendship Is The Truth', the band say - "Euan and Claire played it to us once, then we got distracted for a couple years, but I would find myself singing it and trying to figure out what it was. I was very happy to finally piece it together last summer. It felt like the right time for it to form as we have all become very good friends over the last couple of years and it is indeed the friendship song." Take a listen below.

Live dates
10th April - Wanderfal Festival, Falmouth
11th April - Outer Town, Bristol
4th May - The Lexington - London
5th May - Hyde Park Book Club - Leeds
6th May - Soup Kitchen - Manchester
7th May - The Big Difference - Leicester
9th May - Strange Brew, Bristol
15th May - The Great Escape - Brighton
16th May - The Great Escape - Brighton

i: https://www.instagram.com/truthpa5te

Grandmas House - DOG

2026-04-07T14:53:00.000+01:00

Photo credit: Marie Dutton

Bristol’s Grandmas House return with their first music of 2026 sharing their brand-new single ‘DOG’, out now on Brace Yourself Records. Shifting through tempos and styles, the track pairs punk-leaning vocals with soaring choruses to create something undeniably compelling, marking a strong and exciting start to the year ahead. The band share, “‘DOG’ is about a feeling, written whilst struggling with a chronic illness that no professional could explain. We all have something that burdens us in life, be it mental health, chronic illness, grief, trauma or heartbreak. It’s always there, waiting around the corner,” Take a listen below.

Eagle-eyed viewers will spot a mysterious phone number present at the end of the ‘DOG’ music video (07347578735) alongside a flyer informing them they’re a winner and to call in now. What this means is anyone’s guess. There’s only one way to find out…

i: https://www.instagram.com/grandmashouseband

Single Scene: Music, Gigs and Meeting People in London

2026-04-07T14:52:56.734+01:00

One of the best things about the indie scene is how easily music pulls people together. Spend enough time bouncing between small venues, late-night gigs and festival line-ups and you quickly realise half the fun isn’t just the bands, it’s the people you meet along the way.

London’s live music scene especially has that effect. You head out for a gig at somewhere like The Lexington or Paper Dress Vintage and end up chatting to someone about the support act, the latest single you’ve had on repeat, or the inevitable “who else are you listening to right now?” conversation that always seems to happen between sets.

That sense of shared taste is a big part of why music communities feel so tight-knit.

Lately I’ve noticed that idea spilling over into how people meet outside the gig circuit too. Instead of the usual swipe-heavy dating apps, some people are moving toward smaller communities where they already share something important with the people they’re meeting.

One example that’s been popping up more often is SALT, a Christian dating app where users can highlight their interests and values upfront. It’s surprisingly international as well, connecting people across dozens of countries, which mirrors the way music scenes themselves often feel borderless.

The platform even hosts live audio “Table” discussions where people jump into conversations about life, relationships and everyday experiences. It’s not a million miles away from the kind of spontaneous discussions you get after a great gig when nobody quite wants to head home yet.

Different setting, same idea.

Take a listen below and let me know what you think.

Live Review: Searows - Trinity Bristol, 2 April 2026

2026-04-05T21:22:00.003+01:00

Searows - Bristol Trinity Centre 2 April 2026

Arriving to an already packed-out room at Bristol's Trinity Centre, I slipped inside just in time for the evening’s support. Always one for getting in early, Portland singer-songwriter Amos Heart only reinforced that instinct. His endearing sound and enchanting melodies carried effortlessly through the venue, building rich, layered guitar loops while his emotionally worn vocals cut clean through the stillness. It didn’t take long to win people over with more and more phones slowly raised to capture the moment. Rarely does a support slot hold a crowd this closely, but here the room stayed near-silent between songs, breaking only for applause. A perfect opener, gently drawing people in without overplaying its hand.

Amos Heart - Bristol Trinity Centre 2 April 2026

After a short pause, Searows took to the stage with something ambitious in mind. A low synth rolled through the room as the lights dropped. Sadly just as the moment began to form and tension built, technical issues brought it all to a halt. The band let the moment breathe, breaking character to joke with the crowd before resetting as the sound tech rushed to fix the broken XLR. It was a reminder of what live music really is - unfiltered, unpredictable, and all the better for it.

Unphased, Alec Duckart pretended to walk off and start again, replaying the entrance before easing back into the set. From there, the focus shifted fully to the music. Belly of the Whale set things in motion, the opening track from his recent album Death in the Business of Whaling, before Photograph of a Cyclone unfolded with a patient pull, drawing the room further in. Dearly Missed, a personal highlight, followed with a quiet precision that held the audience completely still.

There’s a clear sense of control to the way Searows performs. Nothing feels overplayed, and that restraint works in their favour, especially in a venue like this. Between songs, the silence was striking - the kind where even the smallest sound carried - a sign of the respect held in the room. That feeling was mutual, with Duckart repeatedly showed adoration to the crowd. "Thank you for coming" he exclaimed. "No, Thank you for coming" a fan joked, as the tension eased.

After a brief exit, the inevitable calls for an encore brought them back for a final pair of songs to close out the evening. It was a fitting end to a set that thrived on intimacy, even within a packed out room.

Bringing the new record to life with clarity and care, Searows delivered something quietly powerful - the kind of performance that'll be on everyone's minds for some time.

*****

Live Review: Holly Humberstone - Electric Bristol, 1 April 2026

2026-04-02T18:06:00.003+01:00

There was no April foolery at Bristol’s Electric. Just a show of maximum intent as Holly Humberstone returned to the stage in hot anticipation of her forthcoming album Cruel World, set for release next week on April 10th.

As 9pm struck, quite fittingly a slow, chiming countdown echoed through the room, clock ticks cutting through the air before melting into the haunting intro of Make It All Better. The opening moments arrived steeped in atmosphere, riding through emotional chord progressions and expansive arpeggiated synth patterns. A blistering introduction to her new music.

It’s hard not to think back to earlier performances - particularly that emotional, slightly shaky-voiced set on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury where the weight of the moment nearly caught up with her. Fast-forward to now, and the difference is unmistakable.

There was a new ease to her movements, a confidence in her delivery, and a willingness to lean into the crowd between songs. Time and again, she paused to thank the audience, almost in disbelief at the support in front of her. It’s a quality that’s remained unchanged, even as everything else has grown - that sense that she’s still taking it all in, still aware of what these moments mean.

Set highlights came thick and fast. Paint My Bedroom Black landed with its familiar punch, while Down Swinging carried a sharper edge live, its emotional weight cutting through even more clearly.

Elsewhere, Into Your Room and The Walls Are Way Too Thin were met with a huge singalong, the crowd hanging onto every word. But what stood out most, was the balance she struck between vulnerability and control. The newer material, particularly Beauty Pageant, hinted at something bigger, far more expansive, without losing the emotional core that’s always defined her as she delivered it with crystalline vocals.

By the closing stretch, the connection in the room felt complete. Drunk Dialling, described as a late-night call to an ex, landed with a raw honesty, before Scarlett swelled into a full-voice orchestra, the crowd carrying every word.

Stripped back, fans got a further taste of new material with a two-track encore that opened with Lucy, a piano led ballad that showcased her powerful storytelling, before fan favourite Dive cut through with a deep intensity. "You're such a fucking liar, Camille" is a line I'm sure she'll not tire of hearing a crowd scream back at the top of their lungs

With the new songs weaved seamlessly in to the set, it wasn’t just a step forward, but a glimpse of an artist settling fully into her own space, with a crowd ready to follow wherever she goes next.

*****

Veps - Walking (My Black Dog)

2026-04-01T17:15:00.002+01:00

Norwegian 4-piece Veps have returned today with their brilliant brand-new single “Walking (My Black Dog)”. Taken from their forthcoming album “ChurchyardStreet 8B” set for release on May 29th, 2026 via Swedish label PNKSLM, the track explores a Groundhog Day-like loop, pairing soft vocals with irresistibly catchy melodies. Speaking about today’s new release, the band explains “this song about feeling blue, and like each day is the same. The opening phrase “Let go of your heavy grip around my neck” refers to the feeling of being controlled by your emotions and how some are harder to shake than others.” Take a listen below.

Veps · Walking (My Black Dog)

i: https://www.instagram.com/vepsofficial

Ghinzu - Snow White

2026-04-01T15:52:00.002+01:00

Credit: Bob Jeusette

Belgium's Ghinzu have returned this week with their energised new single Snow White. Taken from their forthcoming fourth studio album, W.O.W.A, due for release via Play It Again Sam on 29th May 2026, the band's latest effort arrives on a jittery bassline, before unfolding into John Descamps’ falsetto set against a whirlwind mix of electronics and percussion. Frontman Descamps explains, “The first tackles addiction to computer screens and social media. The second story contrasts this with drug addiction. And the third focuses on Snow White – you’re poisoned with an apple and wake up with love. But it’s more about flashes, just an image in your head. The three of them play together in one song.” Take a listen below.

Ghinzu are also set for a W.O.W.A Spring EU & UK tour. The run will see the band bring their electrifying live show to Paris, Brussels, London, Utrecht, Cologne and Luxembourg.

You can purchase tickets here.

i: https://www.instagram.com/_ghinzu_

Friko - Still Around

2026-03-31T14:43:00.003+01:00

Photo credit: Adam Powel

As Chicago based outfit Friko prepare to release their new album Something Worth Waiting For on April 24th via ATO Records, the band have today shared their latest single Still Around. Following up this month's earlier single Choo Choo and previous effort Seven Degrees, they keep turning heads with their breezy guitar lines, soaring vocal hooks and melodies that carry a restless, infectious energy. Take a listen below. The band have also announced a full Autumn North American Tour. Full dates beneath.

i: https://www.instagram.com/friko4u/

DICE - COOLER (Official Music Video)

2026-03-30T21:58:00.000+01:00

Photo credit: Anna Cappello

Perth-based four-piece DICE have returned with their sun-kissed new single Cooler. Recorded at the legendary EastWest Studios in Los Angeles alongside Grammy-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes, The White Stripes), the band teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Jay Watson (POND, Tame Impala, GUM) to contribute shimmering keys and melodies. Talking about the single, the band says: "Cooler is about the complexities of relationships that don’t work both ways. Sometimes the uncontrollable variables are what causes things to end no matter how hard you try for it to work. This song is the journey through these emotions of acceptance from hidden thoughts to emotional release and expression." Take a listen below.

i: https://www.instagram.com/diceofficial

MOULD - Lists (Official Video)

2026-03-27T14:43:00.000+00:00

Photo Credit: Alex James

Announcing their debut LP Hoping As A Coping Mechanism, set for release via 5dB Records on July 10th, Bristol's MOULD have unveiled their brilliant new single Lists. Driven by a surging wave of blistering percussion and electrified vocals, the rising outfit deliver another thunderous cut. Detailing the track, vocalist/guitarist Joe Sherrin explained: “As the title ‘Lists’ suggests, it’s about lists really. I write a lot of lists. Endless, unnecessary planning to soothe the wiggly mind; organising the nonsense. Filtering the lunacy into neat bullet point format. Bliss. I’ve had this one up my sleeve for years and always wanted it to get a big boy recording treatment. Bringing it into Mould HQ we found it fits in deliciously with the others and shows a more melodic side to us, which is something we’re leaning more into on this album.”

i: https://www.instagram.com/moulditsmould/

WESTSIDE COWBOY announce biggest UK and EU tour to date this Autumn

2026-03-27T12:54:00.007+00:00

Photo Credit: Charlie Barclay Harris

Following a recent run of UK headline dates and hot off the back of supporting Geese on tour, Westside Cowboy return today with news of their biggest run of shows yet. Taking in venues such as London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town and Manchester’s Albert Hall amongst other key cities across the UK and Europe, the band look set to further build on what's already been a bumper start to the year. Pre-sale begins Monday 30 March, 10am BST. General on sale Wednesday 1 April, 10am BST

Pre-sale access via Westside Cowboy’s new mailing list, sign up link HERE

FULL LIVE SCHEDULE

14.05 - The Great Escape, Brighton, UK
16.05 - London Calling, Amsterdam, NL
22.05 - Bearded Theory, Walton-on-Trent, UK
24.05 - Neighbourhood, Warrington, UK
13.06 - Rock For People, Brno, CZ
21.06 - TRNSMT, Glasgow, UK
04.07 - Down The Rabbit Hole, Ewijk, NL
05.07 - Rock Werchter, Werchter, BE
09.07 - Ally Pally Park, London, UK (with The Maccabees)
10.07 - BBK, Bilbao, ES
18.07 - Bukta, Tromso, NO
24.07 - Tramlines, Sheffield, UK
25.07 - Latitude, Beccles, UK
26.07 - Truck, Oxfordshire, UK
06.08 - Haldern Pop, Haldern-Rees, DE
08.08 - Winterthurer Musikfestwochen, Winterthur, CH
12.08 - Vodaphone Paredes De Coura, Praia do Taboão, PT
14.08 - Oya, Oslo, NO
21.08 - Green Man, Crickhowell, UK
28.08 - Leeds Festival, Leeds, UK
30.08 - Reading Festival, Reading, UK

28.10 - Doornroosje, Nijmegen, Netherlands
29.10 - Paradiso THT, Amsterdam. Netherlands
30.10 - Helios37, Cologne, Germany
01.11 - Voxhall, Aarhus. Denmark
05.11 - Lille Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
06.11 - Lido, Berlin, Germany
07.11 - Bike Jesus, Prague, Czechia
09.11 - Arci Bellezza, Milan, Italy
10.11 - Exil, Zurich, Switzerland
12.11 - Botanique, Brussels, Belgium
13.11 - Petit Bain, Paris, France
14.11 - L'Aéronef , Lille, France
24.11 - St Luke's, Glasgow, UK
25.11 - NUSU, Newcastle, UK
26.11 - Crookes Social Club, Sheffield, UK
27.11 - Irish Centre, Leeds, UK
29.11 - XOYO, Birmingham, UK
30.11 - 1865, Southampton, UK
01.12 - Chalk, Brighton, UK
02.12 - O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
04.12 - Electric Bristol, Bristol, UK
05.12 - Albert Hall, Manchester, UK

i: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecowboyyy

Live Review: The Cribs - Tramshed Cardiff, 25th March 2026

2026-03-26T18:46:00.005+00:00

Photo credit: Steve Gullick

There are certain bands that stay with you, tied to a specific time, a specific feeling. For me, The Cribs were one of the first indie bands I got in to as a teen, nearly twenty years ago - the kind of band that soundtracked late nights, train journeys, University life and everything in between.

Walking into Cardiff’s Tramshed, there was a sense that this wasn’t just another gig, but a reunion of sorts between a band and crowd who’ve grown up together. And quite the nostalgic trip it was. Looking around, not much had changed - a scattering of denim jackets, skinny jeans, and the Jarman's still in their trademark leather. The only real shift came in the details, with bassist Gary now sporting a refined moustache.

From the off, early cuts and fan favourites landed with the same urgency they always have, but what stood out most was how naturally it all fitted together. Opening with Dark Luck before launching into I’m a Realist and Hey Scenesters!, the pace was relentless. The band's newer material slotted in seamlessly, with tracks like Never the Same and Summer Seizures sitting comfortably amongst the classics.

When they finally slipped into Another Number, they barely needed to try. Just the first four notes of that unmistakable riff rang out before they paused, letting the crowd take over completely.

The band’s between-song banter was, as ever, spot on. They joked the single was simply ahead of its time - “three years later, and it would’ve cleaned up in the ringtone charts.” A throwaway line that spiralled into talk of missed fortunes and hypothetical islands, before quickly backtracking - “maybe not an island… given everything going on.” It’s that self-awareness and dry humour that’s always made them feel close to their audience.

Midway through, the floor told its own story. The crowd might be older now, but there’s been no softening. Pints were flying, bodies colliding, and the mosh pit surged like it always had with a room full of people refusing to let go of that energy. It was hard on times to remember it was in fact midweek night, and not a rowdy Saturday night in the capital.

Musically, the contrasts remain one of their greatest strengths. Looking for the Wrong Guy brought a softer, more yearning moment, before being blown apart by the grungy, full-throttle assault of Back to the Bolthole. They’ve always known how to balance melody with abrasion, and here it felt as sharp as ever.

By the time the set closed out with the classic Be Safe, there was no sense of a band coasting on legacy. If anything, The Cribs feel more locked in than ever - still loud, still scrappy, still entirely themselves. Two decades on, they haven’t chased trends or softened their edges, and that’s exactly why they matter. The indie landscape might have changed around them, but they’ve remained constant, and somewhere along the way, that’s been their key to harbouring such success.

i: https://www.instagram.com/thecribs/

*****

For Nina - Labour Of My Love

2026-03-25T17:17:00.004+00:00

Today sees Dublin trio For Nina return with their first release of the year in Labour Of My Love, a hushed, atmospheric new single that drifts with a quiet intensity. Speaking on the track, the band explain: “The song clicked so quickly once the bones were there, it felt like there were such obvious dynamics up and down in the song, both emotionally and musically, we couldn’t help but surrender to them.” Take a listen below.

Live Dates
25th April - Belfast -The Oh Yeah Music Centre
17th May - TBA - London

i: https://www.instagram.com/forninaband

Florentenes - Undiscovered Colours

2026-03-25T17:04:00.002+00:00

Photo Credit: JAW

Bolton four-piece Florentenes have returned today with their euphoric new single, Undiscovered Colours. Lifted from their third EP Breaking News, out May 13, the track drifts in on soft vocals and lightly strummed guitars before rapidly opening out into soaring, anthemic bursts that feel expansive, and full of youthful momentum. “We wrote ‘Undiscovered Colours’ when I was 17, it’s about how harsh the world can be, especially to good people, and those feelings you can’t even put into words. The idea of an ‘undiscovered colour’ is something impossible to describe, like a certain kind of ache. It also nods to our early days and that fear the fire might not last, but hopefully it never burns out.” Take a listen below.

Live Dates
Crystal Tides Support
March 27, Manchester, Gorilla

The Kairos Support
March 28, Leeds, Key Club
April 2, Bristol, The Exchange
April 3, Sheffield, Sidney & Matilda
April 4, Glasgow, Stereo
April 9, Brighton, Patterns
April 10, Birmingham, O2 Institute 3
April 11, Southampton, Heartbreakers
April 17, Nottingham, The Bodega
April 23, London, Colours
April 24, Newcastle, Reds Bar
April 25, Liverpool, Invisible Wind Factory

i: https://www.instagram.com/florentenes

Chartreuse - Enough To Make You Laugh

2026-03-24T19:47:00.002+00:00

credit: Rosie Sco

Black Country four piece Chartreuse have returned this week with their brilliant new single, Enough To Make You Laugh. Written during the early stages of a new relationship, the track’s tender moments and reflective nuances turn inward, touching on themes of self-development. “’Enough To Make You Laugh’ is about connection and finding the person that's right for me,” Mike says of the track. “I’m still holding onto this new feeling, watching it shine & it feels great to put it all in this song, while also acknowledging the bit of cynicism and anxiousness I always carry.” The track comes accompanied by a live performance video directed by Stewart Baxter streaming below.

Chartreuse Tour Dates:
9.5.26 Are You Listening? Festival (Reading)
30.5.26 Usina Festival (Luxembourg)
6.7.26 O2 Academy (Edinburgh)*
7.7.26 O2 City Hall (Newcastle Upon Tyne)*
5.8.26 Boardmasters Festival (Newquay)

*w/ The Maccabees

i: https://www.instagram.com/chartreuse

Brennan Wedl & Waxahatchee - "Six O'Clock News"

2026-03-24T19:26:00.001+00:00

Photo credit: Daniel Topete

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brennan Wedl has today announced her signing to ANTI- Records coinciding with the release of a cover of the Kathleen Edwards classic ‘Six O’Clock News’ featuring Waxahatchee. "I first heard ‘Six O’Clock News’ on the Cities 97 Sampler CD around 2003,” Wedl detailed. “There’s no doubt that this song shaped my songwriting voice. Originally written by Kathleen Edwards, ‘Six O’Clock News’ is a story about the hysteria of gun violence in an American town. To record and sing this very contemporary story with Waxahatchee over twenty years later is a direct link to the very heart of why I play music. It’s an honour to be joining the ANTI- roster and I’m ecstatic to share what we’ve been working on." Take a listen:

i: https://www.instagram.com/brennanwedl

Future Islands to release new album 'From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth'

2026-03-24T16:22:00.006+00:00

Future Islands by Shawn Brackbill

To celebrate 20 years as a band, Future Islands have today announced the special release of 'From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth', due out 22nd May 2026 via 4AD. The album arrives pulling together alternate takes, deep cuts and long-loved favourites with half the material previously absent from streaming services. Featuring tracks spanning across their 20 years, the songs were first gathered into a playlist by bassist William Cashion, who also chose the title - “I’ve always loved the imagery of that lyric,” he explains, “the hole in the floor is the everyday, but the fountain is the magic that happens when the life you dreamed about actually becomes the one you’re living. It’s the dream and the reality existing in the same room.” You can stream the first two tracks 'Sail' and 'Find Love' below.

To coincide with the release of From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth, Future Islands will play a special run of dates in North Carolina and Baltimore to celebrate. More details to follow soon, sign up for updates HERE.

Future Islands – From a Hole in the Floor to a Fountain of Youth
4AD 0907LP | 22 May 2026
Digital, CD, Blue+Apricot Double Vinyl LP

1. The Ink Well (2010)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Split 7” with Lonnie Walker (Friends Records, FR003)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

2. Pinnochio (2009)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Feathers & Hallways 7” (Upset the Rhythm, UTR027)
Recorded at Ghost House in Oakland, CA during our first full US tour, 2008
Additional tracking at Chester’s house, Baltimore, MD

3. The Happiness of Being Twice (2009)

4. In The Fall (2010)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Additional Vocals: Katrina Ford
Original Release: In the Fall EP (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 12.41)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

5. Awake and Dreaming (2010)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Live Drums: Denny Bowen
Original Release: In the Fall EP (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 12.41)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

6. Virgo Distracts (2010)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Live Drums: Denny Bowen
Original Release: In the Fall EP (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 12.41)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

7. Find Love (2011)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Before the Bridge 7” (Thrill Jockey, Thrill 284)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

8. Cotton Flower (2012)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: LAMAC No. 2 split 7” with Ed Schrader’s Music Beat (Famous Class Records, FC015)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

9. The Fountain (2012)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Tomorrow 7” (Upset the Rhythm, UTR055)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

10. Tomorrow (2012)

Produced and Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Original Release: Tomorrow 7” (Upset the Rhythm, UTR055)
Recorded at Chester’s house in Baltimore, MD

11. One Day (2014)

Produced by Chris Coady
Mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda
Live Drums: Denny Bowen
Original Release: Seasons 7” (4AD, AD3406)
Recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios in Hurley, NY, during Singles sessions, Fall 2013

12. The Chase (2015)

Produced and Mixed by Jim Eno
Original Release: The Chase 7” (4AD, AD3517)
Recorded at Public Hi-Fi in Austin, TX, March 2015

13. Calliope (2018)

Produced and Mixed by John Congleton
Original Release: Adult Swim Singles Program
Recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA during The Far Field sessions, Fall 2016

14. Six Weeks (2017)

Produced and Mixed by John Congleton
Original Release: The Far Field Japanese bonus track (4AD, 4AD0001CDJ)
Recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA during The Far Field sessions, Fall 2016

15. Haunted By You (2015)

Produced and Mixed by Jim Eno
Original Release: The Chase 7” (4AD, AD3517)
Recorded at Public Hi-Fi in Austin, TX, March 2015

16. Sail (2025)

Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady
Original Release: VIP tour-only 7”
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the As Long As You Are sessions

17. As Long As You Are (2025)

Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady
Original Release: VIP tour-only 7”
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the As Long As You Are sessions

18. Days (2020)

Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Steve Wright
Original Release: As Long As You Are Japanese bonus track (4AD, 4AD0001CDJ)
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the As Long As You Are sessions

19. Rager (demo)

Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady
Previously Unreleased
Recorded at home and WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD

20. Glimpse (2024)

Produced by Steve Wright & Future Islands
Mixed by Chris Coady & Steve Wright
Original Release: VIP tour-only 7” (4AD, 4AD0795)
Recorded at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore, MD during the PWATA sessions

i: https://www.instagram.com/futureislands/

Sandhouse - Snapdragon

2026-03-23T20:38:00.000+00:00

Photo credit: Hannah Murrell

Ahead of the weekend, South London duo Sandhouse returned with their brilliant new single 'Snapdragon'. Teaming up with renowned producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode), the pair lean into a sharper, more direct sound. Built up with its grounded guitars and a propulsive electronic beat, the track is anchored by Anna’s distinctive vocal, her cool, controlled delivery threading through a series of sharp melodic hooks. Speaking about the track, the band say: "'Snapdragon' flowers symbolise deception, due to the skull-like shape that appears when their petals fall away. This is a song about the excitement of recognising a lie and choosing to believe it, rather than turn away." Take a listen below.

Live Dates
14 May - Paris, Supersonic's Block Party

i: https://www.instagram.com/_sandhouse

Blood Wizard - I Know You Well (Official Video)

2026-03-19T22:24:19.773+00:00

Photo credit / James Winstanley

Following on from last month's Lick The Big Star single, Blood Wizard have returned with their expansive new effort, I Know You Well. Taken from their upcoming EP 'Lucky Life' which is out April 16th on Sad Club Records, the track's plinky synth notes and wide-screened melodies serve up another exciting listen ahead of their extended player. On their new single, Cai from Blood Wizard says - "I Know You Well is about the people that I know and love the most, and the side effects of having that almost psychic connection with them. It feels different to earlier Blood Wizard songs. We wanted to make something that sounded thicker and fuller, and bring in some of that hazy, shoegaze kind of atmosphere. I grew up on alternative guitar records, and this was me really leaning into that instinct, letting the guitars carry more weight and space than usual" Jump in to it for yourselves below.

Tour Dates
March 29th - Young Barbican Takeover Festival, London
April 4th - House Guest Festival, Glasgow
April 22nd - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
April 23rd - Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds
April 24th - Rough Trade, Bristol
April 25th - Moth Club, London
May 15th, 16th - Supersonic Block Party Festival, Paris
May 23rd - Wanderlust Festival, Southampton

i: https://www.instagram.com/bloodwizrd

Live Review: Del Water Gap - Bristol O2 Academy, 18 March 2026

2026-03-19T14:36:06.297+00:00

Del Water Gap, Bristol 18 March O2 Academy

Fresh off a recent run supporting Niall Horan, Del Water Gap has returned to UK shores on his own terms, and this time the scale has shifted. Out on the road in support of Chasing The Chimera, there’s a clear sense that years of steady momentum are beginning to tip into something far bigger. Streams in their 100's of millions is certainly not something to be sniffed at, and on his latest LP, he shows no signs of slowing.

In Bristol, that change is unmistakable. What once felt like a slow-burning cult following now fills the room with intent, a crowd fully immersed, hanging on every word and sending each lyric straight back to the stage.

There’s a quiet confidence to Del Water Gap - no grand entrance or immediate attempt to win over the room - just a steady pull as chest-rumbling synths and flashing lights faded into his arrival. Opening with Small Town Joan of Arc, the Bristol crowd were dropped straight into his world, one that felt expansive and cinematic from the off.

Touring in support of his third studio album, his newer material slotted seamlessly alongside fan favourites. Tracks like Better Than I Know Myself and New Personality carried that same expansive quality, swelling and stretching with a sense of widescreen grandeur, never feeling out of place amongst older cuts like High Tops or Sorry I Am.

For the first stretch, S. Holden Jaffe kept the crowd at arm’s length. There was little in the way of interaction. No introductions. No stories. Until Doll House, where he finally broke the silence, simply offering the song title before slipping straight back into the music. It was understated, almost disarming, but it worked. The focus remained firmly on his presence and mystery.

From there, things began to loosen. By the midsection the wall between stage and crowd started to crumble. A voice cut through the room with a clear “that was great,” prompting a running joke that carried through the night, with Jaffe repeatedly asking where his friend was after subsequent songs. It was a small moment, but one that shifted the atmosphere, suddenly the show felt warmer, more human with added humour.

There are flashes of offbeat showmanship too. During Damn, in a moment that felt both bizarre and completely on-brand, he pulled out a sewing machine for some impromptu embroidery mid-performance. A surreal visual that somehow fits perfectly within the world he’s built on stage.

By the time Glitter & Honey, Coping On Unemployment and All We Ever Do Is Talk rolled around, the crowd was fully locked in. Even Perfume, notably without the usual venture into the crowd, landed with the same intensity, before Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat brings things to a fitting close.

At 90 minutes, it’s a relentless, back-to-back run of songs delivered with precision and intent. No filler or wasted moments, just a showcase of an artist who understands pacing, atmosphere and the slow art of winning a room over - one completely absorbed, hanging on to every last moment.

Setlist
Small Town Joan of Arc
Sorry I Am
Better Than I Know Myself
Please Follow
Doll House
New Personality
Ghost in the Uniform
NFU
Marigolds
Beach House
High Tops
Never Speak Again
Glitter & Honey
How to Live
Coping On Unemployment
All We Ever Do Is Talk
Damn
Perfume
Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat

*****

Lime Garden - Downtown Lover (Official Video)

2026-03-18T17:30:27.318+00:00

Photo: Sal Redpath

As Brighton four-piece Lime Garden head ever closer to their highly anticipated forthcoming second album Maybe Not Tonight, due April 10th via So Young Records, they have today shared the record's latest cut, Downtown Lover. Stripped of thrills or gimmicks, their three-chord power jam delivers a wealth of punchy melodies and blistering, full-throttle vocals. Vocalist and guitarist Chloe Howard explains: “Downtown lover came from three chords and my need to investigate my regular avoidant behaviour within romantic relationships. I saw the phrase “downtown love” in an article online talking about some peoples constant need for something new or attention in general when dating, through recognising this in my myself and In an attempt to try and understand why I act the way I do, I threw this one out in a matter of minutes on my acoustic guitar.”Check it out below.

2026 EU Tour Dates
15th September Cologne, Luxor
16th September Berlin, Frannz
19th September Amsterdam, Bitterzoet
20th September Nijmegen, Doornroosje
22nd September Brussels, Ancienne Belgique
25th September Paris, La Maroquinerie

2026 UK Tour Dates
2nd October Bristol, Electric Bristol
5th October Oxford, The Bullingdon
6th October Cambridge, Junction 1
9th October Birkenhead, Future Yard
10th October Leeds, Stylus
12th October Newcastle, The Grove
13th October Edinburgh, Mash House
14th October Glasgow, Mono
16th October Manchester, Gorilla
17th October Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
18th October Norwich, Waterfront
20th October Birmingham, Castle & Falcon
21st October London, Electric Brixton

i: https://www.instagram.com/limegardenband