Photo: Press
Christine & The Queens
It seems strange to categorise Christine & The Queens as "new", given that she’s currently one Michael Jackson shuffle away from stardom - but there are still some people who are yet to be exposed to the French singer’s intoxicating electro-pop and hypnotic, enigmatic dance moves. If you’re one of those, get yourself to the front of one of her festival sets this summer.
Where you can see Christine & The Queens this summer: Latitude, Longitude, Glastonbury, Best Kept Secret
Loyle Carner
The young rapper started out as a poet - one of the few things his ADHD-addled brain could focus on while he was at school. He’s since come to see that as a blessing, not a curse, and when he’s not focussed on his other love of cooking, he’s making intelligent, heartfelt rap music.
Where you can see Loyle Carner this summer: Field Day, Latitude, Camp Bestival, Bestival
The Big Moon
“Sorry I’m not your guy,” sings Juliette Jackson on the bridge of ‘Cupid’. No apology necessary. Playful, poignant and raucous in equal measure, The Big Moon envelop bombastic melodies (sung in Juliette Jackson’s alluring, alto vocals) in scuzzy guitar rock.
Where you can see The Big Moon this summer: Latitude, Kendal Calling, LeeFest, Boardmasters, End Of The Road, Festival By The Sea, Southsea Fest
Oscar
Harkening back to ‘90s Britpop - but with none of its laddiness or delusions of grandeur - Oscar’s syrupy baritone wraps itself around unashamed pop hooks and fuzzy guitars. In a live setting, particularly in the height of summer, it’s bound to be ridiculously fun.
Where you can see Oscar this summer: End Of The Road, Latitude
Pixx
’A Way To Say Goodbye’ - the song which brought Pixx to the world’s attention, via a Tumblr shoutout from Grimes - climbs up and down an almost Arabic scale before its eery, reverb-drenched chorus kicks in. The whole thing sounds like a pop banger that’s been played at woozy half speed and transposed into a minor key - a fitting analogy for much of her exquisite sound.
Where you can see Pixx this summer: Glastonbury, Latitude, Tramlines, Soundrive
HANA
“You’re stuck in your own world - and of course you’re the star,” comes the biting opening of one of HANA’s best songs, ‘Clay’ . It’s crisp and sultry, all clicks and drum machines and beautiful, breathy falsetto. She’s not new exactly - she’s been in this game for nearly a decade - but it was only when she dropped her surname and moved from acoustic guitars to electro-pop that she really came into her own.
Where you can see HANA this summer: Latitude Festival, Open’er Festival, NOS Alive, Bilbao BBK, Positivus
Let’s Eat Grandma
They might take their name from a grammar joke, but Let’s Eat Grandma are as cool as they come. They build up rich, disorienting instrumentals and thumping drum beats, before unleashing the star of the show - their strange, otherworldly vocals. They’ve been compared to Lorde - though more due to their age (they’re 16 and 17) and musical minimalism than any real similarity. In truth, they’re far closer to the likes of CocoRosie.
Where you can see Let’s Eat Grandma this summer: Latitude, Visions Festival, Field Day, Castlepalooza, Festival By The Sea
Imarhan
The best band to come from the Sahara since Tinariwen. Imarhan's frontman Ben Abderahmane is cousin to Tinariwen's Eyadou Ag Leche and has learned a great deal from them. He's even played in Tinariwen before when other members were restricted from travelling during the Northern Malian conflict. Live, they're one of the most hypnotic bands to dance along to, and - because they've played together their whole lives in the build up to getting a record deal and touring the world - they're incredibly tight, which helps audiences lose their minds and feel spiritually connected to the southern Algerian landscape and soundscape that have inspired them.
Where you can see Imarhan this summer: Caught By The River Thames, End Of The Road Festival
Black Peaches
At festivals it's always great to have sounds that make sense the most when the sun is shining. Black Peaches' psychotropic stew of country boogie, spiritual jazz and funk is perfect for it. The most well known band member is Rob Smoughton who is a multi instrumentalist in Hot Chip. This is a really under-appreciated side project so make sure you get a chance to see them. Chances are, after a few drinks you'll be radiating after the show and exclaiming to your mates back at camp just how damn good they were.
Where you can see Black Peaches this summer: Glastonbury, Green Man
Car Seat Headrest
It's difficult to categorise this artist as new when he's on his 13th album. But, he's only 23 and his forthcoming album, Teens of Denial, is only his second via his first proper label, Matador and he's only just starting to get well known. He's one of the most catchy songwriters and has an intriguing lo-fi indie rock style to his recordings that give them a warm fuzziness that's a nice antidote to the overly polished pop tunes that get blasted out across McDonalds and Starbucks stereos all the time.
Where you can see Car Seat Headrest this summer: Glastonbury
Sample Answer
Since moving to London in 2013, this Dublin raised 21-year-old singer songwriter has spent the past few years cutting his teeth at small independent venues across the capital. Most notable have been his much-loved support slots for Pete Doherty at The Jamm in Brixton. Since then, he's worked released a strong of well received EPs gathering Radio 1 play along the way.Thanks to such natural, spirited pop songwriting, and an ability to use a loop pedal to play everything himself on stage he's well on his way to becoming a star so catch him at an intimate performance whilst you can.
Where you can see Sample Answer this summer: Latitude
Methyl Ethel
Perth's Methyl Ethel have just released their debut LP Oh Inhuman Spectacle through 4AD- and it's a thing of beauty. It's immensely imaginative dream pop with a directness that recalls the power of The Church and Echo and The Bunnymen.
Where you can see Methyl Ethel this summer: Latitude, End of the Road
Liss
The Danish four piece have picked up a lot of interst since signing to XL Recordings and putting out some of the most interesting electronic infused soul music out there. King Krule and The XX producer Rodaidh McDonald has had a hand in helping sculpt their impeccable sound, so if either of those bands take your fancy the chances are you'll be impressed by these newcomers who'll aide your blissed out summer festival psyche. Only catch is you'll have to go to Denmark to see them.
Where you can see Liss this summer: Roskilde
Anteros
Their dreamy left of centre pop melodies are a perfect way to wash away that hangover. Half English Barcelona-raised frontwoman Laura Hayden has an exquisite voice that fits in with the carefully crafted production. Their single 'Breakfast' is the best starting point and one of the most summery tunes we've heard this year.
Where you can see Anteros this summer: Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Reading and Leeds.
Drones Club
Intese, catchy, and mesmerising electronic music from London's brightest nocturnal bass crew. PMR, who signed Disclosure, have snapped them up - and as it stands they're still relatively unknown. If you get a chance to see them, you'll witness a really elaborate stage show which will loosen up even the stiffest of crowds and they'll leave you with a warm aura and enough energy to roam around good form the rest of the night.
Where you can see Drones Club this summer: Blissfields, Latitude, Visions
