More about: Long Division

Closing out a 12-year run which has seen acts such as The Fall, The Wedding Present, Billy Bragg and countless others grace stages across the city centre and along with the wealth of family and community events  happening alongside the music, it's sure to be a missed feature of the calendar in the forthcoming absent years. Aiming to close out with a bang, this year’s festival promises to be one to remember, and here’s a quick list of some acts you should definitely be aiming to catch if you find yourself in the merrie city on June 10th. 

Arab Strap 

With the festival’s closing merriments in mind, Scotland indie legends Arab Strap are perhaps not a group you’d associate with being the centre of celebrations, but their signature blend of unflinching storyteller amidst a range of atmospheric folk and rock instrumentation means it promises to be a performance not to be missed. 

Listen to – 'The First Big Weekend'

Skinny Pelembe

A recent addition to the festival, Doncaster’s Skinny Pelembe is one of the most exciting names on the line up. His 2023 album Hardly The Same Snake showcased him as terrifically playful artist, one not confided to a select genre, choosing to flirt with hip-hop rhythms, indie pop choruses and dreamy soulful vocals, making Long Division a great opportunity to catch such a promising artist in a more intimate environment.

Listen to – 'Same Eye Colour'

Green Gardens

Leeds based art rock outfit Green Gardens have developed a name on the West Yorkshire scene over the past few years, culminating in them signing to local label Come Play with Me earlier this year. A band on the rise and deservedly so, through lush melodies and textured instrumentation, though not without moments of shadowy introspection, Green Gardens are one of the festival's most enticing offerings.

Listen to – 'Things I Didn’t Do'

Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip

Summing up Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip is a tricky one for all the right reasons. Part punk-poet, part absurdist humourist, Mik Artistik & Co will certainly be one of the more unique musical offerings of Long Division, clashing together musical flavourings  of country, electronica and old school rock all rounded off with wonderfully off-kilter spoken word/shouted/sung wisdom.

Listen to – 'Sweet Leaf of The North'

Bdrmm

Hull based five pieces bdrmm will be hitting the streets of Wakefield as part of the run up to their second album I Don’t Know, to be released in late June. Expect immersive layers of strung-out noise rock guitars, spacey electronic elements, and ethereal vocals.

Listen to – 'Its Just a Bit of Blood'

DRAHLA

Yorkshire three piece Drahla are no strangers to scene around Wakefield, and as such theirs promises to be one of the most anticipated sets of the festival. Unrelenting drums, attacks of scratchy guitars and dominating bass runs generate a sound reminiscent of the 80s post-punk and no-wave scene, with Luciel Brown’s dry drawl completing a compelling group dynamic, and one that will be a welcome return to a stage in Wakefield.

Listen to – 'Lip Sync'

Jessica Winter

Keeping a varied mix on a line-up is always a great sign for a festival, and thankfully Jessica Winter will be providing some art-pop grooves in the midst of much guitar thrashery to Long Division. Hopefully festival goers will be bringing their dancing shoes for Winter’s set, her infectious, glitchy dance pop sound is sure to get the crowd moving well into the late evening.

Listen to – 'Funk This Up'

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More about: Long Division