Vega Rally

Hailing from the Midlands, Vega Rally is a self-produced solo artist signed to Spirit of Spike Island. He’ll be heading out on tour (dates below) with his label mates Afflecks Palace and Pastel this summer.

To date, he has only released one single, ‘Infinity 93’. There’s no escaping it, the grooves of The Stone Roses’ ‘Waterfall’ are out for all to see. The respectful homage takes the classic into modern-day remix territory with its trippy rave-cum-baggy funk of the second half.

Lyrically, inspired by Brown, Gallagher, and Clarke he offers up something utterly vital for this generation! They have desire ingrained into their essence much like the Pistols, Roses and Oasis did! The opening gambit of ‘I, I can do, everything, that I like to / today is all mine’ acts as a beacon of hope to those trapped in school, suburbs, work anything where the soul needs setting free. A point that Rally makes in the closing euphoric moments:

“Can you feel me / anyone at all”

The effortlessness of the grooves here will ensure Ian Brown stomps and shoulder rolls will invade dancefloors once more.

*Image courtesy of Vega Rally and Spirit of Spike Island

Pastel

Manchester five-piece Pastel formed in 2017. They’re made up of cousins Jack Yates (Vocalist) and James Yates (Rhythm guitar) Joe Anderson (Lead guitar) and South Wales lads Rhys Wheeler (Drums) and Liam O’Shea (bass).

Signed to independent label Spirit of Spike Island, they released ‘She Waits For Me’ for in 2020.

Many bands strive for a huge sound, but, too many fall into stadium rock era Oasis. Pastel, however, have walked the tightrope of credibility here with ease. Like The Verve and Ride, there’s layer upon layer of mysticism and psychedelia resounding out. It’s fresh and equally as powerful as the aforementioned greats.

Yates’ vocals are key to its success. More melodic than Tom Meighan and more robust than Van McCann’s, he lends accessibility to this vast soundscape. Without this, the mammoth guitars would be too daunting otherwise

*Image courtesy of Matthew Enyon and Spirit of Spike Island