Lighthouse

Lighthouse are four-piece hailing from North East London. They recently released their new single ‘Another Minute’ and have supported Rosellas at Grace (London) and headlined a This Feeling show at The Water Rats (London).

Having supported The Rifles already, we catch up with what they have been up to:

*Image courtesy of Emmanuel Robert

Another Minute

Lighthouse tap into the exhilarating guitars of The Rifles’ first two albums on ‘Another Minute’. The guitars fizz with an emotive power that’s always threatening to spill over on this tale of grabbing life by the horns.

The closing moments are destined to witness friends drunkenly flail across UK venues in moments of sheer joy. The spirit of ‘Live Forever’ will never die!

What Do You Want To Be?

With the vocal prowess of Preston from the early days of The Ordinary Boys and the melancholic power of The Cribs (ft. Johnny Marr) classic ‘We Share The Sane Skies’, Lighthouse prove they have great album tracks to back up the hook-laden gems like ‘Another Minute’.

The guitars at the breakdown and the solo take them to another level. They bolster the humble 00s punk of Milburn and The Paddingtons with the expressiveness of Billy Duff (The Cult) to conjure pure gold.

Anna Wolf

Anna Wolf is a singer-songwriter from Pretoria (South Africa) who is now based in London. She has caught the eye of impeccable punk rock kingmakers ZineUK and RocklandsTV in recent years with a mesmeric stage presence.

We take a look at what she has been up to:

*image courtesy of Paul Harries

Dreaming Again

Cinematic brilliance! Her most traditional songwriting display to date. She takes her vocal towards the emotive roar of Dolores O’Riordan as the production fizzes and soars to the dazzling heights of Sigor Ros.

Hello, World!

Believer

In a track that displays several vocal styles, this is surprisingly cohesive despite its oddities. Oddities that serve as a glorious propulsion a scene treading water into a new realm. At times here, Wolf is on Parr with Bush and makes modern greats like Wolf Alice look like a thing of the past with hopeful desolation beats and production.

GONG

Wolf displays a more angelic vocal here, it allows a sense of innocence to grow as the resounding military drums build towards the thundering production and stop-start punky riffs grow a sense of impending danger.

 In three minutes, Wolf has put herself in the league of Bjork, very few can truly say this!

Mystery Team

Mystery Team are a 4 piece rap/punk group from Southend-on-Sea consisting of Kristie (vocals), Lynton (vocals), Ben (vocals/producer/beat maker), and Nathan (drums). They formed in 2017 but were struck by creative tragedy in 2019 when a corrupt hard drive forced them back to square one.

Lockdown was spent recreating their past but, not wishing to rest on their laurels they introduced Nathan on the drums to complete the live setup.

Let’s see what they have been up to:

Felony

Explosive Hip-Hop meets punk rock to make Transplants and Jamie T fans glow with pride. The snarling vocals and vicious basslines of Slaves (now Soft Play) tap into the violent immediacy of Hadouken also.

Their visceral intensity is going to send independent venues into utter chaos sooner rather than later. Their adversity in the studio has bred an untamed sonic. The tempo set to unruly, they are going to blow away small venues sooner rather than later.

Boy Lost

Pulling from Grime and the aggressive lo-fi of the Audio Bullys, ‘Boy Lost’ is dragging cultures together with a sneering disdain for society. The carefully considered production and guitars are striking and bring Audio Bullys and Propellerheads musicality into play but, there are hints of Teebone’s flair and Plan B’s savage affability coursing through the vocal to keep everything vital.

Judge and The Kid

Judge and The Kid is a multi-instrumentalist from Chelmsford in Essex. He has been recording music for over a decade but, during the pandemic, the desire to put it out began to burn bright.

We check out some of the tracks recorded from his apartment.

Hold On To Me

The post-punk brilliance of New York’s Interpol is brought to life via The Vaccines. From verse to the chorus, there is a great sense of drama building, as though life is unfurling out of control in the most glorious of coming-of-age stories.

The drumming fizzes a la Matt Tong’s (Bloc Party) at breakneck speed lifting the sense of teenage dreams being played out to another level!  

Up In Arms

Dirty riffs meet the rapid-fire desperation vocals of Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem). A sense of isolation and despair lurks behind the brash rock ‘n’ roll euphoria which hooks you deep.

AlienBlaze

Signed to Sumnerian Records, Alienblaze is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player with a big future. Tonight she plays a stacked bill at This Feeling’s #BigIn2023 show at London’s Water Rats.

Let’s see what she has been up to:

Romantically Dead

A desolate opening of distraught beats and a deadened heart foster a realm of despair for wayward souls to revel in. The discourse remains cold throughout but, AlienBlaze’s vocals melt away the harsh corners with the emotive power of Ellie Roswell.

There are times when it transcends music and feels more like a plea for help, a desperate hostage begging to exist but, there are hints of emo and grunge, Wolf Alice too and yet it feels so utterly vital, new, and fresh.

Not Yours Never Was

The Cure’s shimmering sonic is taken to the destruction of Marilyn Manson as AlienBlaze crossover to the other side in Stranger Things.

She has the beguiling nature of Billie Eilish and the menace of Ellie Roswell, but it’s the vastness of the production and the reimagining of what goth can be that steal the show.

The Lotts

The Lotts are a four-piece from Warrington consisting of Henry Buchanan (vocals & guitar), Adam Bridge (guitar), Joel Norton (drums), and Jamie Evans (bass).

Signed to the impeccable Whispering Pines, they have recorded twice at the legendary Rockfield Studios and tonight they play This Feeling’s #BigIn2023 in Manchester.

(image courtesy of https://www.whisperingpines.co.uk/)

Let’s check them out:

I’ll Get Round To It

Jagged bluesy punk riffs set fire to this anthem. Mersey beat influences are injected with punk via frontman Bucanan’s snarling vocal. Coupled with the garage, mod, and psyche of the guitars The Rifles and The Strypes are going to have to move out of the way of the juggernaut that is The Lotts.

We Are The Lotts

The Hives fever pitch playing meets the punk-psyche of The Wytches on this vicious piece of garage rock. Stinging the senses with Joei Silvester and Wilko Johnson guitars they create a realm The Lotts become a life-or-death obsession. Hair and clothes will change overnight! Attitudes will sharpen as a generation draws a line in the sand and says no more to the dross of the charts!

Click image for tickets:

The Cavs

The Cavs are a Manchester outfit consisting of Elliot (vocals & occasional guitars), Mikey (bass), Arthur (drums), Chris (lead guitar), and James (rhythm guitar)

They’ve already supported Dirty Laces and been championed by Clint Boon. Tonight they play This Feeling’s #BigIn2023 in Manchester. Let’s see why:

Music Is My Madness

Full of ambition, The Cavs have created a sense of anticipation on this record via the visceral roar of Royal Blood and the indie-rock ‘n’ roll howls of Apollo Junction and Twisted Wheel.

Bullet-like guns build the tension before they explode into blood, sweat, and tears crescendo. It may not have that killer hook pay off but Christ, it’s close to something special.

 Chasing The World

There’s a melodic rumble throughout this anthem that brings the best moments of Eddie & The Hot Rods flooding back. Chris’ guitars have the enriching warmth of Steve Craddock and the guttural of Kelly Jones’ playing post-2003.

As they scorch the earth, frontman Elliot Craven has an everyman appeal akin to Jones or Tom Clarke. Clearly a vocal talent but with rough edges to entice the indie kids and punks alike.

There are melodic uplifts that could grace a Noel Gallagher songwriting session and in the closing stages the free-flowing psyche-punk of Oasis’ live shows at Maine Road and Earls Court ooze from this record’s soul.

Click image for tickets:

The Juice

The Juice are a five-piece hailing from Manchester. They’re made up of Joe (vocals), Jack (guitar), Louis (lead guitar), Ross (bass), and Leachy (drums).

They’ve already played Isle of Wight festival and formed part of the brilliant ‘Brits & Pieces’ compilations.

Tonight they are part of a stellar lineup at This Feeling’s Big In 2023 show In Manchester. Let’s see why:

Lost

Frontman Joe has found a vocal sweet spot between James Skelly and Dace McCabe providing a vocal hook to make all and sundry meerkat towards the radio instantly.

‘Lost’ is the kind of record that radio stations in the 90s and 00s would have splashed across their schedules. That link has been tethered somewhat since, but the melody, its sexual energy, and the danger and infectiousness of the solo are bound to bring that link back.

Left To Lose

They’ve taken the best moments of the Pigeon Detectives and put them through the polished alt-rock prism of The Zutons. The smoky riffs and gruff bluesy vocals are intoxicating!

Tell Me Tina

An instantaneous indie riot from The Reytons playbook but with better guitars. This character-driven tale of heartbreak is beset with guitars sauntering alongside the rapid-fire lyrics of a forlorn protagonist finding his way back to the light.

 The Juice play This Feeling’s Big In 2023 tonight in Manchester. Click the image for tickets:

Colour TV

Colour TV are a four-piece who met at college in Cornwall. Sam Durneen (vocals/words), Jack Yeo (guitars), James Elliott (bass guitar), and Sean Goldsmith (drums) elected for rock ‘n’ roll rather than a-levels, a decision already backed BY Steve Lamacq himself.

*Images courtesy of the band.

They are due to play This Feeling’s Big In 2023 gig at London’s Water Rats this Saturday. Let’s see why:

Pavlova

If this was 1993, Stuart Maconie would be writing glowing features about this band in Select and changing the course of popular culture! Morrissey’s playfulness flaunts itself with the utmost glee in the chorus to dazzling effect.

Placebo’s jagged guitars are illuminated by Sam Durneen’s vocal jaunt through 90s icons Martin Rossiter, Brett Anderson, and Paul Draper. Never parody, he has brought back the glamour to the indie flail across stages and bedrooms alike.

This is the sound of youthful exuberance and heartbreak shrouded in Russian history. Pretentious? Perhaps. Incredible. Certainly.

Wherever You Need

Cooper Temple Clause’s growling riffs are reimagined alongside the flamboyance of Brett Anderson’s sexual misadventures (“uneventful sex for years”) and the infectious aggression of Roddy Womble in this epic.

Minus the sporadic Toy and Temples psyche production, for the most part, this is a standard rock music affair done with panache. Then, at mid-point, it fades into illuminating Cure-esque guitars jangling across the horizon as Durneen delivers spoken word to match the poignancy of Fontaines D.C. Utterly fearless as only youth can be!

Moon Duo’s sense of exploration slides into view before the explosion of punk rock psychedelia captivates you instantly and, then forevermore.

Colour TV play This Feeling’s Big In 2023 gig at London’s Water Rats this Saturday. Click image for tickets:

Sunbeam

Whitby four-piece Sunbeam are made up of Jimmy (lead vocals), Nicky Baxter (rhythm guitar), Sean Stuart (lead guitar), and Nick Craven (bass).

Images courtesy of Alex Dixon

Having formed back in 2016 by playing covers as mates they caught the bug and decided it was time they started writing their own songs.

Let’s check them out.

Heaven’s Glow

The heartfelt glow of the DMA’s shines through on the pianos and acoustic guitars to allow frontman Jimmy to deliver a vocal as divine as Paul Heaton’s Housemartins days.

Its true beauty and quality lie in that it never overreaches. Eloquently staying in its lane as an enriching and restorative indie hymn.

Holding On

Frontman Jimmy has the elegance of Roddy Fame and the melodic sunshine of Paul Heaton on this spritely acoustic affair.

The stripped-back acoustic guitars lend it a simplicity and humbleness akin to the likes of Squeeze and Danny Wilson. The kind of music you hear once and make lifelong friends with.

 Sunbeam will be playing live Friday 3rd Feb. Click image for tickets:

Paper Scenes

Paper Scenes are a four-piece that hails from across the UK. Frontman and rhythm guitarist Bav is from Sleaford in Lincolnshire. Lead guitarist, Julian is from Rotherham, drummer Oscar is from Burton Latimer in Northamptonshire, and bassist Cal is from Ashbourne in Derbyshire. 

Having met at university they were bonded by romantic kitchen table conversations of mid-00s bands and forming a band of their own. With this spirit in their hearts, they did just that and now reside in Manchester.

Let’s check out their debut single Echo Falls:

Echo Falls

The rippling guitars are destined to infect the hearts of a nation immediately. Not willing to be just another hazy indie band, they light fires with a dynamism akin to the early days of The View and the stomp of Harrisons and the playful urgency of Pull Tiger Tail.

The reimagining of the 00s scene is backed up exquisitely by frontman Bav’s melodically abrasive vocal. The cuteness of Charlie Walker (The Rumble Strips), the cuteness of Fyfe Dangerfield (Guillemots), and the emotive power of Orland Weeks (Maccabees) all come out to play.

Similar to The Goa Express and L’objectif, Paper Scenes have brought a fine musicality to their love of the 00s scenes they grew up with. What was once a great underground scene is now being lit up by these bands as the future of alternative music to great effect.

*image courtesy of Maria Cooper. 

Tickets go on sale soon for the below:

The Mercians

Midlands five-piece The Mercians capped off a fine 2022 by supporting former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan at his homecoming show in Leicester.

Let’s check them out:

*images courtesy of Away Day Radio

Little Shaw Lane

The Mercians kicked off 2002 with this fizzing indie anthem. On the surface, it’s another slice of indie rock to match their fine peers The Voyd and Civic Green. However, scratch beneath and their desire for change is looking for a fight that it will surely win.

The guitars launch the single to a rapturous effect but, it’s in the closing stages that the band comes alive. There’s almost a gothic feel to their furious eruption at the state of society. The guitars howl with anguish few can match but, through the dynamism of the vocals, a belief emerges that things will get better.

Just Like You

What Blossoms started The Lathums followed up on with great effect. Now, there is a gluttony of talent writing solid indie-pop (Overpass / The Native). The Mercians are not settling for solid though. Like all great pop music, there’s darkness permeating under the radar. Here, they deftly deal with addiction. Coupled with the Santan-esque solos and the emotive harmonies they have shown they can tap into the mainstream at will.  

The Mercians will be supporting the all conquering Marseille this March. Click image for tickets:

Fake Turins

Image courtesy of Alfie Bungay

Fake Turins are a collective from London bound together by the Harringay Warehouse scene. Their many members are Amy Wilson (clarinet/vocals), Scott Custis (lead guitar), George Traylen (drummer), Rosie Wilson (sax), Harry Wrigley (synth), Dominic Rose (vocals/arranger), Nathaniel Knowles (bass), [redacted] (noise/FX), Mars Washington (orchestral guitar/visuals), Jonny Dickens (rhythm guitar), and Jess Bernardo (percussion).

Having wowed audiences at Kick Out The Jams and more recently Rockaway Beach they look set to carry the flag of post-punk in 2023.

*banner image courtesy of Mars Washington

Here’s what they have been up to:

Talking Prophets

Howling psychedelia and trippy sax are the backdrop of this LCD Soundsystem meets Fat White Family number.  In a similar vein to Squid, they combine spoken word with experimental bugged-out post-punk and hints and Jazz.

What sets them apart are the nodes of Field Music and Art Brut which give them a playfulness and an almost pop immediacy to their far-out reals.

Parcel Duchamp

In one song, Fake Turins have nailed the post-punk psychedelia destination Arctic Monkeys have been unable to find

Their landscapes are vast like The Horrors’ ‘Primary Colours’ and though the intensity may be less, it is by no means less impactful. Tame Impala’s penchant for hooks is given a deranged twist as Rose’s vocal is a like a sedated Jonathan Richman and stoned Ian Dury stroll on by.   

Fake Turins headline the Village Underground in Shoreditch this June. Click image for tickets:

NTNL Rail

NTNL Rail are a five-piece indie outfit that formed at Sheffield Hallam University with four of the band originally from Leicester. They are made up of Lucas Craxford Kearley (lead vocals), Will Banks (lead guitar & backing vocals), Luke Bradford (rhythm guitar), Alex Kirby (bass guitar), and Elliot Kelly (drums).

Let’s take a look at what they have been up to. Images courtesy of Yuzhu Qin.

Spacey TV

The guitars rumble with Belle & Sebastien’s infectiousness circa ‘Dear Catastrophe Waitress’ and the melodic glee of The Orchids and the love of Camera Obscura. There is a driving sense of urgency reminiscent of Goa Express’ recent success that will carry them far.

Kearley’s vocals are a complex joy to behold. His laid-back vocal isn’t fighting the guitars or lyrics’ positivity but, you sense he is urging his happiness to come out whilst restraining his melancholic and nihilistic instincts. It’s a superb clash of styles that just keeps on giving on every listen.

Summer Sky

If the guitars of ‘Florescent Adolescent’ was given a lo-fi makeover by a supergroup made up of Scissor Sisters and Magic Numbers this would be the results.

Sun-drenched guitars provide a euphoria that Pete Astor has been perfecting since his days in The Loft. The blissful optimism brings peers such as Rooskin into the fold as sunnier climates flood the senses.

Blackbirds

Blackbirds are a four-piece from Glasgow consisting of Callum McAllister (Drums), Andy Campbell, (vocal & acoustic guitar), Adam Breslin (bass), and Aaron Currie (guitar).

They’re already well on their way to being home city heroes having headlined the iconic King Tuts venue.

*banner image courtesy of Raymond O’Neil

Image courtesy of Jade Stewart

Let’s see what they have been up to:

Somebody Else’s World

Released last month it was produced by Scott Thomson (Shambolics) at Eggman Studios

Ocean Colour Scene’s psychedelic journey is reignited in all its glory here. Frontman Campbell taps into Simon Fowler’s angelic mysticism circa ‘Do Yourself A Favour’ and melodic searching on ‘How About You’.

Meanwhile, Currie’s guitar work bounds into the hedonistic space travel of ‘Second Coming’. His licks dance across this single with the unruly nature of ‘Breaking Into Heaven’ and the spiralling glory of ‘Good Times’.

City of God

What if Simon Fowler fronted The Seahorses is a question that’s probably never been asked but it’s now been answered. ‘You Can Talk To Me’ is given a boisterous makeover in the verses. The Squire-esque riffs feel contained in the verses, toiling for their freedom as they build towards Currie’s destructive ‘Love Is Law’ solo in the closing stages.

Campbell’s vocal slots into Foxy’s folksier delivery. This step back allows everything around him to swirl with ever-increasing excitement before the climatic payoff. A sign of a band in harmony and willing to step back for the greater good.