The Underground Stage
“The Dark Hawks are only two-strong but bring heavy rhythm and roaring vocals that remind you of why you like QOTSA, but also why you like watching two people make enough racket for a table set for twelve. Performative, impressive.” Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
“Jessamine plays in other bands (including The Mis-Made), but here unleashes herself solo – and boy, does it burn the throat. Like strong liquor, this goes down smooth but does damage on the way – PJ Harvey via hair rock. That may not sound like it makes sense, but it really, truly, does.” Facebook | […]
“Black Heart Breakers have an unfair share of the energy, a good proportion of the the rock, a stranglehold on harmonies, a dangerous quantity of the speed, and literally all of the hair. It sounds and feels *just* like that.” Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
“Fait Accompli are doing their first-ever (and last-minute) show as a two-piece and they are plagued by literally all the technical goblins. What this unleashes is a cathartic explosion of noise and chaos and song. It’s a fucking din and no mistake, unplanned and off the rails. Even though the whole thing’s collapsing, it’s raw […]
“Peter Black is a founding member of the Hard Ons, and has sold more records than you. He’s currently playing some of the loveliest, but also wonkiest, acoustic numbers available. It’s a bloody delight, no less than that – these are all slightly batshit moments, but smooth as butter for all that. Lovely.” Facebook | […]
“Sweet Banana play with giddy, heavy, abandon – in thrall to the Violent Sohos of this world, but with an off-kilter sense of abandon and absolutely no handbrake available. They have fun, they make many pleasing rackets like the daftly great “VLS”, and some days you really can’t ask for anything more.” Facebook | Instagram
“White Blanks wave us goodbye forever tonight, and there’s not a dry eye in the house. It’s probably all just sweat though – it may be their swansong but there’s no let-up in the madcap fuzzball craziness I’ve loved so much from this lot. Happy trails, you loveable scamps. Sniff.” Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
“The Moving Stills sound super-polished, but with deliberately rough edges; shiny and poppy, but really bloody upset about stuff. It’s like being attacked by a knife-wielding Coldplay. This is very confusing. But make no mistake, it’s very, very good.” Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
“Neighbours have spent 2018 getting even better, even faster, and adding in some even more *belting* new ‘uns to the set. They’re no shoutier, obviously, because that would really be impossible at this point. Next year beckons – bring ear plugs and dancing boots.” Facebook | Instagram