It's Reading + Leeds Festival time and that means great new music from the 麻豆社 Music Introducing Stage.
Meet the 27 new bands and artists about to make their mark! (Note: set times are for Reading)
|| FRIDAY 25 AUGUST ||
TOUTS, 20:00
"Touts is the most rock and roll band that's come out of Northern Ireland in years. Reading and Leeds can expect fierce guitars, politics, snarling and fun. Enjoy!"
Stuart Bailie, Across The Line, 麻豆社 Introducing Northern Ireland
THE GOLDEN AGE OF TV, 19:45
"The Golden Age of TV came onto our radar at the end of last year with Between Each Brick, and we all instantly fell in love with them. They've nailed the 90s indie guitar vibe and have beautifully powerful vocals laced on top. Expect them to become your new favourite band."
Emily Pilbeam, 麻豆社 Introducing in West Yorkshire
SCOTT QUINN, 18:30
"What else can I say about Scott that I haven't already said before? He's a songwriter who dares to bare his soul and sings directly from the heart. This year alone has already proven that good things do happen to those who deserve it. If you want a performance that's going to stand out on the 麻豆社 Music Introducing stage, look no further. Scott Quinn is the man."
Jericho Keys, 麻豆社 Introducing in York and North Yorkshire
SUGARMEN, 17:45
"This band have been turning the right heads in the industry since they began, and also managed to work with Clash legend Mick Jones on their early single Dirt. It’s fantastic to see this band make it to Reading + Leeds as we have been supporting them since they started. They have grown and developed into a really tight live band with a collection of post punk influenced songs that work well on radio and are perfect for a festival. Sugarmen are (Luke Fenlon (vocals/guitar), Chay Heney (guitars), Tom Shields (bass) and Sam McVann (drums)."
Dave Monks, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Merseyside
RALE, 17:00
"RALE are one of those bands that manage to sound instantly recognisable and yet brand new at the same time, channeling the finest post punk pioneers but adding their own unmistakable panache. Seasoned music lovers will find comfort in the familiarity of their sound whilst younger ears will discover something new and beautiful. But all will agree on one thing: RALE are an incredible band and live are force to be reckoned with."
Christian Carlisle, 麻豆社 Introducing in Sheffield
PHUNDO ART, 16:15
"Born and raised in Soweto, South Africa, Phundo Art currently calls the West Midlands home. His music informs his live shows: passionate, party-starting rap detailing not only the good life he intends to live but the trials and tribulations he and others around him face on a daily
basis. His choice of production and penchant for melody help to push his trademark take on modern rap forward."
Jack Parker, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in the West Midlands
PLAZA, 15:25
"PLAZA is made up of four lads from Hartlepool, an industrial seaside town in the North East. Their music is guitar heavy and layered with reverb creating the perfect foundation for Bradley Lennard’s vocals. They are bold, loud and bursting with energy, you won’t want to miss this band live."
Rianne Thompson, 麻豆社 Tees Introducing
BROOKE BENTHAM, 13:50
"Brooke's standout anthem, Heavy And Ephemeral, was Huw Stephens' Introducing Discovery. She's also been feeling the love from John Kennedy at Radio X."
Nick Roberts, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in the North East
OLLY CHAMBERLAIN, 13:10
"He's an incredible wordsmith and an amazing guitarist, who started out impressing students with his pop soul sound whilst studying at Reading University. Olly and his band are definitely a group not to miss at Reading and Leeds."
Bridgitte Tetteh, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Berkshire
|| SATURDAY 26 AUGUST ||
ISLAND, 20:05
"All of your senses are in for a right treat with south London-based band ISLAND performing at this year’s Reading and Leeds fest! Bringing all the feels with their ethereal presence and singer Rollo’s husky vocals, ISLAND are an indie rock band with an atmospheric, delayed twist, one that you would be sorry to miss. Here at 麻豆社 Introducing in London we have supported their music from the moment they first uploaded in 2015, and two years on we are proud to say they are representing us at Reading + Leeds!"
Jess Iszatt, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in London
IDER, 19:20
"In summer 2016 we were stupefied by the arrival of Pulse on the 麻豆社 Music Introducing uploader. The stirring track causes a flurry of inbox activity and we needed to find out more. IDER, we discovered, comprised the spirited duo of Megan and Lily. Next, King Ruby appeared on the uploader. By Christmas it would be the 麻豆社 Introducing track of the week on Radio 1. Three more mind-blowing uploads followed and by May, when IDER performed at our monthly showcase at Rough Trade in Nottingham, their staggering potential was clear to see. Their charisma, beguiling harmonies and musical prowess made it an unforgettable gig, the room held spellbound. Irrespective of what genre of music you're pursuing at Reading + Leeds, be sure to catch IDER. Their set is irresistible and they will steal your heart."
Dean Jackson, 麻豆社 Music Introducing East Midlands
PLAYING HOUSE, 18:35
"Playing House make joyful, pacy art-pop, with gutsy vocals, resonating guitar and throwback synths. Best served with lashings of dancing."
Sophie Little, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Norfolk
CASSIA, 17:50
"I genuinely think they'll be the biggest band to come from our area in a generation. Vampire Weekend meets Little Comets making the finest calypso trop-pop you'll hear. Summer on a track."
Rob Adcock, 麻豆社 Music Introducing from Stoke
WILL SIN FOR LOVE, 17:05
"It’s not often you hear the words 'original' and 'different' used appropriately in today’s world. But this group deliver something your ears won’t have encountered before. Haunting electronic indie pop with Jessica’s distinct and mesmerising vocal. Tracks like Vulnerable are cleverly written and take you on a journey of that fragile central character. An act not to be missed."
Steph Nieuwenhuys, 麻豆社 Music Introducing Solent
TOO MANY T'S, 16:20
"More beats and bars than a drum circle in a pub... The T's have been slaying the UK festival scene for the past few years and now they are coming at you.."
Lal Muttock, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Northampton
VERSCHIEDEN, 15:30
"Coming in all horns blasting, Verschieden are the perfect antidote to any negative vibes. They sound like they were created for the sole purpose of making people dance. They are a welcome addition to any festival line up with their sound taking nods from the very best of funk, soul and pop."
Jack Parker, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in the West Midlands
DAN STOCK, 13:55
"A brilliant lyricist who has been dominating the Milton Keynes music scene for years. You can hear Alex Turner in his lyrics and Springsteen in his guitar play. Dan takes his influences and uses them to send his music in an exciting new direction."
麻豆社 Music Introducing Beds, Herts and Bucks
S艗UR, 13:15
"Sœur have everything you want from your favourite new guitar band: power, poise and catchy-as-heck tunes. Tina and Anya are up front, belting out the riffs and riding the harmonies, whilst Jim sits at the back driving it all along - a no frills, foot-tapping cocktail. Look out, Soeur will make your head spin."
Richard Pitt, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in the West
|| SUNDAY 27 AUGUST ||
HONEY LUNG, 20:00
"Like scuzz-infused shoe-gaze all over the stage? Then Devon, London and elsewhere's Honey Lung are right up your American punk-vibed alley. Catchy tracks, huge riffs and unforgettable live shows make for one heck of a band. Be at the front, angst at the ready."
Sarah Gosling, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Devon
ANNA STRAKER, 19:15
"Production that's out of this world... since her first upload to 麻豆社 Introducing in Lincolnshire back in March 2015 with One Lover, Anna Straker has continued to deliver. Her massive sound is never over-the-top and all of her music has a heartbeat that you can't help but dance to. Having sung backing vocals for Rudimental, John Newman and Years and Years... it's time for her to take centre stage."
Chris Berrow & Hayley Ritchie, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Lincolnshire
GINGER SNAPS, 18:30
"A mind meld of old skool beats and funk riff, they are the band Vanilla Ice could have been..."
Lal Muttock, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Northampton
MOSA WILD, 17:45
"Mosa Wild make mammoth songs with lashings of heart and soul and they consistently deliver live. They recently wowed crowds around Europe supporting Maggie Rogers on tour and are the definite ones to watch at Reading + Leeds this year!"
Abbie McCarthy, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Kent
PENGUIN, 17:00
"Their first release, Not A Problem, received widespread blog coverage and radio plays from Huw Stephens and Tom Robinson. Fresh from their debut at Evolution Emerging, Penguin bring their polished sound to Leeds + Reading."
Nick Roberts, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in the North East
ALIBI, 16:15
"From the seaside town of Hastings, Alibi's live performances are an exuberant celebration of guitar-driven hooks and tunes, guaranteed to get you dancing and leave you with a ridiculously massive grin!"
麻豆社 Music Introducing in the South
CHROMA, 15:25
"Producing an intensity that is breaking through barriers in the Welsh and English music scene, bi-lingual rock punk trio Chroma from the South Wales valleys perform with vibrancy, colour, plenty of expression and a playful glint in their eye. With support from a host of 麻豆社 Introducing DJs, they are a band not to be missed at Reading + Leeds this year!"
Emma Kaye, Horizons, 麻豆社 Wales
LOW ISLAND, 13:50
"Low Island’s songs make you move, and cause you to be moved. They’re vast, shimmering, pounding soundscapes that’ll make you feel like you’re the star of your own unforgettable movie."
Dave Gilyeat, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Oxford
QUEEN ZEE AND THE SASSTONES, 13:10
"Their first single Sissy Fists has made a big impact with listeners and music lovers. With cutting lyrics and plenty of live energy, they performed an outstanding set at Liverpool Sound City earlier this year. 6 Music's Tom Robinson has also supported the band whose eye-catching image also makes an impression. Don’t miss them at the Introducing stage at Reading + Leeds this year!"
Dave Monks, 麻豆社 Music Introducing in Merseyside