With so many massive acts playing Reading & Leeds this year, it can be easy to ignore some of the newer, less established acts looking to make an impression this year. So here’s ten new bands and artists that should definitely be on your radar if you’re looking to find something new and – obviously – great.
VANT
VANT are one of a new breed of punk revival bands, with their handful of tracks consisting of heavy riffs, quick tempos and almost activist-like lyrics which point out society’s flaws as aggressively as they can. A perfect fit for the opening slot of the Lock-Up stage, anyone who loves classic punk fuelled by anger at society should expect the quartet to wow with their in-your-face stage presence.
For fans of: Pixies, Slaves, Pretty Vicious
Catch them: Lock-Up Stage (Reading – Friday, Leeds – Saturday) • GJ
Fort Hope
Having already toured with the likes of Mallory Knox and Jimmy Eat World, London trio Fort Hope make their debut at the festivals, and there’s never been more buzz around them. Fortunately, they have more than enough musical prowess to back it up. With a couple of highly received EPs already released, the trio ply massively melodic rock but with a darker twist that sets them apart from the rest of the pack. And when they’ve made their mark on the festivals, much bigger things surely await.
For fans of: Mallory Knox, Young Guns, Elliot Minor
Catch them: The Pit (Reading – Sunday, Leeds – Friday) • LN
Black Peaks
Although Black Peaks may only have two songs under this name (they were previously called Shrine), they’ve already caused a stir due to support from Radio 1 and a live Maida Vale set during their Rock Week. Combining refreshingly interesting vocals with head-banging prog-rock guitars, they will grace the Pit stage at Reading & Leeds this year. One of Britain’s brightest prospects in modern rock and metal.
For fans of: Marmozets, Arcane Roots, Oceansize
Catch them: The Pit (Reading – Saturday, Leeds – Sunday) • GJ
Ho99o9
With Ho99o9, you’ve got a band unlike anything else. This New Jersey duo combine thrash, punk and hip-hop, throwing in feedback and all manner of inhuman noises into the mix for a sound that is arthouse, antisocial but completely and utterly unavoidable. Their latest EP Horrors Of 1999 is a devastating ten minute blast of weirdness, and with their live show already being the stuff of legend, these two certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
For fans of: Trash Talk, Die Antwoord, Death Grips
Catch them: The Pit (Reading – Saturday, Leeds – Sunday) • LN
Coasts
If you’re into heartfelt indie-rock anthems, then Bristol quintet Coasts will definitely be making it into your playlists sometime soon. They’ll be bringing their soaring, stadium sized choruses to the Festival Republic Stage this year, with tracks like A Rush Of Blood and mega-hit Oceans sure to go down a storm. And with their debut album due in September, it seems likely brand-new tracks will be getting their first airings. One of the UK’s most promising new bands for sure.
For fans of: Catfish And The Bottlemen, The 1975, Mallory Knox
Catch them: Festival Republic Stage (Reading – Sunday, Leeds – Friday) • GJ
The One Hundred
London’s The One Hundred have certainly been building a name for themselves. As if support slots with the likes of Crossfaith and Papa Roach haven’t been enough, their sound has become a force in its own right, a highly original fusion of metalcore, electronica and British hip-hop in a seamlessly acerbic fashion. So one of the most exciting new British bands around with a great sound and a killer live show – it’s a no-brainer.
For fans of: Crossfaith, Hacktivist, Stray From The Path
Catch them: The Pit (Reading – Saturday, Leeds – Sunday) • LN
Eliza And The Bear
Having already featured on a Bulmers advert, along with earning support slots for Paramore and Twin Atlantic, it’s safe to say Eliza And The Bear are set to go places. Their super happy indie-pop is sure to keep the every person in Reading & Leeds’ Festival Republic tents dancing and grinning, and with Make It On My Own, the first single from their upcoming debut album giving them more of an edge, the future looks exciting. Check them out before they become the next massive indie band.
For fans of: The 1975, Young Kato, Walk The Moon
Catch them: Festival Republic Stage (Reading – Friday, Leeds – Saturday) • GJ
Queen Kwong
As well as appearing with Limp Bizkit, Wes Borland’s pulling double duty over the weekend with Queen Kwong. If you’re expecting anything even remotely similar though, you’ll be sorely disappointed. This lot – a supergroup of sorts featuring members of Filter, Marilyn Manson and Awolnation – deal in captivating, riot grrrl-flavoured indie rock that’s compelling anyway but even more so thanks to Carré Callaway’s mesmerising vocals. Prepare for one of the most interesting bands you’ll see all weekend.
For fans of: Garbage, Le Butcherettes, Queens Of The Stone Age
Catch them: The Pit (Reading – Sunday, Leeds – Friday) • LN
Jack Garratt
Buckinghamshire lad Jack Garratt is one of the most unique acts to come out of the UK music scene in a long time. Combining R&B with dubstep, guitar and incredible vocals, songs like Chemical are virtually unclassifiable genre-wise. A multi-instrumentalist, Garratt was quickly noticed by BBC Introducing, and as a result of his growing fanbase, has been promoted to the Festival Republic Stage for this year’s Reading & Leeds. Expect an electrifying set.
For fans of: Twenty One Pilots, Bastille, Kwabs
Catch him: Festival Republic Stage (Reading – Sunday, Leeds – Friday) • GJ
Sunset Sons
Sun-kissed pop-rock is the order of the day with Sunset Sons, which should be all you need to know. Of course, ideal weather conditions should make them multiple times better, but even in a torrential deluge the Anglo-Aussies will still be brilliant. They’re currently in France recording their debut full-length, but following their sets at the festivals, and a huge European tour supporting Imagine Dragons, the name Sunset Sons will be inescapable before long.
For fans of: Kings Of Leon, Imagine Dragons, Bombay Bicycle Club
Catch them: Festival Republic Stage (Reading – Friday, Leeds – Saturday) • LN
Reading & Leeds takes place on 28-30 August at Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds
Words by Luke Nuttall (LN) and Georgia Jackson (GJ)
