You get to the festival, look at the programme, and panic. So many new bands, so little time. What should you do?
Never fear, Clash is here: we’ve talked to the industry insiders to find out which acts they’ll be making a beeline for this summer. Go forth and discover…
Rob da Bank – Founder, Bestival
Fleet Foxes
“Woozy, trippy folk from one of the hotly tipped SXSW bands. “
The Shortwave Set
“Cut and paste singer songwriters – Dangermouse has turned out a gem on their new album. “
The Cocknbull Kid
“Anita Blay gives a mad blend of Kate Bush harmonies and psychedelic urban tales.”
Buraka Son Sistema
“With a new super-young front woman, Buraka are leading the baille funk crossover charge.”
Sports Day Megaphone
“Sports Day’s electro pop is a wonder – Billy Bragg, Technotronic and Justice melted in one Casio keyboard”
Janine Ellis – Wichita Recordings
A Place To Bury Strangers
“The loudest band in New York, apparently. Catch them at ATP. Don’t forget your earplugs!”
Atlas Sound
“Bradford Cox from Deerhunter’s solo outfit. Album ‘Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel’ is really beautiful. “
The Dodos
“An acoustic/percussion duo from San Francisco. Beautiful harmonies and galloping melodies.”
Times New Viking
“I LOVE this band! “Rip It Off” is already a contender for my album of 2008. Lo-fi indie rock at its finest!”
Yeasayer
“‘Enya with balls’, they’ve described themselves as. They’re pretty genre-defying.”
Helen Griffiths – Senior Event Organiser, Wakestock Festival
Hadouken
“I can’t wait to see these guys live, especially ‘Tuning In’ – it’s a banger!! “
Operator Please
“They look so young but they’ve been taking Australia by storm.”
Lightspeed Champion
“I’ve been listening to this album non-stop! He has one of the sunset slots.”
Friendly Fires
“Friendly Fires are touring loads – by the time Wakestock comes around they’ll be massive …”
Kick Box Riot
“An unsigned band from Cardiff who won a competition to find a band to open Wakestock’s main stage.”
Rick Edwards – T4 Presenter
The New York Fund
“An explosion of country and rock’n’roll with oodles of on-stage charisma and a mini-Stephen Merchant on guitar. “
Pete and the Pirates
“Album Little Death is simply brilliant indie-pop. My hands are already clapping. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
The Courteeners
“Attitude doesn’t really cover it. Liam could outswagger the original Liam. “
The Rascals
“This three-piece are sublime. Punchy, surprising and charming.”
The Metros
“This lot are proper trouble. Never less than incendiary live. Lock up your wives, girlfriends, sisters, mums, nans.”
Jo Bartlett and Danny Hagan – Founders, Green Man Festival
Wild Beasts
“We were sent a YouTube clip and it blew our minds! They’ll be an important part of the Domino Records night at this year’s festival.”
Emmy The Great
“She played solo last year on a smaller stage, and was amazing. She’s back this year with a band.”
Black Mountain
“We’ve been after them for a few years now so are really excited about seeing them at Green Man.”
The National
“We’ve also been after this band for a while, been in love with them since hearing ‘Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers’.”
Howlin’ Rain
“Howlin’ Rain feature members of Comets on Fire and Sunburned Hand of The Man – the latter played one of the wildest sets ever in 2006.”
Jodie Banaszkiewicz and Julie Bernouis – founders of My Ex-Boyfriend’s Records
Crystal Castles
“We’ve been fans of this boy/girl duo for a while and really hope we get to see them this year.”
Jay Reatard
“Playing our club night in May. Reminiscent of our favourite punk bands from the late 70s’ – raw and loud.”
Vampire Weekend
“We’ve seen them a few times but can’t get enough of them. APunk always puts us in a good mood.”
The Last Shadow Puppets
“Alex Turner’s new project is incredible, reminds us of all our favourite sounds from the 60s, with poetic lyrics.”
Late Of The Pier
“Love the disjointed 80’s inspired sounds, we play Bathroom Gurgle a lot and it always gets people moving.”
Geoff Ellis – MD of Big Day Ltd (T in the Park)
Ting Tings
“The last couple of months have catapulted them into the limelight. Katie’s got a great voice. “
MGMT
“It’s great to have fresh American talent as well as homegrown at T. Oracular Spectacular is a great album.”
The Script
“They’ve been called U2 meets Timbaland a lot, which is probably a good way for people to understand them.”
Black Kids
“More US talent, but more Arcade Fire-esque. With a massive UK tour before they play T I think they’ll have the crowd singing along. “
Sergeant
“One of the best bands to come out of Scotland over the last couple of years. ”
Sara Jade and Nadia Dahlawi – Young and Lost Club
Interpol
“Interpol are our favourite band. Even though we’ve liked them since school we haven’t seen them live much.”
Noah and the Whale
“They’re going to be the first album release on Y&L Club, so we’re excited to see them play the festivals.”
Late of the Pier
“They’re always amazing live, they’re the most innovative band and very entertaining.”
Lord Auch
“A perfect package of stunning live show, memorable songs and a mystique missing from bands today. “
White Lies
“Everyone will have heard of White Lies by festival time, their songs are so huge and epic.”
Alex Trenchard – Founder, Standon Calling
Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit
“Two years ago at Standon I stumbled out of my tent at midday to the sound of Johnny Flynn. The entire festival seemed to be there, as if Johnny’s genius had dragged them out of their tents.”
Crystal Castles
“Electro punk using a sound chip from an old Atari keyboard. One of the most original bands Iwho send dance floors into panic.”
The Pan I am
“Have a lot of energy and intensity. The new songs are brilliantly written – theatrical, gritty, but really well composed and melodic. “
Pre
“Hardcore – a truly awesome live act.”
Paloma Faith
“One of the most exciting live performers in 2008. Billie Holiday in burlesque. Amazing voice and improvised theatre.”
