ALIEN CHICKS

Copyright: Alien Chicks

Alien Chicks are a dynamic post-punk trio hailing from the streets of South London. Known for their electrifying blend of rap, jazz, and punk, the band has quickly become a fixture in the local music scene. The line-up features the vocals and sharp guitar work of Josef Lindsay, the pulsating basslines of Stefan Parker-Steele, and the explosive drumming of Martha Daniels. Together, they create a sound that is both raw and innovative, capturing the spirit of London’s underground music culture

The band’s journey began in grassroots venues across the city, in particular The Windmill, Brixton.  They have combined relentless gigging with their high-energy performances to build a loyal following in the UK and Europe. With highlights including supports with renowned acts such as Big Special, Fat Dog, English Teacher, The Blinders, and Opus Kink, sold out headlines at The Lexington and 100 Club and people queuing to see them at showcase festivals like Mutations, Left of the Dial and The Great Escape.

July marked a significant milestone for the band with the release of their debut EP ‘Indulging The Mobs’ (released on SO Recordings x Hideous Mink), a project that captures the frenetic energy and genre-blending creativity of their live shows. Their rise has not been limited to London alone; they’ve also made waves across the UK and Europe, whilst also sharing stages with renowned acts such as Fat Dog, English Teacher, The Blinders, and Opus Kink.

Alien Chicks’ music is a testament to their diverse influences and fearless approach to genre. Whether delivering rapid-fire rap verses, intricate jazz-inspired bass riffs, or thunderous punk rhythms, they continue to push boundaries and defy expectations. As they prepare to release their debut EP and take their electrifying live shows to even larger audiences, Alien Chicks are undoubtedly a band to watch in the coming years.

RONG KONG KOMA

Copyrights: Nils Bucher

Zu verspielt für Punk, zu dreckig für Indie, zu wütend für Pop – das sind Rong Kong Koma. Reibeisenstimme und treibendes Schlagzeug treffen in Hochspannung auf filigran-ballernde Gitarren und einen hüpfenden Bass. „Die härteste Band im Pop. Die softeste Band im Punk. Sie sind all das, was andere Bands nicht sein wollen. Eingängige Songs, maximal schrammelig und punkig gespielt. Ohrwürmer mit Ecken und Kanten. Dazu rotzfreche Texte, für die man jederzeit eine Tracht Prügel kassieren könnte – oder eine Umarmung.“ (OX)
Rong Kong Koma sind eine hochenergetische, bunte Live-Band mit komplexen Violent-Pop-Superpower-Songs aus Berlin.

IRNINI MONS

Copyright: Tara Ozem

French rock outfit Irnini Mons approach post-punk in an oblique, candid way. With the intent of contributing to the relevancy of modern guitar-based music, they put their four personas at work since 2021 to craft a mixed, diverse solution of indie, progressive, pop and grungy rock. Formed with ex-members of the former punk band Decibelles (endorsed by the legendary producer Steve Albini), the four musicians all sing, sometimes in solo, sometimes in polyphony, always in French.
After touring intensely in several European countries, including a run with Shellac in 2022 and prestigious festivals (Trans Musicales – Rennes, MENT – Ljubljana, MaMA Music & Convention – Paris), the band will release its first full length album in spring 2024.
Line-up: Fanny Bouland (drums, vocals), Guillaume Carle (bass, vocals), Sabrina Duval (guitar, vocals), Valentin Fayaud (guitar, vocals)

AMY MONTGOMERY

Copyright: Werner Ottens

„Amy Montgomery is a revelation,… this Irish singer-songwriter is poised to become an exceptional new voice in the alternative rock music canon. Uninhibited, raw and with a sound like no other artist of her generation, Montgomery has a rare power that distils personal pain into something visceral and liberating.”- Independent, ones to watch

Nominated as ‘Artist of The Year’ in Northern Ireland Music Prize and tipped as ‘One To Watch’ in Independent Newspaper. Amy Montgomery is an Irish artist from Belfast. Decked out in war paint and flamboyant stage costumes, she presents a fearless and confident persona as both performer, singer and woman. She may only be 24, but her tribalistic movements on stage hold an ancient quality that will leave you in awe.

Regurlarly touring throughout Ireland, UK, Germany, Australia, Her powerful vocals and performance channel the edgy energy of Alanis Morissette or Nine Inch Nails. With a massive, charismatic stage presence that has been likened to Freddie Mercury in the past, Amy and her incredible band present an energetic show that you will never forget.

Festivals highlights so far include Electric Picnic, Greenman, Kendal Calling, Stendhal, Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival Main Stage, Main Stage Shambala Festival, Black Deer Main Stage, Blizzarrrd Rock, Co-headline at Sisters Festival (AT), A Summer’s Tale, Rolling Stone Beach and Park Weekenders in Germany. Her music has a global appeal, and she was recently chosen as one of a select few artists to represent Belfast at One Young World Summit in Manchester.

 

ALIEN FIGHT CLUB

Copyrights: Alien Fight Club

Gut ausbalanciert zwischen Punkrock und Hardcore schrauben sich die Melodien von Alien Fight Club tief in die Gehörgänge. Am Ende steht ein treibender, krachiger und tanzbarer Sound.

 

JOHNNIE CARWASH

Copyright: Aileol Photography

Johnnie Carwash wurde in einer Garage in Lyon geboren, zwischen Blech und Betonklötzen, aber erst im Sonnenlicht haben sie sich so richtig ausgetobt: zwei Jahre auf Tour und rund 150 Gigs, unermüdlich Rock spielen. Wie eine positiv klingende Version von Nirvana oder Wavves auf EPO, mit eingängigen Melodien für wilde Seelen, mit französischem Lächeln und roher Energie, sind die coolen Kids mit ihrem zweiten Album ‚No Friends, No Pain‘ zurück. Zehn Tracks, die Freundschaft, Liebe und Trennungen feiern und Trennungen feiern, ohne dabei jemals ihren Spaß und ihre Leichtigkeit zu verlieren.

TURFU

Copyrights: Léa Troulard

Turfu ist die eigentlich eher unwahrscheinliche Zusammenarbeit von Raphaël Decoster und Matthieu Souchet. Raphaël Decoster ist ein versierter Musiker in der Trad.- und Folkszene, interessiert sich aber auch für elektronische Musik. In der (sowie im Jazz) Matthieu Souchet seinen Hintergrund hat. Das Wundersame geschah: Es klickte musikalisch – Turfu war geboren. Der Name ist ein Anagramm für Futur, also Zukunft; als Themen ihrer Musik nennen sie Leidenschaft, Ekstase und Betrunkenheit und kleben ihr gerne das Etikett „kosmisch“ auf. Diese dionysischen Themen übersetzen sie in mal rustikale, mal wilde Melodien, verbinden traditionelle Tanzmusik mit Techno sowie handgemachte mit digitalen Sounds, alles mit nur einem Ziel: die Leute zum Tanzen zu bringen. Dazu konzipieren sie ihre Konzerte wie DJ-Sets, in dem sie ihre Stücke ineinanderfließen lassen und so einen Raum für kollektive Trance schaffen. (Festival Rudolstadt 2022)

SKYE WALLACE

Copyright: Oliver Mann

With her skill in carving melodies and shreddable moments from rock foundations, songwriter Skye Wallace is an expert at proving herself in every room, at every turn. Wallace knows the way is paved with second-guessers, and encounters with unsolicited advisors are plentiful in this world. In truth, the harshest critic is usually within.
Shaped by an upbringing of constant motion, with collapse and rebuilding at the core, Wallace is at home with the idea that change, especially in oneself, is a constant. This truism has shaped her new songs, finished during lockdown but dealing with a time when staying in one place was
wishful thinking. For Wallace, there’s both comfort and conflict in remembering and reconciling the versions of herself formed at the many stops along the way.
Wallace’s breakout single, about the frustrations of fighting against the glass ceiling, made a statement by cracking the Canadian alternative radio chart. Early credentials, including a Globe and Mail “Best 4 Canadian Albums in the World” nod in 2019, a steady stream of shows with
powerhouse rockers like Crown Lands and Matt Mays and a deal with Six Shooter Records, have Wallace ready for what’s next.

 

 

BLACK WATER COUNTY

Copyright: Marianne Harris

Over the past eight years of playing music together, we’ve grown up through angsty teenage years into angstier adulthood, with only our music to reflect our hurdles and triumphs. On the days where the world seemed to be raging on indifferently or responsibilities came banging at our doors, we took solace amongst the singing, sweating people in front of us on a Friday night with that 10ft by 6ft space beneath our feet becoming our sanctuary.

In 2017 we independently released ‘Taking Chances’ with a sold out launch show at Mr Kyps and embarked on our first self-booked UK tour. After signing with booking agency Midnight Mango in 2018 we’ve had three extensive UK headline tours as well as supports on the tours of a plethora of inspirational artists. Our second album ‘Comedies and Tragedies’ was released on March 13th 2020 with another sold out show at The Old Firestation in Bournemouth, however, the promotional UK tour was halted as soon as the pandemic hit.If our first album, ‘Taking Chances’, is a post-university tale of early twenties life; refusing to conform and rebelling against anything that stands in the way of a good time, then consider ‘Comedies and Tragedies’ to be a reality check sequel; rife with confusion, uncertainty and the struggles of self-identity.

When creating music over the years, it has become integral for us to acknowledge not only a balance between guts and contemplation, but a harmony of punchy pop-punk guitar and hard-hitting drums with the complex but determined layers of banjo, mandolin and tin whistle intertwined. With this we strive to pay homage to our appreciation of folk music and the significance of punk throughout our upbringings.

In both 2016 and 2018, we won our place on Fireball’s ‘Fuelling the Fire Tour’ supporting Less Than Jake, Flogging Molly, The Bronx, The Skints and Face to Face. We then subsequently had an endorsement from Fireball UK in 2019 and featured in Kerrang!’s online coverage of the tour. We also appeared on BBC radio Solent with our single ‘Rise and Fall’ on March 10th 2018.

 

NAFT

Copyrights: Jonathan Dhuyvetters

Man nehme einen Basssaxofonisten, einen Trompeter, einen Tenorsaxofonisten, Baritonsaxophonisten und zwei Schlagzeuger. Dazu eine Portion House, Techno und treibende Rhythmen. Herauskommt ein mitreißendes Bandrezept namens NAFT.

Im Sommer 2018 debütierten sie in den Straßen von Gent und sorgten dort für ordentlich Furore. 2019 folgte eine große Tour durch Belgien & die Niederlande. Im gleichen Jahr entstand eine bahnbrechende Zusammenarbeit zusammen mit Twerkshop. Korrekt, wie es der Name schon sagt: „Es wird getwerkt Baby!“ Kein Hintern bleibt hier unbewegt und auch müde Beine fangen an zu tanzen. NAFT ft. Twerkshop haben die Energie einer stampfenden Herde, die bereit ist die Musikwelt ordentlich aufzumischen.