A godhead of punk, a man of letters, an author, actor, poet, publisher, political activist, Henry Rollins is all of these and more. A constant presence in the US arts and music scene and a worldwide household name, Rollins comes to the Alternative Stage for a spoken word set that is sure to be the talk of the sites and a huge draw for all those who value such an intelligent and provocative artist.
Like Rollins, Jeffrey Lewis is an artist unaware of boundaries. A songwriter, performer (with the Jeffrey Lewis Band), comic book author, poet and spoken word artist, Lewis is fast becoming the modern renaissance man of the US alternative scene. With a huge reputation within the underground, expect these sets to be a highlight of the weekend for many at the dual sites.
Following the huge success of both ‘Hey There Delilah’ and ‘Hate (I Really Don’t Like You)’, Plain White T’s have come from ten years of touring to international prominence in 2008. Having picked up two Grammy nominations for Best Pop Performance & Best Song the future looks increasingly bright and these shows have the potential to push the band further into the rock stratosphere.
For a band that's fiercely independent and stunningly visceral in both their recorded material and their live shows, NYC's Mindless Self Indulgence know how to make a big commotion. Since 1997, this co-ed electronic/punk rock band has been storming the electronic and punk scenes sweeping up many hardcore fans in its wake with its music and incendiary live performances.
Pete And The Pirates blend of smooth edged punk and pop produces music which is sweet, raw, joyous, melancholic, raucous and tender. With their recent album, ‘Little Death’ characterised by NME as ‘Perfect pop without the pretence’, the band are set to increase their fanbase significantly over the weekend.
2007 was a banner year for Tiger Army in their native US and beyond. The band released their fourth album, had their first ever radio-single (including several weeks as the most requested on Los Angeles' influential KROQ FM), went on their third Warped Tour and played over one hundred shows from California to Sweden, including radio festivals in California with bands as diverse as Interpol and Bad Religion. Now Reading and Leeds is the next stage for the Californian psychobillies.
The perennial road warriors of punk rock, The Briggs, have spent the last six years on the road with little respite. This doesn’t really bother them though. Considering the momentum the band has gained in the last few years, they welcome it. And though, the ride hasn’t been the easiest, The Briggs are ready to break out with their most honest and compelling album to date, ‘Come All You Madmen’.
Despite only forming 18 months ago, Blackhole have already toured the country several times over with the likes of Gallows, The Ghost Of A Thousand, and Every Time I Die. The band are currently in the process of writing their debut album, so be sure to check them at this year's festival for a preview of new tracks and a live show that won't you leave disappointed.
This year’s Dance Stage sees the resurgence of the genre reflected in the bill with a line-up that shows thatelectronic music and dance in its widest sense is returning to rude health.
The headliners have brought the fun back into music and raised the bar for acts across the globe with theircolourful and energetic shows throughout the year. CSS shows are a revelation. Not just the well documented catsuitattire of lead singer Lovefoxx but the sheer joy and energy that pour off any stage that CSS are on has to be seen to be believed. Currently working in their native Sao Paulo on the follow up to the rapturously received eponymous debut (due in July), CSS shows are a riot of colour, energy and, yes, multiple cat suit changes. Expect a blend of new dance friendly tunes and old favourites for these amazing Dance Stage headline shows.
www.csshurts.com
There are loads of rock bands making music for the dancefloor. Digitalism make electronic music that everyone can rock to. Their reinterpretation of The Cure’s Fire In Cairo, entitled Digitalism in Cairo, was one 2006’s cult re-edits and for the past two years, they have been the go-to men for indie remixes, having reworked Klaxons, Test Icicles, Cut Copy and The Futureheads, to devastating effect and are now working on their own long player, ‘Idealism’, to follow club smash singles ‘Zdarlight’ and ‘Jupiter Room’.
Simian Mobile Disco were originally a more conventional band called Simian. But when the duo behind the band realised they were enjoying the afterparty DJing more than the gigs and when Justice remixed of one of their tunes, ‘Never Be Alone’, aka ‘We Are Your Friends’, became a club smash, the side project became the main deal and Simian died for Simian Mobile Disco to emerge phoenix like from the flames and created the most invigorating dance album of 2007, a record that pummels you into submission with its relentless volleys of pure disco delight. Simian Mobile Disco are coming to Reading and Leeds: do not even attempt to sleep.
With over 3.5 million plays on their Myspace page, their April show at Camden’s KOKO Sold out, a Radio 1 playlist for their last single as well as getting all over every type of chart from Club NME Chart to the Cool Cuts Chart, Chromeo have gone from being the most talked about on Erol Alkan’s message board to all-round contenders.
Crystal Castles have amassed a cult following through their uncompromising and intense delivery, a slew of limited edition singles, and shows packed solely from word of mouth. With extensive support shows in the UK, Europe, and North America with artists such as Klaxons and Metric, and remixes for Bloc Party and Klaxons among others it is little wonder that NME stated Crystal Castles ‘are brilliant songwriters with tunes and melodies any straight band would die for’.
Alongside his own releases, including the 2005 debut album, ‘Against All Odds’, Lethal Bizzle has become well known for his numerous collaborations with artists as diverse as Pete Doherty, The Rakes and Gallows (whose version of ‘Staring At The Rude Boize’ was one of the highlights of this year’s NME Awards). A man whose audience crosses from his early grime days as part of More Fire Crew to the indie kids, Bizzle is definitely a man to see this year.
Holy Fuck mix live instrumentation and non-instruments (including at times kid’s toys) to create a new version of dance music that isn’t reliant on the traditional sampling and sequencing. Add in vocal manipulation and a live show that sees the four members in seeming perpetual motion between their various instruments and you have the ingredients for a brilliant live show.
The Whip have spent the past two years distinguishing themselves as one of the most forward thinking (and hardest gigging) bands in Manchester. Whether its dub influenced bass lines, Aphex Twin-esque glitches or Bruce’s belting grunge-rasp vocals The Whip are truly an every-man’s party band.
This autumn sees Robots In Disguise releasing their 3rd album, ’We’re In The Music Biz’. Sharp, dancey, tongue-in-cheek and frequently impossibly catchy, ’We’re In The Music Biz’ includes the hit single, ‘The Sex Has Made Me Stupid’, a hedonistic, future indie-dance classic of what happens when you get off with someone you like. Part riot girl princesses, part monsters of DIY musical mayhem, this maverick electro-indie-rock-dance duo has a reputation for fashion-forward style and energetic shows and these performances are sure to match that description on both counts
The Death Set's debut album, ‘Worldwide’, fully fills twenty-five minutes with eighteen relentless tracks. With breakneck fuzz atop lo-fi electronics, searing vocals over-scored by a lift of positivity, The Death Set redefine the space of the anthem, and take it Worldwide.
The Shoes are hotly tipped amongst the emerging new wave of French acts currently hitting UK shores. Their remix of the soon to be huge Wiley track, ‘Wearing My Rolex’ and previous mixes of the likes of Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, Hadouken! and The Mystery Jets means they will have plenty of friends around for their debut UK festival performances.
Swapping venues with the Dance Stage, The Lock Up Stage returns to the twin sites for another two days of the best punk, hardcore and ska. Always a massively popular stage from the start of the day to the last note, this year sees two very special headliners backed up by a host of great names. Host Mike Davies of the BBC Radio One ‘Punk Rock Show’ is looking forward to this year more than ever:‘Every year we stress out about trying to outdo the previous year. And for the last four years it's always happened. This year’s line-up is no different. Instead of having a headliner for each night we have 5 huge bands playing each day. Plus some great younger and newer bands who are guaranteed to put on great sets. There is something for everyone on The Lock Up Stage at Reading and Leeds 2008
It’s been a wild and crazy ride for Gainesville’s Less Than Jake who first met at the University of Florida a decade and a half ago. Through their career, they’ve travelled the world multiple times == with the Warped Tour, opening for Bon Jovi and as headliners amongst a host of other dates too numerous to mention and built up a fanatical and hugely dedicated fanbase in the process. Having finished recording a new album in Chicago for release on their new self-owned label in the summer, Less Than Jake are a sure fire hit for this year, get there early to make sure you see this headline slot.
Pennywise are one of the most significant hardcore band to emerge from SoCal punk’s second wave and garnered a nationwide following through constant touring -they’ve done the Vans Warped Tour so many times they’ve got permanent road rash - as well as numerous snowboard, skate and surf videos. After nine albums, Pennywise celebrates its 20th anniversary with release of their new album ‘Reason To Believe’ on March 24th 2008.
Goldfinger, one of So Cal’s favorite ska punk originators is back with ‘Hello Destiny’. Since 1995 Goldfinger has been rocking the scene with their highly energetic and raucous live show. Fronted by well known producer (The Used, Story of the Year) and songwriter John Feldmann, the band returns to a sound reminiscent of their self-titled gold record, ‘Goldfinger’ (1995).
Mainstays of the US street-punk scene, The Unseen have been touring hard since 1993 winning fans at every turn whilst keeping true to their punk ethics. A whirlwind in live performance, you can be sure of a huge and lively crowd for these sets.
H2O formed in 1995 after singer Toby Morse got tired of touring as a roadie for hardcore act Sick of it All. Having toured with Madball, The Used, Pennywise, Dropkick Murphys and Rancid, the band are currently working on their fifth studio album due for releaseat the end of May 08. Titled ‘Nothing to Prove’, it is going to be their first album of new material in seven years and fans will be able to see this incredible live act at both sites
Once a member of the much missed Million Dead, Frank Turner is now carving out a highly regarded solo career with debut album ‘Sleep Is For The Week’ garnering acclaim on it’s release in 2007. His new album ‘Love Ire & Song’ is out now, he’s touring with the Holloways and fans can catch this unique British talent airing the new tracks at the festivals this year. “Gather round kids, old beardy balls has something to tell you. ...I love Frank Turner” said Zane Lowe - don’t miss him.
Founded in 2003 and signed to Fat Wreck Records, punk rockers The Loved Ones, are based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band released their second full length album ‘Build & Burn’ in February this year which was produced by Pete Steinkopf and Bryan Kienlen of the Bouncing Souls. Vocalist Dave Hause has claimed they are “prepared for the road” so these performances are not to be missed.
On tour around the country with Cancer Bats, Hexes - the trio from Southend are set to open the Lock Up Stage on Friday at Reading and Saturday in Leeds. They claim they sound like ‘A cyclopean howl, as a burning torch is thrust into a drunken eye...’ – get up early and down the front for that!
The assent of Gallows has been both rapid and explosive. Described by Kerrang as ‘the future of punk rock’, the Watford five piece have seen acclaim from all corners for their hardcore sound and furious live performances. Debut album, ‘Orchestra Of Wolves’ was an underground hit of 2007 and its re-release at the close of the year affirmed the band’s progress into the mainstream via radio play and magazine covers. If you haven’t seen GALLOWS now is the time to do it, these headline shows are a moment to savour at this year’s festival.
Though the current world of Alkaline Trio is not nearly as fraught with and fueled by drink and drama as in the band’s formative years, the making of the new album, ‘Crimson’, was not without its share of dark portents: two bone-shattering skateboarding accidents, one PunkVoter tour that failed to block the reelection of George W. Bush… but oddly enough: No failed relationships! Bones are healed though and now the band are here to rock the Lock-Up in their own inimitable fashion.
Over six studio albums, Thrice have risen to pre-eminent position in the US post-hardcore scene, scoring US Top 30’s across their last four releases. The much anticipated second installment of The Alchemy Index, Vols. III and IV: Earth and Air will be available in April via Vagrant Records. On ‘Earth and Air’, the band channels a panorama of musical moods and soundscapes, creating a spectral beauty of inspiring sound.
With their latest album, ‘Float’, dubbed ‘One of the most important CDs of the year, if not the decade’ by Alternative Press, Flogging Molly remain a vital band in the US scene on their fourth studio album. Blending Celtic influences, country and punk they are also one of the most inventive. With a US Top 5 placing for that album, it is also clear that things are very much on the up for the Los Angeles seven piece.
With a wealth of recordings to their name since their formation in 1992 in Washington state, MXPX are a band that have spent plenty of time on the road in between those frequent trips to the studio and have built a significant fanbase worldwide.
Cancer Bats have come to destroy. Fueled by a burning desire to rage harder, play louder and have more fun than any other band. Cancer Bats mix hardcore, southern metal, and punk rock into a lethal rock and roll explosion.
Set Your Goals, San Francisco based US punkers, come to the festivals following the release of their recent album ‘Mutiny’ and split album with The Steal, the wittily titled ‘Steal Your Goals’.
Having scored the Radio One listeners award for ‘Best Punk Song’ in 2006 with their ‘Mr. Music Man’ track, The King Blues will be instantly familiar to listeners of Mike Davies’ show. For those not in the know, their self described sound of "soulful ska with raw folk and a punk rock attitude” is something to check out this year.
According to NME, Fucked Up are more than a band. They are punks who are as happy to incorporate Krautrock and techno into their set as they are three chords and a D beat’. They are also one of the most invigorating, colossal live bands around at the moment and these shows will prove all of the above and more.
In just two years, The Gaslight Anthem have become one of the names to drop on the punk scene. Having played over 200 shows in 2007 with the likes of Against Me! and The Draft amongst others, their debut album ‘Sink Or Swim’ showcased a band that are all about their music. With a new album due shortly, expect these shows to continue the buzz that has them marked as ones to watch.
Detroit’s HiFi Handgrenades are a 4-piece melodic punk band who formed in December ‘06, following the demise of power-pop trio The Fags. They have toured with many big names including Dropkick Murphys, Foo Fighters, The Futureheads, Bad Religion, Billy Talent, Saosin, Hot Water Music, The Loved Ones, Gaslight Anthem and Against Me! and 2008 sees their first appearance at the Reading & Leeds Festivals
Formed in Keighley, West Yorkshire in 2002, expect a big local crowd at Leeds for Random Hand. Fusing ska, reggae, punk and dub amongst other genres, this is no generic punk band and with a lyrical ferocity focused on social issues, the four piece are local lads likely to make good.
www.myspace.com/randomhand
With Top Ten single, ‘Torn On The Platform’, Jack Penate found the perfect way to announce his arrival on the UK music scene. Last year’s debut album, ‘Matinee’ repeated the trick, shooting into the Top ten and cementing his place as one of the emerging new breeds of UK singer / songwriters likely to become the next generation headliners at Reading and Leeds.
Following their huge single ‘Just For Tonight’, their top 10 debut album ‘Started A Fire’ and two sold out tours, One Night Only come to the festival in rude health. The subject of an intense A & R scramble following their Steve Lamacq approved demo in 2006, the five lads from Helmsley, near York will be assured of a hero’s welcome in Leeds but expect nothing less at Reading also.
The Duke Spirit released their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Cuts Across the Land’ in 2005 to mass praise and their follow up, ‘Neptune’ is sure to convert any remaining naysayers. With lead singer Leila Moss’ charismatic stage presence, her all but swaggering demeanor, striking looks and heartwrenching (and heartfelt) voice - this is a band that have gone through the bad times to return stronger than ever.
Be Your Own Pet burst onto the UK scene following rave reviews from the other side of the pond. Now, with second album, ‘Get Awkward’, the promise of those early missives is being delivered with NME stating that ‘they’re still the best thing to come out of Tennessee since Jack Daniel’s and Kings Of Leon’. The songs remain fast and loud, totally wired and tantalizingly brief and the shows are as riotous and captivating as ever.
A culmination of 3 years touring, writing and being a band, Blood Red Shoes recently released debut album, ‘Box Of Secrets’ has marked the Brighton duo out as ones to watch for 2008. With influences ranging from early PJ Harvey through to the Pixies, the album led the NME to describe the band as ‘like the impossibly cool kid you spy on your first day of Freshers’ Week’ whilst the Independent On Sunday simply thrilled ‘a short walk in these shoes is exhilarating’.
Currently set to tour with The Fratellis, Glasgow based 6-piece Make Model, have been acquiring attention following
their debut single ‘L.S.B’ last year (and re-released this Spring). Described in the Guardian as ‘male-female chaos-pop’ they’ve been gathering fans over the last year with upbeat indie-folk-pop shows which everybody leaves smiling - bring your dancing shoes to this performance.
Having played with Son House, Lightnin’ Hopkins and John Lee Hooker, Seasick Steve can rightly claim to be part of the rich history of rock ‘n’ roll. In addition he produced albums through the nineties for the likes of Bikini Kill and Modest Mouse but it was only 2007, when Steve was awarded the Breakthrough Artist from Mojo, a unique figure in musical history is finally getting the attention he so fully deservs. A truly unique artist, you really must see these sets over the weekend.
If The Ting Tings debut album sounds like the sound of 2008, then many agree. Touted as a must-hear by industry symposiums and kids on the corner of urban High Streets alike, it is live that the whole enterprise takes on its full three dimensions. Unsurprisingly, they were chosen to open the annual NME Awards Tour at the beginning of 2008. The competition was duly slayed by the pair that started making music for no-one but themselves, which means that you will be too with these performances from another hotly tipped band on the stage this year.
One of the less orthodox bands spawned by the post-Libertines London music scene, The Mystery Jets came out of the now infamous Eel Pie Island parties to head up a new West London scene. Now shorn of founding member Henry Harrison, their Errol Alkan produced second album, ‘Twenty One’ is a huge stylistic and emotional leap forward for the band that seems set to mark them out as a band destined for great things.
Last year, New York-based artist Santogold released one of 2007's defining records as a double A-side. ‘Creator’, was an ultra modern, digital call to arms produced by London-based producers Switch and Freq Nasty. The other, ‘L.E.S Artistes’, was a socking piece of power pop with a mile high chorus which NME made single of the week. With a debut album due in May, the signs are that this is just the start of the story as the re-release of ‘L.E.S Artistes’ takes over the nation’s airwaves.
Since bursting into the spotlight last Spring Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong have been working flat out to turn a promising prospect into one of the UK's most thrilling new bands. Debut album, ‘Where Do You Go’, out in May looks set to mark the start of a rise to prominence in which these shows will be crucial.
Kids In Glass Houses' music is a heady amalgamation of the rock, punk, and indie that sound-tracked their formative years. Untiring experts at entertaining on a grand scale, KIGH have toured with the likes of Hundred Reasons, The Blackout, Funeral For A Friend, and recently Paramore. With debut album, ‘Smart Casual’ out in late May, it is hard to argue with NME’s assertion that “they’re going to cause a riot”.
Bombay Bicycle Club are still so exceptionally young that they are currently finishing their ‘A’ Levels before recording their debut album. But, with debut single, ‘The Hill’ and a second EP they have already proved their worth. With a new Jim Abbis produced single set for a summer release and that debut album due in the autumn, the feeling is that this could be a ‘one to watch’ moment in classic Reading and Leeds tradition.
Consistently one of the most incendiary live bands in the UK, The Music, remarkably still in their early 20s, released their much-acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2002 and quickly established themselves as an original and exciting musical force. This was followed in 2004 by their second long-player, ‘Welcome To The North’, both albums selling in excess of one million copies worldwide. With new album, ‘Strength In Numbers’, due in June, this is a welcome return for one of the UK’s most impressive bands.
Looking for a band who sum up the genre-vaulting, scene-splicing, boundary-pushing spirit of music in 2008? A band who can skip between grime, emo, drum’n’bass and euphoric rave in the space of a single chorus? Hadouken! fit the bill. Championed by NME and sure to be a huge pull in their hometown of Leeds, the leaders of the putative Nu-Rave scene have gone from outsiders to real contenders and debut album, ‘Music For An Accelerated Culture’, out in May seems sure to propel them yet further.
Lightspeed Champion is another hotly tipped new artist on the stage this year. NME front covers, performances on ‘The Cuture Show’, tips across the board from the broad sheet press, Dev Haynes new project has been earmarked by all those in the know as the one to watch in 2008. More importantly, across the country, the fans have responded in increasing numbers marking this as a definite must see this year.
There are some facts you probably already know about north London quintet Cajun Dance Party. Primarily, you probably know that they’re only just tipping into their late teens, that the five multi-instrumentalist members joined forces for a school Battle Of The Bands and wrote their debut single, the soaring, crashing ‘The Next Untouchable’ in their first rehearsal but with debut album, ‘The Colourful Life’ released this week the past is soon to be eclipsed by the future for this most impressive new UK act.
Adam Green began his public musical career with The Moldy Peaches, beguiling UK audiences and critics with a unique folk slanted sound. Beginning his solo career with 2002’s ‘Garfield’, Green has found increased fame since the inclusion of his duet with fellow Moldy Peach Kim Dawson, ‘Anyone Else But You’ on the soundtrack to hit film ‘Juno’. New album, ‘Sixes and Sevens’ has continued to raise Green’s profile as one of the US’s most intelligent songwriters.
Following their appearances at this year’s South By South West, Yeasayer have found UK critics taking to their experimental take on indie rock.
In 12 short months The Metros have gone from nothing to selling out headline tours across the country, cementing themselves as one of the best bands on the underage circuit. They add another accolade to their already illustrious rise by becoming the opening band on the Radio 1/NME stage on Friday in Leeds and Sunday in Reading.
It says much about them that British Sea Power's new album, ‘Waving Flags’, features uplifting odes to Slavic beauties and Polish taxi drivers. This is a band that have consistently used their music for greater aims since their debut album, ‘The Decline Of British Sea Power’ in 2003. A huge cult band with a dedicated following, BSP shows are always a visceral delight.
The Automatic - Rob Hawkins, James Frost, Iwan Griffiths and new member Paul Mullen - are currently putting the finishing touches to their second album, due for release later in the year. Recorded in Los Angeles, London and Cardiff, the follow up to their hugely successful debut 'Not Accepted Anywhere' is set to light up the summer and the stage at Reading and Leeds
Alexisonfire rose up out of the Southern Ontario underground in late 2001 like some monstrous and utterly captivating car-accident-in-progress. During the year that followed the release of the self-titled 2002 debut album, the band has shot into the spotlight like a streaker at an All-Star game and with the new album ‘Crisis’, Alexisonfire have, dare we say it, matured.
