Rockstar Energy Presents... LEEDS FESTIVAL 2024 - Sunday Must See Acts
Rockstar Energy Presents...
LEEDS FESTIVAL 2024
must see acts - SUNDAY
main stage
FRED AGAIN // main stage // 9:35pm
He’s wildly gregarious, laughs a lot and is optimistic to the last. This all transfers. Over the past five years, he’s brought this inescapable charisma to his work with everyone from FKA twigs to Stefflon Don, BTS, Jayda G, Romy and Burna Boy. It helped draw UK drill rapper Headie One out of his comfort zone, on the pair’s collaborative mixtape GANG, to dazzling effect. He’s also, to state it more plainly, wildly successful: in 2019 he spent 15 weeks (just shy of 30%) of the year at number one in the charts.
Soon, however, his own spontaneous, spooling solo project, Actual Life, would take on a heavier, deeply personal significance. Fred had been collating sounds and making songs for a while, with no real aim or end goal other than making music and experimenting with this new way of working. Mostly, he was pouring everyday joy and love into these songs. But the spiralling illness of a close friend gave his project a new focus. And, with huge and unexpected tragedy, gave the project an end date too. Loss and pain are a part of life, so they became a part of Actual Life too.
LANA DEL REY // main stage // 7:40pm
Lana Del Rey’s iconic sound has distinguished her as one of the defining artistic voices of her generation. Her uniquely atmospheric and powerfully stylish live show will grace Reading & Leeds in a UK exclusive headline set that promises to underline Lana’s status as one of the most influential artists on the planet.
RAYE // MAIN STAGE // 6:10PM
Four times BRIT nominated, RAYE is one of the most streamed artists in the world with over 3 billion streams of her music. In the UK she has a double-platinum, five platinum, four gold and four silver singles to her name, plus multiple international accreditations. She is also indisputably one of the UK’s premier songwriters. Her songs have amassed over 3.5 billion streams, having written for some of the world’s biggest artists including: John Legend, Ellie Goulding, Khalid, David Guetta, Diplo, and Beyonce. In 2019 she was awarded The BMI Impact Award in recognition of her ‘ground-breaking artistry, creative vision and impact on the future of music, in 2022 she was nominated for the Ivors Songwriter of the year and 2023 nominated for Best Contemporary Song. RAYE’s highly anticipated new album ‘My 21st Century Blues’ is a deeply personal 13-song body of work – touching on everything from RAYE’s painful experiences in the music industry to sexual abuse, rape, body dysmorphia, addiction, misogyny, and even climate change. It’s RAYE on her own terms. These are songs made by RAYE for RAYE, but inspire anyone who has faced and overcome adversity. The success surrounding RAYE’s return to music in 2022 is exponential. “Escapism.” catapulted to viral TikTok fame last month with over 700 million cumulative streams and 30 million monthly Spotify listeners. The huge UK No.1 single is rapidly turning into a global smash, hitting the Top 10 in Australia, Norway, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands, whilst in the USA it is just outside the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
FONTAINES. D.C // MAIN STAGE // 4:55PM
‘Skinty Fia,’ the title of the much-anticipated third album by Fontaines D.C, translates to English as “the damnation of the deer.”
“And the Irish giant deer is an extinct species,” explains bassist Conor Deegan III aka Deego. “But ‘skinty fia’ is also used as an expletive, in the way you’d say ‘For f*ck’s sake’ if you bang your arm on a table or whatever. We just thought there was something really beautiful about that, because it’s really representative of Irish culture in some sense. We were interested in the idea of something really precious or sentimental and attached to family, but also something that’s been taken away from us. Which doesn’t mean we can’t cherish it.”
Indeed, and the band’s thoughts on Irish identity are crucial to ‘Skinty Fia’ as they have relocated from their home country. 2019’s ‘Dogrel’ was mostly set in Dublin and was littered with snapshots of the city’s characters, like the cabbie in “Boys In The Better Land” who “spits out ‘Brits out!’, only smokes Carroll’s”. By contrast, their markedly different 2020 follow-up ‘A Hero’s Death’ was largely written on tour and documented the dislocation and disconnection the band felt from Ireland as they had new adventures around the globe. This time, they’re addressing their Irishness from afar as they recreate new lives for themselves elsewhere and try to resolve the need to broaden their horizons with the affection they still clearly feel for the land and people they’ve left behind. “It’s about being Irish and expressing that in London, and what can you take with you that makes you feel connected to home,” Deego explains. “We really tried to hold on to the things that made us Irish. There’s a sentimentality of sitting in an Irish pub in London, surrounded by other Irish people and it’s 4am, the lights are going off and half-remembering these old songs. On the other hand, there’s something dark and a little bit bleak about that.”
BLEACHERS // MAIN STAGE // 3:40PM
Releasing their debut album ‘Strange Desire’ in 2014, the band have built a huge, passionate following across three studio albums, becoming renowned for their impressive live show and infectious camaraderie. The band’s last album, ‘Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night’ took them to new heights, showcasing Antonoff’s immersive song writing and, as Variety testified, his innate skill at “supersizing personal stories into larger-than-life pop anthems”.
Both with Bleachers and as a songwriter and producer, Antonoff, who, in 2021, was credited by the BBC for having “redefined pop music”, has collaborated with the likes of Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, The 1975, Diana Ross, Lorde, St. Vincent, Florence + The Machine, Kevin Abstract and many more.
THE LAST DINNER PARTY // MAIN STAGE // 2:30PM
From serenading the dimly-lit corners of East London pubs to Courting interest from several major record labels, agents, promoters & publishers in a few short months, The Last Dinner Party have burst forth gloriously into the guitar music renaissance.
Conceived during a wine-stained evening in Brixton, the name embodies a musical and aesthetic ethos of decadence, mystery, spectacle and charm. Finding artistry in the intersection between the beautiful, sublime and grotesque, the band are guided by their favourite Romantic poets and Gothic novelists.
The preceding years of isolation and anxiety have only served to heighten The Last Dinner Party’s creative appeal as they usher in a new era of unashamed maximalism and untethered euphoria. They cast their net of inspiration across artists and genres, from Kate Bush and David Bowie, glam rock and new wave, to unexpected moments of twelve bar blues, classical overture and heavy synth breakdowns.
Singer Abigaille, guitarists Emily and Lizzie, keyboardist Aurora and bassist Georgia weave a fantasy of haunting melodies, explosive choruses, and lyrics that embrace tragedy and triumph in equal measure. At their shows, the band lead audiences through the soaring crescendos and pin-drop silences of the most debaucherous dinner parties, gathering a dedicated and growing company of attendees with every performance.
DEAD POET SOCIETY // MAIN STAGE // 1:40PM
Dead Poet Society accumulated over 72 million global streams, with nearly 32 million streams in the U.S. alone. The band also enjoyed two Top 15 singles at radio and key playlisting. They have also spent as much time as possible on the road — having toured with alt rock powerhouses Badflower, Biffy Clyro, Highly Suspect,and BRKN Love. The band has ultimately established itself as an intense live act not to be missed!
COURTING // MAIN STAGE // 12:50PM
Formed in 2018 in Liverpool, and releasing their debut single in 2019. Courting formed as an attempt to antidote what they saw as a lack of playful rock music in the city, before slowly merging into weirder and wider territory – From tongue in cheek early singles, Courting gained the support of DJ’s such as Steve Lamacq and Jack Saunders, and even placed as a finalist in the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition.
Before quickly trying to leave the musical box they had created by releasing more ambitious and interesting rock music, at the same time taking on long tours and playing just about every show that would book them in the desire to get themselves heard. Courting released their debut album “Guitar Music”, in 2022 which was created to be a re-evaluation of how people saw “guitar bands”, and a claim that bands can be both fun and artistically progressive at the same time. Courting released their sophomore album on Jan 26th, ‘New Last Name’. A listen unshackled from their post-punk foundations, the record once again subverts the idea of genre and paints a much bigger picture. Brimming with nuance and pop culture references, the only constant is that the Liverpool group maintain their irrepressible sense of abandon.
CHEVRON STAGE PRESENTED BY JD
SONNY FODERA // CHEVRON STAGE PRESENTED BY JD // 7:40PM
After a decade since his first release at the age of 23, Australian born Sonny Fodera has created his own brand of groove driven and emotive house music that resonates with devoted fans around the world.
With over 50+ million streams on Spotify &Apple Music, Sonny has established himself as one of the most in-demand acts in the industry.
BARY CAN’T SWIM // CHEVRON STAGE PRESENTED BY JD // 6:15PM
Edinburgh-born, London based producer Barry Can’t Swim is one of the fastest growing names in the electronic scene. Making a name for himself for making his own unique brand of world inspired, jazz inflicted electronic music. Classically trained Joshua Mannie is a hotly tipped multi-instrumentalist(piano, guitar, bass, drums),producer and DJ making heads turn and feet dance on the international club circuit. Barry Can’t Swim released his debut album on Ninja Tune in 2023.
Barry Can’t Swim has accumulated over44M total streams on Spotify alone and currently has1.3M Monthlies. Cover star of metropolis (795k),UK House Music(700k),OFF POP (421k),RADAR: First Listen (20k), and The Loft (10k),Barry was selected as Spotify’s RADAR UK: First Listen artist. “Blackpool Boulevard” charted on Spotify Viral 50 – United Kingdom having peaked at#31(135k). Other editorial playlisting includes: New Year’s Eve Dance Party & Dance Party, Massive Dance Hits, Altar, New Music Friday, House Is A Feeling, Dance Rising, POLLEN, Friday Cratediggers, Running UK, Tokyo Club Beat, New Dance Revolution, House Special, Serotonin, Brain Food, Chill Vibes, Halo, Top Shelf Electronic, Jazz UK, Fresh Finds: The Basement, Night Shift, and loads more. Apple playlisting comprises Breaking Dance, Future Dance Hits, Loops, New Fire, New in Dance, House Nation, New in Electronic, New Music Daily, Summer Vibes and The Underground.
DIGGA D // CHEVRON STAGE PRESENTED BY JD // 5:15PM
Having made recent history as the youngest rapper to play the iconic Royal Albert Hall, Digga D now celebrates his return to Reading & Leeds festival. His viral hits have cemented his status as one of the most exciting young artists in the country, do not miss his set in August.
GODDARD // CHEVRON STAGE PRESENTED BY JD // 4:00PM
Goddard, also known as "Goddard.," is a British DJ and electronic music producer. He is recognized for his contributions to the drum and bass genre. Goddard has gained popularity through his energetic tracks and remixes, which have been featured on various music platforms and played at festivals and clubs. He is known for his dynamic production style and ability to blend different elements of electronic music to create unique and engaging tracks.
BBC RADIO 1 STAGE
THE WOMBATS // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 9:55PM
Over 15 years into their career, The Wombats are pulling in bigger audiences than ever before. The viral success of Oliver Nelson’s remix of 2015 hit ‘Greek Tragedy’ has enraptured a whole new generation of fans, a feat they’ve managed to continually repeat since their 2007 debut A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation. The band met and formed in Liverpool, UK in the early 2000’s, and have moved onto have international success over the course of five studio albums, topping the UK album chart with 2022’s Fix Yourself, Not The World and reaching over 1 billion streams worldwide with their acclaimed discography.
SKRAPZ // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 8:50PM
North-West London rapper Skrapz has two distinct sides to his music: one that focuses on harder, road rap and the other which is melodic and calm. Skrapz has become known for music which reflects his life and the patchwork of his experiences. Early in his career, Skrapz was a part of garage and grime rap group SLK. Now, he is most known for his close association with long term friend and rapper Nines, the two are part of the same collective entitled Ice City Boyz.
2010 saw the release of Skrapz’ debut album, Skrapz Is Back, but before he could tour the record he was sentenced to prison for five years; while there, his crew released another mixtape, Shutdown Season. Toward the end of his sentence, Skrapz was granted day releases, which he used to record his sophomore album, 2014’s Skrapz Is Back 2. Later the same year, he released the 80’s Baby mixtape, showcasing his calmer, melodic side for the first time. The following year he released his first album, 2015’s The End of the Beginning, which combined both his darker and lighter styles; the record was popular among fans but Skrapz. The year 2017 saw the release of his second full-length album, 2017’s Different Cloth, which featured guest appearances from the hottest in the UK. After a 4 year break, Skrapz returned to gift his fans with two projects in 2021 in the form of ‘Be Right Back’ early in the summer and ‘80’s Baby’.
The year 2024 is set to be an pivotal year for the rapper, with a new project on the horizon and lots more to come – Skrapz is back and he’s better than ever.
THE BEACHES // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 6:35PM
The Beaches are doing everything their way. After more than a decade together as a band, sisters Jordan Miller (lead vocals, bass) and Kylie Miller (guitar) plus closest friends Leandra Earl (guitar and keys) and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums) are entering a new era. On the new album “Blame My Ex” the 2x Juno Award-winning Toronto band channels heartbreak into self-discovery through 10 exuberant songs that revel in pain and redemption. The lead single, “Blame Brett”, an acerbic pop-rock knockout Jordan calls “a song for all the hot messes out there” has racked up more than 16 million streams on Spotify and more than 10 million views on Tik Tok, The track peaked at #2 on Spotify US Viral chart and is currently (as of September 29th) #1 at Alt Radio for 12 consecutive weeks making it the biggest alternative radio hit of the year. Mark Hoppus (from blink182), Nelly Furtado, and Demi Lovato are all fans of the track.”
The Beaches are now fine to make music that feels true to themselves. Their unyielding bond and shared journey makes The Beaches a musical force to be reckoned with a testament to the power of sisterhood and friendship. How could you not be obsessed?
WUNDERHORSE // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 5:40PM
Wunderhorse is a British rock band led by Jacob Slater, formerly of the punk band Dead Pretties. Known for their melodic rock sound, the band's music often features introspective lyrics and a blend of grunge and alternative influences. Wunderhorse has garnered attention for their engaging live performances and distinctive sound, positioning themselves as a rising act in the contemporary rock scene.
JESSIE MURPH // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 4:35PM
Jessie Murph etches raw emotion into strikingly sincere songs laced with country-style storytelling, hip hop-infused production, alternative experimentation, and unassuming pop appeal. Holding nothing back, she’s so honest about issues such as mental health, depression, and addiction that she practically leaves blood and tears on the recordings. The 18-year-old Alabama vocalist and song writer has quietly emerged as a phenomenon on her own terms. As the story goes, she channelled the pain of dysfunction at home, school bullying, and an archaic climate of misogyny into music as a teen. She took the reins and built an audience on social media in 2020 which has grown ever since.
ZACH TEMPLAR // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 3:35PM
Zach Templar is an alternative music artist from the UK, writer and producer of his own music, his sound has captivated a loyal following simply from his laptop. Zach has independently released his complete discography.
Zach is always working on new material and demos. His music relates to a new generation of fans and artists raring to follow a journey of what’s to come
BEARS IN TREES // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 2:45PM
Being in such a capable, confident, and clarity-filled space at this point in their adventure, where the world is at their feet and superstardom beckons, is quite a treat for Bears in Trees. Expressing themselves as much as they are still learning what it means to be four friends doing what they do best, they have created a record that will speak to and change the perspective of all who hear it. Tenderness, triumph, and a totally unashamed feeling of enjoying the ride whilst they’re on it, ‘How to Build an Ocean: Instructions’ is their definitive statement. Though no matter how far this record takes them, the most important thing is that they are together and doing what they love. Because when all is said and done, that’s the connection that will last a lifetime.
SWIM SCHOOL // BBC RADIO 1 STAGE // 1:05PM
If 2023 was the year to grow for swim school, 2024 is the year to fly.
“Making emphatic, anthem records they are the band that everyone in the scene has their eye on…” BBC Radio 1 Next Wave
2023 was the year to grow for swim school. “We spent less time at home in Edinburgh last year than ever” says Alice Johnson – guitar playing vocalist (and vocal) front woman of the rapidly attention attracting three-piece. “We played our first shows in Europe, toured the UK several times and had more incredible experiences than we could ever have imagined. It was tough at times though and we had our own stuff to deal with – personally and professionally – just like everyone else in the world. I think we’ve all learned a lot about ourselves, let go of some things and embraced others. That’s growing up I suppose. Looking back now it feels like all of that was preparing us for this year. We feel like we’re hitting our stride as a band and as people.”
2023 in a nutshell: Released their sophomore EP ‘Duality’. Toured with Inhaler (UK & EU), Grandson, Pixies, Lovejoy and Amazons. BORED included on the coveted EA FC soundtrack. Had a Radio 1 Track of the Week. Made their festival main state debuts and (to the particular delight of drummer Billy McMahon and Alice’s dad) being featured in the Hibernian FC match day magazine.
All of which some bands might consider to be the cup final. Swim school considers it the warmup.
FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE
VIAGRA BOYS // FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE // 8:45PM
Viagra Boys are a Swedish punk band known for their energetic and satirical take on various aspects of modern society. The band was formed in Stockholm in 2015. Their music blends elements of punk rock, post-punk, and noise rock, often featuring humorous and critical lyrics. The band's lineup has included:
- Sebastian Murphy (vocals)
- Benjamin Vallé (guitar)
- Henrik Höckert (bass)
- Tor Sjödén (drums)
- Oskar Carls (saxophone)
- Elias Jungqvist (keyboards)
Viagra Boys have released several albums and EPs, gaining a reputation for their raw and unfiltered approach to both music and live performances. Their notable releases include "Street Worms" (2018) and "Welfare Jazz" (2021).
LOTHAE // FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE // 7:40PM
Loathe have been making waves in the British underground heavy music scene since their inception in 2014. Two Eps and one full-length debut album have already put them on the map and the bandhas already been nominated for Best New Band at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods and Best UK Breakthrough Band in the Heavy Music Awards. Their intense, visceral multi-media live show extravaganza has marked them out as a band who have ambitions far beyond that of their peers and now, with the release of their second full length album, I Let It In and It Took Everything, those ambitions are beginning to be realised.
KID KAPICHI // FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE // 6:40PM
It’s Kapee-chee. It’s Ben Beetham (guitars, vocals), Eddie Lewis (bass), George Macdonald (drums) and Jack Wilson (vocals, guitars). Four twentysomethings with big personalities from Hastings who’ve been making music together for over half their lives, in various configurations. Working in pubs, construction, motorcycle trade, anything. Driving nightshifts just to keep playing. Eight years of non-stop graft. “The bands that make it are the ones that don’t give up,” says Eddie. “We’ve sacrificed everything. Normal jobs, settling down, we put our lives completely on hold for our dreams.”
After putting out debut album This Time Next Year independently in 2021, the band recently signed their first proper deal for follow-up Here’s What You Could Have Won. Deserved reward for all that graft. These 11 new songs are an excellent showcase for the band’s bigger, punchier, ‘beat punk’ sound, produced with Dom Craik from Nothing But Thieves.
dream wife // festival republic stage // 5:50pm
London-based trio Dream Wife – vocalist Rakel Mjöll (she/her), guitarist Alice Go (she/her), bassist Bella Podpadec (they/them) – released their electrifying third album, Social Lubrication, this Summer via Lucky
Number to critical acclaim. Known for their explosive live shows, Dream Wife go stateside later this week with a string of dates kicking off in NYC at Brooklyn Made. To celebrate their forthcoming run of shows, they today share brand new track “Love You More”, recorded during the Social Lubrication album sessions. Drawing from the likes of Pixies and Hole for inspiration, the band says, “‘Love You More’ is not
your typical love song, but a love song to the self and choosing to love perfectly imperfect bodies. It has a gritty underbelly, dealing with self-acceptance, body dysmorphia, disaster capitalism, climate collapse and depression. From the micro to the macro, the song explores the relationship between the self and both the body and the earth as experiences of home, as a vessel for feeling.”
deijuvhs // festival republic stage // 5:00pm
Hailing from the bowels of East London Deijuvhs is an artist who continues to resonate with a rapidly increasing number of people drawn in by his tenacity to break the wheel when it comes to strict genre norms and unabashed authenticity. Taking inspiration from Punk, Metal, Drill, Jungle and many more otherworldly genres, Deijuvhs seamlessly blends and moulds all the sonics into a perfect unique amalgamation and refuses to be placed into a box as he continues to keep exploring how far his distinctive sound will take him. No one sounds quite like Deijuvhs.
yours truly // festival republic stage // 3:40pm
Australia’s Yours Truly are a must-watch in the current alternative scene. Huge International credits, media and radio trailblazing and a burgeoning broad of fans are just some of the successes that back this band, but its the knack for punchy song writing and performance deep in their DNA that makes them really tick.
Possessing a power and poise few young bands can claim to grasp, its this vision and resolve that will see Yours Truly take the world over.
the scratch // festival republic stage // 2:30pm
The Scratch are a four-piece band that sound like no one else you’ve ever heard before, featuring Conor Dockery (guitar, backing vocals), Cathal McKenna (bass/backing vocals), Daniel Lang (cajón, percussion, lead vocals), and Jordan O’Leary (guitar, lead vocals). Like all the great progressive musicians, they turn music on its head and pour their hearts and souls into their art to forge something original and new.
In early 2023, Sony Music Ireland signed the band. The first fruits of this partnership can now be heard on Trom II- A Slip in the Wind, a remarkable tune that beautifully showcases their singular sound. Mind Yourself is out on November 3. For The Scratch, life is only just beginning.
dead pony // festival republic stage // 12:50pm
Dead Pony consists of singer and guitarist Anna Shields, Blair Crichton on lead guitar and backing vocals. Liam Adams on bass and Aidan McAllister on drums.
With their first full length album titled “Ignore This” on the way, set to drop April 5th this year, band member Blair Crichton says “As a band, we’ve experienced an awful lot of being ignored,”. “We really don’t like that. So we set about making a debut LP so good that people had to pay attention. It’s a record that literally dares people to ‘Ignore THIS…’”
bbc introducing stage
aziya // bbc introducing stage // 8:15pm
Since emerging with the alternative indie smarts of searing debut single ‘Slip!’ in 2021, and vibrant, varied first EP ‘We Speak of Tides’ shortly after, 23-year-old London artist Aziya has been cementing herself as a musical triple-threat. Influenced by the multiple talents of childhood hero Prince, she’s an artist with naturally powerful vocals, but also a deft and enviable mastery of her guitar and an increasingly independent grip on production.
Having posted a series of covers online throughout 2020, her talents have already been recognised by Grimes, US megastar H.E.R, Anderson Paak and Florence & The Machine, who invited Aziya to support at her The O2 arena shows. Over a series of independent and largely self-produced releases, Aziya has been working to firmly establish herself in a world not bound by genre or restrictions and one in which she can “become the artist that I didn’t get to see growing up.”
Heading into a summer that will see the multi-hyphenate musician embark on a spring and summer festival dates, a headline tour and a mixtape release, what’s brilliantly clear is that Aziya firmly knows who she is and how to make the magic happen within her own mould. “My ambitions have always been pretty high – my aim is to play the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury and sell out Madison Square Gardens and that’s not really changed. I’ve always set those big goals, but the next steps to getting to those goals have become a lot clearer,”.
noisy // bbc introducing stage // 6:25pm
Emerging from the South-Coast town of Worthing in early 2020, the trio (comprising of singer Cody Matthews, guitarist and producer Spencer Tobias-Williams and Connor Cheetham on synths and guitar) have won fans with a sound that combines the much loved Chemical Brothers, Kasabian and The Prodigy, with the living-for-the-weekend lyrics of Happy Mondays and The Streets.
“We’ve always been inspired by these big euphoric bands and we want to emulate what they did. Make the best music we possibly can and go on the road and play to as many people as humanly possible.”
Making music together since the age of 14, the trio were formed out of the ashes of an indie band which eventually ran its course. Working shifts as cleaners at the local hospital by day and working on music at night, their day jobs inspired the trio to create escapist anthems that celebrated the adrenaline rush of letting off steam at the weekend.
bottle rockets // bbc introducing stage // 4:35pm
In 2024, Bottle Rockets achieved a major milestone by beating 500+ other acts to clinch the title of BBC Introducing’s ‘Scottish Act of the Year’, a testament to their talent and burgeoning impact on the music landscape. This accolade solidified their position as one of the most promising emerging acts in the country.
With a dynamic blend of shoegaze and indie sensibilities, Bottle Rockets has ignited stages across Scotland, captivating audiences with their infectious energy, compelling sound and radio friendly hooks. Adding to their list of achievements, Bottle Rockets also claimed the coveted title of ‘Best Alt/Rock’ act at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA). This recognition further underscores their ability to push boundaries and redefine the genre with their innovative approach to music. From their sold-out performances at iconic Glasgow venues like King tuts and Barrowlands to sharing stages with esteemed acts, Bottle Rockets continues to leave an indelible mark on the music scene. With singles like ‘Winter Baby’, ‘Community Service’, ‘Backburn’, and ‘Limerence’ resonating with audiences and already gaining regular airplay on Radio 1 and stations in the US, the future looks incredibly promising for this talented quartet. You can expect Bottle Rockets to soar to even greater heights, captivating hearts and minds with their irresistible melodies and unforgettable performances”
nina arya // bbc introducing stage // 3:40pm
With her beautifully introspective lyricism, articulate melodies and deep love of heavy bass lines,
Ipswich crooner Nina Arya is a multi-genre force to be reckoned with.
Early 2023 Nina stormed the DnB scene with a feature on drum and bass heavyweight Monrroe’s first single of the year, Joining him to perform the track at a sold out Printworks London show right before its closure. Nina has also achieved wide reaching support for her own R&B inspired work, with her first single of 2023 ‘Waters’ Receiving Radio 1 airplay and ‘Artist of the Week’ accreditation from the BBC Asian Network.
Jumpstarting her songwriting career at the age of 17, Nina dove head first into the industry, working with the likes of DJ Fresh, The Brookes Brothers and Polar Youth, amassing over 2 million streams in the process. Shortly after, Nina received support from BBC 1XTRA for her first solo track ‘Bad Habits’ and placed in the top 10 out of 10,000 artists for the BBC Introducing Live Lounge competition. Nina’s ability to stand out in a crowd is unrivalled, a sentiment which carries through in her carefully crafted live shows, having performed at countless BBC events, Latitude festival, Printworks London and supporting the legendary Mancunian soul duo Children of Zeus.
This year Nina is ready to show a whole new side to her artistry with darker, moodier tones highlighted in her latest single ‘Don’t Believe Me’. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, this is one artist you won’t want to miss on her way up.
sun king // bbc introducing stage // 2:45pm
Sun King are a five-piece band from the north, blending sounds from the past and present with an electric feel. Having toured the UK with bands such as Wunderhorse and Deadletter in their first year together, Sun King’s live shows have gained themselves a fierce reputation as ones to watch in 2024.
aux stage
Gym Girls Locker Room // aux stage // tba
The "Gym Girls Locker Room" podcast, hosted by Sydney Cassidy, covers a range of topics in health, fitness, and lifestyle. It features interviews with fitness influencers and professionals, offering insights into their personal fitness journeys, training routines, and life experiences. The podcast discusses trending topics in the gym and fitness world, such as the impact of social media on fitness, specific training programs, and personal growth stories. Syd is also known on social media as @sydgrows GIRLS LOCKER ROOM on Apple Podcasts
You can listen to the podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Podcast Addict. For more information, you can visit their Instagram page @gymgirlslockerroom or Syd's personal Instagram @sydgrows on Apple Podcasts
goes without saying podcast // aux stage // tba
Best friends and lovingly dubbed Sephy and Wing, are the co-hosts of the Goes Without Saying podcast: a dedicated women-led, women-listened podcast. Learning, unlearning, and navigating the world alongside their 97% female Gen-Z audience, their content touches on mental health, feminism, friendship, and all the struggles and spiralling that comes with being young women in their twenties. The podcast’s dedicated fan base have already downloaded the podcast over 4 million times, ranking ‘Goes Without Saying’ in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide.