The summer festivals are awesome, there is no doubt about that. But you know what isn’t awesome? Headline bands. We get it, all the attention is on you.
So here is a list of 5 bands you should check out this summer, ones that really fit the bill of a festival band, with no tweed jackets, lip-syncing or backing dancers in sight.
1. Local Natives
LA based indie rock outfit Local Natives are Taylor Rice (Guitar, Vocals, Bass) Kelcey Ayer (Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Guitar), Ryan Hahn (Guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin, Vocals) and Matt Frazier (Drums). Local Natives 2013 effort “Hummingbird” has a personal influence as it was inspired by Kelcy Ayer’s mothers passing as well as the departure of the bands long time friend and bassist.
Where to catch them:
Beacons Festival
Green Man Festival
Local Natives – You & I on MUZU.TV.
2. Peace
This Birmingham four piece have hit the music industry hard in 2013. The band consists of brothers Harry (vocals, guitar) and Samuel Koisser (bass), Douglas Castle (guitar) and Dominic Boyce (drums). Their debut album “In Love” received huge critical acclaim from the likes of NME & The Guardian. Check out Fortitude Magazine’s interview with Peace Here.
Where to find them:
Leeds/Reading Festival
Bestival
3. Arcane Roots
Arcane Roots; the love child of 30 Seconds to Mars and The Fall of Troy. Arcane Roots is made up of Andrew Groves (Vocals, Guitar)
Adam Burton (Bass & Vocals), Daryl Atkins (Drums). I love this band as they stick to the style they like, and seem to have no plans to change it.
Where to find them:
Y Not Festival
ArcTanGent
4. Decade
This Bath five piece have been on my radar for a while, the band is made up of Alex Sears (Vocals), Joe Marriner (Guitar), Connor Fathers (Guitar), Harry Norton (Bass), Dan Clarke (Drums). Their pop-punk style has a tinge of post-hardcore which remind me of an elegant more rounded early You Me At Six. The boys have been getting a huge following as of late and have recently just signed to Spine Farm Records, which puts them sitting comfortably amongst acts such as Alice Cooper & Korn.
Where to find them:
Reading Festival
Leeds Festival
5. The Xcerts
The Scottish three piece have been around since 2001 starting The Xcerts while they were still in school, made up of Murray Macleod – (Guitar & Lead Vocals) Jordan Smith (Bass & Backing Vocals) Tom Heron (Drums & Backing Vocals). But with a new album on the horizon we hope to see a bit more of the boys pumping that Aberdeen passion.
Where to find them:
BFest2013
The Xcerts – Young (Belane) on MUZU.TV.