10 Bands To Look Out For At Beacons Festival 2013
Beacons Festival takes place over the weekend starting 16th August near the town of Skipton in North Yorkshire, and is a well respected local pilgrimage for northerners. The beauty of the festival is that it showcases lesser known acts, at a much cheaper price, but acts that have a lot of potential that usually go on to bigger and better things. Some say it’s hipster, some say it’s indie. Look at it as you wish, but you can’t deny the facts of the incredible line-up and fantastic atmosphere.
This year headliners include established acts such as Bonobo, Local Natives and Django Django; along with special guests including SBTRKT, John Talabot and ‘one of the most unique figures in rap’ - Danny Brown. Beside acts like this include up-and-coming and fast rising bands and performers like Gabriel Bruce, Dutch Uncles, Ben UFO, Temples, Eats Everything and infamous cult heroines Savages.
However, here is my list of the 10 (probably even lesser known) bands to check out at this year’s festival – having only seen two of them myself; it’s bound to be a cracking weekend.
1. Drenge
Eoin and Rory Loveless hail from the White Stripes school of bluesy punk rock music: orchestrating noise from the simplicity of a drum kit, guitar and mic. This time making it angrier which is demonstrated by song titles such as ‘I Wanna Break You In Half’ and ‘People In Love Make Me Feel Yuck’. Debut single ‘Bloodsports’ was released in March 2013; and shows how these guys look set to give the likes of the Black Keys a fierce run for their money.
2. Wolf Alice
The new quartet (formerly only a trio), lead by Ellie Rowsell, are one of London’s hottest new guitar acts and have a swelling fan base. With only a few officially recorded songs available including personal favourite ‘Bros’, their popularity is undoubtedly down to their live show and it is not to be missed this summer. Expect blinding guitars, changing genres (from grunge to mellow rock) and a kind of intimacy from Rowsell’s sweet, understated vocals.
3. Childhood
Childhood comprise of four fresh-faced young lads who master the art of shoegaze summer rock. After stowing themselves away for a while to relieve pressure of a self-induced cloud of hype, the mysterious band have emerged with a sell-out single ‘Blue Velvet’ (released on House Anxiety) and a near perfect, rich and dreamy live show full of melodies and woozy innocence akin to The Stone Roses but with less swagger. Again like Wolf Alice, being advertised as one of the hottest guitar bands around and with little to give on the internet, they have a lot to give at their live shows and it’s not to be missed.
4. JAWS
These ‘surf-poppers’ from Birmingham have quite the following and buzz despite being relatively new – with a number of sell out shows under their belt. Being described as ‘the ultimate chill-out band’ and with tunes such as ‘Surround You’, they are a must see band this summer and will without a doubt bring some of that summer vibe we are all loving at the minute.
5. Bondax
Bondax’s evocative music seems to glide between urban sonic landscapes, avoiding classification. It has tinges of Disclosure but without the easy Radio 1 likeness; while incorporating elements of Post-Dubstep, R&B, and garage. The duo from Lancaster have crafted an intimate, electronic and blissful live show that reveals something new with each play. Despite the fact that Adam and George are still enjoying their teens, their music shimmers with a maturity and sophistication that belies their age; and with a fast selling headline tour for later on in the year, it is imperative you don’t miss this ate night slot.
6. Menace Beach
You know you’ve stumbled upon something worth paying attention to when you’re in love with a band before they’ve even managed to play a dozen shows. There’s been no time to dwell on things for Menace Beach; after a brief but enjoyable debut, they’ve now released the double A-side ‘Drop Outs’ and ‘Bad Medicine’ - it’s proof enough that Ryan, Liza and their band of merry cohorts (members of Hookworms and Sky Larkin have recently bolstered the line-up – both separately ones to watch out for themselves at the festival) have the elixir of dirty pop intellect radiating from every pore.
7. Department M
After pulling together after the fall of Grammatics, Owen Brinley has returned with the mysterious and captivating Department M. Maintaining the melodic ambition and creativity, the Leeds magician this time brings an undeniably worthwhile show (that’s hard to pin down and directly describe) that will surely flourish under festival conditions.
8. Thumpers
Being named as future support to Chvrches on their tour later this year, Thumpers are gaining momentum through this summer period with their kaleidoscope sound. Bringing memories in alt-pop form, the band prosper in catchy, buoyant and layered drums and synth. All this merged with androgynous vocals and shimmering guitars makes a dynamic that is perfect for a keen crowd.
9. Dan Croll
At the tender age of 22, Dan Croll has already attended the Paul McCartney-founded LIPA, won the Musicians Benevolent Fund’s Songwriter of the Year award and got a helpful leg-up from Communion Records pretty early on in his career. But don’t hate him because he’s gifted, the guy’s got something about him. Sounding a little like a more modernized, sophisticated Tom Vek, he merges folk templates with electronic instrumentation, always an alluring melody at its core – represented by lead song ‘Compliment Your Soul’.
10. Vondelpark
R&S Records signings Vondelpark fall somewhere between the forceful soulfulness of Twin Shadow and the introspective gloom of The XX. The band have released their debut album ‘Seabed’ this year in a world where instant indulgence reigns supreme. The albm provides some musical down-time; a holiday from the rat race. Slick and sultry downbeat electro pop that’s not afraid to get serious.
Make sure to check out the Soundcloud playlist below, featuring majority of the acts playing at this year’s Beacons.
Written by - Richard Maver
Beacons Festival takes place over the weekend starting 16th August near the town of Skipton in North Yorkshire, and is a well respected local pilgrimage for northerners. The beauty of the festival is that it showcases lesser known acts, at a much cheaper price, but acts that have a lot of potential that usually go on to bigger and better things. Some say it’s hipster, some say it’s indie. Look at it as you wish, but you can’t deny the facts of the incredible line-up and fantastic atmosphere.
This year headliners include established acts such as Bonobo, Local Natives and Django Django; along with special guests including SBTRKT, John Talabot and ‘one of the most unique figures in rap’ - Danny Brown. Beside acts like this include up-and-coming and fast rising bands and performers like Gabriel Bruce, Dutch Uncles, Ben UFO, Temples, Eats Everything and infamous cult heroines Savages.
However, here is my list of the 10 (probably even lesser known) bands to check out at this year’s festival – having only seen two of them myself; it’s bound to be a cracking weekend.
1. Drenge
Eoin and Rory Loveless hail from the White Stripes school of bluesy punk rock music: orchestrating noise from the simplicity of a drum kit, guitar and mic. This time making it angrier which is demonstrated by song titles such as ‘I Wanna Break You In Half’ and ‘People In Love Make Me Feel Yuck’. Debut single ‘Bloodsports’ was released in March 2013; and shows how these guys look set to give the likes of the Black Keys a fierce run for their money.
2. Wolf Alice
The new quartet (formerly only a trio), lead by Ellie Rowsell, are one of London’s hottest new guitar acts and have a swelling fan base. With only a few officially recorded songs available including personal favourite ‘Bros’, their popularity is undoubtedly down to their live show and it is not to be missed this summer. Expect blinding guitars, changing genres (from grunge to mellow rock) and a kind of intimacy from Rowsell’s sweet, understated vocals.
3. Childhood
Childhood comprise of four fresh-faced young lads who master the art of shoegaze summer rock. After stowing themselves away for a while to relieve pressure of a self-induced cloud of hype, the mysterious band have emerged with a sell-out single ‘Blue Velvet’ (released on House Anxiety) and a near perfect, rich and dreamy live show full of melodies and woozy innocence akin to The Stone Roses but with less swagger. Again like Wolf Alice, being advertised as one of the hottest guitar bands around and with little to give on the internet, they have a lot to give at their live shows and it’s not to be missed.
4. JAWS
These ‘surf-poppers’ from Birmingham have quite the following and buzz despite being relatively new – with a number of sell out shows under their belt. Being described as ‘the ultimate chill-out band’ and with tunes such as ‘Surround You’, they are a must see band this summer and will without a doubt bring some of that summer vibe we are all loving at the minute.
5. Bondax
Bondax’s evocative music seems to glide between urban sonic landscapes, avoiding classification. It has tinges of Disclosure but without the easy Radio 1 likeness; while incorporating elements of Post-Dubstep, R&B, and garage. The duo from Lancaster have crafted an intimate, electronic and blissful live show that reveals something new with each play. Despite the fact that Adam and George are still enjoying their teens, their music shimmers with a maturity and sophistication that belies their age; and with a fast selling headline tour for later on in the year, it is imperative you don’t miss this ate night slot.
6. Menace Beach
You know you’ve stumbled upon something worth paying attention to when you’re in love with a band before they’ve even managed to play a dozen shows. There’s been no time to dwell on things for Menace Beach; after a brief but enjoyable debut, they’ve now released the double A-side ‘Drop Outs’ and ‘Bad Medicine’ - it’s proof enough that Ryan, Liza and their band of merry cohorts (members of Hookworms and Sky Larkin have recently bolstered the line-up – both separately ones to watch out for themselves at the festival) have the elixir of dirty pop intellect radiating from every pore.
7. Department M
After pulling together after the fall of Grammatics, Owen Brinley has returned with the mysterious and captivating Department M. Maintaining the melodic ambition and creativity, the Leeds magician this time brings an undeniably worthwhile show (that’s hard to pin down and directly describe) that will surely flourish under festival conditions.
8. Thumpers
Being named as future support to Chvrches on their tour later this year, Thumpers are gaining momentum through this summer period with their kaleidoscope sound. Bringing memories in alt-pop form, the band prosper in catchy, buoyant and layered drums and synth. All this merged with androgynous vocals and shimmering guitars makes a dynamic that is perfect for a keen crowd.
9. Dan Croll
At the tender age of 22, Dan Croll has already attended the Paul McCartney-founded LIPA, won the Musicians Benevolent Fund’s Songwriter of the Year award and got a helpful leg-up from Communion Records pretty early on in his career. But don’t hate him because he’s gifted, the guy’s got something about him. Sounding a little like a more modernized, sophisticated Tom Vek, he merges folk templates with electronic instrumentation, always an alluring melody at its core – represented by lead song ‘Compliment Your Soul’.
10. Vondelpark
R&S Records signings Vondelpark fall somewhere between the forceful soulfulness of Twin Shadow and the introspective gloom of The XX. The band have released their debut album ‘Seabed’ this year in a world where instant indulgence reigns supreme. The albm provides some musical down-time; a holiday from the rat race. Slick and sultry downbeat electro pop that’s not afraid to get serious.
Make sure to check out the Soundcloud playlist below, featuring majority of the acts playing at this year’s Beacons.
Written by - Richard Maver
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