For 4 days each Might, lots of of recent bands from around the globe descend on Brighton within the hope {that a} salvo of a quickfire reveals across the metropolis’s many small venues, cafes, seashores, document outlets and rooftops will propel them to greatness. Right here’s Uncut’s decide of this yr’s hopefuls…
TYLER BALLGAME
In the event you can persuade 200 or so folks to duck right into a dingy nightclub at noon on the sunniest day of the yr, then you definately’re clearly doing one thing proper. Tyler Ballgame – apparently the title of each the singer and the band – are already producing buzz for his or her impressively in-the-pocket retro-soul swing, one thing akin to Roy Orbison fronting the Hello Rhythm Part, with a touch of Alabama Shakes. Tyler himself is a bear-like determine with a surprisingly female voice, inhabiting these songs with simply the best steadiness of vulnerability and swagger. Sure, he does look a bit like Jack Black within the Minecraft film. However get previous that, and he might actually steal your coronary heart.
FOLK BITCH TRIO
It takes some cojones to open your set with an a capella rendition of “This Should Be The Place (Naive Melody)”, particularly while you’re singing instantly into the faces of curious punters packed like sardines into the tiny Bella Union Store. However this Australian trio’s personal songs are each bit as beautiful: the wry, twentysomething dramas of Boygenius delivered within the ingenious three-part harmonies of The Roches. It’s a thrill to listen to a line like “I had a dirty dream” sung so superbly, however they will additionally do straight-up heartache; on the finish of “Mary’s Taking part in The Harp”, about having an emotional wobble a great distance from residence, each viewers and band are wiping away a tear.
WESTSIDE COWBOY
There’s a heartening new wave of younger British bands embracing Americana. Manchester’s Westside Cowboy start their set with a lilting nation waltz, even when thereafter it’s ’90s alt.rock all the way in which, with solely a faint whiff of twang: suppose Buffalo Tom, Superchunk or the noisier Saddle Creek stuff. All 4 band-members sing, together with powerhouse drummer Paddy Murphy, whose relentless pummelling actually helps elevate Westside Cowboy above their slacker-rock friends. He ends the set by eradicating his snare drum and marching to the entrance to affix the remainder of the band for a campfire singalong, emphasising that their songs work in any respect volumes.
THE NEW EVES
The New Eves appear to be they’d be extra at residence enjoying a forest clearing than a no-frills rock membership, however cheered on by a supportive native crowd they make for a compelling spectacle. Regardless of the quasi-pagan stylings, they deal in rousing feminist anthems reasonably than twee fairytales, eschewing energy chords in favour of violin, ’cello and a drummer who often doubles on flute. It makes for an appealingly brittle, earthy, tribal sound, generally harking back to PJ Harvey circa Let England Shake.
ELLIE O’NEILL
Taking part in solo in Brighton’s One Church, Ellie O’Neill barely talks or strikes during her set – save to take away a jumper or put her acoustic guitar into ever-more complicated tunings – however she holds a small crowd within the palm of her hand all through. Partly this is because of her evident instrumental prowess, holding down chords that even Joni Mitchell may discover difficult. However her lyrics additionally repeatedly cease you in your tracks with their stark, visceral imagery. “The chemical drips / Out of your mouth to your hips” runs her first line, and it solely will get extra harrowing from there. Admirers of Adrianne Lenker’s solo data ought to examine instantly.
