Photo Credit James Edmond photography
A few shows worth attending in the coming months
BILLIE MARTEN
3-Feb-22 SWG3 supporting Palace
Marten’s critically acclaimed debut album “Writing of Blues and Yellows”, was released in 2016 when she was still just 17, while its follow-up “Feeding Seahorses By Hand” was similarly lauded in 2019. Recorded with Rich Cooper in London, Marten’s latest album – “Flora Fauna” – blends those signature hushed, resonant vocals with a rapid pulse and rich instrumentation. Alongside her nomination for the BBC Sound of 2016, support throughout Marten’s burgeoning career has rolled in from the likes of The Evening Standard, The Independent and The Sunday Times Culture.
PALACE
3-Feb-22 SWG3
Palace are set to release their third album “Shoals” on January 21st via Fiction – a profound and pensive album, boldly exploring some of life’s greatest questions over its 12 tracks. Having built a dedicated live following through mesmerising shows at some of the country’s finest venues and amassing 1.4 million monthly Spotify listeners, Palace are set to continue their enviable trajectory with their biggest UK tour yet kicking off in February.
SELF ESTEEM
1-Mar-22 St Luke’s
As Self Esteem, Rebecca Taylor has shaken off the shackles of her indie band past to become the unapologetic pop star she always wanted to be. With her statement debut album “Compliments Please” she gave voice to the feelings of insecurity and misogyny-induced frustration that many of us face every day, emboldening a whole new audience with powerful, truth-telling lyricism that speaks to her love of rhythmic noughties pop and RnB. Self Esteem proves that we can all grow from what we go through, but that life is far too short not to embrace yourself in your most honest of forms – no apologies necessary.
YARD ACT
3-Mar-22 Mono
Yard Act have built a sound that speaks inherently to their birthplace of Leeds, West Yorkshire and ties together observations from all walks of modern British life. Across the course of 2020 and into early 2021, the quartet released four increasingly coruscating, hilariously dark singles with ‘The Trapper’s Pelts’, ‘Fixer Upper’, ‘Peanuts’ and ‘Dark Days’ all securing BBC 6 Music airplay, and developing a remarkable, ever increasing fanbase. Pulling off a debut album in a pandemic isn’t easy, but Yard Act made it work with their debut album The Overload receiving 4* reviews from the likes of NME & The Guardian
PAUL DRAPER
5-Mar-22 King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
Former Mansun frontman Paul Draper announces his 21-date UK tour in February/March for his new album Cult Leader Tactics out 28th January. Cult Leader Tactics is a satirical record about self-help manuals, detailing how to proceed in life by acting in a Machiavellian manner, and features guest appearances from revered musicians Steven Wilson and Gamaliel ‘Gam’ Rendle Trainer.
THE BLUE STONES
16-Mar-22 King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
Alternative-rock duo The Blue Stones – known for their blistering live shows – head out on their highly anticipated “Hidden Gems” tour in 2022, their first journey over the Atlantic since 2019s sold out run. Their duo worked with famed producer Paul Meany (Mutemath, Twenty One Pilots, LANY) to create their critically acclaimed sophomore album “Hidden Gems”, released earlier this year via Entertainment One (eOne) which gained the duo new fans with key tastemakers such as BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac & Jack Saunders, Kerrang! Radio, and Upset Magazine.
SAM FENDER
26-Mar-22 SSE Hydro
With his intensely personal sophomore release “Seventeen Going Under” earning Sam Fender his second number one album, and following a run of euphoric headline shows and show-stealing sets at Reading & Leeds, TRNSMT, Isle of Wight, and Boardmasters, Sam Fender hits the road in 2022 with his highly anticipated arena tour.
THE AMAZONS
3-Apr-22 SSE Hydro w/ Royal Blood
Comprised of frontman Matt Thomson, guitarist Chris Alderton, bassist Elliot Briggs, and drummer Joe Emmett, The Amazons are on a mission to reinvigorate rock and roll. With two Top 10 albums under their belt, and their singles “Doubt It” and “Mother” hitting the Radio 1 A-List, The Amazons are one of the UK’s most exciting bands, and join Royal Blood as special guests on their 2022 UK arena tour.
CELESTE
7-Apr-22 Barrowland Ballroom
The ascending soul star, who released her debut album “Not Your Muse” earlier this year to high acclaim, performs 6 headline shows next spring. The singer and songwriter achieved the double win of BBC Sound of 2020 and BRITS Rising Star award, with her spell-binding performance of “Strange” at The BRITS in February placing her firmly in the global spotlight.
KAWALA
9-Apr-22 St Luke’s
KAWALA’s debut album “Better With You” marks the culmination of years of work which has seen the band grow from humble beginnings to the world class act they are today. Along the way they have done everything from play socially distanced shows in UK parks, appear on FIFA 2021, become ambassadors for the Music Venue Trust, and perform an emotional sold-out show at the O2 Kentish Town Forum, the venue at the heart of the London community where the band spent their formative years. Supporting the album’s release, the band begin a series of instore performances ahead of their headline UK tour in April.
BASTILLE
10-Apr-22 O2 Academy
Supporting the release of their hugely anticipated fourth album “Give Me The Future” (out 4th Feb), Bastille have partnered with indie record stores across the UK to present a run of intimate record store sessions in February. The appearances will see lead singer Dan Smith perform a rare, stripped back solo set ahead of the band’s arena tour in April, where fans will be able to hear the new album for the first time.
BABY QUEEN
23-Apr-22 King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
Bella moved to London at 18, joined rock bands and fell in love and headfirst into the city’s party scene. Now at 24, she has made the BBC Sound of 2022 long list, released her debut mixtape “The Yearbook”, and continues her ascent to the anti-pop throne.
JAMES BLAKE
30-Apr-22 O2 Academy
It’s fair to say the Mercury Music Prize and GRAMMY® Award winning UK singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer James Blake is one of the most in-demand artists having worked with Kendrick Lamar, André 3000, Travis Scott and Jay-Z, and his UK shows promise to be an event worth catching.
