When I wrote this earlier in the morning, I was not entirely sure whether I would be attending the legendary Reading and Leeds Festival this year. There were many dependent factors; will the work buddies part with their cash, will my best mate ever get a job, or will I volunteer and just catch the best bits when I can? Who knew? What I did know is that the line-up is undeniably spectacular this year; and that whether I ended up in a pit, pointing drunken revellers in the right direction or watching from the clean comfort of the settee; I would be keeping eyes and ears out for the following; who just happen to be some of my favourite bands.
DEAP VALLY
Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, California; DEAP VALLY are the hottest thing on my radar right now. Consisting of Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards, the scuzzy rock duo met at a needlework class and bonded over their love of blues. Somehow they’ve since supported The Vaccines here in the UK, and toured with MUSE in Northern Europe. Earning praise for their female-Jack White meets Black Keys sound and gaining airplay on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show with debut single ‘Gonna Make My Own Money’; I’ve no doubt that after they hit R and L later this year, the cash’ll be rolling in.
3 tracks: End Of The World, Gonna Make My Own Money, Baby I Can Hell
PEACE
NME may be ranting about Palma Violets at the moment, but I am stuck on the B-Town boys of Peace. Their grungy-meets-electro guitar tracks are almost psychedelic and they will have plenty to offer in the form of material from EP-Delicious, and their debut album. Track ‘Ocean’s Eye’ is flawless but slightly overshadowed by the brilliant and sure to be overused, ‘Bloodshake’. Previously a demo called ‘BBLOOD’, the song has been reincarnated into possibly the perfect soundtrack for our 20-and-Teen lives. The jangly tune will project Peace onto the airwaves, and the song is guaranteed to be to 2013 what Two Door Cinema Club’s What You Know was to 2011. Ubiquitous.
3 tracks: Wraith, California, 1998
HAIM
The BBC Sound of 2013 Poll voted this trio of sisters as the act to look out for this year. Back in 2012 one of their London gigs had to be moved to a different venue at the last minute due to over-demand and so I am sure that the tent will be packed like a can for the Californians’ rock-and-roll version of rhythm and blues. Effortlessly cool, you’ll probably leave with a burning desire to grow your hair out and start learning the bass.
3 tracks: Forever, Don’t Save Me, Go Slow
CITY AND COLOUR
City and Colour is the Biffy Clyro-supporting project of Dallas Green. They will undoubtedly bring beautiful acoustic music to the table in the NME/R1 tent. Mosh pits are unlikely to occur during their set; but tracks like ‘Hello, I’m in Delaware’, and ‘Comin’ Home’ are sure to be more than well-received. If you’re new to the band, pick up their album Sometimes, as a means of introduction.
3 tracks: The Girl, Save Your Scissors, Sam Malone
FALL OUT BOY
They know what we did in the dark; but I cannot wait to hear what the emo-rock royalty have written after being on much debated hiatus. I am not sure if they will prove to be the ‘Saviours of Rock and Roll’ (have you listened to Twin Atlantic?), however, for many fans who were too young to see the band live the first time around; Reading and Leeds will present the perfect opportunity for Patrick Stump to confuse the masses with the tongue twister of ‘Sugar We’re Going Down.’ Crack the guyliner out and see them third from top on the bill. Fights with Brandon Flowers are no longer necessary.
3 tracks: What A Catch Donnie, Take Over The Break’s Over, Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
Go to page 2 for more artists!