Keeping track of the dozens of fresh acts out there - and sifting the fantastic from the appalling - is no small task. Luckily, we’re here to help; here’s our guide to some of the most promising new bands around - don’t start university without it.
1. The Wombats
Funky indie rock trio from Liverpool comprising native Liverpudlians Matthew Murphy (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Dan Haggis (drummer) and Norwegian Tord Overland-Knudsen (bass). Murphy and Haggis met while studying at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, and co-opted Overland-Knudsen in for the ride. One of the hardest-working but most down-to-earth bands you’ll ever meet, The Wombats were the first unsigned group to sell out the Carling Academy in their native city, and have a growing following in, of all places, China.
See here for more on The Wombats .
Advertisement
2. Monkey Swallows the Universe
A Sheffield-originating five-piece who specialise in luscious, enchanting acoustic indie. Created back in 2004 by Nat Johnson (lead vocals) and Kevin Gori (guitar), the group soon expanded to include a violinist, cellist and a drummer, although they don’t flinch from including other instruments - such as a flute on latest single ‘Little Polveir’. They’re already on their second album release (Casket Letters, coming soon) and are loved by media and artists alike.
Click here for more on Monkey Swallows the Universe
3. The Rushes
Advertisement
A sweet, vibrato-loving four-piece hailing from Birmingham, London and Colchester respectively. James (bass) and Gerard (lead vocals/guitar) are siblings, but the band only got together after chance meetings whilst studying in Leeds. Recent performances at Glastonbury gave the group greater exposure previous to a heavily-dated UK tour currently taking place at a venue near you, in between which they hope to complete work on their debut album.
Visit The Rushes MySpace page here
4. Rosalita
Up-and-coming five-piece working out of - of all places - Ipswich. Although they’ve been going since 2005, the group, named after the Bruce Springsteen song of the same name, are still unsigned - a criminal offence for fans of jerky, funky indie-electro everywhere. They are currently taking part in the Road To V competition to find a band or two to open this year’s V Festival, which may just give them the push they need to get into the mainstream.
Advertisement
To find out more on Rosalita, see here
5. The KBC
A well-established and incredibly talented indie-electro group from Preston, this talented trio met whilst still in school. The KBC have already played alongside acts as diverse as ¡Forward, Russia!, The Sunshine Underground and The Strokes, and currently run their own club night (Club Sandwich) back in their home town while trying to push their own career. Also, Steve Lamacq‘s a fan, which is never a bad thing.
The KBC on MySpace
Advertisement
6. The Guests
This youthful four-piece were formed in the bowels of Leeds. After playing in rival bands as teenagers, a chance chat in the school library pushed them together, and history was made. Currently taking part in the Road to V competition alongside Rosalita, The Guests, as yet unsigned and still very obscure, specialise in charming indie pop that really will put a smile on your face.
Listen to The Guests here
Advertisement
7. Midas
This brash but brilliant five-piece indie band hail from the little known town of Stourbridge. The majority of the group met whilst playing in their school’s orchestra, with lead singer Kris Lloyd on viola and bassist Jake Mason on cello. The group have yet to break into the mainstream, with their most recent single only hitting 59 in the mainstream charts, but they don’t seem to be too downhearted about this, and have already played to over 10,000 people at Dudley’s Festival Of Water and Light.
Click here for more on Midas
Are you a fan of any of our seven top new bands? Give us your opinion below