Darwin Deez
From New York we present Darwin Deez and his cooking band of fellow Manhattanites who will bring an amazing
party vibe to Saturday's main stage after dark. This man plays the crunchiest Stratocaster guitar we have ever heard
and it's hard not to compare him to Prince and Jimmy Hendrix in that regard. Mixed with great pop tunes and mid set impromptu
tag team break dancing we guarantee you a crazy toe tapping time. His tune Bad Day is the best and most cheery hate song ever written.
Fun fun fun till his daddy takes the T'bird away.
Edwyn Collins
Edwyn's status is something of a musical statesman having won numerous awards for his outstanding contribution
to music and such like. Former Orange Juice frontman suffered a completely debilitating double brain haemorrhage in 2005
which left him unable to move or speak. Remarkably he found singing to be easier than talking and his excellent 2010 album
Losing Sleep is a testament to his determination to write, record and perform. He continues to be an inspiration to the many young bands
that he produces.
House Of Love
We are slowly working our way through the bands we adore, in no particular order. Perhaps when we run out we'll start over.
So after School Of Seven Bells last year next up is House Of Love. Just listening again to House Of Love's eponymous album I
simply can't fault it, from first track all the way through to the last. The intro guitar riff from Shine On is so forceful you
just have to screw up your face and nod your head. That might be just me. If only for a relatively short time - the coolest band in the
world, in my humble opinion.
Gaz Coombes
Despite the demise of Supergrass there is no stopping former frontman Gaz Coombes. Last year's album
Here Come The Bombs suggests by its title alone that this is the start of something rather than the end.
Indeed you forget that he is still very young despite almost 20 years passing since the green shoots of Britpop.
His teeth are indeed still nice and clean. He also seems incapable of producing music devoid of fantastic hooks despite
a more reflective, darker and more experimental sound. Yet the album remains very colourful and live
Gaz still produces high-octane premier league entertainment.
King Creosote
Kenny stayed over with us when he played in Thirsk and recounted stories of how he bought one
of the first CD burners, made his own CD artwork by hand and how downloading was now threatening this enterprise
(the celebrated Fence Collective label) and his ability to make a living from music. Depressing for a man of his talents.
Last year Kenny and Jon Hopkins were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and he has rightly been on a roll ever since.
Somehow avoiding the clash this year with his own festival Away Game, we're looking forward to catching up.
The Unthanks - Songs From The Shipyards
For those that grew up with a supertanker at the end of their road this is an emotional journey for sure.
The Unthanks tell an evocative story of the shipbuilding industry in the North East of England. They beautifully
accompany archive footage from the height of the industry through to its decline in the Thatcher era. Political,
social, with stories of hardship, pride, war, tragedy and pints of mild. A critically acclaimed audio-visual treat
in front of a large cinema screen in the Big Top on Sunday.
Tubular Bells For Two
For some Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells represents all that punks fought hard to bury. For me it was the only up-to-date record my
parents had when I was eight and it had a massive impact on me. This show was the biggest hit of the Edinburgh
festival last year, winning awards, 5 star reviews, sold out every night for a month. Basically
the whole of Tubular Bells performed by Aussies Daniel Holdsworth and Aidan Roberts with an unbelievable level of accuracy, musicianship and red wine.
Unmissable, even for old punks.
Eugene McGuinness
It was always going to be hard for us to fill the headline slot on the In The Dock stage after School Of Seven Bells
graced it last year - a highlight for many. It's taken a while but we think that Eugene McGuinness and his band are
well up for the job, over-qualified if anything. Playfully and very skilfully combining bouncy electro with infectious
rockabilly strutting his 2012 album (The Invitation To The Voyage) is a hook-laden epic with the feel of a 1960s movie
soundtrack. It's glamorous even, in keeping with SVIIB. Seems suitably fitting.
Willy Mason
American born Mason recalls the sound of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. He is an artist for whom a single song jump-started his career.
On the A64 to/from Leeds by that red bus cafe in the lay-by - the place I first heard Zane Lowe play Willy Mason's
classic single Oxygen for the first time, such was its impact. Only 19 when Oxygen was released his career unfolded at its own pace. Fast-forward eight
years and his third album 'Carry On' was released late last year. Five years in the making but critically acclaimed nonetheless.
The Milk
We've not really had much soul music before, there's not much of it about. But take a listen to The Milk
and you'll immediately see why we've hotly pursued them this year. A fantastic band, and likely an even better festival band.
Just what you need to get you into the mood as you hit the arena for the first time on Friday night.
Last year's album Tales From The Thames Delta probably tells you all you need to know about their intentions. Essex swagger
meets Stax Records. A band producing music unlike that of any other new band in the country.
The Phantom Band
We thought hard about what it is that makes The Phantom Band (ace band name) so unique sounding. Released in 2009 Checkmate Savage is a mature confident
record for a debut album. Their description of themselves as a Glasgow Proto-Robofolk sextet goes some way to describe their sound -
effortlessly blending together instruments other than guitar, bass and drums into something very organic with the dark vocals of
Rick Anthony nesled on top. They are an intriguing live prospect.
Public Service Broadcasting
J.Willgoose Esq searches the archives for juicy nuggets of audio from old public service broadcasts and builds them into
fantastic tunes, with a little nod to Lemon Jelly and drums provided by Wigglesworth. The sound really
is just half of their live show though. When we saw them live you got the impression that the visual side of their show was only
half way through its evolution. Projecting onto our huge Big Top cinema screen PSB will broadcast similarly old archive TV
footage very imaginatively sync'ed to the music. Ace.
Stealing Sheep
Every band has their best shows at The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. And so it was with Stealing Sheep, expectations
inevitably exceeded. They translate a great album into a compellingly warm stage show. Stealing Sheep are a three
piece girl band from Liverpool having graduated from Maccers music school. They have a pic'n'mixtastic sound with guitar,
keyboard and percussion - seemed very comfortable on their instruments and very happy to be playing together. Influences
from folk to electronica and psychedelia but the sound is always bound together by the unison of vocals.
To Kill A King
To Kill A King is a British folk and rock band currently based in London. The band was formed in 2009 by frontman Ralph Pelleymounter with Ian
Dudfield and Josh Platman during their studies at University of Leeds. To Kill A King are an extraordinary band who have the quiet,
powerful reserve of The National or even Red House Painters, but it's a reserve mixed with a liquid, rhythmical, joyous touch that
recalls Arcade Fire, or the raw, euphoric drive of Mumford And Sons. The startling part of it all is that at any one moment, they
can sound like all or none of them.
Zervas And Pepper
You do wonder how you can live in Cardiff and produce music that sounds like that of Zervas and Pepper.
The Golden State it is not, no sir. Still, we're not complaining and we are more than happy to be transported to warmer climes.
Take a cosmic road trip with us in the crew bus past the sun drenched harmonies of Swansea along the M4 towards St Davids.
Remember to pack your boogie board. One of Lauren Laverne's best session guests this year, Zervas And Pepper are
enjoying much critical acclaim all over.
Smoove And Turrell
That's Smoove in the middle with the hat and Turrell on the far left with their kickin' live band sprinkled inbetween.
Make sure you bring your dancing trousers with you and secure your pint. A favourite band of soul DJ God Craig Charles Smoove And Turrell
mix soul, funk, hip-hop and acid jazz into an awesome live experience. Smoove and Turrell will also be DJing in the after
hours bar, both performances not to be missed. All that's missing is a cover of 'Pump Up The Volume', go on boys.
Velcro Hooks
Perhaps the best band we saw down in Brighton at The Great Escape this year and due to the cancellation of Peggy Sue
you are getting them in 2013 rather than in 2014. Lucky you. They are an absolutely full of themselves (quite rightly)
four piece from Bristol. When you love a band on record, go and see them but end up enjoying the songs you don't know even more
than those you do...well, that's good. We present Velcro Hooks, the next big thing or next big implosion.
Deaf Club
'A fresh blend of progressive shoegaze and melancholic, contemplative indie rock. A reminder of wistful, long walks
and pensive periods resting in long grass' says Deaf Club's biog. It's a long time since we've had pensive periods resting in
long grass, periods laid out in deep snow sobbing with a snowboard attached to one's feet, yes. Still Deaf Club are young, with time
on their hands to wonder through summery meadows of wild flowers but most importantly they make a lovely, lovely sound.
Novella
Some arguments in the office about the band that truly define 'shoegaze'. My Bloody Valentine of course and I've got the
key to the website so I win. Hopefully without the ear bleeding volume of My Bloody Valentine we present Novella, an all girl-fronted
band of woozy guitars and heavy fringes. Hints of Sleeper, Kenicke in there too. We are transported by them - the 90s were ace,
and all we did was stay in and watch Friends but that's what your 20s are for ain't it.
Moulettes
Moulettes are a great festival band with an amazing reputation for foot stomping shows. Colourful, eccentrically dressed,
laden with a chorus of sweet voices and a wealth of instruments and ideas, they are an immensely appealing band.
Their songs often explore dramatic narratives and surreal characters that owe as much to literature, fantasy fiction and fairytales.
Moulettes theatrical performances have graced the stages of Cambridge Folk Festival, Secret Garden Party, End of The Road and Bestival
so we are in good company.
Kitty The Lion
The opening Saturday main stage slot is an important one, signaling that the main event is underway.
We haven't strayed a million miles away from Washington Irving who had the same slot last year. We welcome Glasgow's Kitty The Lion
and their own flavour of chirpy folk-pop. What is it about distinctly Scottish vocals that we can't resist? Kitty are famed for their
ballsy live performances, causing a fine racket and setting every toe tapping. We're also enjoying unraveling some fine lyrics.
Blue Rose Code
Blue Rose Code is Scottish born, London based Ross Wilson. Raised by his grandmother in an Edinburgh high-rise the story
of Ross's life seems to have been a troubled one. Pulled down into the mire by drink and drugs Ross's promising career in
music was stopped in its tracks when folk refused to work with him unless he got himself clean. Ross gave up on music.
Fast forward two years and he returns clean with some fantastic tunes and a new found ambition. We look forward to his show
very much.
Sweet Baboo
With an idiosyncratic streak Stephen Black AKA Sweet Baboo sits neatly alongside other Welsh artists Gruff Rhys and Gorky's.
He has so far taken the prize for best promo shot, you can't beat a panda in a paisley shirt.
It's hard not to love Sweet Baboo's new single, Let's Go Swimming Wild - the first from the album Ships, out on
Moshi Moshi at the end of April. Hints of Alt-J for us, an effortlessly casual sound. Appearing with his band
on the Lodge Stage on Saturday.
Luke Sital-Singh
Luke Sital-Singh was firmly implanted in the BBC Introducing 'ones to watch' lists at the dawn of 2013.
Umpteen live reviews suggest he's capable of quietening the most irritating of gig chatterboxes even in the
most humble of support slots. In the 'young bloke with guitar' genre, with songs about love lost, quietening hostle
audiences suggests you possess something extra beyond post-Bon Iver moaning-on. Indeed Luke doesn't
rush and reminds us of our love lost, albeit back when we were young and still had a fringe.
Death At Sea
Touring with a host of hyped bands that includes Palma Violets & Savages, Death At Sea are in good company having received
a fair amount of hype themselves. Like Zane Lowe's 'hottest record in the world' for their single 'Drag' - the video for which
features suitable icons of hedonistic rock'n'roll excess like half naked girls in swimming pools. Don't know
about you but since we've had kids we've had to stop cavorting about in swimming pools. I miss the old days.
Deep Sea Arcade
Deep Sea Arcade seem to be walking in the footsteps of fellow Australian psychedelics Tame Impala.
Strongly influenced by baggy UK indie from the late 80s early 90s (and therefore by implication the 60s).
Singer Nic McKenzie sounds like a Davey Jones/Tim Burgess hybrid, and oddly he looks like a
Davey Jones/Tim Burgess hybrid as well. 'Mini-epics with surf guitars and a heavy dose of Swinging London finesse' say Mojo
which nicely sums it up.
Dancing Years
Dancing Years comprise of best friends David Henshaw and Joseph Lawrenson, who have been writing music together
for two years now, dividing their time between Cardiff and their Leeds hometown. When performing live, they are
joined by a host of friends who provide additional piano, guitar, vocals, accordion, drums and violin to reconstruct
the full, powerful sounds of their records. They come highly recommended to us by the
Anthologies boys and are off supporting Stornoway, which makes alot of sense.
Marconi Union
Marconi Union are an ambient outfit from Manchester who are held in extremely high regard in their field. Now on
their sixth album they have been creating amazing atmospheres for some years, quietly accumulating much critical
acclaim and a substantial following. This is your chance to catch one of their very rare audio-visual live performances
after hours in our Big Top.
Barbarossa
Recently signed to Memphis Industries we are delighted to announce Barbarossa, aka London based James Mathé.
Having previously released music via the Fence Collective and toured as part of Jose Gonzales' live band,
Barbarossa's new material sees Mathé combine dusky electronics with folk and soul to startling effect.
He is an exciting emerging talent.
David McCaffrey
A local act for DSF4, run for the hills. Luckily David only became a local relatively recently and is now associated
with Easingwold, famous around these parts as the location of the only decent curry house for miles and miles (and miles.)
We like him very much. David has a confidence in his voice that is surprising for one so sickeningly young and could
easily go far, especially in that t-shirt.