From the new bands making waves across the country to the music moments you won’t want to miss via this year’s biggest comebacks, here’s 50 possible dates for your diary this summer.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar: How’s K-Dot going to recreate the otherworldly noises and sombre atmos of his astonishing new album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ live? We have no idea, but are excited to find out. Catch him at: Wireless Festival (July 4), Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
Superfood
Superfood: Sure if Superfood were an animal they’d be something Britpoppy like a pigeon or a bulldog. But they’re not just Oasis rip-offs. Sunny harmonies, killer hooks and lush live shows have given them staying power. Go see ‘em. Catch them at: Heaven, London (April 9).
Yak
Yak: The London trio have quickly gained a rep as one of the most exciting new bands going. Whether they’re smashing up their organ on stage or spinning crowds into states of psych-punk hypnosis, see them now before they blow up. Catch them: across the UK (May 1-13), Live At Leeds (May 2), The Great Escape (May 14), Hyde Park (June 18), Secret Garden (July 25).
Black Honey
Black Honey: This new Brighton band mix Nancy Sinatra elegance with grungy, surf-rock riffs. Their first two releases have come surrounded in mystery, put out with just a phone number to text the band on. Catch them at: Live At Leeds (May 2), Great Escape (May 14-16), Kendal Calling (July 30-August 2), Y Not Festival (July 31-August 2), Standon Calling (July 31-August 2).
Bloody Knees
Bloody Knees: Not ones to ever put on a muted show, you’ll often find Cambridge punks Bloody Knees topless, crowdsurfing, handing out crates of beer to their crowds or a combination of all three. Get stuck in as they hit the festivals this summer. Catch them at: Handmade Festival (May 1-3), Live At Leeds (May 2), Truck Festival (July 18).
Hinds
Hinds: After breaking up with their boyfriends, Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perotte grabbed their guitars and ran to the beach to write songs. They’ve since been travelling the world as one of the buzziest new bands going and for good reason – their ramshackle garage is impossibly endearing. Catch them: Hyde Park (18 June), Visions Festival (August 8), EOTR Festival (September 4-6).
The Magic Gang
The Magic Gang: Fresh from touring with Wolf Alice, the Brighton quartet take their Weezer-esque riffs and the relatable lyrics about romance of debut single ‘No Fun’ to Secret Garden Party in July. Expect them to pop up on more festival bills across the summer too. Catch them at: Secret Garden Party (July 24-27).
The Strokes
The Strokes: New York’s finest return to London after five years away for this mega show as part of Barclaycard’s British Summer Time series. They probably won’t be airing any new material at the gig but expect heaps of classics, from ‘Last Nite’ to ‘You Only Live Once’. Catch them at: London Hyde Park (June 18).
The Libertines
The Libertines: Pete, Carl, John and Gary finally headline Reading & Leeds this year, after providing main support for Arcade Fire in 2010. There’s chance they might air some new material but, if not, seeing them play the old favourites will be just as glorious. Catch them at: Dublin 3Arena (July 9), T In The Park (July 11), Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac: Christine McVie’s return to Fleetwood Mac has made fans deliriously happy. See the Mac and roll yourself in cosmic road-trip nostalgia bath this summer. Catch them at: Isle Of Wight (June 14), across the UK from April–July.
Blur
Blur: Blur surprised the world when they took over a restaurant in Chinatown earlier this year to announce new album ‘Magic Whip’. That record is released on April 27 so by the time this summer show comes around, expect its tracks to feel as familiar as the likes of ‘Song 2’ and ‘Girls And Boys’, if a bit more subdued. Catch them at: London Hyde Park (June 20).
The Who
The Who: The iconic rock band have already hinted that they’ll call it a day once they’ve completed their 50th anniversary tour so this could be your last chance to see Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey on stage together. Catch them at: London Hyde Park (June 26).
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters: Dave Grohl & co. announced they would be headlining Glasto as they picked up Best International Band at this year’s NME Awards. They’ll also be taking latest album ‘Sonic Highways’ to the UK, with a little help from Royal Blood. Catch them at: Sunderland (May 25), Manchester (27), Slane Castle (30), London (June 19,20), Edinburgh (23), Glastonbury (26-29).
The Garden
The Garden: Cali garage punk twins The Garden’s fearless and thrilling live show has had tongues wagging since emerging last year. Expect this summer to be when they capitalise on their fast growing reputation for wild gigs and deliver on their exciting electro-scuzz potential. Catch them at: The Great Escape (May 14-16).
Beck
Beck: Fresh from winning the Grammy for Best Album for ‘Morning Phase’ Beck’s over for a handful of summertime shows perfect for the sunny sounds of his jangly recent Grammy winning album, ‘Morning Phase’. Catch him at: Cork Live At The Marquee (June 16), Dublin Royal Hospital Kilmainham (17), London Hyde Park (18)
Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels: Hip-hop pair El-P and Killer Mike perform one of last year’s best-loved, most critically acclaimed albums, ‘RTJ2’, with pizzazz. Unmissable. Catch them at: Dublin Royal Hospital Kilmainham (May 29, 31), Field Day Festival (June 6), London The Forum (7),Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons: Mumfords going electric might not quite be as controversial as when Bob Dylan ditched the acoustic guitar in 1965 but its guaranteed to have an effect on their live shows, from the sound of ‘Wilder Mind’. Expect loads of epic anthems. Catch them at: Gentlemen Of The Road (July 31), Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
Tandem Felix
Tandem Felix: Dublin newcomers Tandem Felix released the best song that Beck never wrote in recent single ‘Nothing I Do Will Ever Be Good Enough’. See them now before they blow up at venues ideally intimate for their introspective sound as they’ll be packing academy rooms soon. Catch them at: London Servant Jazz Quarters (May 11).
The Maccabees
The Maccabees: The south London band have been previewing material from their forthcoming fourth album at live shows recently and while there’s still no word on when it’s out, you can expect the likes of frenetic ‘Marks To Prove It’ and introspective ‘Spit It Out’ to feature. Catch them at: Aviemore Gentlemen Of The Road (July 31), Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
The Cribs
The Cribs: The Jarman brothers have described sixth album ‘For All My Sisters’ as their poppiest record since ‘Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever’ and its gigantic hooks will make festivals better places to be this summer.
Catch them at: Live At Leeds (May 2), Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
Everything Everything
Everything Everything: ‘Distant Past’ is going to be the ‘Get Lucky’ of the summer. You heard it here first. The Mercury nominated group’s third album ‘Get To Heaven’ – released June 15 – is a winner and suggests you should snap up tickets. Catch them at: Parklife Festival (June 6), Longitude Festival (July 17).
LA Priest
LA Priest: Late Of The Pier may still be sorely missed but Sam Eastgate is filling the void for now. The band’s singer finally released some music as LA Priest after years of building up to it and ‘Oino’ is the sound of twisted electro-pop genius. Catch him at: The Great Escape (May 14-16), Field Day (June 6-7).
Slaves
Slaves: There’s a reason this fast-rising duo were the talk of this year’s NME Awards Tour. Their live shows don’t let-up in the sweaty, naked garage stakes. Catch them at: across the UK in May, The Great Escape (May 14-16), Longitude Festival in Dublin (July 17-19), Tramlines in Sheffield (July 24-26), Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
The Vaccines
The Vaccines: Justin Young’s The Vaccines have revealed that they’ve been more adventurous with their forthcoming new album ‘English Graffiti’ and what we’ve heard is pretty exciting. Get it in your ears May 25 then catch them at: T In The Park (July), Longitude Festival (July 17-19), Latitude (July 19), Kendal Calling (July 30-August 2).
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Unknown Mortal Orchestra: The psych-pop supremos are back again, with a new album imminent and every bit their woozy-guitared charm of old. Catch them at: Latitude (July 16-19).
Drenge
Drenge: The Loveless brothers have a new album, a new accomplice in bassist Rob Graham and a bone to pick with British politicians on their latest batch of songs. Expect sweat soaked grunge mania. Catch them at: London Hyde Park (June 20).
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan: They can’t stop in-fighting and founding member Raekwon has dropped out of their upcoming live commitments. But don’t bet against an enthralling show when Staten Island hip-hop heroes Wu-Tang take to the UK this summer. Catch them at: Forbidden Fruit Festival (May 29-31), Parklife (June 6-7), Wildlife (June 6-7), Tramlines (July 24-26).
Peace
Peace: You know the drill with the guys by now. Huge singalong anthems, pouting Britpoppy swagger a plenty and some natty threads thrown into the bargain. Catch them at: Liverpool Sound City (May 22-24), T in the Park (July 10-12), Reading and Leeds (August 28-30).
Swim Deep
Swim Deep: Thought you knew Swim Deep? Think again. Judging by new single ‘To My Brother’, their second album should be a complete sea change, swapping straight up pop for more psychedelic sounds. See them recreate that shift at festivals across the country. Catch them at: The Great Escape (May 14-16), Reading & Leeds Festival (August 28-30).
Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson: With ‘Uptown Funk’, Mark Ronson created a song guaranteed to get even the most reticent of dancers heading for the middle of the floor. It’s hard to imagine it not becoming a festival anthem come summer – how can it sound better than in a (hopefully) sunny field with all of your mates? Catch him at: Parklife (June 6-7), Lovebox (July 17-18).
Palma Violets
Palma Violets: Channelling ‘Think Tank’ era Blur on their new album, Palmas are back – but don’t expect the more contemplative tunes on ‘Danger In The Club’ to mean their shows this summer won’t pack fireworks. Catch them at: Live at Leeds (May 1-4), Secret Garden Party (July 23-26).
Tame Impala
Tame Impala: Is there a more perfect summer band than these trippy, sun-splashed psych groove Aussies? We doubt it. Get a taste of new material at the following dates: End of the Road Festival (September 4-6), Bestival (September 10-13).
Hot Chip
Hot Chip: Alexis Taylor’s crew have been around for long enough to have gleeful summer rave-ups down to a tee. Which is just as well, as they have a busy few months of festivals ahead. Catch them at: T in the Park (July 10-12), Lovebox (July 17-18), Green Man (August 20-23), Electric Picnic (September 4-6).
Drake
Drake: Worried your summer’s looking a little too rosy? Don’t worry, Drizzy’s going to be on hand to bring your mood down a notch or two with sublime sad-sack hip-hop bangers like ‘Headlines’ at London’s Wireless Festival on July 3.
Chemical Brothers
Chemical Brothers: The superstar DJs themselves are never a let down. Get ready for dance-destruction at the following festivals: Longitude (July 17-19), Bestival (September 10-13).
Underworld
Underworld: …and if the Chems weren’t enough of a euphoric dance fix for you this summer, there’s ample chances to catch Cardiff-formed electronic pioneers Underworld too. See them at: Electric Picnic (September 4-6), Bestival (September 10-13).
Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice: The North Londoners are set to release their long-awaited debut album ‘My Love Is Cool’ on June 22 and they’ll spend the summer spreading its inevitably massive hooks around festival fields. Catch them at: Calling Festival (July 4), Latitude Festival (18), Longitude Festival (19), Reading & Leeds (August 28-30).
Tobias Jesso Jr
Tobias Jesso Jr: Lennon-style melodies and sumptuous orchestration made the Canadian singer’s, ‘Goon’, one of the best debuts of 2015 so far. Live, he is compellingly fragile. Catch him at: Live At Leeds (May 6), The Great Escape (May 16) and various venues across the UK all summer.
Stormzy
Stormzy: Since appearing on stage with Kanye West at 2014’s Brit Awards the heat’s been on South London grime youngster Stormzy. Brace yourself for a ruthlessly energetic show at venues across the UK in April and October.
Lucy Rose
Lucy Rose: Surrey songwriter and Bombay Bicycle Club crew dem Lucy Rose has a new album out in July. Hear tracks from it early on stage from May and at Bushstock (June 13).
Jamie xx
Jamie xx: There’s few incoming albums we’re more hyped for heading into the summer months than Jamie xx’s latest solo offering so you can imagine our relish at the prospect of him at Worthy Farm when Glastonbury rolls around once more on June 24.
Ekkah
Ekkah: Rebecca Wilson and Rebekah Pennington are the perfect summer band – their smooth, sultry R&B-infused tunes are perfect for getting sticky in sun-free basement clubs or dancing to in fields as the sun goes down. Catch them at: The GreatEscape (May 14-16), Manchester Parklife (June 6-7).
Alt-J
Alt-J: Last year’s ‘This Is All Yours’ well and truly catapulted Alt-J into the big time. Earlier this year, they played a sold out headline show at the O2 Arena and this summer they’ll top the bill at a festival for the first time. Catch them in all their weird, off-kilter glory at Latitude. Catch them at: Latitude Festival (July 17).
Shamir
Shamir: Full of plinking keyboard hysteria, skittering beats and ice-cool vocal hooks, ‘On The Regular’ has festival anthem written all over it, so expect this XL newcomer to slay at festivals this summer. Catch him at The Great Escape (May 14-16).
Portishead
Portishead: Hearing ‘Glory Box’ ring out on a summer’s eve is something every music fan should experience once in their life. Miss Brizzle’s trip-hop legends at your own peril. Catch them at: Latitude Festival (July 18).
Ex Hex
Ex Hex: Washington DC’s Ex Hex released one of the most glorious albums of 2014 with ‘Rips’. Now’s your chance to see Mary Timony’s band show Victoria Park who’s boss in June. Catch them at: Field Day (June 7)
DMA’s
DMA’s: Aussie Britpop wannabes DMA’s coming over to the UK is a bit like selling snow to the Eskimos but, with Oasis refusing to reunite, it’s up to someone else to carry their torch of swagger, attitude and everyday anthems. Catch them at: The Great Escape (May 14-16), Reading & Leeds Festival (August 28-30).
Bully
Bully: Nashville’s Bully finally make the trip over to the UK for the first time this summer, previewing the thrumming garage-punk thrills of their debut album ‘Feels Like’. Alicia Bognanno’s tales of life and love will draw you in until you don’t ever want her to let you go. Catch them at: across the UK in May, The The Great Escape (May 14-16).
Laura Marling
Laura Marling: Mazza (does anyone call her that? No? Okay then) returned earlier this year with ‘Short Movie’, hailed a career-high for the folkster. And those people would not be wrong. A must-see. Catch her at: Southampton Guildhall (May 4), Bristol Colston Hall (5), Dublin Olympia Theatre (7), Belfast Waterfront Hall (8), Latitude Festival (July 18), Somersault Festival (July 23-27)
Kanye West
