Gavin DeGraw at 02 Academy on 3 November
Multi-Platinum, world-renowned entertainer Gavin DeGraw has returned to the project that started it all with Chariot 20, a brand new, reimagined version of his debut album, released this September.
“As an artist, you fight your entire life to get to that first album. Chariot changed everything for me. It opened the doors to touring the world, meeting my heroes and spending my life making music. But most importantly, it introduced me to all of you. For that, I’m forever grateful,” said DeGraw, in a message to fans. “In the two decades since that first album, we’ve grown together, we’ve sung and danced together, and we’ve shared memories and stories, creating a community connected by the greatest unifier of all, in my opinion, which is music.”
Since its release in 2003, Chariot has evolved into a cultural touchstone. Originally released on J Records, where legendary executive Clive Davis signed DeGraw in 2002, the album established the future Grammy nominee as a singular vocal talent. The project notably features the double-Platinum, Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hit “I Don’t Want to Be,” which the publication recently named one of the Best Songs of 2004. Additionally, album opener “Follow Through” reached Gold certification while the Platinum-selling title track reached Top 30 territory on the Hot 100. The new version of “Chariot” is out now.
This revisited version reunites DeGraw with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, who produced DeGraw’s acclaimed 2022 album Face The River. It also features two previously unreleased tracks written during DeGraw’s original Chariot sessions: “Get Lost” and “Love Is Stronger (Alright).”
Twin Atlantic at The Wardrobe on 8 November
This year, Scotland’s finest alt-rockers Twin Atlantic released their latest album Meltdown. They’re currently on their UK tour.
The band returned with the album’s first taste in raucous pop-rocker ‘Stuck In The Car With You’ late last year, which was followed by the frantically, euphoric ‘Asleep’, alongside a run of sold-out intimate dates across the UK. They released the album’s third cut – new single ‘World Class Entertainment’. It’s a riff heavy, sweat drenched banger – Twin Atlantic at their guitar driven best; raw, loud and packed with a punch.
On the band’s single, frontman Sam McTrusty said; “Sometimes during the making of an album, I can’t help but make fun of the whole thing. The day we wrote World Class Entertainment, we set out to do just that. Turn everything up to 11, make every lyric sarcastic and opinionated. There’s a massive trend in the culture of excess and judgement, and that’s how this angsty fun flashing neon sign of a song was born. It’s great to be back kicking heads in with riffs. Lets go!”
Produced by McTrusty and bassist Ross McNae and mixed by longtime collaborator Romesh Dodangoda, from top to bottom Meltdown is a return to form for the band. Eleven slices of infectious, masterful pop-rock, Meltdown is equal parts guitar heavy bangers and emotionally driven heartfelt anthems. With one foot firmly in nostalgia, while wholeheartedly looking to the future, Twin Atlantic are back to their very best.
“Over the last 18 months we have been relentlessly obsessing over the making of a new album. We built two studios to have our own freedom and space to dig deeper into the essence of our band,” Sam said of the recording process. “That freedom evolved into engineering and producing the album ourselves. Zero outside influences. What we’ve got in the end is something we are so proud of and feels like our best work yet. The time felt right to revisit our roots and dive back into the big chorus’s and massive guitars that shaped our band’s early years, but obviously having lived life and toured the world since then we found an evolution of that sound.”
Tickets for all shows on sale HERE.
Dolores Forever at Hyde Park Book Club on 10 November
One of the UK’s finest rising acts, Dolores Forever, have released their sublime debut album It’s Nothing. Alongside the release the band have also dropped the tongue-in-cheek video for their new single ‘Not Now Kids’.
“It’s Nothing’ is one hell of a something, made by a band that truly are the real deal. Dolores Forever? Yes please.”
– 4* Dork Magazine
“Dolores Forever may have titled their album It’s Nothing, but make no mistake – this is something special.” – 9/10 The Line Of Best Fit
Dolores Forever have perfected the art of careful ambiguity, a skilled combination of subtle humour and throwaway lines with serious musicianship, which results in relatable and always innovative music.” – 8/10 Clash Magazine
The album opener, ‘Not Now Kids’ pokes fun at patronising politicians thinking they know better. “This was the last song we wrote for the album,” the band said of the single. “It’s a bit of a scathing look at the world and the people who are running it with impunity, the feeling of being told to shut up while watching your house burn. What can we say, we love an apocalyptic bop.”
“Working across the visuals allowed me to play with the narrative of female friendship – which is not only a theme that runs through my personal work – but is prevalent throughout their lyricism and attitudes,” director Francesca Allen mentions on the video. “Our small all-female team, Katya Bourvis (choreography) and Carmen Pellon Brussosa (cinematography), helped bring the story to life.
After a huge summer of festivals across the UK and Europe, Dolores Forever are taking their captivating live show on a run of headline dates across the UK this November.
Tickets available here.
At the heart of Dolores Forever there’s an infectiously playful, unapologetic feminist energy, and now, the London-based band are ready to release their debut album. It’s a “punchy indie-pop record about feminism, friendship and navigating a messed up world. It blows our minds that the music industry is obsessed with hearing from people who are just 21. As we’ve gotten into our thirties, we have so many more stories, and so much more to say.”
Julia, from Copenhagen, co-wrote the winning 2013 Eurovision entry for Denmark, Only Teardrops, while Hannah, from London, has written with Kylie and Stormzy.
NOAHFINNCE at Stylus on 12 November
March saw NOAHFINNCE release his long-awaited debut album.
The accomplished body of work was produced by ST£FAN, Julia Sykes, LAWRENT (Chain Smokers, Cheat Codes), Thomas Mitchener (Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, The Damned) and Arcades (BTS). It features Noah’s single releases, ALEXITHYMIA, 3 DAY HEADACHE, which was featured as BBC Radio 1’s Introducing Tune Of The Week, plus anti-terf song, SCUMBAG, title track GROWING UP ON THE INTERNET andI KNOW BETTER. GROWING UP ON THE INTERNET is available to buy and stream now.
After having played a slew of festivals this summer, including Download, Isle Of Wight, BludFest and more, the London-based artist is now on his UK headline tour. See all live dates and details here.
Bradley Simpson 13 November Brudenell SOLD OUT
After spending this summer playing to huge crowds at Reading & Leeds festivals, Latitude and the Isle of Wight festival, BRADLEY SIMPSON has embarked on his own sold-out UK tour. His two London gigs sold out in a day, so more were added.
He will headline a sold-out show at Leeds Brudenell Social Club on 13th November.
His latest track, ‘Always Like This’ is detonated with driving, propulsive drums and full-on gritty guitars which recall his love of The Black Keys and The White Stripes. His voice commands centre-stage as he builds into the raw power of his full-blooded delivery, conveying the urgency of the lyrics which wrestle with the angst of uncertainty in a relationship.
Silver Tongued Rascals at The Attic Leeds on 16 November
Silver Tongued Rascals get set to embark on their second headline tour of their debut year as the momentum and excitement continues to grow around this independent electronic band.
A successful set of shows in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and London before their first major Festival appearance at Beat-Herder July ’24 has seen the band’s reputation for their raucous, highly energetic and engaging performances start to catch the attention of audiences and promoters up and down the country, which recently culminated in seeing them get invited to support Darren Emerson of Underworld at the infamous ‘Golden Lion in Todmordon.
Their second EP, a 5-track offering titled ‘Once Upon my Mind’ is due for release Monday 20th January ’25, aka ‘Blue Monday’ as it tackles deep subject matter such as depression, homelessness and suicide. but from a perspective of overcoming these phases and hurdles of life to go beyond and become your greatest version.
This inspiring piece truly demonstrates STR’s ability to take a heavy topic and still have it accessible to embrace from household speakers to dance-floors alike.
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All ticket links and timings can be found on their Insta @silvertonguedrascals
Baby Said 16 November Santiago Bad apple
Following the success of their debut singles “FIGHT” and “YOU KILLED IT,” Portsmouth-based sister duo Baby Said released their latest track, “Hate Me,” on November 1st. This powerful anthem dives into the raw emotions of rejection and defiance, further cementing Baby Said as one of the most exciting rising acts in the rock scene today.
“Hate Me” showcases the unique blend of fierce guitar riffs, dynamic vocals, and unapologetic attitude that have become the signature of sisters Veronica (20) and Jess (18) Pal. Production, Programming & Mix by Patch Boshell & Steven Battelle (Lost Alone); Mastering from Steven Kerry (Kele, Busted). The track is an electrifying insight into their upcoming debut album ‘BS’, expected in March 2025.
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’This lot are also super-tight – the Pal sisters are teenagers and, boy, do they have the songs, every one a catchy smasher, In the wake of Wet Leg, who they loosely resemble (only Baby Said are more US rock), the world may be theirs’’ (Thomas H Green -The Arts Desk, Telegraph)
“With their raw energetic sound, powerful vocals and determination to succeed, we believe they have everything to become a hit’’ (ROTD)
Veronica and Jess’s hard-hitting sound has caught the attention of the music industry, leading to radio support from Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe Show, BBC Introducing, Radio X, and more. They were also named “Ones to Watch” by ROTD, and A&R Worldwide selected them as Artists of the Week.
Fresh off supporting U.S. rockers Dirty Honey on tour they were selected for The Great Escape Festival, Reading & Leeds, Live At Leeds, Victorious, Rebellion, Twisterella, and Loud Women. The band’s festival performances promise to further cement their place as one of the UK’s most exciting new rock acts.
Regarding their latest track “Hate Me”, Jess Pal explains, “It’s about facing the negativity and rejection we’ve experienced and channelling that frustration into something powerful. We’re telling the world we’re not going anywhere, no matter what anyone thinks.” The “Hate Me” video is due out on November 8th.
Rag n Bone 16 November 02 SOLD OUT
Rag n Bone’s first two albums, ‘Human’ and ‘Life By Misadventure’, achieved multi-platinum status and chart-topping success, with over nine billion streams across his entire discography. Rory’s powerful voice has become a defining sound of the past decade, and with the powerful album focus track ‘Pocket’, he continues to push his own creative boundaries .
The latest album ‘What Do You Believe In?’ is presented by an artist who thrives on honesty, self-exploration and who refuses to back down from a challenge. Rag’n’Bone Man has reaffirmed his personal and musical foundations, with confident and playful singles ‘What Do You Believe In?’, ‘Rush of Blood’ and ‘Pocket’, as well as stunning, emotive ballads such as ‘Put A Little Hurt On Me’, ‘Hope You Felt Loved At The End’ and atmospheric, captivating tracks like ‘Chokehold’, ‘Wreckage’ and ‘Iron’ – it is clear that Rag’n’Bone Man has built his finest album to date.
In celebration of the album, Rag’n’Bone Man embarks on a sold-out UK tour this year, a continental European run straight after and he has recently announced an Australian run of dates in April 2025. Kicking off on November 16th, 2024 in Leeds the What Do You Believe In? Tour promises unforgettable live performances that fans have been eagerly awaiting.
Pet Needs on 21 November at Key Club
Continuing their hot streak into the summer of 2024, PET NEEDS are back with the scorching ‘The Age That You Were’ single, ahead of a string of sizable festival shows this Summer. The band begins a European and UK tour on 7 November, supporting Laura Jane Grace.
“Their superpower comes from channelling their normality and repurposing the magic they experience in their everyday lives as insightful, honest rock… this can only be the record that keeps them on their whirlwind of touring success.” PUNKTASTIC
“It’s a skill for any artist to make you feel both happy and heartbroken by the end of an album. Intermittent Fast Living is a fantastic record that everyone should listen to at some point to remind us that we are all human, this life will go in many directions, and it’s beautiful.” – DISTORTED SOUND MAG (9/10)“an absolutely sensational record”MAXIMUM VOLUME (9.5/10)
PALACE at Project House on 22 November
The Skids and Spear of Destiny at Leeds Beckett Students’ Union on 22 November
Iconic post-punk acts – THE SKIDS and SPEAR OF DESTINY – will be teaming up for an unmissable tour of the UK this November / December.
A tour that will see both bands looking back to some of the most invigorating chapters of their careers, The Skids will be marking the 45th Anniversary of their seminal ‘Days In Europa’ record; whereas Kirk Brandon and co will be revisiting classic 80s works ‘Outland’ and ‘The Price You Pay’ as part of their JANUS Tour.
Tickets on sale here: www.skidsofficial.com
Reflecting on The Skids’ legacy and latest work Richard Jobson says:
“Memories fade but some linger for a reason. The Skids was the definitive part of my early life. A brilliant adventure into the world of creativity and adulthood. I was a kid when I joined the band in 1977 – 16 years old. By the time the adventure had run aground I was a dazed and confused young man. We were fearless in the beginning, always trying new things and not afraid to be different in a musical world that was beginning to sound very derivative and safe. Contrary to the reports from people who were never near the centre of the band, Stuart Adamson and I got on very well – in fact for a long time we were very close. I enjoyed writing with him – he was generous and incredibly adaptable to my unmusical ideas. The Skids were not just another punk band – we were creatively ambitious as well as being close to the core beliefs of our hard-won fans. But most importantly we loved playing live. Taking these memories and replanting them into 2017 has not been easy. How do you do it? How should it sound? Are we little more than a tribute band? These were the questions rattling around my head as I tried to find a way to celebrate the bands 40th anniversary last year. The answers ended up being very simple – Don’t over think it – Just do it. Enjoy every minute of it. Play the songs like it might be the last time. Give it everything. And then……. there’s the new stuff!!! The beginning of something new rather than the end of something old. Enter DESTINATION DUSSELDORF”
Hard to believe but it is true that Kirk Brandon has now been leading SPEAR OF DESTINY for over 40 years.
SPEAR OF DESTINY were formed in 1983 after the demise of Kirk Brandon’s post punk iconic rockers THEATRE OF HATE. (Brandon had also, before TOH, been the main man in every punk rockers favourite band of that era The Pack).
The current line up of Spear is the longest serving to date and features Adrian Portas (New Model Army / Sex Gang Children), Craig Adams (Sisters of Mercy / The Cult / The Mission) and Phil Martini (Jim Jones and the Righteous Mind)on drums. During 2019 the line up was boasted by Saxophonist Clive Osborne. Long time Brandon collaborator Steve Allen-Jones has completed the band line up on keyboards since 2022
Post Pandemic has seen SOD play some fabulous club shows and festivals including sell out shows at the iconic 100 Club in London, Manchester Ritz and Glasgow Oran Mor. SOD’s performances at Sign of the Times, Rebellion and Kubix festivals have heralded fantastic reviews “Festival Stealing Dream set” wrote The Northern Echo.
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Spear take to the road with long term friend Richard Jobson
Catch THE SKIDS and very special guests SPEAR OF DESTINY touring together this Autumn.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.kirkbrandon.com
https://www.facebook.com/kirkbrandonofficial
www.skidsofficial.com
Newton Faulkner at The Brudenell on 23 November
On tour, Newton will serve up reimagined renditions of his beloved catalogue, breathing new life into songs he has played for the last decade.
But the real draw lies in the exclusive sneak peeks he’ll be offering: gig-goers will be among the first to hear tracks from his upcoming project. The excitement, however, doesn’t end there. Newton has designed a brand-new stage setup to fully immerse audiences in his dynamic live show.
As Newton says, “I’ll bring my best noise, you bring your best moves and let’s make this one to remember!” From Norwich to Glasgow, this tour is a can’t-miss event for every dedicated fan.
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/newton-faulkner-leeds-23-11-2024/event/
Michael Kiwanuka 25 November Brudenell Warren
“First-rate songwriting, hypnotic beats and empathetic emotions” **** – Mojo
Michael Kiwanuka’s new single, ‘Rebel Soul’, is the fourth taster from his forthcoming new album, Small Changes. The new album is released on 22nd November via Polydor Records.
‘Rebel Soul’ is the latest introductory serving from Michael’s fourth record, and a slow-build mood-setter that crescendos with Michael’s own vocal weaving in and out of focus, dripping with soul.
Pre-order Small Changes HERE
Driving conversations between producer Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) and Michael about the direction of the album and particularly ‘The Rest Of Me’, the album’s penultimate track, was the desire to make an album that transcends any notion of what is or isn’t deemed “cool”. He recalls, “We were trying to shoot for something that might have made it onto a Bill Withers album or a Sade album.” Indeed, Sade is the case in point on this new track, as Michael remembers afternoons as a child in the back of his aunt’s car, “where Diamond Life was rarely out of the tape machine.”
Been Stellar at the Brudenell on 25 November
Been Stellar’s debut album ‘Scream from New York’, was released in June this year.
“A raw and magnetic sound that strikes mercilessly” PASTE MAGAZINE
“Angsty, gritty, sultry indie rock territory that recalls Gentleman-era Afghan Whigs” BROOKLYN VEGAN
“A glowing, crackling set of songs that balances moments of frenzied melancholy with moments of chaos and urgency” ALT PRESS
Lead singer Sam Slocum on previously released single ‘Pumpkin’ : “Pumpkin is something of a sonic departure for us – it’s definitely more subdued. There was a point when we weren’t totally sure it would make it onto the album because of that. It had existed in many forms, but it wasn’t until the last month leading up to recording when each part fell into place. Oddly, the lyrics remained the same from the very beginning. They stemmed from a visual I had – an apartment light shining through its windows out onto a street at night. I imagined the people inside the apartment crossing back and forth in front of the window. From there, the lyrics I wrote formed a vignette of the people in the apartment, sharing a space together. I described several shared, intimate moments from my own life and wanted to get as specific as I could.”
Scream From New York, NY is a remarkably brutal debut – bruised and volatile, it captures an image of ‘20s New York that’s unrelenting and harsh, where tenderness is a finite resource burned up by the machinery of the city and human connection is a luxury product. Leaving behind the driving shoegaze of their early recordings, the NYC-based five piece tap into the disaffected sound and spirit of New York luminaries such as Sonic Youth and Interpol, and the nihilistic, yearning cool of Iceage and Bends-era Radiohead, striking upon a sound that’s fearsome, buffeting and beautiful at the same time. A tidal wave as viewed from beneath.
Wild Rivers at Project House on 26 November
Just three months after the release of their acclaimed album, Never Better, Platinum-selling trio Wild Rivers—Khalid Yassein, Devan Glover and Andrew Oliver—returned with a new companion album, Better Now, via Nettwerk Music Group.
The new album comes ahead of their run of live dates in the UK & Ireland which kicks off on the 14th November in Glasgow and includes London at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on the 19th November.
Produced by Wild Rivers and Gabe Wax (Soccer Mommy, Adrienne Lenker), Better Now consists of eight tracks that complement Never Better, as the group dives deeper into the complicated, confusing and unknown realities of life in their twenties, and the personal growth they’ve found through it all. In celebration of the new music, the band was recently featured on “CBS Saturday Morning” performing three songs as part of their “Saturday Sessions” series: “Never Better,” “What Kind of Song” and “Thinkin’ Bout Love.”
Of the project, Wild Rivers shares: “Better Now is our companion record, and the other side to Never Better. On the first record, the songs contain raw, absolute and instinctual feelings. In many ways, Better Now is the afterglow of this. We’re reflecting and understanding that relationships change over time. Complicated situations can be just that, complicated. Feelings can remain unresolved. If the first record is bright and bold, this one is the softer gradients in between; the sunrises and the sunsets. Both projects make up the full spectrum of who we are. Better Now is just the moodier, misunderstood one. Musically the records really are twins. We wrote all of the songs at the same time. Finishing Better Now, we really felt that it was the close of a massive musical and personal chapter. It’s bittersweet but so meaningful to be able to chronicle our lives between these projects. Ultimately, we are optimistic; ‘better now,’ after the ups and downs of the relationships and turbulence of our twenties. Hopefully, we’re wiser for it.”
Since its release this past July, Never Better has continued to receive widespread attention from fans and critics alike, with the Associated Press praising, “poignant lyrics and elegant harmonies…it would be hard to find a band with more complementary voices working on each other’s behalf.” Additionally, Consequence declares, “This trio knocked it out of the park with their new album…inventive melodies, rich harmonies, and lush instrumentals abound” and Rolling Stone Germany proclaimed “The core of the band—a celestial and open-hearted romance—remains intact. A standout track is ‘Everywhere I Go,’ with its groovy, earthy sound and irresistibly catchy refrain, perfectly capturing the essence of the band.”
Known for their engaging live performances, Wild Rivers will tour across Europe next month, with upcoming shows in Germany, Switzerland, France, Scotland and the U.K. The international dates follow the band’s recent sold-out U.S. headline run, which included shows at New York’s Irving Plaza, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Los Angeles’ Fonda Theater, Austin’s Scoot Inn, Chicago’s Vic Theater and Denver’s Ogden Theater among many others. See below for complete tour itinerary. Full details can be found at www.wildriversmusic.com/tour.
TTSSFU at Mabgate Bleach on 28 November
TTSSFU — aka Manchester’s Tasmin Nicole Stephens — has signed with Partisan Records (PJ Harvey, IDLES, Cigarettes After Sex, Blondshell) and shared a brand new music video for recent single “Studio 54”.
TTSSFU (pronounced phonetically: “T-T-S-S-F-U”) manages to conjure enormous atmospheric worlds using just GarageBand in their bedroom. The DIY shoegazer deftly combines the eeriness of The Cure with the fast BPM of The Strokes and The Drums: most recently on latest EP ‘Me, Jed and Andy’, which TTSSFU produced, mixed, and mastered themselves, and features “Studio 54”.
Already this year TTSSFU has played a string of festival dates including Green Man, Bristol Sounds, and Manchester Psych Fest, and supported Soccer Mommy and Mannequin Pussy across their UK tours. Their debut EP continues to pick up organic traction, led by single “I Hope You Die” which is already nearing 1M plays on YouTube.
This November, TTSSFU will support English Teacher on their upcoming UK tour before a busy 2025 as they prepare another EP and a debut album.
TTSSFU:
“Partisan is a label that holds a lot of the bands I’ve looked up to for years, and for them to see enough potential in me to be signed was just mind blowing. I’m so grateful to be taken on by such a kind group of people who care about my music and future and are totally on board and patient with me. Biggest thank you goes to Matthew at Partisan who found me in the first place. Without him none of this would have happened x.
‘Studio 54’ is about how Andy Warhol got swept up with the New York party scene and how it eventually pushed his partner Jed Johnson away. Andy let Jed down many times, the drugs made him uncomfortable, and Andy seemed to care more about partying and hanging out with his famous friends. Jed eventually had enough and left him for someone else which ultimately broke him. The story resonated with me because sometimes I don’t recognise what I’ve got when I’ve got it and take things for granted.
The video was super exciting to make with my good friend Seth. It was amazing to create the vision that’s been sitting in my head for a while now and bring it to life with such a talented team. We also had some amazing extras who were so fun and helpful all night.”
