As Halloween fast approaches, Danish singer-songwriter steph, unveils her haunting new single, October 31st. Having previous released music under her full name Stephanie Meincke, the rising artist is back with a dazzling new effort that showcases her soulful prowess as soaring vocals glisten above the track's soft melodies. “I’m very inspired by how, as humans, we keep throwing ourselves headfirst into relationships and into life,even when the chances of getting hurt are so incredibly high,” steph explains, before going on to describe the single: “‘October 31st’ is about a person who has her very own self-destructive Halloween tradition: every year on October 31, she lets herself fall back into the arms of her toxic ex. The streets are filled with gravestones,skeletons and ghosts, so why not spend just one more night with the person who was otherwise dead to you? Along the way, the protagonist realises, of course, that this ritual of relapse is completely hopeless. But she is also an example of how we can all, ‘in the name of love’, convince ourselves of things that are anything but healthy for us.” Take a listen below.
Today sees London-based producer and multi-instrumentalist duo pecq return with their new single 'freer', released via their own Upcycled Sounds label. Written after a deeply traumatic period, the pair formulated a track to help show grief can connect you, as well as break you. "'freer' is about the point in grief where you become hyper-connected to tiny moments around you and you start finding people you’ve lost ‘dissolved into everything’ - in nature, in the sudden quiet at the end of the night, in the wind on a street corner," the band explain. "The track was written after both of us had a loved one take their own life. In each case, they had also been the person who was our most formative musical influence. We wanted to capture something about the bittersweet way loss can connect you as well as break you.” Take a listen for yourselves below.
Having recently signed to signed to Welsh indie label, BWGiBWGAN, Cardiff outfit Slinky Malinky have this week shared their infectious new single Conversation. Taken from the band’s forthcoming EP ‘Try On Your Own Face’, due for release on October 30th, the track finds the four-piece weaving intricate guitar melodies through their distinctive post-punk sound. It offers another glimpse into the world they’re building across the new EP. Take a listen below.
An unseasonably hot start to October had The Globe feeling more like the middle of June than autumn, and by the time the evening's support Uncle Junior took to the stage, the sweat had already built. Making their first appearance in Wales, the band delivered a short but snappy set built around the contrast between intense, all-out thrashing guitars and softer, more palatable vocals. With only a recently released debut single under their belt, the experimental, grunge-leaning outfit already showed plenty of promise, weaving heavy riffs and unpredictable melodies into a sound that felt ready to grow. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be their last trip across the border.
As the crowd eagerly awaited the main arrival, it was clear that Man/Woman/Chainsaw's capacity show at last year’s Sŵn Festival had been more than just an indication of things to come. With a critically acclaimed debut album in tow, they returned to the Welsh capital for an even bigger and more ambitious headline performance as they prepared to lock in for another sold out night.
As 50 Cent’s ‘In Da Club’ pumped through the speakers, the band weaved their way through the crowd and onto the stage before launching straight into Only Girl. From there, there was little let-up. Conversation between songs was kept to a minimum and there was barely time to catch a breath as they rattled through material from their recently released album ‘Cannonball’ with a fierce energy.
The Thing and Canyons came next in quick succession, keeping the momentum high with thrashing arrangements that kept the crowd in the palm of their hand. Yet, for all the band’s heavier moments, there was an impressive delicacy to their songwriting too, as they shifted from subdued to full-throttle in a flick of the wrist (pun maybe intended).
That balance came through again on Still Angry, where its raw, cutting lyrics added a more exposed edge to the band’s otherwise frenetic sound. Something Else to Give followed moments later with another shift in tone, further highlighting the breadth of Cannonball without ever disrupting the set’s rhythm. By this point, I was making full use of the occasional puff of air from the handheld fan waved by the person in front, with the heat inside The Globe doing little to dampen the intensity on stage.
As the night neared its end, there were still some big hitters up their sleeve. Ode To Clio came first, its jagged guitars and jittery melodies giving way to violin strings that elevated the track to a whole new level. Nosedive then brought everything crashing together for a suitably chaotic finale, as the band urged the crowd forward to jump in unison. There was even a chainsaw bubble gun and added cowbell for extra effect.
Playing their debut album in its entirety alongside a handful of extras, Man/Woman/Chainsaw brought a welcome unpredictability to their live show. Their unconventional approach and restless energy made for a set that felt refreshingly different, with every shift in pace and texture delivering new twists and turns to an already expansive sound.
By the time they left the stage, it was clear that 'Cannonball' is just the gateway to their unequivocally unique world.
With 15 songs packed into barely an hour, Man/Woman/Chainsaw leave little room for anything unnecessary. They let the songs carry the weight, building an hour that feels both tightly controlled and completely unrestrained by the time
With 15 songs packed into barely an hour, Man/Woman/Chainsaw leave little room for anything unnecessary. They let the songs carry the weight, building an hour that feels both tightly controlled and completely unrestrained by the time
With 15 songs packed into barely an hour, Man/Woman/Chainsaw leave little room for anything unnecessary. They let the songs carry the weight, building an hour that feels both tightly controlled and completely unrestrained by the time
With 15 songs packed into barely an hour, Man/Woman/Chainsaw leave little room for anything unnecessary. They let the songs carry the weight, building an hour that feels both tightly controlled and completely unrestrained by the time
Manchester alt-pop five-piece Marie Franc have shared their lofty new single ‘Wildfires’. Built around chiming guitar melodies and a towering vocal delivery, the track’s ethereal sound offers another tantalising glimpse of what’s to come. Speaking about the track in more detail singer Rachel Maria Francesca, says, “’Wildfires’ arrived at a time when the world felt like it was on fire this summer, and that feeling somehow found its way into the song. It is about desire, but also the beauty of impermanence, and the fact that love, like life, is transient. There’s something strangely beautiful about knowing that the people and moments we love won’t last forever. To feel tenderness is to make yourself vulnerable to its loss, but perhaps we’re all lucky to know that pain at all.” Take a listen below.
The band will be performing at Beyond The Music festival in October, with a set as part of Chris Hawkins’ Awesome Friends stage on Thursday 8 th October.
The Bracknall have today released their brand-new EP Waiting For The Lights To Change, completed by their latest single Got What We Came Here For. Built on layers of soaring guitars and an undeniable melodic pull, the track finds its sweet spot between expansive indie rock and effortless songwriting. “I often say that there are singing bands and there are dancing bands,” says Jack. “We’re a singing band and this song reflects that, building the mood with soaring atmospherics. Lyrically it covers the hard road we’ve travelled, juggling day jobs and 2am finishes in the rehearsal room, now to be rewarded with these gigs and amazing fans. We couldn’t have imagined this two or three years ago.” Take a listen below, the full EP is available now.
Live Dates Mon 9 November 2026: Aberdeen, Music Hall w/Embrace Tue 10 November 2026: Glasgow, Barrowland w/Embrace Thu 19 November 2026: Bristol, Exchange Fri 20 November 2026: Leeds, Brudenell Social Club Sat 21 November 2026: Gorilla, Manchester Sun 22 November 2026: Cambridge, Corn Exchange, w/Embrace Tue 24 November 2026: Margate, Dreamland w/Embrace Wed 25 November 2026: Nottingham, Metronome, Thu 26 November 2026: Newcastle, The Cluny Fri 27 November 2026: Liverpool, Arts Club Sat 28 November 2026: Sheffield, Foundry Fri 4 December 2026: London, KOKO
Irish-based four-piece Bleech 9:3 today announce their biggest headline tour to date, including a stop at London's O2 Kentish Town Forum. The news comes alongside the band sharing the title of their forthcoming, and highly anticipated debut album, Bleed, with their latest single Tourniquet heading up the announcement. Already a live favourite, the track's propulsive energy and towering wall of sound give us an exciting taste of what's to come. Tourniquet is produced by Dan Carey (Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg) & mixed by Rich Costey (Bruce Springsteen, Arctic Monkeys). Take a listen below along with a full list of tour dates. A limited edition version of the album is available until Tuesday 6th October via the band's store https://bleech93.lnk.to/store
December 2026 1st – Electric Ballroom, London (SOLD OUT) 3rd – Thekla, Bristol (SOLD OUT) 4th – Academy 2, Manchester (SOLD OUT) 5th – Arts Club Theatre, Liverpool (SOLD OUT) 6th – Foundry, Sheffield (SOLD OUT) 8th – Cluny, Newcastle (SOLD OUT) 9th – The Garage, Glasgow (SOLD OUT) 10th – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (SOLD OUT) 11th – O2 Institute 2, Birmingham (SOLD OUT) 15th – Limelight 2, Belfast (SOLD OUT) 16th – Academy, Dublin (SOLD OUT) 17th – Cyprus Ave, Cork (SOLD OUT)
NEWLY ANNOUNCED
January 2027 14th - Eurosonic, NL 15th - Trix, Antwerp, Bel 21st – Mercury Lounge, New York, NY, USA
February 2027 3rd – The Echo, Los Angeles, CA, USA 12th - Laneway, Sydney, Aus 13th - Laneway, Gold Coast, Aus 19th - Laneway, Melbourne, Aus 21st - Laneway, Auckland, Aus
April 2027 21st – Chalk, Brighton, UK 22nd – Tramshed, Cardiff, UK 23rd – Academy, Liverpool, UK 25th – Olympia, Dublin, Ireland 26th – Limelight, Belfast, UK 28th – SWG3, Glasgow, UK 29th – Queens Hall, Edinburgh, UK 30th – Boiler Shop, Newcastle, UK
May 2027 2nd – O₂ Ritz, Manchester, UK 4th – Stylus, Leeds, UK 5th – O₂ Academy, Bristol, UK 6th – O₂ Academy, Oxford, UK 8th – O₂ Institute, Birmingham, UK 9th – 1865, Southampton, UK 11th – Junction, Cambridge, UK 12th – O₂ Kentish Town Forum, London, UK 18th – Trabendo, Paris, France 20th – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands 22nd – Lido, Berlin, Germany
Glaswegian singer, songwriter and producer Joesef has returned this week revealing his new single Separate. Produced by Barney Lister (Joy Crookes, Olivia Dean, Obongjayar) and Joesef, the track leaves behind guitars, in return for pulsating synths and smoky dance floor ready basslines, giving us an exciting taste of this latest era. Sharing more about the track he goes on to say, "Separate is about a specific experience where I knew it was probably the last time I'd ever see someone. It’s a strange feeling trying to imagine your life without somebody, who at one point, you couldn't imagine living without. The first verse reflects the initial grief of the loss, while the second is the imminent feeling of anger and rejection." Take a listen below.
Blossoms - Songs From The Wedding Cake Tracklist 1. Joke About Divorce 2. Husband 3. Meet Me In Love 4. The Kardashians 5. Additional Driver (feat. Declan McKenna) 6. Fall Into You 7. Guts 8. Uma Thurman 9. Where Have You Been My Whole Life? 10. The Deep End
Blossoms have always understood the value of a good hook. Across five albums, the Stockport band have built a world where shimmering guitars, synths and Tom Ogden’s unmistakable vocals can turn even the most ordinary moments into something worth singing about. On Songs From The Wedding Cake, they take that idea further, finding romance in the mundane and humour in the realities of growing older. It’s a lively, disco-centric record that finds the band loosening the ties of their familiar indie sound, without losing sight of what makes them so irresistible.
Their sixth album arrives ten years after their self-titled debut, but there's little sense of a band looking backwards. Instead, it feels like a continuation of the playful songwriting that emerged more prominently on 2024’s Gary, only now viewed through a more domestic lens. The album’s title comes from Stockport Town Hall, where Ogden got married, and its songs are filled with the small details that come with relationships, marriage and everyday life.
Setting the tone, opener Joke About Divorce grows from an infectious bassline, sharp guitar and a chorus that's almost impossible not to join in with. Quintessential Blossoms pop if you will. Rick Astley’s appearance, repeating the song’s central warning, only adds to the sense that the band are having fun with their own premise.
Husband and Meet Me In Love follow with a softer touch, while The Kardashians brings another dose of pop-perfected songwriting. Elsewhere, Additional Driver, featuring Declan McKenna, provides the album’s biggest change of pace, opening with police sirens before settling into a loose, bass-heavy groove.
Guts and Uma Thurman then bring about one of the album’s most enjoyable moments. The former opens with a simple acoustic guitar melody and repeated vocal ‘oohs’ before dropping into a soaring, infectious chorus. The arrangement is deliberately uncomplicated, allowing the chorus to do the heavy lifting when it arrives. It is one of those Blossoms songs that feels immediate from the first listen, built around the kind of refrain that could easily become a live favourite.
Uma Thurman heads in the opposite direction. With its disco-inspired groove, sharp 80's synth stabs and Ogden’s pin-point vocal delivery, it is one of the album’s more polished moments.The band have flirted with danceable sounds throughout their career, but here the influence feels particularly natural, with the rhythm section and synths giving the song a propulsive energy while Ogden remains precise at its centre. An almost natural progression from Gary's 'Nightclub'.
Where Have You Been My Whole Life? then brings the focus back towards the album’s central theme of finding and holding onto love, before The Deep End closes the record with a reflective six-minute finale. Its metaphor of falling into the unknown of love is more straightforward than some of the album’s earlier observations. Its extended instrumental section gives the guitars room to breathe, providing a slow-burn conclusion to an album that spends much of its running time chasing big hooks.
For all the humour, there is a genuine sense of affection running through Songs From The Wedding Cake. Blossoms aren’t trying to turn marriage into something grand or overly sentimental. Instead, they find their material in the small details around it, whether that’s the anxiety behind Joke About Divorce, the simplicity of Husband or the straightforward devotion of Meet Me In Love.
A decade on from their debut, Blossoms still know exactly how to write a chorus. What has changed is the freedom around them. Songs From The Wedding Cake feels less concerned with fitting neatly into the indie-pop world the band helped establish for themselves, and more interested in seeing how far they can push it.
London-via-Paris newcomers Spanish Horses have revealed details of their debut EP, Small Notions, out 27th November via So Young Records. The news coincides with the band’s second single ‘Some People’ offering another glimpse into their kaleidoscopic world where dazzling guitars, fuzzy synths and an infectious knack for songwriting collide. “Small Notions was written to manifest change in our lives, as a means to jump forward and break out,” frontman Tom Onezime says. “The songs were written shortly before the studio sessions, creating an urgency to the sound and a fragility that we really value. Small Notions is a product of ambition, sincerity and simplicity that we hope will reach the entire world.” Take a listen to their new single below.
Catch Spanish Horses live 09.10 MOTH Club, London * 10.10 Tenement Trail, Glasgow 17.10 SWN Festival, Cardiff 19.10 surprise show, London 20.10 Botanique, Brussels ^ 21.10 Les Etoiles, Paris ^ 22.10 Sebright Arms, Londo23.10 Left of the Dial Festival, Rotterdam 24.10 Left of the Dial Festival, Rotterdam 25.10 Artheater, Cologne ^ 27.10 Badehaus, Berlin ^ 28.10 Turmzimmer, Hamburg 29.10 Ekko, Utrecht ^ 05.11 O2 Institute, Birmingham ^ 12.11 Shacklewell Arms, London [The Great Escape First Fifty] 27.11 O2 Academy, Oxford ^
