Rebecca Rooney

 

Music Journalism

THE INDIE SCENE •

End of the Road festival takes a neo-psychedelic trip with 2023 headliners —

In the UK festival circuit, End of the Road has become well known for its stellar line-ups. With previous years boasting the likes of Pixies, King Krule, Little Simz, and The Jesus & Mary Chain. This year, the festival embraces neo-psychedelia with popular headliners King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The line-up is eclectic, however, with other acts from a wide array of genres, including Greentea Peng, Overmono, Angel Olsen, yeule and Kokoroko, it’s set to be a year
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OUTBREAK FEST 2023 is brimming with potential as it announces more artists — THE INDIE SCENE

This year, Manchester’s OUTBREAK FEST has stepped away from its hardcore roots. The 2023 lineup ranges from progressive metal icons Loathe to beloved rapper Earl Sweatshirt, whilst indie-rock Turnover are not to be forgotten.

Despite the newfound range in the line-up, OUTBREAK FEST pays homage to its origins with hardcore bands such as Code Orange, Bane, Converge, Show Me the Body, and Trapped Under Ice being sure to bring powerful sets. Alongside an already exciting lineup, today Buggin, Defea
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The Murder Capital continue their legacy with second album ‘Gigi’s Recovery’ — THE INDIE SCENE

A lot has changed since The Murder Capital released their debut album, When I Have Fears, back in 2019. The release was a remarkable introduction to The Murder Capital, cascading the band onto the scene and igniting a love for post-punk in many of their listeners. Four years on, the world of contemporary post-punk has changed a lot. Many would say that the genre is at its peak. Others would argue that post-punk has eroded into something over-saturated and pretentious, to be brought up at parties
THE INDIE SCENE •

The first ever Forwards Festival was an utter success — THE INDIE SCENE

In the lead-up to Forwards Festival, it seemed as if it was everywhere: signature multicoloured posters brightened up the city, and excited chatter seemed to flood into all of my social circles.

But, when the day finally arrived, anxiety sank in.

Forwards had commendable values, aiming to transform music festivals into a space for positive change by promising sustainability, affordability, and a space for discussions of social issues. It all just seemed too good to be true.

And yet, Forwards
THE INDIE SCENE •

Looking Forward to Forwards Festival, with Jamie XX and The Chemical Brothers set to perform — THE INDIE SCENE

Bristol is highly renowned for its large scale electronic musical festivals, such as Loves Saves the Day and Tokyo World. In 2022, it’s about time for a multi-genre festival to take the stage. On the 3rd and 4th of September, Clifton Downs will be transformed into the musical utopia of Forwards Festival, with headliners Jamie XX and The Chemical Brothers being sure to attract music lovers from far and wide.

For a brand new festival, Forwards has done exceptionally with its line-up; it is absolu
THE INDIE SCENE •

Phoebe Green shares album snippet ‘Just A Game’ — THE INDIE SCENE

Just A Game is the latest single from Phoebe Green’s upcoming debut studio album, Lucky Me: an album challenging conformity, with its sharp interrogation of the self.

The track is off to a powerful start with immediate old-school post-punk instrumentals, reminiscent of New Order’s signature sound. Green’s vocals are beautifully melodic in a way that coats the track with magic; strikingly fresh compared to the vocals that conventionally accompany post-punk instrumentals.

Introspective lyrics di
THE INDIE SCENE •

Bristol’s Dot to Dot festival was an explosive success — THE INDIE SCENE

Dot to Dot Bristol fell on a perfect day. On Saturday, it seemed that all of Bristol was ablaze with euphoria – even those not attending the festival were out and about, celebrating the sunshine. This only enhanced the unique multi-venue experience of Dot to Dot festival; with acts performing at different venues dotted around the city.

This was my first time going to a multi-venue festival, and it was an absolute game-changer for me. The range of venues was a great way to experience Bristol, pr
THE INDIE SCENE •

Febueder and The International Lovers bless us with breathtaking performances — THE INDIE SCENE

When discussing their unique sound, The International Lovers have explained that their musical process originated by “play[ing] in an improvisational style”, which they now incorporate into their songwriting process, “integrating what [they] learned from those original flow states”. This was reflective in several of the band’s gradually building tracks, coating the entire set with a refreshing sense of refined authenticity.

Febueder enthralled the crowd, to say the least; people were swaying an
THE INDIE SCENE •

Dot to Dot 2022 boasts the likes of Squid, Swim Deep and a whole lot more — THE INDIE SCENE

The festival continues its legacy of great line-ups this year, presenting the perfect range of artists and genres. Some of the 2022 line-up’s biggest names consist of post-punk experimental newcomers Squid, grime star Ghetts, indie icon Alfie Templeman and indie-pop artist Baby Queen (who features on the soundtrack for Netflix’s beloved Heartstopper). But that’s not all – there are plenty of other artists that we can’t wait to see later this month. From the experimental greatness of Nine8 Collec
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Escaping into Static Vision’s latest single — THE INDIE SCENE

Within it’s 4 minute length, Static Vision’s latest single Escape does exactly as the song title suggests; enables listeners to escape their surroundings and be fully immersed within a world created by the band.

Escape starts with melancholic guitar twangs that are accompanied by a gradual instrumental build, immediately encompassing the track’s nostalgic, 90’s, coming-of-age movie feel. Strong vocals are soon to come through, projecting authentic, emotive lyrics. Escape features an unforgettab
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Panchiko delve into the widely speculated mysteries surrounding the enigmatic band — THE INDIE SCENE

In the early 2000’s, Panchiko released their debut EP D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L and disbanded shortly afterwards. In 2016, a CD copy of D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L was discovered in a Nottingham charity shop. The CD was uploaded online and gained a huge amount of traction in online music communities over the following years. To the disappointment of many, Panchiko had absolutely no media or online presence. To make matters worse – the version of D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L that had been discovered and uploaded online
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After decades of dormancy, mystery band Panchiko perform their first show since being rediscovered — THE INDIE SCENE

Panchiko was founded by a group of teenagers back in 1998: their dreamy, indie shoegaze sound was inspired by the likes of Radiohead and Super Furry Animals. They released around 30 to 40 physical copies of their debut EP, D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L in 2000. However, the band never really took off and the members went their separate ways.

Back in 2016, a CD copy of D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L was claimed to be discovered in a Nottingham charity shop. The EP was posted online and, in the years that followed, b
THE INDIE SCENE •

All Points East final day sees indie giants Foals and Bombay Bicycle Club co-headline —

All Points East adhered to its name with a simple but effective layout. With an East Stage, a North Stage, a West Stage, and a 6 Music Stage the festival was easy to navigate — allowing swift transitions from stage to stage and ensuring no one misses out on any of the highly anticipated line-ups (after all, no one likes a trek!). It’s big, and it’s worth noting the high-quality screens also featured a space for British Sign Language translation; enabling increased accessibility and making festiv
THE INDIE SCENE •

Shiny Joe Ryan on his second album, the ‘Ketamine’ music video and the recreation of that Gough Whitlam photo — THE INDIE SCENE

Meanwhile, Shiny Joe informs me that the album art is “inspired by a photo from the mid-70s of [the Australian] Prime Minister Gough Whitlam having parliament be dissolved”. For our non-Australian readers, this was a “huge thing [in Australia], that hasn’t been done before or since”, and it should also be noted that it “wasn’t completely legal”.

Inspired, Shiny Joe figured “not only could I get as many friends as possible in my album cover, but I could try and recreate [the Gough Whitlam photog
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The Novus share debut EP ‘Thaleia Standing’ — THE INDIE SCENE

The upcoming Birmingham born-and-bred band The Novus released their debut EP, Thaleia Standing, earlier this month. Thaleia Standing is a refreshing new take on post-punk; providing an engaging, genre-bending experience from start to finish. The album’s unique and authentic nature reflects the band’s DIY attitude, especially considering they create everything themselves — from album art to stage setups. The EP commences with I Serve Not, one of the singles, making a striking start. The song begi
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black midi unveil their follow up to 2019's 'Schlagenheim' with 'Cavalcade' — THE INDIE SCENE

With Cavalcade black midi did not disappoint; breaking boundaries the rest of us were yet to even acknowledge, and ultimately expanding on the magnificent legacy of Schlagenheim with a perfect fusion of classic midi and a new, versatile direction for the band. The overall vibe of Cavalcade is best simplified as a psychedelic trip in a jazz cafe — with its experimental weirdness, conceptual points, and journey through highs and lows.

Beginning with John L, we’re off to an immediately crashing st