Ahead of the weekend, South London sibling duo PUNCHBAG returned with a new single and the announcement of a new EP set for release 10th April via Mute. Heading up the latest news is the cathartic I Am Obsessed. "It's about being completely obsessed with something or someone, but not in a cute way, more in a 'your whole body is under attack' kinda way. It's sort of disordered, chaotic, overwhelming," Clara explains. Speaking more on their upcoming second EP, the band said: "If our first EP was a selfie, these new songs are like zooming in and thinking, 'fucking hell my pores look huge'. This EP is turning up the contrast on everyday life, rinsing the disgusting dish towel so far that all the gunk comes out. It’s pushing PUNCHBAG’s sonic world even further, into a grander landscape, and dramatising the everyday more than ever before." Take a listen to I Am Obsessedbelow.
Westside Cowboy - Bristol's Exchange, February 2026
Arriving to an already packed out room, there's no doubting the hype that surrounds Manchester's Westside Cowboy. From winning Glastonbury's emerging talent competition last year, the recent release of their So Much Country ‘Till We Get There EP and an upcoming opening slot for Geese, it's safe to say it's been a whirlwind 12 months - and they show no sign of slowing.
Melting frantic chaos and intimacy in equal measure, the band wasted no time in creating an impressive atmosphere as they walked on to Jackie Wilson's (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.
Moments before, their lead guitar was passed overhead through the audience from the sound booth, crowd-surfing its way back to the front of the stage to cheers and laughter. A sign of just how busy the room was, and a perfect snapshot of the night ahead.
They opened with a loose confidence, slipping into a cover of Santo & Johnny's Midnight Cowboy with an easy warmth before tearing into fan favourites like Alright Alright Alright, which sounded bigger and more buoyant than ever in the live setting. Drunk Surfer landed with a raw, scrappy edge, its momentum feeding off the tightly packed room, while Pinup Boys showcased how sharply their songs translate on stage, hooks hitting harder with every chorus as Aoife Anson O’Connell lead out a blinding ostinato outro.
Between tracks, the band kept things light, joking about having poorly timed their pre-show dinner and half-warning that it might make a return appearance. Thankfully, the front row escaped!
When the set shifted into more delicate territory, the atmosphere changed completely. Songs like Slowly I’m Sure drew the room into near silence - so quiet you could hear your own breath. It was a rare kind of respect, one earned rather than requested, and it gave those songs a fragile, and almost suspended quality. Certainly one of the more respectful crowds I've been amongst in recent years. Top marks Bristol!
Sadly all good things must come to an end, and with such a short and snappy set, the band rounded up in 50 minutes, leaving Bristol's Exchange wrung out, in the best possible way. Stood front centre, they gathered together, drum and guitar in hand, for a blissful closing moment with In the Morning.
By the time they reached the final notes, Westside Cowboy showed they can stretch a room to its limits and pull it back into silence at will, all without the weight of an album behind them. And on this strength alone, they’ve made it clear that rooms like this won’t hold them for long.
This week sees emerging duo Witch Post return with their brilliant new single Worry Angel. Released alongside the announcement of their new EP Butterfly, due March 20th on Partisan Records, the track finds the pair delving deeper into their emotionally charged grunge sound with striking clarity. Speaking on the story behind their new EP - their first to be released on Partisan Records in the company of Geese, Blondshell and PJ Harvey - the band share: “Butterfly is the spring thaw after Beast. Country fair rides, angels and pixies, talismans, an impulsive fling in a small town, coyotes, fawns - we wanted to contrast the wintry rock of Beast and take listeners on a sonic road trip of different perspectives and in-between places.” Take a listen to the latest single below.
Butterfly Tracklist
Changeling
Worry Angel
Witching Hour
Twin Fawn
Country Sour
Tilt-A-Whirl
Something To Give
Chicago based outfit Friko have today shared their brilliant new single Seven Degrees. Taken from the band's forthcoming freshly announced second album, Something Worth Waiting For, out April 24th via ATO Records, the track gives us an exciting teaser for what lays ahead. “On our first record we were much more involved in the technical aspect of everything, but this time John made it clear that he wanted us to just come in and do our thing,” says Minzenberger. “I think that allowed us to let go in a way that we never had before, and because of that we captured something very raw.” Take a listen to the first offering below.
Friko - Something Worth Waiting For // ATO Records - 24/04/26
1. Guess
2. Still Around
3. Choo Choo
4. Alice
5. Certainty
6. Hot Air Balloon
7. Seven Degrees
8. Something Worth Waiting For
9. Dear Bicycle
Ahead of his fifth studio album, ‘Julia’, out February 13th 2026 via One Little Independent Records, Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir recently shared Against The Current. Speaking about the record, he explained, "This was kind of the first time I was writing lyrics totally on my own. It was scary. I’m still trying to find myself within that. But I tried to open myself up and I learned a lot through that process, and it was definitely therapeutic for me." Take a listen to the latest offering below ahead of the album's release, along with a run of upcoming UK tour dates.
Live Dates 14 April Leeds Brudenell Social Club 15 April Newcastle – The Cluny 16 April Manchester Band On The Wall 17 April Glasgow Room 2 19 April Birmingham – The Castle & Falcon 20 April Bristol Thekla 22 April London – Islington Assembly Hall
Following its premiere on Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music show, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have today shared their brand-new single Sunburned In London. Whilst its namesake might seem an almost impossibility under our grey skies, the Australian outfit bring their own heat driven by meticulously layered guitar rhythms and sharp musical detail. "As a band, we have always made songs about cities," explains Tom Russo discussing the track's genesis. "I was thinking about sensory overload and relentless beauty, and the creeping feeling in the streets that the party’s winding up and the lights are about to come on.” The single is released alongside a beautiful live video shot at Melbourne's Northcote Theatre, with the band joined by Stella Donnelly, Sophie Ozard and Julia Wallace on backing vocals and keys. Take a listen/watch below.
Rolling Blackouts C.F. also announce a special show at the Northcote Theatre for February 17th, 2026. Tickets for the show go on presale via the Rolling Blackouts C.F. mailing list Feb 5th at 10am AEDT and on general sale Feb 6th at 12pm AEDT at just $10 per ticket.
Empire of the Sun have announced a run of UK dates set to take place this summer. The Australian duo of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore will bring their vibrant live set to the UK as part of their Ask That God tour which sees them take in cities across Europe, kicking off on May 31 in Oslo’s Unity Arena. Tickets are on sale now.
EMPIRE OF THE SUN - ASK THAT GOD UK 2026 June 23 - TK Maxx Presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle - Cardiff, United Kingdom June 26 - Alexandra Palace - London, United Kingdom June 27 - Alexandra Palace - London, United Kingdom June 28 - TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall - Halifax, United Kingdom
Co-written with Jamie Woon and produced by GRAMMY-winning Martin Terefe, Elín Hall has this week shared her blissful new single Tachylite. Inspired by the volcanic rock formed when lava cools too quickly, and also a quiet nod to her father, a geophysicist who works as a first responder during eruptions in Iceland, the track gives an exciting teaser for what lays ahead this year. Speaking on the track, Elín shares: “Tachylite forms when volcanic lava rapidly cools and so causes the rock to become brittle and quite weak. I thought that was so typically tragic and so descriptive of a love built on lust. Love so impatient to be born it becomes brittle and never solidifies. Naming it after a volcanic rock is also a quiet nod to my father, a geophysicist who is a first responder during eruptions here in Iceland— I used to worry so much about him as a kid every time there was an eruption. I still worry, but I’m also in awe of his work and dedication. He has taught me a lot about following my passions.” Take a listen for yourselves below.
Live Dates 14 + 15 March - Kórinn Arena, Iceland - Opening for Laufey
As excitement builds for Europe’s leading independent new music festival and conference, Liverpool's Sound City has today shared a further mix of names set to join the likes of Jalen Ngonda, Keo and Westside Cowboy.
Taking place across Liverpool's city centre this May 2nd - 3rd, the new music festival has readily become a hot-spot for future talent and this year looks to be no different. Adult Leisure, The Rolling People, Basht. and 18 additional exciting, emerging acts including Arctic Monkeys-collaborator, Tom Rowley, Tough Cookie, Bleech 9:3 and hyped five-piece, Girl In The Year Above are all set to take to the stage across two packed days of music and creative discovery.
Information about remaining tickets for the Sound City festival, taking place over Sat 2 –Sun 3 May 2026, following early bird tickets selling out a year in advance, can be found at www.soundcity.uk.com.
Sound City's Managing Director, Becky Ayres, says: “Sound City has always been about spotting talent at the moment it’s about to break, and this latest wave of artists perfectly captures that spirit. From acts already making serious noise to those right on the cusp of something special, this line-up underlines why Sound City remains the place where future headliners are discovered first. Alongside welcoming back major names like Jalen Ngonda and Keo, we’re proud to be creating space across Liverpool city centre for the next generation of artists to connect with audiences, industry, and each other -all while continuing to push forward meaningful conversations through Sound City+ about where music is heading next.”
Now Confirmed for Sound City 2026: The Rolling People / TIDETIED / PISS / Brooki / Tom Rowley / Adult Leisure / AKA/ Zander/ Jamie McIntyre/ Ben Ellis / Tough Cookie /Little Grandad / Bleech 9:3 / Basht / The North/ Dolder / Talia Rae / Dirty Circus / Girl In The Year Above / Palembu / Remee
Sound City 2026
The UK’s Inner-City New Music Discovery Festival
Liverpool City Centre, Sat 2 –Sun 3 May 2026 Sound City+ Conference Fri 1 May 2026
Following up the release of their highly acclaimed second album Bless You & Be Well last summer, Chartreuse have today shared Heaven Sent. The single marks the band's next stage in growth, as they continue to push into new sonic territory, stretching their songwriting in exciting ways. Vocalist/keys player, Hattie Wilson, explains: “‘Heaven Sent’ is about the place I grew up in. It's a small village where everyone knows each other, but I've always felt there's a bit of a superiority complex; if someone does something good, they have to tell you about it. I loved growing up here as a kid, but I think I feel somewhat trapped here at the moment. With health struggles, with money and general life worries being at the forefront of my mind, I’m wondering if I'll amount to more. The song encapsulates the different feelings I have towards my hometown that have come to the surface because of where I'm at in life.” Take a listen for yourselves below, along with their upcoming European tour dates.
Chartreuse EU Tour Dates - (supported by Woom on all dates except Paris) Monday 2nd February - DR Studio 3, Copenhagen Wednesday 4th February - Paradiso, Amsterdam Thursday 5th February - Lutherse Kerk, Groninge Friday 6th February - Artheater, Cologne Saturday 7th February - Molotow, Hamburg Sunday 8th February - Bergahin Kantine, Berlin Tuesday 10th February - Supersonic Records, Paris
