Neu Five New Bands To See At Reading & Leeds 2013

BBC’s Introducing Stage isn’t the only place to get a new music fix. With a more wide-ranging bill than even before, turn any corner and you’ll stumble headfirst into an exciting new prospect. Here’s the best of what Reading & Leeds has to offer:

Bipolar Sunshine (Dance Stage)


Adio Marchant’s confessional pop rose from the ashes of Kid British. Marchant had a major record deal, loyal fans in Manchester to boot, but he kicked it all in. Bipolar Sunshine’s still in its initial stages of taking off. Already tracks like the chant able ‘Rivers’ are tailor-made to festivals. It’s remarkable he’s already playing something of this scale, whizzing past the Introducing tag and going for the jugular. Before his new EP lands, Adio’s playing arguably his biggest show to date following a few huddled London shows, full of hushed rumours and excitable A&Rs. This time round, Reading & Leeds fans proper get to witness a sign of the future.

The Wytches (Festival Republic Stage)


Don’t let the purposeful spelling error distract you from The Wytches’ sinister potential. They’ve broomsticks, demonic faces to boot. Psych spills from their systems and turns a rotten shade. Undoubtedly the rawest, most troubling act to soundtrack the Festival Republic stage, more savage than Savages, even, this Brighton band are here to blow the tent off its hinges. A single on Hate Hate Hate records sold out within a month, proving The Wytches’ devilish stance to be anything but a niche cause. The only way is up for the bloodthirsty newcomers.

Gnarwolves (Lock Up Stage)


Seaside trio Gnarwolves played their first show in 2011. Ever since, their all-thrills skate punk has landed them on all-star bills. None of them have been as big a deal as this Lock Up slot, though. Not even a tour alongside Lower Than Atlantis tops this. From Cornwall to Brighton - the trio’s port of call exists at Reading & Leeds. Expect the ‘skate get baked’ mentality of theirs to span across the entire tent, hoisting the stage’s most exciting new act into starry-eyed territory.

Young Fathers (BBC 1Xtra Stage)


The most oddball act to feature at the newly-pegged 1Xtra Stage, Young Fathers’ chamber hip-hop is like Chance The Rapper’s ‘Acid Rap’ turned up a few notches. The Edinburgh group have so far sported 3d videos, songs about ‘vomit on the carpet’. Not pleasant, exactly, but it’s a thrilling assault on the senses, one that’s landed them a deal on Why? associates Anticon Records. Two EPs - imaginatively titled ‘Tape One’ and ‘Tape Two’ - showcased ridiculous progression. If the anti continues to be upped, the band’s relatively high billing at 1Xtra will make perfect sense.

Bondax (Dance Stage)


Initially just a couple of guys hanging out in ol’ Lancaster, Bondax have gone on to headline shows Stateside and across Europe. Half the time, they haven’t even been old enough to pass through the age restrictions at these venues, their ascent has been so quick. Let’s face it: They’re probably minted already. But that won’t stop brothers Adam & George Townsend from becoming the next big sibling dance duo, hot on the heels of fellow house-revivalists Disclosure. These two belong in dance tents - expect to watch them arrive in all their glory, lapping up the occasion with summer-ready anthems in their spades.

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