Kid Wave top bill at DIY’s first Don’t July To Me Baby show

Given the submerged quality of debut album ‘Wonderlust’ it’s no great surprise, but even Kid Wave out-do themselves in the hazy stakes during the first of three DIY gigs at London’s The Old Blue Last this month. Topping the Don’t July To Me Baby bill, Lea Emmery and co. bring a new shade to their dreamy escapism. Kicking off with the clarity of getting a headrush while walking in the fog, their fuzz-first approach might deter at first, but it eventually becomes all-consuming.

What precedes is a bright showcase of new music’s most promising new names. Amsterdam punks St. Tropez still carry a sense of mystique, and with a handful of London shows to their name, their disarmingly sharp take on punk is the kind that could have been developed for years. That doesn’t prevent them from bringing spontaneity into their devilishly short set, climbing drum sets and parading round a tiny stage like they’re headlining Wembley Arena.

Dublin’s Bleeding Heart Pigeons clearly have similar ambitions. Led by Brendan McInerney, they bring an unhinged, dramatic edge to the night. McInerney resembles a more grounded Matt Bellamy with spiralling, ambitious solos, and there isn’t a second to be found for things to settle down. Shamelessly grandiose, this group could go one of two ways - straight to stadiums or towards recording their own rock opera within months of existing.

The biggest head-turner is Dolores Haze. Eyeballing passers-by from start to finish, they mix unhinged punk delivery with a sinister alter-ego. Giving hints of Joy Division’s scrappiest of early demos, they’re either going to take over the world or soundtrack dark chamber parties for life.