With less than 3 hours until we leave for BOARDMASTERS FESTIVAL, I have had chance to check out all bands performing over the weekend and have come up with some incredible acts that you NEED to check out. Having seen many of these bands a number of times, I guarantee that you will NOT be disappointed….

Friday

Main Stage 

12:45 - Joesef

Since shining through on the BBC’s Sound of 2020 poll only nine months after his first ever gig, the Scottish singer-songwriter has released a brace of #fire singles and EPs, broke his pandemic-induced gigging furlough with a magical woodland performance at last summer’s Latitude, toured with his band and Mercury Prize winner (and long-term supporter) Arlo Parks, and performed a sold-out Friday night at Barrowlands.

14:00 - Cian Ducrot

Released in April, Irish singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Cian Ducrot’s fragile, heart-wrenching ballad All For You has quietly become 2022’s slow-burn success story. Fuelled by fan power on TikTok – where Ducrot has 1.1m followers and over 30m likes – and a special duet version with former touring partner Ella Henderson, All For You has taken on a life of its own, steadily climbing the UK top 40 and eventually peaking inside the top 20 after 22 weeks on the chart.

15:15 - Gabrielle Aplin

The January 6th release of Gabrielle Aplin’s new album ‘Phosphorescent’ (Never Fade Records) is almost here, and the build-up has seen the singer-songwriter again earn the attention that her revitalised, life-affirming new songs deserve. Recent tracks including ‘Skylight’, ‘Call Me’ and ‘Never Been The Same’ have seen Gabrielle playlisted at Radio 2 as well as grace the covers of House of Solo and HATC. In tandem, playlist support across all key platforms has continued to push her career streams to date beyond a billion. These have included Fresh & Chill and The Pop List at Spotify, New In Pop and Today’s Pop at Apple, and a YouTube RELEASED package, including a digital billboard display at Holland Park, London. 

16:30 - Everything Everything

Raw Data Feel – that title, says bassist Jeremy Pritchard, reflects an attempt to make it “straight from the heart, the id rather than the ego” –  was an essential leap forward for the band. Having finished their fifth album RE-ANIMATOR in 2020, just as the pandemic closed in, there was an inescapable anti-climax when it became clear they couldn’t have the closeness and closure that comes with playing an album’s songs live. They needed, says Pritchard, something to push them on through that dispiriting lull; Raw Data Feel was the “fulcrum”, providing the drive to find new ways of working, new ways of being Everything Everything. Despite the straightened circumstances of the past two years, it’s a record that finds new horizons to chase, illuminating previously hidden entry points for their ongoing interrogation of the modern human condition in all its pixelated, shape-shifting glory.

17:45 - The Vaccines

The Vaccines are Justin Young (vocals, guitar), Freddie Cowan (guitar, vocals), Árni Árnason (bass, vocals), Tim Lanham (keyboards) and Yoann Intoni (drums). Since the band’s inception they have sold over two million records worldwide, cementing their position as torch-carriers for British guitar music in the modern era.

19:15 - Ben Howard

Since British musician Ben Howard released his triple platinum debut album, Every Kingdom back in 2011, much has changed, punctuating his recordings across four distinctive chapters.

21:30 - LORDE

Land of the Saints

16:30 - Bob Vylan (must see)

2019 saw Bobby(vocals and production) and Bobb13(drums and spiritual guidance) generate significant hype with guest appearances on Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes Radio 1 session for Annie Mac, supporting Gallow sat their triumphant comeback show at House of Vans and collaborating with Massive Attack alumni Tricky on his new album.

19:00 - Warmduscher

21:45 - Cypress Hill (must see)

Three decades ago, B-Real, Sen Dog, and DJ Muggs sparked a trip that left popular culture stoned, stunned, and staggering in anticipation for more. Naming themselves after a local street in Los Angeles, Cypress Hill burst on the scene in 1991 with the release of their self-titled debut album. The singles “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “The Phuncky Feel One” became underground hits, and the group’s public pro-marijuana stance earned them many fans among the alternative rock community.

The View

13:00 - Taylor Latham

Taylor Latham has spent a large part of his life surrounded by North Devon’s majestic coastal playgrounds. It shows. Happy-go-lucky by nature this self taught singer-songwriter brings a laid back style to the stage weaving easy listening melodies with compelling lyrics. 

18:15 - SIVU (must see)

Sivu (James Page) is a special singer and songwriter from Cambridge, he released his first single Better Man Than He ten years ago, a song that marked the beginning of a working relationship with producer Charlie Andrew (Alt J, London Grammar) that’s resulted in his new record, and first for five years, that is due later in 2023. 

19:30 - Nathan Ball

Everything about singer- songwriter Nathan Ball feels unforced. A natural, easy, calming presence, his music scales universal emotional highs with as much fluidity as it descends into moody introspection.  

20:45 - Isaac Gracie

2023 has seen Isaac Gracie return with new single, The Man Who Flew Into Space. It’s the British musician’s first new music since the release of his ‘close up – looking down’ EP in 2018.  

22:00 - Dub Pistols (must see)

Keg & Pasty

16:00 - FLUFF (must see)

21:45 - Freshly Squeezed

Saturday 

Main Stage

13:15 - Lottery Winners (must see)

Why do we listen to music? Why do we go to gigs? Because it’s an escape from our problems? To enhance and magnify our emotions? For togetherness? Well, I challenge you to see the face of someone in the audience at Lottery Winners show not totally beaming. This is exactly why they’re quickly becoming one of the UK biggest and best live bands. 

15:45 - The Reytons

Since the release of their debut album ‘Kids Off The Estate’ in November 2021, The Reytons have gone from strength to strength, the word of mouth sensation spreading like wildfire throughout the UK. The band now boast an impressive 900,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify, however this online popularity is far from superficial. Over 17,000 fans saw the band live on their huge sold out UK tour in Autumn 2022, including landmark dates at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, London’s Electric Ballroom and Nottingham’s Rock City, to name just a few.  

18:15 - Raye

Four times BRIT nominated, RAYE is one of the most streamed artists in the world with over 2.3 billion streams of her music. She has a double-platinum, four platinum, two gold and three silver singles to her name. She is also indisputably one of the UK’s premier songwriters. Her songs have amassed over 3 billion streams, having written for some of the world’s biggest artists including: John Legend, Ellie Goulding, Khalid, David Guetta, Diplo, and Beyonce. In 2019 she was awarded The BMI Impact Award in recognition of her ‘ground-breaking artistry, creative vision and impact on the future of music.

19:30 - Little Simz

IN SOMETIMES I MIGHT BE INTROVERT, THERE’S A CENTRAL QUESTION THAT LITTLE SIMZ KEEPS COMING BACK TO: “SIMZ THE ARTIST OR SIMBI THE PERSON?”

THE LINE COMES IN THE ALBUM’S EPIC SCREAM OF AN OPENER, INTROVERT. WITH AN URGENT DELIVERY AGAINST A THUNDERING ORCHESTRA, SIMZ CONFRONTS BOTH THE DEEPLY PERSONAL (“CLOSE TO SUCCESS BUT FROM HAPPINESS I’M THE FURTHEST”) AND THE HIGHLY POLITICAL; “ALL WE SEE IS BROKEN HOMES HERE AND POVERTY / CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS LIES AND ATROCITIES.”

21:30 - Liam Gallagher (must see)

Look out at the sea of faces at a Liam Gallagher show and you’ll see just how he has become an iconic figure for two generations of fans. You’ll see couples who have been to every Oasis and Liam tour since they first heard his signature snarl declaring “I need to be myself.” You’ll spot groups of young lads who not only weren’t even born in the ‘90s, but who would’ve been toddlers when Oasis signed off with 2008’s ‘Dig Out Your Soul’. But regardless of the demographic, they’re all unified in the moment: arms in the air and voices hollering to the heavens as Liam tears through anthems old and new.

Land of the Saints

15:00 - Kid Kapichi (must see)

It’s Kapee-chee. It’s Ben Beetham (guitars, vocals), Eddie Lewis (bass), George Macdonald (drums) and Jack Wilson (vocals, guitars). Four twentysomethings with big personalities from Hastings who’ve been making music together for over half their lives, in various configurations. Working in pubs, construction, motorcycle trade, anything. Driving nightshifts just to keep playing. Eight years of non-stop graft. “The bands that make it are the ones that don’t give up,” says Eddie. “We’ve sacrificed everything. Normal jobs, settling down, we put our lives completely on hold for our dreams.” 

17:30 - Nova Twins (must see)

18:45 - Bears Den

20:00 - Yard Act (must see)

Yard Act formed in Leeds in September 2019 when Ryan Needham found himself temporarily living in James Smith’s spare bedroom. Settling into a system of programming, looping and layering, the alchemy between the two created a base from which to build their complex and ever expanding narrative world. “Ryan is a vibe guy, whereas I overthink everything,” laughs Smith. “It’s been the greatest creative partnership I’ve ever had. When you find a groove that works, it just kind of looks after itself.” 

The View

11:45 - Jamie Lost (must see)

South West, UK based singer-songwriter Jamie Yost deft ability to craft songs became quickly apparent with the worldwide success of his 2018 single “Runaway” with over 250,000 streams online.

13:45 - Abbie Piper

14:45 - Webmoms Ensemble (must see)

Webmoms is the brainchild of South West based producer and multi instrumentalist Karum Cooper. With Spotify streams surpassing the 2 million mark and a non-stop recording schedule.. Webmoms live ensemble strays away from chilled lofi beats and warbly hip hop instrumentals – performing eclectic interpretations of Webmoms’ back catalogue with a high energy 8 piece band. Venturing from neo-soul to nu-jazz, woozy indie-rock and more.

19:15 - Blaze of Feather 

Keg & Pasty

16:00 - The Busketeers

Sunday

Main Stage

14:30 - Black Honey (must see)

For two albums, Brighton quartet Black Honey – firebrand frontwoman Izzy Bee Phillips, guitarist Chris Ostler, bassist Tommy Taylor and drummer Alex Woodward – have been living in a glitter-specked, sepia-tinged magic kingdom of their own making. It’s undeniably served them well. Rising from cult underground favourites on their self-titled 2018 debut through to a genuine breakthrough success story on 2021’s Top 10-charting follow up ‘Written & Directed’, the band have amassed a legion of fans to their constantly shifting canon of fizzing, visceral indie and nostalgia-soaked pop – a following that, in the past year alone, has seen them handpicked to support Liam Gallagher, The Libertines, IDLES, The Vaccines and more, on top of their own sold out headline tour. 

15:45 - Gentlemans Dub Club

Since their formation in early 2006, Gentleman’s Dub Club have made a name for themselves as one of the most respected names in dub music. GDC have been on tour for nearly 14 years, becoming festival favourites across the UK and Europe. Every UK show is a sell-out performance, and having packed The Electric in Brixton numerous times, the Gents are set to return to the road in support of their latest album Down To Earth, released in March 2021. The tour sees the band across 12 cities including the legendary Kentish Town Forum London to conclude their biggest tour to date. With 7 studio albums, numerous singles and remixes under their belts; whether it’s the stage or the studio, GDC never stop working! 

19:45 - Dermot Kennedy

Acclaimed singer/songwriter DERMOT KENNEDY today shares the incredible new track ‘INNOCENCE AND SADNESS’, a song taken from his upcoming second album ‘SONDER’ out on Nov 4th via Island Records/Interscope.

21:30 - Florence + The Machine (must see)

Hailing from South London, Florence Welch is a Grammy nominated artist and songwriter of the band Florence + The Machine, selling millions of albums worldwide. She has released four studio albums, her debut ‘Lungs’ in 2009 which received Brits Album of the Year award, ‘Ceremonials’ in 2011 and in 2015 her third album ’How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’, which topped the charts in the UK and US and saw the band headline the main stage at Glastonbury, as well as Florence winning the Ivor Novello International Achievement Award for song-writing.

Land of the Saints

13:00 - Pale Blue Eyes (must see)

Pale Blue Eyes are a young electro-modernist guitar group based in Devon in Britain’s southwest. Their horizon-wide pop and compelling rhythms build on the great German kosmische Musik and on alt-rock sounds at their most artful. Debut album Souvenirs was released on Full Time Hobby in 2022 – and was greeted with much acclaim. 

17:30 - Jockstrap (must see)

Jockstrap, the unique pop duo made up of Taylor Skye and Georgia Ellery, emerged out of a new wave of pop acts who refuse to confine themselves to any single genre, style or cultural reference point. Having met at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, their sonic expertise allows them to take listeners on a wild ride jumping from powerful pop choruses to drill-inspired breaks, from classical violin to dancehall. Jockstrap are weird and wonderful with an infectious energy that has garnered them attention and champions from all across the music world and beyond. Their eclecticism and their ability to appreciate the full spectrum of music, is what makes them so undeniably important because they reflect the culture so perfectly. Jockstrap push the boundaries until the boundaries, barriers and boxes no longer exist- just pure unadulterated sensual pop!  

18:45 - Squid (must see)

Teeming with melodic epiphanies and layered sounds, Squid’s second album O Monolith is a musical evocation of environment, domesticity and self-made folklore. Like its predecessor, 2021’s critically acclaimed, UK number 4 album Bright Green Field, it is dense and tricksy – but also more warm and characterful, with a meandering, questioning nature. This is unmistakably music made by friends, but it’s not exclusionary – they’re inviting you in to listen with them. 

21:30 - Fourtet

Kieran Hebden best known by the stage name Four Tet, is an English electronic musician. He first came to prominence as a member of the post-rock band Fridge before establishing himself as a solo artist with charting UK albums such as Rounds (2003) and Everything Ecstatic (2005). In addition to his eleven studio albums as Four Tet, Hebden’s work includes a number of improvisational works with jazz drummer Steve Reid and collaborations with Burial and Thom Yorke. Alongside his own recordings, Hebden has produced albums by American improvisational group Sunburned Hand of the Man and Syrian dabke singer Omar Souleyman, and arranged the 2021 Madlib album Sound Ancestors. He has also remixed tracks by artists including Aphex Twin, Bicep, Explosions in the Sky, Bloc Party, Super Furry Animals, Radiohead, Ellie Goulding, J Dilla, Lana Del Rey, Manic Street Preachers, Sia, Black Sabbath and Madvillain; several of these were collected on the compilation Remixes (2006).

The View

11:45 - Ollie Dixon (must see)

Starting off 2023 with his debut headline show, Playing one of Exeter’s most prestigious venues, The Cavern. Ollie sold out the show twice, with an audience of 200 people gathered wall to wall.

12:45 - Disco Rococo

Formed in 2019 (side-tracked by a studio fire and a global pandemic) Disco Rococo play what they refer to as ‘Sad Pop’, a charismatic cocktail of post punk, alternative indie and power pop.

Keg & Pasty

18:00 - The Strutts (must see)

23:00 - Funke and the Two Tone Baby

So there you go, our top picks for Boardmasters 2023. I haven’t included DJ sets as there are so many, you’ll have a ball regardless of who you go and see!

Have a great time, stay hydrated, look after yourselves and those around you and go and see acts that you’ve never heard of before, you might just uncover your next fave!