On this playlist, you’ll hear 9 tracks from some of the world’s unsigned bands and artists, why they’re unsigned is a mystery to me, they blow the pants off most of the crap I hear on the radio every day, maybe they just need to be noticed, this is where you come in…..

After five albums and despite the sad loss of Olivier Libaux last year, Nouvelle Vague are setting out again on a world tour to (belatedly) celebrate their 15th Anniversary.

We have 9 of the finest new offerings for you to check out. Underneath the playlist, you’ll find bios from our featured bands and artists, spare 2 minutes, have a read and click on their socials and give them a like or a share, they’ll thank you later!

You know that feeling of pleasant surprise when you finally open a jar lid that's stuck? That's what the latest EP (titled IIIP) is for Briefcase, a Minneapolis based rock trio, they say that the release is a cathartic pinnacle, capturing the complexities of the past few years through each band member's experiences (each contributed a tune). Influences are far ranging depending on who you ask -- Pavement, BRMC, The Clean, black metal, even U2.

We were keen to find out more about the band so had a chat and covered some interesting topics including their local music scene, their corrupt police department, first gigs, earliest musical memories, renting Bon Iver’s cabin and their dream festival lineup, for all of this great stuff and way more, carry on reading!

We have 9 incredible tracks for you on this playlist, as usual, below the feature you will find a short bio and socials for our featured artists, please take the time to have a read and click on their links to learn more about any acts that tickle your fancy.

TAKEN FROM FIFTH ALBUM: A MATTER OF LIFE & LOVE
OUT NOW VIA XTRA MILE RECORDINGS

+ UK DATES WITH LESS THAN JAKE - THIS SPRING

Amongst this edition of the on the radar playlist, there are some real bangers to discover, underneath the spotify feature, you will find details of our featured bands and artists, take 5 minutes to have a read of their bios and click on their social media links, have a dig around, like and share some stuff if you feel like it, the band will thank you!

With his recent release ‘I Thought I Knew It All’, Marq Electronica is treating us to a techno, trance-infused track. The buoyant bass line gets a groove going, yet its repetitive nature becomes hypnotic in no time. He seamlessly sews together acoustic strums into the heavily electronic mix. That’s quite the task with such an ominous atmosphere, yet the sharp strums cut through the sounds with an ASMR-like satisfaction.

When I first blasted this track, I was taken aback by the sheer boldness of the mix. Each instrument is cranked up the max. The distorted guitar is an essential element here, forming the main scaffolding of the soundscape. It’s perfectly coloured with texture, each note is still noticeable and it’s not blurry in the slightest unlike some rock tracks I come across.

As the debut album ‘Murmer’ from American alternative rock band R.E.M. turns 40 years old on April 12th 2023, I was approached by a wonderful writer called Hugh Ogilvie who said that he had produced a review for a local fanzine and would I be interested in hosting it on the site? ANYTHING that Hugh produces is ALWAYS of such high standard, who was I to turn down such an opportunity?

Gigs are a bit like buses at the moment, you go through a quiet spell because of various lockdown measures and Christmas and then all of a sudden, you have 3-4 lined up and you’re just not ready for them, I know I wasn’t! Tonight was one that I had been looking forward to for a while, I classed it as a double header as the two acts have firmly been on my radar for some time and to see them share the same stage on the same night was beyond exciting. Opening the night was Billie Marten before Palace took over to bring down the curtain, was it as fulfilling as I longed for it to be? read on to find out….

Another new on the radar playlist is ready for your ears….

As usual, underneath the embedded playlist, you will find details of our featured bands and artists, please take some time to read their bios and if you have the chance, click on their socials, give them a ‘like’ if you enjoyed what you heard and maybe see if they’re planning on playing any live dates in your neck of the woods and go along to show your support.

Friday 4th February was the day when Limerick based multi talented musician SHANE THUNDER dropped his new track ‘Big Smile’.

I read that he has chosen to release the next few tracks in the same style as ‘Big Smile’ which I’m sure will appeal to many as it fuses pop sensibilities with a solid drum and bass backbeat.

Fascinated by the track, we wanted to learn more about this musician so we had a chat about a multitude of things such as his dream festival lineup, his musical upbringing, superpowers, Limerick’s music scene and his undying love for Kanye West (or should that be ‘Ye’?), read on to find out more….

The Fur is back with another banger with his recent single ‘Forbidden Fruit’. Staying true to his EDM roots, ‘Forbidden Fruit’ is a feast of electronic energy. He pulls at his influences of pop and house in this one, creating a track bursting at the seams with chart-topping vibes.

SEVERAL SHOWS ON THE BAND’S UPCOMING EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR ARE RESCHEDULED OR CANCELLED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS

Speaking of the new track Kae says "My love song to this complex, devastating, deeply beautiful island Salt Coast is out now. This song means the world to me. Hope you feel it. "

Gregory Porter, Jamie Cullum, Saving Grace ft Robert Plant, James Bay, Paloma Faith, Emeli Sandé, Tom Odell, Nubya Garcia, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gabrielle, Moses Boyd, Ezra Collective and Nitin Sawhney Amongst Names Announced for 25th Cheltenham Jazz Festival

**27 April – 2 May 2022**

ELECTRIC KOOL-AID (PART 1)
NEW EP OUT NOW
LISTEN HERE

‘HATE TO SEE YOU TORTURED’
NEW SINGLE OUT NOW
LISTEN HERE

SINGLE PREMIERED WITH
STEVE LAMACQ ON BBC 6MUSIC

ON TOUR WITH THE CRIBS – MARCH 2022

FINISHING WITH HEADLINE LONDON SHOW
THE SOCIAL – MARCH 15TH

HOPSCOTCH CLUB NIGHT CURATED BY
RADIO 1’S JACK SAUNDERS
TICKETS ON SALE NOW HERE

In the meantime, get your ears around this batch of 9 bands and artists who have all recently released new music, there’s something for everyone and if you like what you hear, go check them out further.

FEATURING LIVE MUSIC FROM…
SHED SEVEN || PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT || CAST
SPACE || EMF || JIM BOB || BEZ
PSYENCE || THE SHAKES
ANDY BUSH’S INDIE DISCO || STARSHAPED DJ’S + MORE

PLUS…
BOOZY PICNIC BRUNCH || DANUBE SUNSET CRUISE
& MUCH MORE

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