The year 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of Aqua's debut album ‘Aquarium’ and iconic global hit Barbie Girl’.

This will be celebrated and marked by an exclusive re-release of the album on September 9th.

Whilst at CHAGSTOCK, we chatted to a bunch of bands either before or after their performances over the weekend. Below, you’ll find links to them including a brief synopsis of what we discussed, enjoy!

I thought that this moment might never arise. Originally scheduled for April 2020, the performance was delayed twice, maybe even three times by the spectre of Covid. Then, somewhat fortuitously, the venue rescheduled for the first full evening of the summer holidays (for teachers, at least). So, here I was, alive and expectantly waiting for the singular wave of nostalgia to empty on top of me. Was there ever a chance of disappointment?

Yes folks, you read it right, after covering this gem of a festival in the heart of the westcountry, we collectively agreed that it was quite possibly the best one that we have been to. I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly, the weather? (sun on Friday but drizzle on Saturday), the food (great varied options ranging from vegan kebabs to luxury ice cream), the bands (eclectic and engaging as always) or the people that attended (smily, happy, friendly and up for a great time), I guess it was a mixture of all of these factors coming together to create the perfect atmosphere.

We saw some incredible sets from Pattern Pusher, Ferocious Dog, Kula Shaker, ASH and MANY more, read on to see how our weekend went!

Back from a week’s holiday inter-railing around Europe, I thought it was time I got my backside into gear and release another playlist for you to enjoy.

Today may well be the hottest day of the year in the UK so why not check out some chilled tunes to bring your temperature down a little?

To celebrate the launch of his sixth studio album ‘The Glass Age’ Dan Whitehouse is currently on a tour of the UK, showcasing tracks from it. We were invited along to the opening night in Totnes to meet and watch Dan’s fine band in action, read on to see how the evening progressed.

Hailing from Brighton and London, via Stockholm, Sweden, The Meat Sweaters are a trio (Wahoo Samuels, Pete Fraser and Jon Palmer) who appreciate sounds that are very far removed from what most would consider conventional.

2022 was advertised as THE last ever year of Cornbury Festival, I know from memory that this has been the case in the past and then, the next year, it has been on again. This time, I don’t think they’re going to come back so I wanted to make every second count!

RCA Records and Legacy Recordings commemorate the 35th anniversary of the iconic romantic movie,
"Dirty Dancing," with the release of a collectible watermelon vinyl edition of Dirty Dancing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on Friday 14 October - Includes watermelon scented sticker (nobody puts Baby in the corner….)

You'd think that after a weekend of catching up on the Glastonbury live shows on the red button (other coloured buttons are available) you'd think that I'd be sick to the back teeth of music but after a particularly tough day in the office, I found an invite in my inbox for a show at the Barrel House in the heart of Totnes to catch a musician called Lily.....armed with absolutely no information about this rising star, I headed into town.

Yes folks, NASS FESTIVAL 2022 has been and gone and if you weren’t there to see how it went down, you can relive the experience by checking out our live photo gallery including shots of the main stage performers as well as Skate, BMX and Street Art….

East Coast rockers Annie Minogue Band have already enjoyed their fair share of success with their previous single, Sandbox, which ranked no.1 on the World Indie Charts! Now, the band return with yet another epic release. Their recent single 'Real Close Up' is super catchy with brilliant rock instrumentation and powerful vocals! An album, Suburbia, is going to be released too. Annie Minogue Band is fronted by vocalist Annie Minogue herself, who truly shines on this new record. AMB’s line-up pulls in the talents of Nick Saya (drums), Nunzio Signore (Guitar/Vocals), Brian Karp (Bass), and Dave Archer (Keyboards) for an eclectic roster that merges the best of rock, pop, and the blues.

Irish folk duo The Winter Codes are back with their upcoming LP Set The Darkness Reeling and its lead single Too Sly To Die. The band comprises Barney Murray (also founding member of Irish Folk Punk sensations Blood Or Whiskey, and virtuoso musician David Walshe. The album will be fuelled with classical Irish folk that can be heard in the tracks’ strings, candid vocals and its driving, percussive elements. It will consist of 5 songs and recorded in the famous Grouse Lodge recording studio. The studio also housed Michael Jackson as he recorded and lived there.

I was invited to attend the inaugural Perfect Day Festival held at Powderham Castle on Sunday 3rd July with a line up full of chilled artists. The weather was holding up nicely as we queued to get in and we were lucky as the sun looked like it would be present all day! The day before at Powderham was the 80’s themed festival ‘Let’s Rock’ which I’d heard anecdotal reports of problems with toilets and rubbish! But luckily today the area was kept clean and tidy all day.

Ahead of his UK tour to promote his sixth studio album ‘The Glass House’, we chatted to Dan Whitehouse about the inspiration behind the new record, hurdles encountered whilst working remotely, writing retreats with Chris Difford and some information on the special guests that will be joining him on the road.

MARQelectronica is an artist who has recently announced the release of one of his most notable and distinctive records to date: "Savage Times".

Ahead of me leaving my beloved laptop behind at home for an entire week, I thought I’d squeeze in another 9 track playlist before I go galavanting around Europe traversing cities and countries via the rail network which I am led to believe is 10 times more efficient, cleaner and cheaper than what we have to endure here in the UK.

I am secretly hoping that the food on offer will at least be on par with that of Great Western Railway, I fondly look back to my childhood when I tucked into a sausage roll via the buffet car after a football game in Wembley (under 18’s final - 1982) and as the journey progressed, I slowly lost my voice….so whatever was in the sausage roll did a great job of rendering me quite literally speechless for the next 48 hours, thanks British Rail, you da best!

Anyway, I am taking away the spotlight from the 9 killer tracks that make up the new playlist, there are two featured acts this time, if you get chance, scroll down and have a read, if you like what you see (and hear), hit them up on the socials, spread some love, give them a like or a share if you fancy, they’ll thank you for it.

Well folks, with Glasto 22’ wrapped up and soon to be a distant memory, what were your highlights over the weekend? I think mine included the sets by IDLES, SQUID (always amazing) and Fontaines DC and despite some of her vocals being a little off key, I thought Diana Ross did a sterling job of keeping the Sunday afternoon crowds entertained with a run through of her career highlights. Looking at the aerial shots whilst she was performing, I would say that she possibly pulled in the largest audience over the entire weekend though that’s slightly unfair as you couldn’t see how many people rocked up to see the evening headliners as it was dark!

For this playlist, I have dug deep and searched all over the world to bring you a montage of the finest bands and acts on offer, I hope that there’ll be something for you whatever your tastes, if not, I’ll try harder next time to keep you happy.

The apparent separation between Algerian roots, American modernism and French chanson finds a common ground in Ourida’s avant-garde songwriting – urban songs mixing folk rock, art pop melodies, world beat and jazz groove.

Ourida is a French-Algerian songwriter, singer, pianist, ukulele player, and a Brooklyn resident with multiple uprootings and a unique sound, presence and sultry voice.

On June 24th, she released her new album ‘Wings’, we wanted to find out more about what went into the making of the record and more about this fine musician who deserves to be heard by all…..

Geez Louise are a Nashville based indie quartet made up of Sierra Torres on lead vocals, Nick Jude on lead guitar, Tyelen Gibbs on drums and Eli Slaughter on bass.

They draw influence from the likes of DIIV, Alvvays, Lucy Dacus, Claud, Momma, Slow Pulp, Wilco and Stella Donnelly but in my eyes (and ears) they carry their own unique style that nods gently to the aforementioned acts.

Within their debut EP ‘Candy Bruise’ (out 1st July 2022), you will hear a common theme of cheery or upbeat sounds intertwining with angry and/or sad messages. Life is full of mixed emotions, and this group aims to remind you that few things are as black and white as we may expect.

We caught up with lead vocalist Sierra Torres to chat about the recording process, studio time, places to go (and avoid) in Nashville and drinks containing a healthy amount of rum, read on for all of this and more!