Two cities. Over 50 artists. An inaugural celebration of music’s most exciting hit the stage again last weekend. Diving from one venue to the next trying to discover those next hottest artists can be hard. Luckily, we put in the leg work for you. Each set of artists come and go amongst a stacked day where you can’t help but thinking if you just saw the next thing to blow up. If you’re going to put your money anywhere, I’d firmly place a bet on these lot.

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Pict

Representing the power of East Midlands music, 5-piece post-folk powerhouse Pict waded in the first acts of the day with a stellar set performing to a packed-out spot. Tucked away in Rock City, the newly formed BETA was the homestay of Pict parking up and delivering a performance worth remembering.

Representing the power of the cities’ local music, the setting made for an intimate and striking contribution tosome of the cities’ best local music. As decisive and direct as their last, Pict played some tracks off of their upcoming EP, aswell as familiar favourite Jean Pierre’s Destiny, piercing vocal tones shaking the very foundations.

Little Grandad

A whimsical Americana-indie doozy of poignant harmonies, deep harmonies and an crucial trumpet accompaniment, it was Little Grandad that made a full Rescue Rooms stop in their tracks and stare. With just two debut tracks behind the name, the band from London’s windmill scene have already stirred up a storm with consecutive headline shows in the capital, aswell as festival appearances at Brighton’s Great Escape the week prior. A fitting thesis about what makes songwriting truly engaging, the brothers’ blend of folkish inflections and country twang make for a compelling argument that the future of music is in safe hands.

Adult DVD

Potentially copping the honour of being the most entertaining, Adult DVD certainly didn’t do things by halves. Reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem’s hypnotic synth lines and fellow compadres Yard Act with that Northern sardonic wit, the six tore up Rock City which was at its most full. Having circulated the circuit since their tenure in 2021, it’s satisfying to see such an outfit finally start to receive their richly-deserved flowers. Addictively enjoyable Do Something and Dogs in the Sun were paraded gleefully while ’90s acid house influence Real Tree Lee tipped the bands’ prospects for future sound. An electric live show of bustling dance grooves where neither beat or breath were missed here, these lads from Leeds need to firmly be on your radar as ones to watch – it’s all I’ve ever been thinking about since.

Chinese American Bear

Further afield at Metronome, we witnessed the mesmerising work of Chinese American Bear in full display. Married Seattle duo, Anne Tong and Bryce Barsten have mapped out a course of psychedelic indie-pop for the better part of four years now, and never once has it wavered off track. Dreamy harmonies and hushed vocals blending both Mandarin and English lyricism, the pair enjoyed their time up on the stage as much as we did in the crowd. Released just a few weeks ago, their third record Dim Sum & Then Some was celebrated in person, as was some familiar favourites like Take Me To Beijing and Magic Number. Accompanied by mutual friend Bryan on drums, the pair dished out a plentiful feel-good offering perfect for any easy listening indie consumer.

Mandy, Indiana

Perhaps one of the most integral sets of the day, came from one Mandy, Indiana. A channeling of tension and cathartic release, the English-French noise rock band takes a giant leap forward in creating unflinching arrangement en masse. The collective are angry and want the world to know about it.

Long and short of it, it’s the very best of experimental noise and sending a message is at the very heart of what they do. Through trance-like synths and confrontational lyricism, Vocalist and lyricist Valentine Caulfield evokes feelings of defiance against societal affairs and political world order. A vital release of both anger and exasperation, it’s a highly-sought after band that’s needed for this generation and the next. In between the dance-floor distortion though, Caulfield took time for reflection on the importance of loving your neighbours, attending protests and never stopping to fight for your rights.

With so much division and unjust in the world, it’s down to bands like Mandy, Indiana to stoke the flames and set it alight. Deep in The Palais nightclub fit to capacity, their latest blaring wake-up call URGH sees them at their most assertive.

There’s no greater assurance for a band than the unwavering cheer and support of a crowd you’ve just got acquainted with. At their most unhinged and at most daring, Mandy, Indiana are quite possibly like nothing else you’ve heard before.

Bleech 9:3

Another band making waves as of late are Bleech 9:3. Rising to prominence with their bombastic alternative-grunge cuts, Dublin-bred Bleech 9:3 have become the most in-demand acts on the circuit in a matter of months. Hot off the heels of their debut EP, rest assured that songwriters/guitarists Barry Quinlan and Sam Duffy are set to seize this moment. Hot off the heels of their debut EP, the world watches on – will it live up to the expectation? Well a fierce live reputation certainly doesn’t come out of nowhere. From the frenetic blow-out of Jacky to the longing desire of Cannonball, the 45-minute performance was over in a flash, a blitz of ’90s infused angst from a set of four who look to have got it all formalised already. Blaring out the night in true style, Bleech become the most exciting act to traverse the rock scene right now. It can be said that all 450 of us in that room felt something special that night – and there is no doubt that more will soon follow when the touring is all over this Summer.