LINE-Up
London two-piece BOB VYLAN are unique. One vocalist (Bobby) and one drummer (Bobbie). One being a vital and focal mouthpiece, the other a rhythm maker and keeper, one audience ringleader, one master of the calm. They are a band that embraces both chaos and peace, a band that thrives on independence and creating their own path, a band known for mosh pits and pit hugs. They have a unique and ever evolving sound, one that crosses styles and genres, doing away with the traditional and embracing new and more unique sonic dimensions. They incorporate these styles within their music in an attempt to bridge and blend genres and subcultures together. It is this very unique style and sound that has found them embraced by rock, rap, punk, dance and alternative crowds alike.
Their independent nature has seen them start their own record label (Ghost Theatre), something created that allows them to release their music completely free from the restraints of the major label system. This route saw the band reach number 18 on the UK album charts, 4 in the physical charts and number 3 on the independent charts, with their 2022 album ‘Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life’. The first time in history that an album entirely self produced, recorded and mixed by the band and released on the band’s own label has reached the top 20. The album also went on to win the Kerrang! ‘Best Album’ award for 2022, and helped the band win their first MOBO award in the new ‘Alternative’ category. They have also picked up fans with the likes of Iggy Pop and Craig Charles on their 6music shows, performed live on the BBC at Glastonbury, been featured on magazine covers such as Kerrang!, Hardbeat and Gigwise and written about by everyone from The Guardian to Rolling Stone Magazine. Their most recent single ‘The Delicate Nature’ featuring Laurie Vincent from Soft Play, was released in late 2022 and went on to get over 50 plays across Radio 1, 6music, Radio X, Kerrang Radio and more.
Speaking on their latest album, vocalist Bobby explains a bit more about the album, its themes and ideas for this next phase for BOB VYLAN, “This project has allowed us the space to showcase different sides of our personalities. We don’t want to give the same thing over and over again, so we’re tackling topics in a different way this time. It’s serious and funny, it’s communal and obnoxious, it’s many things at any given time, and it’s a concept project. It explores the idea of paying your way through life and the expense of living in a society that places money above all else. It explores the places we’ve come from and the extremes we’ve seen people go to in order to survive. It also looks at the nuances around money in our society, the less obvious connections, like the world of advertising and art having to align with advertisers’ values in order to be given a platform, as well as the price of healthy eating, the cost of technology not necessarily on our pockets but on our lives.” This band is all about community, and for them, their live show is a place where they can truly express that. With each show starting with mediation, and ending with a group hug. But what’s between the meditative start and embracing end is a message delivered in a way that both Bobby and Bobbie feel has been missing.
They set off on their first ever headline tour in 2021, and since then, in the last year alone, they have toured across the UK on sell out tours (including a very sold out Electric Ballroom in London, Dec 2022), countless festivals including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Pukkelpop (Belgium) and Riot Fest (US), and toured with the likes of Amyl & The Sniffers (in the UK and the USA) and Biffy Clyro. With more live dates announced for 2023 including an EU support tour with grandson, a US headline tour being readied for 2024, festivals throughout summer including Download, Boardmasters, 2000trees, Green Man and Lattitude, there will be no stopping BOB VYLAN.
Slum Village: Detroit’s Pioneers of Beat
Emerging from the dynamic streets of Conant Gardens in Detroit, Slum Village is not just a music group, but a close-knit brotherhood tied together by friendship and their shared musical passions. Established in the early 1990s by T3, Baatin, and the iconic J Dilla (also known as Jay Dee), the group quickly became a cornerstone in Detroit’s hip-hop scene.
J Dilla’s, enduring influence continued to shape the group, with his protégé and Grammy-nominated producer Young RJ stepping in as a rapper in 2009. T3 and Young RJ’s stewardship, Slum Village has continued to innovate, producing revered albums such as “Trinity” with the standout track “Tainted,” and “Detroit Deli,” featuring the popular single “Selfish” with Kanye West and John Legend.
T3 and Young RJ have been instrumental in preserving and expanding the group’s legacy, leading to later albums like “Villa Manifesto” and “YES,” which includes posthumous productions by Dilla. Today, Slum Village remains a celebrated name in the world of Detroit hip-hop. With over a decade of collaboration, T3 and Young RJ stay true to the group’s founding ethos while introducing new vitality and a contagious zest.
Their recent works, including singles “Request,” “Factor,” “So “Superb” and the acclaimed album “F.U.N.” featuring artists like Cordae, Larry June, Elijah Fox, and Eric Roberson, highlight their continued commitment to breaking new ground and thrilling audiences globally. Explore their musical journey and experience the sounds that have established them as hip-hop royalty.
Beluga Lagoon is the musical project of Andrew O’Donnell, a wildlife cameraman and filmmaker whose music encapsulates the beauty of the Scottish landscape. His songs evoke feelings and memories of wandering through glens, sitting by rivers, or being out at sea. This unique ability to express the essence of Scotland’s natural wonders through music has garnered him a dedicated following, as evidenced by a sold-out performances in Aviemore and Glasgow’s famous Barrowland Ballroom.
O’Donnell, who never envisioned himself in the spotlight, brings an authentic and introspective quality to Beluga Lagoon’s music. His background as a wildlife cameraman, requiring intense focus and patience, translates into his songwriting, creating a profound connection with listeners. Whether performing solo or supported by a full live band, his live performances are marked by a combination of vulnerability and bravery, resonating deeply with audiences.
Beluga Lagoon’s music blends intensity of experience with a keen perception of the world around him. O’Donnell’s songs often feature themes of nature and wildlife, with tracks like “The Glen” celebrating the resilience and beauty of Scotland’s landscapes. His ability to convey complex emotions through his music has earned him a reputation as one of the most original and compelling acts in the Scottish music scene.
In an industry where authenticity is often claimed but rarely delivered, Beluga Lagoon stands out. O’Donnell’s dedication to staying true to his roots and avoiding the trappings of fame has led him to perform in intimate settings across Scotland, from the Western Isles to the Highlands. This commitment to his natural habitat not only enhances his music but also brings joy to communities that rarely experience live performances.
“Extraordinary” / Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio
“Doubling the power of three” / The Scotsma
“the technical ability of each member is clear in their
energetic, dynamic sound” / Songlines
“an exciting sound that, in this case literally
drags an audience out of its seats.” / The Heral
“incredible!” / Rolling Stone (Australia
One of the most talked-about folk bands of the 21st century, Talisk have been tearing apart stereotypes and redefinin the genre for almost a decade. With over 15 million streams, 10,000 albums sold worldwide, and sold out shows across five continents – from Paris to New York, London to Tokyo, Glasgow to Vancouver – alongside headline appearances a festivals the world over, the Scottish trio have amassed a global, die-hard following.
Wielding instruments that have rarely seen the likes of their music, Mohsen Amini (concertina), Benedict Morris (violin) and Charlie Galloway (guitar) have stacked up major awards for their explosively energetic sound – including five between BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland, and two highly coveted BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Award
At New Year 2022 they played BBC One’s Hogmanay show to a television audience in excess of one million, and – as the only folk act alongside pop headliners – quickly amassed a vast, mainstream audience that continues to propel the group to some of their largest live shows to date. Headlining Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom in 2024 – during Europe’s largest winter festival, the legendary Celtic Connections – Talisk’s star remains firmly on a rapid ascen
Never afraid to push musical boundaries, or test the live production capabilities of just three people (yes, it’s all live), there’s captivating a crowd, and then there’s Talisk.
taliskmusic.com | @taliskmusi
VIDEO (Echo – BBC One – Hogmanay 2022): youtu.be/yUjghK_wTil
VIDEO (Dystopia): youtu.be/ScwNmi423OA | VIDEO (Montreal): youtu.be/n44J0dCgo1w AUDIO – bit.ly/TaliskSpotify EPK: bit.ly/TALISKEPK
representation
UK / Worldwide Live Manager | Craig Corse – CCM Live | +44 777 555 6813 / [email protected]
USA & Canada | Mark Lourie – Madison House, LLC | +1 303 544 9900 x1043 / [email protected]
FABIO AND GROOVERIDER BIO.
Fabio and Grooverider, the Godfathers of Drum & Bass and legends of modern music who are idolised worldwide. Industry heavyweights, fans and artists regardless of genre will readily respect and praise the ongoing influence of the two.
Since aligning professionally over 30 years ago, Fabio & Grooverider have been at the forefront of a genre which just seems to get stronger and more ‘global’ year on year, with household names such as Chase & Status, Wilkinson & Sub Focus smashing the top 40 to pieces. These are just a few names that received their initial exposure from the pair on their 14 Year Award winning show on BBC Radio 1.
The scene in general owes much to Fabio & Grooverider’s dedication, focus and longevity. They were part of the very few UK DJs to first play House music, and to then fuse and formulate something entirely new which would eventually evolve into Jungle/Drum and Bass. It is no understatement to say that the respective streams and offshoots of D&B that Fabio & Grooverider both represent from those early times now stretch so wide – liquid, jump up, technical, minimal and half-time styles to name a few – that it’s effectively the fabric of D&B itself.
Fabio & Grooverider were voted in the top 25 Greatest DJs of all time in a recent Mixmag poll, and December 2015 saw the pair win the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to music award at DJ Mag’s Best of British awards.
From their first venture into pirate radio on Phase 1 a simple template was established: fuel the energy of the streets, the illegal, massively-attended raves of the late 80s – legendary raves such as Fantasia, Biology and Sunrise – instantly back to the airwaves. The early days of ‘Jungle Techno’ gradually became the world’s first weekly Jungle night at Rage in London, where the boundaries were pushed into the red every week, so much so that the scene became notoriously hard, even intimidating.
As such, Fabio channelled the kinetic soul of the music to a new outlet, Speed, alongside comrade LTJ Bukem and, in conjunction with Groove Connection, eventually lead to Swerve in the late 90s as his ‘Liquid Funk’ vibe grabbed hold and took flight, and the vocal element successfully ignited with the unique musicality of D&B. This happened with Fabio’s firm encouragement. It resulted in major D&B chart hits such as ‘Midnite’ and ‘Shake Ur Body’, while tracks such as ‘Hide U’ by Kosheen set new standards within D&B, perhaps establishing style parameters which may have previously been seen as exclusive to House and Techno, and which are still in place today.
All the while, Grooverider remained active and driven: with the Prototype label, with work as a producer, as ‘Codename John’ and with his own Grace nights. On the release front, Fabio established his Creative Source label as an outlet for the burgeoning new forms of D&B emerging week after week, and also stepped up alongside Photek for ‘No Joke’ on Photek Productions. ‘The Prototype Years’ compilation was released by Grooverider, who followed it with his own artist album: ‘Mysteries of Funk’. Grooverider has released many 12s over time, including ‘The Warning’ as Codename John on Metalheadz. His remix of ‘Charade’ is simply a timeless D&B classic.
Both have been involved in compilations through Drum and Bass Arena and Fabric, and in 2010, Ministry of Sound released ‘Masterpiece’ by the pair: a triple album. In 2019 the pair released their 4 part critically acclaimed 30 Years of RAGE Album, which also saw the pair sell out 2 shows at their original home Heaven London in 2019 and 2022 with their Return to Rage brand.
Over the years, Fabio & Grooverider’s influence on new and upcoming artists is simply incalculable: key figures such as Goldie, Bailey, Matrix, John B, Calibre & many more will attest to the influence of the pair as they first entered D&B and established their own career in music, ongoing. And to achieve a play of one of your tunes by Fabio or Grooverider: It was simply a pinnacle, a sign that you’d arrived.
Radio was always a natural outlet for the pair and their vocal, extrovert styles: the perfect gift for the airwaves. So, via major UK stations Kiss FM and BBC Radio One a breathtaking era of new talent and styles emerged week after week on their show over the course of a decade and a half, all owing to the deep down ‘finger on the pulse’ dubplate-driven culture of the pair. Names such as Chase & Status, Pendulum, Calibre, Hazard, Bad Company – featuring DJ Fresh of course – Camo & Krooked, Nero, Alix Perez, High Contrast, Drumsound and Bassline Smith, Artificial Intelligence, Dillinja, Sigma, Sub Focus, Lynx, Dub Phizix and countless more all know that their key exposure is down to the pair’s organic love of D&B. Not schedulers, playlisters nor stats.
Fabio & Grooverider continued as Radio presenters on Ministry of Sound, and currently have a monthly show on Rinse FM / Kool FM.
So, up to the present? Their unique collaboration with the Outlook Orchestra has quickly become one of the most talked about live shows in Drum & Bass history , and has so far seen them sell out 3 dates at the iconic Royal Festival Hall as well as Headline sets at Boomtown and We Out here.
2022 also saw the pair make their acting debut on BBC 1’s King Gary!
Fabio & Grooverider don’t simply DJ. And they don’t simply present radio. They are both respective auteurs and the collective embodiment of a pleasing paradox: they love the past and are impatient for the future, and this shines through.
Judging by the visible evidence of the pair live in 2023, it ain’t gonna stop anytime soon.
The Bluebells
Initially the Bluebells enjoyed a whirlwind career spanning the early 1980’s with a recording output including three U.K. hit singles. “I’m Falling”, “Cath” and “Young at Heart” made with a procession of producers including Elvis Costello who became a mentor and teacher to the band. Guitarist and ex-fanzine publisher Robert Hodgens (aka Bobby Bluebell) wrote instantly memorable classics in collaboration with the two McCluskey Brothers who completed the Bluebells’ essential troika and Kenneth McCluskey sang them in a likably unaffected voice, making every track count
With the release of their debut album “Sisters” in 1984 on London Records ,The Bluebells toured widely in Europe and North America developing their live sound and signing to Seymour Stein’s Sire records in the U.S.
Robert and the brothers parted company amicably in 1986 with Ken and David forming and releasing records as the McCluskey Brothers while Robert concentrated on song writing duties for various other artists including Texas and the late Sinead O’Connor as well as his own group The Poems.
In 1993 when “Young at Heart” hit the U.K. No 1 spot following its use as a T.V. advert for Volkswagon the chaps met up for some fun Top of the Pops appearances.
The Bluebells are very pleased to be playing again having recently received two premier Scottish Music Business Awards including “The Tartan Clef Award for Song Writing .” at the star studded Nordoff –Robbins charity annual fund raiser at Glasgow Barrowlands. Following the re-release of the Classic album repackaged “Sisters” album on the Last Night From Glasgow The Bluebells were encouraged by the label and fans to record new material which has manifested itself in the excellent new album “The Bluebells In The 21st Century” released in April 2023.
Cherry Red have also compiled a 34 track bumper C.D. of the Bluebells “Sisters” containing all of the favourite recordings alongside some rare out takes from the London records catalogue.
Bobby Ken and David are currently performing a variety of acoustic gigs as a three piece and as a full six piece line up augmented by Campbell Owens (Aztec Camera) on Bass
Douglas MacIntyre (Love and Money/Creeping Bent Organisation) on Guitar and Mick Slaven (Bourgie Bourgie,Paul Quinn, Del Amitri) on lead Guitar.
The Bluebells – Anyone Could Be a Buzzcock (Official Video) – YouTube
Tom McGuire & the Brassholes are a funk soul powerhouse from Glasgow.
Combining rich arrangements with meticulous songcraft and untouchable in live
performance, the band is carving a niche of their own. Following the success of their
2019 debut album, the group is ready to enter into an exciting 2nd phase.
The band formed busking on the streets of Glasgow and made a living from playing
bars before bursting onto the scene with runaway viral debut single “Ric Flair”. Mere
months later the band launched their debut album with a sellout show at the 1000+
capacity QMU in Glasgow. Since then they have gone on to secure support slots for
Craig Charles and Geroge Clinton, have become a firm favourite on the festival
circuit, headlining a number of scottish festivals, and have toured extensively in the
U.K and Europe.
The band’s music is full of vitality, the sound of a new niche being cut, classic pop
sensibility with high musicianship values and rewarding arrangement and rich
production. At the root is soulfull song, telling stories and sharing experiences of joy,
turmoil, loss, celebration, sadness, happiness, confidence, frailty. All told hyper
distilled and delivered in finely honed funk pop parcels of aesthetic joy. Life is
confusing and hard, but music is fun and great, so let’s talk about it whilst at one and
the same time, getting down.
Press Quotes:
“Every time, they absolutely blow your face off, funk to the ceiling”
Phoebe Inglis-Holmes, BBC radio Scotland, Introducing Show.
“One of the most entertaining live acts in the country right now”
Snack Mag
“Love this! Thanks for the respect, WOO!”
Actual Ric Flair
“Just love their sound, great energy!”
Seonaid Aitken, BBC Radio Scotland, Jazz Nights
“the virtuoso and natural aptitude of classical composers like Bach, the
creative flair of those such as Charlie Parker, the voice of Luther Vandross
and the downright feel goodness of funk”
“oooooozes with palpable fervour”
Discoverymusic
“A funk driven collective making some sounds that create SUCH a groove”
Jim Gellatly, Amazing Radio
“Ric Flair” Music Video:
&rv=wEfk5397ZE0
“Super Solid Soul Vehicle” Music Video:
“Oh Savanna” Music Video:
The Joy Hotel is not so much a band as an experience. The Glasgow 7 piece – Emme, Luke, Juan, Jenny, Scott, Jack & Jack – bring a rolling musical thunder of influences to record and stage that may sound unknown and simultaneously familiar, and impossible to pin down. The call and response vocal exchanges between Luke and Emme and the layered harmonies that evoke Laurel Canyon are at the centre of The Joy Hotel’s sound with a swirl of guitar, keys, singing bass lines and Scotty’s accomplished triangle playing making sure there is something new to discover in every song.
One of the most respected voices of their genre, Indie Trad band Dlù are a trad fusion band from Glasgow. Comprising of Moilidh NicGriogair, Zach Ronan, Aidan Spiers, Andrew Grossart, and Seoras Chlad, their eclectic musical backgrounds influence their original melodies and arrangements, giving the band their own distinctive sound.
Their name derives from the Gaelic word ‘dlùth’, meaning tight-knit and close, a tribute not only to the friendship between members but also to the band’s origins which lie in the Glasgow Gaelic School.
DLÙ released their debut album ‘Moch’ in February 2022 at the Òran Mòr, Glasgow, earning international radio plays and reviews. Following this success, Dlù’s new album ‘Close To’ was released in June 2024, further showcasing their distinctive sound and commitment to Gaelic culture.
As Gaelic speakers, DLÙ feel passionately about keeping their culture alive by writing music that appeals not only to members of the Gaelic speaking community but to those who have never heard Scottish Traditional music before.
At the Barrier – “Glasgow’s Gaelic prodigies take a further giant step forward, taking trad into territories new, snapping at the heels of the established hierarchies.”
THE SCOTSMAN – “Scots Gaelic culture in folk music is already strong, but DLÙ represent a new generation”
☆☆☆☆ RnR Mag – “An impressive debut from a band that seem destined to become major contributors to the evolution of Gaelic music.”
Folk Radio, UK – “It may only be February, but with MOCH, DLÙ might already be strong contenders for one of the debut albums of the year…”
https://www.instagram.com/dluband
Samba Sene & Diwan
Led by charismatic Senegalese singer Samba Sene, Diwan is a diverse international collection of musicians, who share a global outlook and love of West African rhythms.
Exuberant fusion of funky mbalax/Afrobeat grooves, with undercurrents of ska and reggae; original songs with impassioned vocals, infectious guitar licks and irresistible dance grooves.
Samba Sene was born in Dakar, Senegal, and moved to Scotland in 2000, where he settled in Edinburgh. A charismatic singer, his style is strongly influenced by a wide range of music, from traditional to funk, rock and ska. His influences include former mentor Baaba Maal, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Alpha Blondy and Aswad. Original songs cover a range of subjects including love, equal rights and outright celebration. Uplifting and upbeat.
The current core line-up is Samba Sene with Akin Fatunmbi (elec guitar, mandolin),
Ramcise (elec guitar) Chaz (bass guitar), Moustapha (percussion) and Mike Cameron (drums, percussion), with various guest percussionists, singers and musicians joining the family from time to time. Samba is currently working on a new album, exploring the connections between his traditional Senegalese roots and those of his adopted Scottish homeland.
The band has been featured in session on BBC Radio 3 (World on 3) and BBC Radio Scotland, including MaryAnn Kennedy’s Global Gathering and The Festival Café. Samba was a contributor to a commissioned collaboration with Maeve Mackinnon on The Exiles project exploring the theme of exile/migrants in Gaelic and Wolof (BBC Radio Scotland). He has also performed at the Scottish Parliament and for Prince Charles at Dancebase.
Memorable gigs include opening for Angelique Kidjo at Celtic Connections (2024), and previous regular appearances at Celtic Connections, a headline slot at Exhibition Roadshow (London) and appearances at Wickerman, Wizard and Knockengorroch Festivals. He has supported artists including Youssou N’Dour, Vieux Farka Toure and Amadou & Mariam.
Guest performances include singing with Orchestra Baobab at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket and with Baaba Maal’s band at the Celtic Connections Club.
In recent years Samba has been instrumental in setting up Afrifest (in partnership with creative producers Wezi Mhura and Morag Neil), a festival format showcase for pan African arts.
Press exuberant, richly layered… ★★★★ The Scotsman
top quality world music… complex yet accessible… ★★★★★ Edinburgh Spotlight
an asset to the Scottish scene… catch him live if you can… ★★★★ The List (Jan Fairley)
Hot ticket – London Evening Standard
Links
Website www.sambasene.com
Link to The Exile (with Maeve Mackinnon): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mkztx
Link to Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/samba-sene-and-diwan
New song – Barsa Wala Barsakh (Nov 2023) – https://on.soundcloud.com/oYC2p
Link to Youtube (Yonambi) https://youtu.be/vLRDyh8k9Dk?si=-QvscZopWdxleZii
CONTACT: Morag Neil Email [email protected] Tel +44 7712880965
Cathal Murphy
Live Show Reviews:
“Oozing jazz, funk, soul – I saw him play a couple of weeks ago
in Belfast and he killed it… and yes, his voice is that good in real life”
– BBC RADIO 1
“the effervescence of a Cathal Murphy live sho
– CLASH Magazine
“He definitely takes easy listening to another leve
“Best of the Best”
“Artist of the Week”
“Track of the Week”
– BBC RADIO SCOTLAND
“An incredibly talented irish artist…his guitar skills are out of
this world. When he got up on the stage guys… wow.”
– RTE 2FM
Featuring across BBC Radio 1 as ‘Tip of the Week’ and BBC Radio Scotland as ‘Artist of
the Week’, ‘Track of the Week’ and ‘Best of the Best’ Cathal is one to watch.
Having toured the U.K, Germany and Switzerland extensively and released music/toured
with the likes of Ariel Posen and London’s own Charlie Stacey, he blends guitar-centric
funk with new wave jazz and soul.
Cathal’s music has been featured on the likes of Amazon Prime Film Soundtracks,
AerLingus adverts, Spotify Editorial Playlisting and across national and international TV
with live performances from BBC Northern Ireland to ABC News in the states.
PRESS PHOTOS:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/tvywek5fq7s5yasli3iit/AD67gvOvwp28_KDOBwxWXK0?rlkey=fgcwfszhi133w1l4om5ztv4i0&st=zrreh70w&dl=0
Biography:
Pippa Blundell is a Glasgow grown songstress. Her lyrics are prominent and raw whilst her gentle accompanying guitar and layered vocal harmony wraps you in a blanket and hugs you. Her sound is influenced by her classical vocal roots, by the storytelling of folk artists and by contemporary urban tales and ambient sounds, culminating in a modern, hushed and intense experience that soothes yet soars.
Pippa graduated from the Royal conservatoire of Scotland in 2022 with a degree in Mezzo-Soprano voice, initially aspiring to be an Opera singer her passions naturally led her to song-writing and composition. She found her true belonging in the pubs, clubs and venues of Glasgow’s thriving contemporary music scene. Her debut EP, “Sisters,” was launched in September 2023 as a set of four stripped back and reflective tracks. Pippa writes, “Sisters is about my constant journey of understanding what womanhood means to me. It’s an interrogation of the women in my life, and the intricacies of being a young woman in her early 20s. It’s about how my mother raised me, how she upset me, how she loved me. It’s about friendship, understanding love, and being a woman in love. It’s an ode to the messy, and the beautiful. It’s about sisters.” In May 2024 Pippa she released her single “That’s Fine”, a love letter and reflection of her home city of Glasgow, about how the people of Glasgow support each other through struggle with humour, community and togetherness. She recently collaborated with new Scottish producer ROKI on a remix of her track ‘reason’ from the debut EP. Fusing new wave bass electronica with lyrical alternative folk.
Pippa was one of the 5 nominated artists for the Sound of Young Scotland in the 2023 and 2024 Scottish Album of the Year awards and listed as an exciting upcoming act in 2024 by The List magazine. Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway named her as a Top 25 Artist to watch in 2024. Pippa toured as the solo support act for the Glaswegian jazz collective Corto Alto on their 2023 UK tour of their Mercury Prize nominated album ‘Bad With Names’. Pippa now works with a four piece band and they have performed two sold out headline shows in Glasgow at the Rumshack and Stereo. Pippa is also vocalist in the Glasgow African Balafon Orchestra (GABO) and has worked as a session vocalist in various projects including ‘Irini Arabatzi’, ‘Tom Maguire and the Brassholes’ and ‘Terra Kin’.
Curiosity Shop is an alt-folk group from Edinburgh, with a unique and recognisable sound blending folk, jazz and indie influences with elements of the enduring musical traditions of Scotland. Rooted in storytelling, their songs explore imagery, often concerned with animals in the harmony of nature, as they are people at odds with city life. Their sound has been described as lush, ornate and steeped in emotion, crafted into memorable and distinctive tunes that are bound to stick with you.
At the heart of their music is the songwriting duo Ru Wallace and Sonny Scott, from Kintyre. The pair spent their teenage years writing songs together and developing a strong musical bond, while also cultivating their own distinct songwriting voices. After moving to Edinburgh to study music, they formed friendships with drummer Duncan Biggar, bassist Louis Taige and Yann McAuley – a versatile instrumentalist, whose talents span accordion, flute, keys and harmonium.
Since forming in early 2024, Curiosity Shop has built a growing reputation with standout performances at venues like Sneaky Pete’s, Summerhall, and the Pianodrome. Highlights include a busy turnout for their set at Tenement Trail 2024 and an intimate yet energetic appearance at Crowded Pub, organised by Scotland’s tastemaker promoter, Crowded Flat.
12-piece powerhouse Agbeko are inspired by the lineage of Afrobeat from Fela Kuti to Antibalas via modern-day psychedelia of The Heliocentrics, writing their own chapter combining Ethio-jazz, Protest Song and avant-rock. Channelled through an onslaught of horns, driven grooves, moving lyrics and cathartic soloing, “the spectacular chemistry shared by this large band is electric and emotive” (Songlines 2024). They represented hometown Manchester at WOMEX 2024’s opening concert. Agbeko consistently perform major UK festivals including Green Man, Blue Dot, Boomtown and Manchester Jazz Festival, as well as in France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta.
The Girobabies are a huge part of the thriving post punk scene in Glasgow , Scotland. They create their
own brand of baffling ned punk with a pinch of psychedelic utopian stardust and a hefty dollop of gutter-
rock dystopian grit.
The band released their debut album on vinyl ‘Who Took Utopia?’ to critical acclaim. This was a self-
produced and self-released follow up to previous mini LPs ‘Bus Stop Apocalypse’ & ‘Social Not Working’
where the Girobabies used an indie/grunge, almost punk, backbeat to deliver pertinent political/social
observations akin to the likes of the Sleaford Mods, The Streets & The Fall while retaining an upbeat
party vibe perfect for festivals . Comparisons also have included the likes of Fontaines DC, Kneecap
and The Beta Band.
Festivals are their natural habitat having played the likes of Boomtown, Bearded Theory, Kelburn
Garden Party, Wickerman, Lindisfarne, Eden Festival and many more over the years including
running their own small festivals and stages at larger ones across the UK.
They launched their last album at a sold out Glasgow Barrowlands which gained them regular plays
on 6 Music, a 9/10 rating on Louder Than War, and a live session on national television as well as
having their music featured on Sky Sports Soccer A.M .
Some respected musicians over the years have supported their vision in the shape of Paolo Nutini, Paul
Heaton (Beautiful South) , Steve Mason (Beta Band) and The Alabama 3 who called them ‘The Best
Rock n Roll band in Scotland ‘ .
Girobabies will be releasing their new album ‘Dreams Are Mental’ on March 29th 2025 which follows up
from recent singles ‘Landfill Culture’ and ‘Steal My Sleep’
Find the band on all their socials by clicking here: http://linktr.ee/YCTR
Find the dropbox link with recent singles, unreleased tracks from the forthcoming album and press
photos etc by clicking here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/g9e6mqmatcst1pv83taup/AOltzRgFPTvYn1c-ykAK-SY?
rlkey=0krubm5mds49hev19eckp9d37&st=5gzx54ck&dl=0
(press clippings and youtube videos below)
‘They tell it the way it is, the way it was and more importantly they tell it the way it’s going to be. long live
The Girobabies!’
Paul Heaton
‘the Girobabies mean something and stand for something. They are not just popping their heads above
the castle wall
they are standing on it with a mega phone screaming “C’mon ya bass”. A rare band who owe nothing to
anybody`
Steve Mason (The Beta Band)
“Dub-funk meets grunge-punk in Glaswegian psychotherapy clinic waiting room” Music that’s difficult to
pigeonhole is often the best and with Who Took Utopia?, The Girobabies have birthed a gem
9/10 ‘
Louder than War
‘The Best rock n roll band in Scotland’
Rev D Wayne Love, The Alabama 3
‘Planet Fort Knox’ : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Aw6hXNqK3Q
‘Equinox’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgddBxYgxoY
‘Whose Talking Utopia?’ short Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCMtXxsqoTs
‘Ramp up the Theatre’ (Live from STV) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqExbts2pII
Live from the Barrowlands (Full set) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSu5_ljAn8E&t=
A female fronted, energetic, genre defying four piece who have been making waves playing live around Scotland and the wider UK festival scene since getting together in 2023. In a recent review with Reservoir Droogs they were described as “art and music being smashed together in the Hadron Collider – the resulting energy unleashed could be our energy solution for the future.” They collaborated with She Drew The Gun, supported Mickey 9s on their Scottish tour and have now released their debut single ‘Don’t Look Away’ which has achieved national and international airplay. They are working to release an EP early 2025 and look forward to another busy UK festival season, as well as working to take their powerful and expressive performances further afield.
Past Line-ups
