TENEMENT TV will turn four in October and this year will mark the third consecutive Tenement Trail Festival. Created by and for the music fans in Scotland, Tenement Trail is a unique, underground, multi-venue city music festival featuring a mix of fresh, new and exciting bands alongwith those already selling out venues around Scotland.
TTV have been working tirelessly behind the scene looking through countless submissions and wading our way through the mass music on the scene in the UK to create our most exciting line-up yet. And with a strong 14 act first announcement, we’ve unwrapped the first lot of bands set to grace the stages of the 6 venues around Glasgow on Saturday 3rd October 2015.
You can buy tickets for this year’s event at special Early Bird prices via Ticket Web. More bands will be added over the next couple of months so stay tuned for future announcements.
WHITE
The first TT15 headliner announced for this year’s festival are WHITE and they are kind of a big deal. A band worth getting excited about, they’ve only played a handful of shows but are already causing a stir with critics and fans alike. Drawing obvious influence from fellow Scots Franz Ferdinand, WHITE’s tantalising presence is raw, fresh and uncompromising. We’re predicting this is the kind of gig that will be talked about for years to come, is there anything more special than a packed Glasgow venue? We’re not so sure….
Atom Tree
Since winning a slot on the T Break stage in 2014, Atom Tree have had a pretty eventful year. This is a really exciting time for the band and they are soon to release some new material which will come just in time for their slot at this year’s Tenement Trail. The band supported WHITE during their headline show earlier this month, bringing their electro-indie tracks to a impressed crowd. Watch their video for a bit of AT insight below:
Crash Club
Crash Club have managed to master the rare skill of combining electro pop with distorted rock. The Glasgow band were one of this year’s T Break bands playing the T in the Park festival stage on the closing day of the festival and they’ve garnished praise from a host of top acts including The View, Jagwar Ma, and The Sunshine Underground along the way. Taking their inspiration from an eclectic mix of iconic acts including The Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream and Leftfield. We’re expecting great things from this band over the next few months and sure the TT15 performance will be a special one.
Monogram
Now functioning as a full band with the addition of Ben Singer on drums/vocals and multi-instrumentalist Gordon Skene on keys/vocals, Monogram recently released a video for their track ‘ANNO’ which was filmed and produced by Liam Rutherdord. The outrageously catchy electro-pop track is – in their own words – a “big-drum-jangly-guitar’d” piece of music. The band are fresh from playing the BBC Introducing stage at this year’s T in the Park and TT15 will be an opportunity for fans to catch this band as they continue to build their fanbase and live performance which is the special thing about this festival.
Pinact
Distilling the spirit of many of 90’s alt-rock greatest acts whilst injecting a spark of ingenuity that is their very much their own, Pinact are gradually metamorphosing into a force to be reckoned with in the UK music industry. Gaining plaudits from all corners (including TTV) for their superb debut full length Stand Still And Rot, this invigorating two piece will bring their engrossing sound to Tenement Trail’s festival this October. The band were one of the BBC Introducing acts at this year’s T in the Park laying down tracks from their debut to a packed crowd earning their festival stripes ten times over. See you down the front…
Other Humans
Another band to complete the T Break line-up in 2015, Other Humans recorded a special On Location T Break session ahead of the festival – watch below – laying down an acoustic version of their track ‘Valley’. Forming just under one year ago, the band have had a decent amount of success in a short space of time, performing their indie rock tracks with great passion.
Team Player
First dropping their sound to fans at the end of last year, Team Player have played a handful of small dates including a support slot with Vigo Thieves last December in Glasgow’s o2 ABC. The band have trickled recordings via social media introducing us to their fusion of catchy lyrics and melodic riffs. Their track ‘Mauerpark’, is a perfect upbeat fresh track about a romantic trip to Berlin. It’s full of melodic hooks and whirling riffs making for an easy, accessible indie sound. We eagerly anticipate catching these guys live at Tenement Trail almost a year since they appeared on the scene.
Lisa Mitchell
Hailing from Australia, Lisa Mitchell became internationally renowned thanks to the remarkable ‘Neopolitan Dreams’ back in 2008. Releasing a steady stream of equally immersive material since, the critically revered songstress has returned in 2015 with the wistful ‘Wah Ha.’ Recently stopping off at TTV HQ to record an as yet unreleased session during her last European jaunt, she’ll make a triumphant return to Glasgow on the 3rd October to perform at Tenement Trail.
AmatrArt
Possessing an enthralling sound that recalls a wide spectrum of influences ranging from Brian Eno and Aphex Twin to Alt-J and The XX, Amatrart are a truly exciting proposition.
Riding high following the release of their debut EP last year, the band have steadily began to capture the imagination of everyone who’s crossed paths with them; whether it may be online or in all of their splendour in a live setting. Turning in a stellar outing on the T Break stage at this year’s T in the Park, Tenement Trail will see them not only delight those who are already familiar with their intricate melodies and fizzling electronics but enchant a new set of fans.
Be Charlotte
Charlotte Brimner; better known by her moniker Be Charlotte, is a captivating singer/songwriter who’s found herself with a great deal of support and acclaim over a brief period of time. An artist that has delved into a number of different mediums and has courted interest stateside thanks to numerous endeavours, Be Charlotte’s output consists of an enriching mixture of sumptuous vocals, playful rapping and profound lyrics. Playing to a near capacity crowd on the T Break stage this year, she’s sure to go down a treat when she bounds on to the stage at Tenement Trail.
The Van T’s
Drawing influence from all manner of 90’s fare ranging from Sugar and Dinosaur Jr to Hole and Babes In Toyland, The Van T’s have developed an enveloping sound that is the perfect balance between idyllic and visceral. Formed by siblings Chloe and Hannah Van Thompson , their recent performance on the T Break stage saw them draw an excitable crowd that responded enthusiastically to their every movement. Following on from a well received set at King Tuts in conjunction with their ongoing Summer Nights incentive, they’re currently preparing to adjourn to Dundrennan in order to perform at The Wickerman Festival alongside a slew of established names. When the unbridled energy that resonates from latest single ‘Fun Garçon’ is taken to account, it’d be remiss to catch what is sure to be an exhilarating set at Tenement Trail
Declan Welsh
Retrieving inspiration from everything from jangly indie to the most socially aware and confrontational of folk, Declan Welsh’s material is generally centred on his masterful lyrics that are often profound beyond his years. Bellowed in his distinctive drawl, his songs are eclectic in both musicality and subject matter, placing the microscope on the inequity of society as well as often being altogether more lighthearted. With a variety of high profile support slots under his belt, he recently followed up on early promise with the release of his Alright EP; a collection of tracks which traverse a variety of different styles and influences yet remain unmistakably of his own creation.
Aylee
Based in The Highlands, youthful singer/songwriter Aylee is every bit as talented as fellow Scottish synth pop acts such as Apache Darling, CHVRCHES and Prides. With music running in the family due to her father’s involvement in Scottish folk heroes Silly Wizard, Aylee has made tremendous strides forward during her short career; catching the attention of BBC introducing and various other high profile outlets.
Known as a tremendous live performer, be sure to catch her in Glasgow on 3rd October.
NEON WALTZ
Following a summer of festival appearances spanning Britain from Aviemore Stopover to Kendal Calling, including a headline slot on T in the Park’s BBC Introducing stage, Neon Waltz are fast becoming one of Scotland’s most exciting young bands, with the accolade of Caithness’ best already firm within their grasp. The six-piece have crafted a unique niche in the current indie scene, marrying psychedelic organ sounds with unaffected, simple songwriting and the result is pretty special. With a unique style that confidently nods to the influence of the Britpop era as well as bands like The Doors and a deal with the esteemed Atlantic Records, Neon Waltz will be converting more fans in no time.
Man of Moon have come out of nowhere over the last year with an established sound already well and truly theirs. Debut single ‘The Road’ sounds as if Ian Brown has wandered into a Jesus and Mary Chain rehearsal and the results are glorious to hear. Having already supported the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks and The Phantom Band, the Edinburgh two-piece have gained an enormous amount of experience in a very short space of time. Though their sounds are moody and dark, a support-slot with The Twilight Sad on 12th December along with appearances at Electric Fields and, of course, Tenement Trail suggest that the future is very bright for Man of Moon.
HOLY ESQUE
Sounding as if Future Islands and The Cure have collided in a gloriously distorted mangle of fuzzy guitars, growling vocals and pure noise; these Glasgow boys have been around for a fair while, quietly building up a solid reputation as one of Scotland’s most inventive new bands. Holy Esque possess an attractive shroud of mystery to go hand in hand with their phenomenal, gothic sound and with their recently released Submission EP sounding gravelly, driving and raw, their live show is undoubtedly going to be nothing short of mesmerising.
They’ve been bouncing around the forefront of the Scottish indie scene for a while now but Pronto Mama’s sound is still as infectious and endearing as ever. The six-piece produce carefully built pop-rock songs that flit through unexpected progressive instrumental sections and it’s safe to say that they aren’t afraid of getting the trumpets out. Their fantastically distinctive sound, complete with Scottish-twang vocals, is playful but absolutely spot on. These boys will definitely go down very, very well when they take the stage at this year’s Tenement Trail.
Nimmo conclude their UK tour at King Tuts as part of TT 2015 and it’s going to be a very special show. The London electro five-piece are on the brink of big things and their latest track ‘Dilute This’ showcases exactly why. Their synth-driven, bluesy electronica, inspired by the likes of Caribou and Nico Jaar, sounds Jungle-esque in its delivery and it seems that seven years of live shows are finally paying off for a band whose live performances apparently have “too much energy”. Nimmo’s expansive pop is going to sound absolutely huge in King Tuts come October.
You can buy tickets for this year’s event at special Early Bird prices via Ticket Web.
Laura St Jane
Brooding and glamorous, Laura St. Jude has created a unique sound steeped in the influence of bygone eras, her smoky vocals summoning up suggestions of artists varying from Lana Del Rey to Nina Simone. 1940’s and 50’s tinged transatlantic sounds are present throughout her carefully woven, elegant and gloomy soundscapes. On tracks like ‘Yours to Destroy’, St. Jude sounds every inch the dark, contemporary sister to Peggy Lee and it makes for some seriously beguiling listening. Laura St. Jude could really be one of the stand out acts of Tenement Trail 2015.
ULTRAS
Guitar drones, electronic percussive beats and a lot of dissatisfaction are the key elements which seem to drive the ULTRAS sound. Their ethos revolves around the meaning behind their name, “a word used by young people throughout Europe to describe their pride in where they’ve come from, their friends, the way that they celebrate their culture, and their solidarity with one another”. ULTRAS have a lot to say and as frontman Prentice sneers ‘What’s for ye won’t go by ye, they’ll tell you this then pin your arms down’ on ‘The Path to Getting Paid’, it feels like they’re far from finished.
MEDICINE MEN
With a sound that owes as much to the psychedelic tendencies of Kevin Parker as it does The Beatles, Medicine Men sound like The Rolling Stones have decided to really embrace the eighties, especially on track ‘Show What You’re Made Of’. Medicine Men sound completely at ease within their sound and with a summer appearance at this year’s Isle of Wight festival and a sell-out show at King Tuts behind them, they’ll be raring for the Tenement Trail. Just what the doctor ordered.
THE RAVELS
Glasgow rockers The Ravels have something of the Ryan Adams about them and it’s not just the harmonica or the blues piano solos on ‘Always Young’ that conjure up the likeness. With a back catalogue packed with arena-sized, blues-inspired rock songs, their lightly distorted vocals and guitar solos are part of a tried and tested formula but its one The Ravels work with ever so well. Having completed a summer of festival appearances and jaunts down to London things look to be taking off for The Ravels and their rousing brand of anthemic rock is sure to be a massive hit at the TT2015.
HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS
Harry and the Hendersons are a seven-piece Americana-inspired folk band from Glasgow with a nostalgic-psychedelic tinge. On ‘Behind the Curve’ the vocals edge towards Jeff Buckley territory while ‘Nowhere to Go’ has harmonies that The Beatles would be proud of. With those harmonies, gang chanting and a soulful, bluesy approach, Harry and the Hendersons have set themselves apart from the chasing pack with their energetic, enticing take on folk-rock. Definitely a band worth seeing in a small venue while you still can.
TRIBAL HIGH
Having supported the likes of Tijuana Bibles and The Merrylees, Tribal High have created their own take on two of the major components of the contemporary Scottish scene; Indie rock and hip hop. Their guitar driven sound is underpinned by frenetic, pulsing drumming but what really sets Tribal High apart is the fusion of their alt-rock sound with rapped verses and elements of hip hop. Tribal High are set to smash it this October with their very unique sound.
WOMPS
They’ve already shared the stage with genre stalwarts Metz, Cloud Nothings, Paws and Honeyblood and it seems that Glasgow duo WOMPS are making friends in all the right places. Their fuzzy, unrelenting lo-fi indie rock could have been lifted straight out of the 90s and that’s no bad thing. As WOMPS frontman Ewan Grant sings “I want to live a little less” through a glorious vocal distortion, the influence of bands like The Lemonheads and Pixies seems pretty clear. Their sound is one that definitely lends itself to live shows and with choruses to go with the energy, crowds will be dancing in no time.
KELVIN
Making a name for themselves alongside big acts in the Scottish scene Baby Strange and Tijuana Bibles, Kelvin are steadily creeping towards much wider recognition. Their track ‘Punching Bag’ was recently XFM’s track of the day while a sell-out show at King Tuts somewhat bolsters their status as an up and coming band to be taken seriously. Kelvin’s slick rock sound is polished and poppy, think radio-friendly Kings of Leon, and with such succinct and confident song writing this four piece will be picking up fans at will when October comes around.
OUR FUTURE GLORY
Recent single ‘Battleheart’ certainly recognises the band’s admiration for the likes of The Killers and Bloc Party but Our Future Glory’s electro-heavy alt-rock leans, at times, into an almost Prodigy-esque intensity. Synth leads and memorable hooks bolster the band’s sound and with a very well received TBreak performance at this year’s T in the Park behind them, there’s every chance the trio could soon follow Scotland’s electro exports Prides and CHVRCHES into the mainstream consciousness.
THE BAR DOGS
With all the right ingredients required to be a great rock band, The Bar Dogs come out punching with growling vocals, memorable choruses and enough swagger for any stage. You get the feeling that with these boys, they could be Glasgow’s favourite sons in no time. Somewhere in the distance it’s not unimaginable that a T in the Park crowd could soon be screaming “Glasgow Saturday night” back at them through the rain. The Bar Dogs may be one of the lesser known acts at TT 2015 but that’s all set to change in rapid fashion.
EVIL EDISON
Citing influences from Radiohead to the 90s Seattle grunge scene, Evil Edison do carry some of that Pearl Jam rock charm with gruff vocals and thick, distorted guitars. The Glasgow four piece’s heavy rock dynamic plays against a backdrop of wonderful noise and effects which nods to the forefathers of Scottish post-rock Mogwai and with a sound this big Evil Edison’s show is doubtless going to be a pretty intense affair.
THE AMAZONS
Hailing from Reading, The Amazons are fresh from a summer of gigging and writing, including an appearance at their local hometown festival; which just happens to be one of the UK’s most renowned rock festivals! The four-piece have already honed their own Killers-meets-Blur-via-The 1975 brand of anthemic rock ‘n’ roll which doesn’t hold back any on the choruses and now they’re all set to take the UK by storm with a 13-date tour starting late this month before they wind up in Glasgow come October. They’ll have the Glasgow crowd singing and dancing in no time.
VLADIMIR
Dundee boys Vladimir describe their sound as ‘bleak’ but there’s been absolutely nothing melancholic about the past few months for the four-piece; with support slots with The Fall, The Libertines and The View on top of festival appearances and the release of a fantastic new single ‘In My Head’. Their dark, dense and raw take on Alt rock sounds a little like Interpol if the New York based musicians had grown up in Dundee… Vladimir possess a sound that deserves to tumble from stages much bigger than those which they are used to headlining so catch them at TT2015 before there’s a press-pit and a line of bouncers between you and the band!
BLOODLINES
Bloodlines’ take on post-rock sounds like As I Watch You From Afar have reined in the prog and started writing choruses and when they hit their stride they flit confidently between wielding walls of sound that Mogwai would be proud and meandering through angular guitar parts. In the same realm as the likes of Vasa, Bloodlines know what they want to achieve and their recent EP Love the Taste buys wholeheartedly into the expansive, atmospheric ethos of modern post-rock. Interesting and loud, can’t say no to that!
THE PHANTOMS
Broxburn rockers The Phantoms have firmly cemented their position in the Scottish music scene since their formation back in 2012 with appearances alongside Catfish and the Bottlemen and Amber Run to compliment nationwide media coverage and ForthOne radio play. With solid, widescreen rock ‘n’ roll in the vein of bands like Stereophonics and Ocean Colour Scene, The Phantoms come with plenty of swagger and TT2015 will only help the West Lothian boys to convert even more fans.
SINDERINS
Dundee 5-piece Sinderins have been playing all over the country in recent months, trekking from Dunfermline to London and now, to Glasgow! Their progressive-folk inspired sound isn’t dissimilar to Edinburgh stalwarts Broken Records’ early material though the accordions, mandolin and drumming push Sinderins gently towards territory occupied by the likes of gypsy-folk legends Gogol Bordello. Very unique and assured in their sound, Sinderins are sure to put on a mighty live show.
ACRYLIC
Acrylic’s music is jam-packed with personality even though they have chosen a popular path with a sound that calls up Scottish counterparts Model Aeroplanes and Indigo Velvet as well as the influence of bands like Foals. Distinctive vocals from frontman Andreas Christodoulidis summon David Byrne of The Talking Heads and really drive the infectious, poppy sound which Acrylic have mastered. In short, they’re sure to win fans with ease and have you humming their melodies for days!
ACTING STRANGE
Glasgow cousins Ali and Billy Strange have burst on to the Glasgow scene with their rough and ready, ramshackle take on rock ‘n’ roll. The Libertines and The Kinks sound like deeply engrained influences for the duo, with gentle melodies and harmonica over laying bristling acoustic guitars and echoing vocals. It’s a sound laced with nostalgia and familiarity but Acting Strange have absolutely nailed perfect pop song-writing with each track grabbing the imagination assuredly.
THE CALM FIASCO
Indie-rock four piece The Calm Fiasco are no strangers to gigging around Scotland and this year played alongside Kaiser Chiefs and Manic Street Preachers at Belladrum festival. They’ll be sure to put on an absolutely cracking live show in October. With vocals not dissimilar to Glasvegas’ and a back catalogue of brilliant pop-rock songs, surely the Glasgow crowd won’t be anything close to resembling calm by the end of their set!
