STAG AND DAGGER returns to Glasgow this weekend with an exciting line-up full of hot new talent and well-known artists from further afield.
Taking place on Sunday 30th April, the annual Bank Holiday event is set to take over eight venues on Sauchiehall Street this weekend as music fans from all over the country prepare to stumble across their new favourite band in one of Glasgow’s favourite haunts. Known to champion the best new talent from all corners, this year’s line-up features an eclectic mix of electronic gems and good old-fashioned rock & roll in venues including ABC, Nice N Sleazy, Broadcast, Priory, CCA and Art School.
With a a number of established names appearing alongside some of the country’s best emerging talent, TTV has picked out some acts you won’t want to miss.
BABY STRANGE
Long-time TTV favourites Baby Strange return to the ABC stage on Sunday as one of the biggest names on this year’s Stag and Dagger line-up. Following a hugely successful 2016 that saw them release their astonishing debut album Want It Need It in September and headline the Sauchiehall Street venue alongside fellow Glasgow band WHITE, the three-piece have shown no signs of creative stagnation with the recent unveiling of a blistering new track called ‘Motormind’. Set to feature on a new EP titled Extended Play due out in July, it signals another massive step for the band who continue to enthral with every inspired release. Returning to the same venue that they conquered mere months ago, this may spell an exciting opportunity for fans to hear some of the band’s highly anticipated new material.
Set time: ABC 1, 7.15pm
DMA’S
Having headlined the O2 ABC2 stage at last year’s Stag and Dagger, Australian outfit and TTV alumni DMA’s return to the Glasgow festival this weekend to play the venue’s main hall. The three-piece have gained a cult-like following around the UK thanks to comparisons to Britpop icons such as Oasis and Blur and they continue to bask in the glory of their well-received debut album Hill’s End which came out last year. Since then, a cover of Cher’s iconic track ‘Believe’ for an Australian radio station made them internet sensations after it went viral all over the world. Their appearance at Stag And Dagger coincides with a short tour around the UK and Europe, which will include dates in Dundee and Aberdeen.
Set time: ABC 1, 10pm
HMLTD
Widely regarded as one of the most thrilling and subversive acts to emerge from the UK music scene in some time, HMLTD bring their unpredictable and provocative live show to Glasgow this weekend and it should not be missed. Formerly known as Happy Meal Ltd, the multi-national group are battering at the doors of mainstream pop culture by championing bold individualism and daring creativity. With an ambiguous post-punk/glam-rock sound that ranges from deranged to seductively ambient to utterly visceral, they will undoubtedly provide a talking point at this year’s festival.
Set time: Art School Vic Bar, 23:15
ROXY AGOGO
ROXY AGOGO emerges from the shadows once again this weekend to seduce audiences with his angular post-punk and formidable live show. A truly unique prospect in Glasgow’s music scene, the enigmatic artist bowled us over with his two-part study of lust and obsession last year when he unveiled two striking videos titled ‘SUPERCLOSEUPS’ and ‘INFATUATION’. With a new EP under his belt called PREBIRTH, audiences can expect to be drawn into a world that is strange yet deeply compelling at his Stag and Dagger set.
Set time: Art School Vic Bar, 6.30pm
DUTCH UNCLES
One of the more innovative products of Manchester’s fertile music scene, Dutch Uncles put in a buoyant display last month at Saint Luke’s as part of the BBC 6 Music Festival. Boasting a captivating and eccentric frontman in Duncan Wallis, the outfit have a wealth of meticulously crafted art-pop tunes to pull from when they return to the city this weekend. Idiosyncratic yet completely infectious, they will no doubt make a striking impression.
Set time: Art School Assembly Hall, 9pm
CHILDHOOD
Fans have been waiting patiently for new material from Childhood since they released their acclaimed debut album Lacuna back in 2014. The festival will be one of their first live shows in a while and not only will it give fans a chance to become re-acquainted with the immersive dream pop that made such a striking impression a couple of years ago, it will also give us an insight into the forthcoming album.
Set time: Nice N Sleazy, 10pm
THE VEGAN LEATHER
As predicted, The Vegan Leather made a huge impact at their Wide Days showcase last weekend in front of a packed out Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh. The art-pop group return to Glasgow this weekend though to open proceedings at the O2 ABC2 where they will hope to add to their burgeoning reputation with another stellar display. A band who seem to get better with each exhilarating performance, their onstage energy and charisma is second to none and has stood them apart as a hugely exciting prospect in Scotland’s music scene. Expect to be bowled over by hugely infectious tunes such as ‘Shake It’, ‘Holy Ghost’ and ‘This House’.
Set time: O2 ABC2, 5.45pm
SHREDD
TTV were delighted to premiere Shredd’s latest track ‘Cobra’ earlier this month; a song which we described as a sonic assault of thunderous proportions. Building on the fizzing energy, fuzz-laden riffs and loose, carefree attitude of their debut EP, the band have shown massive progression in a short period of time with everything bigger, louder and more aggressive than before. Their chaotic energy and ramshackle appeal is known to transfer into a raucous live show and should not be missed this Sunday.
Set time: Broadcast, 3.30pm
RASCALTON
As one of the most exciting bands to emerge from Glasgow in some time, Rascalton are quite frankly a must-see this weekend. Armed with a ferocious live show and the brazen punk attitudes to match, the band are destined to make a massive impact far beyond their hometown in the future. Fuelled by an irrepressible energy and youthful bravado, TTV were delighted to premiere the band’s fantastic new single ‘This Is It’ earlier this month; a track which pulled no punches in its delivery and clearly exhibited their endless potential. Catch this band in a small venue while you still can.
Set time: Broadcast, 4.30pm
LUCIA
Effortlessly cool and with the tunes to match, LUCIA does pop music the way it should be done. Having recently launched her debut EP Best Boy with a triumphant show at the Berkeley Suite, it seems inevitable that she will continue to take giant strides throughout the rest of 2017 as her thrilling combination of fuzzy riffs, smoky vocals and hook-laden choruses continue to stir a great deal of excitement around the Glasgow music scene and beyond. Having taken the time to hone her craft, it seems that the young star’s upwards trajectory knows no bounds.
Set time: Broadcast, 2.45pm
MARK MCGOWAN
Another product of Glasgow’s fertile music scene, Mark McGowan continues to win hearts with his soulful tones and engaging compositions. He recently popped back up on our radar with the release of new single ‘Hot Coals’; a contemporary fusion of folk and soul that re-affirmed his reputation as one of Glasgow’s most well-loved songwriters. His set could provide a welcome change of pace to a day mainly dedicated to riff-ready rock and electronic music.
Set time: The Priory Bar, 7pm
