ENCOMPASSING fast rising homegrown artists and hotly-tipped acts from further afield, Tenement Trail has long been renowned as an event which shines a light on the talent that is primed to excel over the course of the near future. Undoubtedly one of our most stacked line-ups to date and one which also features acts ranging from The Temperance Movement, Catholic Action and Clean Cut Kid to Mercury Prize nominees The Big Moon, here’s our handy rundown of the latest batch of announcements and everything you need to know to fall in love with them.
VIVA ZE BOOL
Their identities may be shrouded in mystery but Dundee-based newcomers Viva Ze Bool certainly made a glistening first impression with the release of their debut single ‘Glamorous’ last month.
Brimming with vibrant synths, upbeat vocals and a highly addictive chorus, the dazzling track was enough to make us want to hear a lot more from the elusive outfit. Set to mark the birth of an exciting new talent, their appearance at Tenement Trail will be their first ever live show and we suggest you get involved at the very start of what is sure to be a very intriguing journey for the outfit.
JW RIDLEY
JW Ridley seized our attention at the start of the year with the release of his highly ambitious and immersive debut single ‘Everything (Deathless)’. Having paired up with Dan Carey’s Speedy Wunderground label, the talented artist is entirely unique in his ability to blend elements of chugging electro-pop with moody guitar lines to conjure incredible soundscapes that are both lulling and stirring in equal measure. Blessed with an innate ability for songcraft, it comes as no surprise that he has been tipped for a bright future ahead.
APACHE SUN
Glasgow band Apache Sun pay homage to the psychedelic minds of the 70s alongside retro revivalists such as Tame Impala and Temples to create a sound that is both darkly alluring and highly immersive. Emerging from the murky depths of Glasgow’s underground scene, there is an underlying menace that runs through their bold and enticing compositions that is sure to unleash itself with thrilling results at Tenement Trail.
THE OLD PINK HOUSE
Brimming with youthful vigour, infectious melodies and glistening synths, The Old Pink House have enjoyed the kind of rapid ascent over the last 12 months that would make any band envious. Having ticked off support slots with the likes of Let’s Eat Grandma, The Amazons, The Sherlocks and Manic Street Preachers, the four-piece have come a long way since starting off as a bedroom project crafted by frontman Christopher Brown. With an ability to transcend genres, fusing hip-hop beats and tinges of psychedelia with a sharp pop sensibility, the band’s high energy show is sure to make a big impact at this year’s Trail.
SAM FENDER
With support already stemming from Radio 1 and the likes of Jo Whiley, Sam Fender’s future is seemingly laid out for him. His two singles ‘Play God’ and ‘Greasy Spoon’ only offer a glimpse into the singer-songwriter’s massive potential and impressive catalogue of emotionally charged material. With a virtue for storytelling and a sharp social awareness, Fender delivers his powerfully soulful vocals over a backdrop of hard-hitting indie in a way that is reminiscent of Hozier.
RETRO VIDEO CLUB
After bursting onto the scene a couple of years ago, Edinburgh outfit Retro Video Club have spent recent months working away in the studio; and Tenement Trail could be one of the first opportunities to hear the fruits of their labour. Taking influence from jangly indie-rock outfits of the noughties, the band deliver heartfelt lyrics, foot-stomping rhythms and catchy songwriting in a high energy live show.
CARO
One of the brightest talents to recently emerge from Leeds, Caro are the purveyors of carefully crafted art-pop that is both strikingly peculiar and deeply nuanced in execution. Reminiscent of fellow Leeds outfit Alt-J when they first burst onto the screen, it is Caro’s attention to detail that effectively sets them apart. Tracks such as ‘Closet Lunatic’ and ‘Cold Comfort’ display a skilful manipulation of sonic dynamics that sees them flick from slow and considered to itchily infectious in a matter of seconds.
DECLAN WELSH & THE DECADENT WEST
Known for his insightful, straight-talking lyrics and immediately gripping indie rock, Declan Welsh has continued to expand his musical horizons and launched himself into every new experience that’s been presented in recent years. Rising to the forefront of the nation’s musical scene at a time in which a social malaise has fallen upon all too many, recent offerings such as ‘No Pasaran’ and ‘Mirrors’ have reaffirmed his position and he’s sure to deliver a frenetic and poignant set at this year’s Tenement Trail.
THE NINTH WAVE
‘Reformation’ is an apt title for Glasgow post-punk outfit The Ninth Wave’s recent single as this is a band who’ve dispensed with the past and forged ahead in a bold new direction. In spite of the fact that their material was already turning heads at every stop along the way, this highly inventive collective set their formative years ablaze in favour of heading off in a gripping new direction. For those who’ve caught the band’s live set in the past, be sure to make your way to their set at TT17 in order to see a band that are truly flourishing in their most complete configuration. To those who aren’t acquainted with the group as of yet, it’s imperative that you find yourself immersed in their dense, stark and yet hopeful material.
