Surfacing: EAT [New Band]

Words: Saam Das // Artwork: Cody Sowerby

Another day, another band keeping their cards tightly close to their chest. I don't approve but so be it, EAT, so be it. I suspect they're Northerners based on their propensity to include Northern geographical areas in their song titles and their work with James Hall, a Newcastle-based producer. Listen to 'Byker Lime Slicer' and 'Byker Drone' below.

Surfacing: APOLOGIES [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

We wrote about Newcastle-based outfit Let's Buy Happiness a number of times over the years, including them as one of our tips for 2011 no less. Unfortunately, things didn't ever quite come together neatly for the band, and they called it a day in 2014. APOLOGIES sees two of their entourage making new music, and take in the trio's debut track below.

Festival Review: Bushstock 2012

Bushstock (Shepherd's Bush, 2 June '12) // Words: Saam Das & Raman K

Last Saturday, one side of London saw annual hipster extravaganza Field Day, while the other end of London saw annual multi-venue folk extravaganza Bushstock. It was double trouble in another sense as we took two writers to the latter festival, boldly going where no FG writer had gone before. Our adventure is recanted in full below.

The Great Escape: 2011 Festival Review

Words: Saam Das

Last week, I descended upon Brighton for The Great Escape, "Europe's leading festival for new music" and sort of the UK version of SXSW. For once, this review is not late out of laziness but designed to tie in with my scheduled appearance on Now Playing, a new BBC 6Music show, where I'll be chatting about three of my favourite bands of the festival tonight. Or you can read about those three and more below.

Camden Crawl: Sunday 1 May 2011 [Review]

Words: Saam Das

Day 2 of my 2011 Gaymers Camden Crawl experience. Day 1 went pretty well and I managed to catch eight or so bands that I'd never seen before in amongst some minor japery. I was determined on Day 2 to go one step further and check out even more new bands. I'm pleased to report that I managed that feat.