TIPS FOR 2014: PART TWO

11. THE HYPE THEORY

Over the years I've struggled to enjoy female-fronted bands (apart from the obvious), however 2013 provided me with some bands that are certainly changing the way I feel about lady vocalists. The Hype Theory are one of those bands that have really stood out for me and have matured with their music and are sure to be taking over many rock Festivals this summer.


For Fans Of: Tonight Alive, Mallory Knox, The First


12. GUNNING FOR TAMAR

Okay so the image above is a little incorrect, as they are now a three-piece. After a line-up change towards the end of the year the Gunning for Tamar fellas have been working hard to perfect their sound in order to move forward with the band, and I for one am very excited to see them take on 2014 and create quite a racket.


For Fans Of: Biffy Clyro, Twin Atlantic, Arcane Roots

13. JIM LOCKEY AND THE SOLEMN SUN

Some of the nicest Gentleman in rock, I can tell you that much. Local heroes in their hometown of Cheltenham, 2014 will be the year they tour the UK and travel the World with their infectious melodies and Festival anthems.


For Fans Of: The Xcerts, Frank Turner, We Are The Ocean


14. THE RATELLS

Though to some, they will be a name unknown. The Ratells have had an incredible year, selling out 90% of their UK headline shows and appreciating every single one of their fans for the support, they're blend of warm-hearted indie with a big voice is what appeals to so many. Expect these guys to appear on big support slots and stages over the next 12 months.


For Fans Of: Propellers, Young Kato, Coasts


15. MOOSE BLOOD

Moose Blood, Moose Blood, Moose Blood. Oh how I love you so. The lyrics make you go weak at the knees and they are swiftly becoming the fresh-faces of UK punk music with a sweeter soul. There's no fancy stage shows or mystery behind them, they just love what they do and they do it well.


For Fans Of: Jimmy Eat World, Gnarwolves, Brand New

16. WE THE WILD

Since the demise of Futures in 2012, these two have been busy boys working away on their new music. Their EP 'Vol. 1' is one of my favourites of the year and their clean indie/electro/pop/whatever you want to call it sound has got me pressing the repeat button frequently.


For Fans Of: Bombay Bicycle Club, Bastille, Foster The People

17. FORT HOPE

Fort Hope are proof of why you should always check out support acts. I discovered them whilst at London's KOKO to see Jimmy Eat World and they put on such a good performance that as soon as I was home, I looked them up. Vocalist Jon Gaskin has a mind-blowingly good voice and their songs hit you with a full-force that will only leave a lasting impression.


For Fans Of: Blitz Kids, Hey Vanity, Jimmy Eat World

18. AMBER RUN

Taking on the BBC introducing stage at Reading and Leeds is never an easy task, but Amber Run took it all in their stride. Their music leaves a huge smile on the face and reminds me of various summer adventures. British music at it's finest.


For Fans Of: Two Door Cinema Club, Charlie Simpson, The Rocket Summer

19. CROOKS

Though I don't always fancy angry music as much as I used to and quite frankly the scene is getting a little over-crowded, Crooks are pushing through to prove why they deserve success. The passion oozes out of them in their live shows and they always give their best, whether the crowd big or small. If you want a new band to really get your teeth into, Crooks are for you.


For Fans Of: Mallory Knox, We Are Fiction, Architects

20. SAINT RAYMOND

Otherwise known as Callum (but let's face it, that's not as impressive as calling yourself a Saint), I just can't get enough of this guys voice. The up-beat guitar twangs of single Fall At Your Feet got me hooked straight away. With new EP Young Blood out at the end of January and a brief support slot with Haim, this chappy is going to have a bloody good year, I can feel it.


For Fans Of: Foals, Jamie T, Lewis Watson

TIPS FOR 2014: PART ONE

1. MMX








MMX have been one of my favourite things about 2013. They landed on the scene with a hidden mystery, no big shows or relentless self-promotion, they simply let their music do the talking. Their two EPs, 'Child' and 'Heir' are mesmerising pieces of work that make you sit down and listen. On tour in January, catch them while you can and I promise you, you won't regret it.


For Fans Of: The 1975, Costal Cities, Phoria

2. LAUREL







I first met Laurel when she was 17 and entering a local Portsmouth competition to play at Blissfields Festival. Not long after that, she was picked up by the guiding hands of Turn First Artists (Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding etc) and has a voice to make the hardest of men go weak at the knees. Think Lana Del Ray without the really annoying persona. A lovely girl that makes fantastic music and truly deserves to make it big.



For Fans Of: Ellie Goulding, Lorde, Daughter

3. LONELY THE BRAVE








Lonely The Brave are a band that have made their mark with only a handful of tracks to their name. Latest EP 'Backroads' has received critical acclaim and BBC introducing have swept them up into their palm to play some of the UKs biggest Festivals. With a full-length release on the horizon, 2014 looks set to be their year.


For Fans Of: Arcane Roots, We Are the Ocean, Pure Love

4. ELIZA AND THE BEAR







Support Paramore on their Arena Tour? Yeah, why not. Eliza and the Bear are destined to be the next big indie band in the UK, there's no stylisation, just pure up-beat, catchy anthems that will undoubtedly soundtrack many summer adventures.


For Fans Of: Two Door Cinema Club, Dog Is Dead, Bombay Bicycle Club

5. NATIVES







Natives started off 2013 well, a couple of single releases and Festival/Tour appearances saw them gain more and more fans. Then things all got a bit muddled and the long-awaited album release didn't quite happen. Dedicated to their music, 2014 will be much kinder to the Natives boys and their headline UK tour will certainly re-ignite the excitement for the band.


For Fans Of: Kids In Glass Houses, Blitz Kids, You Me At Six

6. I DIVIDE







Once winners of the Redbull Bedroom Jam, 2013 has seen I Divide's success only grow further. With their new album wrapped and ready to fly out, I'm quite sure that these Exeter lads are going to be making a lot of noise in the coming months.


For Fans Of: Lower Than Atlantis, Straight Lines, The First

7. EMPIRE







Hands up who caught Arcane Roots on tour recently? If so, then you (hopefully) would have made the effort to catch EMPIRE. Frontman Joe Green has a unique vocal that entices you into their music, whilst beefy chords and snappy drums take you on an energetic journey throughout their mini-album 'Where the World Begins'.


For Fans Of: Max Raptor, Arcane Roots, Twin Atlantic

8. AS ELEPHANTS ARE







Having first discovered AEA at Southsea Fest in 2012, I've been hooked by their catchy guitars and quirky charm ever since. They may only have a small handful of tracks available to get your teeth into, but each one is superb and leaves you with a hunger to hear more.


For Fans Of: Clock Opera, Bombay Bicycle Club, The 1975

9. ACRES







Recently signing to Smalltown Records, Acres are one of the best things to come out of Portsmouth. Their live shows are full of sweat and passion, with songs of epic proportions lead by a ferocious vocal.


For Fans Of: Architects, Bury Tomorrow, Being As An Ocean

10. SONS & LOVERS







2013 has seen Sons & Lovers gradually piece together the parts of their puzzle. Selling out their first headline London show, touring with the likes of Ellie Goulding and The National and continuously working on their music. 2014 could be the year that they finish their puzzle and spread out their music for all to see and hear.


For Fans Of: Morain, Futures, Canterbury