Number 25: THUSLove – All Pleasure
I came across their first album ‘Memorial’ researching bands playing at Reading and instantly fell in love. This is good old fashioned indie rock n roll, lead single ‘On The Floor’ would have slotted in nicely alongside The Stokes, The Killers and Interpol during that early noughties rush of quality. Other tracks lean further backwards into classic garage rock grooves. ‘Face to Face’ is just piano in a quieter, simpler moment. With three members identifying as trans I fear that they are forever destined to be more of a cult band than they musically deserve to be. Those of us with open minds and ears will be there enjoying their output.
Number 24: Bring Me the Horizon – Post Human: Nex Gen
There are hints and nods to other bands in the DNA of Bring Me The Horizon. At times there is a waft of My Chemical Romance, a smidge of 30 Seconds to Mars, flashes of this or that thing. What I love about this band is that they are so undeniably of the now. It could be the sound of a band cosplaying but the mix of styles, the production techniques, it feels fresh and future facing… instead of beholden to the past in the manner of so much music. For that reason, they will not be loved by all, plenty of older rock and metal fans are likely to be left scratching their heads over BMTH. For kids coming up on their music they might well be one of the bands of this generation, if going forwards they can survive the loss of keyboardist and production wizard Jordan Fish. The announcement of them as Reading and Leeds headliners next year is the icing on the cake for a massive year for them.
Number 23: Nia Archives – Silence is Loud
One of several artists on this list representing a new trend of DJ producer who can also sing well enough to carry their own tunes. Like Kenya Grace, her live shows are part DJ set, part gig, however Nia is a self confessed jungalist and very much loves her drum and bass. Check out her wonderful Yeah Yeah Yeahs remix ‘Off With Ya Headz’ to understand exactly where she is coming from. ‘Forbidden Feelingz has grabbed the attention but the rest of the album stands up to scrutiny just as well.
Number 22: Kid Kapichi – There Goes the Neighbourhood
Their left leaning political rock and tales of ordinary people have gradually grown a following over three albums and this is the best result to date. ‘Artillery’ bounces in with a heavy, full-bodied sound before ‘Tamagotchi’ deals with a fun early mid-life crisis. ‘Can EU Hear Me’ is probably the best Brexit song to date:
“Cause I don’t wanna live alone on this island
But they put it to a vote and they just kept lying”
When Suggs pops us to lend support in ‘Zombie Nation’ it is the icing on the cake.
Suggs: “Cheer up Jack, it might never happen” Jack: “But what if it already did?” They’ve been cutting and slashing, screwing this country since I was a kid.”
Their live performance at Reading this year was an absolute blast.
Number 21: Kneecap – Fine Art
If Kneecap were not already being taken seriously the fact that Michael Fassbender wanted to appear in a film about them because it offered a high-quality part, and a great story really made it their year. There is always an underlying sense of provocation with them in the tradition of many of the great rap and hip-hop artists, yet they never let that get in the way of having a really good time. Fine Art flies by in 37 minutes of fun. Like the good students of hip-hop history they are they know there must be skits.
I adore ‘3CAG’ as it features Lankum’s Radie Peat on vocals, portrayed in their live set as a kind of celtic deity in animated form. ‘Better Way To Live’ keeps up the strong Irish guests with Fontaines D.C.’s Grian Chatten providing the chorus. The beats are always on point and the rap flow is excellent, be it in English or Irish. If 2024 was undoubtedly musically the year of Ireland then Kneecap were the rowdy gate crashers, bringing the police in tow but leaving somehow having made fans of the officers rather than being arrested.
Reading Indie Life 
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