This years B Side & Beer Festival is being held at By The Horns Brewery in Salfords / Redhill.
Check out the artists and bands playing the B Side & Beer festival.
ALEX COMAISH
Hailing from the southwest of England (a small village called Hawkesbury Upton to be precise) Alex is a singer-songwriter who seamlessly fuses folk and indie rock inspirations. Drawing from influences like KT Tunstall, Frank Turner, and Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, he employs a loop pedal to craft rich guitar and vocal harmonies.
In 2022, he made a notable debut with his EP, Coming Up for Air, earning airplay on BBC Bristol, and BBC Gloucestershire. Alex has graced stages at prominent venues like 93 Feet East, Camden Assembly, and The Louisiana and Exchange in Bristol, showcasing his ever growing repertoire and stage presence.
More recently he released his latest single, Brother, and made it to the finals of the Good Times Talent show in Yate, for the chance at supporting one of either McFly, Scouting for Girls, Sophie Ellis Bextor, or Jools Holland.
THE RAZORPART
A punk trio from West Sussex in the UK, The Razorpart blend classic punk, mod revival, and infectious pop punk delivering a punchy mix of influences to the stage. Their debut single, “Maggie Rose” is out now. Stay tuned for their upcoming release, “Joey and Johnny.” Catch them live as they embark on an extensive gigging spree across the UK in 2024.
COMING UP ROSES
Hailing from the island nation of Singapore, London-based indie/alt rock band Coming Up Roses forge a sound that is distinctively familiar - yet you can’t quite put your finger on.
Led by singer-bassist Emily Sera, the group has emerged as one of the most promising acts out of Southeast Asia owing to their dynamic live shows and heartfelt lyrical themes. In addition to tours in Taiwan and Indonesia, the band have played festivals such as Canadian Music Week, Fred Perry Subculture and The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions. To date, the band has released 2 EPs, debut effort Waters (2018) and sophomore EP Everything Is (2022).
In April 2024, the quartet released their third self-titled EP, preceded by the release of singles ‘Don’t Let It Break Your Heart’ and ‘Back The Way We Came’.
“Pummelling guitar-driven crescendo” - NME
"A veritable dream-pop explosion, a soaring slice of shoegaze heaven swirling with the ethereal vibes of Slowdive fronted by Dolores O’Riordan" - The VPME
"Chiming guitars, heartstopping indie melodies" - Backseat Mafia
3Times7 are musicians connected through our love of soulful blues music, we live and breathe it, from our travels to the clothes we wear and the people we meet.
Having crafted our talents over years of performing and jamming together, we are now lucky enough to perform all over the world, happiest live on stage or hammering out some dirty rhythm and blues in a dusty garage.
GABRIEL MUMBRAY
At the tender age of 21, Gabriel Mumbray has achieved a comprehensive understanding of the heart-wrenching pull of Blues music. Inspired by the greats including Jeff Buckley and Eric Clapton, the skilled guitarist and singer is ready to imprint his sonic identity on the world.
A quiet observer of his surroundings, Mumbray has developed a complex understanding of the human condition and uses it to compose music that speaks to the quiet-mouthed, loud-minded folk of the world. Unravelling stigmas attached to the Blues as “old-man music” his tender rhythms verbalise what he sometimes can’t and preach heartache, anger and pain in a way only Blues rhythms can, but with the catchy inflection of Pop/Rock vocals. Timelessly beautiful, contemporarily unique.
PROJECT CULTURE
Project Culture are a 4-piece Art Rock band from London, who live up to their name through their blending of various different forms of pop culture in their songs. Just as inspired by books, films, tv and stand-up comedy as they are by music, the band draw from both ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture to create something truly their own. T
hey’ve been praised by BBC Introducing for their “post-punk energy and the sense of urgency in the songwriting”, with Gary Hill being commended for his affinity for “addressing and transforming clichés into original turns of phrase” in his lyrics, deconstructing and re-purposing everything from old idioms to banal self-help phrases in an effort to make something new and cathartic out of them.
Rat
FFION WREN
Ffion Wren is a 22 year-old acoustic pop singer-songwriter from Caerphilly, South Wales. Ffion Wren has been songwriting since she was 12 to help heal family trauma. She draws upon issues that aren’t commonly addressed in society, including the loss of loved ones, family issues, problems within society and mental health.
Ffion Wren studied Business at The University of West England from 2019, where she discovered her love of performing after winning a Singer Songwriter competition.
This led to amazing performance opportunities at venues including Bristol Cathedral and Bristol City Stadium, achieving a music prize upon graduating and the chance to record at 'Real World Studios'. Since moving back to Caerphilly, for 2 years Ffion Wren has been establishing herself within the Welsh music scene, through busking and performing throughout South Wales at venues including Wales Millenium Centre, Clwb Ifor Bach and The Moon. Ffion Wren has been focusing on sharing her musical story through her first release 'Life In My 20s'.
RONAN
17 year old singer songwriter from Norfolk UK
BBC introducing norfolk track of the week 2021
artist of the month Pipebomb Radio NYC 2021
winner One Art One World (music) 2021
3rd place Nottinghamshire's got talent 2022
Best singer One art One world 2022
APeducation young achiever award 2022
Top 3 finalist UTUK online series 7 2022
3rd place Maui waui festival Got Talent 2023
Nominated best original artist SEAA 2023
Nominated best young breakthrough 2023
Nominated best original artist NEA 2023
Winner best young breakthrough SEEA 2024
ZARA SMILE
A 21-year-old alternative folk artist, Zara Smile captures audiences with their honest and raw lyricism, combined with their electric energy on stage, a combination that will make you feel ignited and yet intimately connected with your inner feelings. With inspirations such as Black Country New Road, Laura Marling and Joni Mitchell combined with 2000s emo and Riot Grrrl punk, Smile focuses on telling their story and monologue through enchanting melodies and heart-soaring arrangements, bringing you closely into her world.
SPIRIT OIL
SpiritOil is a two-piece from Surrey (GB) comprising Cameron Day on vocals and bass and James Starkey on drums. Formed in 2023 this young band draws influences from modern rock and post-punk bands to deliver smooth but punchy, aggressive but controlled music.
When writing new material Cameron doesn't constrict himself with genre or instrumentation, allowing for wide experimentation using common tones and themes to maintain continuity. James then adds his own flare on the drums, together breathing life into a new creation.
The duo met at ACM university where they studied different sectors of music, having known of each other during college they formed a close musical bond that led to Cameron recruiting James to perform his songs with him.
RUBY VECTRA
Ruby Vectra is an indie-pop singer-songwriter, creating a space for herself in London’s music scene. Combining her emotive writing style with impactful indie- and alt-pop instrumentals, she is putting words to some of our deepest universal feelings in a new way.
In her debut EP, things she left behind, Ruby reflects on her journey through heartbreak. Shifting between stripped acoustic and full band sound, her tracklist mimics the pendulum of emotions we move through after that break-up. Many fans have reached out with love for silhouette, sitting in the middle of her 5-track EP.
Finding inspiration in artists like Lizzy McAlpine and Gracie Abrams, Ruby puts her heart to the forefront of her work. Such vulnerability has created a strong bond between listeners and herself, leading to a small but sincere audience of true fans.
Her leading track habits was noticed by Jodie Bryant (radio presenter, tastemaker + founder of Discover Live) who went on to say - “I can hear the emotion in the lyrics. The song is very delicate and beautiful. I was hanging on to every line and think there is a really unique stripped back appeal to Ruby’s music. Excited for her future!”
THE KUT
The Kut (PhD) is a British Multi-Instrumentalist. The sophomore album “GRIT” is the musical amalgamation of The Kut journey so far. On record, The Kut leads on vocals & guitar, moonlighting as drummer & bassist on two tracks, alongside her collective of women in music. Its story mirror's The Kut's journey from major label hopes to the soul searching decision of whether to quit music or self-release her album. Digging deep to choose the latter, with the help of crowdfunding the 2018 debut 'Valley of Thorns' released on her Criminal Records label - gaining widespread acclaim as it charted at No.7 in the UK Rock Albums Chart and No. 18 in the Independent Albums Chart.
Punk rock anthem ‘And 1 More…’ is the third single to release from the record and premiered on Kerrang! Radio by Johnny Doom. The album, funded by Arts Council England, includes hit single ‘ANIMO’, which won three awards (UK Songwriting Contest Best Rock Song, Best Music Video & the International Rock Award). debuted at The Kut headline set at Isle of Wight Festival. The Kut has now announced a new single, 'Fun When You're Winning' released for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ahead of UK & Ireland tour dates with High-Voltage rockers, Electric Six.
“The new queen of punk has arrived”
9/10 Vive Le Rock, Bruce Turnbull
“An outstanding album from one of the most exciting current UK artists”
10/10 Power Play, Andy Houghton
MILLIE JANE FRANKS
From an early age, Millie Jane Franks set out to become a performer and professional R'n'B/Soul Singer & Songwriter who backs herself with guitar or piano. Natural ability will only take a talented artist so far, but a strong will and determination has helped push this artist forward. Since graduating from the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey, Millie has continued to drive her development and success by performing all over the United Kingdom
HOLLER
Since the release of Holler’s debut EP, ‘Ever Since I Met You’, the Band has found themselves supporting the likes of Junodream, Coach Party and many more. Culminating more than 250,000 streams the Band was soon rewarded with seeing themselves and ‘Corner Store’ featuring on Spotify’s renowned playlist ‘Fresh Finds’. With their growing fanbase anticipating the announcement of big shows and new music we can truly expect the band to be looking at etching their names into the UK music scene later this year.
PIEN
PIEN IS A DUTCH SINGER-SONGWRITER BASED IN WEST)
LONDON
IN HER MUSIC,
YOU CAN FIND EVERY INCH OF HER SOUL,
SHE'S AN AUTHENTIC PERFORMER WITH OPEN AND HONEST.
SOMETIMES CONFRONTING. LYRICS AND CATCHY MELODIES,
HER MUSIC IS PART OF THE INDIE-POP GENRE, IF YOU LIKE
MAGGIE ROGERS, HAIM OR ASHE, SHE'S YOUR GIRL ;)
ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'LL NOTICE ABOUT HER IS HER
AUTHENTIC PRESENCE. YOU'LL FIND THESE TRAITS IN THE
WAY SHE TALKS. THE WAY SHE DRESSES AND IN THE WAY
SHE PERFORMS HER MUSIC. IT'S A MIXTURE OF RAW,
INTUITIVE MOVEMENTS AND TOTAL SURRENDER TO THE
MOMENT. HER SONGS EMBODY CREATIVITY AND ARTISTRY,
LEAZES
Leazes, a new and emerging presence in the Newcastle music scene, comprises Geordie natives Joe King, Sam Dellow, Brandon Campbell, Ben Sanyang, and James Wake.
Offering a lively and upbeat perspective on
contemporary life from the viewpoint of individuals in their twenties, the band continues to refine its sound with an exciting lineup of songs and live shows scheduled for 2024 and beyond. Leazes has gained considerable recognition following the release of their most recent two singles,
"Little Miss Media" and
"Tuesday."
GHOST & LEVIATHANS
hello world!! my name is matthew, i'm 24 and an i'm an irish raised, london based songwriter/producer/pianist. i write about my friends and how overwhelming the world is. NEW ALBUM 'GEEK TRAGEDY' AVAILABLE 28TH OCTOBER. FIRST SINGLE 'TEARS IN MY MOUTH' COMING 7TH OCTOBER.
"You might not expect high quality electro R&B from a pasty Irish kid, but that’s what ghosts and leviathans has made. The aesthetic might often read more indie electronic than Drake, but the vocal style and rhythms are pure modern, internationally-influenced hip-hop that could co-exist on a Spotify playlist with The 6 God." - Nerdist
"As the song breaks down in the final section into a cacophony of futuristic soundscapes, it suddenly breaks with distortion into black. A tune built in tomorrow, for yesterday." - Find No Enemy, 19 forever
MAPHE
Singer, songwriter, small mammal in a world of reptiles. maphe is a Somerset born pop artist now based in South East London. She enjoys creating a wide range of music, having collaborated on tracks for TV and Film, but is now settling into her own specific brand of lo-fi pop.
Having had her debut single ‘fire’ played on BBC introducing and making it through to the longlist for Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition, maphe has just released her second single "insecure".
BRADLEY THE BUSKER
Bradley the Busker, an independent artist from Devon, UK, honed his craft through years of playing with bands and other artists before taking the solo route. He made a living by busking and performing at local venues and events, building a dedicated audience. His emotive vocals and impressive guitar skills set him apart as a 21st-century troubadour, captivating listeners nationwide.
Bradley's previous demo recordings have already garnered an impressive 20,000 streams and received recognition from Sarah Gosling on BBC Introducing Devon & Cornwall. He has shared stages alongside notable acts like Gaz Brookfield, James Walsh (Starsailor) and Tom Odell at renowned venues including Brighton's Hope & Ruin, Komedia, and Exeter Cavern.
IZZII GRACE
ISAAC NEILSON
Besieged by excess, swimming in doubt, Buxton songwriter Isaac Neilson pieces together states of youthful indulgence with smiling sarcasm - dissecting the culture which surrounds his life through the escapist ignition of Indie Rock bangers.
Exuding swaggering bravado, Isaac has hit a stride of ineffable momentum in 2024, having sold out his first headline tour across the north west, he is now set to storm YNot's Quarry Stage with legendary artists such as Jake Bugg, The Lottery Winners, Frank Turner, and more...
Having gone from the comfort of bedroom production, to thundering festivals with the likes of Jake Bugg, Stereophonics, and The Human League, his works have earned him juicy praise, words and things from tastemakers such as BBC's Dean Jackson, Radio X's John Kennedy, Amazing Radio's Charlie Ashcroft RGM, Right Chord Music, & more.
PIXELSTORM
Energetic electropop from London.
The Pixelstorm has a unique sound: Modern electronica... spiked with retro synth-pop hooks and big vocals, telling original stories of passion, madness, technological armageddon ...
Pixelstorm is evolving and will be releasing a clutch of new music and collabs in 2024 and prioritising live performance: follow on socials to hear new material and news of live gigs in southern England. There are videos on YouTube too... xxx
DAKKA SKANKS
Dakka Skanks are a band seriously committed to bringing hard Reggae, Ska, Dub and Punk rhythms together in a fresh style. The band have a passion and organic togetherness crafted through years of writing and performing with each other. Clara Byrne's mesmerising lead vocals cut through like a wave of emotion, her lyrical integrity straight from the soul, with serious social and political issues explored through dramatic delivery. From hard Steppers to traditional Ska, furious Punk and sprinklings of Soul, Dakka Skanks come with the style and always bring the dance.
It all began when Henry (Drums) and Clara (Vocals) met in university when she performed her rendition of the iconic ‘Ghost Town’. When he heard it, they immediately formed the beginnings of Dakka Skanks. They recruited members along the way until there were 5. Then the adventure begun.
Since their formation in 2016, and with an album and several single and EP releases under their belt, Dakka Skanks have been continuously picking up live shows from promoters across Europe, the first Spanish mini-tour of the Madrid area generated more offers including shows across Germany, France, Belgium and Spain. 2018 brought shows with Madness, Neville Staple, The Skatalites, headline slots across the UK and the rest of Europe and 2019 onwards has seen more extensive European touring, shows with the likes of Bad Manners, The Skints, Dub Pistols, The Toasters, many large festivals and much more!
AQUALINE
Aqualine, hailing from Guildford, is a band comprising Ben on vocals, Patrick on lead guitar, Will on rhythm guitar, Gray on bass, and Sam on drums. Together, they craft an explosive yet melancholic blend of alternative rock, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres such as shoegaze, grunge, hip-hop, and experimental ambience.
Known for translating their recorded sound into electrifying live performances, Aqualine infuses the raw and vibrant elements of their stage presence into their layered studio productions, captivating audiences wherever they take the stage.
The journey of Aqualine accelerated with the debut single 'Looking Dead,' catching the attention of Steve Lamaq on BBC 6, propelling the band forward. Following this, they have released a handful of singles, and as anticipation builds, they've been recording their debut EP - Lurker in Vienna. The EP's singles are now to rolling out over these next few months, promising an immersive sonic experience for their growing fanbase.
The upcoming Lurker EP shows a testament to Aqualine's commitment to pushing musical boundaries. Infused with a variety of styles, it stays true to the band's distinctive sound, skillfully blending multiple genres into a captivating and modern sonic landscape. Lyrically, the EP embarks on a journey through all seven songs, inviting listeners into a realm where diverse influences converge to create a fresh and compelling musical narrative.