At Viva Sounds in November, The Slates from Yorkshire stepped onto a tram one day and onto the stage at Hängmattan the next — and left chaos in their wake. It was the kind of show people talked about afterwards. Viva Sounds became ground zero for the tour one of the UK’s most hyped bands is now embarking on — Debaser on Wednesday, Live at Heart on Thursday, and RIP in Porsgrunn on Saturday — before returning to the scene of the crime at Hängmattan on Friday, September 4th.
Back home in the UK, The Slates are currently part of an exciting wave of young guitar bands making British indie pop something to truly reckon with again. Their latest single, Watch It Burn, immediately received support from Radio X and Apple Music. The band followed it up with a sold-out tour and now have a strong festival summer ahead of them, including appearances at the legendary Isle of Wight, Tramlines, and Y Not? festivals — all backed by the label This Feeling. For a long time, This Feeling has had a unique ability to spot new young British guitar music before it truly breaks through, and The Slates are one of their strongest bets. As Noel Gallagher says: “You can bet your arse you’ll see it at This Feeling first.”
Staf are one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the new wave of Swedish indie music. Blending dark post-punk with emotionally charged indie rock sung in Swedish, their sound carries political undertones and draws influence from Fontaines D.C., Kent, and The Cure. Since forming, Staf have built a strong reputation through two albums, several EPs and singles, and more than 60 live shows across Sweden. Acclaimed by both critics and audiences, the band consistently delivers intense, memorable performances that leave a lasting impression.
On September 4, it's time, come down to Hängmattan and find out why everyone in the UK is talking about The Slates, and why it's time the conversation around Staf gets louder.