BY STUART GLOSSOP
Fust is an alternative country band from Durham, North Carolina, led by songwriter Aaron Dowdy. What began as a series of intimate home recordings has grown into a seven-piece ensemble celebrated for its blend of Southern storytelling and indie-rock textures. Their debut Evil Joy introduced a warm, melancholic sound, while Genevieve (2023) earned praise from Pitchfork and Paste for its lyrical depth and raw honesty. In 2024, the band revisited its roots with Songs of the Rail, a sprawling collection of early demos. Their latest release, Big Ugly (2025), produced by Alex Farrar, expands their sonic palette with sweeping guitars and poetic reflections on memory, contradiction, and the search for utopia. With comparisons to Wilco and Hiss Golden Messenger, Fust has carved out a reputation as one of indie-Americana’s most compelling voices — turning small feelings into monumental songs and delivering performances steeped in camaraderie and emotional resonance.
20th January 2026 Brudenell Social Club
The 502s are a Florida-based indie folk band often hailed as “the happiest band on Earth.” Founded in 2015 by songwriter Eddie Isola, the group has built a reputation for their banjo-driven anthems, horn flourishes, and irresistible singalong choruses. With albums like Because We Had To and Could It Get Better Than This, The 502s have carved out a joyful niche in the folk-pop world, blending the communal energy of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros with the rootsy charm of The Avett Brothers. Their viral hit Just A Little While introduced millions to their infectious sound, while their latest release Easy Street (2025) cements their place as one of indie folk’s most uplifting voices. On stage, The 502s transform every show into a celebration — a whirlwind of stomping rhythms, gang vocals, and pure joy. Whether headlining festivals or packing clubs, they invite audiences into their world of unfiltered fun, proving that folk music can be as raucous and radiant as a summer street parade.
25th January 2026 Leeds Beckett Students’ Union
St. Paul and The Broken Bones are a soul powerhouse from Birmingham, Alabama, delivering electrifying performances that fuse gospel-trained vocals with a blistering horn section. Formed in 2012 by vocalist Paul Janeway and bassist Jesse Phillips, the band quickly rose from local clubs to international stages, earning acclaim for their impassioned blend of Southern soul, R&B, and psych-funk. Having shared stages with The Rolling Stones, Lizzo, and Elton John, St. Paul and The Broken Bones have cemented their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in contemporary music — a band that transforms every show into a transcendent, communal experience. 27th January Leeds Irish Centre
Chiara Kilchling & Caravel Chiara Kilchling is a German guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter celebrated for her powerful reinterpretations of classic rock and her emerging original work. Raised in Freiburg with Hungarian roots, she began piano at age four before discovering guitar at eleven, quickly channeling her passion into covers of Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and The Rolling Stones. Kilchling founded her band Caravel, where she blends her love of vintage rock with modern songwriting. With her distinctive double-neck guitar style, emotive vocals, and a growing catalogue of original songs, Chiara Kilchling is carving out a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young rock voices — bridging the timeless energy of classic rock with a fresh, contemporary spirit.
28th January Brudenell Social Club
Orianthi picked up piano at age three and guitar at six, quickly developing into one of the most formidable guitarists of her generation. By 15 she was writing songs and performing with Steve Vai, and at 18 she was invited onstage by Carlos Santana — a moment that helped launch her international career. Her breakthrough came with the 2009 single “According to You”, which charted worldwide. She is perhaps best known as Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist for the ill-fated This Is It tour, a role that cemented her reputation on the global stage. She later toured extensively as the lead guitarist for Alice Cooper, and has performed with icons including Carlos Santana, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera, and Richie Sambora. With millions of records sold and a career that bridges pop stardom and rock virtuosity, Orianthi continues to inspire as one of the most dynamic female guitarists in modern music.
28th January Brudenell Social Club
