This month we highlight a few gigs that may have flown under the radar and two new albums that will almost certainly feature in most “Best Of 2024” lists come the end of the year
Caity Baser is one of the UK’s fastest-rising, unique and in-demand pop acts of today. She is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and pop provocateur with an endearing, larger-than-life personality which has helped forge her huge legion of die-hard fans in such a short space of time. Only 12 months ago Caity was playing in front of 100 people a night and now the highly-acclaimed rising star has announced her biggest tour to date: the ‘Still Learning’ tour, where Baser will perform eleven shows across the UK in support of her upcoming mix-tape of the same name. Maintaining her pledge to her fans during the cost of living crisis, Caity has ensured tickets for the forthcoming Still Learning tour have also been made available at a capped, reduced price for her gig at the O2 Academy Leeds on the 26th March.
2023 was huge for Olivia Dean, it saw the release of her acclaimed debut album Messy, which debuted at number 4 in the UK Official Album Charts and was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize. She recently completed her first headline tour of the US and Canada, which included three nights in New York, two nights in LA and concluded at Corona Capital in Mexico. The Summer saw Olivia play to packed audiences across the UK and beyond, at festivals including Glastonbury (with headliner Elton John singing her praises: “I think she’s a big star … she’s a fabulous singer, she’s beautiful, she’s got that personality that really shines through”) All Points East, Montreux Jazz festival and many more, as well as a sold out outdoor show at Somerset House, which was the fastest selling of the whole series. You can catch Olivia at Leeds University Stylus on 26th April.
Liverpool four-piece Crawlers have announced their eagerly awaited debut album. The album digs deeper into what fans already know and love about Crawlers’ eclectic alt-rock sound and takes on a whole range of challenging topics going on in a young person’s life. Across the record, feelings of loneliness, insecurity and toxic forms of dependence are held up to the light and examined in close context. Rather than forcing themselves in any one sonic direction, they maintained the free-wheeling spirit of 2022’s mix-tape Loud Without Noise, producing a striking debut which cements their status as the UK’s next big crossover alternative act. “The Mess We Seem To Make” is out now.
Another Sky have released their second album Beach Day and it is a corker! The band have spent the last few months teasing with a series of hard-hitting and exciting comeback singles, and are excited to announce that a third album will be here before the end of 2024. With the band’s sophomoric album Beach Day, they open a doorway to the most confident, fully formed and forthright version of Another Sky so far. Lead vocalist Catrin Vincent points out the relationship between anger and freedom on this record. The anger and the fight is real, and it’s everything – but that doesn’t mean it always will be. Hold onto that feeling while it lasts: Another Sky are steadfast and galvanised to make you understand everything that got them here. How they survived. All you have to do is listen.
British singer and songwriter, Becky Hill, is set to grace stages across the UK in October 2024 as she embarks on her biggest headline shows to date with a nationwide arena tour in support of her highly anticipated upcoming second album. With an irrefutable aptitude for writing chart-smashing dance-pop songs and a reputation as a leading force in the UK music scene, Becky Hill is without a doubt one of the UK’s most exceptional talents, having secured two BRIT Awards, eighteen Top 40 singles (including the current hit ‘Disconnect’) and billions of streams. Playing arena shows across the country, this tour will mark an incredible milestone in Becky’s career. The sensational live shows will once again showcase her incredible vocal prowess, captivating stage presence, and her ability to connect with fans in an unparalleled way. Becky plays the First Direct Arena on 16th October.
