GIHE Highlights: Supersonic Festival 2026

Get In Her Ears happily returned to Digbeth in Birmingham and immersed ourselves in the idiosyncratic delights of Supersonic Festival again this year! We were thrilled to be invited back to experience this special Limited Edition event, after having such a great time when we first attended the festival in 2024.

Despite being smaller in scale (spanning two days instead of the usual three), Supersonic 2026 still resolutely championed a plethora of experimental and genre-defying sounds from a multitude of new and established artists. It’s hardwired into the event’s DNA to provide festival-goers with the opportunity to experience an eclectic array of performances, which were delivered by OXN, Prostitute, Milkweed, Thorn Wych, Bong II, Lucifer Sky, Traidora, Feeo, Guttersnipe, Greet, Peiriant, Hang Linton, Amretat, as well as special debut presentations from collectives MMM and Microplastics and a DJ set from GIHE faves, Decolonise Fest!

Alongside the musical programming, as usual, Supersonic offered a host of complimentary workshops and activities, which included keyring making with crafting collective Shelanu, a block-printing protest banner workshop with artist Natasha Taheem, a sound bath session, the return of the infamously difficult Freak Zone Quiz and an opportunity to join and perform with the pop-up Supersonic Choir. The festival also accommodated the curiosities of both attendees and the general public with it’s own unique Marketplace, which we took full advantage of this time around.

We could wax lyrical about the power of Supersonic all day long, but we’ve compressed our thoughts and feelings about the festival into six highlights, which you can read below…

 

The Marketplace is a hub for like-minded creatives

Whether you want to buy a pendant necklace with a real preserved spider-web from The Voodoo Doctor, spend time perusing multiple vinyl collections or indulge in some gothic-inspired cakes and sweet treats, the Supersonic Marketplace was the perfect place to get involved in artistic chats and endeavours. Hosted in the Zellig building, the space also included a special Supersonic flash session at resident tattoo shop House Of Thieves, which also sits next to the excellently named The Goth’s Playground, which was full of wonderfully unusual paraphernalia.

Within the Marketplace, we particularly enjoyed the wares on the Boulderdash stall. Described as purveyors of “stones, drones and noise”, Boulderdash are an independent zine and collective based in Cornwall. They were selling copies of their latest issue, cassette tapes and prints from musicians & artists they’ve worked with, plus, a unique limited edition Boulderdash guitar pedal. We exchanged stickers and stories and recommend that everyone checks them out!

(Photo Credit: Robert Barrett) 

(Photo Credit: Joe Singh)

Traidora are a force to be reckoned with

Joking that they were more accustomed to playing their punk anthems about “being gay” in sweaty pub basements, compared to being on Supersonic’s much larger stage, London-based trans anti-fascist band Traidora brought their riotous rhetoric to this year’s festival. The trio, fronted by Venezuelan-born artist Eva Leblanc and with the marvellous Maeve Westall on drums (itoldyouiwouldeatyou, YAKKIE, Gordian Stimm), Traidora ripped through a setlist that was loaded with righteous anger against ongoing genocide, transphobia and social inequality.

Performing in front of a backdrop of photographs of queer and female pioneers and activists – including LGBTQ trailblazer Marsha P Johnson – Traidora’s set felt like a hardcore homage to the queer and indigenous communities that they have been inspired by and are part of. Eva also took the time to thank everyone at Supersonic for their diligence and the care she and her bandmates had experienced on every level, which reminded her that “human kindness” is alive and well in the alternative music scene.

(Traidora – Photo Credit: Robert Barrett) 

(Traidora – Photo Credit: Joe Singh)

MMM & Milkweed brought the ancient past firmly into the future

With a sound as immense as the stones that they were inspired by, collaborative audio-visual project MMM opened Supersonic with a transcendental performance. Together, multi-instrumentalists Gayle Brogan, Nick Jonah Davis and Elizabeth Still created a unique work with filmmaker Ian Nesbitt, based on their travels to the Isle Of Lewis in Scotland during the rare Lunar Standstill at the ancient Calanais Stones, which occurs every 18.6 years. They documented their response to this natural phenomenon through a cell-tingling mix of thunderous guitars, intense drones, heavy harmonium and intermittent high pitched screams paired with diaphanous vocals. Grounded in ritual, resonance and reverb, MMM pulled back the veil of the past and captivated their audience in the process.

(MMM – Photo Credit: Robert Barrett) 

(MMM – Photo Credit: Joe Singh)

Milkweed also transported Supersonic fans to a bygone era with their acute, alluring storytelling. Reviving ancient folklore narratives and oral histories by weaving them into their experimental “slacker-trad” sounds, the four players sat opposite each other across a table littered with cassette players and wires; sonic vessels which enhanced the intensity of the songs lifted from their 2025 album, Remscéla. Inspired by The Táin saga, which is an aged collection of epic Irish “pre-tales” translated by Thomas Kinsella, the record dives deep into the lore of multiple legendary characters, which Milkweed brought vividly to life throughout their theatrical set. Working together in perfect harmony, they mixed string instrumentation with spoken word, stunningly clear vocals and brittle tape distortion to resurrect the past. It was a performance of mythical proportions, which clearly resonated with the resolutely attentive crowd.

(Milkweed – Photo Credit: Joe Singh)

(Milkweed – Photo Credit: Robert Barrett) 

The Supersonic samosas are legendary (as is the Tea Bar)

Whilst the music line-up for Supersonic Festival is always impressive, the line-up of snacks and drinks at the resident Tea Bar is just as noteworthy. In between pints of Supersonic IPA supplied by Attic Brewery, we indulged in some sustaining cups of tea and finally sampled a Supersonic staple which totally lived up to the hype: the iconic samosas! We were also tempted by the muffins which were as big as our heads and the delightful addition of Bloody Marys on the second day of the festival. Hats off to all the chefs who created these divine treats, they really were a highlight of the weekend.

(Photo Credit: Robert Barrett)

Thorn Wych’s set was a fascinating, noisy spectacle 

With a name that perfectly encapsulates her sound, Lancashire-based musician Thorn Wych performed a truly strange and striking set with her bespoke handmade instruments and pedal board on the first day of Supersonic. Despite experiencing a few sound difficulties, she embraced the chaos and stayed rooted to her cause; sat on the stage with her long hair obscuring her face, switching between an assortment of string instruments, drums and flutes whilst singing in tongues and channelling distortion by twisting the nodules on her pedals with her bare toes. Her performance was primal and instinctive and evoked a powerful sense of pagan folklore ritual. We’ll be thinking about it for many weeks to come.

(Thorn Wych – Photo Credit: Joe Singh)

(Thorn Wych – Photo Credit: Robert Barrett)

On all levels, Supersonic truly commits to the craft…

Whatever that craft may be, one thing is for sure: artists at Supersonic commit themselves 100% to their performances. We strongly believe that even if they were alone in an empty room, they would still be performing with the same tenacity. From the absolutely unhinged riffs and manic beats of mutant-noise-rock duo Guttersnipe, through to the beautiful understated soundscapes of experimental artist Feeo, we witnessed an abundance of wonderful and endearingly weird forms of self-expression across the weekend.

We mentioned this in our 2024 review, so at the risk of sounding like a broken record, we just want to reiterate how much we appreciate the effort, care and dedication that goes into planning a unique event like Supersonic, right down to the amazing festival-inspired nail art that one of the bar staff had! Get In Her Ears are a small DIY community based in London and we value connection and resistance through music, coming together to experience these things in a room with other like-minded people; something that Supersonic achieves on a scale that is deeply inspiring to us. We can’t wait to return to the festival again next year to have our minds blown by another immense array of experimental music (and to eat more samosas…)

(Feeo – Photo Credit: Joe Singh)

(Guttersnipe – Photo Credit: Joe Singh)

(Decolonise DJ set – Photo Credit: Robert Barrett)

(Supersonic IPA & nail art! Photo Credit: Sam Frank Wood)

 

Follow Supersonic Festival via Instagram & their official website

Words: Kate Crudgington

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PLAYLIST: June 2020

At Get In Her Ears, we’re still sharing all the new music we can to help distract you from the day-to-day reality of lockdown life. Our June playlist is filled with some pop gems, alternative electronic sounds, and a healthy dose of indie guitar tunes too. Take some time to scroll through our track choices below, and make sure you hit play on the Spotify playlist at the end of the page.

 

Foxgluvv – ‘Don’t Text Back’
“Whether you’re waiting for a response to a text-argument, flirty messages or receiving news, we can all relate to that feeling in the pit of our stomachs when we’re not quite sure how somebody is going to reply” explains Foxgluvv about her latest single. She’s transformed that feeling in to another funky, bittersweet “hungover pop” tune. The single is also accompanied by a colourful video directed, filmed and edited by Foxgluvv during self-isolation. (Kate Crudgington)

Chinwe – ‘Sin’
East London’s Chinwe’s latest single showcases her rich vocals over gently rolling beat, that leave you mesmerised and wanting more. Speaking on the track, Chinwe states: “Sin is about how one mistake can lead to everything falling apart in a relationship. You both want it to work and would do anything for each another, but no matter how hard you try you still can’t make it right.” (Tash Walker)

Amaroun – ‘Rise’
The fifth in a string of new singles that Amaroun is releasing each month this year, ‘Rise’ flows with shimmering hooks and glitchy beats alongside her rich, emotion-strewn vocals. Continuing the theme of being a queer woman, which has run throughout each of the tracks she’s released this year, it oozes a stirring, effervescent power, juxtaposed with a gritty energy; a truly poignant reflection on rising up against oppression. (Mari Lane)

feeo – ‘Yeti’
“’Yeti’ is an exploration of the multiplicity of the human ‘self’ and its relationship with our concepts of ‘other'”, explains Oxford producer and songwriter feeo. Reared on a combination of Jazz, Folk, Reggae, and the 2002 Ibiza soundtrack, feeo blends elements of each to create her captviating sounds. (KC)

Fears – ‘two_’
A poignant meditation on some of her darkest hours; experimental pop artist Constance Keane – aka Fears – has transformed her struggles with self harm into a gently cathartic offering, specially commissioned for the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival. Fears’ determination and honesty in the face of adversity makes listening to ‘two_’ all the more poignant and necessary. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues explored in the song, please reach out to Mind or other mental health charities. (KC)

Jessica Winter – ‘Chasing Nightmares’
We’ve featured a Jessica Winter track on our last two monthly playlists, and I’m not going to apologise for the repetition. I’ve been playing her debut EP Sad Music on repeat since she released it in May, and this track is definitely one of my favourites. (KC)

A. A. Williams – ‘Melt’
I missed A. A. Williams performance at Southbank Centre just before we went in to lockdown, but I’ve been atoning for it by religiously listening to ‘Melt’ ever since. I was lucky enough to have a Skype chat with her about her upcoming album Forever Blue (soon to be published on GIHE) and her long-haired dachshund Geezer (who you should all immediately follow on Instagram.) (KC)

Bugeye – ‘Blue Fire’
Following their last uplifting single, ‘When The Lights Go Out’, GIHE faves Bugeye have now shared another offering from their upcoming debut album. Raging with Angela Martin’s gritty, sultry vocals and whirring electro hooks, ‘Blue Fire’ is perhaps more disco and less punk than previous releases, but maintains all the colourful pizzazz and magnificent vibrant energy that we’ve come to know and love from the band. A perfect uptempo blast of life that we all need right now. When The Lights Go Out, the debut album from Bugeye is out 10th July via Reckless Yes. (ML)

Madame So – ‘Generation Y’
Bathing in a discordant sea of scuzzy riffs, ‘Generation Y’ builds the tension with a raging sense of urgency. As her Madame So’ vocals ooze a gritty power with a blazing raw emotion, she reflects on how millenials’ youth culture is perceived by older generations, and how this cycle of judgement is snowballing into generations to come. With shades of the frenzied cacophonies of Kim Gordon’s solo material, it’s a soaring slice of immense punk-pop; an impassioned and compelling listen. (ML)

Janelle Monae & Wondaland Records – ‘Hell You Talmbout’
With lyrics consisting of the names of black Americans who have been killed by the police/state, this deeply poignant offering from Janelle Monae with the Wondaland Records collective really needs no introduction. (ML)

Emma Kupa – ‘Nothing At All’
Taken from Emma Kupa’s upcoming debut solo album, lead single ‘Nothing At All’ flows with her distinctive luscious vocals, oozing a subtle gritty raw emotion, alongside twinkling folk-strewn melodies. Filled with a reflective, heartfelt lyrical storytelling, it’s impossible not to become utterly immersed in the song’s subtle passion that shines through amongst its effervescent uptempo musicality. As it builds with shimmering harmonies, the beauty of multiple voices coming together, uniting, creates a truly heartwarming slice of stirring indie-pop. (ML)

Happy Accidents – ‘Grow’
Taken from Happy Accidents’ brand new album Sprawling, ‘Grow’ is lead by Phoebe Cross’ honey-sweet vocals alongside Rich Mandell’s swirling jangling melodies and a heartfelt, gentle emotion. Building with luscious harmonies and the reflective, relatable honesty of the lyricism, it’s perhaps a more mellow, but equally more-ish, offering than some of the band’s uptempo previous releases. (ML)

Seraphina Simone – ‘Cherry’
I don’t think I’ve heard a track of Seraphina Simone’s that I’ve not loved. This is her latest single, dismantling the American dream with her mesmerising vocals and subtle lyrics. Of the track Seraphina says: “‘Cherry’ is the voice in our heads telling us we don’t have enough, telling us to want more, buy more, be richer, be thinner, be prettier, be better than everyone else. It’s that sarky bitch who’s really mean to you and you hate her, but you also kind of want to be her best friend because she’s perfect and you’re a mess. It’s the voice fueled by consumer culture and jealousy and insecurity and myths like the American Dream. It seems harmless enough even though it fucks up the planet and makes us miserable no matter how much we have. Maybe in a weird way, Covid-19 will make us realise we don’t need so much shit to be happy.” (TW)

PELA – ‘South Of’
Electronica always has a solid place on any playlist I contribute to, and South London duo PELA’s latest single is my addition to this one. Reminiscent of early LAMB records, this track with it’s textured beats and piano keys is a new favourite of mine. All the revenue from Bandcamp sales for ‘South Of’ will be split between the Black Lives Matter UK fund and the Justice for Breonna Taylor fund. (TW)

Cafe Spice – ‘She Loves and Leaves’
Manchester based Café Spice return with their first single of 2020 ‘She Loves and Leaves’ via Snide Records. Having crafted a reputation among the country’s key folk tastemakers, the trio hailing from England, Scotland and Ireland now push the boat out into the mellow waters of indie-pop. Starting with a beautifully harmonised acapella introduction, ‘She Loves and Leaves’ is as a gentle as it is heartbreaking. (TW)

GIRLHOOD – ‘The Love I Need’
London duo Girlhood return with banging new single ‘The Love I Need’, out via Team Talk Records. The first taster from their debut album, the first song to be written and the last to be finished, the result is a gospel and blues-tinged explosion of cut and paste joy which Tessa describes as being about how “we’re rooted in our need to communicate, understand and be understood.” I have played this track consistently on repeat since first hearing it, samples mixed with Tessa’s lyrics, nods to 90s neo-soul and a song that just fills you with so much joy – exactly what we all need right now. (TW)

Nijuu – ‘Blue’
Korean DIY dream-pop artist Nijuu has released ‘Blue’ the opener to her upcoming debut EP nijuu in the sea, out independently on June 25th via State51 Conspiracy. This track has all the sounds of a deep sea dream; reverb heavy vocals, electric pianos and sparse drums make for quite the musical bath. Looking forward to hearing more of this water themed ethereal dream pop. (TW)

Nayana Iz – ‘TNT’
‘TNT’ is the latest single from Nayana Iz whose track ‘How We Do’ hit the ground with a force in 2019. Self-proclaimed born in London but made in India, Nayana Iz’s music and spirit is described as an amalgamation of those two cultures. As soon as she could start creating her own music, Nayana knew she wanted to mix the spirit of Indian language and dance (she is currently learning Hindi as well as classical Indian dance) in with the different music she had been raised on, and empower young girls (particularly from her native land) to find their own authentic voice and too express themselves. I am becoming nothing short of obsessed with this artist and cannot wait for the release of her debut EP Smoke + Fly, due on June 26th. (TW)

Sit Down – ‘Told U So’
Taken from their new EP Nice One, Sit Down’s ‘Told U So’ is a perfect example of the Brighton duo’s ability to create magnificent other worlds through their unique and imaginative lyrical prowess. Based around the idea of an opening night at an ornate ballroom, the story of ‘Told U So’ is told from the perspectives of two women, who lure in rich predatory men and proceed to lock them in, trapping them in a show of revenge. As Katie Oldham’s swirling gritty vocals are accompanied by a driving, scuzz-filled energy, a magnificent raging cacophony is created. Read about the meaning behind each track on Nice One, from Katie herself, here. (ML)

Coolgirl – ‘Gaussian Blur’
Coolgirl is the solo project of Bitch Falcon’s guitarist & vocalist Lizzie Fitzpatrick. Self-described as “music and weird shit” she’s experimenting with electronics, and ‘Gaussian Blur’ is an instrumental that twists and turns in ultra cool style. (KC)

 

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