GIHE: Ones To Watch 2024

It’s fair to say that 2023 has been a tough one, but if there’s one positive to take away, it’s the immense amount of incredible new music that’s been released, and the hope of even more wonderful offerings from new bands in 2024.

Following our Tracks Of 2023, Albums and EPS of 2023 and Highlights of 2023 features, we’re now sharing our Ones To Watch for 2024 – naming a handful of bands and artists who have impressed us and that we predict will be reaching ears far and wide next year. Have a read of our choices and make sure you give them all a follow to keep track of their achievements over the next twelve months.

Dogviolet
The latest project of London DIY scene queens Naz and Ella, Dogviolet are already fast becoming a staple on any decent female/queer focused line-up in the capital. I had the honour of hosting the band’s first ever gig last summer, and since then they’ve been winning over crowds with their captivating grunge-fuelled post-punk. Returning to play for us this November at a sold out Sebright Arms to support Problem Patterns, it was wonderful to see how they’ve really honed their sound and built in confidence on stage; with their now established line-up of Brodie joining them on bass and Lauren on drums, they exude a subtle spellbinding power and gritty immersive energy, marking them out as truly unique. It’s easy to see why bands like Heartworms, The Wedding Present and folk legend Grace Petrie have been keen to share stages with them lately, and they have some exciting announcements in the pipeline for 2024. I can’t wait. Find out more about Dogviolet here.
(Mari Lane – GIHE Co-Founder)

 

ALT BLK ERA
Watching genre-defying sister duo ALT BLK ERA supporting STRAIGHT GIRL at our GIHE gig at The Shacklewell Arms earlier this year proved to me that the future is bright for alternative music. Taking cues from an eclectic range of artists – Ashnikko, Hacktivist, The Prodigy and Billie Eilish and Nova Twins to name a few – together, teenage siblings Nyrobi and Chaya  blur the boundaries of pop punk, nu-metal, rap and electronic music to form their riotous sounds. By combining jagged electronics, heavy riffs and racing beats with raging lyrics, the pair have created an alternative statement of self autonomy on their debut EP, Freak Show, which perfectly showcases their antagonistic, youthful spirit. They’ll be playing at The Hootananny in Brixton on 6th March, before heading to Download Festival next year. 2024 looks set to be a big year for them, so catch them while you can. Check out our recent interview with ALT BLK ERA here. Find out more about ALT BLK ERA here. (Kate Crudgington – GIHE Co-Founder)

 

Sheherazaad
One of my favourite new discoveries of 2023, Brooklyn based artist Sheherazaad left me completely spellbound with her debut single ‘Mashoor’ (so much so that it was one of my tracks of the year…) Reflecting on her South Asian sonic lineage, it draws on themes of displacement and nostalgia with a contemporary, genre-defying spirit, immersing you in its exquisite rippling allure on first listen. Produced by Arooj Aftab and released via renowned label Erased Tapes, this first offering from Sheherazaad showcases all there is to love about the innovative artist; a creator of intricate beauty, not afraid to share her values about what matters most. And, having already received acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork and The New York Times, I’m quite certain listeners the world over will be falling in love with her unique soundscapes throughout 2024. Find out more about Sheherazaad here.(ML)

House Of Women
2023 was a big year for Hackney-based alt-rock trio House Of Women. The band performed alongside Coach Party and Bedroom High Club at London’s Omeara at the end of the year, and they played knockout sets at All Points East and 2000 Trees festivals in the summer too. Perhaps most impressively though, they self-released their debut EP, People Printing, in November, cementing their status as a band with a compelling sound and truly exciting potential. 2024 looks set to be another big year for Elsa Malazogu (guitar), Poppy Miller (guitar) and Kyla Lanai (vocals, piano) and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next. Check out our recent interview with House Of Women here. Find out more about House Of Women here. (KC)

CHERYM
Since first falling in love with 2021 single ‘Listening To My Head’, I’ve been following Derry band Cherym, addicted to their empowering, nostalgia-tinged punk-pop. And, having been lucky enough to catch them live both here in London and across the pond in Belfast, I’ve become convinced that their perfect blend of uplifting honey-sweet allure and gritty riotous energy is headed for big things… Another band signed to the best of labels, Alcopop! Records, they’ve had an exciting 2023 sharing stages with the likes of The Beths and GIHE faves ARXX, spendin the summer playing festivals such as Truck and Rebellion, and even ventured to Austin for SXSW. Now, with their debut full length album on the way in February, followed by a European tour (including dates supporting Enter Shikari), I have a feeling that my convictions will be proved right; 2024 is going to be a big year for the Northern Irish trio. Find out more about Cherym here. (ML)

Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra
Watching Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra’s vocalist Sarah Deegan perform traditional Celtic song ‘Amhrán na hÉascainne’ (The Song Of The Eel’) at the band’s debut London headline gig for GIHE at The Shacklewell Arms was a cell-altering experience that Mari and I will never forget. Her effortlessly urgent vocals were totally captivating, and alongside her band mates (including the ultra cool Julie from HAVVK), she treated us to a set full of deeply poetic, melancholy shoegaze sounds. I’m grateful to Irish artist Constance Keane aka Fears for introducing me to the Dublin band a few years ago. If you get the chance to see Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra live, please take it. Find out more about Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra here. (KC)

Vyva Melinkolya
Angel Diaz aka Vyva Melinkolya is responsible for some of my favourite music from the past year. She worked alongside Midwife on their collaborative EP, Orbweaving, a moving rumination on healing from, and enduring pain, plus, she released her second album, Unbecoming, which features contributions from Midwife and the inimitable Ethel Cain. Her hazy, heavy shoegaze is perfectly complemented by her magnetic, far-off vocals. Listening to her music is a dreamy, disorientating experience. I’m hoping to catch her live at some point in 2024. Find out more about Vyva Melinkolya here.


Despite our apprehensions about 2024, at least we’re heading into the new year with some fantastic music to accompany it! Massive thanks to all who’ve supported GIHE throughout 2023, it really means the world. And huge thanks to all the amazing bands and artists who’ve soundtracked it, and who will continue to soundtrack 2024!

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LIVE: All Points East, Victoria Park, 25.08.2023

Arriving at Victoria Park to the sound of Le Tigre blasting from the sound system by Goddess, I have a feeling it’s going to be a good day… And I’m not wrong! 

Ensuring we arrive with plenty of time to nab a beer from one of the (very well staffed and efficiently run) bars before Hastings ones to watch HotWax take to the stage, I’m ready for a day of good vibes and fantastic music from predominantly female artists in the East London park. 

Starting bang on time at 3.35pm on the West stage, GIHE faves HotWax kick off their set with the sultry, seething tones of ‘Barbie (Not Yours)’. Looking out at an ever increasing crowd, seemingly consisting of both a large devoted existing fan-base and festival-goers coming across them for the first time, the young trio deliver each immense offering with a truly immersive stage presence – their sparkling, driving energy emanating throughout. As the rich, gravelly vocals of Tallulah flow effortlessly, bassist Lola darts across the stage with a fierce charisma, and drummer Alfie’s pummelling beats pound consistently, and I’m instantly captivated by their visceral power; I can certainly see why they’ve been garnering so much hype over the last few months. Treating us to songs from this year’s EP A Thousand Times, as well as newer songs such as latest single ‘Drop’, HotWax ripple with excitement whilst losing none of their polished-yet-gritty grunge-fuelled sound. “It’s such an honour to be on this stage with so many amazing artists”, Lola gushes at one point, and I can’t help but share their sense of excitement and pride at their recent success – it’s clearly so well-deserved, and I have every confidence that they’ll continuing wowing us with their blistering offerings for a long while yet. Whilst clearly not taking any of it for granted, they ooze a quiet sense of confidence and self assurance that makes it hard not to become utterly engrossed in all they’re creating. Even when they’re told they only have two minutes left, they make every second count; delivering a ferocious rendition of fan-favourite ‘Rip It Out’ to close the set. So, thank you HotWax for kicking off All Points East in style, and thank you to my GIHE team mate Kate for introducing me to this exciting new band… I can’t wait to see and hear more from them very soon!

After a little break with some cajun fries in the sunshine, we make our way to the East stage in time for Nashville’s Be Your Own Pet. Part of their first UK tour in over ten years (and their first time on a festival stage in fifteen), they prove themselves to have lost none of their immense punk-rock energy as front woman Jemima Pearl instantly immerses the crowd in her magnetising charisma, emanating a raw empowering presence throughout. Declaring it a good day – “Trump got arrested and our new album came out” – Pearl leads the way in delivering a gloriously raucous set filled with both classics like ‘Becky‘ and ‘Bicycle, Bicycle‘ and new, but no less exciting, offerings from said album (Mommy). A pretty magnificent return to form from a noughties favourite.

Staying put at the East stage to be spellbound by the beautiful emotion-rich splendour of Angel Olsen, we then head back West to witness the raging ferocity of Amyl and The Sniffers. Having been keen to catch them live for some time now, the Aussie punks exceed expectations. As front woman Amy Taylor’s playful allure and boundless seething energy race throughout each riotous offering, I don’t even mind getting completely soaked to the skin as the heavens open and the crowd – very fittingly – mosh along to ‘Monsoon Rock’. And it doesn’t seem to bother Taylor either – “I had a feeling you’d be getting a bit wet today…”, she jests cheekily, as she continues to swirl around the stage; charming us all with her quirky, effervescent spirit.

After indulging in some tasty vegan macaroni cheese to keep me going, I’m ready to live the dream of seeing total hero Karen O in real life for the first time. And calling the experience dreamy is no exaggeration. The minute the Yeah Yeah Yeahs take to the stage, an all-encompassing majestic splendour takes hold, and I’m left completely under their spell. Whilst they remain refreshingly nostalgic (so many memories of dancing to them at The Pad in Bedford throughout the early noughties), they seem to have mastered staying relevant and truly exciting; creating a live experience like no other. From the surreal, enchanting spectacle of giant eyeballs floating through the crowd, and the band’s refreshing tongue-in-cheek wit throughout (like when O stuffs the mic down her pants), to the heartrending grace and shimmering emotion of ‘Maps’, the “Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ love song” – which O movingly dedicates to the late Sinead O’Connor – it really is the perfect set; a sparkling balance of spine-tingling rippling emotion with fierce, chaotic energy. An experience I’ve been waiting on for twenty years, and won’t be forgetting for another few decades I’m sure.

Whilst The Strokes don’t really fit with our GIHE ethos, what I will say is that I really enjoyed their set. Despite the frustration of not being able to hear everything clearly because of sound issues which were out of the band’s hands, they delivered a fantastic array of favourites, with a joyous energy and slick musicianship. 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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NEW TRACK: Earthlung – ‘Joy¿’

A raucously relatable post punk tune that questions the mundane nature of everyday life, Brighton-based Earthlung have shared their latest single ‘Joy¿’. Full of sardonic spoken-word style vocals, cutting lyrics and distorted riffs, the band search for meaning and relief amidst the mind-numbingly ordinary tasks we undertake in order to keep living our best lives.

Formed of Ebony Grace (vocals & synth), Charles Backer (drums), Folly den Toom (guitar & production) and current bassist Alex Rushmer, Earthlung decided to experiment with their usual 80s-influenced pop sound on their new single. “Although our existing catalogue takes influence mostly from Ambient/Pop, with this track we fully embraced a Post Punk sound,” the band explain. Recorded in the Netherlands at Folly’s Low Road Studios, inspiration for ‘Joy’ sprang from moments of playful ridicule, and evolved into a sound that the band all wanted to embrace. Armed with a distorted riff and a disruptive energy, vocalist Ebony was quick to flesh out lyrics for the track.

“It was a matter of minutes before Ebony started mumbling words (whilst basically rolling on the floor),” the band continue. “She quickly grabbed a pizza box (still warm from the pizza consumed just moments earlier) and a pen, writing out most of the lyrics within minutes. In this moment we encouraged her to make it as cynical as possible. This gave such a clear direction to the track that we all instantly knew we didn’t want to over-complicate things. When we tracked it, the vocals were actually recorded through a harp mic with Ebony inverted hanging off a big leather chair.”

Earthlung channeled the track’s manic, direct energy into an accompanying video, which features vocalist Ebony prowling the streets of Brighton, trying not to choke on an insane amount of cornflakes and rum. The visuals perfectly encapsulate both the cynical and the silly sides of ‘Joy¿’.

Watch the video below.

Follow Earthlung on Spotify, Instagram, Tik Tok & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Ritual Forms – ‘Down’

A brooding, atmospheric soundscape that explores the way our moods fluctuate during uncertain times, Ritual Forms have shared their latest single ‘Down’. Lifted from their upcoming debut album, Nighttime Economy, which is set for release on 2nd March, the London-based trio’s new offering is another captivating blend of hypnotic loops, steady beats and intoxicating vocals.

Formed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, good friends Anna Marcella, Curtis Elvidge and Joe Cross decided to combine their distinctive musical backgrounds into a new project. Under the moniker of Ritual Forms, the trio wanted to remove all of their self-imposed constraints and rediscover themselves in an a new and uninhibited creative process. This culminated in their debut single ‘Dreaming‘, which seamlessly shifts between the lighter and darker shades of human emotion, and the band’s latest offering ‘Down’ flows in a similar shadowy vein.

“’Down’ was planted in retro territory when Curtis created a warped 90’s hip-hop sample, which in turn inspired me to create impactful lyrics and groove melodies around a unique song structure,” vocalist Anna explains about the track. “The lyrical backdrop here is both personal and politically charged, but we wanted to layer sounds and textures to bring a sullen and dreamy vibe that represents both the anxious undertones many of us are feeling, along with the flow and relief of moving forward.”

Ritual Forms will be playing a FREE show at Hoxton Underbelly on Wednesday 25th January in order to celebrate the release of their new single.

‘Down’ is accompanied by a cinematic monochrome video which you can watch below.

Follow Ritual Forms on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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