It’s that time of year again where Brad the label manager of Strong Island Recordings previews all the acts playing our stage but this year we’ve had to reduce the amount of previews as we’re having our biggest Southsea Fest weekend ever where we’re hosting not just one, not two but three shows across the weekend all in weird and wonderful venues! So without further ado let’s talk about the large number of acts playing across the weekend.

HAPPY MEAL LTD

This illusive London outfit are creating huge waves at the moment and are quite frankly going to be huge! Combining sleazy post punk with glam rock, the quintet will be playing their first ever show outside of London that isn’t Green Man Festival so it will be an honour to have the most exciting, new band in the country gracing the stage for us. Catch Happy Meal LTD at The Loft – 30 September for our Southsea Fest Friday night opening party.

VULGARIANS

Hull’s Vulgarians will also be gracing our pre party bringing their thunderous, primal grunge sound that will cause The Loft to come crashing down. Another of one of the most exciting new bands in the country – Vulgarians are going to be insane. Catch Vulgarians at The Loft – 30 September and check their latest tracks on Soundcloud HERE.

UNCLE JIMMY’S WANDERING HAND BAND

New project featuring members of Melt Dunes, Uncle Jimmy Wandering Hand Band make sleazy/snotty garage rock in the vein of Fat White Family and Reatards. Get down early to catch these if you like your frenetic garage rock for Melt Dunes’ much crazier and wilder alter ego. Catch them at The Loft – 30 September and check their latest tracks on Soundcloud HERE.

HOTEL LUX

Brand new Portsmouth outfit Hotel Lux are much like Happy Meal LTD as well as Fat Whites and The Fall creating sleaze filled post-punk. I’m personally very excited by these. Nothing is on on SoundCloud publically but what they have sent us, we can assure you they’re going to be one of the most exciting acts from this area in a long-long time.

BO GRITZ

New London pals of ours, Bo Gritz haven’t been going long but they’ve been making a ton of noise tearing up shows across the capital. Now featuring Max Goulding on drums who was formerly in thrash duo Rickyfitts, Bo Gritz make ear crushing noise in the vein of Girl Band and Destruction Unit.

LICE

Just recently NME featured Lice comparing them to Happy Meal LTD, The Fall and Fat Whites and we couldn’t argue with those comparisons one bit. The Bristol outfit are the ultimate party band bringing fun soaked, yet super sleazy, ramshackled post-punk sound where they’re making waves in London at the moment destroying venues across the capital. We love Lice and quite frankly you’d be a fool to miss them at Southsea Fest. Catch them at The Festing 1st October and and check their latest tracks on Soundcloud HERE.

THE DIAMOND AGE

The Diamond Age are a dream-pop trio from Southampton making wonderful jangly pop that’s perfect for a morning summer’s day. They will be the perfect band to cure your hangover from the night before! Catch The Diamond Age at 12pm at Southsea Fest 1st October at The Festing.