Portsmouth Psych Fest 2019

Over the past few months the organisers of Portsmouth Psych Fest 2019 have teased and tantalised, proffering an ever growing selection of musical morsels via announcements on their social media, wetting the appetite of the discerning gig-goers who subscribe to its feed. The line-up for this year's festival, the third such event, which they've slowly revealed is arguably the strongest to date and features acts both local and from across the country. 

Headlining the festival are Wolverhampton's Yak whose single, Fried, is currently receiving a lot of play on BBC 6Music (the recent live session for Tom Ravenscroft is definitely worth a listen); the band recently released their second album, Pursuit of Momentary Happiness, after an arduous recording process that, at one point, saw the band homeless and sleeping in a car. That's rock & roll.

Joining Yak on the bill are Los Bitchos (who have recently toured both with both Bill Ryder-Jones and the excellent International Teachers of Pop), London-based six piece Black Country New Road, Isle of Wight psych-punks Fat Earthers and Southampton trio Mystic Peach.

Portsmouth synth duo Drusila join fellow city-dwellers Number 9 on the bill, whilst GURU and Egyptian Blue both travel along the coast from Brighton to perform. From somewhat further afield are Glasgow twangsters Sweaty Palms and Bristol noise sculptors Scalping. The Howlers, Snapped Ankles, singer-songwriter Freya Beer, Japanese Television and the fantastically named Nice Biscuit also feature with Invada Records signees The KVB appearing as special guests.

Psych Fest 2019 will take place at The Wedgewood Rooms on Saturday 4th May, with sibling venue the Edge of The Wedge hosting the second stage. Doors open at midday and, after the live music ends, guest DJs should no doubt keep the fun going until late. Tickets are available now, via the venue, priced at a very reasonable £17 (plus service charge).

Dials Festival 2018

Good news everyone! Dials Festival has returned, bringing a day of music to Albert Road, filling the hole made when Southsea Fest headed into the sunset. The Dials organisers have been hard at work behind the scenes since they tweeted their 'save the date' message, conjuring up the first wave of acts that has now been announced.

On the bill (so far) are [deep breath] Los Bitchos, Thyla, Fake Empire, Barbudo, Hotel Lux, Penelope Isles, Sad Palace, Lauran Hibberd, Art School Girlfriend, Bella Spinks, Highlights of Our Modern World, Horsefiles, Margot, Lice, Temples of Youth, Melt Dunes, Libralibra, Mystic Peach, Breathe Panel, Tigercub, Omar Baba, Attack the Fire, Jerry Williams, Bokito, Salt Ashes, Vinyl Staircase, Ugly, Sleep Eaters, Violet Mud and the most excellent Curxes.

That's hell of a line-up and, if that wasn't incentive enough to get aboard, Dials have partnered with Solent Mind, a registered charity that provides a wide range of high quality services, across the South, which support people with mental health problems. I can, from personal experience, vouch for the good work organisations like Mind do.

Super Early Bird tickets are on sale now for just £12 [sorry, all gone!], with regular advance tickets still a bargain at £16, available now from the festival website. For more information and updates check the Dials Twitter feed.