Nestled in the farmlands of Leicestershire, Gopsall Hall is soon set to host this year’s 110 Above festival.
Welcoming over eighty artists from the indie and alt-pop scenes – including Sea Girls and The Amazons – the weekend promises another unforgettable celebration for its intimate crowd of punters. In such a packed and talented field, here are five artists that definitely deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Hinds // Friday // Commune Stage
Friday is the day for female headliners this year, with Rachel Chinouriri leading the Gopsall Inn stage and Lottery Winners, with Katie Lloyd on bass, taking top spot over at the Old Town Hall. 110 have done pretty well for gender diversity in general, with female and non-binary artists comprising over forty percent of the line-up. Among them is Hinds. On their 2020 album, The Prettiest Curse, the Spanish four-piece added pop melodies to their indie-rock discography, mirroring something of The Regrettes’ sonic shift. With breezy melodies and feel-good choruses abound, their headline slot on the Commune Stage is sure to be a weekend highlight.
The Pigeon Detectives // Sunday // Commune Stage
Hailing from Rothwell, indie-rock veterans The Pigeon Detectives haven’t released a new album in more than five years. Fear not – they boast a catalogue that’s practically overflowing with timeless, festival-ready bangers, ensuring that their Sunday show on the Commune Stage will be one of the weekend’s best-attended.
Baby Queen // Saturday // Elizabeth Stage
South African born Bella Latham – AKA Baby Queen – only headlined her first show last November, but has reached pretty dizzying heights in the time since. She featured extensively on the Heartstopper soundtrack back in April, before playing a packed show at Camden’s Electric Ballroom and joining Olivia Rodrigo on tour. Her distinctive brand of Gen Z humour paired with brutally – often bleakly – honest writing has drawn her a cult following that continues to grow, and her set promises to bring that cathartic, riotous community to the fields of Gopsall.
Larkins // Friday // Old Town Hall
A testament to Manchester’s indie heritage, the four-piece that make up Larkins have spent years creating a close-knit fanbase, joining them in a giant Whatsapp group as well as in their music video for 2020’s ‘Are We Having Any Fun Yet?’. Already recognisable for their earnest lyrics and earworm hooks, Larkins released their debut album last autumn and are set to keep up their momentum as they tour this year’s festival circuit.
Uninvited // Sunday // Gopsall Inn
Politically charged and charming, this young Glaswegian band has already opened for the likes of Dead Pony and Spyres, as well as making a pit stop in the BBC Live Lounge to perform their latest single, “Behind The Black Door”. One of indie-rock’s most exciting new acts, be sure to catch them as they help to close out the weekend on Sunday.
photo credit: Keane Pearce Shaw
