This weekend, Wide Awake Festival returns to South London’s Brockwell Park for its third edition.
Curated in collaboration with a handful of the capital’s world-beating grassroots venues, the event has quickly carved itself a niche as one of the most important stops for emerging artists within the realms of punk, electronic and alternative music.
With Caroline Polachek topping this year’s bill, we take a look at five other names that are well worth bookmarking as you peruse the this Saturday’s program. See you there.
Black Country, New Road
One of the most influential bands of the decade saw their 2022 festival season rocked by the departure of their enigmatic frontman Isaac Wood. After a short visit to the drawing board and a couple of comeback shows at London’s Bush Hall, Wide Awake will host Black Country, New Road’s return to the South London scene that made them.
Oneohtrix Point Never
Daniel Lopatin, better known as Oneohtrix Point Never, is quickly closing in on the status of super-producer. The Brooklynite has worked alongside James Blake, Iggy Pop, FKA Twigs and the mighty David Byrne, as well as providing the musical direction for The Weeknd‘s Super Bowl halftime show. Oneohtrix Point Never’s live shows are a mashup of atmospheric world-building and energetic synths.
Nuha Ruby Ra
Slipping between genre with a ghostly stealth that demands attention, Nuha Ruby Ra’s recent EP, Machine Like Me, plays out as 23mins of dream-like minimal punk mutating and borrowing into your ears.
JJUUJJUU
JJUUJJUU is an ensemble of ever-changing artists who conjure soundscapes of gloomy psychedelia. a decade after their first release (inspirationally titled First), Phil Pirrone’s project sounds as fresh as ever. Fans of Tonstartssbandht will be all over this.
Model/Actriz
On their debut album, Dogsbody, Model/Actriz dismantle electronic composition and rebuild it piece by piece with screeching guitar-work and a hi-hat symbol working overtime. A new project to UK audiences, there is a brooding intensity to Model/Actriz which pays off through irresistible eruptions.
photo credit: Clara Orozco
