This year, new London multivenue festival Footsteps brought its first edition to a swathe of independent venues across London. Spread across five days in May, the festival was a glowing celebration of music, art and community.

Japanese-Canadian artist Saya Gray brought genre-defying artistry to London’s Village Underground for the final show of her sold-out European tour. The tour follows the success of her latest album ‘SAYA’, which was released in February this year, her music a restlessly compelling blur of uninhibited experimentation.

On a buzzing yet chilly Friday night in Bristol, fans had been lining up since the morning, eagerly awaiting West Midlands rising star Nieve Ella to take the stage at the sold-out Trinity Centre. Bringing the Watch It Ache and Bleed tour to a close, the room was packed with a mix of devoted fans and newcomers, instantly drawn in by her infectious energy and lyrics. The excitement was palpable from the moment fans entered the venue, and as the lights dimmed, it became clear the night would be a deafening time, with the floor vibrating under the weight of endless dancing.

Every now and then, the spotlight shines so brightly on an artist that it’s impossible to ignore. We saw it with The Last Dinner Party and their electrifying live shows that led to a highly-acclaimed debut last year. We saw it with Wet Leg and their tongue-in-cheek lyricisms and quirky aesthetic. On the penultimate night of tour, Luvcat brought an overwhelming buzz of excitement to Manchester’s Academy 3.

On the second night of their UK and EU tour, Kawala took over Phoenix for an intimate- but sold out- show with a poetically ordered, 19-song setlist bound to appease their supporters. The independent multi-art venue at the heart of Exeter was buzzing with bittersweet anticipation, with fans donning their merch and ready to hold up signs. Melbourne-based Teenage Dads opened the night with playful tunes and a cover of iconic throwback "Video Killed the Radio Star", capturing the attention of a new set of listeners. 

Last Saturday, CRESCENDO Magazine presented its first night of live music at north London venue The Finsbury.

After witnessing her punchy vocals and playfully chaotic energy on the London stop of Wolf’s Big Ideas tour, one thing is evident: Remi Wolf isn’t just a performer – she’s a force to be reckoned with.

With fans increasingly finding themselves offered up stale festival lineups, I have found myself veering away from your traditional festival settings and lured into the corners of some of my favourite venues yet again chasing lineups that actually get me excited. 

Last week, Dublin quartet Sprints took to London’s O2 Forum for their biggest headline show to date.

In the heart of bustling Borough Market, the streets buzz with Friday night energy, yet tucked away in the shadows lies one of London’s hidden gems: OMEARA.

Rising Nottingham quartet Divorce, whose music captivatingly straddles country, grunge, and indie-punk, took to Islington Assembly Hall last week for a night that was dripping with musical excellence. 

Balancing sensitive ballads with punchy expressions of ecstasy and pride, Tom Rasmussen is paving the way for a nuanced exploration of gender, relationships and existence as well as an unabashed musical revolution that always puts empowerment first.

The musical duo consisting of brothers Ross and Rocky Lynch initially gained fame as members of the band R5, which included their other siblings. Since forming The Driver Era in 2018, they have focused on a more mature sound, blending elements of pop, rock, and indie music.

Packed with unrelenting energy, punchy rock storms and unabashed showmanship, The Last Dinner Party smashed the latest show of their sold-out UK tour in true baroque-pop style.

Following her catapult to fame, Chappell Roan brings a vivid and undeniably electric energy to the O2 Academy Brixton during the first night of the London leg of her Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess UK/EU tour, reaffirming her status as a generational queer icon.

Friday night at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham saw three very different performances from three acts: FREESPIRITS, Headwired, and The Publics.

It’s not every day The Vamps play a show in Bristol—let alone one celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut studio album, “Meet The Vamps”, by performing the deluxe version in full, for one night only.

After an almost twenty-year hiatus, hit alt-rock group Bôa were on fire at their London show last month.

The most glorious collision of genre-spanning new music, this year’s edition of Dot to Dot Festival was a soaring success.

Earlier this month, London-based promoter Turtle Tempo took over a cosy Brighton cafe to present GR8 ESC, a day-long festival showcasing emerging musical talent.

Four-piece The K’s, hailing from Earlestown, finished their UK tour promoting their debut album, I Wonder if the World Knows, with an exhilarating and roaring performance at sold-out Bristol’s Thekla last Saturday.

Spilling with synth-driven, dreamy sounds, Seraphina Simone’s headline show at London’s Courtyard Theatre set the new standard for indie pop.

On a warmly lit bus tucked into a Haringey street, a string of upcoming artists took to the stage last month with intimate acoustic sets showcasing new music at its very best.