South Arcade "2005" (2024)

 

I can't get over how young and fresh faced this English four piece appear. Reminding me of how the years have gotten paste me, they look straight outta the alternative scene of my youth. 2005 is their only non-single release, a twenty minute EP who's title speaks to the sound and aesthetic their emulating. South Arcade look like post Tony Hawk's skater kids, birthed from a time capsule. I love it, my youth is cool again!

Aesthetic and appearance aside, South Arcades sharp ascension is based on merit. They have amassed almost a million monthly Spotify listeners off the back of this six track and a string of singles. A strong debut record could rocket them even further.

Its exciting and I'm hopeful they have it in them. Although influences are stark and obvious, even overtly stated through their intentionally imitating music videos, the band have enough individuality and expression of their own in the mix to define these songs as South Arcades'. Mainly a breed of Pop Punk, Nu Metal Alternative Rock, the fond influences of Linkin Park, No Doubt and Avril Lavigne are striking.

 Alongside its anthemic title track, Nepo Baby and How 2 Get Away With Murder have a similar magnetic pulls. Warm grooves and catchy hooks, with Harmony Cavelle's, note the name, easy voice leading a colorful aggressive charge. Powerful and poppy with these occasional dives into rapped lines, she seems like the magic ingredient.

The production style is loud and punch, fondly reminiscent of the heavier edged Ocean Grove. These bands actually share a lot of similarities. A tour together would be quite fitting. Tangents aside, South Arcade are a delight. Given their so young, the potential that comes with musical maturity is something to watch out for!

Rating: 6/10

My Saturday At Reading Festival 2025

 
Having finally made it to a Reading Leeds festival, I can now spend even more time pining over old lineups I *could* have gone too... Anyways, I loved it! Awkward to get to but worth the long walks as the smaller venue scales well with the fasciitis. No queuing for water a blessing! Such things are probably not even a thought for a majority of the young audience. It seems the GCSE right of passage tales are true! Here are my highlights from the day among many more bands and artists I saw.

Mudi Sama
A raw and youthful performance from an unknown talent on the BBC Introducing stage, Mudi's fusion of Alternative Rock, Indie and Shoegaze melodies was an easy win over. Catchy hooks, warm uplifting tunes tackling emotions we all struggle with, there is a universal appeal here executed endearingly.

Sunday (1994)
Given the year, its no surprise to find this group reveling in 90s nostalgia. Led by the powerful resonance of Paige Turner, her body swaying presence on stage pulles one into the music invitingly. Straddling Dream Pop with Shoegaze and soft touches of Alternative Rock, their delicate, easy paced songs made for a relaxing indulgence in the shade of the tent. 

Rifle
Consisting of short unhinged scuffles of raw Punk noise, these Anarcho-Punkers blew me away. Rough and ragged, their instruments hit full tilt, hard and fast, led by uncompromising shouts of loud mouthed working class agitation. A vitriolic power blast, ignited by a front mans relentless energy and fiery shouts of anger. Top notch.

South Arcade
One to keep an eye on, this young and youthful act have potential in droves, ascending to the mainstage without an album under their belt. Their punchy take on Pop Metal and Pop Punk owes a lot to the likes of Linkin Park and more recently Bring Me The Horizon. Harmony Cavelle has a fantastic stage presence and the bands whole aesthetic throws back to my generation. All the pieces are in place, their songs are decent but with some maturity this band could have a broad appeal.

Origami Angel
A dynamic duo of a diversified internet generation, this pair pull influences from Punk, Emo, Indie and Post-Hardcore, throwing them into a unrestrained mix up. Driven by time signature shake ups, jostling heavy moments between lighter singing refrains, the diversity flowed with quirky fruity loop interludes breaking up their songs. Great show!

Limp Bizkit

My main pull to the festival served up exactly what I wanted. Moshing, jumping and shouting along! I've never let go of that now nostalgic fascination in me, the thirteen year old self watching Bizkit on MTV after school. It still gets me to this day. At this point I've seen them over a dozen times and still adore the show. Great to see lots of young people enjoying it too. The only thing I could I've asked for was more of Thieves. This rendition was cut all to short. I also loved the memes up on stage! Oh, and then there is the case of Ruth, what a sweet moment. Fred pulls out a fan from the crowd, a teenage fan with the red cap back. She must of had the time of her life up there on stage with the band. Good vibes all around.

Becky Hill
Admittedly I had to watch this one from a far. The tent was rammed, I spent my time devouring chips and chicken. All that moshing gave me a ravenous appetite. Becky's voice was a powerhouse overtop an easy listening fusion of Dance and Drum n Bass. It was such a good vibe, I spent the drive home listening to her tracks. Such a strong and harmonious tone, It was impressive watching her do it live.

Bring Me The Horizon

I hadn't given it much thought. I'd seen them plenty of times over the years but this was something special! Building out a big show for the mainstage, they went to another level. The stage started out as a sinister church of evil yet underwent some mind bending changes through the songs. Toying with themes around viruses, doomsday and AI, interludes addressing the audience referenced video game culture, creating a brilliant mix of elements. Better yet was the use of live transformative AI. What starts of as some manic manipulation of the main video feed, has Olli transformed into some demonic creature live before our eyes, his movements matching the wild animations. It was just an effective use of technology but shows the band have the mind to create an even bigger experience. Its been a while since a band had me enjoying such things alongside a banging set of songs.