5) bdrmm
Kicking off the second day at Brudenell, the five-piece shoegazers from Hull play Gold Sounds as part of a UK tour that includes Brighton’s Alternative Escape the day before and a stop at London’s Old Blue Last. The group have been building up a solid catalogue of dream pop with the last year’s worth of releases: they dropped ‘heaven’ in March, and 2018’s ‘c:u’ saw some on-air love from RIDE’s Andy Bell last week. An Amazing Radio session under their collective belt as well, bdrmm bring a laid-back aspect to the weekender’s line-up, and should be your reasons to get down early on the Sunday.
FFO: Slowdive, DIIV, Four Tet.
4) LUMER
Gold Sounds marks the welcome return of the post-punk quartet to the stage after a four-month absence. With promises of a set full of unreleased material, half of which unheard outside the rehearsal room, the band have the honour of opening up the festival on Saturday. Last year’s ‘Blood on Suits’ EP highlighted them as real ones to watch in an already blossoming post-punk scene that has emerged in the UK. Rooted in Hull, but now spread out across the North, hopefully their performative return this weekend marks a more permanent return to stage.
FFO: Protomartyr, Black and White Photos, Hull.
3) Just Mustard
Saturday afternoon sees Irish band Just Mustard return to the Brudenell’s main room once again after a support slot with fellow countrymen Fontaines D.C. in April. A month on from the release of new single ‘Frank’, and a year on from their debut album ‘Wednesday’, the group play Gold Sounds as part of a string of inner-city festivals this week. Their sound is one of a real industrial edge, like someone’s tortured the Blade Runner soundtrack whilst feeding it on a diet of the more abrasive aspects of shoegaze.
FFO: Irish Brogues, My Bloody Valentine.
2) Fat White Family
The infamous Brixton boys return to Gold Sounds after their 2016 set. This year, they’re fresh off the heels of third LP ‘Serfs Up!’, their first on legendary label Domino Records. The album proved a pleasant surprise for both fans and casuals alike, portraying the ever-rotating line-up in a sonic style that few foretold. They themselves should be no strangers to Yorkshire at this point, having spent a year in Sheffield crafting the record, and their headline slot on Sunday is expected to be a raucous, if not unpredictable, affair.
FFO: Viagra Boys, Possible Nudity, Shame.
1) Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
The top pick takes the form of the Geordie riff-gods, another one that’s versed in the Brudenell, having sold out the main room in March. The group’s second LP ‘King of Cowards’ and its singles saw them pushed to the top of bills and 6music playlists alike, a rise few saw coming but well deserved none the less. Their ascent shows no signs of slowing down either, so it might be a good idea to catch their closing set on Saturday before they have to start the search for a bigger venue.
FFO: Black Sabbath, mullets, Hawaiian shirts/short shorts.
Words and playlist by Leo Joslin