A whole host of London's finest are playing around the length and breadth of the country. These are our top picks for London acts playing this year's music festivals.
Loyle Carner - Field Day Festival
Loyle Carner is back for one UK festival and one festival only. He'll be entertaining the crowds at Field Day in his native South London. Something that emanates throughout Loyle Carner’s body of work is his sense of family and home so this is an apt choice of festival.
His debut album 'Yesterday's Gone' was stunning and has been recognised as such; he recently won Best British Solo Artist at the NME Awards. Ben Coyle-Larner wears his heart on his sleeve as he shares personal anecdotes and funny features on his album and the same is true of his live shows.
Countless hip-hop stars fall in to the routine of rapping about sex, money and drugs. Loyle Carner does too, but with originality and flare that sets him apart. He talks about missed student loans and wayward drug dealer friends.
This is one not to miss.
The Big Moon - Tramlines, Truck Fest, Winchestival, Gold Sound Leeds
The Big Moon had a grand old year in 2017. They released their debut album 'Love in the Fourth Dimension', toured extensively and to top it off were nominated for a Mercury Prize!
2018 seems to be going swimmingly, with tour dates under their belt and an NME award for best video. This summer is possibly the best time to see the all female quartet as they're in their prime. Expect funky dance moves and fantastic guitar action. As someone who saw them at Tramlines in Sheffield last summer, I can personally vouch for this.
Hopefully there will be some new music coming soon too.
Gengahr - Truck Fest, Focus Wales
In some respects Gengahr have slipped under the radar of recognition in the music industry; we'd call them underrated or perhaps just undiscovered. After all, the indie band from Stoke Newington did find critical acclaim with their first album and we can see why. Amongst all of the indie bands out there, Gengahr have a distinctive melancholic tone with psychedelic guitar packed in.
In an interview with Dork, the band talked of developing the heart of their music in preparation for their second album. 'Where Wildness Grows' is due out later this week and is described as a 'beast' and a 'powerful force' in which the band attempts to figure out what it is that makes them get out of bed in the morning.
A festival set will have you swaying from side to side with the occasional shimmy thrown in for good measure.
Wolf Alice - Reading & Leeds Fest, TRNSMT
I remember the early days of Wolf Alice; NME referred to them as having the "debut of the decade" and in many ways this hasn't changed. 'My Love is Cool' remains a defining entry in to the world of alternative rock.
Their second album didn't disappoint either. Despite mixed fairings at awards shows, they're always still invited and rightly so. The North London four piece are reassuringly 'explosive, giddy and exultant' live and have a habit of taking festivals by storm. They'll feel at home on the Reading and Leeds stage as will you in the crowd.
Get ready for dreamy and endearing vocals, harsh bass and energetic guitar. It's been said that their best is yet to come, and you should be there for it.
Stormzy - Wireless
This is the man of the moment. Back in his native London to headline the Saturday of Wireless Festival, Stormzy is the Grime God who will have thousands of worshipers at his feet.
Following a sensational performance at this years BRITs, in which is famously dragged Prime Minister Theresa May, Stormzy is at the forefront of music and society. Despite some Tory MPs labelling his comments "boring", it certainly got people talking.
With a track record of entertaining the crowds, Stormzy's headline show will most likely be met with exhilarating electricity. His debut album 'Gang Signs & Prayer' told a story of his faith and personal journey, something he brings to the stage in abundance.
Words by Alex Goldsmith
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