Simon RushworthWondering where you’ll hear the hottest sounds of 2019? Don’t worry – we’ve done the hard work for you.
Read on to find out more about the 10 Bands You Can’t Miss In 2019:
Remixed single Midnight Queen is the crowning glory where this crack Kent quartet is concerned but the radio friendly 80s throwback is just the start. Collateral really can cut it. Big hair, big choruses and big ambition suggest 2019 will be a big year for a band that wears its heart on its sleeve. SR
AARON BUCHANAN AND THE CULT CLASSICS
If there’s one band you need to see this year it’s the brazen hard rock collective fronted by former Heaven’s Basement vocalist Aaron Buchanan. There is no better live show in the UK right now and it’s high time the Classics were elevated from cult status to mainstream heroes. SR
It’s safe to assume the new album by Jack J Hutchinson and his super talented buddies will be all over the Rushonrock stereo by the time it drops later this year. After sneaking a slew of new tunes into their set on this month’s Kris Barras tour, the signs are overwhelmingly positive. Think heavy blues mixed with Southern rock fury. SR
You won’t find Cumbria’s finest playing huge stadia anytime soon. But given the chance they’d kill it. Combining well-crafted melodies with killer hooks, the streamlined classic rockers are carefully building a reputation as the live scene’s go-to party starters. Catch them at HRH AOR next month. SR
Transatlantic female five-piece Dorja already boast a number of singles online and their full-length debut is set to land this year. With big vocals, guitar driven hooks and thumping drums, these girls know how to rock and their modern take on classic rock is refreshingly current. AK
Lion’s brilliantly rugged swagger was a breath of fresh air in 2018 with her sound drawing influences from Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and AM era Arctic Monkeys. These contrasting sounds have then been brilliantly crafted into a ballsy, 70s rock package with ferocious, raspy vocals and Courtney Love-inspired venom. AK
Flowing locks, deep voice, theatrical performances and eye make-up – and that’s just the start of Johnny Hunter. This Sydney five-piece play infectious rock music and back it up with their stage shows. Check out 1995, Cult Classic and One Of A Kind and fall into a magical world. RuH
Bristol post-punks IDLES have had a massive 2018 and carried that in to 2019. A debut tour to Australia was almost entirely sold out, they’ve gone bang with Joy As An Act of Resistance and they don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. RuH
One of the UK’s most intriguing prospects, Welsh astral doomsters Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard lit up the underground in 2017 thanks to second album Y Proffwyd Dwyll. Due in March, its follow up, Yn Ol I Annwn, promises to twinkle with even more cosmic delights. RH
Following the success of his Coagulating Darkness debut album, Hellripper overlord and Aberdeen native James McBain is promising more blackened speed metal mayhem this year, with a new EP and foray across the channel planned for the spring. Expect glorious riff upon glorious riff, delivered with pure, unadulterated Motörvenom. RH
Contributors
SR – Simon Rushworth
RH – Richard Holmes
RuH – Russell Hughes
AK – Adam Keys