Handmade Festival – The Handy Über Rock Guide (Part Two)

Written by Rich Hobson
Wednesday, 26 April 2017 16:03

With some of the hottest names in the UK lined up for Handmade Festival’s Saturday event, the question remained – how could you top that? By bringing out even more total belters, of course (including more than a few that have been raved about by yours truly in the past). Be it the socio-political outrage of IDLES or the crossover fury of God Damn, Über Rock has you covered with yet another list of must-sees for Handmade 2017…

Must See Acts @ Handmade Festival – Sunday 30 April

Fizzy Blood (3:30pm @ Academy)

Kicking off our list for Sunday are some stylistic punked-up beats, courtesy of Fizzy Blood. Bridging the worlds between indie and rock, Fizzy Blood offer up a dosage of catchy riff-driven energy that would surely have seen the band go supernova had they come around a decade ago. With a sweet collection of tunes already, this band has the legs to go far and plenty of potential to blow away any lingering hangovers.

FFO: The Hives, Royal Republic, Franz Ferdinand

www.facebook.com/FIZZYBLOODMUSIC/

IDLES (5:30pm @ Academy)

Not only do IDLES have one of 2017’s most exciting records in the astoundingly brilliant ‘Brutalism’ (reviewed here) but the band also possess one of the most electrifying live shows in the UK (previously caught here). Built on venom, sardonic wit and punk rock fury, IDLES are a force of nature that need to be witnessed to be believed. If you’ve ever felt fucked by a Tory, IDLES are the antidote you need.

FFO: Sleaford Mods, KEN Mode, The Membranes

www.facebook.com/idlesband/

Youth Man (6pm @ Scholar)

Youth Man’s brand of ultra-unpredictable howling punk rock is like a lightning bolt to the senses, the band inhabiting a space of their very own. With three exceptional EPs under their belt (two reviewed by yours truly here and here) the band are now gearing up to releasing their first full length which, if past material is any indicator, will completely blow apart the competition. I can wholeheartedly guarantee, you ain’t seen nothing like this before.

FFO: Bad Brains, Heck, Bad Breeding

https://www.facebook.com/youthmanband/

God Damn (6:30pm @ Academy)

Not content with playing some of the summer’s biggest festivals (including both domestic and international iterations of Download Festival), God Damn descend upon Handmade Festival with one aim – to take everything, ever (geddit?). Two spectacular full length albums and a further three EPs has gifted the band an envy-inspiring back catalogue to draw from, so bring along your howling voice and prepare for a blisteringly good time.

FFO: Sonic Youth, Turbowolf, Whores

www.facebook.com/goddamntheband/

Honeyblood (7:30pm @ Academy)

Only a special kind of band can so wonderfully mix sweet melodies and acidic lyrics, but Honeyblood achieve it admirably. A band whose nature is perfectly suggested by their name, Honeyblood are a blend of nostalgia-inducing indie riffs and cutting lyrics, candy-coated cyanide for the ears. Two albums in, the band are just now achieving the success they so deserve, the 2016 album Babes Never Die a testament to just how great this band can be.

FFO: Wolf Alice, Best Coast, The Vaselines

www.facebook.com/yumhoneyblood/

Superfood (8pm @ Academy 2)

While 2014’s ‘Don’t Say That’ proved to be a masterpiece of neo-90s slacker nostalgia, Superfood are set to reinvent the wheel on their second effort. With lead single ‘Double Dutch’ leading the charge, Superfood come fresh from a UK tour with King Nun and Pale Waves to bring their unique brand of shoegazing indie to Leicester. As many of the shows on the band’s most recent tour sold out, you’d best be ready to high tail it over to the Academy 2 if you hope to catch these at Handmade 2017.

FFO: Blur, Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, Peace

www.facebook.com/superfoodjunk/

JAWS (9:15pm @ Academy 2)

Closing the Academy 2 for Handmade Festival 2017 are Brum indie dream-poppers JAWS, flexing all of their transcendental might. Two albums and a universally beloved EP has emboldened the band and elevated them to new heights, 2016’s Simplicity acting as a cherry on the cake for their career thus far. Hugely fun to watch and even more fun to dance and sing along to, JAWS will bring the undercard of Handmade 2017 to the fore, showing just how great and prolific the UK music scene can be.

FFO: The Stone Roses, Blossoms, The Courteeners

www.facebook.com/JAWSJAWSJAWSJAWS/

Handmade Festival is hosted in Leicester from Friday (28 April) to Sunday (30 April). Tickets are still available.