Photo Gallery: Coldwave 05/03/25

Coldwave, The Windmill, London, 05/03/25

Ella Ion

Speedial

Images: Olivia Ritchie

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Five Folk-Influenced Acts You'll Love At The Great Escape 2025

Folk music is back with a vengeance, and it’s time we all had our reckoning with it! Starting with a handful of undercurrents in the counterculture scene and evolving into a proper part of the zeitgeist, complete with memes and an aesthetic of its own, the growing influence of folk on the UK music scene is one of the most interesting developments in the last couple of years. 

Dipping into the sonorities of old-style ballads and all sorts of less-than-usual instruments, this trend has produced an amazingly versatile range of different realisations, from the philological to the avant-garde, grafting itself into pop, rock, punk, and even electronica. Whether you’re already into all things folk-rock, or you’re looking for a point of access and finding yourself overwhelmed with options, you will find more than enough to satisfy all of your folk-influenced cravings at The Great Escape 2025. 

The huge musical showcase, running in Brighton venues on May 14^th-17^th, features an impressive array of folk-adjacent acts within this year’s line-up. Here are five suggestions, in no particular order, to start you off – but this rabbit hole runs deep, and much more lurks under the surface…

Little Simz Offers First Glimpse At Powerful New Era With Thunderous New Single ‘Flood’

Little Simz is marching towards yet another powerful era with punchy new single ‘Flood’, a thunderous retaliation against those who have wronged her. 

Released last Wednesday, the track was dropped alongside the announcement of Simz’ next album, ‘Lotus’, which will be released on 9th May, marking her first studio LP since ‘No Thank You’ in 2022. The album will dive into Simz’ evolution both as a person and artist, exploring themes of growth and renewal.

Last week’s single, ‘Flood’, marks the first release from the project and is the perfect introduction to this new era. Packed with wisdom-filled lyrics and unwavering power, the track feels like a beautifully raw depiction of Simz both opening up and growing like a lotus, reaching a new level of strength through vulnerability, honesty and bold confrontation. 

Luke Spiller Teams Up With Noel Fielding For New Video

Bristol born vocalist Luke Spiller has unveiled the new music video for his track 'The Ending Is Always The Same'. 

It features comedian and actor Noel Fielding who has a history of appearing in iconic music videos, from Kasabian's 'Vlad The Impaler' to Mint Royale's 'Blue Song'.

Omar Rudberg Lights Up a Sold-Out DR Koncerthuset Studio 2

Omar Rudberg, Swedish pop sensation, absolutely owned the stage at DR Koncerthuset’s Studio 2 in Copenhagen on February 28. The show was completely sold out, and from the moment he stepped on stage, it was clear why. With two dancers by his side, Omar turned the night into a full-on party, packed with high-energy moments, emotional ballads, and plenty of crowd interaction.

Born in Venezuela but raised in Sweden, Omar has crafted a unique sound, effortlessly blending English, Swedish, and Spanish in his music. His background in a boyband, combined with his successful acting career, makes him a true all-round performer. Commanding the stage with charisma, sharp choreography, and a deep connection to his fans.

Seven Questions With Annie-Dog

Dublin-hailing Annie-Dog's discography flourishes in lush cuts that offer ethereal, genre-defying soundscapes and infectious electronic-beats. Her third EP, '15' featuring the tongue-in-cheek 'Please Forgive Me, David Gray', was released just last week and boasts a sound that sits on the philtrum of Grimes and Pinkpantheress.

As part of the Seven Questions with Music Is To Blame Series, Annie-Dog discusses her first live show outside of Europe, her "wild west" sound, and three 'desert island' albums.

Kat Marcella Takes Listeners On An Ethereal Journey In New Single ‘Love Makes Me Cry’

Brooklyn-based Kat Marcella returns with her dreamy new single, ‘Love Makes Me Cry’—a gorgeous track that beautifully captures the fragility of embracing new love.

Kat Marcella, an indie-alternative singer-songwriter from Queens, New York, has carved out a strong reputation for her poignant lyricism and voice that is both gentle and soulful. Her ethereal soundscapes weave dream-like sequences, immersing listeners into her world of emotion and introspection whilst seeking solace.