As UK festival season begins to draw to a close, we give you our 5 “must see” picks for this autumn.

We get ready to start saying goodbye to yet another summer of live music festivals as the sporadic british sunshine deserts us and the dark nights grow closer. However do not worry as the show goes on and we’ve got you covered.

We’ve picked 5 bands who we think are easily “must sees” and guarantee a good time post festival season.

5. SPRINTS

We start with this four piece garage punk band from Dublin, because you can never go wrong with a punk band from Dublin, they founded in 2019 and had a steady flow of EPs and singles before releasing their debut album “Letter to Self” early this year.

We were lucky enough to catch their set at Tramlines 2024 and, despite a sleepy early afternoon crowd, they were relentless with their energy and style; mainly thanks to the efforts of lead vocalist Karla Chubb and bassist/vocalist Sam McCann.

Admittedly the former even grew mildly frustrated with the sleepy crowd, urging for “more” from them, just displaying their hunger for intense and quality performances that you wouldn’t want to miss.

4. English Teacher

A complete switch up in style to the former entry, but by no means is that a criticism.

English Teacher are currently gaining huge acclaim within the scene right now, and it is very well deserved. Their debut album made it into the UK top ten, and they were even shortlisted for the Mercury prize, in what has certainly been a breakout year for them.

The group are all immensely talented young musicians, who’s styles and abilities complement each other perfectly. The strong yet serene vocals of frontwoman , Lily Fontaine, simultaneously contrast and harmonise with the complicated and meandering music style.

They are very much one to keep an eye on in the next few years, and are worth checking out when they embark on their tour this November.

3. DEADLETTER

DEADLETTER were one of the most talked about band’s last year, with their debut EP ‘Heat!’ gaining critical acclaim from many different publications. The group have such a frenetic energy about them, with heavily political lyricism delivered superbly by lead singer Zac Lawrence, which proves to be very captivating.

They are also yet another group on this list with a debut album coming for you to sink your teeth into. “Hysterical Strength” releases this time next month, and if the featured singles are anything to go by, then the album should add to an already strong repertoire for them to draw from.

Live they are also a fantastic prospect, partly in thanks to saxophonist Poppy Richler, who breathes that extra bit of life and something different into the band, offering a bit of something for everyone.

2. Wunderhorse

So nearly topping this list, but having to settle for the maiden Spot, Is the up and coming Wunderhorse. The band actually started as a solo project by frontman and songwriter Jacob Slater in 2019, before becoming a full band in 2021, releasing their first album in 2022.

The album, titled “Cub” was named one of the best albums of 2022 by NME, Far Out and Riot, for a good reason. Encompassing such an amalgamation of themes from the joy of youth to drugs and depressive self destruction, a powerful representation of experiences, bundled together in a compelling and diverse selection of edgy indie rock.

The group are all set to release their second album, Midas, on the 30th August 2024 and if it proves even half as good as the first then audiences are in for a treat.

1. Softplay

Back when Softplay renamed themselves, formerly known as Slaves, it was met with much fan outrage and many stating it was “the end” for the group. How wrong those people were.

The Duo, from Royal Tunbridge Wells, recently released album “Heavy Jelly” which has been very well received. Particularly the single “Punks Dead” which, in an ironic twist of fate, is about the ill received name change and has been one of the best singles they’ve produced in years.

They built on this by having an immensely strong showing this festival season, most memorably at Glastonbury, with their energetic and high intensity performances making them one of the best acts to watch this year.