Boardmasters 2019 kicks off tomorrow at Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach in Cornwall. The UK’s biggest international surf and music festival truly offers something for everyone with this year’s headliners being Wu-Tang Clan, Florence + The Machine and Foals alongside many other great bands on the bill. We’ve rounded up some of our must-see acts from Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you’re struggling to decide who to watch.
Sunset Sons
Land of Saints Stage
Friday 16:00
Sunset Sons released their debut album Very Rarely Say Die back in 2016 and have yet to release another since but that hasn’t stopped them continuing to play live shows and unleash new music. Latest single Say Hi is a catchy indie-rock number with one of those choruses that once you hear you’ll be singing along to; perfect for the Boardmasters crowd to get involved with later this week.
Bear’s Den
Land of Saints Stage
Friday 18:30
Earlier this year folk-rock outfit Bear’s Den released third new So that you might hear me through Communion Records. With the success of 2014 Islands seeing them gain an Ivor Novello nomination and 2016’s Red Earth & Pouring Rain reaching the top 10 of the UK album chart; Bear’s Den completed a huge UK and Ireland tour back in April including a date at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Their electronic, synth-infused sound will be highlighted on the Land of Saints Stage on Friday.
Plastic Mermaids
The Netloft
Friday 20:15
Here at BTN we’re big fans of bands who are doing things differently are space psych-rock outfit Plastic Mermaids are a great example of this having recorded and self-produced their debut album Suddenly Everyone Explodes in their own analogue studio. It’s a little bit in your face, woozy and cinematic which you can imagine when performed live is an incredible spectacle to witness. If you like what you see then luckily you can catch them on their headline tour later this year.
The Wombats
Land of Saints Stage
Friday 22:15
The Let’s Dance To Joy Division trio will be taking to the stage at Boardmasters on Friday for a singalong nobody will want to miss. Following on from the release of their fourth album Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, it saw them continue their uphill journey taking their sound to arenas in the process. Some bands are made for festivals and The Wombats are just one of these, who doesn’t love some sunny Indie rock? We sure do!
Sea Girls
Main Stage
Saturday 14:00
Indie outfit Sea Girls have made 2019 their biggest year yet with their BBC Sound Of Nomination alongside a steady flow of new music released from their tba follow up to 2018 EP Adored. If you’re looking for a set which will get you on your feet shouting along and pretending that you know the words which let’s be honest is what festivals are for then Sea Girls are the band for you. We have a feeling you’ll like what you hear which is lucky as they’re heading out on tour in October with a stop at London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum.
Inhaler
The Netloft
Saturday 15:15
Inhaler don’t do things by halves with them spending most of 2019 on the road, Boardmasters is a great chance to see them doing what they do best. Latest release My Honest Face has some 80’s undertones with a festival-friendly chorus to round it off nicely showing off the quartet at their finest. If we didn’t mention it you’d be wondering why we didn’t; vocalist Elijah Hewson’s father is none other than U2 frontman Bono showing the talent really does run in the family.
Whenyoung
The Netloft
Saturday 16:15
Limerick trio Whenyoung and their dreamy indie-pop will be coming to Boardmasters on Saturday bringing tracks from their debut album Reasons To Dream with them. With many of the tracks written about their experience of moving to the hustle and bustle of London, it’s a world away from the seaside scene of Cornwall’s coast which will be providing the background for songs including The Others and Given Up. Their upbeat sound is the breath of fresh air which we can’t wait to bring to our Boardmasters weekend!
Sam Fender
Main Stage
Saturday 17:00
Since winning the Critics Choice award at this year’s BRIT Awards, Sam Fender has become a household name and rightly so with his tracks touching on everything from suicide to sexual abuse moulded into a unique musical package. Ahead of the release of his debut album Hypersonic Missiles next month, shows including Boardmasters are acting as warmups before he heads out on a US headline tour. Catch the man of the moment on the main stage on Saturday.
Lewis Capaldi
Main Stage
Sunday 16:00
The Scottish Beyoncé has been one of the breakthrough artists of 2018 with his success continuing and peaking in 2019 with the release of his debut album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent. Expect his trademark jokes to make an appearance during the set and to be captivated by what looks set to be the singalong of the weekend when he performs chart-topping single Someone You Loved.
Airways
The Netloft
Sunday 16:15
Photo Credit: Emma Viola Lilja
If you’ve seen Deaf Havana, The Hunna, The Xcerts or numerous other bands over the last few years across Europe you might have been lucky enough to see Airways supporting with their refreshing indie-rock tracks. Yet to release their debut album through their relentless touring and tracks such as Alien (singing of not being let into America), singalong friendly Mate and tongue in cheek Trampoline they’ve gained a loyal fanbase. Once the quartet release their debut album in the hopefully not so distant future we have a feeling you’ll be kicking yourself for missing out on getting involved in their earlier shows, don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Slaves (UK)
Main Stage
Sunday 18:15
Last month, Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman better known as Slaves, released their new EP The Velvet Ditch compromising tracks which didn’t make the cut to 2018’s Acts of Fear and Love. Showing the two sides of the duo we see the rowdy, riotous numbers but also the soft ballads which will provide a moment of respite during the energetic set on the final day of the festival. Slaves have announced a series of shows for later this year, find out more here but act fast as dates are rapidly selling out.
Idles
Land Of Saints Stage
Sunday 19:45
Photo Credit: Tess Janssen
Punk rock outfit Idles are here to wake you up, open your eyes and make you stand to attention. Having recently been nominated for a Mercury Prize for album Joy as an Act of Resistance this year also sees the band playing their biggest headline tour, including a date at Alexandra Palace in London which sold out in less than 24 hours of being on general sale. We’d tell you Idles are a band to watch but we don’t think you need to be told, as fiery new tracks I Dream Guillotine and Mercedes Marxist are electrifying, chaotic and the festival-friendly numbers Boardmasters needs.
Boardmasters takes place between 7th-11th August at Fistral Beach/Watergate Bay in Newquay, Cornwall. For more information on the line-up and to get final tickets head to the festival website.
Written by: Nicola Craig
