Leeds newcomers Caskets have already made their mark in alternative music. Whilst still a relatively new band to the scene, the quartet have come out all guns blazing with a big blend of crisp, atmospheric, post-hardcore and mellow melodics, presenting their unique take on the genre with such intensity and immediacy.

The Sherlocks have fast become one of the UK’s modern faces of British rock ‘n’ roll and indie music. They are a band bonded half by blood and all by friendship and a good ear for what makes a banger of an indie rock tune. With a third full-length soon to be expected, following on the heels of breakthrough debut record 'Live For The Moment' and stellar second studio album 'Under Your Sky', we spoke to Sherlocks before their special homecoming festival slot at Tramlines Festival all about the proud Yorkshire outfits soaring new single Falling, where the third full length will sit in The Sherlocks’ discography and that mega Sheffield Wednesday Football Club kit launch. 

Sheffield's biggest party was welcomed back into Hillsborough Park over the weekend of July 23rd - July 25th, as the twelfth edition of Tramlines Festival made its triumphant return to Steel City. It showcased the best music, film and comedy that local Sheffield acts and UK wide talent has to offer and featured flares, flying drinks and sets across five stages from Sarah Nulty’s Main Stage to T’Other Stage and The Leadmill Stage to The Open Arms. Tramlines put on a true northern style long weekender.

Visceral horror-punk and gory gothic-rock are the aesthetics and sound of East London’s Saint Agnes. Delivering their debut album 'Welcome To Silvertown' in 2019, Saint Agnes sonically showcased their fiery punk ferocity and sweet pop hooks and visually told the tale of a dark fantasy world in which Kitty A. Austen and Jon James Tufnell immerse themselves and their audience in to shocking effect. They released mini-album 'Vampire' earlier this year, showcasing that Saint Agnes’ disgusting horror-punk trash metal sound, fantastical song writing and bubble gum pink meets jet black visuals are bolder, braver and more immersive than ever before. We spoke to vocalist Kitty and guitarist Jon backstage at the Download Pilot event all about their jaw dropping performance, the characters of mini album 'Vampire' and bringing the new material to the stage at last.

As Everything Unfolds are changing up the way modern metal and post hardcore music sounds by bringing their fresh blend of melodic vocals and heavy riffs to the scene. They released their debut album 'Within Each Lies The Other' earlier this year and are now set to support Holding Absence across the UK and Europe later this year. We spoke to vocalist Charlie Rolfe backstage at the Download Pilot event all about the bands journey, the reception to the record, digitally connecting with fans and the bands Heavy Music Awards nomination.

London based duo CRASHFACE crashed onto the scene back in 2020 and have since released a string of relentless singles in the run up to dropping their blazing debut EP 'HEAVY INFECTIOUS'. A bombastic blend of alt-rock, infectiously aggressive punk, slamming riffs and sickly-sweet vocals, CRASHFACE are a band that will send a shock through the system. We spoke to vocalist/guitarist Charlie Hinton and bassist Otto Balfour all about their musical influences, the EP release and the importance of the visual aspect to a band's artistry.

Manchester’s Hot Milk are a band brimming with sheer force, delivering high octane alternative-rock-meets-mainstream-pop driven by big riffs, big choruses and equally bigger amounts of upbeat energy. Their debut EP 'Are You Feeling Alive?' demonstrates this, headed up by Han Mee and Jim Shaw’s flair for lifeful pop hooks. Having toured with the likes of rock royalty Foo Fighters and UK favourites You Me At Six, Hot Milk have grown in confidence, charisma and volume ever since. On the brink of releasing their brand new EP 'I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I’M DEAD' and with a UK tour to follow, we spoke to co-vocalists/co-guitarists Mee and Shaw backstage at the Download Pilot event, discussing their excitement for the new era of Hot Milk, the decision to release another EP and more. 

The recent ten thousand capacity Download Pilot event witnessed the welcomed live return of a full camping festival as part of the UK Government's pilot scheme to help open up live music. We were lucky enough to attend the memorable live event, find out what we thought about the artists we saw over the weekend!

'Bodies' is an album that showcases a moment in AFI’s career much similar to their previous ten releases, taking the noisiest version of punk music and mixing it with brooding emotions and polished synths.   

This weekend a 10,000 capacity Download Pilot is set to take place featuring headliners Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari, Bullet For My Valentine plus many more acts across the three-day test festival. The event is set to be utilised as a gateway to getting live music back on the road as part of the second phase of the Government's scientific event research programme. Check out our top picks from the line-up of this very special music event.