Even though Live At The Bandstand has moved across to Castle Field while the renovations take place on the Southsea Coastal Scheme project, it is still a great place and location to have an afternoon of music.
I caught up with Ella and Sam from neu waves, who have teamed up to create a very cool weekly Thursday night of music at the Loft and have an afternoon on Saturday the 24th of June on the ‘Live At The Bandstand’ stage with 3 talented bands that will make your Saturday ooze with chilling vibes.
Is this the first time you have arranged a set for Live At The Bandstand?
This is our second year as neu waves at Live at the Bandstand! We’re really excited to be a part of it again, promoting local emerging artists with interesting line ups! There’s always a great crowd so it’s always a fun time!
What can people expect from the bands that are playing?
For Breakfast have played at neu waves before and are one of our favourite emerging bands. Hailing from London they boast jazz elements fused with post-rock and dream pop! A band full of very talented musicians and a really interesting one to catch!
We have two local artists on the bill for this Saturday too- Rose’s Diary (neu waves favourites) with bedroom dream-pop, and pink guitars! Frontwoman Rose uses her songwriting as a way to voice her thoughts and feelings, hence the name Rose’s Diary! They’re a great band who are going far so you wanted to miss them.
Owen Vincent will be accompanied by his band- an equally great solo act and band! He’s played neu waves a few times and his indie guitar music is always fun, great for the Brit-pop fans out there!
Overall an eclectic mix, which is what neu waves is all about! We always strive to provide diverse and varying line ups in every show we put on, this one is no different!
How do you find cool bands and musicians to play for neu waves?
Both Sam and I have our finger on the button, and are both very passionate about music generally, so it can come easily to us to find new bands we love.
We like to give all artists an opportunity and a platform to play, so we always take a chance on any act if we like what we hear! So that’s it really!
Some bands will approach us too and we always encourage bands to get in touch with us! They can reach out to our email or on socials neuwavesportsmouth@gmail.com
How would you describe neu waves to someone who has never heard of you before?
A very fun Thursday night celebrating and showcasing the best in emerging talent! Ultimately! We’re a welcoming space and it’s always a fun night to discover new music and catch the bands before they go big!
What music are you looking forward to over the coming months?
Ella:
I’m particularly enjoying Thee Sacred Souls latest single at the moment, so looking forward to more to come from them. Also, CHAI are fun and releasing new stuff…
I am also looking forward to the new Bombay Bicycle Club album later this year and seeing them in Pompey! Very nostalgic for me!
Sam:
I’m looking forward to the new Slowdive album, new PJ Harvey, Porchlight, pip blom, the coral, girl Ray, Cucamaras- hopefully future neu waves acts!
Any festivals you are attending?
Ella:
We both attended Wide Awake in London which is a really cool, independent festival, which is very in line with neu waves values and what we want to achieve! Saw some cool acts there and discovered new bands too! Finally got to see Alex G and Nice Biscuit (Aus) again which was fun!
Can’t miss Jamiroquai at Victorious either but currently nothing else planned! Will probably go and watch Glasto at Staggeringly Good this weekend too and wish I was there!
Sam:
I’m going to Nox Orae on Lake Geneva with Hallan this summer, been to wide awake, but the lineups at Green Man and EOTR are strong!
You can catch neu waves and their selection of cool music this afternoon from 1pm until 4pm.
