LOOKING AT SOME OF THE UNDERGROUND AND NEW ACTS FOR 2016

Robin from Portsmouth based independent and highly respected new music blog Breaking More Waves has put together his picks from this year’s Victorious Festival exclusively for Strong Island.

There’s just 3 months to go before huge names like Noel Gallagher, Manic Street Preachers, Mark Ronson and Annie Mac hit Southsea Common for Victorious Festival, but alongside the established superstars an excitingly strong undercard of new acts on the 2 main stages waits to be discovered. I’ve picked out 5 of those that I believe it’s worth getting down the front early for.

…alongside the established superstars an excitingly strong undercard of new acts on the 2 main stages waits to be discovered

Rat Boy (Castle Stage – Saturday)

Bound to go down well with a Portsmouth crowd, Jordan Cardy aka Rat Boy brings a rowdy ska-punk anarchy to his shows whilst adding a good dose of social commentary to his rough and ready songs. He’s already been out supporting The 1975 and was many people’s highlight of this year’s NME tour. If you like Jamie T, The Streets, The Libertines and early Arctic Monkeys, Rat Boy is one you must check out.

Website: www.ratboy.co.uk
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/ratboyratboy

Dagny (Castle Stage – Sunday)

Dagny, a pop singer from Northern Norway, set the Internet on fire in 2015 with the release of her single Backbeat. Having premiered on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio show, the song spread across the blogs in a flash, nearing the top of the Hype Machine charts and went top 10 on the iTunes chart in Norway. It’s now had over 16 million plays on Spotify and her recent show at Brighton’s new music festival The Great Escape was met with very positive reviews. I’m looking forward to seeing if she can become Norway’s brightest pop export since A-Ha.

Website: www.dagnyofficial.com
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/dagnymusic

Samm Henshaw (Castle Stage – Sunday)

When I first wrote about Samm Henshaw in 2015 on Breaking More Waves I used the words ‘classic soul’ and name checked Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers. That was probably getting a little bit over excited, but there’s no doubt that Samm is remarkably talented; his voice is wonderfully smooth and his songs, like the beautiful Only Wanna Be With You and the grittier old fashioned Our Love are made to soften even the hardest of hearts.

Website: www.sammhenshaw.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SammHenshaw

Izzy Bizu (Castle Stage – Saturday)

Izzy Bizu is a former member of teen pop band Soundgirl and a runner up of the Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition, which I help judge. Now signed to Epic records she’s had plays on Radio 1 and 1 Extra, was shortlisted for the Brits critics’ choice shortlist as well as the BBC Sound of 2016 longlist, was on Later…. with Jools Holland and has supported Sam Smith, Rudimental and Foxes on tour. Her music is a blend of cheery soul-pop with a jazzy edge and her note perfect voice needs to be heard live to fully appreciate it.

Website: izzybizu.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IzzyBizu

Eliza & The Bear (Common Stage – Sunday)

No one in this band is called Eliza – the name comes from a poem by Eleanor Rees. However, before anyone gets too hung up on that, just enjoy their music. Eliza & The Bear make heartfelt holler-along fist-pumping anthems that have seen them being compared to everyone from Arcade Fire to Mumford & Sons to Of Monsters & Men. Having watched them live a number of times live I can guarantee that whoever you think they sound like, they’ll leave you feeling on a glorious high.

Website: www.elizaandthebear.com
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/elizaandthebear