Following the phenomenal response to news of their forthcoming All Points East reunion show on Sunday 24 August 2025, The Maccabees have announced the first wave of special guests including Bombay Bicycle Club, Dry Cleaning, The Cribs, Nilüfer Yanya, The Murder Capital, Divorce and Prima Queen – with many more still to come. The show will be The Maccabees’ first show in eight years and coincides with the tenth anniversary of the landmark album Marks to Prove It. The announcement on Monday was the news fans have been waiting for since the band paid an emotional farewell in 2017 with a sold-out three-night run at Alexandra Palace. Guitarist Felix White says: “In the intervening years we’ve been to All Points East a lot, separately. It’s become a bit of a landmark festival for us, always checking who’s on the line-up. I’d go and have a great time throughout the day, but there was always this pinch of regret watching headliners that we could’ve done it ourselves one day too. I thought that moment had passed, and it was something I was prepared to come to terms with that I was always going to miss. I think we’re all kind of shocked and excited that we get to do it together again.” As if the return of The Maccabees wasn’t exciting enough, the addition of special guests Bombay Bicycle Club guarantees one of the biggest events of the year in British guitar music. Since Bombay Bicycle Club formed in 2005, accolades have included the NME Best New Band award and an Ivor Novello Award nomination for the 2010 album Flaws. The band returned in 2023 with their sixth studio album, the joyful My Big Day, and this year they followed that up with Fantasies, an EP of infectious indie-pop collaborations with the likes of Lucy Rose and Matilda Mann. With many more names still to be announced, the bill is already packed with exciting talent. Modern post-punk icons Dry Cleaning have won a dedicated following with their mix of jagged guitars, driving rhythms and spoken-word vocals on absolute bangers like ‘Scratchcard Lanyard’ and ‘Strong Feelings’. Perfectly formed rock indie classics will be delivered at All Points East next year by The Cribs. If you have any doubts of the band’s pedigree, ask Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, who even joined the band for a few years, or check out the blistering live album, released last year, of a performance in Liverpool’s The Cavern in 2020. Nilüfer Yanya is a genre-defying musician and songwriter, who this year released the gorgeous album My Method Actor album on Ninja Tune. Pitchfork praised it as “an album of everyday luxury”. A remix edition is on the way in November. Also on the bill are Dublin post-punk heroes The Murder Capital, who have been delivering exhilarating dark anthems since 2019’s debut album, When I Have Fears. Their latest release is the primal roar of the single ‘Can’t Pretend To Know’ and a third album is currently in the works. 2025 is set to be a big year for fast-rising Nottingham band Divorce, with the release of debut album Drive to Goldenhammer. The infectious, soaring single ‘All My Freaks’ was described by So Young as a “refreshing, sharp commentary on the music industry, delivered with the warmth and authenticity that Divorce have made their signature”. Plus one of pop’s rising stars, Prima Queen will head to All Points East next summer. The melodic partnership of Louis Macphail and Kristin McFadden delivers tunes that are made for the airwaves and perfect for a sunny day in Victoria Park. Latest single Fool was described by Clash as “a whip-smart piece of alt-pop that is both striking and oddly understated”. Speaking about the The Maccabees’ reunion as plans to headline All Points East came together, guitarist Hugo White said he was inspired, in part, by watching The Strokes at last year’s All Points East: “I could see that they were enjoying it , realising how great what they had created together was. Being a band, you are usually in a mindset of, ‘We can do better’ and you’re always chasing something else. This is an opportunity to realise that whatever we had in that moment was pretty special and get to enjoy it again. It’s a chance to appreciate everything, and especially how it impacts other people and created a community.” For 2024, All Points East welcomed another round of huge headliners Kaytranada, Loyle Carner, Mitski, LCD Soundsystem, APE presents Field Day and The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie and carefully curated guest lineups for each day. Between the weekends, In The Neighbourhood returned for four days of activities and free entry in Victoria Park. Artist Presale sign up here: www.themaccabees.co.ukGeneral tickets available from www.allpointseastfestival.com Amex Presale begins 10am GMT Monday 28 Oct, ends 9am GMT Thursday 31 OctArtist Presale begins 10am GMT Wednesday 30 October General tickets go on sale at 10am GMT Thursday 31 October Facebook / Twitter / Instagram | @allpointseastuk#allpointseast | www.allpointseastfestival.com |
The Cribs
The Cribs, The Kills and more added to Isle of Wight Festival 2016 lineup
The Isle of Wight Festival today announces five acts for the 2016 festival, taking place 9-12th June at Seaclose Park. Joining the line up are returning indie brothers The Cribs, rock’n’roll duo The Kills, Britpop alumni Ocean Colour Scene, legendary rockers Status Quo and festival favourites Mike + The Mechanics.
Queen + Adam Lambert, Stereophonics and Faithless
Renowned for their energetic brand of indie-rock, The Cribs released their sixth album ‘For All My Sisters’ last March which peaked at Number Nine in the UK Charts. In the year of their 10th anniversary the band were honoured with the ‘Spirit of Independence’ award at the Q Awards and ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ at the annual NME Awards.
Comprised of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, The Kills have been described as rock ’n ’roll’s best-kept secret. Together the duo have released four critically acclaimed albums, including the 2011 release 'Blood Pressures’ which reached the Top 40 in both the US and UK. The band will be playing US shows including Coachella Festival in April.
Ocean Colour Scene will be returning to the festival for the first time since they wowed crowds in 2010. Following a sold out tour in January to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their ‘Moseley Shoals’ album, the band will be performing this classic release at The Isle of Wight Festival in its entirety. ‘Moseley Shoals’ is just one of three of the band’s albums which reached the Top Five in the Official Charts and contributed to their nine successive Top 20 hit singles.
One of Britain’s best loved rock bands Status Quo will be performing classic hits such as ‘Whatever You Want’ and ‘Down Down’ in a special performance which will be one of the last opportunities to see the band in their full set up following a recent announcement that after 2016 they will be hanging up their electric guitars for good.
Isle of Wight Festival veterans Mike + The Mechanics will once again be delighting crowds with hits such as ‘Over My Shoulder’ and ‘All I Need Is a Miracle’. Genesis founding member Mike Rutherford will be joined by one of the UK’s most prolific R&B singers Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar, who has previously toured with the likes of Rod Stewart and Paulo Nutini.
Liverpool Sound City Review 2015
There's something counter-intuitive about standing in a tent when it's daylight & the sun is shining.* Ady Suleiman doesn't seem to mind. Hoodie sleeves pushed up on his forearms, he's tasked with opening the Cargo stage for Sound City 2015 & taking a suitably serious approach. It’s a small but merry crowd, one couple dancing drunkenly to 'So Lost'. Amy Winehouse fans will like Suleiman's soulful ska & straight talking. "I wonder what your body looks like." The tent grooves into the weekend.
*Behind the clouds, we assume. It's a grey day, sure, but better than many.
The Kraken tent cheers six-strong folk act The Sound Poets. Out on the North stage, Delta Rae looks frighteningly cold. It's gusty on the docks, at ground level even. I want to dip the band in hot chocolate & wonder briefly if the Tim Peaks Diner would oblige.
London act Vaults is understated but by no means underdone. Frontwoman Blythe Pepino is unmissable in traffic light red, eyeliner streaming (intentionally, we hope). She is barefoot singing ‘Poison’ & moving from the heart. New single ‘Cry No More’ is a tricky thing, sad & hopeful. Ethereal, electronic, I hear Massive Attack & get those same goodly emotional vibes. The bass at the Atlantic is something else. I spend several minutes watching the stage skirting shudder to the beat.
The Lytics have the Cavern under command, four bright voices in unison. It’s only when the stage empties that I catch sight of one of their number’s leg in a cast. How on earth did he manage all that bouncing? Carnival Youth is perfectly sentimental with numbers like ‘Never Have Enough’ & ‘Brown Eyes & All The Rest’. Before taking the mic, the drummer warns the next is a quiet song. “So yeah, you probably won’t hear anything.” Cute.
Back at North (getting the nautical theme now?), a Jack Sparrow lookalike has one leg up in the air, posed like a plucky pigeon as he strikes the synth.
Spector thrashes out 2012’s Chevy Thunder on the main stage. Lead singer Fred Macpherson has been growing his hair since I saw him last but is no less officious in trademark business attire. New single ‘All The Sad Young Men’ is affecting. “I don’t wanna make love, I don’t want to make plans. I don’t want anyone to want to hold my hand.” It’s a great set, easily as good as later acts Everything Everything & fellow Londoners The Vaccines.
All We Are reign supreme on day two, ‘Keep Me Alive’ an understandable hit. ‘Utmost Good’ is just that, delicious summer listening and even better live. After an obligatory stop at Dogtown & a healthy bout of VIP boat envy, we’re back at base for Dutch Uncles & Duncan Wallis’ enthused vibrato. There’s a video game quality to their sound that I love, playful & rhythmic always.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra is another highlight & way more appealing to this reviewer than headliners The Flaming Lips, though without aid of flashy props. I bet Lonelady kills it too but as happens at a festival, we’re caught up enjoying & miss her completely.
Bill Ryder-Jones is a discovery, at ease playing very personal tunes to the festival’s biggest stage. Moon King deserves a mention for their undersubscribed set at the Baltic, one of the new venue’s more exciting spaces. C.A.R. looks happy sipping Fosters in the sun & it’s ultimately refreshing to get a band all smiles.
Boys club The Raglans are raucous on the Cargo stage & give the audience an epic drumming break to close their set. Things get rowdier as the festival draws to a close, The Cribs not helping matters with older, better known material like ‘I’m a Realist’ & ‘Men’s Needs ’ stirring up the crowd. Security high-fives the first crowdsurfer to reach the front of the stage but I’m wondering if the joke is a little old the tenth & twelfth time. It’s great to watch, the hippies, mods & rockers, the hatted & bespectacled, all joining in the swell.
It’s hard to determine the ebbs & flows, the tarmac of the main stage emptying & filling in parts ahead of a hotly anticipated set from Belle and Sebastian. I’ll admit new album ‘Girls In Peacetime Want to Dance’ was my first encounter of the hugely popular indie outfit from Scotland, but I’m determined to explore their back catalogue after tonight’s showing.
I’m not sold on the new format. What made Sound City great in previous years was that it wasn’t one single identifiable & homogenous thing. It inhabited the cafes & bars of Liverpool’s cooler quarters & to that end, was supremely easy to access & enjoy. The docklands setting should be a win & there is more than enough music on offer, but I’m missing those laidback communal spaces that can make the in-between moments the best in a weekend (not counting the dodgem cars – they’re ace).
Let’s give it a year & see what’s what on the docks in 2016.
Live at Leeds 2015 Review
Awarded 'Best Metropolitan Festival 2014' and due to celebrate its 10th birthday next year things are going pretty well for Live at Leeds currently. One of a growing number of urban music festivals, there are some distinct advantages to be had from avoiding the expense and mud of the established camping festivals, and you get to sleep in a bed at the end of the day! Crucially though, there is a huge range of acts across multiple stages – and all at a very reasonable price tag of £27.50.
Based on an ethos of promoting up and coming bands, particularly local ones, the festival has given early career appearances in recent years for the likes of Jake Bugg, Rudimental and Royal Blood. However, a smattering of established acts are always on hand for those less adventurous punters with The Cribs, Gaz Coombs and experimental-punk-rock legend Thurston Moore all on the bill this year.
Legendary status comes in all forms and for the Leeds music scene it's a venue – in this case the Brudenell Social Club where things kicked off for me in impressive style with St. Petersburg's Pinkshinyultrablast doing their very best to revive the early 1990's British shoegaze sound. Fresh from a Radio 6 session earlier in the week their wall of sound comprising effects heavy guitar, synth and driving drum beat is well constructed and pleasingly reminiscent of their forebearers: Ride, My Bloody Valentine etc with perhaps even some Cocteau Twins thrown in for good measure. Next door on the smaller games room stage is Lancaster's Lake Komo offering up sweet pop melodies echoing somewhat The Magic Numbers. Back on the Brudenell main stage the fabulous Broncho from Oklahoma are in full swing. A raggle taggle bunch of skinny scruffs with ripped jeans, their twitchy, urgent Americana-punk is Ramones / Stooges inspired and has the afternoon audience bouncing joyously at the front.
In town at one of the bigger venues, Leeds Beckett University main stage I caught local band Hookworms' set of synth-led droning psychedelic rock. It's clearly a sound these boys take very seriously – powerful and confident; undoubtedly a band to watch for the future. Over the road Palma Violets open as they mean to go on with their driving, heavy blues rock sing-along anthems, sending a packed Leeds Town Hall into euphoria. Fans sitting on shoulders, jumping up and down, fists in the air: this is rock'n'roll as it should be – inspirational and ecstatic. On leaving the venue the queue for The Cribs was round the block leaving me questioning whether I would be able to get back in for the headliners but I was determined to catch Eagulls back at the student union, and was glad I made the effort. In the home of goth these Leeds locals are doing an admirable job of keeping the genre alive. The influence of Sisters of Mercy and The Mission is evident here using many conventions we have come to associate with that often, but unfairly, derided sound – scything guitar, walls of screechy feedback and a fabulously gaunt, waily voiced front man, complete with black over-coat.
Next up is Thurston Moore and his roots in experimentation and pushing the boundaries of New York's 1980's hard-core punk scene with his band Sonic Youth are very much on display in an elongated minimal Phillip Glass like intro plucked out on his guitar. However, this gives way to a catchy garage-punk chugging guitar groove which sustains his 15 minute opening track admirably. His vocals relatively quite in the mix, this is an altogether lighter, more melodic and easier on the ear sound than much of Sonic Youth's often challenging hard-core. Perhaps a little phased by the sparse turn out in the venue – packed to the gills for the previous set by Eagulls – Moore is initially rather taciturn but visibly perks up after a “We love you Thurston!” emanates from the audience, and finally breaks his between songs silence with a “Thank you” and introduction of his band as “Slade”!
Happily I am able to gain access to the town hall again for the second half of The Cribs set despite there still being a queue, albeit a diminished one. There is little that can go wrong here: the band are local boys made good (strictly speaking from nearby Wakefield rather than Leeds itself), now internationally famous rock stars playing a suitably rapturous homecoming gig. They belt out their catalogue of pop-punk anthems to an adoring crowd, surpassing the response, even, gained by Palma Violets. As has become customary in these parts at major homecoming gigs, the chants of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” go up at the end and the band politely thank the audience before duly smashing up their instruments, denoting their now fully fledged rock star status.
To finish the day I can't resist making my way back to the Brudenell, which is at the fullest and sweatiest I have ever seen the venue, to catch the end of Slaves set. Keeping the DIY spirit of punk alive this is a primal and energetic two man drum and guitar assault, a Sleaford Mods / Rage Against the Machine hybrid perhaps. The security are kept busy by multiple stage invasions while band members Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent repay the compliment by jumping into the crowd themselves and completing the final song held aloft before embracing and leaving the stage – the gig clearly a powerful experience for them as well as us, and a great way to end Live at Leeds 2015.
Photos by Paul Jones
The War on Drugs, Palma Violets, Ella Eyre and many more added to T in the Park 2015 lineup
The Cribs to perform at Live at Leeds 2015
Kicking off the festival season and having already announced a huge lineup including Carl Barat & The Jackals, Dry The River, Dutch Uncles, Thurston Moore, Eagulls, Stormzy, Swim Deep and Hookworms, Live At Leeds are proud to announce the addition of The Cribs to the festival.
With their forthcoming sixth album ‘For All My Sisters’ due on March 23rd, the Wakefield trio are back after what feels like a far too lengthy absence. From the punk squall of seminal signature tune ‘Hey Scenesters!’ through to enlisting Smiths legend Johnny Marr for full length ‘Ignore The Ignorant’ they are a band that have consistently pushed the boundaries of indie music and their attitude befits the festival perfectly. Festival-goers can preorder the album alongside their Live At Leeds tickets at http://smarturl.it/
The Cribs’ Gary Jarman says:
Sheffield’s Rolo Tomassi have relentlessly pushed the envelope of heavy music since their inception in 2005. Ten years of progression have lead to their eagerly anticipated upcoming album ‘Grievances’ and Live At Leeds are extremely excited to have them back.
Rolo Tomassi’s James Spence says:
"We're pleased to have the opportunity to return to play this years Live at Leeds. Having played the festival in 2010, we know what its all about and are glad to be joining an already fantastic line-up and I hope to catch a bunch of acts on the day!"
Also joining this year’s lineup today are Amy Studt, Charlie Hole, Dan Owen, Elderbrook, Fossa, Johnny O’Donnell, Jonny Quits, Rupert Stroud,Samuel S Parkes, Sophie Jamieson, The Vryll Society and Whilk and Misky.
New music additions to Leefest 2014
Check out the latest additions to this years Leefest right here.
The Cribs set to headline LeeFest 2014
This years South London Festival, LeeFest has now announced its final headliner as The Cribs.
The Yorkshire-based indie icons join Frightened Rabbit and Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip at the top of the festival’s music bill.
New music names announced today include Rae Morris, Years & Years, Fickle friends and IYES. Danish sensation MØ has already been announced as well as Young Fathers, Krafty Kuts, Maribou State, The Bohicas, Sivu, Childhood, Only Real and Blaenavon. Over 60 artists are yet to be named.
LeeFest is South London’s only weekend camping festival and maintains it’s homegrown roots by supporting local talent. Emerging artists from South London and Kent have been given the opportunity to apply to play at the festival. Successful artists will be announced soon as part of the LeeFest ‘Noise Collective’.
The Cribs and White Lies to headline Truck Festival
Truck Festival which takes place at Hill Farm, Steventon will host its biggest lineup to date with The Cribs and White Lies headlining over the weekend of July 18th – 19th.
Check out the lineup for the impressive Truck Festival for 2014 below:
WHITE LIES – Headliner
THE CRIBS – Headliner
Peace
Stornoway
Andrew W.K. (solo)
Los Campesinos!
Kids In Glass Houses
Swim Deep
Cerebral Ballzy
Itch
Eliza And The Bear
Lonely The Brave
Darlia
Circa Waves
Flyte
Nothing But Thieves
Nordic Giants
Black Moth
Festival organiser, James Goodall said, "I think this could be the best Truck on record. We have just unleashed this brilliant line-up but we still have many more things ready to be announced, so watch out."
Truck will host six stages, spanning these music genres: rock / indie / hip hop / folk / dance / electronic / punk / blues / acoustic / reggae and roots.
This includes the brilliant and best in new talent – the festival dedicates a day's programming on its Veterans and Virgins Stage to Truck first timers, as well as numerous other slots throughout the festival. Applications to play here are managed and voted for through the Truck Facebook page. With 600 submissions already and 6,600 views, it's a really effective way of reaching new audiences and artists can (and do) bedazzle a legendary and discerning crowd.
Y Not Festival lineup update
Joining The Cribs, The Horrors, The Darkness, The Enemy, Ash and the Mystery Jets and many many more are: Deaf Havana, IsMe, Chapel Club, Temples, The Temperance Movement, Nightworks, Maybeshewill and Chloe Howl. For the full line-up go to www.ynotfestivals.com
Also revealed are the chosen 20 unsigned bands who emerged from Y Not's search for the best of new talent. The festival, found in the heart of the Peak District, has a tradition of supporting emerging artists – stemming back to its birth in a quarry.
Festival organiser, Ralph Broadbent says, "There's been an excellent response this year – we had over 1,700 artists apply".
In addition to Y Not, the judging panel included BBC Introducing, Naim Label and top bands, The Horrors, Mystery Jets, and We are The Ocean. The results are on the Y Not website. BBC Introducing's Dean Jackson said: "I was happy to listen and watch the new artists as, having a long association with Y Not, I know what a fantastic opportunity it is for emerging artists to play."
Dean also explained, "I'm passionate about development of the next generation of bands and musicians so, consistent with what I do every Saturday night on the radio, I jumped at the chance to help new artists get this important early exposure". There's been widespread support through Twitter and Facebook from the bands already playing at Y Not.
Aled, from Kids in Glass Houses, said " Every band has to start somewhere and while the computer has made it easier than ever for bands and musicians to express themselves and produce professional quality work, they still need that bit of help to get seen and heard – and luck." Their experience, he said was very similar, "We got our breaks as an unsigned band by sending our demos in the post to competitions similar to the Y Not one and magazines as well. I think Britain is very open and eager for new bands so it's great that Y Not recognise that and are actively supporting and seeking new talent. These festivals aren't gonna headline themselves in five years!"
And Y Not meanwhile is ensuring this will be a spectacular of a festival. Between the gaps in the music, there are bars, a drive- in cinema, dodgems, helter skelter, a roller disco and unusual sightings rumoured. Younger families are also being looked after – with expanded family camping and kids activity area. This year the festival runs from 2-4 August, near Matlock, Derbyshire.