The Understudies

The Understudies (London) - Building on the foundation of two acclaimed albums and a reputation for live performances that are equal parts Bad Seeds intensity, Auteurs irreverence and Tindersticks intimacy, they returned to live performance in 2023 with a clutch of new material and renewed vitality. 2024 promises to continue the forward momentum with further gigs, new songs and new recordings. A New International (Glasgow) - Performing in their cabaret trio formation for this gig, A New International came to be in 2013. Raised from the ashes of The Starlets, they are New Scottish romanticism; a little bit of this and a whole lot of that, searching for another pop music. Singer/Songwriter Biff describes ANI?s ethos as ?a band that, in the best possible sense, didn?t sound like a band: a band that sounded like, let?s say...a movie or a circus or a funeral or a riot; anything but another dreary band?. Matthew Stead (Gloucester) - Matthew Stead was the man behind Indiepop mainstays A Fine Day For Sailing, and made his mark on SE London's scene with the legendary Read And Shout event in 2011, roping in Jens Lekman to play at and help save West Norwood library. Nowadays he makes pop music in the Forest of Dean when he?s not touring the world teaching ukulele. He has a new record of pop gems out this year and will be playing songs from it live.