[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here are loads of festivals. Hundreds of them, all dedicated to the biggest, best or most exciting emerging bands. But, being Dork, we’ve decided there can never be enough, so we’re putting on another one.
Teaming up with London’s Old Blue Last, we’re delighted to announce the first edition of Etc. – quite literally another music festival. 100% free, it’ll be held over four Thursday nights this July, featuring some of our favourite acts.
Today, we’re delighted to bring the first eight acts playing. Here’s what you can expect.
Thursday 5th July
Catholic Action
We’ve been besotted with this lot ever since we featured them in our very first issue. After dropping a bloody brilliant debut album of arty pop bangers, ‘In Memory Of’, last year, we’re delighted to have them for the first night of our new music extravaganza.
Check out: Roaring indie turbobanger ‘Propaganda’
Thyla
If we were making a league table of our favourite new bands on the planet – and let’s be clear, this is absolutely something we do – then you can be sure Thyla would be fighting it out in tense six point Super Sunday battles for the title. Their single-before-last ‘I Was Biting’ battled off some big hitters to win the coveted Dork ‘Banger of the Month’ prize, and its follow up ‘Blame’ is every bit as brilliant. Able to strand the divide between indie cool and rock action, we’re not sure what crown they’re set to inherit, but prepare the throne regardless.
Check out: Track of the year so far contender ‘I Was Biting’
Thursday 12th July
Francobollo
It is our intention, Dear Reader, to start some parties this summer. And if we’re starting parties, we want to invite Francobollo. Last year’s riotous debut ‘Long Live Life’ was so much fun, we’re still coming down – the elastic fantastic ‘Worried Times’ marking a particular highlight. Hopefully they’ll not be recreating the kinda nightmarish video at the Old Blue this July, but from the sounds of latest single ‘We’re Dead’, they’ve got something special to show us.
Check out: The woozy, wonderful ‘We’re Dead’.
Thursday 19th July
Off Bloom
Anyone that knows Dork – which is everyone cool, ‘FYI’ – knows we’re all about the Big Pop Banger. That’s an art form that Off Bloom specialise in, spending the last couple of years dropping bombs big enough to provoke major diplomatic incidents. As they continue to ramp up their ascent, recently dropping the more-huge-than-Hugh-Grant ‘Love Actually’, we’re buzzed to open up the doors of the Old Blue to see just how much damage they can do.
Check out: Storming pop perfection, ‘Falcon Eye’.
Outlya
Did we mention pop bangers? We’re going double header on the shiny hip-shakers with natty three piece Outlya. Last year’s ‘Volcano’ EP had the sort of epic thump that knocks down barriers and sends bands into the stratosphere. Most recent effort ‘White Light’ takes it to the dancefloor, cutting shapes and busting moves. Clear a space.
Check out: Sizzling sass-fest ‘White Light’
Thursday 26th July
Girli
What can we say about Girli that we haven’t already committed to record? If attitude is everything, welcome to our universe. Clad in pink and taking no prisoners, Girli has progressed from pop potential to one woman hit factory. Over her last few offerings, she’s slammed into a new gear – last week’s ‘Day Month Second’ setting a new high mark. She’s on a charge, she’s coming through. We’re taking no prisoners for Etc.’s closing act.
Check out: Break-up banger ‘Day Month Second’
Lucia
The heady cocktail offered up by Glasgow’s Lucia is sure to send us into a woozy, blissful state. From the creamy delights of ‘Melted Ice Cream’ to the thump of ‘Best Boy’ and the echoing cool of ‘When I Think Of You’, every cut could be a different, brilliant band, and yet all come from the same, cohesive brain. A sensory overload to lose yourself in.
Check out: Summer’s the perfect time for a bit of ‘Melted Ice Cream’, right?
Zand
After years of performing as Seafoal, Zander Sweeney has left that name, and most of its history behind, as they start over again with new project Zand. 2018’s ‘Boys Like U’ is the kind of banger that makes demands now, and deals with the introductions later. You’re not ready for this.
Check out: We eat ‘Boys Like U’ for breakfast.
Etc. 2018 takes place on 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th July at London’s Old Blue Last. All shows are free entry, with doors at 8pm. Loads more acts will be announced in the very near future. For more info, head to the Etc. website here. [sc name=”stopper”]
