Happy New Year! Each week we like to champion the music scene with ten songs in our playlist that all have a connection to the RaW (Reading and Wokingham) area and sometimes beyond. We’re starting off the new year with ten new entries, which is a reflection of just how active the local music scene is. As always, we have a wide variety of musical styles, but we think they’re all worth a listen and we hope you find something new to enjoy as well as maybe getting out to experience the thrill of live music.
1. Forlorn – Let Them Run –
Well, we could ease you into 2026 with some restful, quiet tunes… But no, here’s a bit of folk-horror metal to kickstart things and wake you up! Forlorn were one of the many highlights of Reading Rising Festival at the Face Bar back in November, and were particularly striking visually, with their set being more of a sacred ritual led by vocalist Megan Jenkins than a simple musical performance. This is the second single since their debut album Aether, and explores what it means to be true to your self, whatever others may think. https://www.facebook.com/weareallforlorn
2. Leoni Jane Kennedy – Temple –
Something a little more contemplative now, from Leoni Jane Kennedy, though the song shares some of the same themes of self-determination as Let Them Run. We always have time for Leoni, as she’s an extremely talented songwriter and performer, and we managed to see her perform four times last year around the Reading area. This latest single is one she’s been performing for some time, and in fact she wrote it when she was just 13, which just emphasises how talented she is. https:// www.facebook.com/LJKmusic
3. TRASHCAT, Akin S. – HONEST –
Long-time playlist favourite Charlotte Stokes links up with Akin Sivatheeswaran (one-time guitarist of Brighton-based industrial metal merchants Rage Doll) for this pop punk expression of frustration with the other party in a relationship. https://www.instagram.com/ trashcatmusic_/
4. Perfect Beasts – Non Stop to the Moon –
Something a little more upbeat: this is the second track from the prog supergroup featuring Darren Redick (Planet Rock), Steve Hales (Kepler Ten), John Mitchell (Asia, Frost*, Lonely Robot, etc.), and guitarist Nick Andrew, ahead of their debut album due out later this month. The Beasts wonder what went wrong with the optimism of the 50s and 60s, when we had the vision of a future with space travel and flying cars, and how we get back there. https://www.facebook.com/ perfectbeasts
5. Katie Ellwood – Afterthought –
A lovely musical interlude from Kate Ellwood, who has graced the stage at Wokingham Festival a couple of times recently, and has been composing music for film soundtracks. https://www.facebook.com/katieellwoodmusic
6. Motorcycle Display Team – Secret Self –
We caught MDT on the Radio Wigwam/Jamma promoted stage at Wokingham Festival, and again at the Purple Turtle, and we loved their music; this is their latest single. They’re playing at the Radio Wigwam awards in London on the 22nd January, where they’re also nominated in the Best Live Act category. https://www.facebook.com/mdtbandUK
7. Grace Pounds – The Way The Water Moves –
Here’s the long-awaited new single from Reading-based Grace Pounds (though she’s currently studying music in Brighton); like buses, there’s another one due out later this month, and there will be videos to accompany both, the result of Grace winning a competition to collaborate with a film university, so we look forward to seeing those! Grace is opening a charity fundraiser at The Butler on 31st January in memory of Nic Gill, proceeds go towards the Rising Sun Arts Centre and Cancer Support Network. https://www.facebook.com/GracePoundsMusic
8. Ailsa Scott – The Dogs –
We saw Ailsa Scott perform way back in August last year, playing by the Kennet at the Oracle for the Riverbeats mini-festival organised by Readipop, and this song has been on rotation since then. Ailsa is originally from Scotland and is now based in Reading, and she has put out a couple more singles and will be releasing an EP soon. https://ailsascottmusic.com/
9. A Dirty Soul – Second Hand Town –
They’re based in Newbury, so we think that’s where they’re singing about here, but they’ve played in Reading a couple of times recently so who knows? Another great rock track from A Dirty Soul https://www.instagram.com/adirtysoulmusic
10. The Straights – Remedy –
From Portsmouth, The Straights headlined a show at the Face Bar nearly a year ago now, but like Ailsa Scott’s single, this track has been clamouring for a place in the playlist since. A great piece of adrenalin-fuelled rock, about battling through chaos and finding salvation; check it out as well as their other releases. https://www.facebook.com/thestraightsukofficial
You can listen to all the songs featured in our Spotify playlist at https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday
