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. This week we have three new tracks for you from acts with connections to Reading and Wokingham, in particular to Wokingham Festival. 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. Kepler Ten – Time and Tide –
One of our favourite venues outside our area, but within easy reach, is The 1865 in Southampton. Last week we went along there for an event to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Solent Area Prog Shows. It was an excellent event and one of the bands playing was Kepler Ten whose set was made even more special being their first show back with their original line up. Richie Cahill has returned to join Steve Hales and James Durand and their set was exceptional! Three incredible musicians playing music that is powerful and complex but with melody and accessibility. The good news is that you don’t have to go far to see their next performance. They will be playing on August Bank Holiday Monday 31st at Wokingham Festival. This track is from the band’s debut album, Delta-v, which features the original line up – https://www.keplerten.com
2. Amity – City of Stars –
The acts on the Marquee stage at Wokingham Festival on Sunday 30th August are being curated by Radio Wigwam, and they have chosen a fascinating mix of styles, but all of high quality. One example is Amity, whose City of Stars is a haunting ballad recounting the course of a tempestuous relationship; remarkably, it was written in his head during his Physics exam, and written down as soon as possible afterwards! https://www.amity.music/
3. Matt Kiano – Five and a Half Minutes –
Matt Kiano from South Wales is another of the exciting acts that Radio Wigwam have chosen for the Marquee stage on August 30th. Matt played in a few local punk bands before going solo; influenced by the likes of Green Day, Alkaline Trio and Angels & Airwaves, he’s been crafting pop-punk songs filled with energy and emotion. https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Kiano1
4. The Dollheads – Don’t Let It Take Me –
We first saw The Dollheads, a trio of teenaged siblings from Las Vegas, musically inspired by The Ramones, play at The Fiery Bird venue in Woking two years ago, and were blown away by their energy. We were therefore thrilled when Future Transmissions announced they were coming to the Face Bar in Reading, which they did recently before heading for Blackpool (you may have seen them on the BBC report of the Rebellion punk festival), and what an evening it was, with support from Hairdye from Wales, and 18 Fevers from South Korea – a truly international evening! This is their latest single. https://www.facebook.com/theDollheadsMusic
5. Asia – The Traveller (Into the Light) –
The latest incarnation of the classic band, Asia, have recently announced a brand new album coming soon called ‘Indigo’ and, if this lead single from it, is anything to go by, it’s going to be a good one! The track certainly has the feel and sound of the original band whilst also sounding current and fresh too. That’s great credit to the impressive new line up which features Reading’s own, John Mitchell, on guitar and backing vocals. John has also announced a forthcoming new album from his own Lonely Robot so two albums featuring John to look forward to very soon – https://originalasia.com
6. Amy Dx – Crossroads –
We’re into August now, and in the run-up to Wokingham Festival at the end of the month. One of the many acts we’re looking forward to seeing on day 2 is Amy Dx, who will be appearing on the Marquee stage, curated by Radio Wigwam. This track is her most recent single, which starts with a cool bassline before the vocals come in; Amy will be also be debuting some new songs on the day – don’t miss it! https://www.facebook.com/amydxmusic
7. Katacombs – Heaven is… –
Runnin’ Blue have been promoting music in London and Reading for over ten years now, and celebrated their 100th event with a gig at the Face Bar featuring some of the acts they’ve put on over the years. Katacombs is the stage name of Katerina Kiranos, who gave up carpentry for making music; this song was inspired by her love for Tunnocks’ Teacakes. During her excellent set she was joined by folk punk legend, Frank Turner, for a duet on one song. https://www.facebook.com/thisiskatacombs
8. The Kokroachez – That Kinda Girl –
The Kokroachez are a very dynamic band from Oxford, who we saw last year at The Oracle, and who will be kicking off the music on day 2 of this year’s Wokingham Festival, Sunday 30th August. This is their latest single, full of their characteristic energy and a lyric contrasting what you are and what you could be. https://www.instagram.com/thekokroachez/
9. The Two Ton Shoes – The Prestige –
The Two Ton Shoes opened the recent Crazy Cowboy Festival 11 at the Face Bar, the same day they released this, their latest single. The band are local and reckon they had the shortest travel distance to the venue from all those appearing this year! Their Weight of a Stone was Andy’s favourite track of 2023, and this is another great example of their sound. https://www.facebook.com/ thetwotonshoes
10. Forgotten Gods – Everybody’s Hero –
We went along to the Prog for Peart event and it was excellent! It wasn’t too far away (in Abingdon), it was for charity and there was great music over two days so, if you’ve never been before, it’s well worth getting along next year. One of the bands there was Forgotten Gods and you don’t have to wait until next year to see them as they will be at our own, Wokingham Festival, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31st. This track is from their impressive album, Memories – https:// www.forgottengods.co.uk/
You can listen to all the songs featured in our Spotify playlist at https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday
