10 Songs to Get You in the Groove for this Year’s Festival Season: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Loyle Carner, Fickle Friends and more

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our worlds upside down, and the music industry in particular has felt its turbulence. After a year of no live music, the glimmering prospect on the horizon of festivals returning this summer could make it one to remember. From rock to hip-hop, here are the anthems to this summer’s highly anticipated festival season.

Catfish and the Bottlemen, Outside

It would be impossible to talk about UK festivals without mentioning Catfish and the Bottlemen. A crowd favourite who have worked their way up to the top of festival bills up and down the country, they are absolutely electric. You can catch Catfish and the Bottlemen headlining Neighbourhood Weekender as well as Reading and Leeds Festival this summer, and believe me, they are not one to miss. I once lost half of my belongings jumping around to these guys at a festival – no regrets.

Royal Blood, Typhoons

If ever we needed proof that rock and roll wasn’t dead, Royal Blood is it. This duo pack a punch and are paving the way for British rock into the mainstream. Headlining this year’s Truck Festival, Tramlines Festival, Victorious Festival and also playing at Mad Cool Festival, this summer is going to royally rock.

Foals, My Number

Another summer staple is Oxford rock band Foals, who are set to headline Boardmasters Festival and All Point’s East Festival this year, as well as playing at Mad Cool Festival, Super Bock Super Rock Festival, and Eurockéenes de Belfort. As soon as those opening beats bounce in, is it physically possible to restrain from dancing? 

The Big Moon, Your Light

With tracks like Your Light, Barcelona and It’s Easy Then, The Big Moon are undoubtedly the perfect soundtrack to those hazy summer days that seem to never end. These ladies are no stranger to big festival stages, playing the likes of Glastonbury Festival in 2019, and are due to play at Reading and Leeds Festival, Boardmasters Festival, Y Not Festival, Tramlines Festival and Truck Festival this summer.

The Magic Gang, Think

The Magic Gang certainly have some tricks up their sleeve when it comes to getting a party started. A raucous blend of alternative, indie and jazz, this year’s Neighbourhood Weekender, Reading and Leeds Festival, Boardmasters Festival, and TRNSMT Festival are looking pretty magical.

Loyle Carner, Yesterday

Rap, but make it relaxing. Hip-hop, but make it jazzy. Tick, and tick. Loyle Carner’s albums Yesterday’s Gone and Not Waving, but Drowning are mellow masterpieces with the grit and honesty to make them simultaneously meaningful. His stage presence is truly breathtaking, and he will no doubt captivate everyone at this year’s All Point’s East Festival and Boardmasters Festival.

Celeste, Stop This Flame

Utterly radiating talent, Celeste is not easy to ignore. I get goosebumps at the mere thought of hearing that hauntingly beautiful voice in person, and you’ll be able to this summer at All Point’s East Festival and Parklife Festival.

Fickle Friends, IRL

With a live stage set-up of palm trees, what’s not to love? Fickle Friends are the indie-pop powerhouse that every festival needs and are set to appear this summer at Truck Festival, 110 Above Festival and Tramlines Festival. Spoiler alert – there will be dancing.

Jade Bird, Uh Huh

Some songs are so good that singing along to them isn’t enough, you must shout to them. Uh Huh is a prime example. With a knack for storytelling and combining indie, folk and rock, at the age of just 23, Jade Bird is a prominent name on the bills of Neighbourhood Weekender, Boardmasters Festival, All Points East Festival and Tramlines Festival this summer.

Circa Waves, T-Shirt Weather

Possibly the best summer anthem ever written has to come from Circa Waves with T-Shirt Weather. With lyrics like, ‘I remember some days / We were singing our lungs out / In the backseat together / And the seatbelts were burning our fingers’ they evoke nostalgia for those sunny, carefree days. No matter the weather, Circa Waves bring the sunshine. Catch them at Truck Festival, Y Not Festival and Neighbourhood Weekender for some guaranteed good vibes.