Carol not only plays in many other bands but tours solo with just her and her piano (a powerhouse duet). Carol was born with only seven fingers and yet defies all with her empowering music. Alongside her band, they write songs that tackle challenging topics like mental health. The Carol Hodge Band are a joyous and feisty Alternative Rock four piece (drums, bass, guitar, keys), who were recently described by Classic Rock magazine as “”combin(ing) fat, fuzzy guitar grooves with splashes of synths…clever proggy pop rock bursts and almost Alice In Chains-y shadows…eccentric and unpredictable, in a way that feels totally natural.”” They are confirmed for quite a few festivals in 2026, including: Bearded Theory, Rebellion Punk Festival, Ey Up Mi Duck and Nah Then.
Their song ‘Small Crumbs’ is about not accepting the crumbs of life and searching for the self-confidence to expect more. Thick, heavy bass opening sets the vibe for the track from the very first note. As well as this, the strong female vocals are empowering to the listeners and emphasise the theme of the track beautifully. The lyricism uses metaphors to inspire their listeners not to accept less than they are worth.
The First Ones are made up of brothers Doug and Dan, along with their lifelong friend Will, who have been writing together for six years. As a band, they’re known for their blend of pacy metal, catchy riffs, and melodic harmonies, creating a sound that’s both intense and memorable. Their dark, prog-inspired energy has a way of drawing listeners in, leaving them mesmerised and always wanting more.
Reverie is an alternative rock track that explores the delicate tension between reality and illusion, capturing the feeling of drifting in and out of clarity as the mind wanders between what’s real and what’s imagined. The lyrics describe how it can be hard to escape your own mind at times, and how we sometimes need support from others to help us face those inner struggles. The result is a track that feels emotionally honest while still carrying the band’s signature power and atmosphere.
Huddersfield-based rock band Knuckle are a perfect example of the kind of talent that thrives in West Yorkshire. Known for their raw energy and sharp sense of humour, they bring a refreshing edge to the local music scene. Their track “Sick at the Fair” is a punchy punk anthem that blends witty, comedic lyrics with tight, hard-hitting rock instrumentation. The song tells the story of a date at the fair gone hilariously wrong, capturing the awkwardness, chaos, and unpredictability of modern dating.
Through its vivid storytelling, the track paints a clear and relatable picture of what it feels like to navigate romance today, complete with miscommunication, unexpected mishaps, and the kind of embarrassing moments you can laugh about later. The driving guitars and upbeat tempo give the song a lively momentum, while the playful lyrics add a sense of novelty that sets Knuckle apart. By the time the chorus hits, you’re left both headbanging and grinning, fully caught up in the band’s unique mix of humour, honesty, and punk-rock charm.
SAMH are a Huddersfield-based act founded by singer-songwriter Sam Hodgson. Their unique sound is characterised by “Organic lyrics with trance-like repetitive rhythms and psychedelic overtones,” described as feeling like a “lucid dream,” and drawing influences from artists like Pink Floyd and Radiohead. Samh has built a cult-like following through notable performances at festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe and Tramlines, while garnering radio support from BBC 6 and Radio X.
“Animal” by SAMH mixes folk, singer-songwriter, and psychedelic sounds to create a raw, energetic track. It’s driven by steady, repetitive guitar parts, while the rough, natural vocals make the song feel personal and honest. The melody is easy to follow and sticks with you, letting the message take all the attention. As the song goes on, the rhythms become stronger and more intense, giving it a lively energy. Overall, the musical style of “Animal” blends simple folk ideas with emotional vocals and powerful lyrics to create an engaging and impactful song. The theme of the song surrounds humanity and how self-obsession & materialism counteract the basics of humanity and human values.
After gigging up and down the country, Simon Walker eventually caught the attention of major artist Yungblud, earning himself a coveted spot at the UK festival Bludfest. This breakthrough marks a significant moment in Walker’s growing career, bringing his music to a much wider audience and cementing his reputation as an emerging talent to watch. With a track as striking as In Your Eyes, it’s no surprise he’s stepped into the spotlight.
The song carries an uplifting, inspirational message, encouraging listeners to embrace who they are without apology. Walker reminds his audience that individuality is something to celebrate and that choosing to be different is a strength rather than something to hide. Rooted in the indie-pop genre, the bright, melodic production and shimmering instrumentation perfectly complement the track’s hopeful spirit.
The standout lyric “be who you want to be” reflects Walker’s dedication to creating music that spreads positivity and reassurance. His ability to blend meaningful themes with catchy, accessible songwriting allows In Your Eyes to resonate deeply with listeners, offering both comfort and motivation. It’s this combination of authenticity, emotional honesty, and musical charm that continues to fuel his rise in the UK music scene.
Originating from Holmfirth, Yorkshire, The Laikers are an upbeat indie-pop band renowned for their lively performances and distinctive sound. They not only play great covers but also write their own music that really shows who they are as a band. Their new track, “Faker,” focuses on the idea of being let down by celebrities who pretend to be something they’re not. It’s a song about betrayal, disappointment, and trying to figure out who you can actually trust.
The track leans into an indie-rock style, built around a strong, catchy guitar riff and powerful vocals that give the song a real sense of impact. The energetic drums and clear production help the track feel bold and direct, matching the message of the lyrics. Overall, “Faker” shows how The Laikers can mix meaningful themes with a punchy, enjoyable sound that sticks with you.
“The DF” by Dean Antoniis a thoughtful and emotionally resonant track that blends introspection with a gentle sense of movement. Rooted in a modern singer-songwriter style, the instrumentation creates a warm and steady backdrop for the story being told. Soft guitar or piano lines sit beneath subtle atmospheric layers, giving the song an open, spacious feel that allows the emotion to come through clearly without ever becoming overwhelming.
The lyrics focus on recovery from addiction, adding even more depth to the track. Antoni’s vocal delivery carries a sense of vulnerability and honesty, as if he’s working through the lingering weight of past struggles. There’s a bittersweet tone in his voice—reflecting the pain of what he’s been through, but also the cautious hope of moving forward. The pacing is unhurried, allowing each line to settle and providing space for the emotional gravity of the subject matter. Subtle harmonies and gentle rises in the arrangement highlight moments of reflection, strength, and uncertainty. The track ultimately feels like a quiet statement of resilience. It captures the complicated process of healing—acknowledging the darkness while still choosing to grow beyond it.
The lyrics focus on recovery from addiction, adding even more depth to the track. Antoni’s vocal delivery carries a sense of vulnerability and honesty, as if he’s working through the lingering weight of past struggles. There’s a bittersweet tone in his voice—reflecting the pain of what he’s been through, but also the cautious hope of moving forward. The pacing is unhurried, allowing each line to settle and providing space for the emotional gravity of the subject matter. Subtle harmonies and gentle rises in the arrangement highlight moments of reflection, strength, and uncertainty. The track ultimately feels like a quiet statement of resilience. It captures the complicated process of healing—acknowledging the darkness while still choosing to grow beyond it.
We try to make this process as organic as possible, as we know we all have our own distinct individual styles that we like to nurture as much as we can, so that it shines through in each song and gives us a sound that is hopefully distinctly ‘Lomens’.
Generally speaking, one of us comes to rehearsal with a very loose idea, whether that be a vocal melody, a guitar riff, a chord progression on the synth or even just a groove with drums and bass
We then most of the time sit on that idea and jam it together as a band and see where it takes us. Sometimes it naturally forms itself into a song very quickly. Unplug the Earth was like this, for example! Sometimes we can spend weeks/months exploring lots of possibilities and really refine each section as much as we can.
The main thing is just trying to keep things as organic and fun as possible!
Who is your biggest influence? Now this is always a tough one as we’re all pretty nerdy with music, ha! What we get compared to isn’t necessarily what we listen to, and we all listen to quite an eclectic mix of music!
Vocally, Chris (lead vocals) takes a lot of inspiration from bands like Everything, Everything and Kid Kapichi. Some of us are pretty big fans of Radiohead, and there’s some Muse thrown in there too, a little bit of Prog as well, Porcupine Tree, TOOL, Leprous, The Mars Volta, Deftones.
Jordan (Drums) tends to have a raw attitude towards the drums, where he can, early Nirvana and The Melvins spring to mind, but again, the eclectic taste comes into play, and there’s also some Latin and Samba influences, especially coming from Tom! (Synths & Percussion)
These are just some influences that spring to mind, but as we’re all just massive music fans in general, it tends to make for some interesting jams and songwriting; we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Do you have any pre-gig rituals? We tend to try to run the set in our studio on the day, get ourselves nicely warmed up, a couple of pints and seeking out some cool food doesn’t go amiss!
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played? This is a difficult one; we’ve not played that many yet in the grand scheme of things, as we’ve only been active just over a year. There have been 16 gigs in that time, and we’ve played 3 headliners in that time (Parish, Huddersfield), Oporto, Leeds, Grass Fed 1 at Picturedrome, Holmfirth), so it would have to be one of those; they’ve all been equally fun and with some great supports!
What’s next for you guys? Write. Write. Write. We only have 4 singles out, and we just need to get more music out there! We’ll still be playing some shows in between, but the focus is definitely on increasing our repertoire and output. Expect an EP after our next single. We also have a Headline show at the new Parish space, Amped! on Mad Friday (December 19th) with support from Pageant Mum and Slipped Disco, that will be a big end-of-year party and a great way to see the year out!
How would you describe your new single, ‘Kinetic Currency’? Big! Our most out there song to date.
It’s got a punky edge to it with some proggy elements interspersed throughout. Also, a screamer of a riff at the end! We’ve recently been able to get our bassist, Josh, onto guitar as we’ve welcomed a new member on bass (Andrew Parkinson), so we’re now a 6-piece dual guitar assault on stage!
Kinetic Currency is an observational anthem told through the lens of a working-class person in Britain in 2025. Through some vivid lyrics and striking imagery, the song captures the struggle to rise above the noise of modern life’s complexities, seeking simplicity whilst desperately trying to avoid unnecessary confrontation and stress.
We’ve kept it politically neutral, presenting observations without aligning with any cause. It’s simply what we see on a day-to-day basis, whilst most people are skint yet forever being bombarded with grandiose political movements and news cycles, whilst simultaneously struggling with the normality of everyday life. It’s not a commentary; it’s an observational piece about the everyday rat race of Modern Britain. We invite people to find their own meaning and use their own lens to establish their relationship with the song.
LOMENS is for everyone.
Kinetic Currency, is out now on Spotify and many other major streaming platforms.
Breaking through the Northern indie scene are four-piece indie-rock band Joey’s Knuckle. The band’s name reveals the unpredictable punches life throws at you, with emotional lyrics layered over their fast-paced, evolving sound. The new single ‘Love’ further explores complexities of a messy, modern romance. It’s undeniably dangerous and their loudest project to date. Lead guitarist Fen comes to define this song as he drives us into the verses and chorus where the vocals gain momentum and always return crashing back with grit and a grooving bassline. Following this, the bridge encapsulates a conversational discourse between lead vocals and that familiar guitar. Then both parts cross over and build argumentative tension before breaking away into a final harmonic chorus which pulls the listener along.
The music is chaotic and volatile when it matches its intense lyricism, but the instruments do well to capture listeners and always keep us engaged. “Love” exists in its own complex liminal space, between an unstable relationship and its indefinite heartbreak. The band says, “we’ve all been through versions of this story”, a relatable need but not a want to let go. These universal feelings engrained into their energetic music is just another reason why Joey’s Knuckle are meant for a live audience. It’s intoxicatingly honest, and what everybody needs blasting through concert loudspeakers or their headphones on a late-night walk home.
