The Joy Formidable

Gwenno

Houdini Dax

Campfire Social

The Revolutionary Spirit

Cry

The Contact High

Johnny Lloyd

Mumbleman

Focus Wales has come around once again, with this years event looking likely to be bigger and better than ever. It was so much fun at last years event with many great performances and memories and MIMR is raring to bring you all the best bits from 2016’s event this coming May.

This will be the 1st of many features on the blog over the next few weeks in the run-up to the festival. Here are the opening acts that MIMR recommends you check out at Focus this year.

Baby Brave

kagoule

Peaness

Beach Fatigue

Winter Coat

Meilyr Jones

Mechanical Owl

Shmu

Castles

Loe

On the eve of their debut album release, now five-piece Simmer stormed the Retro Bar, Manchester last night with a bruising set, bursting with plenty of sparks which made for a rip-rawing performance. ‘Paper Prisms’ is out today (Feb 29th) and hearing a bulk of the tracks live realy enhanced the band growing reputation as a force to be reckoned with, the album is a must have!

Here are some highlights from their set

MIMR headed to Retro Bar, Manchester for the 1st time last night and witnessed once again the ferocious sounds of Psych/Punk rockers Deja Vega. It’s been too long since the cheshire trio have featured on the blog and their set was a fierce, powerful reminder of their endless capabilties as a striking live act.

Here are some highlights from their set

MIMR was glad to catch False Advertising at Gullivers last night where they tore the roof off the venue with another high-octane, raucous set.

It was the 1st chance to hear their new tracks from upcoming EP ‘Brainless’ live and they didnt disappoint, further proof that the band are ready to take on 2016 with all guns blazing. The set list had a generous serving of tracks from their brilliant debut album from last year, with set closer ‘Dozer’ sounding as brutal and gripping as always.

2016 is False Advertising’s year and Jen, Chris and Josh are ready to grab it with both hands, take a leap and hang on tight!

Here are some highlights from their set

Pre-order the new EP here:

https://falseadvertising.bandcamp.com/album/brainless

Kidsmoke ‘Cut Yourself Loose’

One of MIMR favourite bands around Kidsmoke return with another indie-pop gem of the highest order, the delightful ‘Cut Yourself Loose’. Set for release this week (26.2.16) the wrexham quartet blissfully whistle through this track with glorious melodies and infectious grooves, which makes for a outstanding end result. With the recent inclusion to the band (Sophie Ballamy – formerly of The Sparrowhawks) it all looks set to be another exciting year for the band and it’s richly deserved for one of MIMR beloved acts, ‘Cut Yourselves Loose’ and make this your own personal favourite!

Peaks ‘Better Off As Bears’

Next up on MIMR Playlist is a bit special as its a familiar face to the blog. Peaks is the brand new solo project by Ben Forrester who most of you will know was one half of MIMR favourite Manchester rock duo Bad Grammar . After they called it a day last year Ben has boldly now gone it alone with mesemerising results. Ben’s 1st effort runs smoothly from gloomy, enchanting vocals to a concotion of grooveable beats and crisp guitars, its a pure delight. With EP plans and some live shows planned it will be a pleasure to see Ben back on the stage where he will surely rule the roost once again

Sam Ryder ‘Raven, Rook and Crow’

Singer-Songwriter Sam Ryder from Essex proves his wonderous ways with this great uplifting track from his upcoming EP due for release next month and produced by Bryan Wilson (Disclosure, Frightened Rabbit). This track out on the 11th March shows off Sam’s various and rich vocal range which is a perfect piece of artistry in itself and a joyful listen. After a music career made up of being in various bands with noted success, Sam is ready to unleash his piercing and moving sound to many more people and something tells me this is a recipe of undoubted further success!

Savage Goth ‘Lurker’

The uniquely hypnotic sound of Savage Goth makes a welcome appearance on MIMR Playlist. This solo-artist from Rochdale (Matthew Kenworthy) makes dreamy psych-pop with a blend of magical melodies and chilled out, hazy vocals making for a trance like feeling that is hard to shake off. ‘Lurker’ is taken from the self-titled EP released in December and its one of the many highlights of the record, let Savage Goth to take you away to a better place and thats a pretty swell thing

Fizzy Blood ‘Sweat and Sulphur’

Finishing off this week’s Playlist we have the jaw-dropping, eye-popping noise of Rock 5-piece Fizzy Blood from Leeds. Striking riffs can be certainly heard on this track released last week (19th February) and it burns into you brain for sure. Add some edgy, searing vocals and pulsating beats and you have a hard hitting formula. All set to hit the road for a upcoming tour with MIMR faves The Hyena Kill , Fizzy Blood can shake a few more heads with this electrifying racket, take a run and jump into it!

MIMR was fortunate to catch Colour Of Spring on the last leg of their UK tour at The Castle, Manchester (20.2.16) with the shoegaze foursome from leeds celebrating their recent single ‘Pillow’. They blistered their way through a rip-rawing, thrilling set which highlighted their credentials as a electric live band.

MIMR certainly makes these guys ones to watch in 2016 with future releases planned, their future looks very bright indeed.

Here are some highlights from their set