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The most underrated acts to see at this summer’s festivals – from Enny and Just Mustard to Naima Bock-Sharon O’Connell-Entertainment – Metro
Don’t miss them just because they’re not on the main stage. Yet.
These are the acts not to miss away from the main stage this summer (Pictures: Aldara Zarraoa/Redferns/Simon Pizzey)
Festival season is in full swing, and already we’ve enjoyed Glasto’s youngest and oldest ever headliners – Billie Eilish and Sir Paul McCartney, Vengaboys throwing some serious nostalgia at Back 2 and, er, Theresa May dancing at the very posh Henley Festival.
But away from the big names (and ex-PMs), who are the acts to see that haven’t yet hit the main stage, but can still rock a festival with the best of them?
Well, you can start with these picks, and thank us later.
ENNY
Enitan Adepitan’s breakout release was 2020’s Peng Black Girls, a celebration of Black female diversity. A remix featuring Jorja Smith helped kickstart her rise, but this London rapper stands on her own creative feet as ENNY.
Her 2021 debut EP demonstrated her dextrous, groovy flows and her honest, often intricate verses, while live, she’s been known to smash a cover of Lauryn Hill’s Doo Wop (That Thing).
Aug 4-7, Wilderness, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, wildernessfestival.com
Enitan Adepitan, aka ENNY (PIcture: Dave Burke/REX/Shutterstock)
Rachel Chinouriri (Picture: Martina Martian)
Rachel Chinouriri
Last month she guested on London producer p-rallel’s Forward EP and she’s just teamed up with The Snuts for their new track: proof that you typecast this London singer/songwriter with a lilting, pop-soul voice at your peril.
She’s been a slow burner in terms of broader recognition but her third EP, Better Off Without, is imminent and we’re predicting fire.
August 10-14, Boardmasters, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, boardmasters.com
Nukuluk
Nukuluk (Picture: Daniel Breuer)
They like to think of themselves as a project or collective rather than a band, as it better fits the way they make their music, but whatever their shape, London quintet Nukuluk (it’s the surname of co-singer Syd) are on their way.
Their tracks combine abrasive hip-hop, dreamy art-pop and slightly unsettling beatscapes, likely to hit the spot with fans of cLOUDDEAD and latter-day Radiohead alike.
September 1-4, End Of The Road, Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, endoftheroadfestival.com
Mermaid Chunky
Mermaid Chunky (Picture: Simon Pizzey)
As much a performance-art project as a band, Mermaid Chunky (they claim it’s ‘a special kind of wool’ available in Stroud) are Freya Tate and Moina Leahy, whose music is an arresting mix of plinkety art-pop, bleepcore and dark kosmische, recalling Can, Fela Kuti and The Slits and making great use of saxophone.
With eccentric costuming and a love of ceremony, they’re a festival gift.
Jul 28-31, Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Dorset, dorset.campbestival.net
Kobi Onyame
Kobi Onyame (Picture: Matt Marcus)
Born in Ghana, this Glasgow-based rapper/producer has been taking it slow and steady but it’s time his light shone outside of Scotland, too.
Switching from old-school hip-hop to a highlife-inspired sound for his 2018 SAY-nominated Gold album, he showed off a broader Afro-fusion style with ‘grace and good vibes’ on Don’t Drink The Poison, released late last year. Stepping it up in 2022, we hope.
July 29-31, Deershed, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, deershedfestival.com
Just Mustard
Just Mustard (Picture: Mariano Regidor/Redferns)
They’ve been somewhat flying under the radar outside their native Ireland, but this experimental rock five-piece are now set to take off, propelled by their new (second) album, Heart Under.
Their sound is precise, moody and at times malevolent, with sharp edges as well as dreamy atmospherics – think, My Bloody Valentine, The xx and a lighter Gary Numan. A hot proposition.
July 22-24, Truck Festival, Hill Farm, Oxfordshire, truckfestival.com
Cloth
Cloth
Their moody, self-titled debut album was nominated for 2020’s Scottish Album Of The Year award and now this Glasgow trio – which includes songwriting twins Paul and Rachael Swinton – are rightly picking up plaudits beyond the border.
Elegance, minimalism and hushed intensity are their watchwords, so get up close.
Aug 26-28, Connect, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, connectmusicfestival.com
Naima Bock
Naima Bock (Picture: Aldara Zarraoa/Redferns)
The co-founder of London’s cracking post-punks Goat Girl quit shortly after the release of their first album and is now flying solo, on a very different path.
She’s dropped a couple of singles so far – one, an Astrud Gilberto cover – and released her debut LP, Giant Palm, last week. Expect gentle, dreamily spacious songs with a subtle electronic edge and Brazilian jazz feel.
July 21-24, Latitude, Henham Park, Suffolk, latitudefestival.com
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