Who’s Hot in 2020
I’m going to take a look at the five Scottish bands that I expect to make big strides in the industry in 2020.
Please feel free to comment if you agree or suggest alternatives as I’m always looking to discover some new music.
Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves
Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves are a five piece band from Whitburn and are the latest product from the burgeoning West Lothian music scene.
Their music combines indie rock with some heavy dance beats, great melodies and catchy choruses.
They had a successful 2019, supporting West Lothian counterparts The Snuts and Lewis Capaldi as well as selling out all their own headline shows topping the year off with a full house at St Luke’s in Glasgow.
My favourite tunes are Tippy Toes, Warpaint, Firewater and Liquid Gold.
I fully expect them to kick on in 2020.
Walt Disco
Walt Disco are a Glasgow based band whose influences are not from just music but also glamour and androgyny. Their songs feature sharp angular guitars, dark heavy synths all accompanied by crooning vocals, with comparisons from The Associates to David Bowie.
After establishing themselves in 2019 as the band to see due to their flamboyant, glamorous and unpredictable live shows I fully expect their rise to continue in 2020, where they will take their show to the famous new music showcase that is SXSW in Texas.
Favourite tracks are Hey Boy, Dancing Shoes and Drowning in Your Velvet Bed.
I was lucky enough to catch them live in Dundee earlier this month and will testify to their upward curve.
Retro Video Club
Retro Video Club are a four piece Indie Rock band from Edinburgh,formed in 2015.
They have been gathering a steady following over the last few years on the back of releasing some banging singles.
2019 has seen them enhance their reputation as a great live band selling out their own shows and supporting the likes of The Hunna and The Vaccines.
Favourite songs are Night In, Chemistry and 3AM.
They are about to embark on a tour, look out for them appearing at a venue near you soon !
Goodnight Louisa
Goodnight Louisa is the dark pop created by Louise Anna McCraw, a singer/songwriter from Edinburgh, Scotland.
Goodnight Louisa combines pop melodies combined with synths, guitars and well written lyrics.
She performed a fantastic set at BBC Music introducing in late 2019 and is one to watch in 2020.
Favourite tracks are Hollow God and Someone So Sublime.
Echo Machine
Echo Machine are a four piece band from Dundee, they play loud danceable pop music with the help of some electronics.
They have a big sound, heavy guitars, deep bass, drums and synth producing great melodies carried off with killer hooks and great vocals.
Favourite tracks are Automatic Love, Chameleon and The Road.
I’m really looking forward to their debut album Instant Transmissions being released at the end of this month on the Assai Records label.
Just Under the Radar
It was difficult to narrow down my choices so just flying below them are the following:
Luke La Volpe
The Bathgate singer/songwriter Luke Gibson has been tipped for the top by many and brings a unique mixture of blues and rock’n’roll to his music.Look out for his tour which starts in February.
The Ninth Wave
The Glasgow based 4 piece band deliver a brand of post punk dark pop songs and are one to watch following the release of their brilliant debut album Infancy in 2019.
They are currently playing venues in promotion of that album, get along if you can.
The Lutras
The Lutras are a Scottish quartet based in Dumfries who produce stomping tunes best appreciated when live. They were winners of Firestone’s national 2019 ‘Road to the Mainstage’ and this should help them secure slots at this years festivals.
They are currently on the road so grab a ticket if you can.
The Novacs
The Novacs are a four piece Indie rock band from Airdrie, I managed to catch them earlier this year at King Tut’s in Glasgow, where they played a confident and tight set. If they can showcase their talents further this year then they have the songs and attitude to gather momentum.
Shhe
Shhe is the creation of singer/songwriter Su Shaw and produces fantastic dark pop songs with fantastic melodies and haunting vocals. Her self titled debut album was released last year and was in my top ten for 2019. I also had the pleasure of seeing her live at The Hug and Pint and again review can be found on site.