What always feels like the longest month is nearly over, and with payday just around the corner we are looking at the big music events and releases people will likely be spending their money on this year.
2024 promises one of the biggest tours in pop history, along with the eagerly anticipated return of one of modern UK indie’s biggest bands.
There is also a huge Manchester music collaboration, a number of exciting debut albums, and artists returning with new music this year.
So, let’s look ahead to what 2024 has in store…
CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN ARE BACK
Well, at least Van McCann and Benji Blakeway are. Following rumours of an imminent return, Catfish and the Bottlemen were confirmed as Reading & Leeds headliners for August 2024.
The announcement followed months of radio silence after the departures of Johnny Bond and Bob Hall from the band.
We’re still not too much clearer and the Catfish mystery rumbles on, but they had established themselves as one of the UK’s stand-out live bands shortly before the tumultuous period began.
In what form Catfish return remains to be seen, but we can’t wait to find out, and if they can pick up where they left off it could be a huge lift for the British indie scene.
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TAYLOR SWIFT’S HISTORIC ERAS TOUR
After breaking the world record for “Highest Grossing Tour” with the huge “Eras” phenomenon, the biggest name in pop is heading to the UK in 2024 with some enormous hype to live up to.
Taylor Swift arrives in the UK this June for three nights at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, before performing across Liverpool, Cardiff, London, and Ireland.
And if seeing one of the biggest names in pop wasn’t enough, pop punk royalty, Paramore, will be the special guests throughout.
If you are heading to the shows, enjoy. And if you don’t and live nearby, maybe think twice when travelling!
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LIAM GALLAGHER & JOHN SQUIRE
Just before Christmas, Liam Gallagher and John Squire confirmed months of rumours around a collaboration project, and more details soon emerged.
Their first single, Just Another Rainbow, proved divisive upon release earlier this month, but it is undeniable that the Oasis and Stone Roses icons are creating some noise online.
Gallagher and Squire have confirmed that an album and tour are on the way, on top of Liam’s solo Definitely Maybe 30 year anniversary shows.
More new music is just around the corner, so let’s see what the rest of this Mancunian project has in store…
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FESTIVAL SEASON
We are currently deep into “festival poster season”, when the growing number of UK and overseas festivals battle to sell tickets ahead of the summer.
Victorious Festival is an early stand-out, with Biffy Clyro, Fatboy Slim, and Jamie T providing a strong headline trio, and a genre and era-spanning host of artists beneath.
This week, Truck Festival, Tramlines, Y Not, and Kendal Calling are all celebrating release week, and all four have built a stellar reputation in the medium sized festival slot.
Glastonbury is certain to provide an array of the biggest names in music, but nothing is confirmed as of yet, so keep an eye out for those dropping in the coming weeks and more festival news from further afield…
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ALBUM RELEASES
And last but not least, we have plenty of album releases to get excited about this year, including highly anticipated debut LPs, and some exciting returns.
In terms of debuts, English Teacher, The K’s, Amelia Coburn, and Shambolics are leading the way, with plenty of buzz surrounding those artists in the first half of 2024.
The big returns include Blossoms, who will also be performing their biggest headline show to date at Wythenshawe Park in August.
Aside from the Stockport five-piece, Everything Everything, Declan McKenna, Yard Act, and Benjamin Francis Leftwich all have imminent albums this year, so could it be another golden 12 months for album releases?
Have we missed something? Have your say!
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