Young bloods throw down the gauntlet
It was easy to tip Picture This as having a big 2017, as the public had made them a phenomenon before most of the media had cottoned on to what was happening. Bigger and better things lie ahead for the Kildare duo in 2018 and that is without question.
Similarly, with The Academic set to play a summer show in the Iveagh Gardens, their trajectory is very definitely upwards.
I’ve heard their debut album, Tales From The Backseat, which is out on January 12, and it’s a cracker. Watch out for my interview with the Mullingar men that weekend. I make no apologies for constantly touting TOUTS as being worthy of your attention. The Derry trio make urgent punk-flavoured rock and their two Eps Sickening And Deplorable and Lit were among my favourite releases of 2017. Hopefully an album is on the way in 2018. Another trio, who should break through to a larger audience in 2018 are Bitch Falcon. Early tracks TMJ and Wolfstooth laid down impressive markers, while Syncope in 2017 took them to another level.
I’ve also been very impressed by what I’ve heard from Session Motts, State Lights, Chasing Abbey and Dermot Kennedy. Look for a big 2018 for all of them. But somewhere lurking in a garage, garret or a bedroom, an act no one has heard of could be the future of rock’n’roll, pop, funk, hip hop or soul. God speed you, young wans! That’s the music journalist’s prayer. Happy New Year!