The Goo 1
JAN '25 amazing. They’re the talk of the undergro
und, all word of mouth, a bit like bar italia were on the way up. Singer Katie Healy defies comparisons and is, as such, a unique talent. Ebbb This ensemble from London are one of the most intriguing and unique propositions for this festival. They have the choric melodic sensibilities of Brian Wilson combined with a religious service. There’s an element of gentle English folk music but also the insanely fast relentless bass drum from Dutch gabber music. Being Dead will have travelled all the way from Austin Texas to play, so it would be rude not to say hello. The voices of Falcon Bitch & Smoofy (yep, that’s what they go by) combine like the best interactions of Black Francis & Kim Deal, if Pixies had emerged in the ‘60s, absorbing the same surf rock sounds but in real time. I Am Roze Proudly and loudly TRANS and non-binary, I Am Roze is an R&B artist with an incredible voice capable of entertaining with a whole modern electronic suite or alone with a single instrument. We are being graced with their first ever festival show and I note they have already sold out their London show. Honesty A Leeds collaborative effort, Honesty have been creating waves in electronic circles for the past 18 months. Not afraid to dabble in genres like drum and bass with the excellent NO RIGHT 2 LOVE or even more impressive, the grimy electronica of TORMENTOR which would compete with the best of Massive Attack’s output. TTSSFU The epitome of bedroom breakout artist, Manchester’s Tasmin Nicole Stephens produced the altogether lovey Me, Jed & Andy mini album using garage band at home. She breathes out a delicious brand of dream pop that owes as much to the shoegaze brigade as to the fast beats of The Strokes and The Cure. Black Fondu Black Fondu is arguably the most elusive of the international acts on the roster. With just two tracks to sample and a vacant Insta account there’s little to go on. However, those tracks are absolutely electric. SB 13 emerges like an Aphex Twin collab. Twisted beats and beautiful soaring synths, it’s an absolute joy brimming with creativity. Grove The serial collaborator brings heavy beats to a hip-hop base fused with electronic sounds. Their latest collab might be the best yet teaming up with experimental jazz act Snazzback to produce the fantastic Equinox single. Freak Slug Freak Slug is the chosen moniker of Manchester artist Xenya Genovese. She will be bringing her own low-fi Gen X take on the grunge sound. With a recently released debut album under her belt and a considerable TikToc following you can expect a cool, textured performance. Mandy, Indiana What does a Manchester band with a French songstress sound like? Everything and nothing. Punk/ Metal/Techno/ Industrial/Electronica whatever, they will certainly move the air in the room. They have appropriately supported Idles, Squid and Gilla Band on tour and if you’re going for Yard you should certainly take these in too. Theatre Signed to Rough Trade and having played nationally, supporting Just Mustard and Gurriers, this Limerick band are reportedly well worth seeing and with no music released yet, it’s the only way you’re going to hear them, in the short term anyway. Very intrigued. Shelf Lives The latest EP release No Idea from this London duo have added a good deal of welcome bite with more of an electronic influence and would be a kindred band to another Borderline act CLT DRP. Faster and with a new punkier ethos, this should make a crazy fun performance. Westside Cowboy Signed to Nice Swan records (normally an indicator of some quality) and working with English Teacher’s Lewis Whiting we only have one track from which to form an opinion ‘I’ve never met anyone I thought I could really love (until I met you)’. Fortunately, we’re on to a winner with a country tinged, grungy, rock tune with ensemble voices creating a good vibe. YARD Luckily, being a local act, we’ve been all over YARD from the start with many fans at The Goo HQ. Blurring the lines between techno and industrial it means all their tracks are ripe for a racket with ‘Bend’ maybe their best example. Borderline Festival 2.0 takes place in The Workmans Main Room & Cellar on Feb 21st & 22nd. Tickets available from www.singularartists.ie PAGE 11