Circa Waves
Get ready for a shot of pure indie adrenaline: Circa Waves are heading to Hit The City. They’re bringing a storm of singalong choruses, jangly guitars, and retro-tinged new wave energy. The Liverpool-based band broke through in 2015 with their sunshine-soaked anthem T-Shirt Weather clocking over 137 million Spotify streams. With five albums under their belt and a sixth on the horizon, Circa Waves have become a cornerstone of the modern indie scene, delivering compact, catchy rock with heart and hooks. Their new album ‘Death & Love, Pt. 1’ shows a new era of festival-ready bangers. Expect a fiery set full of old favorites and fresh anthems, perfect for fans of Arctic Monkeys, The Vaccines, and The Strokes.
Chloe Slater
From the housing crisis to the impact of social media on young people: Chloe Slater packs a whole bunch of issues from the age of internet culture into catchy, and angst-driven guitar pop anthems.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter on the rise, is carving her path in the realm of independent music. Born and raised in Bournemouth, she has been writing songs since she was 13 years old. After moving to Manchester for University, she found her voice in the effervescent open mic scene and has since been collaborating closely with writer/producer Jack Shute. As she continues to shed a light on overlooked issues, 2025 promises even more for her. Hear her out, she might just be the next big indie rock icon!
DITZ
DITZ create forward-thinking noise rock/post-punk, featuring a vast array of pedal effects and drawing influence from '80s and '90s post-hardcore and noise rock. Their latest album, Never Exhale (2025), is the sound of a band that hasn’t stopped to catch a breath — hardly surprising, given their relentless touring schedule (including support slots for IDLES). Sonically, the album is rooted in the usual DITZ touchstones such as classic noise rock like The Jesus Lizard and Shellac, or the obtuse post-punk of The Fall, while also introducing fresh influences.
With their last show at Hit The City in a packed Café The Jack still fresh in our memories, DITZ have solidified their reputation for ferocious live performances. We’re talking festivals played less than 24 hours after the drummer dislocated his shoulder, mid-set lake dives, and even having the French police shut down their Paris instore due to noise complaints. DITZ are as much an assault on the senses as they are one of the most exciting bands in the current UK punk scene.
SØWT
Dutch noise rock band SØWT returns with Is This The Hard Part? (2025) —a searing, shape-shifting record born out of wreckage and resilience. Following the success of 2023’s Kids Hurting Kids and a European tour with grunge legends Mudhoney and Canadians METZ, the Eindhoven-based band was hit hard: their rehearsal space and venue Stroomhuis burned down with all their gear inside, their record masters vanished, and their pressing plant went bust.
But instead of retreating, SØWT doubled down. Their third album dives headfirst into distortion, tension, and texture—equal parts visceral and melodic. Guitars snarl, rhythms lurch and punch, and frontwoman Danielle Warners’ bass anchors it all with a fierce pulse. It’s heavy, heady, and hauntingly hooky—channeling the spirit of the ‘90s through a lens that feels unmistakably now. Is This The Hard Part? is a testament to survival through sound. DIY to the core and impossible to pin down, SØWT continues to turn noise into something deeply human—and weirdly addictive.
KEG
Bursting with a frenzied love for the ‘song’, KEG toe the line between jagged post-rock energy and a deep-rooted flair for harmony and craft. Nodding to Minutemen, Fugazi and Radio 4, they bend genres without straying far from the rock realm. With seven members, Keg generate a joyful chaos—barbed guitars, skewed synths, blasts of trombone, and glimpses into a confused man’s mind. They swing from college rock to hardcore and wander into ambient and melodic terrain, always restless, always evolving.
Their EPs Assembly (2021) and Girders (2022) earned praise from NME, Loud and Quiet, So Young, and BBC Radio 6. Now they return with their anxiously awaited debut Fun’s Over in early 2025—and the chaos continues.
Kaat van Stralen
Kaat Van Stralen blends punk attitude with genre-bending chaos. What began as a solo project has grown into a full band, with snarling guitars, pounding drums, and basslines that hit like a gut punch—all beneath Kaat’s sharp, commanding vocals. From punk and psychedelia to spoken word, nothing is off limits. In early 2025, she released her debut single 'Stop Met Wenen', a punk rock anthem for all women, misfits, and feelers that instantly topped the charts in Belgium. Think Amyl & The Sniffers meets Wet Leg with a Flemish twist—raw, loud, and unapologetically weird.
Eosine
Eosine is a Liège-based indie rock band led by 22-year-old Elena Lacroix, blending shoegaze dreaminess with psychedelic depth and progressive twists. Their sound—textured, emotional, and immersive—evokes the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Lush, and Psychotic Monks, yet pulses with its own distinct energy. Known for their mesmerizing live shows, Eosine quickly built a reputation as one of Belgium’s most exciting new acts. In 2023, they signed with Mayway Records (home to The Haunted Youth, DIRK., and Meskerem Mees), and have since played festivals like Les Nuits Botanique, Dour, and Left Of The Dial. With new singles on the way and their EP Liminal set for release soon, Eosine is already working toward a debut album that promises to push their sound even further.
Cliffords
The Cork-based indie rock/pop sensation Cliffords is taking the music scene by storm! Known for their dynamic sound that effortlessly blends punchy indie energy with irresistible pop hooks. Having already earned comparisons to powerhouses like Wolf Alice and INHALER, they bring a raw, vibrant energy that’s hard to ignore. Fresh off a stellar performance at Electric Picnic’s 3 Stage and with their debut EP ‘Strawberry Scented’ making waves, Cliffords are cementing their place as one of Ireland's most exciting emerging acts. From sold-out gigs in London, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and their hometown of Cork, they are ready to bring their electrifying live show to you.
JERUB
From the heart of Nigeria to the streets of Nottingham, JERUB’s journey is one of raw talent and unstoppable momentum. Bursting onto the scene as a standout finalist in BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Introducing talent search, selected from over 10,000 entries, he has been on a meteoric rise ever since. Highlights include an opening performance at The King’s Coronation Concert alongside Pete Tong, and widespread press support from the likes of Wonderland, Noctis, and Notion. With major playlist backing from Spotify and high praise from BBC Radio 1, along with over 200 regional UK playlist additions, JERUB is quickly becoming a name to watch. Catch this future star live at Hit The City and witness a voice that's ready to shape the next era of British music.
Teenage Dads
From their early singles like "Devil’s Jam" and "Sunburnt", Teenage Dads set out to do something different. The Melbourne four-piece broke free from the typical Australian indie sound, blending elements of ‘80s acts like Devo and Talking Heads, the energy of early 2000s NYC indie, and the infectious drive of bands like Two Door Cinema Club. The result is a unique mix of catchy rhythms, unexpected twists, and an undeniable originality that sets them apart.