Kieran Webber
Director and Founder of CLUNK Magazine, CLUNK Events, and other CLUNK affiliate businesses. You’ll probably find me tucked away somewhere sending emails, listening to music, and creating content.
Boardmasters 2024 is round the corner and we’re here to give you some MUST SEEs of the festival
Boardmasters is LITERALLY mere days away now and the excitement is starting to reach boiling point (and then some). As we start getting excited for our favorite festival we thought we’d go through the lineup and highlight artists we cannot wait to see. Get your pen and paper out or notes app and take note of our must see for the Boardmasters 2024.
Stormzy
The king of UK rap and grime is yet again heading back to Boardmasters to take his rightful place on the mainstage. Since Stormzy last played Boardmasters he’s headlined Glastonbury (and was arguably one of the most iconic sets in history), won three Brit Awards, amassed tens of millions of streams, and a whole lot more. His set is guaranteed to be a frantic, energy riddled show that will boast why he is considered one of the greatest artists from the UK
Sam Fender
The cheeky Geordie has played Boardmasters a multitude of times and each every show he returns a bigger artist than before. However, 2024 will see Sam Fender grace the mainstage as a headliner, his first time at the festival. The festival and Sam have grown together and there’s a lot of history between the two parties, so expect a heartfelt, emotional, and epic headline set.
Willie J. Healey
Arguably one of the most underrated artists in the UK right now and your favorite artists, artist. Willie’s fans range from Alex Turner through to Florence Welchso it’s safe to say that Willie J. Healey is a talent. His laid back, borderline nonchalance is wildly infectious and backed by a groove infused sonic wave that is delightfully brilliant. We are incredibly excited to see Willie in Cornwall and you should be too. Willie J. Healey is a MUST SEE.
English Teacher
English Teacher are arguably one of the hottest bands in the UK right now and come cascading down to Cornwall off the back of their debut ‘This Could Be Texas’. The debut was critically acclaimed and solidified them as one of the most exciting new bands to come from the UK in recent years. We witnessed them live at SXSW 2023 so we’re absolutely pumped to get to enjoy their off-kilter indie sounds on home soil.
BILK
BILK will be bringing their rowdy indie-sleaze to the sunny coastline for their Boardmasters 24 set, so expect lots of attitude, mosh pits, and sweaty embraces. BILK are notorious for their live show and it’s chaotic energy, so much so, the band have been banned from performing at any Rough Trade store. So, get yourselves good and ready for a memorable set from these Essex lads.
Jalen Ngonda
Jalen Ngonda is truly an once in a generation artist and catching his set at Boardmasters is going to be a “I was there moment.” It is with full confidence that we predict that Jalen is going to be one of the largest artists to emerge in the last decade. His soulful, funk draped music is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye, bringing a velvety, 70’s tinged retrospective sound to the listener. He is on the cusp of absolutely blowing up so we cannot recommend you check him out at Boardies 24, Jalen Ngonda is ESSENTIAL.
Kate Nash
Kate Nash made a huge storm with her debut album ‘Made Of Bricks’ which featured her iconic single ‘Foundations’. Since then Kate has released several albums, singles, and collected many accolades, she was also a key part of the excellent Netflix show Glow. Now, we get to see her in person all the way down in Cornwall, what a bleddy treat.
The Bitchos
The Bitchos are a band that we have been DYING to see live so the fact we get to see them at Boardmasters 2024 is nothing short of special. The Bitchos blend a wave of cumbia, indie, punk, and more into one delightful, infectious, and fun package that is forever expanding the limits of their sound. If you’re looking for a boogie to one of the world’s most underrated bands, then make sure you catch The Bitchos.
Newdad
The band, who formed at secondary school, has already had a big year. They hit the ground running in January with the launch of their debut album, ‘MOTHER’before kicking off their ongoing tour throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe in February.
If you share the band’s love of The Cure, The Pixies or Slowdive then add them to your list of must-see acts. It’s easy to hear how such influences have rubbed off on them, resulting in their signature alt-rock shoegaze sound. Expect heavy distorted guitars married with ghostly ethereal vocals. Irish influences are also present; ‘MOTHER’ is Irish for “dog” while lyrics drew upon Galway coastal surroundings as inspiration. Other songwriting influences include cinema, literature and personal relationships.
They have previously supported DC Fountains and Paolo Nutini, so we have no doubt their set at Land of Saints will be one to remember. Make sure you’re there to see it.
Nia Archives
Nia Archives is at the very forefront of a new generation of jungalists who are fusing an eclectic wave of sounds through their music. She has toured the globe, amassed tens of millions of streams, as well as won and been nominated for multiple awards. At just 24 years old Nia is one of the countries most exciting DJ’s, producers, and visual artists in recent times. If you’re wanting to be at the front row for something special at Boardmasters then Nia Archives HAS to be on your list.
Royel Otis
The Australian band have been bringing their surf tinged rock to the masses since 2021 but the band didn’t see huge success until the release of their infectious ‘Oysters In My Pocket’. From there the band went from strength to strength with their debut album ‘Sofa Kings’ following in 2023. However, the band went to stratospheric heights in 2024 with their Triple J Like A Version of ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ which went viral on Tik Tok. The bands laid back sound and unique vocals are sure to make their set a must see during the weekend.. add it to your list!!
Soft Play
The last time Soft Play played Boardmasters they had a different name and were on a different stage. To this day, their set at the Land Of Saints Stage sits comfortably in our top ten live shows of all time. The energy was palpable and to this day I have never seen such a frantic set from a rock band, nor a crowd send it that hard. Now, in 2024, the band return to Boardies but this time take the mainstage on Friday, so expect a ferocious set fueled by punk rock energy. A must see for those looking to get a bit spicy in a mosh pit.
Wunderhorse
One of the most exciting new bands to emerge in recent years and one that took 2023 by storm. Now, the band return to Boardies but find themselves on mainstage on Sunday. Their debut album 2022 album ‘Cub’ took off and is probably one of the best rock albums in the last decade. The band release their second album ‘Midas’ on August 30th, so who knows, maybe we’ll get to hear some of that live!
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