We were thrilled to catch Gemma Rogers when she performed at Mount at Wasing earlier this month, and we think you’ll love her too.
That’s why we’ve put her at the top of this week’s hit parade: a top 10 of brilliant music that you deserve to have as earworms.
Every week we pick artists with a link to Reading or Wokingham, and you can tune in for free via out Spotify playlist. Enjoy…
Gemma Rogers – Coming for the Top
I’ve loved all of Gemma’s releases but had never seen her live.
Sid from Club Velocity and our Andy M told me how good she has been when visiting to play in Reading. So, when I had the opportunity to see her supporting Paolo Nutini at one of the On The Mount At Wasing shows last week, I jumped at the chance.
I was so glad I did, Gemma and her impressive band were brilliant. Energetic and exciting with a set full of great songs they grabbed the audience as soon as they hit the stage. They won over the sold-out crowd and Gemma will have many new fans after that impressive performance.
After the set Andy M and I joined her and the band for a chat and a fun time watching Paolo (also brilliant). She told us she is planning a new EP release, following her signing to new record label, Ode To Records.
We’ll look forward to that but, in the meantime here’s Gemma’s latest single which was going round and round in my head after the show due to its melodic hooks and topical lyrics – https://linktr.ee/gemmarogersmusic
Echo Chambers – Empty Words
Talking of topical lyrics, here’s a powerful new song from the local alt rock band’s new EP, Versificator. Whatever your politics, the lyrics here will resonate with many as the band put across perfectly their disappointment with insincere politicians.
One of the best ‘protest’ songs I’ve heard for a while. There are certainly no empty words with Echo Chambers – https://www.facebook.com/echochambersrdg
Astralasia – Doctor Who
We’d like to say a big thank you to this paper’s editor, Phil Creighton, who is leaving this week.
Phil has been a huge supporter of this feature and he has done so much to champion the local music scene over his years as editor.
So here’s a track for him. Phil is a big Doctor Who Fan and there is a local link to this version.
Astralasia were based in Reading in the 90s and this was recorded especially for a US TV and film themes album called Sci-Fi Cafe. – https://www.facebook.com/Astralasia-100041586251070/
Grace Pounds – Bloodstream
If you are at Readipop (July 12-14) check Grace out. She’s great. She is also at Wokingham Festival in August – https://www.facebook.com/GracePoundsMusic
Echobelly – Scream
It’s one of the best bands that came out of the 90s, and they will be closing Readipop on the Sunday so don’t miss that – https://www.echobelly.com/
Masquerader – Pressure (Holy Trinity Cut)
Reading-based Masquerader fizzing with energy on their Nothing Will Change EP – https://linktr.ee/Masquerader
Áine Deane – The Sisterhood
Áine is at Glastonbury this weekend and will be visiting us to headline a stage at Wokingham Festival in August – https://www.ainedeanemusic.com/
Phantom Booth – Thieving Hound
Talking of Wokingham Festival, here’s a band that played there last year. This is another great release – https://linktr.ee/phantombooth
In Albion – The Fall
This is another excellent single from the band that you can see live at Reading’s Purple Turtle on Monday July 22 – https://allmylinks.com/inalbionband
Amanda Lehmann – Tinkerbell
This renowned musician opens the main stage at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday – https://www.amandalehmann.co.uk/
