Each week we like to champion the music scene with ten songs in our playlist that all have a connection to the RaW (Reading and Wokingham) area and sometimes beyond. This week we have three new tracks for you from acts with connections to Reading and Wokingham, in particular to Wokingham Festival. As always, we have a wide variety of musical styles, but we think they’re all worth a listen and we hope you find something new to enjoy as well as maybe getting out to experience the thrill of live music.

1. Pixelstorm – Life Isn’t Always Extraordinary –

If you like a bit of electronica influenced by 80’s retro synth-pop, then head for the second stage at Wokingham Festival on Saturday 29th August, where you can catch Pixelstorm, who recently performed at the Purple Turtle. We love a keytar, and this will be at least the third seen on stage at the Festival, after Kyros and Spriggan Mist. https://www.facebook.com/pixelstormband

2. Arthur Brown and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown – Nature –

The August Bank Holiday Monday is getting well known as the day that legendary artists come along to headline at Wokingham Festival. In the past we’ve seen Focus, Caravan, The Tom Robinson Band and many more. This year is no exception as the legendary Crazy World of Arthur Brown, famous for the massive No.1 hit, Fire, will be here! Arthur Brown is known for his impressive theatrical live performances and so it should be a memorable occasion. Arthur has a new album, Nature, due for release soon after the festival. This is the album’s title track which proves that Arthur still has the fire in his soul, creating music that remains relevant, socially aware and exciting – https:// www.thegodofhellfire.com

3. Nineteenth Hour – Something in the Water –

Like Pixelstorm, we recently saw Nineteenth Hour at the Purple Turtle, and, like him, they will be on the Marquee stage at Wokingham Festival on Saturday 29th August. Based in Oxfordshire, the band formed in 2019 and have been writing and performing since; this is their seventh single, and we look forward to seeing them performing it and the rest of their alt-rock repertoire at the end of the month. https://www.instagram.com/nineteenth_hour/

4. Kepler Ten – Time and Tide –

We went along to the 1865 in Southampton for an event to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Solent Area Prog Shows. It was an excellent event and one of the bands playing was Kepler Ten whose set was made even more special being their first show back with their original line up. Richie Cahill has returned to join Steve Hales and James Durand and their set was exceptional! Three incredible musicians playing music that is powerful and complex but with melody and accessibility. The good news is that you don’t have to go far to see their next performance. They will be playing on August Bank Holiday Monday 31st at Wokingham Festival. This track is from the band’s debut album, Delta-v, which features the original line up – https://www.keplerten.com

5. Amity – City of Stars –

The acts on the Marquee stage at Wokingham Festival on Sunday 30th August are being curated by Radio Wigwam, and they have chosen a fascinating mix of styles, but all of high quality. One example is Amity, whose City of Stars is a haunting ballad recounting the course of a tempestuous relationship; remarkably, it was written in his head during his Physics exam, and written down as soon as possible afterwards! https://www.amity.music/

6. Matt Kiano – Five and a Half Minutes –

Matt Kiano from South Wales is another of the exciting acts that Radio Wigwam have chosen for the Marquee stage on August 30th. Matt played in a few local punk bands before going solo; influenced by the likes of Green Day, Alkaline Trio and Angels & Airwaves, he’s been crafting pop-punk songs filled with energy and emotion. https://www.facebook.com/Matt.Kiano1

7. The Dollheads – Don’t Let It Take Me –

We first saw The Dollheads, a trio of teenaged siblings from Las Vegas, musically inspired by The Ramones, play at The Fiery Bird venue in Woking two years ago, and were blown away by their energy. We were therefore thrilled when Future Transmissions announced they were coming to the Face Bar in Reading, which they did recently before heading for Blackpool (you may have seen them on the BBC report of the Rebellion punk festival), and what an evening it was, with support from Hairdye from Wales, and 18 Fevers from South Korea – a truly international evening! This is their latest single. https://www.facebook.com/theDollheadsMusic

8. Asia – The Traveller (Into the Light) –

The latest incarnation of the classic band, Asia, have recently announced a brand new album coming soon called ‘Indigo’ and, if this lead single from it, is anything to go by, it’s going to be a good one! The track certainly has the feel and sound of the original band whilst also sounding current and fresh too. That’s great credit to the impressive new line up which features Reading’s own, John Mitchell, on guitar and backing vocals. John has also announced a forthcoming new album from his own Lonely Robot so two albums featuring John to look forward to very soon – https://originalasia.com

9. Amy Dx – Crossroads –

We’re into August now, and in the run-up to Wokingham Festival at the end of the month. One of the many acts we’re looking forward to seeing on day 2 is Amy Dx, who will be appearing on the Marquee stage, curated by Radio Wigwam. This track is her most recent single, which starts with a cool bassline before the vocals come in; Amy will be also be debuting some new songs on the day – don’t miss it! https://www.facebook.com/amydxmusic

10. The Kokroachez – That Kinda Girl –

The Kokroachez are a very dynamic band from Oxford, who we saw last year at The Oracle, and who will be kicking off the music on day 2 of this year’s Wokingham Festival, Sunday 30th August. This is their latest single, full of their characteristic energy and a lyric contrasting what you are and what you could be. https://www.instagram.com/thekokroachez/

You can listen to all the songs featured in our Spotify playlist at https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday

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