Big Smoke Music Weekly

Big Smoke Music Weekly goes out with a bang! As Luke heads for the sights and sounds of Melbourne Town, he brings a host of top tier interviews to bring a close to 5 years and 5 seasons of BSMW. The feature interview for this curtain-closer is with the genius that is DMAs guitarist Johnny Took. He sits down with Luke, looking ahead to the band's forthcoming album, How Many Dreams. Johnny opens up on the band exploring new sounds, filling arenas in the UK and growing together as a band. Johnny tells all about how the new album needed to be something that "didn't stink of covid" as they look to maximise a newfound positivity and defiance within their tracks. He also serves up some tips on how to survive the flight to Oz and which snacks Luke should be stuffing his face with. Another Australian outfit with a big future - DICE - drop by for a chat about how their brand of surfer-rock has triggered their meteoric rise down under and what they can achieve moving forward...all whilst squeezing everything they

It’s Season 5, Episode 11! This week, Luke speaks with an artist for the first time in three long years… The Amazons front-man, Matt Thomson! Fresh off the back of the release of their third album, How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me?, Matt tells all about the story behind the album that cracked the top 5 in the UK Album Chart.   He opens up on the pandemic-triggered emotions behind the album, how The Amazons never stop learning and honing their craft and how they’re breaking out of the profile of their first two albums with this new record. Matt explains to Luke how he met Mel C and decides whether he’d leave The Amazons to team up with Spice Girls. Plus, we hear how Matt and the boys are ready to ‘own’ their huge upcoming show at London’s Roundhouse! It’s a mega interview from one of the hottest British acts right now. Hit ‘play’ to hear this, plus a CloseUp 60Seconds interview with Louis & The Shakes and an ‘Oldies but Goldies’ gig review from way back in ’79, featuring Joy Division! AND find

The 10th episode of Season 5 is here... After catching their huge set at Truck Festival, Luke has finally had a sit down with Sean Connelly, guitarist of The Clockworks! Sean opens up on the move to London from Galway a few years back, signing to Alan McGee's label and weird encounters in Cologne. He also tells the story how he ended up playing tambourine on some of their biggest sets to date, after breaking his wrist!  Gig season is here and that means gig reviews are back! This time out, Luke gives a full run down of Katy J Pearson & Swim Deep at The Joiners and Heartbreakers in Southampton. This week's CloseUp artist is London outfit, The Motive, and we roll back the years with a classic gig review in 'Oldies but Goldies' where Luke looks to 2006 and a set from Good Shoes! Luvvvly jubbly!

And here it is…the last festival episode of season 5! Luke Scanlan brings you reviews from 2 different festivals, along with a huge BigSmoke:InFocus interview. After seeing festival season come to an end, he takes a look at Tame Impala’s highly anticipated headline slot at All Points East. Find out how that went down, and how Luke ended up in the sound tent… He also  gives a full review of Victorious Festival with the likes of Self Esteem, Paolo Nutini and more on the bill. We’ll learn all about the Southsea weekender, where Luke managed to spend over £20 on pick & mix. This week’s InFocus interview is with the superb Jacob Slater, frontman of Wunderhorse. Jacob opens up on the story behind breakout track ‘Teal’, if that riff from ‘Leader of The Pack’ is really inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrd or Kurt Vile and we find out how he came to work under Danny Boyle, as Sex Pistol drummer Paul Cook in Disney’s Pistol series. Plus we hear from our reporter George Sexton-Kerr, who headed down to Field Day to find o

Episode 8 of Season 5 sees us take a trip down to the quaint Oxfordshire fields of Truck Festival! Now his voice has recovered from belting out ABBA at the silent disco, Luke gives a full review of the weekend. Find out why The Big Moon's set was so special, why bands such as The Clockworks & Talk Show impressed and why Truck Festival is one of the best fests on the UK summer circuit right now. Have a listen as he heads back stage for a chat with Spector frontman Fred Macpherson. The guys look at the 10th anniversary of their mega debut album, 'Enjoy It While It Lasts'. Fred tells us how many copies One Direction were ahead of him, and why London 2012 Olympics were reasons they missed out on a UK top 10 debut album! He also tells us how he ended up in a picture with Snoop Dogg and what scenes he saw in the back of an ambulance at Glastonbury! A whole load of festival goodness for ya!

This week, we bring you a festival special from Slovakia's unreal Pohoda Festival! Tune in to hear a full festival review, which acts dropped the hottest sets across the weekend and how a woman managed to fall out of a portaloo... We have two huge interviews for you....The Libertines spoke to the media ahead of their mega Friday headliner slot. Find out whether we can expect any new music from the 'boys in the band', how 20 years since their landmark debut album 'Up The Bracket' have flown by, what makes playing together so "sacred" and how they love big shows but have a big love for the smaller sets of times gone by. PLUS...Joe Mount - frontman and brains behind Metronomy - tells us about the evolving role the band are playing in becoming an influence for a new wave of acts, why the food at this year's Glastonbury was bang average and what plans Joe has for himself and the future of Metronomy. Big Smoke Music Weekly loves a festival & you'll 100% love this episode!

This week, Brighton outfit Opus Kink join the show as our BigSmoke:InFocus artist. After years of building up a fan base off the back of their high energy live shows and the recent release of their long-awaited debut EP, 'Til The Stream Runs Dry', frontman Angus Rogers swings by for a chat. We chat about the band picking up unwanted and inaccurate labels like "Indie Mariachi", Robert Plant's mythically silky hair, whether he'd have sloth arms over ant legs and what sandwich he's tucking into.  Joining us in this week's CloseUp:60 Seconds is The Night Society!  Plus...a look-back at Glastonbury 2022 and an 'Oldie But Goldie' classic gig review of The Libertines' 2014 Hyde Park comeback show.

Season 5 is back after a short break from the firing line! This episode involves a huge BigSmoke:InFocus interview with beat-makers Porij. They tell all about their quest to constantly experiment with sound and to create tunes that make gig venues and festivals shake and groove to their dance & garage inspired tracks. Egg, Jacob and James from the band drop by for a chat as we delve into the beginnings of the band, touring with Metronomy, how they’ve gone back to bigger crowds post-lockdown and why that 80s and 90s fusion brings a sense of nostalgia to their music! Plus, Luke tells all about his trip to Vienna, as well as a look ahead to Pohoda Festival out in Slovakia next month. This week’s Close Up 60 Seconds chat is with Portsmouth surf-pop outfit, Dutch Criminal Record! And we take a look at another classic gig review in our new feature, ‘Oldies are Goldies’. This time out, we take a trip back to 2007 and a Maccabees show in Glasgow.

Henry Wood from FLOWVERS is this week's InFocus artist! He chat to us about why the music scene is his hometown Portsmouth demands more attention, what happened with an Airbnb balls-up on tour, and why charity shop bargains are where it's at! Luke also chats to him about the bands summer anthem Daylight and we find out if Henry backs Noel or Liam in this week's "Either Or?!" Dropping by for a chinwag in CloseUp 60 Seconds is MantarayBryn. He describes a mad dream and how his artist name came into being. All this plus a new feature 'Oldies are Goldies' where we take a look at gig reviews from days gone by. Kicking us off is the 1979 heyday of The Clash! Come join us!

Luke is back with Bristol Dave this time out, as the boys record from their Hampshire HQ after a big night out. Find out how Dave made his way home using the most bizarre/ genius piece of thinking you'll hear in a long time.... PLUS, this week's BigSmoke:InFocus artist is Lime Garden! We chat with drummer Annabel Whittle all about the band having roots in pretty much every corner of the country, how their sound has nods towards dance and disco and why pre-gig nerves are a big thing in the band! We also discover Annabel's love for Kangol hats, "far-out" sunnies and what sounds she brings to her side project, 'ANNIE'. The boys also give a review of Lime Garden's brilliant set last week at The Social in fair ol' London Town! What a bucket-load of tastiness!

Another barnstorming episode sees Big Smoke Music Weekly season 5 kick off in sweet, sweet style! This time out, Luke chats with Harry Jordan, lead singer and guitarist of the irresistible Leeds outfit, Eades. Harry tells us how the band recorded their superb debut album, Delusion Spree, in a weirdly-named AirBnb, how classic guitar music has seeped its way into the Eades sound and how (and more importantly why!) he ended up getting pulled over by the feds just before they spoke! With there being some signs of some beer-garden-worthy weather, Luke gives his tips on the best festivals to hit-up this summer both home and away and why a trip away may be the best bang for your buck. AND David Thomas, from Make Friends makes an appearance in this week's CloseUp:60Seconds! Yet another Big Smoke serving of Indie goodness!

WE ARE BACK! 2022 is in full swing and life is back up an running... Season 5 of Big Smoke Music Weekly is here to make sure things stay a little less normal! As ever, we’ll be your go-to Indie & Alternative new-music podcast, with interviews featuring the biggest and best artists out there in Indie-land right now! Your host  -Luke Scanlan - is the pilot of this rickety ship once again, as he juggles life between running the podcast and being a dog-Dad to his new pup, Bertie! Kicking things off this time out is Leo Wyndham, the supremely talented frontman to London-based outfit, Palace. Tune-in as he tells about the awe-inspiring moment the band recently headlined O2 Brixton Academy; how he never truly sang before the band started and why cheap hair dye bought from his local shop in Peckham had him earn the nickname “noodle head”! Once again, we team up with CloseUp – promoters, label and music management company – in “CloseUP: 60 Seconds”. The latest artist from their roster to join us i

Gig season AKA the best season is upon us! Tune in this time out as a long awaited interview with the superb Katy J Pearson - one of the best voices in British music - as our BigSmoke:InFocus Artist. Katy opens up about her country influences, how Joe Lycett sliding into her DMs ended up in a music video, finally touring 2020's sublime debut 'Return' and why cows are what it's all about! In the co-host hot seat this week, Luke is joined by Joey Julliard - bassist for Honey Moon - fresh from supporting FUR out on their UK tour. Joey tells all about the buzz of being back out on the road, as well as how FUR are shaking live sets by getting the crown involved in a raffle midway through the set. He tells all about his ventures with the intergalactic gig space Close Encounter Club, rehearsing as a 17 year-old next door to Babyshambles and how he found himself filming with one of the UK's hottest bands right now, Wet Leg. Gig reviews of TV Priest, Kasabian & Paul Weller are peppered in nicely for y'all, alon

Big Smoke Music Weekly is here to kick away those clocks-going-back blues with a bumper episode! This time out, Luke is joined by Sam Tucker, founder of record label, promo company and booking agent CloseUp - our partner for Season 4. The boys look back on CloseUp Festival 2021, as well as delving into killer topics such as which are the best herbal teas on the market. The BigSmoke:InFocus featured artist this time out is Cassia, who add even more layers of delicious sunshine in this grim time of year! Luke chats with bassist Lou Cotterill, live from backstage at their Edinburgh show. Lou tells all about life back on the road, how fundamental Gregg's is to the band's success, and why the band have arrived at a more natural-feeling sound. All this, plus find out what life has been like since moving back from Berlin, and what happened when a rogue drumstick smacked a fan in the face.

Well here it is....episode 10 of season 4 This time out, the boys bring you an interview with a band that have led the rise of the UK post-punk scene over the past few years: Shame. Listen as Luke and Dave catch up with Eddie and Josh from the band, just before their homecoming headliner slot at Wide Awake Festival. Plus, Dave tells all about how he ended up on stage at a Camden gig, and Luke heads to see The Vaccines for the 1000th. AND, we have a round-up of some ace new tracks in Tunes of The Week as well as a "mad 5 minutes" with Mollie Coddled in this week's Close Up 60 Seconds.

Festival season is still just about rumbling on, and Luke and Dave are clinging on as hard as they can! This time out, they review Bank Holiday Monday at the brilliant All Points East. The crowd were blown away by a vintage set from Bombay Bicycle Club before a typically stomping show from none-other than Foals. A brilliant day out, rounded off with Luke thinking he'd broken his nose in a mosh! Today (3 September), Big Smoke Music Weekly is back to it with a trip down to Brockwell Park in Brixton for Wide Awake. The line-up makes it an absolute must for any fans of the post-punk scene, with IDLES, Squid,  shame, Dry Cleaning and more set to tear South London up! Luke & Dave hit you with their hot tracks from the bill to get you in the mood. All of this, PLUS the boys do their very own version of the 'Big Smoke Big 10' and Luke looks back on a perfect show from Katy J Pearson down on the south coast.

A ruddy good day to you all! To say we are buzzing with our new episode of Season 4 is a big understatement. We finally get to chat with a band that has been taking spots on our playlists all year long, one of the hottest new guitar bands in the UK, the brilliant L’objectif. The boys catch up with lead singer Saul Kane to ask about fronting a band made up of 16/17 year olds and what they make of their constant tagging as a ‘young band’. Saul opens up on his influences from funk to The Stone Roses, how he knew from as early as he can remember that he wanted to be in a band and how they landed their first record deal through a Twitter competition! Luke and Dave as always give you a big helping of their Tunes of The Week, we speak to Leeds outfit VICTORS ahead of their extended EP release and…Dave tells us how he styled-out falling off his chair at a BBQ. All ahead of a big weekend for the boys at Victorious Festival and All Points East!

FESTIVALS ARE BACK! Strap yourselves in for Big Smoke Music Weekly's chaotic return to festivals, as Luke and Dave headed for Latitude Festival. It was one of the first festivals to make a return following the past 18 months that have felt like the world's worst sci-fi movie. Tents packed, beers in the back of the tiny rental car, the guys were absolutely buzzing to be back in a field and soaking up the live music that they and every music fan have been missing so badly! If you are yet to get back to a festival, look no further that our Latitude Festival Special...the perfect way to get you in the mood!

Well... it looks like summer has finally arrived and Big Smoke Music weekly is here to add with fizz with another episode bursting at the seams with new music goodness! The BigSmoke:InFocus this time round is the brilliant FEET. We speak with frontman George Haverson all about how the band are moving on to new horizons following 2019's debut 'What's Inside Is More Than Just Ham' and into the world of Crease Pop. George tells all on how FEET feel their succession of single releases this  year have gone down, why soft cheese with a French stick is the only snack you need in your life and how in the hell they got their band name! PLUS....Luke & Dave dish up some tasty new servings for their Tunes of The Week & Jamie Hoddle - one half of Indie-House duo Mona Vale drops in as our CloseUp 60 Seconds artist. All this as well as details about Dave's new Love Bus! If that isn't exactly what you need to get into the swing of summer, we don't know what is!

Alright muckers! Before Luke & Dave horrify the locals and get their pale beach bods out down in Cornwall, they thought they had better drop a new episode to keep things ticking over. And….what an episode it is! The boys chat through the all-important plans for the playlist down the land of pasties, as well as picking their Tunes of The Week. Hear some tasty little treats from the likes of Junodream, MILA, Bandicoot & more! Luke even tells a tale of being recognised by a fan of the show…has he now “made it”?! The BigSmoke:InFocus artist this week is the simply superb Pixey! She joins the show to chat all things KP Peanuts as well as revealing a fan named their kid after her and how she is sharpening her production skills to become one of the biggest-sounding artists out there right now. Oooft, what an episode!