Buckle up as you’re about to discover your future favourite band. The Left of the Dial names dropped in February, and they go out a stormer; that’s 40-something new acts who are almost now guaranteed and have the talent to make it big. Naturally, the first act to spotlight has a song about John McGinn and Pro Evo. It’s JJ Bull, football tactico supremo, aka what would happen if LCD Soundsystem was really into Football Manager.
His music is tongue in cheek and of the moment; using YouTube shorts and other social media platforms to record songs as they happen in the football season; if they turn out to be good, they end up on the album. This is the same problem any good manager trying to field a starting eleven with good squad depth has is: most of them are good, so what do you cut? and his most recent Moth Club gig in London went down a storm, sold out and packed to the brim. With the location being the Netherlands expect lots of Dutch football, Edgar Davids, and more – as he casts his net outside of Athletics’ TIFO Football Podcast.
Probably not the traditional act that you’d expect from an indie tastemaker festival in Rotterdam. BUT Left of the Dial has never been traditional: this is a festival that last year; had bands play on a boat tour around the city and around the city on a bus. Unlimited alcohol on the boat for bands and partygoers from 11AM meant everyone was in good spirit – and this is the kind of vibe that Left of the Dial brings to the table; a cheerful, uplifting and happy one that allows you to explore Rotterdam and get the best experience out of it. There is A LOT of walking involved: on the first day alone, I did 33k steps, and there are so many artists that even with each playing twice the clashes will hurt your soul. You can see acts in museums, in bowling alleys, even in arcades or underwater. It’s as much a tourist experience as a festival – when you’re running around trying to catch as many of the 40 acts you can that range from a variety of countries – and to the point where I’ve seen most of the UK acts before – it’s exciting to get to grips with them.
I tipped Bathing Suits as one to watch on my Ones to Watch of 2026 – not an original thought, anyone in the DIY scene will tell you they are good, and having supported Prostitute at an iconic Windmill set, they look set to tear up Rotterdam. Their abrasive electronic noise full of blast beats has made them instant appeal for fans of Prodigy and Sextile, and that’s also a great feature about left of the dial’s website – every act has a “FFO” feature that help you make your choice. Because unlike more established festivals you’re not going to Left of the Dial to see your favourite artists that you’ve seen thousands of times. You’re going to Left of the Dial to see your next favourite artist – look at Cardinals, who played here in 2023, are now entering the Slope stage at Rock Werchter which is the iconic discovery stage for the Belgium festival. Many of these acts haven’t played in London yet. Many of these acts will…
Next band on the list to watch from the 40 is Casual Smart. For fans of Big Thief and Ugly they’re an indie rock band from Cardiff who I’ve seen at the Windmill and have already toured with Porridge Radio and played at Green Man. Their genuine post-rock indie authenticity makes them a compelling watch and they are magnetic live – with tracks like she’s my love and queen of hearts capable of winning over the audience.
I love Iskander, who cast a medieval spell on the audience – and we’re in good territory here when their comparisons are Lankum and Amenra. Iskander is a multi-instrumentalist solo artist, and has already ended up at Arctangent in 2026 – there’s always some overlap, Coilguns played at the festival last year – his doom black metal style has already seen him spark industrial sets that have played him at Roadburn and Ascension festivals, bringing new talent with Spiritus Sylvestris that tap into the industrial element of psychedelic folk.
Little Mort are a band that I saw at the Windmill on an iconic night of Alien Chicks, Y and Opus Kink on the same billing and then saw them supporting Ditz a few days later. They’re irresistible, Sick Man of Europe-esque; drawing influence from the legendary Nine Inch Nails to form a part of the electronic scene in the UK – the same scene that has given us names like SILVERWINGKILLER as of late. The wit and intensity of Jazz Pope, the frontman, is electric with the use of synths and the satirical approach allows a sense of escapism.
The Noise rock duo from Latter are billed being for fans of Piss and anyone who saw me at Left of the Dial last year will know that I did not stop mentioning how good Piss were – beyond just the name, a tour de force of an outfit. So that’s a very good comparison – emerging from the Philadelphia DIY scene to a duo with Meredith Haines and Jonathan Alvarado, Latter are magnetic: pushing beyond genre and boundaries with an influx of vulnerability that make their sets so uniquely powerful.
I’ve already seen Lemonsuckr a few times now and their dance-y, upbeat vibes of the quartet that make sure they’re there to have fun is instantly compelling. They are majestic with Instant Kinks and Dead Disco – the catchy twang will pull you right in and their habit of every band member launching themselves into the crowd will mean turning away is irresistible.
Oslo Twins are magnetic, already tipped to play at Great Escape – their indie synth pop from Bristol’s DIY scene have earned them supporting slots with The Last Dinner Party and at Green Man. It’s got intimate vocals, a small draw of Yeah Yeah Yeah-esque soundscapes that feel moody and synth-inducing trip hop at the same time. The capable blend of established talent led by I Wake Up Slowly commands your attention.
If you want “very sexy music, actually,” Thank are the band to see. The notorious DIY Leeds act are a lively band that has survived multiple roster changes and this current incarnation of Lewis Millward, Cameron Moitt, Steve Myles and Freddy Vinehill-Cliff induce a display of hardcore punk fury on the audience, frantic and bombastic form start to finish: Arctangent graduates grab my attention from the word go and it’s great to see them head to Left of the Dial next; the festival crossover being very aesthetically appealing.
Last band on the list to spotlight is Babe Haven, the US outfit that draw to mind Lambrini Girls and Die Spitz for some fierce queer punk. Lillie Della Penna and Naomi Poesel spotlight anthems of empowerment and queer, femme, BIPOC voices, into a cathartic nature of radical inclusivity.
There are tons more names to come! So many! But this should get you started. Don’t ignore Turnspit, Trip Westerns, The Sowing Club, and growing emo outfit pushbike.
No idea who any of them are? You will – this number counts among them perfect for fans of
the likes of The Strokes, Angel Olsen, Jamie T, Nine Inch Nails, MJ Lenderman, The
Growlers, Guided By Voices, Moloko, The XX, Big Thief, Cat Power, Car Seat Headrest,
Sonic Youth, Wire, the Gun Club, Chromeo, Lana Del Rey, The Ramones, and more; so Left
of the Dial can be fairly confident in saying that there’s “Pretty much something for
everyone”!.
Left of the Dial Festival takes place from October 21-24.
Learn more about the event, including how to get tickets, at the official website for the festival.
