It's Sziget weekend, time to kick back and let it rock! We pick our ten favourites from the three-day schedule, starting with fresh-faced punks from Dublin and culminating in a fashion-conscious DJ from Chicago.
Festival information
It's Sziget week! For details of how to get to Budapest's best fest, see here. For the full line-up, see here, and for tickets, here.
1/10
The Murder Capital
A young five-piece from Dublin, The Murder Capital
draw their inspiration from the Pixies, Joy Division and PJ Harvey to create a
raw, post-punk sound that should appeal to those here for Fontaines D.C.. They will
be bringing a new song, with them, Only Good Things, released in July, as well
as a number of previously unreleased tracks. FreeDome,
Friday, 6.30pm
2/10
Stromae
After the memorable crowd scenes surrounding Stromae at Sziget 2014, the
award-winning Belgian singer now returns with a new album and the same old
energy, just right for the Main Stage on a Friday night. Main Stage, Friday, 7.30pm
3/10
Slowthai
After The Murder Capital (see above), stick around
the FreeDome for a similar punk attitude albeit with a change of genre.
Slowthai quickly became the new favourite of British rap due to his uncompromising
lyrics and energetic shows. His second self-named album, Tyron, released last year,
features contributors such as A$AP Rocky, James Blake, Denzel Curry and Skepta,
but IDLES, Disclosure and Gorillaz, among others, have also made music with him.
FreeDome, Friday,
8.15pm
4/10
Jungle
Friday’s most danceable concert will
probably be given by Jungle, who have performed at Sziget after the release of
each of their records so far, this year being no different. Loving in
Stereo was launched last year. The British neo-soul and funk band are the project
of Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland, and their popularity continues to grow
from album to album, as they pour these genres with great flair into a radio-friendly
modern format. Live, they’re great. FreeDome, Friday, midnight
5/10
Black Honey
This four-piece indie band from Brighton first released a couple of EPs,
then their debut LP in 2018, followed by a second in 2021, which hit the UK charts.
Their raw, edgy sound, conveyed by the lively, vampish singer Izzy Phillips, should be the perfect start to Saturday. FreeDome, Saturday, 5pm
6/10
The Psychotic Monks
Dark, noisy and experimental rock from la banlieue. The Birthday Party and Sonic Youth are the guiding lights of the Psychotic Monks,
who have so far released two albums. This four-piece go for psychedelia, garage
rock, post-rock, post-punk, experimental and noise rock in as raw a form as is
necessary. Light blue touchpaper and retire. Európa Színpad, Saturday, 6.40pm
7/10
Bubliczki
The fusion of west Slavic Kashubian music, mixed with Gypsy,
klezmer and hot Balkan sounds, are the stock in trade of this Polish band
formed in 2007. Frontman is the tango accordion-singer Mateusz Czarnowski,
under whose leadership the six-member band has so far produced three LPs. The
last was a while back, so there should be more Bubliczki on the market soon. Global Village, Saturday, 8pm
8/10
Kid Francescoli
Mathieu Hocine's electro-pop band, in business
since 2002, is based in Marseille. Their third album, With Julia, brought them resounding
success in 2014, and their subsequent releases have only increased their
reputation. And why not? This is French-style dance music, delicate, catchy
and cinematic. FreeDome, Sunday, 5pm
9/10
Tame Impala
The musical project of multi-instrumentalist Kevin
Parker combines the traditions of prog with synthpop, resulting in a very
likeable, original mix. Tame Impala, around since 2007, transforms into a proper
band for live performances, such as his successful one at Sziget before the
shutdown. Main Stage, Sunday, 9.15pm
10/10
Honey Dijon
Born in Chicago in 1970, this Berlin resident DJ-producer
with African-American roots has been involved in electronic music, mainly house
and techno, since the ’90s. Her only LP so far was released in 2017. This
advocate of transgender rights – she herself is a trans woman – not only
conquers with her music, but also moves in the world of fashion and designs her
own collections. Colosseum,
Sunday/Monday, 1am
