THE GREAT ESCAPE 2018: LISTED

SPORTS TEAM

In this ‘Listed’ feature, we get to know the most radicalist up-and-coming stars through a themed list of their top musical picks.

This time, sardonic indie newcomers Sports Team are let loose on playlist duty.

Emerging from Cambridge early last year, this lot’s twisted take on indie-rock anthemia calls upon the Stephen Malkmus school of witticism, their 2017 Winter Nets EP marking them out as one of Britain’s most switched-on young prospects.

Early cuts like ‘Stanton’ and ‘Camel Crew’ highlighted their smarts - the latter a call-out to the saltier corners of the music industry - while recent single ‘Kutcher’ is a catchy, tongue-in-cheek ode to mid-00s MTV heartthrobs, ready for festival main stages.

It’s their live shows which have attracted the most attention, though, with the band’s knife-edge energy quickly drawing praise from all corners. As such, we’re thrilled to have them playing TMR x Hand In Hive’s stage at The Mucky Duck this weekend (brought to you in association with mental health charity CALM). It’s sure to be one of the weekend’s most unmissable moments.

With the festival fast approaching, Sports Team have shared a ‘Listed’ playlist of their own picks for the TGE weekend - allow them to pack out your clashfinder below.

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1. Sorry - ‘2 Down 2 Dance

Whether they're from South London or Northwest London (probably the latter), Sorry are one of our favourite new bands in the UK right now. Had some good times together at L'Ère de Rien festival in Nantes recently.



2. Bodega - ‘How Did This Happen?!’

A lot of bands are channeling the New York punk intellectualism of Parquet Courts right now but few are doing it as well as Bodega. We play this one a lot in the Volvo on tour, usually after Oli has navigated a tricky inner city situation. Looking forward to seeing them for the first time at The Great Escape.



3. Pip Blom - ‘Pussycat’

A band from the Netherlands we recently toured with and like a lot, even if they did find our reliance on Spoons breakfasts alarming. This one's typically the set closer and you can see why. Released by Nice Swan Records - home of Winter Nets - it was one of the last tracks ever produced by Dave McCracken at the Timberyard.



4. Fur - ‘If You Know That I'm Lonely’

Nice lads from Brighton that we'll have in tow at our Scala show later this year. Nobody tell them the video to this has over a million views...



5. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - ‘Mainland’

A band from Australia that Rob and I play a lot in the Harlesden house. They’re fronted by three singer-guitarists, reminding us of the dark days when we had three lead guitarists and no bass player.  Looking forward to catching them at the beach stage.



6. Dama Scout - ‘Forget It's Good’

A three-piece band from Scotland that played with us at Birthdays for So Young a year or so back. Impressive self-produced music videos, Japanese motifs, Glaswegian grit.



7. Mellah – ‘Cigarette Lighter’

Alex and Rob caught them at the Windmill the other week and were particularly struck by a band member’s dexterity on the mouth organ.



8. Insecure Men – ‘Mekong Glitter’

If the shoe fits…



9. Ross From Friends – ‘John Cage’

Recently signed to Brainfeeder and usually found behind the decks in what Alex calls “Space Prison”. We caught Ross From Friends with his live band a few years back at Knee Deep in Cornwall - probably our favourite festival.



10. The Orielles - ‘I Only Bought It For The Bottle’

The first band we ever toured with and a lovely bunch. Sid's mastery of the cowbell is unparalleled. Already looking forward to our joint victory lap of the country's O2 Arenas in support of The Magic Gang post-Summer.



Catch Sports Team at the free Hand In Hive x TMR Showcase on Friday 18th May at Brighton’s The Mucky Duck.

-Tom Connick

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