In this series, I explore the grassroots music scene, examining the key players, their roles, and the insights they can offer to Joyzine and its readers.
When it comes to live music, we are all different, some fans just want to hear the songs, some want to be entertained, while others want to escape reality. I’m most definitely the later. With this in mind, here are six incredibly unique live acts you should try to see in 2025.
Holy Braille
The Sunderland-based duo describe their sound as harsh-wave and computer punk, but it’s much more than that. As a live act, Holy Braille deliver a ritualistic, almost biblical experience—an immersive escape from reality. The duo consists of Steph Mac on vocals and Elliot Reeves on keys and beats.
I first saw them perform at The Spice of Life in London. Arriving early, I caught a pleasant but unremarkable indie band playing to a crowd that included their family—granny included. I doubt they were prepared for the sensory onslaught Holy Braille was about to unleash. As a frontwoman, few are as captivating as Steph Mac. She doesn’t just command the stage—she commands the entire room. Even granny, despite looking bewildered, was soon tapping her feet.
Their songs are powerful, infectious anthems. Take ‘Murder She Spoke’ (2019), where Steph chants, “God is calling out your name, don’t you want to play my game?”—an invitation that’s impossible to ignore.
Catch Holy Braille supporting IAMX at the Manchester Academy 28th April & The Islington Academy on 29th
Holy Braille socials | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Waterflower
Waterflower is the solo project of Riga-based artist Sabīne Moore, blending interdisciplinary performance with a unique fusion of art pop, experimental noise, avant-garde, and ethereal melodies.
A live show is an experience like no other—often accompanied by a “living plant orchestra,” where real plants are wired to synthesizers, turning nature itself into an instrument. Waterflower doesn’t just perform; they build an entire world and demand you to step inside.
A Waterflower show is like a first psychedelic experience—a gentle rush of excitement that surges into a kaleidoscope of sound and visuals. And when it’s over, you’re left reeling, thinking, Wow. What was that? And craving more.
Catch Waterflower at Julys Electroniq at the Dublin Castle
Waterflower socials | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Das Fluff
Few performers command your attention like Dawn Lintern, the band’s leader and chief songwriter. Always immaculately dressed, she moves with the prowling intensity of a leopard poised to strike, delivering a performance that is both fierce and mesmerizing. She is joined by longtime collaborator Christian Ruland, whose modified theremin adds an extra layer of mystery to the band’s sound.
Das Fluff defies genre, blending goth, dark electro, and post-punk with a sharp-edged cynicism woven into their lyrics. After spending years in Berlin, they have returned to the UK, bringing with them a live show that is nothing short of hypnotic—a surreal, immersive, and electrifying experience.
Das Fluff socials | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Jan Doyle Band
Live music should always be unpredictable—a wild ride where anything could happen next. And that’s exactly what you get with JDB.
At the helm is Doncaster based Derek Antony Williams, an androgynous mesmerizing fusion of Bowie, Martin Degville, and Kajagoogoo. Williams comes from the old-school belief that a performer should always stand apart from their audience—no jeans and t-shirts here. Instead, he spends hours perfecting his makeup and squeezing into thigh-high boots and spandex trousers, embodying the true spirit of theatrical rock ‘n’ roll.
A JDB show isn’t complete without a bit of controversy, see pic above. He appears to cut his head open with large knife to dancing so hard he falls over, JDB turns chaos into entertainment. Yet beneath it all is a performer who not only lives to be on stage but revels in every moment of it. Whether he means any of it or not is anyone’s guess, but the energy is undeniable. From synth-pop, industrial, Goth, to his showstopper, a blistering 160 BPM version of ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ that sends the crowd into a frenzy.
Rumour has it, he’s even cracked America.
Jan Doyle Band socials | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Radio Waves Goodbye
Every so often, an act emerges with that elusive something—think Black Midi in 2017. You can’t quite pin it down—is it the songs? The live energy? The look? Whatever it is, Radio Waves Goodbye have it in abundance.
As a live act, they transform a room into a euphoric frenzy of smiling faces, like the perfect act for an illegal ‘90s rave. RWG is the duo of Jack and Johnny—Johnny, a reincarnation of Alan Vega, just as hypnotic on stage, while Jack juggles most of the instruments. The result? Hands-in-the-air anthems and two performers completely lost in the moment, their sheer joy spilling over into the crowd.
Mysterious and enigmatic, RWG have barely any recorded material available. The only way to hear them? See them live—keeping their legend as thrillingly elusive as Black Midi’s early days.
Radio Waves Goodbye socials | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Arch Femmesis
Nottingham-based Zera Tønin and Princess Stephen are Arch Femmesis—a true force of nature. Equal parts satire and electro-punk industrial powerhouse, with a generous dose of razor-sharp comedy.
Frontwoman Zera Tønin is like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Courtney Love fused into one electrifying performer. During the irresistibly catchy “Rejectile Dysfunction,” she transforms into a hilariously cocky, turtleneck-clad, sockless, middle-aged Oi Oi geezer—owning the stage with fearless charisma and holding the audience in the palm of her hand.
It’s terrifyingly witty, fiercely engaging, and unapologetically in-your-face electro-punk.
Arch Femmesis | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
The one thing that unites all these acts is there isn’t an ego between them, all incredibly down to earth, easy going and an absolute joy to work with. Any promoters out there, book these bands while you can!
Article by Mr Laurence
Cover photo @Felix_Lensman
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