W.H. Lung retake the stage in Sheffield, celebrating Float Along Festival’s first wave of acts for 2024.
Sheffield’s Float Along Festival is set to be one for the books this year, and there was no better place to bring the excitement than Sidney & Matilda’s brand-new Gallery Stage, hosting synth-pop phenomenon W.H Lung and Manchester’s post-punk Nightbus - two of the most talented live acts around at the moment.
W.H. Lung perform at the Float Along Festival Lineup Announcement Show, 2024. Credit: Amelia Garrett
With last year’s one-day festival featuring acts such as English Teacher, Everything Everything, Tapir! and more, the expectations were set for the lineup to deliver again, and there’s no doubt that it has. Shame, Antony Szmierek, and Van Houten are all on the bill for 2024, and we can’t wait to see them grace the historic venues of Sheffield.
The announcement show commenced with an opening set from Nightbus, a band capturing the essence of Manchester through “nostalgic but contemporary” post-punk sounds. With Olive Rees on vocals and guitar, Zac Melrose on bass, and Jake Cottier on decks and guitar, the trio made the stage their own, kickstarting with their debut single, ‘Way Past Three’. Using electronic drum beats as percussion, infused with their edgy guitar tones, the band emerges as an innovative force within the post-punk scene.
The audience was eager for the arrival of W.H. Lung, known for their eccentric live performances, after they graced the festival in 2023. With two albums under their belt, they’ve accumulated a following of fans passionate about their modern take on synth-pop, electronic, and rock music. This passion became obvious as soon as the lights dimmed, signalling the start of what all who were there will remember as a stand-out performance.
W.H. Lung live, 2024. Credit: Amelia Garrett
W.H. Lung's live sound was extraordinary, noticeably transformed from their recorded versions into something fresher, reflecting the band’s continuous growth on stage. Frontman Joe Evans's charisma was undeniable; he held the audience in his hands as soon as he stepped on stage. With each instrument contributing to the beautiful array of sounds, W.H. Lung stormed through the first couple of songs, which included ‘Pearl in the Palm’ from their 2021 album Vanities.
The new Gallery Stage at Sidney & Matilda became a dance floor, reminiscent of when synth-pop was at its peak in the late 70s. A standout moment from the performance came with their rendition of The Units’ 'High Pressure Days’. The cover was actually performed in front of the iconic 70s band themselves whilst W.H.Lung were on tour in New York, and to no surprise, it was approved. W.H. Lung flawlessly modernised the track, bringing it new life.
Both acts played triumphant sets, setting the bar high for upcoming artists to match their uniqueness. With the lineup announcement including Shame, Jellyskin, and Van Houten, this night, featuring exceptional emerging talent, has set the stage for Float Along Festival 2024 to be an unforgettable day. We look forward to hearing the diverse array of high-quality music that they’ll host in September!
