It already seems like forever since we announced that Handmade would be happening again in 2014, and we’re excited that we can finally reveal some of the acts that will be playing. Remember, this is just our first announcement. There is A LOT more to come, and it’s all 100% pure gold, we promise you. Scroll down to check out the first of what you can expect from 2014’s line-up, then come back up here and get your Early Bird Tickets for 2013 prices. If your scroll wheel is broken, why not watch this ridiculous video blog we’ve put together to tell you all about some of the line-up.

THREE TRAPPED TIGERS

Three Trapped Tigers sound like nothing else to come out of British music in years. Throw genres at them and nothing ever quite sticks. Mathy, noisy brilliance dished out by three virtuosos in their respective fields. They’re acclaimed by every band that crosses paths with them, and lauded by the music press.

“With ‘Route One or Die’ they have managed to destroy not only their previous releases, but potentially anything else released in 2011” - BBC
“It’s the sound of imagination itself - 8/10” - NME
“Like nothing you’ve ever heard - 8/10” - Rock Sound
“A masterpiece - 9/10” - The 405

SHONEN KNIFE

Shonen Knife have spearheaded Japanese music in underground culture since 1981, and continue to be as intense and exciting today as they ever have been. Inspired by a combination of The Ramones, Beach Boys and 60’s girl groups, they wield a sound that is very much their own. They don’t really require much more introduction than that, suffice to say that they’re veterans of Sub Pop Records and supported Sonic Youth, Nirvana and Fugazi. We can’t envisage many better musical CVs than that.

“When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert.” - Kurt Cobain

ILIKETRAINS

Leeds’ Iliketrains write sullen, heartfelt songs, often about historical failures. They’re bleak, intense and absolutely incredible live. Veterans of respected indie labels Beggars Banquet, Dance to the Radio and Fierce Panda they’ve released three albums, culminating in last year’s acclaimed ‘The Shallows’.

“Brilliant, unique, wry… at odds with pop’s present trends.” - NME
“Bold and Impressive” - Uncut
“Intelligent, very dark humorists… grand civic music, less to be listened to and more to be visited like a museum or war memorial, and all the more interesting because of it.” - The Guardian

TANGLED HAIR

The first of the Big Scary Monsters acts to be added to the Handmade bill, Tangled Hair rose from the demise of former band Colour and cut a similarly mathy path through delicate verses and uplifting, sing along choruses, always ready to catch you unawares.

“Tangled Hair are a welcome respite from the crowd of Kinsella copyists that you’ll encounter drifting in the undertow of the British math-rock circuit. The trio deliver coruscating songs that flicker with imagination: crisp guitar tones contorting around erratic rhythms, infused with nods to jazz and the brazen American indie of bands in the vein of Pavement.” - The 405

THE PHYSICS HOUSE BAND

Brighton experimental threesome The Physics House Band are pretty much destroying every audience they meet - and given that they barely stop touring, that’s quite an achievement.

GRACE PETRIE & THE BENEFITS CULTURE

We’re very pleased to welcome Leicester’s own folk hero Grace Petrie back to Handmade this year, for many, many reasons. Not only will she be performing with her band The Benefits Culture, but also taking over one of our stages for a whole day, curating music, comedy and performance art. PERFECT.

KATIE MALCO

Having knocked out one of our records of the year after her set at Handmade last year, there was no way we couldn’t bring the brilliant Katie Malco back to Leicester for a repeat performance. She’s the first of many Alcopop acts to be added to the bill, and we’re delighted that that’s the case.

WE THREE AND THE DEATH RATTLE

Another of the select few acts we’re asking back from the 2013 line-up, WTATDR (as they are inevitably known) play filthy riffs over boy/girl vocals and theramin. The trio are just about to release their debut long player, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. A band who are every last inch a band. If that makes any sense.