Indie

After a stellar debut last year, Keynsham Music Festival’s dedicated showcase of youth talent returns. We were so impressed with the quality and diversity of the performances last year that we invited several of them back to perform on the Sunday main stages! With over 60 young performers this year, we are giving even more prominence to them by moving it to The Abbey Stage. This is definitely the place to see the next generation of superstars!

Keynsham Music Festival presents the very best in youth talent!

Eleanor Brennan is a Bristol based actress looking to get involved in theatre/film in the South West. Having trained at GSA as an Actor-Musician she writes comedy sketches and songs!

Bristol, UK. BACKDOWN are a 3-piece indie rock band, formed in the late 2023. Taking influence from bands such as Stereophonics and Daughtry, they bring their own raw energy, dynamic and thought-provoking lyrics; as seen in their 2025 debut single, ‘Dead To You’.

Elarbe is an 18 year old solo Singer/Songwriter/Rapper. She Specialises in R&B, Afrobeats, Storytelling rap, Pop and many more genres. Not only does she write and record her own music, she also performs covers from many artists including, Adele, Jorja Smith, Billie Eilish, Yebba, Bruno mars, Rihanna, Sam cooke, Tyla and many more. Elarbe uses her music as therapy for herself and her listeners. She uses her lyrics to spread messages about relevant topics and issues affecting society. Elarbe is Bristol Based and branches out to many other cities to perform for the public.

Emerging Bristol band - KODACHROME - combine Indie, Prog, Rock, Funk, Metal and Soul. A 'genre inclusive' approach to music that reflects the talents of their band members and encapsulates current listening approach - to the widest range of music - from today's audiences. This highly energetic group posses an extraordinary authority on stage. With a huge emphasis on putting on a show - of showcasing every single song as story. This makes them hugely different from bands around them - visual performance being highly important to them and a standout feature of their hugely exciting live shows. As well as headliners at major city venues in Bath and Bristol - the band are regulars at The Fleece and The Louisiana and just played a sell out show at the Thekla on Bristol's harbourside. They have played across the South West at Music Festivals such as Harbourfest, Solara, Exeter, Bath & West and as headliners at Keynsham twice now. Summer 2025 they will be performing again at Keynsham Festival, at Outcider Festival, Inglefest and on the main stage at Lakeside Festival. The band, who are studying for their A levels, have a growing, faithful fan base and their social media IG & Tik Tok accounts are hugely active. Fronted by teenage twins AVA and CONAN the band members include LULU, TARA, TYMON and HARRISON- all gifted young musicians and song writers. They fit in the writing, recording and release of their own songs whilst fitting in gigs around school. In another two years from now - who can say where they will be...

Based on the wilds of Exmoor, CaveMouth live off a strict diet of cider and road-kill and make music to keep the neighbours away and the foxes in. The band produce a fabulously gritty original sound, blending blues, funk and hip-hop liberally sprinkled with saxophone and conscious lyrics (or 'Swamp Funk' as the band like to call it). Guaranteed to get people up and dancing the band are firm festival favourites having played at Boomtown, Glastonbury, Sidmouth Folk Festival and even Clockenflap festival in Hong Kong.

Delta Americana meets British Rhythm, and Folk. Originals from the Musician and Troubadour from London. Growing up in the folk and protest scene, to then fleeing the city to live nomadically using music to travel. Across Europe and the states, from living in a cave to recording in New Orleans, Rosemary concluded her pilgrimage at Robert Johnsons crossroads. Now with roots in Bristol she is currently working on the release of her debut album ‘Peace Revue’

Slowly assembled together after years of “life's wonderful lived experiences” - at college, at Green Man festival, on Gumtree adverts, at gigs - Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine eventually emerged in Bristol in 2020. Influenced by the likes of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Snapped Ankles, and the New Wave trailblazers DEVO and B-52s, the band came to define their Psychedelic/post-punk sound; frilly psychedelic melodies fused with the fuzzed-up fury of high-octane post-punk, all powered by an embrace of all things silly and irreverent: “fun and mischievous ways of expressing yourself within art is probably an artist's greatest weapon”, explains Seamus, “Collectively we enjoy being a bit silly with our ideas and keeping the writing process interesting and playful.” The band have been generating new fans through their unpredictable live shows with their music receiving airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Introducing in the West and featured in The Unsigned Guide's Spotlight blog.

Anwar Siziba is an RnB, Soul, Hip hop and Afrobeat singer-songwriter originally from Essex now based in Bristol after spending a few years in Cardiff during and after university. He found his love for singing when he was just 10 years old, in a gospel choir at the church he attended with his mum. From here his passion for performing and expression through music has continued to grow into his adult life. Since then Anwar has constantly grown as an artist learning to record, mix and master his own songs and has released a catalogue of music that shows off his versatility as an artist, most recently his 5 track EP 'Afro Love' which visits his influence from his African roots. Anwar’s inviting stage presence, smooth vocals and harmonies bring a cool atmosphere to music fans wherever they choose to listen. He has been featured as a BBC Horizons artist for 2022 and has also featured on multiple tracks on the Welsh A-list. Over recent years he has performed at many events in local clubs, a performance at the O2 arena London and also had his own small scale headline show at the Tramshed in Cardiff. His music has been played on various radio stations including BBC Radio Wales. During the COVID-19 pandemic he wrote and performed the first verse, second verse and the bridge of a song called ‘We won’t forget’ which was composed for those who have lost their lives during the pandemic, particularly dedicated to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people who died disproportionately.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange (NRWO) - are a UK indie rock band producing anthemic originals for a rapidly growing audience of passionate fans. Tracks are packed full of blistering energy, urgent lyrics and propelling drums. Members Elijah Easton (guitarist, lead vocalist), Samuel Briggs (bassist), Lui Venables (drummer), Fin Anderson-Farquhar (lead guitarist) each share a love of music and take inspiration from bands such as Kings of Leon, The 1975, Fontaines D.C and The Killers.

Described by Loudwire as 'sounding like Queens of the Stone Age breaking Royal Blood out of Jail', Krooked Tongue are a Bristol based alt rock trio, known for their encapsulating live performances which have been at the forefront of a growing buzz in the UK rock/indie scene. Releasing their sophomore EP 'Deathproof' in 2023 to critical acclaim, the band have garnered interest from Radio 1, Sirius XM and many more iconic media outlets. Now hot off the back of an action packed year of tours which saw them head to Estonia and play sell out shows across the UK, the band strive to continue their rise and cement their place as a mainstay in the rock landscape.

Writing songs that not only stick in your head and leave you wanting more. The Indie, folk, neo-acoustic duo sound takes inspiration from Welsh roots with a fun twist of looping drum beats, percussion and harmonies to fill out the soundscape. Transporting you with honest and vulnerable lyrics that lead you through reflective stories. AFBOB strive to create immersive and impactful live sets both as a 5 piece and as a duo using loop and effect pedals to construct a complete audio landscape.

The Clean Up are an infectiously groovy, indie, funk and soul band that bring easy-going musical experiences to the stage. It’s hard to believe that they only formed in 2023 based on the unwavering chemistry within the group which is evident in their enticing performances that make you want to move your feet. They effortlessly blend infectious grooves with soulful vocals, captivating saxophone melodies and a tight rhythm section that keeps the audience stepping on the floor all night.