Picture Parlour

Two people in a vintage-styled room with geometric wallpaper. One person is standing, wearing an orange shirt under a black vest/waistcoat, with curly hair and visible tattoos on their arm. They're leaning against a vintage radio that's mounted on the wall.

One of the many bands to emerge from the ever-fertile Brixton Windmill scene (although they were originally formed in Manchester), Picture Parlour sound much more accomplished than a band this newly minted has any right to. A couple of strong early singles (Norwegian Wood and Judgement Day) and some cracking live gigs led to an Island Records deal and a 12” EP – Face In The Picture – that confirmed that they’re pretty special. Their glam-tinged, melodramatic, super-confident rock has built quite a following already, as well as a shout out from Courtney Love, and they’ve been landing some sought after support slots (most recently, Sunflower Bean). The usual misogynist sniping about their ‘instant’ success is nonsense, of course, and they stomp all over such nonsense with real swagger and style. Picture Parlour are going to tear Stockton a new one and you’ll want to be there. (Lee Fisher)