Bands to Watch at Twenty-One Pilots’ All Points East closing night
East is Up: Twenty-One Pilots headline a UK Exclusive All Points East 30 August at Victoria Park that includes bands like Wunderhorse and Gang of Youths
Twenty-One Pilots are one of the most in-demand bands in the world right now. Having come off a lengthy festival run including a memorable show on a sold-out day at Rock Werchter in Belgium they turn their attention to British shores to round out All Points East in memorable style; acting as the closing act for a festival that has included bands like Deftones, IDLES and Turnstile over the course of its run.
Cornish upstarts Wunderhorse are a band and a half; now on album number two ‘Midas’ having debuted a hugely successful debut record in ‘Cub’ benefiting from smash hit ‘Leader of the Pack’ that’s instantly an earworm. Just below them – the lineup drifts into heavier territory but is nonetheless full of music to jump around to – Gang of Youths have a memorable cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ under their belt and the Australian natives now having been active for over a decade have such a confidence in the scene it’s hard not to fall in love with their music style, coming off the back of a personal record for frontman Dave Le’aupepe that wasn’t afraid to shy away from hard hitting topics.
Standouts also include pop-punk heroes Hot Milk (‘Corporation P.O.P’ bangs); Ozzie punk rockers Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers on a debut UK tour, and punk icons the Meffs that round up the lineup. I was a huge fan of Kid Kapichi’s ‘There Goes The Neighbourhood’ 2024 release, and the opportunity to see them live following a memorable show at Kentish Town shows their strengths as a band. There they were supported by Dead Pony who also make the journey across to Mile End – establishing themselves as a hit; must see band.
I spent much of my 2025 catching PVRIS at festivals; both at Jera on Air and Rock Werchter, and 2026 will be the third time I’ve seen the iconic pop rockers – now four studio LPS in and packing plenty of punches. Both Honey Revenge and Mouth Culture are also appointment stops – as are new fast-rising band Artio further down the billing who benefited from a tastemaker set at Radar festival, Manchester, a self-produced Gen-Z quartet fronted by Rae Brazil who look set to add to the pantheon of legendary Leeds bands. Ren is also worth a watch – a skilled lyricist and proven rapper with only room to grow.
All Points East also features days headlined by Jorja Smith 21 Aug, Lorde 22 Aug, Deftones (Outbreak Festival) 23 Aug, and two shows by Tyler the Creator on August 28 and 29. Twenty One Pilots headline August 30. Find out more and buy tickets here.