LIMF 2018: Who are Young Fathers?

Who Are Young Fathers And Why Should You See Them At LIMF 2018?

Continuing in our series of introducing some of the names that are gracing our stages in Sefton Park on 21^st and 22^nd July for LIMF 2018, we come with a band that won’t grace the stage as much as they will “tear it a new one”. Young Fathers are a force to be reckoned with, a force that we want to help prepare you for this festival period. 

Awards

Almost as soon as Young Fathers were releasing music, they were winning awards. Their first mix tapes were simply named Tape One and Tape Two, with that latter winning Scottish Album of the Year. Then, their debut album, Dead, won the coveted Mercury Prize, an award that celebrates the best album released that year. That’s right, THE (singular) best album of the year. Other Mercury Prize winners include Primal Scream, Arctic Monkeys and Dizzie Rascal. That’s who these guys rub shoulders with. 

Massive Friends

Young Fathers have done a lot of with the Trip Hop pioneers, Massive Attack. The three-piece featured on ‘Voodoo In my Blood’ from Massive Attack’s album, Ritual Spirit. And, if that wasn’t enough, they also supported MA on a tour of the UK and Europe in 2016. That doesn’t happen to just any old band so these guys have got something special, something that will have been taken to the next level by performing on that world stage. See that experience come to the forefront in Sefton Park this July.

T2 Trainspotting

Have you seen the 2017 sequel to the Danny Boyle classic, Trainspotting? Yes? Then you will have heard Young Fathers’ track, Only God Knows, the Scottish break out-group writing the song specifically for this Scottish based film favourite. The first Trainspotting film was known for its music with the director, Boyle, setting out to do the same with T2 – what an honour to be put in the same breath as the original soundtrack. 

The Live Show

Like we said, not every band gets the opportunity to go on tour with Massive Attack and, when you see Young Fathers on stage, it’s not hard to see why they got the nod. Their live show is manic, combining African dance moves with a Punk attitude and energy. The three of them dress completely differently which is already obscure to look at on stage, but when combined with the raw power in their live show, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the Central Stage on 22^nd July. 

Their Message

The trio are known for creating music with a message and connecting with fans online and at their shows – they’re never above any of that sort of thing. Their 2015 album was titled ‘White Men Are Black Men Too’ and was a marker for how explicitly this band are willing to express their message. They aren’t afraid of shouting about what they stand for in every lyric and at every show, a message of equality and one against racial discrimination. We can all get behind that on the Central Stage at LIMF 2018. 

They Are Unique

Scottish Alternative Hip Hop isn’t exactly a widely known about genre and it’s genre that the band themselves have spoken out against. However, we have no idea how else to describe them. The band started off in the realms of Hip Hop but they certainly haven’t stayed there. The guitars are as blistering as the rhymes and the influences from various types of World music mean that this will be like nothing you’ve heard before, coming to a stage near you this summer!

New Album

Their first album won them the Mercury Prize, the second was their most politically charged, and their third, the brand spanking new, Cocoa Sugar, is their highest charting. They smash it out the park with each release, becoming more accomplished in the various areas of their careers as they go. Cocoa Sugar is a belter that is unlikely to be like anything else you’ve heard this year, just check out the stand out single, In My View, below. 

Who are you most looking forward to at LIMF 2018? Let us know via Facebook and Twitter now and don’t forget to get booking your ticket before the festival begins to get it at just £5 per day in advance, visit www.limfestival.com.