Since forming in 2003 and over the course of six studio albums, Tunng are a group that have explored the boundaries between acoustic and electronic music, becoming synonymous with the folktronica genre before moving into territory that managed to both evade that label and continue to redefine it.

Magpie Bites and Other Cuts is a collection of rare gems and oddities released from 2004 to 2018. These are the 7”s, special editions, b-sides and hidden tracks that would otherwise be lost in the ether, full re-mastered and available on limited edition physical formats. Here they are sitting side by side like a wonky gang, leaning in to share their strange tales.

The first track on the comp, ‘Heatwave’ was previously only available on the bonus 7” included with deluxe versions of the band’s 2018 album, Songs You Make at Night, ‘Heatwave’ was “written on one hot and sticky morning whilst working on what would become Songs You Make at Night,” says co-founder Mike Lindsay. “It gleefully wrote itself while Sam (Genders, co-founder) was dancing around the mixing desk.”  

Tunng are set to play a handful of festival shows this summer:

17th-19th May – Wood Festival, Oxfordshire

3rd Aug – Cambridge Folk Festival

4th Aug – All Together Now, Waterford, Ireland

30th Aug – Moseley Folk Festival

31st Aug – End of the Road Festival

Tickets are available at www.tunng.co.uk

Undercover Festival is nearly here April 26 – 29 at the Boston Music Room and The Dome Tufnell Park London. An established indoor celebration of alternative music including punk, post punk and more, you won’t find anything like Undercover, especially in London. 

There have been some changes to the line-up with the addition of Piranhas Four, Brain’s All Gone, Healthy Junkies and Crash Induction. Chris Packham added to the DJs playing the Vinyl Only After show party.

Now in its seventh year; it has a reputation for being one of the friendliest small festivals out there, and an April 2019 line-up many would be hard pressed to match.  

Full details / LINE UP  / FAQs / Tickets etc see www.undercoverfest.com

~ ~ ~ FULL LINE UP ~ ~ ~

SHAM 69 (Pursey, Parsons, Treganna, Guy) (Sat)

SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS (Fri)

GBH (Sun) 

PENETRATION (Sat)

Fri 26th April

SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS / XSLF (X STIFF LITTLE FINGERS) / THE DEFECTS / PUSSYCAT AND THE DIRTY JOHNSONS / CHARRED HEARTS / BRAIN’S ALL GONE / SCANDAL / THE FANZINES / GYB / PETTY PHASE / SARAH PINK + GUEST

Sat 27th April

SHAM 69 (Pursey, Parsons, Treganna, Guy) / PENETRATION (Very Special Guests) / CHELSEA / THE RESTARTS / MENACE / 1919 / SPUNK VOLCANO AND THE ERUPTIONS / PIRANHAS FOUR / WITCHDOKTORS / EAST TOWN PIRATES / THE SCREAMING DEAD / NUFFIN / MICK O’TOOLE / SURGERY WITHOUT RESEARCH / STONE HEROES / RAGE DC

Sunday 28th April

GBH / ED BANGER AND THE NOSEBLEEDS / EASTFIELD / THE FECKING EJITS / DIABLOFURS / THE ANORAKS / R.E.D. (RELIGION EQUALS DECAY) / HEALTHY JUNKIES / CRASH INDUCTION / WYRD SISTERS 

ALSO The Vinyl Only Official After Show Parties with Special Guest CHRIS PACKHAM (Sat) + Deadly Dave Ralph + Trev Bossom, Mark Blenkiron, Mick Moriarty (if he is still standing) + ++ 11pm to 2pm  (Fri & Sat) + MCs Keith Woodhouse & Gwen Ever + DJs in between bands.