The best of the fest

Previous years have seen HWCH hosting special Canadian and Scandinavian music slots, but this year they're staying closer to …

Previous years have seen HWCH hosting special Canadian and Scandinavian music slots, but this year they're staying closer to home and hosting a "Scottish Invasion".

Top Glasgow band Sons and Daughters (who are also playing the festival) were asked to curate this year's Scottish strand and they have come up with a list of 10 new Scottish bands which span all parts of the musical spectrum.

Given that HWCH can be a bit of a musical maze, here are five Irish bands and five Scottish bands worth looking out for.

THE IRISH

READ MORE

Fight Like Apes

Already with a considerable buzz behind them, the Kildare band will be looking to further impress with their nouveau shoe-gazing let loose in a synth shop sound. www.myspace.com/fightlikeapesmusic

Heathers

Female twins from Dublin who are just back from a bunch of shows in the US. Fabulous vocal interplay over folky-indie acoustic guitars. www.myspace.com/heatherswhatsyourdamage

Angel Pier

Irish-Canadian outfit who promise a lot. They've just sold out a show at Whelan's and musically they come across as the missing link between Band of Horses and early Radiohead. www.myspace.com/angelpier

New Amusement

Dublin four-piece who have something of the spirit of A House about them and do a neat line in arresting indie-pop. www.myspace.com/newamusement

Fighting With Wire

Very talented Derry rock band who could easily give Foo Fighters a run for their money. Highly recommended. www.myspace.com/fightingwithwire

THE SCOTS

We Were Promised Jetpacks

Fantastic vocals placed over catchy melodies and a runaway rhythm section. www.myspace.com/wewerepromisedjetpacks

Frightened Rabbit

Selkirk four-piece who blend an art-rock sound with some deft idiosyncratic touches.  www.myspacecom/frightenedrabbit

Half Cousin

From the Orkney Islands, Half Cousin are lo-fi experimentalists who seem less influenced by rock than by contemporary classical. www.myspace.com/halfcousin

We Are The Physics

Glasgow four piece who play "mutant science punk rock" and sound like Gang Of Four jamming with Devo. www.myspace.com/wearethephysics

Larmousse

Quiet and ponderous music which can be quite beguiling. Nick Drake with a hangover.  www.myspace.com/larmousse