Pop!South have two shows at the very start of May and another at the end. I wanted to help draw the crowds out of hibernation with a pair of posters to remind everyone that summer is coming, and what better way to prepare than to warm yourself with some shimmery pop music. The third poster still feels like part of the series, but is enough of a departure to stand on its own.

 

Haiku Salut played one of Pop!South's very first shows, and the Derbyshire trio are coming back with some more beautiful tunes. Acompanied by The Colour of Whisky, and Giorgos of The Occasional Flickers.

 

The following weekend sees perrenial favourites the Just Joans on a mini-tour with the Thyme Machine, whith support from How to Swim.

 

Finally, at the end of the month we bring back Model Village, who are supported by our pals in Bodyheat and Kate from Kid Canaveral playing a solo slot.

We're two years into this whole putting on gigs thing, as our first gigs were based around Indietracks. So it's fitting that the one Indietracks-themed gig we have this year had Bunnygrunt + Eureka California, who are both on Happy, Happy Birthday to Me records. Labelmates Tunabunny were part of our line-up for Pop!South’s first three gigs ever!
 
BUNNYGRUNT of St. Louis, Missouri first started making great pop music back in 1993 and continue to do so with the release of their album ‘Vol 4′ this Summer. Handily, they cater for all your indiepop, punk rock and powerpop needs at once.
 
Their labelmates Eureka California hail from Athens, Georgia and create power pop gems. They make a lot of noise for a two-piece and songs with titles such as ‘I Bet That You Like Julian Cope’ and ‘Edith (One Day You’ll Live in a Bunker)’ combine lyrical wit with sublime hooks.

The Spook School have been off galavanting in That America, subverting the youth of tomorrow and casually hangin' out with heroes. No big deal. Now they're back home and returning to Glad for a Pop!South record 5th show!

The Middle Ones will be playing *just* their 3rd show for us, and their first in our usual home venue, but that doesn't mean we love them any less. Their gloriously lo-fi rambunctious pop has been released by everyone from themselves to the super-cool Where It's At Is Where You Are to also-super-cool Discount Horse and they've even relsead a split with lo-fi royalty Best Friends Forever. Per Discount Horse: "The Middle Ones are Anna and Grace. They are best friends. They play indie folk that’s tender, sometimes not so tender and super punk. I dare you to listen to these and not have your heart swell with absolute joy. I dare you."

Further proof of the formula pop + punk + Durham = awesome, T-shirt Weather are from Durham and play either punky pop or poppy punk. We're not sure which. Not that this is important, because clearly the fact that it's fun as hell is all that matters. Already Heard (link in the comments below) called their recent release on Odd Box Records, Flutter Through The Winter, "a 3 minute raw, jangly number that combines the trio's punk vigour with pop sensibilities."