Friday 31st October 2025
Rough Trade Recommends presents: Blood Wizard + Soot Sprite + alphabet.
Rough Trade’s new music showcase returns with some of the best up-and-coming acts in the alternative scene.
Blood Wizard‘s “Grinning William” is a record that advances Cai Burns’ reputation as one of the UK underground’s most underrated ears when it comes to arresting hooks and pop smarts. Here, he pulls them through a prism that refracts differently from his previous releases – the more alt. folk leanings of his debut have been largely ushered out in lieu of slung low, beefier guitars that at times tighten up into taut new wave urgency and at others allow themselves to fully embrace the drop tuned sludge. Alex G remains an influence, and Burns also notes taking cues from the playfulness of Cate le Bon and Aldous Harding, as well as the raw, direct vocal production of Dean Blunt. However, he’s more than capable of plotting his own path, adept at packing in a bustling array of ideas into efficient three-minute pop songs.
Soot Sprite are a 4-piece alt rock and shoegaze band originally hailing from Devon but have since spread out around the south of the England. Echoing the underbelly of the UKs bustling underground emo scene and marrying that with the bands like Slowdive and Basement, SOOT SPRITE have been striking a match on the live circuit for several years.
London-based alternative band alphabet are quickly making a name for themselves with their dynamic fusion of post-punk grit and ethereal soundscapes. Formed by four close friends – Lena, Milo, Tom, and George – the group’s roots trace back to Brighton, where they first crossed paths while playing in different bands. When life led them all to leave Brighton around the same time, they reconnected in London, and alphabet was born. Drawing inspiration from The Cure, Slowdive, and Sonic Youth, their sound is a mix of melodic yet abrasive guitars, meteoric drumming, and a balance of punchy and atmospheric vocals. Their music walks the line between urgency and dreamlike serenity, turning raw emotion into something hypnotic and powerful.
Presented by Rough Trade. 14+ (Under 16s with Adult)