On a chaotic Easter bank holiday weekend as Storm Dave bears down on the UK it would be a fair cop to say that 2026 festival season hasn't quite started yet. Although we may be a little while away from fields and camping (and mud) the start of April is the perfect time for the Guildhall in Portsmouth to get everyone warmed up for a summer of debauchery and play host to a few dozen raucous bands across two days and three stages.

Currently tearing through the UK on their headline tour, with both London and Manchester shows sold out in advance, Leicester trio Mouth Culture have unleashed another knockout single, continuing their stellar 2025 streak. The boldly defiant ‘On and On’ is out today via InVogue Records.

Takedown Festival - the award-nominated celebration of rock and metal - has revealed the next wave of artists for its 2026 edition, set to return to Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April.

This week’s New Noise: Weekly Music Highlights brings a stacked lineup of fresh releases across rock, metal, R&B and pop. From fiery singles to emotionally charged albums, we’ve rounded up the best new tracks you need to hear. Dive in and discover what’s making noise this week.

Fast-rising Leicester trio Mouth Culture keep their momentum going strong with the release of their latest single ‘Regret 101’, out today via InVogue Records, accompanied by a punchy new music video.

One of the UK’s most exciting emerging rock acts, Mouth Culture, have today announced a five-date headline tour set to take place this October. The run will see the band perform in Bristol, Birmingham, London, Manchester, and Glasgow, bringing their signature high-octane live show to audiences across the country. They will be joined on all dates by rising Leeds outfit Beauty School.