Unlucky + shrink

A double‑header built for anyone who wants to feel ahead of the curve, this Bedford Esquires showcase brings together two of the most promising new bands in the UK underground right now. Friday 29th May has all the makings of one of those “I saw them before they blew up” nights.

Unlucky have been gathering momentum on the back of their sharp, serrated sound—lean, nervy guitars, rhythm-section punch, and a vocal delivery that swings between deadpan cool and sudden flashes of intensity. They sit in that sweet spot between post‑punk bite and melodic instinct, the kind of band who can turn a cramped room electric within seconds. Early shows have already earned them a reputation for being tight, urgent, and impossible to ignore. Expect a set that feels like it’s constantly on the brink of boiling over.

shrink bring a different kind of tension—moody, atmospheric, and emotionally charged, but with a clarity and confidence that marks them out as something special. Their songs move with a cinematic sweep: brooding electronics, wiry guitars, and vocals that cut straight through the haze. They’re the sort of band who can shift from quiet introspection to widescreen catharsis in a heartbeat, and live, that dynamic hits even harder. If you like your new music with depth, texture, and a sense of unease that feels strangely addictive, shrink are the ones to watch.