Higher Ground festival announces The Staves as headliner for 2023

Higher Ground is back for 2023 for a one-day festival at London’s iconic venue The Roundhouse. Headlining this edition is The Staves with The Orielles, Tawiah and Aiofe Nessa Frances completing the initial lineup.

It’s a decade since The Staves self-released their first EP and a lot has happened since then. Their music has changed significantly from the acoustic pastoralism of their 2012 debut album Dead & Born & Grown through to their critically embraced 2015 album If I Was which Stereogum described as “unimaginably beautiful”. Their third album Good Woman, released last year, was written and recorded amid major upheaval, heartbreak and bereavement. The new-found boldness, loudness and lyrical directness on this record are indicative of lives forced to become a serious concern. Higher Ground will be The Staves only live headline London performance in 2023.

Featured

Festival Review: Mad Cool 2026

Mad Cool stepped it up for its 10th Anniversary resulting in an unforgettable weekend in Madrid.

Album Review: Waterparks - 'JINX'

There is magic in that new record, and it’s a blessing in a black-and-pink colourful disguise.

Band Of The Week #327 - Cherry i

This week's Band of the Week is London art-rock four-piece Cherry i - who have just released their new EP 'Yes, but I could never tell that lie' - which was produced by Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Yard Act, Soccer Mommy).

Live Review: Breaking Benjamin - O2 Academy Brixton, London 17/07/2026.

After almost a decade away, Breaking Benjamin’s UK return was long overdue. Bringing with them Chevelle and Return To Dust, their final night of their European tour was a hot, sticky, glorious mess.

Album Review: Nia Archives - 'Emotional Junglist'

Nia Archives finds the drums of a broken heart.

Album Review: As It Is - 'As It Is'

After over a decade of records, tours, festival appearances and everything else a band can dream of, Brighton band As It Is are showing no sign of stopping now.

Live Review: Fatboy Slim - On The Beach, Brighton 16/07/2026

The local legend brings his euphoric brand of dance music back to his old stomping ground: the inimitable Brighton beach.

Festival Review: 2000Trees - July 2026

2000trees: last minute replacements, the heatwave to end all heatwaves, and even the threat of a runaway Haaland in the quarter final — nothing could stop the fan favourite festival from excelling.

The Script - 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'

In the grand theatre of popular music, few artists have navigated the terrain of emotional catharsis with the commercial acumen of The Script.

Role Model - 'Joy'

There is a particular kind of courage required to name a song 'Joy' in an era of irony soaked detachment and algorithmic anxiety. It is the sort of title that invites mockery, that dares the listener to raise a sceptical eyebrow.

Festival Review: Pitbull - BST Hyde Park, London 10/07/2026

Armed with a tuxedo, a healthy dose of motivational speaking, and a star-studded lineup featuring Lil Jon, Kesha, and Tinie Tempah, Pitbull turned Hyde Park into the ultimate millennial throwback victory lap.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - 'Level 5'

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard step into a new realm with ‘Level 5’.

WTHB OnlineMarch 28, 2023Features, News