One to watch: Fat Dog

South London-based Fat Dog are the latest band signed by Domino, the label behind acts such as Wet Leg, Arctic Monkeys and Hot Chip. Formed during lockdown, the quintet have built a word-of-mouth reputation thanks to their boisterous live performances: moshpits are commonplace, and drummer, Johnny “Doghead” Hutchinson, plays in a latex dog mask. Their music has been described by Rolling Stone as dance, punk, klezmer and “just about everything else”. Indeed, it’s difficult to place: there are elements of Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode crossed with European dance sounds.

Fat Dog’s three singles have been written by frontman and guitarist Joe Love, with super producer James Ford (Gorillaz, Pet Shop Boys). Last year’s debut, King of the Slugs, is a chaotic, barnstorming number you can see causing mayhem at festivals. On the intense Running, Love’s commanding vocals have more than a hint of metal as he intones: “I said wake me up, wake me up when the shooting starts.”

With their debut album, WOOF, due in September following a string of live dates, 2024 looks like being Fat Dog’s year. Synth player Chris Hughes told DIY magazine: “If people just have a lukewarm response then what’s the point?” He’s not wrong. They’re epic, raucous and ready for a mainstage slot.

Fat Dog tour the UK until 31 August. WOOF is released on Domino on 6 September