Photo FRANK FIEBER

"What does forever really mean" ponders Joe Love on their latest endeavour. Returning with their new single, Peace Song, Fat Dog continue their world domination as they enlist director James Ogram for another zany accompanying video that sees a quiet night in the pub quickly transform in to a post-apocalyptic cartoon. With their current sold-out UK tour culminating at London’s Kentish Town Forum this weekend, Fat Dog set their sights on 2025 with another run of dates that will include a headline show at London’s Troxy in April. Additionally, Fat Dog – The Game is now available to buy. Originally created for the music video for “Wither”, the 90s Playstation style game has been developed into a mostly, fully functioning game that can be purchased here. Take a listen to the synth heavy number for yourselves below along with a full list of tour dates.

Upcoming live dates
Thursday 21st November – Papillon, Southampton – sold out
Friday 22nd November – Patterns, Brighton – sold out
Saturday 23rd November - O2 Forum Kentish Town, London – sold out

29th Nov – 1st December – Cockenflap 2024, Hong Kong
Wednesday 4th December – Liquidroom, Tokyo

Thursday 13th February – The Nick Rayns LCR @ UEA, Norwich
Friday 14th February – Chalk, Brighton
Saturday 15th February – Exeter Phoenix, Exeter – sold out
Sunday 16th February – o2 Academy, Oxford
Wednesday 19th February – SWX, Bristol
Thursday 20th February – The 1865, Southampton
Friday 21st February – XOYO, Birmingham
Sunday 23rd February – Jacaranda Baltic, Liverpool
Wednesday 26th February – The Boiler Shop, Newcastle
Thursday 27th February - La Belle Angele, Edinburgh
Friday 28th February – QMU, Glasgow
Saturday 1st March – New Century Hall, Manchester
Monday 2nd March – Opium, Dublin

5th – 9th March – Elevate Festival, Graz
Thursday 13th March – Romantso, Athens
Saturday 15th March – Blind, Istanbul

Thursday 3rd April – Wintercircus, Gent – sold out
Friday 4th April – Trabendo, Paris
Saturday 5th April – Le Transbordeur, Lyon
Sunday 6th April – Exit, Zurich
Tuesday 8th April – Import Export, Munich
Wednesday 9th April – Soft Spot, Nürnberg
Friday 11th April – schon schön, Mainz
Monday 14th April – Paradiso, Amsterdam
Tuesday 15th April – Rockhal Club, Esch-sur-alzette
Wednesday 16th April – Annabel, Rotterdam
Thursday 17th April – Gebäude 9, Cologne
Saturday 26th April – The Troxy, London

21st-25th May – Bearded Theory, Derbyshire
23rd – 25th May – In It Together Festival, Port Talbot
Saturday 24th May – Live at Leeds in the Park, Leeds

Sunday 10th August - Sziget Festival, Budapest

Ahead of her new EP, 'God Help Me Now’, set for release January 16th 2025 via Dance To The Radio (Annie-Dog, SOMOH, Terra Twin), Halifax-based artist Ellur has today shared her latest single Yellow Light. Picking up where the sprawling God Help Me Now and emotively charged Your Dog left off, Yellow Light sees the West-Yorkshire wunderkind once more conjure up towering vocal choruses through profound lyricism and infectious melodies aplenty. Detailing her second EP reveal, Ellur explained: “‘Yellow Light’ is a declaration of love to the parts of myself that I can't change. My indecisiveness and defensiveness when it comes to love and life and how, in the past, I've let that affect my relationships. I've intentionally left the meaning pretty open ended within the lyrics because this song is really all about the melodies. I love catchy, indie-pop and I wanted to explore that, taking influence from The 1975 and Sam Fender. This one is my Mum's favourite.” Take a listen for yourselves below. 

Live Dates
21st Nov -O2 Academy, Oxford (w/ Embrace)
29th Nov -O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London (with Embrace)
3rd Dec -The George Tavern, London (Melodaze)
31st May -Temple Newsam Park, Leeds (with Kaiser Chiefs, The Cribs, We Are Scientists)
7th-15th Mar -SXSW 2025 

f: https://www.facebook.com/ellurrrr

Ahead of the band's new album ‘Still In Love’, set to be released on January 24, 2025, Ten Fé have today shared the record's title track, accompanied by its official video. Featuring their laid back southern-style guitars and swooning melodies the track once more serves up an exciting new chapter for the outfit as their shared vocals and rousing instrumentation build towards its gorgeous crescendo. Speaking on the story behind the project, Leo from the band says; “Rob, Ben and I have been playing music together for a long time, way over a decade. We've lived together, played together, busked together, travelled all over the world together - we've shared some real highs, and the fair share of requisite lows. There was a time after the release of our last record, where we all went our separate ways - we went to live in separate countries - England, France and Ireland. For a good while we had no contact and really no plan of playing together again. Gradually we formed a connection again, and began to play together.” Take a listen for yourselves below.

‘Still in Love’ Album Tracklist:
1. Still in Love
2. Everland
3. All Night
4. Caroleen
5. Any Time Soon
6. Half Light
7. Thommy
8. Middle of my Head
9. For A Second Time
10. Space Invader
11. Meant for Me

f: www.facebook.com/tenfemusic

Photo: Ross Carrigan

Ahead of the release of his new extended player entitled ep2, out this Friday November 22nd via Heist or Hit, Liverpool songwriter two blinks, i love you shares new single ‘baby drums’. Built around its driving guitar melodies, the track's swirling wholesome energy showcases an uplifting side to his music as we get a joyous final preview of what's to come. “It's got loads of heart this one and that's why I think it felt like a good closer!” Liam Brown explains. Sharing more about the upcoming release he goes on to say “ep 2” as a whole is combing through a lot of different feelings over the past year. Some of the songs on here are quite retrospective about loss. It presents itself in different ways that I didn’t even recognise until listening to them back; at the time I thought it was hidden in lots of subtext but in actuality it wasn’t. Some of the other songs however, are more love songs. I always love how direct and charming a plain and simple love song can be, not particularly the most poetic or the most dramatic by any means, but speaking of the smaller insignificant things and the idiosyncrasies of moments unique to your experience with love and everything surrounding that, whether that be friendship, the city you live in, or the city you visit for a week.” Take a listen to baby drums for yourselves below.

i: https://www.instagram.com/twoblinksiloveyou/

"We really don't come here enough" Tom Faithfull exclaimed as The Royston Club took to Cardiff's Tramshed. With the Wrexham-based outfit on Welsh soil, it was always set to be a rampant affair, but little prepared the excited fans for what was in store as they kicked off their 6 night sold-out run with a show to remember, bringing that Friday feeling a day early.

With a triumphant display of their indie rock prowess, cementing their place as one of the most exciting acts on the scene, the band wasted no time in getting things moving. As they swaggered on to the stage, the North-Wales outfit exuded confidence, opening with tracks like Blisters and The Patch Where Nothing Grows. The crowd, an eclectic mix of long-time fans young and old, erupted in cheers as they jumped front to back just two songs in. 

Working their way through their euphoric set-list, each track was a masterclass in their dynamic sound, showcasing punchy riffs, heartfelt lyrics, and the charismatic vocals of frontman Faithfull which readily sparked enthusiastic singalongs throughout. 

With an already burgeoning discography, the band's newer tracks hinted at an ever evolving sound, suggesting that The Royston Club are far from peaking creatively as they shared a selection of live debuts as the crowd lapped it up. There was also time for an anthemic unreleased single filled with sprawling melodies, alongside a magnetic cover of Pulp's Disco 2000.

From 52's explosive guitar fuelled choruses, to the unmistaken riffs and huge crowd eruption on Mrs Narcissistic as fans readily swayed and arms and bodies collided, the band's tight musicianship and their ability to capture the spirit of the room meant the energy inside remained electric from the first to the very last notes. It's nice to see them not participate in the outdated and cliche encore too as they packed in even more tracks to their ecstatic performance.

With their innate ability to turn a mid-sized venue like Tramshed into a vibrant celebration that saw the roof raised spoke volumes about their potential to scale even greater heights. And if this performance was anything to go by, their future holds a promise for big endeavours.

Be sure to catch the band at these semi-intimate venues whilst you still have the chance as their performances continue to masterfully blend nostalgic echoes of indie with the invigorating energy and originality of a new generation.

*****

Photo Mac Scott

Today sees Sam Fender return with news of his highly anticipated third studio record, People Watching. Set to be released 21st February 2025 via Polydor Records the first single and title track will be shared this Friday as we enter an exciting new chapter for the Newcastle artist. Sam produced his record alongside bandmates Dean Thompson and Joe Atkinson over two years, working firstly in London in 2023 with producer Markus Dravs, and then earlier this year in Los Angeles with The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel which will no doubt add a whole new dynamic to their sound. The album cover photograph (below) was shot by the renowned social documentary photographer Tish Murtha, who grew up in South Shields and documented marginalised communities and working-class life in Newcastle upon Tyne. Pre-order the album here.

People Watching Album Tracklisting:
People Watching
Nostalgia’s Lie
Chin Up
Wild Long Lie
Arm’s Length
Crumbling Empire
Little Bit Closer
Rein Me In
TV Dinner
Something Heavy
Remember My Name
 
Sam Fender Live – The People Watching Tour
 
2024 (support from Wunderhorse):
2^nd December – 3Arena, Dublin (SOLD OUT)
4^th December – First Direct Arena, Leeds (SOLD OUT)
6^th December – Co-Op Live, Manchester (SOLD OUT)
7^th December – Co-Op Live, Manchester (SOLD OUT) 
10^th December – The O2, London (SOLD OUT)
12^th December – The O2, London (SOLD OUT) 
13^th December – Utilita Arena, Birmingham (SOLD OUT)
16^th December – OVO Hydro, Glasgow (SOLD OUT)
17^th December – OVO Hydro, Glasgow (SOLD OUT)
20^th December – Utilita Arena, Newcastle (SOLD OUT)
 
2025 Europe (support from CMAT):
4^th March – Olympia, Paris (SOLD OUT)
5^th March – 013 Poppodium, Tilburg (SOLD OUT)
8^th March – Halle 622, Zurich (SOLD OUT)
10^th March – Palladium, Cologne (SOLD OUT)
12^th March – Zenith, Munich
13^th March – ChorusLife Arena, Bergamo
16^th March – Uber Eats Music Hall, Berlin (SOLD OUT)
18^th March – Afas Live, Amsterdam (SOLD OUT)
19^th March – Forest National, Brussels (SOLD OUT)
 5^th July – Rock Werchter, Belgium

i: https://www.instagram.com/sam_fender

Photo: Kiera Simpson

Following on from last month's single Fool, Prima Queen have today returned with their glistening new single Ugly. The new track comes spearheaded by news of the pair's debut LP ‘The Prize’, set for release April 25th 2025 via Submarine Cat Records. Filled with catchy choruses and towering pop sensibilities, the track serves as another exciting taste of what's to come. The release follows news of the band being announced as tour support for Everything Everything on their December UK live run, as well as landing a prestigious slot with returning indie favourites The Maccabees in London (All Points East) next year. Detailing their second LP, Prima Queen explained: “‘Ugly’ is about trying to maintain a festival romance in the real world. It was written after the ending of a situationship with an uneven power dynamic and after being let down repeatedly, coming to the painful acceptance that it will never be what you hoped for.” Commenting on their forthcoming record, the band added: “We’re beyond excited to finally be releasing an album out into the world! We’ve been working on it for such a long time and it feels like a real statement of our growth, both separately and together. It’s been our little secret for a while now and we can’t wait for it to be yours!” Take a listen to the new single for yourselves below.

Prima Queen is Louise Macphail (vocals / guitar) & Kristin McFadden (vocals / guitar)

i: https://www.instagram.com/prima__queen/

Photo credit: Louise Mason

Today sees Deptford-based songwriter Lou Terry release his much anticipated debut album, Building A Case, via Divine Schism. To coincide with the news the record's latest single Green Man has been given the video treatment courtesy of director Katie Tindle. "'Green Man' itself is a folk song," explains Lou. "One that treads the line between a DIY folk song and something with a larger, more ambitious arrangement. The nylon guitar, piano, bass and percussion all develop certain ideas, but there is little true repetition and the song morphs with respect to the thread of the story." Of that story, Lou offers: "It's a song that starts at the end of a walk, parting with someone at some traffic lights. The green man signals goodbye and the beginning of a dive into memory, of people and conversations, and contemplation of how to find love in all the wrong places." Take watch for yourselves below. 

Tour Dates:
Nov 13th | Bristol, UK - The Lanes
Nov 14th | London, UK - 100 Club (supporting Califone)
Nov 17th | Brighton, UK - Pipeline
Nov 22nd | York, UK - Young Thugs
Nov 23rd | Blackpool, UK - Bootleg Social
Nov 24th | Twickenham, UK - Eel Pie Records (in-store)
Nov 29th | Norwich, UK - The Last Pub Standing
Nov 30th | Ipswich, UK - Smokehouse
Dec 4th | London, UK - The Windmill (album release show)

Photo: Oscar Lindqvist

Ahead of the release of her debut album, Only Music Makes Me Cry Now, out this Friday 15 November, Swedish artist Thea Gustafsson – aka Becky and the Birds has unveiled the record's final teaser in To Trust You. Just shy of 2 minutes 30 seconds of pure pop indulgence, the track's soft notes and plinky synth melodies steadily dissipate in to choppy vocal samples and pulsating electronics as its charging guitars and percussion take hold. Sharing more details about the track’s thematic content Gustafsson goes on to say: “This song is for anyone who’s dealing with trust issues. When something has happened that broke your trust for someone, how do you find it again and not let it eat you up forever in every way possible? And most importantly, how do you trust yourself and your intuition without going insane? I wanted the production to work with this concept to soundtrack the madness and darkness that one can get stuck in.” Take a listen for yourselves below.

Only Music Makes Me Cry Now is out this Friday, available digitally and on Standard Black vinyl exclusively via the 4AD webstore. Find more information HERE.

Becky and the Birds Live Dates
14 November – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, Fotografiska
20 November – LONDON, UK, The George Tavern
13 December – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, Debaser

 i: https://www.instagram.com/beckyandthebirds

Photo Credit: Ellen Dixon

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (or pigs x 7 for ease) have today shared their first taste of new music since February 2023's Land of Sleeper album release. Unveiling Detroit, the track tackles an often fraught mental anguish as its grungy basslines and thrashing percussion take hold. Matt Baty shares further insight in to the track's creation,"Detroit reflects on the worst manifestations of male jealousy and resentment, and the ways in which a lack of accountability can lead to deflecting responsibility in exchange for blaming external forces like fate or God for perceived injustice" Take a listen for yourselves below with the Ellen Dixon directed video that perfectly captures the track's darkened energy. Proceeds which this track generates will be donated by the band to domestic abuse charities ahead of the tour. Bandcamp link HERE

UK 2025 Tour Dates:
3 April - Brighton, CHALK
4 April - London, KOKO
5 April -  Bristol, SWX
7 April - Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
8 April - Birmingham, The Castle & Falcon
9 April - Birkenhead, Future Yard
11 Apr - Manchester, New Century Hall
12 April - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
15 April - Edinburgh, La Belle Angèle
16 April - Glasgow, St Luke's

EU 2025 dates:
17 May - Paris, La Maroquinerie
22 May - Cologne, Gebäude 9
23 May - Düdingen, Bad Bonn
24 May - Munich, Strom
26 May - Leipzig, UT Connewitz
27 May - Berlin, Säälchen
28 May - Hamburg, Knust

i: https://www.instagram.com/pigsx7