Alt-rock legends Shed Seven have announced a brand new album for the first time in over six years along with a limited-run UK tour this October, with local lads The Slow Readers Club joining them on the road.
The music veterans from York have been going since 1990 and despite breaking up in 2003, they got back together just four years later and have been back playing ever since.
Set to release early next year, the new album entitled A Matter of Time will be the band’s first in over half a decade and will celebrate their 30th anniversary with just a handful of shows, including one right in Manchester.
As if that wasn’t good enough, the Northern group will be joined by one of Manchester’s very own in The Slow Readers Club — who recently opened for Manc music legend Morrissey — and the Manchester crowd will be the only ones that get to see Liverpool outfit, Keyside, as the second lot of special guests.
Guitarist Paul Banks, one of Shed Seven’s longest-serving members says, “For this album, we took a nostalgic journey back to our roots, immersing ourselves in the records and sounds that ignited our passion for songwriting at the tender age of 12.
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“The influences of bands like The Smiths, R.E.M., U2, Simple Minds, The Cure, and Duran Duran permeate every note, making it a heartfelt homage to those cherished times. It embodies the essence of rebirth, empowering individuals to embrace their true selves without inhibition. With utmost conviction, we declare this as the pinnacle of our musical endeavours – the record we’ve always yearned to create.”
Speaking of their lead single, ‘Kissing California’, vocalist Rick Witter described it as “Shed Seven’s summer anthem”, adding: “It’s essentially a celebration of being alive, grabbing the opportunity to paint the town red with someone special and have the best of times. It’s the medicine we all need sometimes.”
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As for The Slow Readers Club, they said they’re “buzzin'” to be joining the boys on tour, with frontman Aaron Starkie revealing that “this was the first band I ever saw live and I was absolutely hooked on Maximum High, bought the t-shirt went to signings and all that — they’re as big a fans as we are.
Kicking off the UK dates on October 19, Shed Seven will be playing right through to the end of the month, with the final show set for Manchester’s Albert Hall on 28 October — we couldn’t think of a better way to close out a tour.
It’ll be a fitting place to end the tour and start this next chapter, as the new album not only features fellow rock, alternative and indie icons like Peter Doherty and Laura McClure of Reverend & The Makers but Happy Mondays vocalist and Manc legend Rowetta as well.
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Shed Seven’s sixth studio album, A Matter of Time, releases on January 12, 2024, but fans who pre-order now will be able to access presale tickets from 9:30am on Wednesday, 19 July and right up until general sale goes live the same time on Friday (21 July).
You can grab your tickets HERE and hopefully see you there!
Featured Image — Shed Seven/The Slow Readers Club (via Instagram)
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Lottery Winners help debut new hometown anthem ‘Song For Leigh’ at massive stadium gig
Danny Jones
Indie pop favourites Lottery Winners smashed their first-ever solo stadium show at Leigh Sports Village at the end of May, and they also helped debut a dedicated hometown anthem for the town.
One of several current stars coming from in and around the Wigan music scene, it’s been a big few years for the Greater Manchester band, and their biggest-ever headline show on Saturday was yet more proof of just how much they’ve achieved in their career thus far.
That being said, however, this lot will never, EVER forget where they’ve been and, most importantly, where they come from.
You’ll find no better example of that than their sold-out LSV gig, which saw multiple celebrations of their local area, than one particular moment…
Posting on social media in the aftermath of the landmark live performance for the four-piece, frontman Thom Rylance wrote: “Little old Leigh, I haven’t slept a wink. I’m not sure I ever will again. I’ve never felt such a powerful punch of love hit me like that before, and I’m not even sure what to do with it all.
“Thanks isn’t enough, but let’s start there. Thank you for carrying us all this way. Thank you for making us feel special. Thank you for making all of this feel proper. Thank you to the grown-ups who trusted us with such a mammoth thing. Absolutely stupid that you let us do that, but I hope we made you proud.
“The feeling I get from looking across and seeing my best mates on the planet literally living their dream, in full HD, makes me so happy I could burst into bubbles. And thank you to Leigh. Our home. Our people. Nobody does it better. Last night was proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.”
But as mentioned, perhaps the most wholesome part of the entire event was when they aired a brand-new tune created by Spirix Collective – a group of local musicians, dancers, and all-round creatives based in the heart of Leigh. Here’s what they’ve made:
What a lovely thing for everyone tied to this place.
Produced partly in an effort as part of the historic Lancashire county village’s bid to become the UK’s next first Town of Culture, it’s a track created on behalf not just of Leigh itself but to further help shine a light on the often criminally-overlooked borough of Wigan.
As for natives themselves, they signed off the milestone by adding in the caption: “Lottery Winners are massive. KOKO [Keep on keeping on].”
It’s fair to say that after seeing some of the scenes from over the weekend, we tend to agree.
Who was there on the night and, whether you were lucky enough to be or not, what do you make of the ‘Song For Leigh’ now you’ve heard it?
Featured Images — Ianthe Warlow (supplied via Deacon Communications)
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Stockport band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year
Thomas Melia
Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked lineup.
They might have a ‘Joke About Divorce’ from time to time, but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, having played at Bramham Park three times in the past decade already.
The Stockport band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track ‘Charlemagne’ and more recently with the addition of their fifth studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot fiberglass gorilla.
Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles, and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they visit this August bank holiday weekend.
As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.
The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as ‘Special Guests’, appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.
Also listed on the lineup are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K’s and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.
Whether you’re there for ‘Your Girlfriend’ or ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’, one thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.
Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Danny Jones -
13th July 2023 
