Stockport’s finest, Blossoms, have started their own record label ahead of their fifth studio album and have already released the first single, as well as a truly nostalgic music video that we can’t get enough of.
The SK lads are now bigger than ever, topping the bill at Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury, and Castlefield Bowl — they even earned their hometown a shout-out from Andy Burnham before headlining Kendal Calling — and with that in mind, they’ve decided to go it alone and establish their own record company.
Naming the label ODD SK (a nod not only to the town’s postcode but a convenient combination of all the bandmates’ surnames), the five-piece has now departed Virgin EMI, who released their first four albums and are now the founders of one of the first new Stockport-based record labels in years.
If there’s one thing we know these boys love it’s bigging up their home, and as for the first song to be released off the label, their latest track ‘To Do List (After The Breakup)’ is as instant a hit as you’d expect — as the new music video that accompanies it is cosy, warm, painful and beautiful in equal measure.
Filmed in a very familiar feeling little terrace presumably somewhere in Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture for 2023‘ and using a single shot of a hallway that seems you spent a dozen house parties standing in, the video tells the story of how a young couple comes together and ultimately drifts apart.
I mean, the title does give it away but we weren’t expecting how stylised and emotional the video would be — props to the boys who helped direct it on vintage 16mm film alongside frontman Tom Odgen’s brother Ewan.
The song also features one of the band’s first-ever feature artists, with another Stockport native Findlay combining on the track to add a wonderful female vocal to balance out the two sides of the relationship being played out in the song.
Her verses and harmonies on the chorus are just as good as Tom’s and it makes for a different approach to their usual tracks whilst still possessing that unmistakable Blossoms sound. You can hear the track in full here and believe us when we say the video really does pull on the heartstrings.
The new single is the first to be released from Blossoms’ new record label, ODD SK.
The singer-songwriter is yet to join the boys on their fledgling label, but we expect the alternative and indie specialists to start gradually snapping up local talent wherever they find it in the coming years, just as they did in signing fellow Stopfordians Fuzzy Sun to their first label attempt, Very Clever Records.
Set up with the help of distributors The Orchard and taking inspiration for the new song from Canadian poet Kaur, Tom told Rolling Stone that it’s now “full-steam ahead” on the new album after having been preoccupied with setting up his new bar for a large chunk of 2023.
We can’t wait to hear what comes next.
If you missed our recent short stuff on how Blossoms got their name, take a look down below:
Featured Image — Supplied/Blossoms (via YouTube)/Press Image
Audio
Kaiser Chiefs continue debut album’s 20th anniversary celebrations with more tour dates
Danny Jones
Northern music veterans Kaiser Chiefs are set to continue the celebrations of their debut album’s 20th anniversary with even more milestone tour dates next year.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since their very first LP, Employment, was first released, just before the onslaught of indie landfill took over the UK and beyond back in the 200s, but it really has been that long.
2025 has seen the beloved Yorkshire band rolling back the years and playing all the hits from the seminal debut record, and since the scenes at Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Tramlines, Latitude and more have been such good vibes, they’ve decided to keep the party going even longer.
Announcing further tour dates next February, the Leeds legends will be heading back on the road before you know it and playing all of the hits.
Confirming a dozen new live shows, the noughties hit-makers behind ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Ruby’, ‘Oh My God’ and many more will be heading to Manchester for just the second stop on their upcoming tour.
Heading to O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday, 14 February, the ever-familiar British five-piece haven’t yet announced a hometown gig.
That being said, we have a feeling you can expect something extra special – perhaps a Temple Newsam 2.0 – to be revealed for them not too far down the line.
Speaking on the tour extension, frontman Ricky Wilson said: “This summer, we played a load of shows to mark the release of our debut album, Employment. It went well. Probably better than our first summer 20 years ago.
“It was the year after that first year that things really took off, so we hope you will join us in February to help celebrate with us ‘the year it really took off’.
“If you were with us the first time, or unfortunately missed out due to other commitments, we hope you will join us for a joyous lap of honour. (Plus, I spent quite a bit on a new blazer and want to get my money’s worth)”.
NEW: @kaiserchiefs NEW: Kaiser Chiefs are heading on the 'MORE Employment' tour, playing their debut album in full plus their greatest hits at #O2VictoriaWarehouseManchester on Sat 14 Feb!
— O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester (@O2VicWarehouse) August 15, 2025
Our Audio North followers will be glad to hear that there a plenty of gigs taking place up at the top end of the country, and you can see the full list of ‘More Employment‘ shows down below.
Kaiser Chiefs’ 2026 UK tour dates:
13 Fri – Bradford, Live
14 Sat – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
15 Sun – Stockton, Globe
17 Tue – Dundee, Live House
18 Wed – Glasgow, Barrowland
20 Fri – London, Eventim Apollo
21 Sat – Hull, Connexin Live
23 Mon – Norwich, UEA
24 Tue – Swansea, Building Society Arena
26 Thu – Bournemouth, International Centre
27 Fri – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
28 Sat – Wolverhampton, The Halls
Tickets for the Kaiser Chiefs’ show here in Manchester, as well as all other nights live on Friday, 22 August from 9am; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We’ll see you there.
And until then, why not see what the lads had to say to our friends over at The Hoot when we interviewed them back in May?…
Featured Images — Cal McIntyre (supplied)/press shots/The Manc Group
Audio
Manchester Pride announces Nelly Furtado as surprise headliner
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Pride has just dropped another huge headliner for this year’s festival – and it’s only global pop superstar Nelly Furtado.
The huge LGBTQ+ festival, celebration and protest had kept its final headliner under wraps for months, but has today announced the Maneater star will be joining the line-up for 2025.
Nelly Furtado will co-headline Manchester Pride alongside Olly Alexander, with tickets for both the Gay Village Party and Mardi Gras already on sale.
Also announced on the line-up today are DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly.
Manchester Pride 2025 will take place from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August, with four days of live music, celebrations, the parade, parties, and the candlelit vigil.
Already-announced headliners include Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne, Billy Porter, and Tulisa, alongside loads more queer artists.
Nelly Furtado is known for her anthems like Maneater, Promiscuous and I’m Like A Bird, and will bring Mardi Gras to an uplifting, powerful end on Sunday 24 August.
Homegrown legend DJ Paulette will also join the Sunday Mardi Gras line-up, along with South African trailblazer Moonchild Sanelly on Friday at the Gay Village Party.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said: “Welcoming an Icon like Nelly Furtado alongside DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly further showcases the diversity of musical tastes that we’re catering for. They’re each sure to create some unforgettable moments.
“Manchester Pride 2025 will be bold, brilliant, and bursting with Pride energy, but it’s at a tipping point.
“Pride can only thrive if our community shows up: by attending events, joining the Parade, and buying supporter bands.
“We’ve seen what happens when we don’t rally together, and we cannot let that happen in our City. This is the moment to stand up, come together, party as a protest and ensure Pride continues to shine long into the future.”
For full-day line-ups and more information on Manchester Pride 2025, download the Manchester Pride app.
Danny Jones -
13th October 2023 
