Courteeners © Joshua Halling 2026

They say good things come in threes. Today sees Courteeners announce details of their forthcoming album God Bless The Band, the very best of Courteeners, announce a huge arena tour celebrating the band’s phenomenal 20-year career and unveil their brand-new single The Luckiest Man Alive. God Bless The Band celebrates an incredible two-decades of the band, featuring tracks from their seven studio albums - St. Jude (2008), Falcon (2010), Anna (2013), Concrete Love (2014), Mapping the Rendezvous (2016), More. Again. Forever. (2020) and Pink Cactus Cafe (2024) - along with two brand-new tracks ‘The Luckiest Man Alive’ and ‘Plus One Forever’ produced by Liam Fray and James Skelly. Speaking about the release, Liam Fray says “In October it's 20 years since our first gig, so with a couple of new songs fresh from the studio, the timing just seemed right for a Best Of. If we mean half as much to people as they have done to us over the years, then we've not done too bad. We look forward to seeing you down the front… God Bless The Fans x” Take a listen to the new single below along with a full rundown of dates including London, Alexandra Palace.  

Newly Announced Arena Dates: 
Fri 06 Nov Leeds, First Direct Arena 
Sat 07 Nov Cardiff, Utilita Arena 
Fri 13 Nov Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena 
Sat 14 Nov London, Alexandra Palace 
Fri 20 Nov Glasgow, OVO Hydro 
Sat 21 Nov Birmingham, Utilita Arena 

Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday 15th April. 
General sale from Friday 17th April from ticketmaster.co.uk and gigsandtours.com

Additional Summer Shows already announced: 
Thu 23 Jul Stoke-On-Trent, Victoria Hall (SOLD OUT) 
Sat 25 July Sheffield, Tramlines (festival headline, SOLD OUT) 
Thu 27 Aug Leicester, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT) 
Sat 29 Aug Manchester, Wythenshawe Park (SOLD OUT)

God Bless The Band album tracklist:
1. Are You In Love With A Notion? 
2. Cavorting 
3. Acrylic 
4. You Overdid It Doll 
5. Pink Cactus Café 
6. Summer 
7. Take Over The World 
8. Bide Your Time 
9. Small Bones 
10. The 17th 
11. Fallowfield Hillbilly 
12. That Kiss 
13. Lose Control 
14. Modern Love 
15. Sycophant 
16. Hanging Off Your Cloud 
17. The Luckiest Man Alive 
18. What Took You So Long? 
19. Not Nineteen Forever 
20. Plus One Forever

Deluxe Album Formats: 
21. Sweet Surrender 
22. Chipping Away 
23. Smiths Disco 
24. Sunflower 
25. Winter Wonderland 
26. The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home 
27. International (Acoustic) 
28. Beautiful Head 
29. More. Again. Forever. 
30. 20th Century Boy/Cigarettes & Alcohol (BBC Radio 2 Session - Live At Glastonbury) 
31. Here Come The Young Men

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

Photo credit: Jackie Domi

Signing to ATO records, 26-year-old indie folk-country singer-songwriter Alex Amen announces his debut album, Sun of Amen, out June 12th. Sharing the record's latest single Diamonds, we get a tasty insight in to what lays ahead with his soft playing vocals and warming melodies. Take a listen below. The accompanying video features footage of Alex rock climbing, his time in Vashon where he took up wooden boat building and his excursion sailing from Washington to Canada last summer.

i: https://www.instagram.com/alex.amen

Photo credit / Billy Emery

Following on from last month's return with Bus Stop, Manchester's Truthpaste are back with their latest single, Friendship Is The Truth. Taken from their newly announced debut EP 'I Don't Know Either', set for release April 28th on Dirty Hit & Memorials Of Distinction (caroline, Grove, Naima Bock), the track's bittersweet melodies thread seamlessly through its track’s interlocking instrumentation, coming together in a deeply satisfying listen. On the new single, 'Friendship Is The Truth', the band say - "Euan and Claire played it to us once, then we got distracted for a couple years, but I would find myself singing it and trying to figure out what it was. I was very happy to finally piece it together last summer. It felt like the right time for it to form as we have all become very good friends over the last couple of years and it is indeed the friendship song." Take a listen below.  

 

Live dates
10th April - Wanderfal Festival, Falmouth
11th April - Outer Town, Bristol
4th May - The Lexington - London
5th May - Hyde Park Book Club - Leeds
6th May - Soup Kitchen - Manchester
7th May - The Big Difference - Leicester
9th May - Strange Brew, Bristol
15th May - The Great Escape - Brighton
16th May - The Great Escape - Brighton 

i: https://www.instagram.com/truthpa5te 

Photo credit: Marie Dutton

Bristol’s Grandmas House return with their first music of 2026 sharing their brand-new single ‘DOG’, out now on Brace Yourself Records. Shifting through tempos and styles, the track pairs punk-leaning vocals with soaring choruses to create something undeniably compelling, marking a strong and exciting start to the year ahead. The band share, “‘DOG’ is about a feeling, written whilst struggling with a chronic illness that no professional could explain. We all have something that burdens us in life, be it mental health, chronic illness, grief, trauma or heartbreak. It’s always there, waiting around the corner,” Take a listen below. 

Eagle-eyed viewers will spot a mysterious phone number present at the end of the ‘DOG’ music video (07347578735) alongside a flyer informing them they’re a winner and to call in now. What this means is anyone’s guess. There’s only one way to find out… 

TOUR DATES
Apr 08th | Freiburg, DE - Slow Club
Apr 09th | Schaffhausen, CH) - Radio Rasa
Apr 10th | Munich, DE - Glockenbachwerkstat
Apr 11th | Erlangen, DE - E-Werk
Apr 12th | Dresden, DE - Chemiefabrik
Apr 14th | Berlin, DE - Schokoladen
Apr 15th | Stuttgart, DE - Merlin
Apr 16th | Köln, DE - Pop Festival - Bumann & Sohn
Apr 17th | Nijmegen, NL - Merelyn
Apr 18th | Bremen, DE - SPedition
Apr 19th | Münster, DE - B-Side
Apr 21st | Copenhagen, DK - Loppen
Apr 22nd | Hamburg, DE - MS Stubnitz
Apr 23rd | Antwerp, BE - Trix
Apr 24th | Strasbourgh, FR - Bendorf Festival
Apr 25th | Dunkirk, FR - Les 4 Ecluse
May 22nd | London, UK - The Grace
May 23rd | Bristol, UK - Dot to Dot Festival
May 24th | Nottingham, UK - Dot to Dot Festival
May 24th | Derby, UK - Bearded Theory Festival
Jul 10th | Cheltenham, UK - 2000 Trees Festival
Jul 25-26th | Engelberg, CH - Jardin Bizarre Festival

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

One of the best things about the indie scene is how easily music pulls people together. Spend enough time bouncing between small venues, late-night gigs and festival line-ups and you quickly realise half the fun isn’t just the bands, it’s the people you meet along the way.

London’s live music scene especially has that effect. You head out for a gig at somewhere like The Lexington or Paper Dress Vintage and end up chatting to someone about the support act, the latest single you’ve had on repeat, or the inevitable “who else are you listening to right now?” conversation that always seems to happen between sets.

That sense of shared taste is a big part of why music communities feel so tight-knit.

Lately I’ve noticed that idea spilling over into how people meet outside the gig circuit too. Instead of the usual swipe-heavy dating apps, some people are moving toward smaller communities where they already share something important with the people they’re meeting.

One example that’s been popping up more often is SALT, a Christian dating app where users can highlight their interests and values upfront. It’s surprisingly international as well, connecting people across dozens of countries, which mirrors the way music scenes themselves often feel borderless.

The platform even hosts live audio “Table” discussions where people jump into conversations about life, relationships and everyday experiences. It’s not a million miles away from the kind of spontaneous discussions you get after a great gig when nobody quite wants to head home yet.

Different setting, same idea.

Take a listen below and let me know what you think.

Searows - Bristol Trinity Centre 2 April 2026

Arriving to an already packed-out room at Bristol's Trinity Centre, I slipped inside just in time for the evening’s support. Always one for getting in early, Portland singer-songwriter Amos Heart only reinforced that instinct. His endearing sound and enchanting melodies carried effortlessly through the venue, building rich, layered guitar loops while his emotionally worn vocals cut clean through the stillness. It didn’t take long to win people over with more and more phones slowly raised to capture the moment. Rarely does a support slot hold a crowd this closely, but here the room stayed near-silent between songs, breaking only for applause. A perfect opener, gently drawing people in without overplaying its hand.

Amos Heart - Bristol Trinity Centre 2 April 2026

After a short pause, Searows took to the stage with something ambitious in mind. A low synth rolled through the room as the lights dropped. Sadly just as the moment began to form and tension built, technical issues brought it all to a halt. The band let the moment breathe, breaking character to joke with the crowd before resetting as the sound tech rushed to fix the broken XLR. It was a reminder of what live music really is - unfiltered, unpredictable, and all the better for it.

Unphased, Alec Duckart pretended to walk off and start again, replaying the entrance before easing back into the set. From there, the focus shifted fully to the music. Belly of the Whale set things in motion, the opening track from his recent album Death in the Business of Whaling, before Photograph of a Cyclone unfolded with a patient pull, drawing the room further in. Dearly Missed, a personal highlight, followed with a quiet precision that held the audience completely still.

There’s a clear sense of control to the way Searows performs. Nothing feels overplayed, and that restraint works in their favour, especially in a venue like this. Between songs, the silence was striking - the kind where even the smallest sound carried - a sign of the respect held in the room. That feeling was mutual, with Duckart repeatedly showed adoration to the crowd. "Thank you for coming" he exclaimed. "No, Thank you for coming" a fan joked, as the tension eased. 

After a brief exit, the inevitable calls for an encore brought them back for a final pair of songs to close out the evening. It was a fitting end to a set that thrived on intimacy, even within a packed out room. 

Bringing the new record to life with clarity and care, Searows delivered something quietly powerful - the kind of performance that'll be on everyone's minds for some time.

***** 

There was no April foolery at Bristol’s Electric. Just a show of maximum intent as Holly Humberstone returned to the stage in hot anticipation of her forthcoming album Cruel World, set for release next week on April 10th. 

As 9pm struck, quite fittingly a slow, chiming countdown echoed through the room, clock ticks cutting through the air before melting into the haunting intro of Make It All Better. The opening moments arrived steeped in atmosphere, riding through emotional chord progressions and expansive arpeggiated synth patterns. A blistering introduction to her new music. 

It’s hard not to think back to earlier performances - particularly that emotional, slightly shaky-voiced set on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury where the weight of the moment nearly caught up with her. Fast-forward to now, and the difference is unmistakable. 

There was a new ease to her movements, a confidence in her delivery, and a willingness to lean into the crowd between songs. Time and again, she paused to thank the audience, almost in disbelief at the support in front of her. It’s a quality that’s remained unchanged, even as everything else has grown - that sense that she’s still taking it all in, still aware of what these moments mean. 

Set highlights came thick and fast. Paint My Bedroom Black landed with its familiar punch, while Down Swinging carried a sharper edge live, its emotional weight cutting through even more clearly. 

Elsewhere, Into Your Room and The Walls Are Way Too Thin were met with a huge singalong, the crowd hanging onto every word. But what stood out most, was the balance she struck between vulnerability and control. The newer material, particularly Beauty Pageant, hinted at something bigger, far more expansive, without losing the emotional core that’s always defined her as she delivered it with crystalline vocals.

By the closing stretch, the connection in the room felt complete. Drunk Dialling, described as a late-night call to an ex, landed with a raw honesty, before Scarlett swelled into a full-voice orchestra, the crowd carrying every word.

Stripped back, fans got a further taste of new material with a two-track encore that opened with Lucy, a piano led ballad that showcased her powerful storytelling, before fan favourite Dive cut through with a deep intensity. "You're such a fucking liar, Camille" is a line I'm sure she'll not tire of hearing a crowd scream back at the top of their lungs 

With the new songs weaved seamlessly in to the set, it wasn’t just a step forward, but a glimpse of an artist settling fully into her own space, with a crowd ready to follow wherever she goes next.

***** 

Norwegian 4-piece Veps have returned today with their brilliant brand-new single “Walking (My Black Dog)”. Taken from their forthcoming album “ChurchyardStreet 8B” set for release on May 29th, 2026 via Swedish label PNKSLM, the track explores a Groundhog Day-like loop, pairing soft vocals with irresistibly catchy melodies. Speaking about today’s new release, the band explains “this song about feeling blue, and like each day is the same. The opening phrase “Let go of your heavy grip around my neck” refers to the feeling of being controlled by your emotions and how some are harder to shake than others.” Take a listen below. 

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

Credit: Bob Jeusette

Belgium's Ghinzu have returned this week with their energised new single Snow White. Taken from their forthcoming fourth studio album, W.O.W.A, due for release via Play It Again Sam on 29th May 2026, the band's latest effort arrives on a jittery bassline, before unfolding into John Descamps’ falsetto set against a whirlwind mix of electronics and percussion. Frontman Descamps explains, “The first tackles addiction to computer screens and social media. The second story contrasts this with drug addiction. And the third focuses on Snow White – you’re poisoned with an apple and wake up with love. But it’s more about flashes, just an image in your head. The three of them play together in one song.” Take a listen below. 

Ghinzu are also set for a W.O.W.A Spring EU & UK tour. The run will see the band bring their electrifying live show to Paris, Brussels, London, Utrecht, Cologne and Luxembourg. 

You can purchase tickets here.

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

Photo credit: Adam Powel

As Chicago based outfit Friko prepare to release their new album Something Worth Waiting For on April 24th via ATO Records, the band have today shared their latest single Still Around. Following up this month's earlier single Choo Choo and previous effort Seven Degrees, they keep turning heads with their breezy guitar lines, soaring vocal hooks and melodies that carry a restless, infectious energy. Take a listen below. The band have also announced a full Autumn North American Tour. Full dates beneath. 

TOUR DATES
Apr 18th | New York, NY - Rough Trade iNDIEPLAZA Festival
Apr 19th | Chicago, IL - Shuga Records
Apr 25th | Chicago, IL - Metro [Release Show]
Apr 28th | Minneapolis, MN - Electric Fetus
Apr 29th | Madison, WI - Strictly Discs
Apr 30th | Milwaukee, WI - Lilliput Records
May 5th | Philadelphia, PA - WXPN NON-COMMvention
Jul 26th | Tokyo, JP - Fuji Rock Festival
Aug 6th | Haldern-Rees, DE - Haldern Pop Festival
Aug 8th | Sicily, IT - Ypsigrock Festival
Aug 12-15th | Parades de Coura, PT - Parades de Coura Festival
Sep 8th | St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway
Sep 10th | Houston, TX - Womh - Upstairs
Sep 12th | Dallas, TX - Rubber Gloves Patio
Sep 14th | Denver, CO - Marquis
Sep 16th | Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
Sep 18th | Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
Sep 19th | San Diego, CA - Casbah
Sep 20th | Los Angeles, CA - Sid the Cat Auditorium
Sep 21st | San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
Sep 24th | Portland, OR - Polaris Hall
Sep 25th | Seattle, WA - Baba Yaga
Sep 26th | Vancouver, BC - Fox Cabaret
Oct 15th | Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry
Oct 16th | Milwaukee, WI - Vivarium
Oct 17th | Detroit, MI - The Loving Touch
Oct 19th | Toronto, ON - The Great Hall
Oct 20th | Montreal, QC - Bar Le Ritz
Oct 22nd | Boston, MA - The Sinclair
Oct 23rd | New York, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct 24th | Philadelphia, PA - The Foundr
Oct 26th | Washington, DC - Atlantis
Oct 27th | Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall
Oct 28th | Atlanta, GA - Terminal West
Oct 30th | Nashville, TN - The Blue Room
Oct 31st | Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar

i: https://www.instagram.com/friko4u/