When: 7.30pm on Wednesday 17 November 2021
Where: The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE

We’re delighted to be working with Seatbelts for the first time.

Formed in Liverpool in late 2017, Seatbelts comprises of James Madden, Ryan Murphy, Abigail Woods and Alex Quinn. At times reminiscent of Talking Heads, The Go-Betweens and Deerhunter, with the brooding energy of The Monochrome Set, the group deliver glorious, shining, bouncy pop songs, laden with melodic hooks and considered lyricism. Sharing lead vocal duties, Madden and Murphy (formerly of Hooton Tennis Club), and Woods create their own distinctive worlds within the milieu of the whole.

Their first release back in 2018, Songs For Vonnegut EP, is dedicated to legendary writer Kurt Vonnegut, created with drum machines between Madden and Murphy’s bedrooms. The EP introduces Seatbelts’ style of lyricism perfectly, with on-nose commentary on polemical anxieties. Second EP Please Slow Down, released 2019, was recorded between bedrooms and Parr Street Studios and brought a new lively feel to the band. Lush, mellotron-driven Content Crush and the upbeat, avant-pop Spanish Songs were released as singles and quickly became live show favourites.

Since the release of their third EP Edwyn, in collaboration with Scottish musician Edwyn Collins (Orange Juice), Seatbelts have taken up residence in the legendary Parr Street Studios to create their latest effort, Welcome Simplicity, released April, 2021. First single Citylines opens the EP with a splash of shimmering guitars and euphoric keyboard drones, with driving energy and vocals reminiscent of early Arcade Fire. Second single Keep Your Mind On The Feeling is an upbeat mantra for the happy-silly-fun times. Their fourth EP perfectly lurches between past EP moods and lyrical topics, refining their sound and songwriting to create a perfect balance between classic pop and eccentric pop songs.

Spending the past few years honing their live show, recording frequently and expanding their line-up to six members to include brass, Seatbelts are set tour their eccentric pop songs around the UK in November. It’s sure to be a must see, both visually and sonically. Not to be missed!

Local support comes from Juice Pops. Manchester trio Juice Pops play upbeat harmony-soaked indie pop equally reminiscent of 60s artists such as the Byrds and modern alternative bands such as Good Shoes and The Shins. Mike Edwards (guitar, vocals) and Hannah Weedon (guitar, vocals, organ) both write songs and sing harmony for the band, which initially started as a bedroom project for Edwards in his Chorlton flat in 2018. With Greg Chiche taking on bass, recording and production duties, they went into the studio in 2019 to record their first EP, which was released in June 2021. Live, they play along to programmed drums from Mike’s laptop (named ‘Jeff’) and have performed at Manchester venues such as The Peer Hat, Night & Day and Band on the Wall.

Buy tickets now. Tickets are available from Dice.fm, WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

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