THE BLINDERS have unveiled the video for new single ‘Brave New World’, a coruscating anthem about the distorting impact of hyper-capitalism, referencing everything from Trump’s Presidency to Aldous Huxley.
The hotly tipped Manchester-based trio were recently announced as the headliners of the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading (Aug 24) and Leeds Festivals (Aug 26). They will also headline the Tim Peaks stage at Festival No.6 on September 9th, and will embark on a 22-date UK headline tour throughout October and November.
‘Brave New World’ is taken from The Blinders debut album ‘Columbia’, which will be released September 21st and is available to pre-order. The album also includes the singles ‘L’Etat C’Est Moi’ and ‘Gotta Get Through’.
The striking cover of ‘Columbia’ pictures singer/guitarist Thomas Haywood in the tribal warpaint he wears for live shows, where he assumes the fearless persona of Johnny Dream. Produced by Gavin Monaghan (Editors, The Sherlocks, Goldblade), the album sees 21 year-old childhood friends Haywood (vocals, guitar), Charlie McGough (bass) and Matt Neale (drums) follow Johnny Dream on his spiritual awakening, from the coruscating swagger of the opening ‘Gotta Get Through’ to the raw, beautiful and ultimately redemptive finale ‘Orbit (Salmon Of Alaska)’. The result is a bracingly thrilling debut which firmly places The Blinders at the vanguard of a new generation of politically engaged British guitar bands
Growing up in Doncaster, the trio were originally inspired by local heroes Arctic Monkeys, though ‘Columbia’ was inspired as much by literary touchstones such as George Orwell and Jack Kerouac as much as their musical influences, who include Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Kanye West and The Wytches.
The Blinders have been picking up specialist radio support since their first DIY releases from the likes of Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Daniel P Carter, Radio X’s John Kennedy, and 6Music’s Chris Hawkins and Steve Lamacq, who recently had the band on his show for a BBC Music Introducing Session.
THE BLINDERS LIVE:
FESTIVAL SHOWS:
August 23 Leeds Festival, Dance To The Radio/Festival Republic Stage (headline set)
August 24 Reading Festival, BBC Introducing Stage (headline set)
August 25 Leeds Festival, BBC Introducing Stage (headline set)
August 26 Inner City Live, Hull
Sept 9 Festival No.6
Sept 29 Tenement Trail, Glasgow
HEADLINE TOUR:
OCTOBER
Mon 15 Manchester Academy 2
Tues 16 Newcastle The Cluny
Thurs 18 Hull The Adelphi
Fri 19 Cardiff SWN Festival
Sat 20 Cardiff SWN Festival
Mon 22 Stoke-On-Trent The Sugarmill
Tues 23 Birmingham The Castle & Falcon
Weds 24 Nottingham Bodega
Thurs 25 Derby The Venue
Fri 26 Sheffield Plug
Sun 28 Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Mon 29 Liverpool Buyers Club
Tues 30 Aberdeen, Drummonds
NOVEMBER
Thurs 1 Preston The Ferret
Fri 2 York The Crescent
Sat 3 Lincoln 2Q Festival
Mon 5 Oxford The Bullingdon
Tues 6 Cambridge The Portland Arms
Weds 7 London The Garage
Fri 9 Southampton Heartbreakers
Sat 10 Brighton The Haunt
Sun 11 Bristol Thekla
