Citizen

Citizen (Atiba Jefferson)

Serving as the opening track on the band’s latest full-length, Good Fortune captures Citizen at their most urgent and anthemic, combining driving rhythms, soaring melodies and the unmistakable vocals of frontman Mat Kerekes. It follows previously released tracks I Can See You From Here, title track Halcyon Blues and Highs And Lows, completing a quartet of songs that showcase the band’s most expansive and confident work to date.

With Halcyon Blues, Citizen look back across nearly two decades of evolution while firmly keeping their sights on the future. The Toledo outfit have consistently refused to remain confined to one corner of the alternative scene, moving seamlessly between emo, post-hardcore, indie rock and expansive alternative sounds throughout their career. Rather than chasing trends, the band have steadily refined a sound that has become uniquely their own.

That journey is reflected throughout Halcyon Blues, an album that brings together the raw emotional intensity of Citizen’s early releases with the bigger hooks and widescreen production that have defined their more recent work. The result is a record that feels both familiar and refreshingly ambitious.

Recorded by Kerekes and mixed by renowned producer Tom Lord-Alge, whose credits span artists including U2, Weezer and Blink-182, the album balances crushing guitars with memorable choruses while retaining the emotional honesty that has long resonated with the band’s devoted fanbase.

Reflecting on Citizen’s longevity and creative philosophy, guitarist Nick Hamm explains that the band have always prioritised artistic growth over short-lived trends: “A lot of bands try to do anything they can to be the hottest thing of the moment and we’ve just never operated like that. We don’t think in moments, or months, or record cycles. I see Citizen as this long-term creative project where there’s always somewhere new to go, and that’s kept me exhilarated through all these years.”

That commitment to constant reinvention has helped Citizen build a loyal international following since forming in Toledo, Ohio, nearly 20 years ago. From humble beginnings as a group of high school friends to becoming established headliners across the globe, the band have continually expanded both their musical palette and their audience without losing the authenticity that first connected them with listeners.

Following the release of Halcyon Blues, Citizen will embark on an extensive international touring schedule spanning North America, Europe and Australia. UK audiences will have the opportunity to experience the new material live this October when the band return for a run of headline dates with support from Modern Color and thistle..

With Good Fortune setting the tone, Halcyon Blues promises to be another landmark chapter in Citizen’s ever-evolving story—one that embraces everything the band have learned over the past 17 years while continuing to push their sound into exciting new territory.

Upcoming UK Tour Dates:

OCTOBER
24th – London, Earth Hall
25th – Leeds, Stylus
27th – Glasgow, TV Studio
28th – Manchester, Academy 2
29th – Bristol, The Prospect Building

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Electron

Electron (Rob Blackham / Blackham Images)

Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Jason Payne and vocalist/bassist Joanna Hyde, Electron continue to refine their crushing blend of post-grunge, metalcore and modern alternative rock, pairing towering riffs with cinematic electronics and emotionally charged songwriting. The new record follows their 2023 debut Defiance and promises an even more ambitious exploration of identity, isolation and resistance in an increasingly disconnected world.

Leading the announcement is Toxic, a relentless assault of punishing guitars, ominous synth textures and thunderous rhythms. The track shifts effortlessly between soaring melodic hooks, savage screamed vocals and a devastating breakdown before erupting into a blistering guitar solo, showcasing the band’s ability to balance aggression with memorable songwriting.

Speaking about the single, Jason Payne explains that the song was inspired by the increasingly hostile online world: “Toxic goes out to everyone who’s felt betrayed, broken or beaten up by this social media culture. We’re living in strange times, where we don’t know what’s real or not, tons of disinformation, everyone seems to have strong opinions about everything online. It’s the polarisation of society and its decay that fuelled our energy throughout this track.”

That sense of frustration and emotional honesty runs throughout Is This Worth Living For?. Produced by GRAMMY®-nominated Romesh Dodangoda, whose credits include some of modern rock’s biggest names, the album sees Electron pushing their sound into heavier and more expansive territory while maintaining the melodic sensibility that has earned them a growing following across the UK and Europe.

Across the record, the duo confront themes including social isolation, the pressures of modern life, superficial perfection and the search for authenticity. Songs such as the crushing opener Trap, the darkly atmospheric Echoes Of A Dying World, the emotionally charged Lie To Me and the explosive You Betray all build towards what the band describe as their most personal and uncompromising collection of songs to date.

One of the album’s standout moments arrives with Taken, which features a guest appearance from Benji Webbe. The collaboration injects an extra dose of nu-metal energy into the record while further highlighting Electron’s willingness to broaden their sonic palette.

The album concludes with live recordings of Burning Inside, Echoes Of A Dying World and You Betray, underlining the intensity of Electron’s live performances and capturing the raw energy that has helped establish them as an increasingly formidable presence on the alternative circuit.

Since releasing Defiance, Electron have completed multiple headline tours across the UK and Europe, steadily building a reputation for explosive live shows that match the emotional weight of their studio recordings. While no further touring has yet been announced in support of the new album, the band have confirmed that additional live dates will be revealed soon.

With Is This Worth Living For?, Electron appear determined to build on the momentum of their debut by delivering a record that is both musically heavier and emotionally more direct. Judging by the intensity of Toxic, the duo are set to make an even bigger impact when the album lands this autumn.

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Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar

Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

“I’ve got two little different lives going on,” she smiles. “Best of both worlds.” It’s a phrase that comes naturally to her.

One life revolves around sport. The other revolves around music. They’re two careers that couldn’t be much further apart, yet Emily somehow manages to balance both, refusing to sacrifice one for the other. “I’ve always enjoyed singing,” she says. “I just thought one day I’d put it all together, release a couple of songs… and here we are today, which is kind of crazy.”

She pauses before adding something that becomes the recurring theme throughout our conversation. “I feel like it’s only the beginning as well. I’m so excited to see what else we can do with it. We have so many fun plans in the pipeline.”

That excitement feels genuine rather than rehearsed. Only a few weeks earlier she’d played her first headline show in London, a milestone that confirmed audiences were beginning to connect with her music. Now, she’s already looking ahead. “We had my first ever headline show a couple of weeks ago in London, but I’m from Manchester and a lot of people have asked for a hometown show,” she says. “I feel like I need to give them a homecoming gig.” It’s easy to see why.

Watching Emily perform earlier in the evening, there was a confidence that suggested someone far more experienced. Even when a few technical issues threatened to interrupt the set, she barely flinched, laughing them off before carrying on as though nothing had happened. “You’ve just got to expect the unexpected,” she says with a shrug.

It’s the sort of composure you can’t teach. Ironically, Emily admits the nerves never really disappear. “I am stressed when I’m on stage,” she laughs. “Some people have told me they can’t tell, which is good.” You certainly wouldn’t know.

Instead, what comes across is someone completely comfortable once the music begins. “I’ve always been a people’s person. I love chatting to people, so on stage I love interacting with the crowd. That’s literally who I am every day.”

Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar

Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

She stops for a moment before arriving at what is perhaps the defining sentence of the entire interview. “I feel really in my element.”

When I ask whether she’s finally found her groove, her answer comes without hesitation. “Yeah. From a young age I’ve always loved music and I’ve always loved singing. Sport just kind of took over my life. Now I’m in a position where I can do both, which I’m obviously very grateful for.”

Then comes the realisation. “So I feel like this is definitely my end goal in life. I just love being on stage. I didn’t know that was what I was meant to be doing until now.” It’s an unexpectedly honest moment.

Many artists talk about success in terms of streams, ticket sales or social media numbers. Emily talks about discovering where she belongs. That same honesty runs through her songwriting.

When I ask which songs mean the most to her personally, she immediately points to Life Of Mine and Dear Younger Me. “Life Of Mine was just a round-up of everything I’ve gone through in the past. It was almost like a summary of me finding my feet, finding my confidence and finding my groove.”

The second song carries even more emotional weight. “Dear Younger Me was me writing a letter to my younger self because I was really shy. I wish I’d had someone there to tell her, ‘Be confident. Be brave.'” It’s a sentiment many listeners will recognise. The confidence Emily now displays on stage wasn’t something she always possessed. It’s something she’s had to build, one performance at a time.

Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar

Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Looking ahead, she’s already thinking bigger. “I’m writing loads of new stuff at the moment,” she says. “We’ve got loads of unreleased songs that we need to produce and mix. We’ve been chatting about maybe putting them together into an EP.”

And beyond that? “I definitely do want to get an album out.”

Festival stages also sit firmly on the horizon. “I do want to do festivals. They’re just such a great vibe, especially when the sun’s out. That’s what inspires me to belt out some absolute bangers.” It’s impossible not to smile as she says it.

There’s an infectious enthusiasm about Emily that feels entirely unmanufactured. She talks about songwriting, touring and performing with the excitement of someone still amazed that she gets to do any of it at all.

When our conversation turns to the artists who inspired her, the answer arrives instantly. “The Climb by Miley Cyrus,” she says, laughing. “I’m a very big Hannah Montana fan.”

The song, she explains, has stayed with her since childhood. “It’s one of those songs where people can relate to the lyrics in every kind of way. It touches a lot of people, which is so special.” Perhaps that’s exactly what Emily hopes her own music will do.
Whether she’s reflecting on finding confidence in Dear Younger Me, celebrating personal growth through Life Of Mine or looking ahead to the next chapter of her career, there is a refreshing sincerity running through everything she creates. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels rushed. Just someone gradually becoming the artist she always hoped she could be.

With plans for more live shows, new music already taking shape and her latest single, My First Rodeo, now out, Emily Steel isn’t standing still for long. She may describe this chapter as “only the beginning.” After spending time in her company, it feels more like the moment she’s finally found where she belongs.

Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar

Emily Steel @ Rodeos Bar (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Interview with Emily Steel by Henry Finnegan – July 2026. Instagram: @finneganfoto | Facebook: @finneganfoto.

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Arlo Parks @ Hammersmith Apollo

Arlo Parks @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)

The reworked track pairs Parks’ unmistakably delicate vocal delivery with Glacier’s understated spoken-word flow, breathing fresh life into one of Ambiguous Desire’s most uplifting moments. The collaboration further highlights the sonic direction of the album, which sees Parks stepping confidently into electronic textures while retaining the intimate lyricism that has defined her career.

Originally released in April, Ambiguous Desire marked a bold creative evolution for Parks. Trading much of the live-band instrumentation that characterised her earlier work for shimmering modular synths, UK garage rhythms, house grooves and techno-inspired production, the record explores freedom, desire and self-discovery through the lens of nightlife and queer community.

The new version of Floette perfectly embodies that spirit. John Glacier’s restrained yet deeply expressive performance blends seamlessly with Parks’ feather-light melodies, transforming the song into an atmospheric conversation between two of London’s most distinctive contemporary voices. The result is a subtle but emotionally rich reinterpretation that expands the song’s celebration of queer joy and connection.

The album itself was created alongside producer Baird, with additional production from acclaimed collaborators Paul Epworth, Buddy Ross and Andrew Sarlo, helping shape Parks’ most adventurous sonic landscape to date.

Reflecting on the creative process behind Ambiguous Desire, Parks has described how the record was inspired by countless nights immersed in club culture across New York and London: “I danced more than ever as I made this record, I made more friends than ever too, found myself in the weird underbelly of New York juke nights, unleashed, laughed and laughed and laughed. This record has desire at its center. Desire is a life force, it’s a wanting, a yearning, a momentum – we are all alive because there is something or someone we want.”

That sense of movement and liberation runs throughout the album, with influences ranging from the legendary Paradise Garage club scene to the electronic pulse of The Streets, Burial, LCD Soundsystem and Theo Parrish>, all filtered through Parks’ signature poetic songwriting.

Since its release, Ambiguous Desire has earned widespread acclaim, cementing its place among the year’s standout albums while demonstrating Parks’ willingness to push beyond the indie-folk foundations of her Mercury Prize-winning debut. Singles including Get Go, Heaven, 2SIDED and Beams have been accompanied by high-profile television appearances and radio sessions, further underlining her status as one of Britain’s most inventive songwriters.

Arlo Parks @ Hammersmith Apollo

Arlo Parks

Parks’ remarkable rise has already seen her collect a Mercury Prize, a BRIT Award, multiple GRAMMY® Award nominations and songwriting credits on Beyoncé’s GRAMMY®-winning album Cowboy Carter. Alongside her music, she has also established herself as an acclaimed poet with the publication of The Magic Border, further showcasing the literary sensibility that has become central to her artistry.

This autumn, Arlo Parks will take Ambiguous Desire on an extensive global headline tour, including a run of UK and Ireland dates in October.

UK & Ireland Headline Tour 2026:

OCTOBER
17th – Dublin, The Ambassador Theatre
20th – London, O2 Academy Brixton
24th – Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket
25th – Bristol, The Prospect Building
26th – Manchester, Albert Hall

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Vienna Vienna

Vienna Vienna (Nas Bogado)

Fronted by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter J, Vienna Vienna has rapidly become one of alternative music’s most compelling new voices, blending shimmering indie rock, glam theatrics and emotionally raw songwriting into songs that celebrate individuality while confronting themes of identity, self-acceptance and mental struggle.

Angel Wings continues that trajectory with one of Vienna Vienna’s most emotionally direct releases to date. Built around gritty ’90s-inspired guitar tones, driving percussion and an explosive chorus, the song transforms deeply personal experiences into an arena-ready singalong, balancing vulnerability with defiance.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the single, J explains: “Hiding queerness from your ‘friends’ is hard, but hiding it from ‘God’ is a battle of life and death. I mean, how could I not fall in love with the secrecy of it all, the feeling of being on the run? ‘I know something you never will’… sure bud, good luck with that.”

Rather than dwelling in melancholy, Angel Wings channels emotional conflict into an exhilarating release, capturing the theatrical intensity that has become synonymous with Vienna Vienna’s music. The song encapsulates the project’s self-described “Glimmer Rock” aesthetic, where soaring pop melodies collide with alternative rock energy and deeply personal storytelling.

The new single follows January’s Entertain Me EP, a release that explored themes of distraction, escapism and modern identity while earning more than 1.8 million streams. Songs from the project showcased Vienna Vienna’s knack for combining infectious hooks with introspective lyricism, helping build a rapidly growing international audience.

Momentum has continued to build throughout 2026 thanks to fan favourite Make A Man Out Of You, which recently enjoyed a surge in streaming after being featured during a pivotal cliffhanger moment in the hit streaming series Off Campus. The placement introduced Vienna Vienna’s music to a wider audience, adding to the project’s growing online following.

While the studio recordings continue to attract new listeners, it is on stage where Vienna Vienna has developed a reputation as one of alternative pop’s most exciting live performers. Blending glam-inspired visuals with the intensity of underground rock shows, performances have become communal celebrations of self-expression, turning deeply personal songs into cathartic moments shared between artist and audience.

Having previously toured alongside artists including K.Flay and Valley, Vienna Vienna is currently supporting G Flip across North America before bringing a debut headline tour to the UK and Europe. The artist is also set to appear at multiple dates of the 2026 Vans Warped Tour in the United States later this year.

With Angel Wings, Vienna Vienna continues to carve out a unique place within the modern alternative landscape, combining emotional honesty, irresistible hooks and fearless self-expression into a song that feels equally suited to headphones and festival crowds.

Upcoming UK Tour Dates:

SEPTEMBER
9th – London, Camden Assembly
10th – Manchester, Deaf Institute
11th – Leeds, Oporto
13th – Glasgow, The Garage (Attic Bar)
14th – Brighton, The Hope & Ruin

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