Florentenes Unleash Indie Firecracker ‘Miss Understands’ Ahead Of New EP ‘Homegrown’

by | May 14, 2025

Florentenes are officially in their breakout era. The Manchester alt-indie quartet have dropped their explosive new single, Miss Understands, the final offering from their forthcoming sophomore EP Homegrown, out Friday 16th May 2025. Bursting with youthful energy, sky-high hooks, and unmistakable Northern swagger, the track cements their place as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging bands.

Florentenes

Florentenes (Sam Crowston)
Florentenes (Sam Crowston)

Following a run of acclaimed singles and a packed touring schedule, Miss Understands arrives as both a statement of intent and a celebration of the band’s meteoric rise. A driving guitar anthem that pulses with infectious energy, it’s everything fans have come to love about Florentenes—sharp melodies, lyrical charm, and an ear for euphoric indie-pop with grit.

Frontman William Smith, who penned the track at just 17, explains the origin: “It was one of those rare songs that just poured out. I was trying to write something upbeat that still had a bit of lyrical personality. I was messing around on guitar and the bones of it came together in about an hour. There’s definitely a touch of Bob Dylan in the storytelling, but the vibe is all Florentenes—fast, fun, and built for the stage.”

Built around the chemistry of Smith, Luke Holding (lead guitar), Harry Stubbs (bass), and Liam Fiddy (drums), Florentenes have crafted a sound that nods to classic British indie—think The Kooks, The Vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club—while carving out a sonic identity that feels urgent and undeniably modern. Their songs are singalongs waiting to happen, steeped in Northern charm and loaded with choruses that beg to be shouted back by packed crowds.

And those crowds are already showing up. Earlier this year, Florentenes sold out their debut headline show at Manchester’s iconic Deaf Institute, cementing their place as local heroes on the cusp of national recognition. They’ve shared stages with the likes of Jamie Webster, The Royston Club, and Sundara Karma, and just wrapped up three massive support slots for indie mainstays Razorlight in Southampton, Sheffield, and Birmingham.

Their live presence has only amplified the buzz—tight, energetic, and full of personality. The band’s inclusion in Abbie McCarthy’s Future Karma series and a standout performance at The Lower Third in London confirmed what fans in Manchester already knew: this band is going places.

Florentenes

Florentenes (Sam Crowston)
Florentenes (Sam Crowston)

Their upcoming EP Homegrown promises to be a showcase of everything Florentenes do best—anthemic songwriting, tight musicianship, and lyrics that balance coming-of-age vulnerability with confident swagger. The title itself reflects the band’s journey: from bedroom sessions to sold-out stages, built from the ground up through community, grit, and passion.

This summer, Florentenes are bringing their firebrand energy to festival stages across the UK and beyond, including slots at Feel The Noise, Liverpool Sound City, Neighbourhood Weekender, Golden Touch Festival, and more yet to be announced.

With Miss Understands out now and Homegrown just around the corner, Florentenes are poised to define the next wave of British indie. This isn’t just a moment—it’s the start of something big.

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