New Music: Larkins

Mancunian indie-pop with some serious panache.

Ticketmaster New Music is a carefully curated selection, showcasing artists we are expecting to make waves in the live music scene. Working closely with record labels, live event promoters and talent agents, our in-house experts handpick the most exciting emerging music.

Straight from Manchester’s thriving grassroots scene come Larkins, one of the most vibrant new bands to emerge from a city that’s not exactly short of them.

Graduating from playing Manchester’s small clubs to headlining the 2000 capacity Albert Hall, it’s been a wild ride for the indie upstarts since their formation in 2016.

A lot of the group’s early success can be put down to the immediacy of the band’s songwriting. This is perfectly encapsulated in latest single Sugar Sweet. The track’s synth-laden intro pulls you in immediately, refusing to let you go.

Comparisons with fellow Manchester band The 1975 are inevitable, as both write ambition-filled pop, without any fear of being labelled as such.

Larkins - Sugar Sweet (Official Video)

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Sugar Sweet is the latest in a series of songs the band have put out over the past twelve months, following on from the dancy Something Beautiful and the feel-good follow up TV Dream.

Their first release on Good Soldier Records, TV Dream received extensive support from BBC Radio 1 and Radio X, as well as a ringing endorsement from Zane Lowe. The tune has been streamed over 1 million times.

The band was formed in the leafy suburb of Glossop by school friends Josh (vocals) and Dom (guitars and synths), who would sneak into their college’s studio to record music after hours. The line up was completed with the additions of Henry (bass and synths) and Joe (drums) before they released their debut EP Don’t Leave a Light On in 2016.

Immediately setting out their stall as a live band, the quartet quickly headed out on tour, building up a dedicated fanbase.

A marker of the band’s burgeoning success came when they headlined Manchester’s 2000-capacity Albert Hall in March 2019. An impressive feat for any group that are yet to release their debut album.

Larkins - TV Dream (Live at the Albert Hall, Manchester)

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Larkins are currently hard at work in the studio, recording their debut LP with producers Dan Nigro (A-Trak, Sky Ferreira, Lewis Capaldi) and Andrew Dawson (Kanye West, Fun, Kid Cudi).

The band are also currently rehearsing for what is sure to be a memorable pair of sets at Reading and Leeds this August. Afterwards, they’ll hit the road again in the autumn for a run of UK headline dates.