THE DEBUT ALBUM FROM THE BAND FOLLOWS LATER IN 2024
PLUS BIGGEST HEADLINE SHOWS TO DATE CONFIRMED
“Pastel, who were hand-picked by Gallagher himself, warm things up nicely with their blend of Verve-esque psych-rock.” – NME
“Mash the Roses and early The Verve with current gurus like The Brian Jonestown Massacre into an unholy now!” – John Robb, Louder Than War
“A band with a sound as big as their ambition. Anyone who says there’s no great bands coming through, you’re wrong; listen to this right now.” – This Feeling
“Latter day shoegaze with a bit of swagger to it.” – Steve Lamacq
“Magic.” – Andy Bell, Ride
LISTEN HERE / WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Pastel have been on the cusp of a major breakthrough for a while, their achievements so far including #1 and #2 vinyl chart positions for their two EPs to date (‘Deeper Than Holy’ and‘Isaiah’), selling out their recent UK headline tour, and the biblical experience of opening Liam Gallagher’s huge Knebworth Park show, at the personal invitation of the man himself.
Now Pastel detonate a huge year to come as they unveil their new single ‘Dancing On A Pin’, which has just been premiered by Steve Lamacq at 6 Music. The single is released alongside a video from Pastel fan and Liam Gallagher / Kasabian / Louis Tomlinson filmmaker Charlie Lightening.
‘Dancing On A Pin’ is a compelling declaration ofPastel’s ambition for the year ahead. The track’s cocktail of woozy hallucinatory psychedelia with waves of dreamily distorted shoegaze guitar textures provides a distinctive context for a classic indie-rock hook, both anthemic and effortlessly cool. And in cousins Jack and James Yates they have a focal point of undisputed star quality: Jack’s magnetic aura more than matched by the power and personality of his voice, while James, in tandem with lead guitarist Joe Anderson, peels out nuanced details and sheer power in equal measure. Their performances are anchored by the relentless tightness of Pastel’s rhythm section, Liam O’Shea (bass) and Rhys Wheeler (drums).
Jack says, “This track is an F U to time wasters who, by pouring their negativity on your creative endeavours, attempt to drown your ambition and hold you back. It is a motivator to persist in moving forward, to ignore the static background chatter – an ode to focusing on your own development as an artist and a human without distraction.”
‘Dancing On A Pin’ was written by Pastel and produced by Afflecks Palace frontman / Spirit of Spike Island label founder J. Fender. They’re currently continuing to put the finishing touches to Pastel’s upcoming debut album, which will surely elevate them to the next level when it’s released later in2024.
The band formed in modest circumstances. After leaving home in Manchester, Jack stopped off at James’ place in Swansea en route to see The Stone Roses at Wembley Stadium and their impromptu jam of Shack’s ‘Hazy’ prompted everyone present to ask, “Jack can sing?” When the pair arrived back in Swansea,Jack realised he’d already missed his train to Manchester and, well, basically never left. The band took shape from there before debuting with ‘She Waits For Me’ in 2020 and releasing an EP each year in 2021 and 2022, their music earning airplay at 6 Music and Radio X. They dropped another big moment in2023 with ‘Your Day’, which was subsequently remixed by Rideand Oasis legend Andy Bell.
Their rise has been assisted by their ongoing collaborations with the filmmaker Charlie Lightening. He is such a fan of the band that he offered to work with them for free, a connection which has further flourished with Pastel featuring in his film for the clothing brand Pretty Green, and their friendship also bringing the band to the attention of Liam Gallagher. Jack and James also have cameos in Charlie’s upcoming ‘Trailer Park Boys’ film ‘Bubbles and the Shitrockers’.
There is another landmark moment for Pastel already on the horizon. They will play their two biggest headline shows to date at London’s Garage (April 20th) and Manchester’s Band on the Wall (May 4th). Tickets are available HERE. Their upcoming shows are:
MARCH
22nd – Newcastle, Boiler Shop (with Feeder)
23rd – Glasgow, Barrowland (with Feeder)
APRIL
6th – Birmingham, O2 Institute (with Overpass)
19th – Ramsgate, Music Hall (HEADLINE SHOW)
20th – London, Garage (HEADLINE SHOW)
MAY
4th – Manchester, Band on the Wall (HEADLINE SHOW)
AUGUST
23rd – Victorious Festival
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