THE GUEST LIST

APRIL ARTIST FEATURE

APRIL ARTIST FEATURE

Hailing from the musical metropolis that is Manchester, our April Artist Feature have taken the pressure that comes with starting a band in this musically sacred city and used it to create a diamond. The Guest List aren’t yet another copy and paste indie band, with mature lyricism and drawing the attention of the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, this is band with talent that reaches way beyond their years.

We caught up with the band in our studio in Manchester, prior to their weekly Weatherspoons pub quiz (who even knew that was a thing?!). We found out about their plans for 2025, life on the road, and got to hear an exclusive performance of their new track, Plasticine Heart.

From the start, The Guest List stood out with their blend of melodic guitar riffs and relatable lyrics, capturing the essence of a modern band while maintaining a fresh and authentic sound. In 2024, tracks London and Loose Tongue significantly boosted the band’s presence in the live music scene. Both songs were produced by James Skelly, frontman of The Coral, at Liverpool’s Kempston Street Studios. These tracks caught the attention of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, who featured them as his Track of the Dawn selections on his morning show.  

You’ve been a band for about 4 years now haven’t you? How did you start playing music together?

Cai: Yeah so its been about 4 years since we formed. We were in school together us 4, everyone other than Sid. We played in the school band together and stuff. Then I met Sid at a party, a few years ago and he joined us to play bass.

Can you remember what the first gig that you all played together was like?

Sid: It was about 2 years ago now, in Birmingham, I was very hungover. It was my first gig ever with the band and I woke up like oh crap. But two paracetamol later I was fine.

Cai: Yeah and I remember we were all in like jeans and a t-shirt, and he rocked up in tank top and leather boots, speaking French to a girl that we met.

Angus: It all went downhill from there though, it was pretty empty, it was our first ever headline in Birmingham, and I think the crowd was mostly our friends and family. But we did meet our photographer there though.

your lyrics have been described as mature, despite your young age. Are there any artists that specifically inspire you?

Cai: I like lyricists that are just as can be, like Joy Division and The Velvet Underground. People that don’t try to be too poetic, but at the same time they end up being by just saying things as they are.

At the end of 2024, you released London and Loose Tongue, which were both produced by James Skelly of The Coral, how did that all come about? 

Cai: James has worked with our manager for a while, I think he worked on some of the Blossoms stuff. It was suggested we go and try these two songs with him, so we went to The Coral’s studio in the Wirral. It was great, he has such a focus on making things sound as authentic as they can be, getting you playing together as a band and stripping everything back. He’s great at identifying when something isn’t actually contributing to the song and taking it out. 

Is this the first time that you’ve worked with a different producer? 

Cai: Well we worked with Martin Moscroft from A Certain Ratio on our first EP, which was when we were about 15 or 16 and had absolutely no idea what we were doing. 

Since then we haven’t really worked with a producer, we’ve more just won studio time in various competitions and stuff, so this feels like the first time we’ve been a mature band sitting down and working on the track with a producer. 

You also released an acoustic EP earlier this year, do you think it’s important to strip things back even further sometimes? 

Cai: Yeah so we wanted to give our audience a bit more of a songwriter's perspective to the songs. The idea doesn’t start with a full band arrangement behind it, it starts with a piano or acoustic guitar, and I think people like to hear that. London I wrote on the acoustic, but I always thought it sounded nice on piano.

You’ve got a jam packed festival season as well?

Cai: I think we’re playing at least 9, but we can’t talk about all of them yet. 

Angus: It was pretty mad, I think the first one we got, if it would have stopped there we would have been happy. When it just kept piling on, we’re playing TRNSMT, Neighbourhood Weekender, Kendal, Y Not, Truck – they’re all the big ones that you dream of playing as a new band. 

Tom: Even to be punters is great, we’re planning to stick around for a few of them. We can’t wait for James and Stereophonics at Neighbourhood. 

Do you think that’s important then, to keep that love of music alive as a punter? 

Angus: There’s nothing quite like a festival for discovering new and different music. You can walk past a tent, catch a band you’ve never even heard of before and they can become your new favourite. 

Last year we got really lucky with Y Not, we got an afternoon slot in quite a big tent and at least 500 people turned up. 

Leio: I think the mindset of people at festivals as well is different, they’re more open to hearing new music and up for it. 

How are you preparing for festival season?

Cai: Well we’re heading out to Europe, then festivals start and we’re playing one pretty much every week, it will be a bit full on but we’re very excited for it. 

You’re playing a new song for us today, Plasticine Heart, can you tell us a bit about the track? 

Cai: Yeah so, Plasticine Heart is about submitting to the jealousy you have for the success of others, and the lengths you would go to for your own.

The Guest List have quickly made a name for themselves in the Manchester music scene and are now taking it nationwide, with a UK tour set for November 2025. Tickets for all dates go on sale at 9am on Friday 14 March.