Sea fever’s ‘surface sound’ album: Their second chapter
Indie-electronic band Sea Fever release their much-anticipated second album.
Sea Fever — featuring New Order’s Tom Chapman and Phil Cunningham, Iwan Gronow (Haven/Johnny Marr), Beth Cassidy (Section 25), and drummer Elliot Barlow, dropped their much‑anticipated second album Surface Sound this May. Following the promising start of 2021’s Folding Lines, the band returns with an album steeped in emotional depth; raw, reflective, and fully realised.
Classic Pop praises the textured production, from industrial pulses to Doves-esque breaks—especially on “Sincere To Some” and “Able Eyes”.
Tom Chapman describes Surface Sound as “an album full of hope and melancholy,” shaped by a breakup and the loss of his father. Seeking healing through creation, he says: “I immersed myself in my work… used music as my solace and therapy”.
Surface Sound is Sea Fever at their most cohesive—combining rich emotional storytelling with indie‑electronic flair. Sometimes nostalgic, occasionally too polished, but undeniably heartfelt.
cosmic beginnings: inside the cosmic glue launch party
From live performances to familiar industry professionals, here’s an insight into what went down at the official Cosmic Glue launch party in June 2025…
Thursday 5th June marked the official launch of Cosmic Glue, our new independent record label dedicated to creating a space that allows creatives to grow. We welcomed close friends, collaborators, industry professionals and creatives into the studio space for an intimate night of live music, photography, and creative connection — a true reflection of what Cosmic Glue is all about.
Setting the tone for the night, our very own label band Vacant Weekend delivered a stripped-back set that brought energy and a visual/audio identity to the space.
The launch was also the debut of our brand-new photography studio, a key piece of the Cosmic Glue creative hub. Throughout the night, Misha, our in-house photographer, was capturing candid moments, artist portraits, and behind-the-scenes content. Guests had the chance to step in front of the lens for professional shots, giving them a taste of the full Cosmic Glue experience.
Overall, the night was filled with live music, photography and creative networking, which set the tone for an exciting journey ahead for Cosmic Glue.
REVIVALRY ARRIVE ON KENDAL CALLING’S MAINSTAGE
Cleethorpes-based indie rock trio make history as the youngest band ever to play Kendal Calling’s main stage.
If supporting Reverend and The Makers, The Reytons, Corella and The Lathums, making BBC News and being followed on socials by some of their musical icons including The Lottery Winners, The Sherlocks, Feeder, and more; wasn’t enough to cement this young trio’s future in music, then their recent main stage set at Kendal Calling plants a firm flag in the ground as a band that deserves your attention.
Image credit: Tom Martin
“When watching these guys live, you could see the raw energy in their set.”
- Dead Good Music
Image credit: Tom Martin
GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH REVIVALRY AT KC24
VACANT WEEKEND DROP A LIMITED EDITION ‘DELUXE’ VERSION OF THEIR RECENT EP ‘SOMETHING TO FILL THE SILENCE’
Vacant Weekend follows up their recently released EP ‘Something To Fill The Silence’ with a deluxe edition featuring live session and demo versions sitting alongside a selection of remixes from Sam Cooper, Favian Wheatman and Wilfred Richards.
Vacant Weekend follows up their recently released EP ‘Something To Fill The Silence’ with a deluxe edition featuring live session and demo versions sitting alongside a selection of remixes from Sam Cooper, Favian Wheatman and Wilfred Richards.
With its original offering capturing the attention of Dork, The Line Of Best Fit, Earmilk and more, the band breathes new life into the project with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into early stage recordings and live sessions that capture a raw unfiltered essence.
Paired with three remixes from friends across the Manchester circuit, this re-presented outing also sees the trio unexpectedly cross genres into the realms of club-ready electronic music, while still maintaining a signature identity that’s been crafted across their music to date.
Image credit: Misha Warren
“In the heart of Manchester’s iconic music scene, a trio of school friends turned indie-rock revolutionaries are starting to kick up a buzz.” - DORK
Image credit: Vacant Weekend
HELLO COSMOS LIVE FROM ST MARY’S
Hello Cosmos we’re invited to perform in the stunning Grade I listed church as part of the Live at St Mary’s event series, bringing with them an assortment of lasers, performers and post-punk poetry to create a truly captivating live performance.
Hello Cosmos we’re invited to perform in the stunning Grade I listed church as part of the Live at St Mary’s event series, bringing with them an assortment of lasers, performers and post-punk poetry to create a truly captivating live performance.
Image credit: Tom Martin
"Hello Cosmos wasted no time in transporting the crowd to what felt like a little pocket of space in some alternate reality." - The Manc
Image credit: Tom Martin
THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE BASEMENT WITH DEATHRETRO
Cult Cumbrian four-piece Deathretro landed in Manchester’s YES basement with a heavy dose of untamed, infectious energy. Fully charged from the first drum kick and laced with outlandish riffs.
Cult Cumbrian four-piece Deathretro landed in Manchester’s YES basement with a heavy dose of untamed, infectious energy. Fully charged from the first drum kick and laced with outlandish riffs.
These Cumbrians know how to kick things off, with vocalist Kie dancing frantically through the crowd as if possessed by the spirit of Ian Curtis.
Image credit: Tom Martin