The UK leg of the tour will kick-off in Glasgow on Halloween and Templeman will then journey around the UK with shows in Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Cambridge, Bristol, Cardiff, Brighton amongst others, before ending at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London on the 18th of November. The show will then voyage on to the rest of Europe with dates in Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Brussels and Paris. To see a full list of the UK and European dates, as well as those for the US and Mexico, see the promotional poster below which Templeman released on his Twitter this Monday.

buzzing to announce i’m going on tour in the UK, Europe, US and Mexico later this year !! advanced ticket registration is open from TODAY for access to presale tickets on wednesday. general tickets on sale this friday! https://t.co/7BBSaUH3tO pic.twitter.com/RFVdK6VVsJ

— Alfie (@alfietempleman) June 3, 2024

In March the singer announced the upcoming release of Radiosoul which will hit the shelves this Friday the 7th of June. The announcement has been followed by three different singles releases, ‘Beckham’, ‘Hello Lonely’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ and now the fourth and final single from the anticipated album – ‘Just a Dance’ which is a short, upbeat, electronic track inspired by David Bowie’s album Let’s Dance and the title track by the same name. The track was produced in collaboration with Nile Rodgers, 80s and 90s rock and roll legend who has worked with artists such as Duran Duran, Mick Jagger, The B-52s, and Michael Jackson. Templeman posted a picture of the two on his Instagram to celebrate the release.

 

 

 

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According to an article by NME, Templeman recounted that he felt Bowie’s track “on the surface was all about getting people moving for a while, though the song was actually about covering up your feelings…’Just A Dance’ became such a nice, short song full of energy with such a simple message. Just enjoy the now for a while, everything will be alright. It’s all just a dance.” You can listen to the song, which debuted 2 days ago, below.

General sale tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster from Friday the 7th of June at 10am local time and you get your hands on the them by following the link here. However, if you just can’t wait and you’ve already pre-ordered Radiosoul in any format, you will be granted access to a selection of presale tickets which will be released today, Wednesday the 5th of June, at 10 am BST which is accessible through a link sent to your email which will have come after ordering the album.

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A post shared by Bands Boycott Barclays (@bandsboycottbarclays)

DellaXOZ, a 19 year old singer from Bolton, is just one of the many artists who has withdrawn from the lineup due to the shocking images she has encountered online of the genocide. She told The New Arab that she ‘couldn’t consciously have any contribution towards that by playing three sets at a festival that is funding that very atrocity’. The Great Escape festival, which has been showcasing over 500 up and coming artists every year for 18 years, is sponsored by Barclays bank who, according to the report by Palestine Solidarity Campaign which was posted on the 7th of May, hold over £2 billion in companies who provide arms and military aid to Israel.

Della continued, expressing to the site that ‘these festivals are hiding behind the art and labour of small struggling artists to fund these atrocities instead of outwardly owning their role as the Zionists they’re evidently so proud to be.’ The young artist claimed that she was originally unaware of Barclays’ involvement with the festival and urges companies to be more clear in the future.

One of the festival’s highly anticipated acts, Alfie Templeman, has taken to X to inform fans he will no longer be playing the event. The 21 year old bedroom pop singer expressed that his own values did not coincide with performing, and that he hopes this boycott will ensure that other events ‘think more ethically’ when deciding who they associate themselves with in the future.

I am no longer performing at The Great Escape festival this weekend pic.twitter.com/B2f65wvL6j

— Alfie (@alfietempleman) May 14, 2024

Despite the absence of a large number of musicians, the event is still taking place with some bands choosing to proceed with their performances. Big Special explained on their instagram that pulling from this one event would make it impossible for the Black Country duo to not abstain from performing at any show affiliated with ‘dirty money’. The post went on to say that this would induce their ‘absence from the industry completely’.

A post shared by BIG SPECIAL (@bigspecial_)

Instead the band will donate the fee for their set to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.

As a result of the mass exodus of those set to perform, The Great Escape’s opening show and a keynote speech have been cancelled. You can view the full list of bands and artists that have removed themselves from this weekend’s line up here in the open statement organised by Bands Boycott Barclays. The declaration is urging the festival to drop Barclays as their sponsor and has been endorsed by more than 1,000 additional musicians who were not due to perform at the event.

The tour will commence at Edinburgh’s La Belle Angele, and will entail stops in London Cardiff, Sheffield, Liverpool and Leeds, to name just a few locations.

The tour announcement comes just a couple of months after the release of Templeman’s most recent album Mellow Moon, which was received warmly by both fans and critics alike. In a four-star review of the record, NME said that the 19-year-old songwriter’s newest album boasted “a huge, colourful pop sound while navigating anxiety through these joyously unpredictable songs.” They went on to say: “The album carefully twists and turns through Templeman’s headspace as he searches for answers to an escape from the doldrums of modern life, flickering between loss (‘Do It’) and reassurance (the buoyant, mood-lifting ‘Colour Me Blue’).”

The young star embarked on his very first headlining tour of the UK earlier this year, and he also made the journey to Australia for a run of headline shows in June.

Having been deeply interested in music from an early age, Templeman released his debut single “Orange Juice” in 2018 at the age of fifteen, and released his debut E.P. Like An Animal in October of that year through Chess Club Records. He went on to release two more E.Ps in 2019 entitled Sunday Morning Cereal and Don’t Go Wasting Time. Templeman released a “mini-album” in May of 2021 entitled Forever Isn’t Long Enough, and just this year released his debut full-length project Mellow Moon. You can listen to Templeman’s musical catalogue on all available streaming services.

The Bedfordshire-born songwriter also recently covered Harry Styles’ “As It Was” for the popular BBC Radio 1 show “Live Lounge”. You can watch/listen to the rendition down below.

See below for Alfie Templeman’s UK headline tour dates:

17/10/2022- La Belle Angele- Edinburgh
18/10- O2 Academy- Liverpool
20/10- Leeds Beckett University
21/10- Newcastle University- Newcastle
23/10- The Waterfront, Norwich
24/10- Cambridge Junction- Cambridge
26/10- SWX- Bristol
27/10- The Tramshed- Cardiff UK
28/10- Engine Rooms- Southampton UK
30/10- Halloween Town Festival- Bedford UK
31/10- HERE at Outernet- London UK

Alfie Templeman
BABii
Black Country, New Road
Eloise
Employed To Serve
Far Caspian
Gunship
Idles (pictured)
John Smith
Max Cooper
Poppy Ajudha
Puma Blue
Sainté
Snapped Ankles
Strawberry Guy
The Anchoress
Theon Cross
Violet Skies
Walt Disco
Yard Act

British music is undeniably a global export, 1 in 10 songs streamed globally are produced by British artists. But this number is not as high as it used to be. In 2015 the UK’s share of the global market was at 17%, now that has slipped to 10% today. This scheme is here to allow some smaller British artists to achieve their full potential overseas, by giving larger access to equipment, licensing, travel, and any other aspects of a band’s routine that allow their music to be heard in other countries. In 2020, the scheme generated £36 million in revenues. Put another way, for every £1 put in by the government, the artists generated 12x that amount. Geoff Taylor, the chief executive of the BPI, backs this by saying “The UK punches well above its weight as the largest exporter of music in the world after the US”.

In regards to boosting the UK’s music scene after covid, Taylor said “Labels continue to invest very heavily in developing new talent and they’re working on new ways to get artists out there. As an industry, we are working on new ways to bring new music to fans, but there’s no doubt it’s harder under a Covid environment.” He adds, “MEGS funding provides a crucial avenue for UK artists to invest early and develop audiences in markets that are traditionally expensive to break. For years, Idles’ renowned live show has been in demand across LATAM, and this support helps us meet that demand with genuine marketing and promotional activity and continue to grow their profile”.

Mike Freer MP, Minister for Exports at the Department for International Trade (@tradegovuk) praised the UK music industry, and reiterated the ambition to grow British music.

Read the story in full https://t.co/yY9GjZgxL6 pic.twitter.com/LPeDHhUhGD

— BPI (@bpi_music) November 18, 2021

The scheme tries to cover as much popular music as Britain has to offer. IDLES, Black Country – New Road, Yard Act, and Snapped Ankles all fall under the ever-increasing brand of Post-Punk. Eloise, BABii, and Sainté are all making moves in the realm of British Pop. Acts like Strawberry Guy and Gunship also offer their own takes on folk and synthwave that also prove that British music comes in many, many forms.

The singer-songwriter wrote on his Twitter that he was “Gutted to announce that unfortunately I’m no longer able to play Tramlines or Latitude this week as I’ve recently contracted COVID, I’m currently recovering in isolation dreaming about the rest of the wonderful gigs that we have in store for you this year!” 

Gutted to announce that unfortunately I’m no longer able to play Tramlines or Latitude this week as I’ve recently contracted COVID. I’m currently recovering in isolation dreaming about the rest of the wonderful gigs that we have in store for you this year! See you soon- Alf

— alfie templeman (@alfietempleman) July 22, 2021

With live music attempting to get up and running again, the fact that we’re still in the middle of a worldwide pandemic still can’t be ignored. As can be seen, this is something that’s already having an impact at Latitude, with two acts already dropping off this weekend’s bill. The other act pulling out is Fontaines D.C., which told fans that during routine testing, one of the band members tested positive for COVID-19. meaning the band and crew now have to self-isolate.

Headlining Latitude this weekend are The Chemical Brothers, Bastille, Bombay Bicycle Club and Wolf Alice, while Sheffield-based festival Tramlines will see The Streets, Royal Blood and Supergrass top the bill who replaced Richard Ashcroft as headliners. Ashcroft announced that he would be pulling out of his headline performance at the event as it is set to be part of the government’s Events Research Programme.

Data from the first stage of the ERP was published recently and confirmed that just 28 people who attended pilot events researching the impact of large-scale gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic tested positive for the virus.

(TW depression) the last few months i got diagnosed w depression and anxiety & i finally got the help i needed. i just wanted to say thank you to every one of you who helped me go and speak to someone. if you too are/have been suffering please talk to someone. i promise it helps.

— alfie templeman (@alfietempleman) June 13, 2021

Templeman explained that “the last few months I got diagnosed w depression and anxiety & I finally got the help I needed” and that “I just wanted to say thank you to every one of you who helped me go and speak to someone. If you too are/have been suffering please talk to someone. I promise it helps.”

The multi-instrumentalist and producer who began recording and releasing demos at the age of 13 has not previously been dismissive of opening the conversation on mental health. For instance, Alfie has previously discussed mental health in his 2020 track ‘My Best Friend‘ which features Jess Eastwood. In a statement about ‘My Best Friend‘ Templeman stated that “it’s about depression and sadness being the only thing that’s always there for you, as if it’s the only thing that really sticks around and lurks behind everything you do”. Templeman also explained that “it’s as if these feelings are the closest thing to you, like your best friend.”

This year, Alfie Templeman released his new EP ‘Forever isn’t Long Enough‘, which NME praised as “a bold display of self-confidence” and rated four out of five stars. The EP captures the unique energy and individualism of the young artist, who has been creating music independently in his bedroom since he was 12 years old. The new EP boasts an array of Templeman’s singles, such as the new song, ‘Wait, I Lied‘. ‘Wait, I Lied‘ is a display of the artists renowned indie-pop. You can watch the music video for the single here.

We look forward to seeing what the future brings for the promising singer-songwriter. Templeman is set to be performing at Latitude Festival this summer. The festival, which takes place at Henham Park in Suffolk, begins on Thursday 22 July and ends on Sunday 25 July. Templeman will be joining bands such as Wolf Alice and Bombay Bicycle Club and his chance to perform live brings the chance of even further success this year.

The 18-year-old producer described the single as “the most subtle song on the record.” He wanted it to be more relaxed, and the chilled song closes out the anticipated album. He also previously released two versions of the song ‘Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody’ in February from the same album.

it’s literally just 1 more week until the release of my mini album and i got so excited that i had to release a song early so one more day ft @THEMONTHAPRIL_ is actually out now and i would recommend u go listen and add etc thx have a wonderful friday https://t.co/gSv5EWw8Zw pic.twitter.com/7CmMzyLlVM

— alfie templeman (@alfietempleman) April 30, 2021

According to Far Out, both Templeman and April were very excited to work with each other on the project. Templeman gushes, “April made the song that extra bit special, her verse and harmonies really complimented the track and helps you to see its context really clearly.” April says of the single, “It’s very chilled, very late night moody drive vibes, I hope you love it as much as I do!”

After being forced to cancel many shows last year and this year due to the pandemic, Templeman will be performing at several UK festivals this summer, including Truck Festival (22-25 July) and Y Not Festival (30 July – 1 August). These and more come ahead of his UK and Ireland tour scheduled for spring of 2022. He will also be opening on Declan McKenna’s ‘Zeros’ tour this year at Bournemouth, Leicester, and London.

‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ Tracklist:

1. Shady
2. Forever Isn’t Long Enough
3. Hideaway
4. Wait, I Lied
5. Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody
6. Film Scene Daydream
7. To You
8. One More Day (feat. April)

In a statement posted on social media, Templeman wrote: “hello guys i am lost for words to tell u i will be releasing a MINI ALBUM ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ on the 7th May 2021!!!! i’ve also just dropped a brand new single ‘Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody’ which is available on all streaming platforms.” 

hello guys i am lost for words to tell u i will be releasing a MINI ALBUM ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ on the 7th May 2021!!!! i’ve also just dropped a brand new single ‘Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody’

LISTEN: https://t.co/aDLGJnVayv
PRE-ORDER: https://t.co/ma8sDyF17W pic.twitter.com/TP8kCaGYHy

— alfie templeman (@alfietempleman) February 16, 2021

Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody was played as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1 on Tuesday 16th February – Templeman’s fourth single to be featured on the show. Speaking on the programme, the eighteen-year singer said: “Originally I just wanted to make quite a universal song, really – love is such a universal thing [that] I just wanted to make a song that appeals to everyone… I just wanted to make something that people could relate to.” 

Templeman released two singles from the mini-album in 2020 – the titular track Forever Isn’t Long Enough and Shady. The singer has released seven EPs, the first of which came out in 2017 when he was just fourteen years old. His latest EP, Happiness in Liquid Form, hit number 22 in the UK Indie Chart in 2020.  

Templeman has supported alt-pop band Sundara Karma, and has played festivals such as the Reading and Leeds Festival and Reeperbahn Festival. He was longlisted for BBC Sound of 2021 and shortlisted for Vevo Dscvr 2021. 

Last month the artist was forced to cancel his upcoming UK tour due to COVID-19 concerns. He was scheduled to perform in April and May 2021, but promised fans that the dates would be rescheduled. Templeman posted on Twitter: “Your love and support for me and my music during this time is so much appreciated – can’t wait to see you at a gig when we get it all figured out!”

However, Templeman promises hope of another tour as soon as the pandemic and restrictions are over. The date will not be released and tickets will not go on sale until Alfie Templeman is ‘very confident that they can take place safely and without being postponed as there’s just too much uncertainty around. So please keep your eyes peeled as I’ll make sure the people who bought tickets already will be the first people who get access to tickets for the new dates.” 

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The recently turned 18-year-old singer has taken lockdown in his stride, releasing multiple tracks including ‘Shady’, ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ and his latest EP ‘Happiness In Its Liquid Form’ during 2020. Described as ‘Bedfordshire’s wunderkid’, Templeman’s sound bounces between indie bedroom-pop and dark disco. The Bedfordshire musician was in the ten nominated for BBC Sound of 2021, missing out to rising rap-star Pa Salieu.

Whilst Templeman’s first tour has been placed on hold for the time being, he has promised to release new ‘spring/summer bangers’ and ‘bops’. Taking to Twitter, the musician said ‘however some good news is that i’m releasing the studio version of wait i lied this year (and other bops!)’. So whilst listeners won’t be able to see Alfie Templeman perform as soon as hoped, there will be exciting music to come whilst fans are kept waiting for the return of his live music.

however some good news is that i’m releasing the studio version of wait i lied this year (and other bops!) https://t.co/zQCX74Nujc

— alfie templeman (@alfietempleman) January 28, 2021

The BBC #SoundOf2021 longlist is here!

Get to know the artists tipped for big things next year ⬇️@alfietempleman@berwynberwyn_@breerunway@dutchavelli1@_girlinred_@greentea_peng@wiffygriffy@HolHumberstone@TheLathums@KING_SALIEU

Find out more: https://t.co/9xxxAGfdJV pic.twitter.com/WhDS6BDpaz

— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) December 7, 2020

Since the inception of the ‘Sound of…’ prize back in 2003, the BBC’s adjudicating panellists have honed a soothsaying knack for uncovering future stars. Previous winners of the award include 50 Cent (2003); Keane (2004); Adele (2008); Jessie J (2011); and Haim (2013). All is not lost for the long-listed artists who fail to scoop the top prize though: previous ‘unsuccessful’ nominated acts include Dizzee Rascal (2003); Scissor Sisters (2004); Lady Gaga (2009); Marina and the Diamonds (2010); Azealia Banks (2012); Chvrches (2013); George Ezra (2014); Stormzy (2015); Dua Lipa (2016); and Billie Eilish (2018).

The Sound of 2020 award winner was Celeste, who has gone on to secure further gongs this year at the Brits, BET and NME awards. The Saltdean-raised vocalist saw off stiff competition from the likes of Yungblud and Arlo Parks to claim the prize last year; telling BBC News she was “thrilled and so excited” with the win.

The full list of acts long-listed for the Sound of 2021, which will be awarded in a ceremony on January 7th, is as follows:

Alfie Templeman. Multi-instrumentalist Alfie Templeman’s fourth EP, Happiness In Liquid Form, reached number 22 in the UK Indie charts earlier this year. The Bedfordshire product, who only turns 18 in January, has been praised by DIY for his “boundless enthusiasm” which “bursts out in indie songs equally informed by R&B and bedroom pop.”

Berwyn. Trinidad-born, Romford-raised singer and rapper Berwyn Du Bois also features on Amazon Music’s One To Watch list for 2021. His debut mixtape Demotape/Vega was hailed by Pilerats as a “potent, defining record” and “a message on how even the ones with the world pitted against them can succeed.”

Bree Runway. Hackney’s Bree Runway has been described by NME as “a versatile pop star-in-waiting“, with her November mixtape 2000and4Eva acclaimed by Clash as “a bold, dynamic and cohesive body of work“. The genre-bending artist, who has also been nominated for the Video of The Year award at this week’s MOBOs for her track Apeshit, has also spoken out powerfully on the issue of colourism.

Dutchavelli. Dutchavelli’s debut mixtape Dutch from the 5th stormed to number 8 in the UK Albums chart last month. The Birmingham-born rapper also scored two top 40 singles as a lead artist (Bando Diaries and Cool With Me, featuring fellow West Midlander M1llionz); while he and Stormzy also popped up on Tion Wayne’s top ten hit I Dunno in May.

Girl In Red. Norwegian indie pop merchant Girl In Red – also known as Marie Ulven – has been described by the New York Times as “one of the most astute and exciting singer-songwriters working in the world of guitar music, with a laser like melodic instinct that verges on the primal and lyrics that capture the sweat of real life.” The Scandinavian songstress recently scored a hit in the UK indie charts with her single Two Queens in a King Sized Bed.

Greentea Peng. South Londoner Greentea Peng – who featured on The Streets’ summer single I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Love Him – was celebrated in Wonderland magazine earlier this year for “preaching honesty, self-confidence, and hope in the future.” The singer – real name Aria Wells – recently announced a European tour which kicks off in Berlin next April.

Griff. Hertfordshire artist Sarah Griffiths (Griff) was nominated for an Ivor Novello Rising Star Award in July. The vocalist, whose 2019 debut single Mirror Talk was described by Vice as “vulnerable, emotional, sincere and empowering“, is set to gain a new audience with her single Love Is A Compass, which is used on Disney’s 2020 Christmas advert.

Holly Humberstone. Lincolnshire singer Holly Humberstone’s quietly intense, otherworldly vocals evoke the stylings of Lorde, Phoebe Brid and Lana Del Rey. Her 2020 debut EP Falling Asleep At The Wheel was praised by NME for its “staggering emotional clarity and gut-wrenching tales of pain and catharsis.”

Pa Salieu. Gambian-British rapper Pa Salieu’s debut mixtape Send Them to Coventry was described by Pitchfork as an “extraordinarily assured first offering from a young artist capable of surprising at every turn“, and an “invitation to a place and people unduly ignored.” Salieu’s unique fusion of West Midlands grime and African influences have seen him labelled a “compelling new voice” on the British music scene.

The Lathums. Wiganers The Lathums cite the rock and pop of the 50s and 60s as key musical influences, and fiercely resist being pigeon-holed as an indie band. In an interview with Far Out in October, frontman Alex Moore said “I just feel like we’re so different to everybody and we’re not like anybody else…We are a band and a guitar band but I don’t think there’s been anything like us.” Their EP compilation Memories We Make reached the top 20 in the UK Albums Chart this year, and the Lancashire outfit’s livestreamed gig at Blackpool Tower Circus this year saw them become the first act to play at the iconic venue since Madness in the 1990s.