Tor Maries first emerged onto the scene with her self-titled debut album in 2020. The record quickly gained attention for its biting social commentary and minimalistic instrumentation, earning her a dedicated following. Tracks like ‘No’ and ‘Supermarket Sweep’ showcased her ability to mix in-depth lyricism with infectious melodies, solidifying her as a fresh and rebellious voice in the alternative music scene. 

In 2021, she collaborated with Sleaford Mods on the track ‘Mork n Mindy’, further establishing herself in the UK’s punk indie scene. Later that year, she released the ‘Emergency Telephone’ EP, a DIY project that highlighted her knack for crafting compelling songs with limited resources. Then, in 2023, she followed up with ‘CACTI’, an album that expanded on her signature sound while delving deeper into themes of isolation and personal growth. Recorded partly in her flat and at Bristol’s Invada Studios, ‘CACTI’ was met with success, further elevating her status in the indie world. 

With the release of ‘Metalhorse’, Billy Nomates is set to push her sound even further. The album’s first single, ‘The Test’, offers a rebellious and defiant energy, hinting at what fans can expect from the full record. She has teased on Instagram the track list but while details about the album remain limited, her past work suggests that listeners can anticipate more of her sharp lyricism, genre-blending production, and fiercely independent spirit. 

Following the album’s release, she is scheduled to headline Ritual Union Bristol in late March before heading to France for a solo performance at La Route du Rock. In April, she will also appear at Cro Cro Land Festival. While a full tour has not been announced, these performances suggest that more live shows could be on the horizon. 

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Billy Nomates has always positioned herself as an artist unafraid to challenge conventions, both musically and thematically. From her early days crafting lo-fi punk anthems to her evolution into a more expansive and experimental sound, she continues to grow while staying true to her roots. ‘Metalhorse’ is likely to be another step in that journey, showcasing her evolution while maintaining the raw honesty that has always defined her work. As the release date slowly approaches, anticipation is building, and if her previous albums are any indication, ‘Metalhorse’ will be another striking addition to her discography. 

The singer opened up this weekend about experiencing an “insane” amount of “personal abuse” after her Glastonbury performance https://t.co/q38G3CuVO6

— NME (@NME) June 26, 2023

It is customary for BBC (via BBC 6) to put partial live clips onto their social media platforms during the artist’s performance, but Billy Nomates asked the BBC to take down her clip after it was subjected to a severe backlash from users. The post-punk performer cited hateful abuse directed at her for the reasoning behind her request to BBC 6 and suggested she is done with performing completely for the foreseeable future.

Speaking about the incident, Billy Nomates said, “I know it’s not for everyone, what I do. I know lots of people don’t rate me. But the level of personal abuse on that public page is too much. There will be no more shows after this summer. You wouldn’t stay in a workplace that did to you. Why should I.” The BBC has agreed to Billy Nomates request and removed the social media post from their platforms, however the full performance is still available via iPlayer.

It saddened me to hear how deeply effected you were by the abuse .I get it . But I’ve been watching you for a while .And your energy is vital .Because, People like you need people like you .Be brave , be defiant , Be whats needed Because thats what you are . — Robbie Williams (@robbiewilliams) June 26, 2023

Billy Nomates is the stage name of musician and songwriter Tor Maries who originated from Leicester but creates her music in Bournemouth. Despite being a lone act, Maries began to draw attention after releasing her self-titled debut and was noted for her vocal delivery-often weaving between singing and spoken word. Without the support of a live band to accompany her, the main source of ire being directed at Maries was her utilisation of recorded tracks during her live performances instead of being backed up by a band.

While Maries may acknowledge that her brand of pop-rock is not for everyone, she’s certainly not without numerous support from fellow musicians. Perhaps most notable among them, socio-political artist Billy Bragg voiced enduring support for the singer speaking via Twitter, “solidarity from everyone at Left Field with Billy Nomates who was so badly abused online after her Glastonbury set was posted on BBC 6 Music that she asked them to take the clip down. She played a set for us last year and was brilliant. You’ll always have [a] place here Tor.”

Solidarity from everyone at Left Field with Billy No Mates who was so badly abused online after her @glastonbury set was posted on @BBC6Music that she asked them to take the clip down. She played a set for us last year and was brilliant. You’ll always have place here Tor pic.twitter.com/ZNMxX4aGZ3

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) June 23, 2023

A spokesperson for BBC 6 went on to add, “we want 6 music to be a place where brillant artists such as Billy Nomates are celebrated and supported, and we have respected Tor’s rewuest to have the clip posted on our social channels removed.” Many fans have come out in support of the singer  as well and they will be sincerely hoping that Billy Nomates makes a return to the touring circuit after the summer festival season ends.

PRIZE DRAW OPEN

HELP! We are collaborating with Cross Town Concerts and an incredible line-up of artists to bring a huge fundraising concert for our Ukraine Crisis appeal to Bristol.
Enter the prize draw here: https://t.co/Lp636ur7O7#Ukraine #Bristol #WarChild pic.twitter.com/ZBbhRvZY9u

— War Child UK (@WarChildUK) April 7, 2022

All donations and proceeds from the concert will be given to War Child UK to aid in their ongoing mission. Until 31st May 2022, any donation made will be matched by the UK Government as stated via the ticket site, “Your donation will help the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, and match funding from the UK Government will also go to Yemen where millions of children are still in desperate need of protection from conflict.”

Those billed to perform at the War Child benefit show include IDLES, Billy Nomates, Katy J Pearson, Heavy Lungs, Wilderman, Willie J Healey and British icons Portishead. The growing line-up also includes Boca 45 along with guest DJs and Raffle, further announcements will be made to confirm additional acts.

Head of War Child Records Rich Clarke has released a statement thanking all acts involved, within the statement Clarke also describes the organisation’s mission and how the benefit show will provide support, “We deliver life-changing services and support in communities affected by conflicts to keep children safe and help them to heal and learn for the chance of a better future. The impact of the situation in Ukraine will affect an entire generation and there will be acutely vulnerable children who need our help to stay safe. The money raised by this gig will make sure that we can respond quickly to children who need that support right now.”

The benefit show will mark Portishead’s triumphant return to the stage, the HELP! Concert will be the group’s first and only live performance in seven years. The British pioneers had this to say about their upcoming appearance, “We are really pleased to be able to support the people of Ukraine by performing a few songs at this event in collaboration with the amazing War Child charity”

Bristol rockers Idles will be performing at their only hometown show for 2022 at the War Child UK event. The band are currently on tour and will continue their European tour dates after the concert. Frontman Joe Talbot has also spoken concerning the one-off show, “We have been kindly invited to play this show for the benefit of War Child. Please donate or sign up to this charity. We believe that nobody should endure war, especially children. Thank you,”

We are very excited to be part of this lineup for @WarChildUK All funding goes to Ukraine. The government matches the amount. 2nd May pic.twitter.com/YRDAUD4b9s

— Heavy Lungs (@Heavylungsband) April 7, 2022

Fellow Bristol rockers Heavy Lungs will also be performing alongside Idles at the benefit show, the two groups’ connection runs deeper than matching hometowns. In 2018, IDLES released the single “Danny Nedelko”, named after the Heavy Lungs’ frontman. The single tells a story of strength and is regarded as a tribute to multiculturalism. Originally from Ukraine, Nedelko has given the following statement concerning the fundraising event, “Hailing originally from Odessa, this is a cause very close to my heart. It’s incredibly special being a part of this show. We are going to bring our absolute best.”

Music fans will be able to get their hands on tickets by entering the prize draw, there are 600 pairs of tickets up for grabs. The draw opened today and all winners are chosen at random, and the competition closes at midnight on 24th April 2022. You can enter for free or pay a £10 donation fee which supplies three entries, donations can be made online or through a postcard.

There is no limit to the number of times in which you may enter and winners will be notified by email from Ticketmaster on Monday 25th April 2022. Due to the limited number of seats, tickets are very exclusive but all entrees will receive access to watch a stream of the event.

Click here to enter into the prize draw.

GO GO GO! Tickets are now ON SALE for This Is Tomorrow! See @DermotKennedy , @GerryCinnamon and @samfendermusic plus many more!
Head to >>> https://t.co/5pGOmwLztg pic.twitter.com/B5CJKmO0O9

— This Is Tomorrow (@ThisIsNCL) May 27, 2021

Announced as the headline acts for this year’s event include Sam Fender, Gerry Cinnamon and Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy. Kennedy will headline the festival with its first day on Friday, along with Blossoms and British rapper Bugzy Malone. Cinnamon will headline on Saturday after performances from Tom Walker and ‘Naïve’ singers The Kooks. The festival’s final day will be closed by headliner Fender, Sunday also includes sets by Fontaines D.C. and Manchester rockers Pale Waves. Other acts to perform include singer Mahalia, Irish rock band Inhaler, Circa Waves, Nadine Shah and 2020’s one to watch act Billy Nomates. Dermot Kennedy also took to Twitter to announce his headline performance as well as express his excitement for his set.

I’m headlining @ThisIsNCL Festival in September!! Tickets are available from 10am this Thursday 27 May from https://t.co/wDXiHSQ1l9 pic.twitter.com/OkFPIMUODT

— Dermot Kennedy (@DermotKennedy) May 26, 2021

The festival was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has changed promoters since allegations of staff mistreatment. The festival was previously promoted by SSD Concerts who were involved in the claims made public on the company review site Glassdoor after their Instagram account was allegedly hacked, the claims stated that SSD Concerts were underpaying staff and making employees feel uncomfortable at their workplace. The festival is now promoted by one of the largest event promoters within the UK, Kilimanjaro Live.

CEO of Kilimanjaro Live, Stuart Galbraith had this to say about the return of This is Tomorrow.

“The pandemic has caused huge challenges for the live industry in 2020 and 2021 and when the opportunity came up for us to get involved with This Is Tomorrow it was a complete no brainer and a very easy decision for us to make, It’s a brilliant festival with huge potential in an area which has been traditionally over-looked as a music market. We’re delighted to be able to get this back in the diary and hope to see everyone in September for what promises to be one hell of a party.’’

The festival will also be putting on a free festival for NHS key workers as a thank you for their hard work throughout the COVID pandemic. The free festival will take place on the bank holiday Monday May 31st 2021 and will be held in Exhibition Park, headliners include Sam Fender, Gerry Cinnamon and celebrated British rockers Royal Blood. The one-off event will raise money for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Tickets are now on sale for This Is Tomorrow as well as their This Is For The NHS event.

Click here to buy tickets.

Carrying over the derisive sentiment of her debut, Billy rails against limiting gender stereotypes and societal expectations on the new track: “Lift your boots, tilt your hat, I refuse to die looking like that” she barks, returning to the line “I don’t do heels” throughout the song, reiterating her revolt over any sort of pre-packaged plan society might have for her. On a more sombre note, ‘Heels’ expresses an acknowledgement of the precarious world we live in, and how the courage to keep on keeping on is the best thing we can have.

“Heels is about knowing who we are,” Billy Nomates told NME. “It’s about acknowledging strength under scrutiny and pressure. It’s also about how playtime feels over. Stuff’s serious. We don’t know how any of what’s happening ends yet. There are about 10 threats every day at any given time that feel big enough to stop you from doing anything. It’s digging for a warrior approach to keep going.” 

Maries’ five-track EP ‘Emergency Telephone’ – slated for release March 5th – further explores themes of alienation, communication breakdown and distaste for equivocation. The name, she says, came out of her newly developed curiosity in phone boxes, many of which are dotted around her current base on the Isle of Wight.

“I got obsessed with this idea that it’s this dying line, that they’re all going to go soon. It’s like the last saloon for them. I got a bit obsessed and fascinated. I’m also very lonely! I just liked the idea, they’ve got their own weird appeal and their own strange stories to tell,” she told The Quietus. “In retrospect it is my response to the last year. I don’t think I intended to do that, and I resent that I’ve done that in a way, but I think it’s almost necessary. I think a few of us are gonna have to purge this.”