Released yesterday, April 20th 2026, the single first premiered on BBC Radio One during a Jack Saunder’s New Music show, unveiling the band’s latest sound since the ‘The Honeymoon’ on last year’s expanded edition of the 2024 album ‘Gary’.

The band, formed in Stockport in 2013, have a history of sound that explores the genre of indie pop, indie rock and synth pop that caught the attention of worldwide music fans. The new single, produced by Shaun Lee, with backing vocals from Rick Astley, takes a new turn with a controversial joke title. The sound of the single keeps the original Blossoms flair, blending the indie sound across other genres, but hints at a provocative turn for their storytelling talent.

The single came with the release of a cinematic music video that stars Callum Scott Howells alongside back up dancers, giving fans a visual layer to the story of the song. The music video comprises the storytelling aspect of the band’s sarcastic take on divorce comes with the way frontman, Tom Ogden, sees humour in the midst of conflict.

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He said: “During every argument, no matter how big or small, there’s always that moment where humour could completely disarm you both and diffuse the whole thing. On this occasion, I thought joking about divorce would do exactly that… I just got the timing completely wrong. Instead, it made things worse, and that moment ended up immortalised in a three-and-a-half-minute pop song.”

The band, completed by Charlie Salt, Josh Dewhurst, Joe Donovan and Myles Kellock have built a consisted reputation of leading the indie charts, particularly with the success of ‘Gary‘ in 2024 hitting number one album. The single ‘Gary’ also hit number one that year, leaving the sixth studio album to be an anticipated one, after the new single release.

In the days leading up to the release of ‘Joke About Divorce’ the band had been teasing on social media, using behind the scenes footage and minor clips of production to build up the excitement of the new material. This comes with the already anticipated headline slot at Neighbourhood Weekender 2026, that is already confirmed, making their place at the event one that feels like an opening move to a much bigger era for the band.

Tickets for the event are now available for purchase on the Neighbourhood Weekender website, which you can find here.

Tickets for the band’s appearance at Tramlines are also available on the Tramlines website, which you can find here.

The two bands will take to the Somerset stage on 26 June, just ahead of their appearances at Glastonbury that same weekend. They’re raising money for CALM, a suicide prevention charity which runs a free and anonymous helpline, open to everyone across the UK, from 5pm to midnight every day. CALM also provides helpful tools and resources on their website, available to all at any time.

With a capacity of just over 600, Komedia is a small venue, providing a more intimate setting for the gig ahead of their shows in Glastonbury, where the bands will be performing to crowds of tens of thousands. Both bands will be at Glastonbury on Friday 27 June, the day after their charity show.

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The bands share a close friendship. Recently, Blossoms supported Inhaler on their 2025 European tour, as well as opening for them for their homecoming gig at St. Anne’s Park in Dublin. In July, Inhaler will support Blossoms at their gig at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre. In an interview with NME, Inhaler frontman Elijah Hewson and bassist Robert Keating detailed what it was like to work with Blossoms, and listed the British band as a source of support.

He said: “We’re very close with the Blossoms lads. It’s funny, because when we were in school, we used to sneak off from class and go to the computer rooms. We’d be like ‘Have you heard this band from Manchester? They’re on Radio 1 and they use guitars.’ We just thought it was deadly.”

Keating added: “They showed us the ropes. It’s very much like a big brother situation now.”

Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden shares his respect for the Irish band in an interview with Hot Press, explaining how Noel Gallagher’s daughter Anaïs was the one to introduce them:

“Me and my wife Katie went to one of Anaïs’ birthdays in London. Rob and Eli were there, and we hung out and became friends. They carried on writing songs and got to a point where they were put on to support us in Dublin at the Olympia and in Belfast at Limelight.

“We’ve just remained friends since then. They’re like a gang of friends the same way we are, so we relate on a lot of things. You meet a lot of bands and maybe they’re not quite as tight as we are. You could see that Inhaler are actually friends and they’d hang out away from the music.

“I’ve got loads of respect for them, they’re a top band and top group of lads. They did some big shows for us, and we’re doing their big Dublin one, so I’m buzzing.”

Tickets to see Blossoms and Inhaler at Komedia go live this Friday, 6 June. You can get them here.

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The album is following the band’s latest release from September 2024 with more tracks. The band has already shared a song called ‘Mariah Carey Through Death Valley’ and have now shared their latest addition, a reflective song called ‘The Honeymoon’. ‘Gary’, released in September 2024, became Blossoms’ fourth Number 1 album, following their self-titled debut in 2016, ‘Foolish Loving Spaces’ in 2020, and ‘Ribbon Around The Bomb’.

The song lyrics build up a strong storyline of a husband overthinking his relationship after forgetting his anniversary to his wife. News of the single comes right after the band announced a full summer of touring with slots at Glastonbury and Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool. They are also set to play some huge outdoor shows with Inhaler, including headline gigs at Forest Live in Delamere Forest, TK Maxx Presents Derby Summer Sessions, and and TK Maxx Presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.

Speaking to NME last September, around the release of the record, Ogden, the band’s lead vocalist said: “Blossoms has really taken the live show to another level in the ‘Gary’ era. It does feel like we’ve really stepped it up again,. That’s important because I don’t want to drift off into the abyss like so many other bands do. This album is helping us stand out from the crowd a little bit.”

The band recently completed an Australian tour with Kasabian and next month will begin a European tour with Inhaler, which includes shows in Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Milan, Berlin, and Amsterdam, before they join Stereophonics on their run of stadium and outdoor shows.

Originating in 2014 as a scheme to provide direct financial support to independent acts, MEGS has allowed acts to use high-quality marketing and promotional compaigns abroad, in an attempt to attract new fans overseas, create bigger touring opportunities and generate revenue. These outcomes broaden the UK’s music export potential, giving UK artists access to global markets, fine-tuning the UK music industry with fresh talent to revitalise the British economy.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy spoke about the benefits of MEGS, stating: “The Music Export Growth Scheme has helped so many of our talented homegrown artists launch their careers internationally. As part of our Plan for Change, we are supporting our creative industries to reach their full potential including through this latest round of funding, which will help the next generation of artists to tour abroad, market themselves to new audiences and showcase the best of British culture and creativity to the world.”

British music is going global!

We’re thrilled to announce the 58 recipients of funding from Round 23 of the Music Export Growth Scheme! In partnership with @DCMS and @biztradegovuk

Can you see your favourite artist?

Read more about MEGS here: https://t.co/1lIJoSjMcBpic.twitter.com/T4mFoYP89w

— BPI (@bpi_music) March 8, 2025

Supporting thousands of musical acts across all genres since it’s ascension, MEGS has assisted in the creation of international careers of Jungle, Ezra Collective, Dave, beabadoobee and so many more.

Acts apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £50,000 to facilitate efforts to launch their career’s overseas.

The news of this year’s scheme not long follows its negative attention in the media after Irish hip-hop trio KNEECAP took the UK government to court, after their application for the grant in 2023 was declined early last year. The group won the legal battle, on the grounds of discrimination, which alerted to the dangers of the scheme being hyper-politicised as it became apparent the then-Conservative government opposed KNEECAP’s application based on their fervent pro-Ireland stance, highly provocative and politically-charged musical content.

The Irish band Kneecap have won a discrimination case against the UK government.

The trio launched legal action after the former business secretary Kemi Badenoch withdrew their arts grant.

Kneecap claimed this discriminated against them because of their political opinions. pic.twitter.com/QAh9ydNNcY

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) November 29, 2024

This year’s £1.6 million is the most the scheme has ever given away to its participants, this comes at a time where the government are focusing on their upcoming Industrial Strategy to promote growth in the UK’s creative industries. The sector reportedly employs more than 2.4 million people and is worth almost £125 billion to the UK economy.

When speaking on the UK Creative Industries Sector Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports and Small Businesses, said: “The UK has always led the way with its world-renowned musical acts, and this funding is vital to supporting smaller music companies to seize opportunities abroad. Not only will this help shine a spotlight on the best of British talent globally, but it will drive exports aboard, amplifying growth at home in the UK.”

This year’s eclectic mix of beneficiaries of the Music Growth Export Scheme include: Blossoms, Lambrini Girls, Matt Maltese, Nova Twins, Soft Play, Wunderhorse and more. You can find the full list here.

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Sam Fender’s headline slot is no surprise. With two Number 1 albums already under his belt, he’s set to release his highly anticipated third album, ‘People Watching’, in February. Fender’s summer tour doesn’t kick off until June, meaning fans at the Big Weekend will be among the first to hear the album’s new material.  

Blossoms are still riding high after their Number 1 album ‘Gary’, released last year, and Wet Leg, who headlined at 2023’s Big Weekend, make a return to the festival after three years of extensive touring.  

Lola Young knocked Gracie Abrams off the top of the UK Charts last week with her hit ‘Messy’, and featured on Tyler, The Creator’s October album, ‘CHROMAKOPIA’. Myles Smith played the  Music Introducing stage at last year’s Big Weekend, and called it a “dream come true” to return to the festival. Smith was also shortlisted for the BBC Introducing Sound of 2025 Award, eventually coming 4th.

This year’s Big Weekend marks the event’s first return to the North West since 2007, when it was held in Preston. Liverpool’s iconic Sefton Park will play host this year, as part of a busy first half of the year which will also see the park hosting a candlelight concert and a DJ set from Danny Rampling.  

The format has changed over its two-decade-long history, with stages coming and going, but if the previous years are to be repeated, then fans will be treated to four different stages. With the Main Stage, Future Sounds, Dance Stage, and BBC Introducing, there will be plenty of acts to see for fans of all genres.

Quality lineup so far guys

— John Hamilton (@stigcocard) January 28, 2025

BBC Radio 1’s Head of Station, Aled Haydn Jones, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 to Liverpool. Liverpool’s vibrant music scene and rich history make it the perfect setting for this iconic event. It’s set to be an unmissable weekend.” 

Taking place over 23-25 May, the festival lines up with the final day of the Premier League season. With Liverpool Football Club on track to lift the trophy, the city could become euphoric, making the weekend even more special for those lucky enough to attend. 

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Tickets for the Big Weekend used to be free, but this changed in recent years, with 2024’s tickets costing £34 all in. They are released in batches and will prioritise local residents first. This approach has led to the BBC saying the event brings superstars to your doorstep, and it’s hard to argue with them when they have Sabrina Carpenter performing in Luton, and The Jonas Brothers in Dundee. 

The Big Weekend kicks off the UK’s festival season and is followed by the likes of Download Festival and Glastonbury in the following month. The first phase of tickets can be expected to be released toward the end of March and anybody wanting to snag a ticket should keep an eye out for any announcements.

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The album’s surprising mix of covers reflects the band’s wide array of influences and the members’ personal musical tastes. It includes a dreamy rendition of Mario’s R&B hit ‘Let Me Love You’, which features soft guitars and delicate harmonies that give the track a gentle and romantic vibe. The Real Thing’s classic ‘You Are Everything To Me’ is beautifully stripped back and transformed into a heartfelt little indie ballad, emphasising its emotional core. Blossoms even tackle pop legend Lady Gaga’s club classic ‘Telephone’, offering a gentle, soulful reimagining that underscores the band’s ability to find emotional depth in unexpected places. Each cover remains recognisable but is infused with the band’s indie spin, making the songs feel fresh, deeply intimate, and uniquely their own. 

The cover album serves as a companion piece to Blossoms’ original album Gary, which was released earlier this September and reached number one on the Official Album Charts. This album blends their signature indie-pop sound with an energetic, synth-driven approaches, delivering tracks that are both polished and infectious. The title track, ‘Gary’, is a standout example of their knack for crafting memorable melodies, while ‘Nightclub’ brings an upbeat rhythm and vibrant energy to the album. Meanwhile, ‘Why Do I Give You The Worst Of Me’ is rich with emotional depth, exploring themes of self-sabotage, vulnerability, and the struggle to maintain a healthy relationship, all set against a backdrop of dynamic and high-energy instrumentation. The original Gary album not only showcases the band’s evolution but also maintains the charm and charisma that have made Blossoms a household name in the indie music scene.

In support of both albums, the band wrapped up their 2024 tour in November, performing a mix of well-known tracks alongside new songs from Gary. Blossoms have long been praised for their engaging live shows, with fans highlighting the vibrant atmosphere and personal connection the band creates during their performances. Their ability to make every gig feel special has cemented their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts on the indie circuit. 

With Gary’s Covers, Blossoms have crafted a love letter to the music that inspires them while continuing to showcase their own artistry. The album’s carefully curated tracklist offers something for everyone, whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to their work. By taking listeners on a journey through different styles and decades, the album unites the band’s minimalist approach with their commitment to creating an intimate listening experience. Each track has been thoughtfully crafted to focus on melodies and lyrics, allowing the raw beauty of the original songs to shine through. This cover album stands as yet another example of Blossoms’ ability to delight and connect with fans in new and surprising ways. 

The indie-rock band from Stockport were up against some tough opposition to gain the number one spot, including many former number 1s – Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet and Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Despite this, Gary pulled it out of the bag gifting Blossoms with the top spot, with 86% of the final total coming from the sale of physical copies.

A word from the big gorilla himself @BlossomsBand pull off their fourth Number 1 album with Gary!

Full story: https://t.co/uC0NLzDOgg pic.twitter.com/prki6suRPc

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) September 27, 2024

Gary also soared to number one on both of this week’s Official Vinyl Albums Chart and the Official Record Store Chart.
The album, which sees Blossoms channel their own form of The Beatles’ Help! album cover on Gary’s artwork, proves their ability to be sonically playful whilst still remaining consistent in their discography.  

Blossoms are riding the wave of their success, having five stand-out albums (four of which being number one albums) and a recent sold-out show at Wythenshawe Park, their biggest show to date with 30,000 attendees, under their belt. Gary, the album named after a true story of an 8-foot fibreglass Gorilla being stolen from Reynard Garden in Carluke, Scotland last year, sees Blossoms occupy a sonic space which allows them to authentically discuss themes of fame and friendship.

In discussion with NME, Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden insisted Gary took a fresh spin on some Blossoms’ classics, stating “the last thing we want to do is mimic what we’ve done before”. The ‘Charlemagne’ singer continued: “It does feel like we’ve really stepped it up again… That’s important because I don’t want to drift off into the abyss like so many other bands do. This album is helping us to stand out from the crowd a little bit”.

As a band determined to remain relevant and improve their artistry, Blossoms’ Gary sharply reflects five good friends having fun and making music. Gary continues to be playful, like much of Blossoms’ discography, as Ogden suggested the creation of Gary felt like an “amalgamation of everything we’ve done previously”.

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The continued success of Gary raises anticipation for Blossoms forthcoming UK tour, which features many sold out shows and five residency shows in Manchester this autumn and winter.

Gary Tracklist:

Big Star

What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?

Gary

I Like Your Look

Nightclub

Perfect Me

Mothers

Cinnamon

Slow Down

Why do I Give You The Worst Of Me?

According to one audience member, “Blossoms weren’t on yet. There’s a film on promoting their new album and they cut that short, and someone came on and said, ‘Due to circumstances out of our control our alarms have gone off and we will have to evacuate the building’”.

The band used Twitter in order to gather the audience back for their performance, tweeting “Sorry about the fire alarm that went off at Stockport Plaza. All sorted now. False alarm. The venue’s letting everyone back in now so we’ll see you on stage very shortly.”

Sorry about the fire alarm that went off at @StockportPlaza1. All sorted now. False alarm. The venue’s letting everyone back in now so we’ll see you on stage very shortly x

— B L O S S O M S (@BlossomsBand) May 3, 2022

On the bright side, a faulty alarm didn’t stop audiences from enjoying the band’s full set-list, which can be seen down below.

Fans can also see Blossoms playing some future dates, such as supporting The Killers this summer or George Ezra at Finsbury Park. This evening they’re due at London’s O2 Academy Islington. Gigs at Glastonbury, Neighbourhood Weekender and Y Not Festival are also upcoming, so make sure you keep up to date with that. Their full tour dates can be seen below, with tickets available here.

Blossoms Full Set-list at Stockport Plaza May 3^rd 2022

“The Writer’s Theme”
“Ode To NYC”
“Ribbon Around The Bomb”
“The Sulking Poet”
“Born Wild”
“The Writer”
“Everything About You”
“Care For”
“Cinerama Holy Days”
“Edith Machinist”
“Visions”
“The Last Chapter”
“Your Girlfriend”
“If You Think This Is Real Life”
“Oh No (I Think I’m in Love)”
“Honey Sweet”
“There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)”
“Charlemagne”

Blossoms UK Tour Dates

04/05 – O2 Academy Islington – London
05/05 – PRYZM Kingston – Kingston Upon Thames
05/05 – PRYZM Kingston – Kingston Upon Thames
24/05 – Eco-Power Stadium – Doncaster
29/05 – Victoria Park – Warrington
30/05 – St Mary’s Stadium – Southampton
06/06 – The Falkirk Stadium – Falkirk
09/06 – Carrow Road Stadium – Norwich
11/06 – Emirates Old Trafford – Manchester City Centre
18/06 – Isle of Wight Festival – Newport
22/06 – Glastonbury Festival – Pilton
24/06 – Glastonbury – Shepton Mallet
17/07 – Finsbury Park – London
21/07 – Truck Festival – Steventon
29/07 – Y Not Festival – Matlock

The video comes from a movie accompanying the band’s new album. The film shares the same name as the LP and was directed by Edwin Burdis (known for his work with Arctic Monkeys). The movie premieres tomorrow at Stockport Plaza Theatre, with a special live performance from the group playing the whole album.

The band’s frontman, Tom Ogden, had some words to say about the making of the movie. “We created a script for this film so that we could rip it up…It was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Blossoms and such diversely talented practitioners and performers on this project. The Stockport Plaza was a joy to work in and it very much became an unexpected central character of the piece. Whilst a lot of time and care went into crafting the script, the cast and crew had full permission to improvise, which really allowed creativity to flow.”

Ribbon Around the Bomb is the band’s fourth studio LP and follows on from 2020’s Foolish Loving Spaces (which reached no 1 on the UK Albums Chart alongside their 2016 debut). Ribbon Around the Bomb received its own share of positive reviews, with NME’s four-star review saying “It’s a coming-of-age moment for the band, and there’s no question Blossoms have levelled up with this release, sealing their status as giants of the game with more earnest and open songwriting.”

‘Ribbon Around The Bomb’ – our brand new album is out now! Listen to the album now + limited signed album bundles available including CD, deluxe double CD featuring ‘Live At Sefton Park’, coloured double vinyl featuring the ‘Piano Versions’ & cassette https://t.co/5QEBptKj0z pic.twitter.com/XLuyZzDri4

— B L O S S O M S (@BlossomsBand) April 30, 2022

The band also has some live dates coming up this summer, at times working with The Killers. They’ll be visiting the likes of London, Doncaster and Kingston Upon Thames, so if you fancy getting tickets then you can look here. Their dates can be seen down below.

Blossoms UK Tour Dates

03/05/2022 – The Plaza Stockport – Stockport
04/05 – O2 Academy Islington – London
05/05 – PRYZM Kingston – Kingston Upon Thames
05/05 – PRYZM Kingston – Kingston Upon Thames
24/05 – Eco-Power Stadium – Doncaster
29/05 – Victoria Park – Warrington
30/05 – St Mary’s Stadium – Southampton
06/06 – The Falkirk Stadium – Falkirk
09/06 – Carrow Road Stadium – Norwich
11/06 – Emirates Old Trafford – Manchester City Centre
18/06 – Isle of Wight Festival – Newport
22/06 – Glastonbury Festival – Pilton
24/06 – Glastonbury – Shepton Mallet
17/07 – Finsbury Park – London
21/07 – Truck Festival – Steventon
29/07 – Y Not Festival – Matlock

New single. The Sulking Poet. 24.03.22. pic.twitter.com/8PKjot7xH2

— B L O S S O M S (@BlossomsBand) March 23, 2022

Speaking about The Sulking Poet, the frontman said: “I once saw a Blossoms fan page describe me as ‘The Sulking Poet’ and I thought that was a great name for a song. I have been told that I need to smile more from time to time. This song touches on the imposter syndrome I’ve sometimes felt in the past. How did I get here? Do I deserve it? Should I be enjoying myself more?”

The track is also accompanied by a video directed by Edwin Burdis, who worked alongside the Arctic Monkeys on their latest album Tranquillity Base Hotel and the highly acclaimed AM. In the video we can see a woman dancing on a stage wearing roller-skates continuously changing her costume from a basketball kit to a clown and then to a pink dress. Later the video incorporates shots of the band playing in the sound pit, using unusual angles and effects and ending with the girl backstage after the performance.

The latest release will feature on their forthcoming album Ribbon Around The Bomb and follows on from previous singles “Ode To NYC”, “Care For” and the title track all of which will also be included in the new album. Speaking previously about the upcoming album, Ogden explained that the album revolves around a central character called “The Writer”. “The more songs I wrote, the more I realised that the writer referenced in the songs was in fact me, having been so busy for the past eight years I and the band have never really had the chance to step back and reflect on what we’ve achieved. You’re so focused on the future; write the next album then tour. Your life is usually mapped out at least two years in advance.”

Blossoms will play a number of live shows across the UK this summer, including headline appearances at Y Not and Truck Festival, as well as support dates with The Killers, giving them a prime opportunity to showcase their latest record. Ribbon Around The Bomb will be produced by their consistent and renowned collaborators James Skelly and Rich Turvey and is set for release on April 29. Fans can pre-order/pre-save the band’s fourth studio album here.