The behind-the-scenes video follows Skinner for approximately twelve minutes, taking viewers through the various stages of the song’s creation, from concept to its finished form. Released the same day of the new single’s debut, ‘the making of ‘how to win at rock paper scissors’’ features many locations, seeing the British musician penning lyrics whilst on a boat, at the pub, in his bedroom, at the studio, among other settings. 

The single itself replicates the traditional sound of The Streets, featuring Skinner’s signature spoken-word rap style over a steady tempo and piano jazz. The track also spotlights sonic contributions from Kevin Mark Trail, longtime vocalist for The Streets, singing the catchy refrain: “Winners will repeat themselves, losers want to change.” As the track’s title would suggest, the song is about the strategies behind winning the game, as opposed to any deep philosophical meaning. In Skinner’s own words, as said on the video: “If you win at Rock Paper Scissors, statistically you’re more likely to play the same again. And if you lose, statistically you won’t play that again, because statistically you’ve got to do something else. So, this is basically a way that you can – it’s like a rule.”

Neither a solo artist nor a band, The Streets are a musical project led by Birmingham-native Mike Skinner, making waves in the British music scene since the early 2000s. Blending genres within the alt space, such as UK garage, R&B, and electronic, The Streets rose to prominence following the release of their debut album ‘Original Pirate Material’ (2002), featuring hit singles ‘Don’t Mug Yourself’ and ‘Turn the Page’, earning Skinner both Mercury Prize and Brit Award nominations for the following year. Their most notable track ‘Fit But You Know It’ (2004) is often cited as The Streets’ crossover to the mainstream, solidifying them as one of the UK’s most well-known music acts. The track reached charted at #4 on the Official UK charts, with its accompanying album ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’ (2004) charting at #1, making it their most popular release to date. 

Listen to ‘How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors’ now. 

The Leicester group are set to play a string of dates throughout July which will commence tomorrow as they will play a huge homecoming show at Victoria park with support from bands that include Kaiser chiefs and Everything Everything. This will then be followed up by dates in Bournemouth and at Bristol’s O2 Academy. At the end of the month Kasabian will then be Headlining Latitude festival in Suffolk, which sees acts such as London Grammar, Keane, Duran Duran and Corinne Baily Rae taking the stage.

Mike Skinner’s The Streets will then join Kasabian for a UK arena tour in November with them beginning this run of huge shows in Skinner’s hometown, Birmingham before playing at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro then at the O2 Arena before finishing in Manchester at the Co-op Live. Tickets for the November tour will go on general sale on the 10th of July at 9:30am and you can buy tickets here. Pre-sale for the tour will begin at the same time on the 8th of July and fans can access the pre-sale by purchasing a copy of ‘Happening’ in any format before 3pm on Sunday (July 7) here.

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A post shared by Kasabian (@kasabianofficial)

The full list of Kasabian’s 2024 dates are as follows:

6 July– Leicester, Victoria Park
22 July – Bristol, O2 Academy
23 July – Bournemouth, O2 Academy
26 July– Latitude Festival

8 November– Birmingham, bp pulse LIVE
9 November– Glasgow, OVO Hydro
15 November– London, The O2
16 November– Manchester, Co-op Live

Speaking via Instagram on the release of their new album ‘Happenings’ the band said “We loved making this record it’s a relentless joy ride through dance floors, mosh pits and psychedelic function rooms. It was made with pure joy to be played live for the fans to lose their minds to. Thank you for the support so far we hope you enjoy the trip  ONWARDS x”.

This announcement follows both the Streets and Kasabian playing at Glastonbury festival last weekend. The Leicester indie band played a secret set on the Woodsies stage at Worthy farm early on Saturday evening. The 6pm slot was initially listed as TBA, but the group confirmed via their Instagram that they would be playing to the Glastonbury crowd with the Woddsies stage inevitably packing out to see them take the stage.

The Streets also played at Worthy farm on Saturday (June 29) night playing a smashing set on The Other stage. The Streets’ set saw Mike Skinner play an array of the Projects hits such as ‘Fit But You Know It’, ‘Has It Come To This’, ‘Don’t Mug Yourself’ and ‘Blinded By The Lights’. Skinner was full of energy throughout the performance, walking through the crowd and crowd surfing at points.

In terms of Weekend Tickets, the festival is now down to its final release, with its fifth and sixth release selling out within an eye-watering 24 hours. There has been an incredible demand this year, with over 25,000 festival-goers eager to escape to the fields this summer. Fans can also expect knock-out sets from Sugababes, Katy B, Declan McKenna, SHY FX, Sundara Karma, The Snuts and Pale Waves. Last year, Kendal was headlined by Kasabian, Royal Blood, Blossoms, and Nile Rodgers.

With over 10 stages and 120 performers to choose from, it’s not only the fans that appear to be excited, but the artists themselves. Nutini tweeted: “We are buzzing to be playing this years @KendalCalling in the Lake District.”

Andy Smith, Kendal Calling co-founder, wrote in a statement: “After the week we have had, bring on the summer! It is with much joy and excitement we share with you today the biggest Kendal Calling line-up to date. From the incredible Paolo Nutini closing the Sunday night and Keane, Sugababes, Paul Heaton & Rianne Downey and Katy B gracing our fields for the first time, joined by old friends Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds and The Streets closing the Friday and Saturday night respectively, we have the perfect ingredients for a fantastically celebratory weekend. But as ever the most important ingredient is YOU – and we can’t wait to see you in the fields x”

The weekend showcases a variety of regional, national and international musical talent, but also has an emerging, vibrant arts scene. For festival first-timers, the Kendal Calling team have compiled the ultimate festival survival guide, outlining all of the best food spots, art installations, secret gardens and attractions to hit in-between sets, including ‘Tim Peak’s Cafe’, ‘Lost Eden’, ‘Oktoberfest’ and ‘Parklands': “Whatever you do over KC weekend, whether you’re dashing from act to act, chilling out with a pint in the woods, or simply kicking back with a tin at camp – we know you’re going to have the most amazing time – nothing can beat the reunion of our festival family for the first time in three years! See you in the fields!”

Kendal Calling Festival will be held between August 1-4 2024. Tickets are on sale now and available here. All information regarding the event can be found at www.kendalcalling.co.uk. If you fancy a taste of some of the acts appearing this year, you can listen to Kendal Calling’s official 2024 Spotify playlist below:

THE DARKER THE SHADOW THE BRIGHTER THE LIGHT
The new album from The Streets, coming October 20th 2023. Pre-order on the official store now at https://t.co/nBsf7EFFA4 for first access to pre-sale tickets for October & November 2023 tour dates. pic.twitter.com/w3CAOuLlLj

— Mike Skinner (@mikeskinnerltd) July 12, 2023

Skinner also announced a UK tour that will support the release of both the film and the album. It is set to begin on October 26th in Nottingham and will conclude in London on November 16th and provides an ample opportunity for fans to see The Streets perform live.

Oct and Nov 2023 Tour
Pre-order the new album The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light on the official store before 5pm BST on Tues 18th July for first access to presale. https://t.co/nBsf7EFFA4
Presale begins Wed 19th July @ 9am BST. Tickets on general sale Fri 21 @ 9am BST pic.twitter.com/ituRj0VnKm

— Mike Skinner (@mikeskinnerltd) July 12, 2023

Talking about the upcoming album and film projects, Skinner has said, “It has been seven long years working on this film and album. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and after dipping my toe in with some shorts and music videos, I felt I was ready. I tried to go the traditional route for a bit, but it’s always served me better to follow my instincts and just get on with it myself, so I’ve directed it, acted in it, edited, sound mixed, funded, produced it all as well as written it.

He continued, “The album doesn’t exist without it. Ultimately it’s all the fruits of a decade on the DJ circuit, watching people in clubs and back rooms, testing out beats and basslines to see what connected – and putting it all together into The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light.”

Watch the music video for “Troubled Waters“, a single from the new album, below:

Formed as a musical project by Mike Skinner in 1994, The Streets have become a household name in the UK grime, garage and hiphop scene. The project’s seminal debut album, Original Pirate Material, was released in 2002 to widespread critical acclaim, reaching number 10 in the UK Albums Chart, and its successor, A Grand Don’t Come For Free (2004), enjoyed an even higher level of popularity, topping the UK Albums Chart in doing so.

Watch the music video for “Has It Come To This?“, a hit single from Original Pirate Material, below:

A further three albums, The Hardest Way To Make A Living (2006), Everything Is Borrowed (2008) and Computers And Blues (2011), have been released, meaning The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light will be The Street’s sixth studio album.

See below for tour dates:

26/10/2023 – Rock City – Nottingham
27/10 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
28/10 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
2/11 -O2 Academy – Glasgow
3/11 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
4/11 – O2 Academy – Leeds
9/11 – The Mountford Hall – Liverpool
10/11 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
13/11 – The Nick Rayns LCR – Norwich
14/11 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
16/11 – Alexandra Palace – London

Pre-order The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light here for exclusive first access to pre-sale tour tickets.

Absolutely gutted to say that we have to postpone our upcoming dates in Digbeth to January next year. One of The Streets camp has to isolate so that we can be ready to see you at the festivals. First festivals up are Tramlines and Made. pic.twitter.com/xU3zPEoucn

— Mike Skinner (@mikeskinnerltd) July 16, 2021

The Streets are an English rap music project, with Mike Skinner (Lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist), Kevin Mark Trail (Vocals, production and composer), Wayne Bennett (Bass and composing guitarist), Rob Harvey (Vocals and guitar) and Cassell the Beatmaker (Drums) making up the lineup

Skinner and his group members released their debut single “Has It Come To This“ in 2001 and their debut album Original Pirate Material in 2002. They achieved chart success with their second album A Grand Don’t Come For Free which reached number one in the UK Official Album Charts. The second single from the album “Dry Your Eyes” also reached the number one spot in the UK Official Singles Charts.

The last musical release was the single “Who’s Got The Bag” released on June 21st. Skinner described the single as a protest song in reference to the Covid 19 Lockdown.

The Streets will be playing at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl on September 25th continuing on from their summer performances and tickets for their extended 2022 UK Tour go on sale from September 24th.

See UK Tour dates for The Streets below and Tickets are available here

10/01/22 The Mill- Birmingham
11/01 The Mill- Birmingham
12/01 The Mill- Birmingham
13/01 The Mill- Birmingham
14/01 The Mill- Birmingham
21/01 O2 Academy- Birmingham
22/01 O2 Academy- Sheffield
24/01 O2 Academy- Bristol
25/01 Rock City- Nottingham
27/01 O2 Academy- Brixton
28/01 O2 Academy- Brixton
31/01 O2 Academy- Leeds
01/02 O2 Academy- Glasgow
03/02 O2 City Hall- Newcastle
04/02 O2 Victoria Warehouse- Manchester
05/02 University Mountford Hall- Liverpool
28/07-31/07 Lowther Deer Park- Hackthorpe

Following a string of single releases The Streets released the song in tandem with the announcement of an upcoming mixtape due to be released later this year, which will be the first Streets project in 9 years. 

Unexpectedly the new single is a collaboration with psychedelic Australian outfit Tame Impala. On a post on his Instagram Kevin Parker said “This is a pretty big honour and a dream come true.” This collaboration is one that was not foreseen by anyone and came as a welcome surprise to fans of both artists alike. 

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If you know me well you know that i fucking love The Streets. So this is a pretty big honour and a dream come true. And i know many others join me in being fairly happy he has returned. Full vid on youtube.

A post shared by Tame Impala (@tameimpala) on Apr 13, 2020 at 6:51pm PDT

The video was also released which featured some of the artists who will appear on the mixtape such as Greentea Peng, Ms Banks and Donae’o. It was shot in multiple locations such as a ski resort, Western Australia and London. Watch the video on YouTube below.

Fans of The Streets will be over the moon with the announcement of a new mixtape as they have been waiting on new material from Skinner for years, with his last full length project being 2011’s Computer and Blues which was met with a lukewarm response from critics. 

This is a backtrack on his own words as Skinner revealed in a 2011 interview that there would not be another Streets album. He said “I do not feel any sadness, I would feel frustrated if I had to make another one.”

In the meantime, Skinner has turned his attention to other projects such as releasing music under the moniker The Darker The Shadow, The Brighter The Light and has even tried his hand at acting.

Given the circumstances we collectively find ourselves in, the announcement of an upcoming mixtape will excite a lot of people and, during a time in which a lot of artists are postponing their releases, it’s good to see Skinner announcing releases during the lockdown. All we have to do now is do as The Streets once said; ‘Stay Positive’.

The latest announcement comes just days after the line-up for the Field Of Avalon and the Silver Hayes areas were revealed. Joining Hot Chip and Mike Skinner will be Eats Everything, and Seth Troxler.

Prepare to be transported to an ancient civilisation for a tribal celebration – @GlastoTheCommon‘s first #Glastonbury2019 line-up release is here! https://t.co/SQkXbFHHmZ pic.twitter.com/HDrozdikGT

— Glastonbury Festival (@GlastoFest) April 24, 2019

The announcement comes after Glastonbury announced this year’s headliners, which include Stormzy, The Killers, and The Cure. With Stormzy taking top billing on the Pyramid Stage on Friday night, while The Killers and The Cure will follow with respective performances on the Saturday and Sunday night of the festival. Among other notable names confirmed to be performing at this year’s festival are Miley Cyrus, George Ezra, Janet Jackson, Liam Gallagher, and Tame Impala.

Among the other names announced for this year’s The Common stage and joining the trio of stellar headliners, at the festival are 24HR Garage Girls ft Shosh, AAA Badboy, Aleighcia Scott, Anon, Arcadia Sound System: Sharman & Jubba, Aries, Ayito, Bahidora x Rum Shack Takeover: Rosa Pistol, Badsista, DJ Jigue & El Menor, Barbarella’s Bang Bang, Barely Legal, Barney Artist, Bellatrix, Boogaloo DEE, Burd, Bustawidemove b2b Cereal Pervert, Channel One Sound System, Chika, CW Jones, Daniel Haaksman, Deanna Rodger, and Deep Low Matty Co.

The following names have also been confirmed to be performing on The Common Stage, and joining Stormzy, The Killers, and The Cure, at this year’s festival, are DJ Churn, DJ Ellie Prohan, DJ Hybrid, DJ Hype, DJ Vadim, Duchess DJs, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Eats Everything, Emily Dust, Eris Drew, Euphonique, Fabio & Grooverider, Foreign Beggars, Gasper Nali, Grac Savage, Heidi, Hospitality Presents: Kings of the Rollers, London Elektricity, Danny Byrd Krakota & Grafix ft MCs Inja Carasell & Degs, Interrupt & Natty Cambell, Jakivan, Jaguar b2b Emeral bsb Alexis, Jake Savona ft Trinity, and Jam Scones.

Finally completing the line-up for The Common stage at this year’s Glastonbury is Jamie Jones, Jess P, Kanine, Kasra b2b Randall, Kings of the Rollers ft Inja, lowkey, Lyrix Organix Sub: System, Natty Speaks and Guests, Manami, Manudigital, Mike Skinner (DJ Set), Mollie Collins, Monika Kruse, Mrs Magoo, Ngaio, Original sin b2b Sub Zero, Patrick Topping, Pengshui, Red I, Richy Ahmed, Serial Killaz, Seth Troxler, Shay D, Sherelle, Subwork Takeover ft Dr Syntax Natty Speaks & Tenz, The Prototypes b2b TC, Thanks for Trying Podcast Live: Asim Chaudhry Chabuddy G & Special Guests, The Grime Violinist, The Last Skeptik, Truemendous, UK Beatbox Champs Special ft D Low x Reeps One x Ball-Zee, Uncommon, Records Takeover: Resist Jimbitch FRD & MC Twista, and Waze & Odyssey.

The reveal of The Common stage line-up comes after festival organiser Emily Eavis confirmed that Billie Eilish’s slot would be upgraded. Speaking, to BBC 2’s Jo Whiley, about the running order for this year’s festival, Eavis, said: “We haven’t announced what days people are going to be doing, but I can tell you that Miley is going into Kylie [Minogue], and Kylie is on Sunday afternoon. We’ve got a busy afternoon on Sunday. We’ve got Years & Years too, on the Pyramid that is.”

Continuing she said: “We’re releasing the line-ups slowly over the next couple of weeks. Be prepared for one stage at a time. We have so many acts here that it’s quite hard to do it in one go, really. We leak it out and like to give every stage their moment in the sun.”

The Birmingham-based, alternative hip hop, band lead by frontman, Mike Skinner, will kick start their 17-date tour in Birmingham, on the 17th of January 2019. The group was supposed to bring the tour to a close in London, on the 7th of February, but due to high demand extra dates have been added, which will now see the tour concluded on the 8th of February 2019.

Speaking to Q Magazine, earlier this month, about his collaboration with Chip and Grim, Skinner said: “I’ve got a track that will be out by the time this runs, I think, Called ‘Call Me In The Morning’ with Chip and Grim Sickers, which is really good.”

“I’m going to be releasing more music as and when I feel inspired in the lead-up to the film. And I’m planning a mixtape during 2019, as well as getting back into the swing of festivals. Then I’m going to make my film, release my album and after that we’re going to buy the West End off Andrew Lloyd Webber,” says Skinner, revealing details of a new mixtape that he is working on.

Ahead of their reunion shows, in April 2018, The Streets released new single ‘Boys Will Be Boys’, in March. The reunion shows marked the groups first performances in the UK since 2011, when they toured in support of their fifth album ‘Computers and Blues’.

The reunion tour saw the band play gigs in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester, where Skinner played a range of the bands greatest hits. Skinner, previously told NME that he would only reform The Streets if he needed the money, confirmed that the reunion tour was all about celebrating the music and not making money.

Speaking to Mr Porter, about the tour, Skinner said: “Well, I don’t need the cash, otherwise I’d have done all the festivals, and the offers we got were insane. There were a few things that Dizzee [Rascal] said when he did the big Red Bull gigs [referencing his 2016 Boy In Da Corner shows]. He said at one point, ‘I know this means a lot to you,’ and it felt like it was his way of saying, ‘But I’ve moved on.’ And I totally get that. I’m gonna celebrate the past.”

Continuing, he said: “I’ve missed tour buses very much. Which is the least of the reasons why I have decided to tour The Streets again. The other thing I’ve missed is trying to think up what I’m going to say in the gap between the songs. When you DJ they tell you that you don’t need a tour bus and you don’t need to think up things to say between the songs. But seriously, it’s been long enough.” Following the reunion shows, The Streets confirmed there would be another tour in January and February 2019, with dates in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Bournemouth.

The Streets UK Tour Dates 2019:

17/01/2019 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
18/01 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
19/01 – O2 Academy Birmingham
21/01 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
22/01 – O2 Academy – Leeds
24/01 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
25/01 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
26/01 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
28/01 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
29/01 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
31/01 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
02/02 – O2 Academy – Brixton
03/02 – O2 Academy – Brixton
05/02 – O2 Academy – Brixton
06/02 – O2 Academy – Brixton
07/02 – O2 Academy – Brixton

Mike Skinner and co. hadn’t taken to the stage since December 2011, but launched full-throttle into this return in Germany, before heading to several big dates on these shores, playing all the classics from their back catalogue, as well as debuting at least one new song. 2011 was also the last time the Birmingham outfit last released a full album, with Computers and Blues.

The group debuted new song ‘Boys Will Be Boys’, before finishing their set with a fan fan favourite combination of ‘Blinded By The Light,’ and ‘Fit But You Know It.’

“I know you are very nice, polite people,” Skinner told the crowd at the start of ‘Let’s Push Things Forward’, adding: “and the world has changed a lot, but I haven’t fucking changed.” You can see fan footage of the group’s return in Berlin below. You can also check out the full setlist from the show in Germany’s capital.

Skinner recently spoke to Mr Porter, to clear up any rumours that The Streets were reuniting simply for financial gain. “Well, I don’t need the cash, otherwise I’d have done all the festivals, and the offers we got were insane,” Skinner told Mr Porter.

THE MOMENT WHEN MIKE SKINNER RETURNS TO STAGE AFTER 7 YEARS

Turn the Page
Let’s Push Things Forward/ Urban Hero
Don’t Mug Yourself
Never Went to Church
Has It Come to This?
Everything Is Borrowed
It’s Too Late
Could Well Be In
Going Through Hell
Too Much Brandy
The Escapist
Heaven for the Weather
Dry Your Eyes

Encore:
Wave God/Open the Till
Boys Will Be Boys
Weak Become Heroes
Blinded by the Lights
Fit But You Know It

The Streets first rose to prominence in the early 2000’s, as part of the UK’s Garage movement, with the group signed to the same label as acts like the Artful Dodger. They released their immortal debut Original Pirate Material in 2002, garnering much acclaim from both fans and critics. The band broke through in emphatic style in 2004 with their sophomore effort A Grand Don’t Come For Free, which cemented their status as one of Britain’s most original acts, and also saw them top album and single charts alike.