Sam Shjipstone: Last News

Yard Act have spoken to NME about what this year’s shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2022 says about guitar music – as well as plans for their next album and working with Elton John.The Yorkshire band were speaking to NME from the London launch event for the prize yesterday (Wednesday July 27), where their acclaimed debut album ‘The Overload‘ was named as one of the Albums Of The Year alongside albums by the likes of Sam Fender, Nova Twins, Harry Styles, Little Simz, Self Esteem and more.They were in attendance without frontman James Smith, “because of the trains,” said guitarist Sam Shjipstone, adding: “support the strikes.”Asked what the Mercury Prize shortlist says about music in 2022, Shjipstone replied: “There’s quite a lot of guitar music on it, which is quite weird. People are finally realising that the guitar is the greatest instrument ever made!”Bassist Ryan Needham added: “There’s quite a lot of rage and unrest lyrically across the whole thing, which is nice to see.

Yard Act made their US TV debut last night (March 24) with an electrifying performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – watch it below.The Leeds band played the title track from their acclaimed debut record ‘The Overload’, which hit Number Two in the UK albums chart upon its release in January.Appearing live in Fallon’s studio in New York City, Yard Act delivered an energetic take on the song as their circular black-and-white logo spun behind them. Later, a series of strobe lights flashed while guitarist Sam Shjipstone shredded towards a thrilling finale.You can watch the band’s appearance on Fallon here:Taking to Twitter after recording their first Fallon performance, Yard Act wrote: “What a rush to be a part of that. Didn’t dare look up to my left to see what [Fallon’s house band] @theroots were making of all our nonsense.