Yard Act: Last News

Yard Act have cancelled their scheduled performance in Newcastle tonight (March 1) due to illness.The band are currently out on a headline tour of the UK in support of their debut studio album, ‘The Overload’, which was released on January 21.In a statement posted on social media today, Yard Act frontman James Smith told fans that he’d been “battling a sickness bug since Sunday” after performing a homecoming show in Leeds the night before.As a result, the group have been forced to scrap their gig at Newcastle venue The Cluny this evening.“Was hunkered down in the hopes I would’ve shaken it by now, but I still can’t move an inch without running to the toilet. I’m gutted,” Smith explained.I hate canceling shows, I'm so sorry.

Yard Act and their support act Baba Ali covered LCD Soundsystem at a hometown show in Leeds this weekend (February 26) – see footage below.Yard Act are currently mid-way through huge run of UK tour dates on the back of debut album ‘The Overload’, which reached Number Two in the UK charts upon its release last week after a heated chart battle with Years & Years.On Saturday night, they played a hometown gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, and ended the show with a special cover.“We had to do something special for Leeds,” they told the crowd before tearing into a rendition of LCD Soundsystem’s early hit single ‘Daft Punk Is Playing At My House’.Check out footage of the performance below.Yard Act ending their set with a cover of LCD Soundsystem’s Daft Punk Is Playing At My House pic.twitter.com/b98iTNCS7m— tom skinner (@TomSkinner_) February 26, 2022Yard Act’s tour continues tomorrow (March 1) with a show at the Cluny in Newcastle, with dates running until the end of May. See the full list of dates below.MARCH 202201 – The Cluny, Newcastle02 – The Caves, Edinburgh03 – Mono, GlasgowAPRIL 202205 – Earth, LondonMAY 202211 – Trinity, Bristol18 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham19 – Zanzibar, Liverpool20 – Irish Centre, Leeds21 – Band on the Wall, Manchester22 – The Foundry, Sheffield27 – Arts Centre, NorwichReviewing the band’s London gig earlier this month, NME wrote: “Yard Act should rightly be congratulated on all their successes, and tonight is another one to add to the list.

Yard Act have issued a statement following reports that a woman was harassed in the crowd at one of their gigs this week.The Leeds band played their biggest headline show to date at London’s Village Underground on Thursday (February 17), and wrote on Twitter that they’d been alerted to a young female fan being treated inappropriately by an older man during the show.“To be clear, Yard Act shows are for everyone, and we absolutely need everyone to feel safe at our gigs,” the band wrote. “If you are a fan of our band, that means it’s your responsibility too. Work with us.

Independent Venue Week 2022 and why it’s more important than ever to shine a spotlight on these live music spaces.Between lockdowns, last-minute cancellations, high rents, Brexit uncertainty, and the  battle for meaningful government support, the last two years have seen the UK’s grassroots music scene endure unprecedented levels of instability. As the most recent wave of coronavirus starts to recede, it’s tempting to view 2022’s Independent Venue Week as something of a victory lap for those that have endured.“Now more than ever, it’s more and more important for small venues to be shouted about,” Julian Ive of Newcastle venue The Cluny told NME.

Primal Scream, Anne-Marie and Loyle Carner have been announced as the main headliners of Standon Calling 2022.The Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire festival will return this year from July 21-24, with Madness set to headline the opening night of the event on July 21.Standon Calling have today (February 2) confirmed their three other main headliners, while also announcing a host of new names for their 2022 line-up.Primal Scream, Anne-Marie and Loyle Carner will all headline, while the likes of Craig David Presents TS5, Sigrid, Sleaford Mods, Self Esteem, Sugababes, Annie Mac, John Grant, Yard Act, Kojey Radical, Example, Basement Jaxx (DJ), Grandmaster Flash, Ezra Furman, Kelly Lee Owens, Billy Nomates, Enny, Nadia Rose and Lynks will all perform.A post shared by Standon Calling (@standoncalling)“After the joy of bringing everyone together against the odds in 2021 we could not be more pleased to share this unbelievable line up for 2022,” Standon Calling Founder and Director Alex Trenchard said in a statement.“So many incredible artists are coming to Standon for the very first time, and with each year we get to enjoy this magical weekend with new and old friends from all around the UK! Standon Calling really is for everyone and this year we’re excited to bring you our most eclectic line-up to date!”Further line-up announcements are set to be made in due course. Weekend Camping and Thursday Day Tickets for Standon Calling 2022 are on sale now and available here.

Elton John spoke to his new favourite band Yard Act on his Rocket Hour radio show this week, telling the group he would “love to catch up” with them in person.John praised the rising Leeds outfit during an interview with NME last October, describing their musical style as “a different ballgame”. He added: “I can’t do it but I love it and I wonder how they do it.”Earlier this month, Yard Act frontman James Smith told NME that it was “mind-blowing” to receive an endorsement from the legendary artist.

Florence + The Machine have been announced as the next headliners of Øya Festival 2022.The Oslo, Norway festival will return this year from August 9-13, with Gorillaz, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Aurora also set to top the bill.Florence + The Machine have been joined on the Øya bill today (January 26) by Fontaines D.C., Parquet Courts and Porridge Radio.Those acts have all expanded the festival’s growing line-up, which already features the likes of AJ Tracey, Girl In Red, Pa Salieu, Michael Kiwanuka, Yard Act, Princess Nokia and Beabadoobee. The Øya bill is split 50/50 between male and female artists.A post shared by Øyafestivalen (@oyafestivalen)Weekend tickets for Øya Festival 2022 have sold out, but day tickets remain available from here.

Yard Act and Years & Years are in a close race for this week’s UK Number One album, with just 400 sales separating them.Last Friday (January 21) saw the rising Leeds band release their debut record ‘The Overload’ as Olly Alexander dropped Years & Years’ third studio effort ‘Night Call’. Both albums were awarded four stars by NME.As the Official Charts Company reports today (January 25), Yard Act are edging closer to securing their first Number One in the UK albums chart on Friday (January 28).Should the group achieve the victory, they would become the first act of 2022 to land at the top spot with their debut full-length.Fewer than 400 sales separate Yard Act and Years & Years in the chart battle as of today.

SXSW Festival has announced the first music acts for their 2022 event.The annual music, film and media event is aiming to return to action in-person next year in Austin, Texas after its 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.SXSW’s music festival is set to run in multiple venues in Austin from March 14-20, with over 240 artists being announced so far.The likes of Horsegirl, Yard Act, Poppy Ajudha, Priya Ragu, Ezra Furman, Wargasm, Walt Disco, Maxo Kream, Aeon Station, Duma and more are all set to perform at SXSW 2022.A post shared by SXSW (@sxsw)“Our first round of Showcasing Artists is a taste of what you can expect to see at SXSW 2022; a diverse line-up full of adventurous talent that’s ripe for discovery,”