English Teacher: Last News

English Teacher have looked back on how life has changed for them since their Mercury Prize win, and shared that they would love to collaborate with Fontaines D.C.Read the interview below, or watch it in full via the video above.The Leeds band spoke to NME while at the BRIT Awards 2025 this weekend. They were nominated in the Best New Artist category alongside Ezra Collective, Myles Smith, Rachel Chinouriri and The Last Dinner Party – with the latter ultimately taking home the trophy.On the red carpet, the band looked back at how life has changed for them since they won the prestigious Mercury Prize award in 2024 – beating off competition from Beth Gibbons, CMAT, Charli XCX and more.“Life has changed in so many ways.

English Teacher and Richard Hawley teamed up to cover Joy Division‘s ‘Transmission’. Check it out below.The moment happened at the BBC 6 Music Festival in Manchester last night (March 28), midway through English Teacher’s set.Vocalist Lily Fontaine welcomed the fellow Yorkshire musician to the stage, saying he’s “a pillar of the Sheffield music scene, and he has the best jacket collection I’ve ever seen.”Fontaine then suggested they do a cover, to which Hawley quipped, “Yeah, we’ll do a cover.

English Teacher have added a second show at London’s Roundhouse to their list of 2025 headline shows. Find ticket details below.The first shows were announced in February, and is set to see the Leeds band embark on their biggest UK headline tour to date later this year.It includes stops in Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds throughout the latter half of November, before initially ending with a final stop at The Roundhouse in London on November 26.Now, due to the show in the capital selling out completely, Lily Fontaine and co.

English Teacher have announced their biggest UK headline tour yet for 2025. Find all the details below.The Leeds band, who are nominated for Best New Artist at this weekend’s BRITs, are due to hit the road again this November.They’ll take to the stage in Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester before playing a homecoming show at Leeds’ O2 Academy on November 22.

Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music – with digital listening accounting for nearly 85 per cent of the total figure.There has also been a steady growth in physical sales in recent times, and last year the market for vinyl records increased by 10.5 per cent. This is the equivalent of 6.7million sales and a revenue of £196million.

Myles Smith has been confirmed as the last artist to be named in BBC Sound Of 2025 countdown poll, coming in at Number Four.The singer-songwriter was first announced as part of the longlist for the BBC Sound Of 2025, which was shared late last year and contained names like Kneecap, Ezra Collective, Chappell Roan and English Teacher. The list was chosen by a panel of 180 music industry experts, who named the acts with “the best chance of mainstream success” in the next 12 months.English Teacher were the first to be announced in the list of the top five artists yesterday (January 6), with the rising Leeds four-piece kicking off the countdown and coming in at Number Five.The countdown for the remaining four artists on the BBC Sound Of 2025 list will continue across Radio 1 this week, before the winner is announced on Friday (January 10).Now, rising star Myles Smith has been confirmed as having come in fourth place and one of the year’s most promising talents.

English Teacher have kicked off the BBC Sound Of 2025 countdown poll, coming in at Number Five.The rising Leeds four-piece were among the artists confirmed for the longlist for the BBC Sound Of 2025 last November, and joined the list alongside Chappell Roan, Ezra Collective, Kneecap and more.Now, the countdown for the top five artists has begun, with Lily Fontaine and co. taking the Number Five position.They were voted in fifth place after a panel of 180 music industry experts chose them as one of the acts with “the best chance of mainstream success” in the next 12 months.

Mercury Prize winners. Check out the full list below.The coveted Sound Of list is the BBC’s annual rundown of rising artists that they believe are set for big things and have “the best chance of mainstream success” in the year ahead – with this year’s selections made by a panel of industry experts and artists that included Elton John, Dua Lipa, Jorja Smith, The Blessed Madonna and Sam Smith.Last year saw The Last Dinner Party crowned as winners, while the list has also championed the likes of FLO, Celeste, Stormzy, PinkPantheress, Adele, Lady Gaga, RAYE, The Weeknd, Blossoms, Sigrid, Billie Eilish, HAIM, 50 Cent and Lewis Capaldi over the years since it started back in 2003.Compiled from recommendations from “184 influential music experts, including artists, DJs, radio and TV producers, journalists, streaming experts and festival bookers”, the Sound Of 2025 list features a number of acts who have dominated 2024, and some who have been established long before that.Among them is pop pioneer Chappell Roan, whose acclaimed 2023 debut album ‘The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess‘ hit the Number One spot in the UK back in August and has enjoyed two Top 10 singles with ‘Hot To Go’ still riding high.

was recommended by MPs after a DCMS investigation back in Spring.The likes of Coldplay, Enter Shikari and Sam Fender have all adopted a levy of their own on huge tours to help save the grassroots, after 2023 proved to be “disastrous” and the worst year on record with 125 grassroots music venues shutting their doors – a rate of two per week. The Music Venue Trust argued that a tidal wave of closures threatens the fabric of the UK music scene thanks to the recent budget announcement, with the circuit and artists already suffering from “the complete collapse of touring“.After frustration grew about the inaction of the upper echelons of the live music industry – who continue to report record profits – now the CMS committee have penned a letter that “welcomes the government’s recognition of the need for a levy and statement that the government reserves the right to step in if an industry-led solution is not forthcoming in 2025” – but voices “concerns that these long-term reforms will not address the short-term, mutually reinforcing rate of closures and cost of touring”.As a result, there are now “calls for clarity on how long the industry has to take action before the government itself steps in”.

Gruff Rhys’ with ‘Sadness Sets Me Free’, and Skindred with their ‘Smile’ album, which peaked at Number Two on the UK album charts and saw them crowned the winner of best alternative act at the 2024 MOBO Awards.“Thanks to my mum and my dad – as a young black kid growing up, they constantly told me I could do anything and be anything,” L E M F R E C K said, accepting the award at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.“This one goes to my community in Newport. If I didn’t see Benji [Webbe of Skindred] doing it first, I’m telling you now, I would not be able to do this, so I’d like to thank him,” he added.

Fontaines D.C. have announced a huge show at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester for summer 2025, where they will be joined by Kneecap and English Teacher.The Irish band will headline the outdoor show on Friday August 15, 2025, with a total capacity of 26,000 fans. Tickets for the one-off event go on general sale at 9am on October 4 and you can get yours here.They will be joined on the massive line-up by Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap, who have recently been promoting their self-titled biopic, which has been longlisted for an Oscar, and been hailed by NME in a five-star review as “not only one of the standout films of 2024, but arguably one of the best music biopics of all time”.Manchester.We’re playing a big show in Wythenshawe Park next August.

English Teacher have performed a new song called ‘Billboards’ – check out the footage below.The Mercury Prize-winning band and former NME Cover stars have played the track four times this year, according to Setlist.FM. Its most recent outing was during a show in Montreal last Sunday (September 22).English Teacher were supporting IDLES on their current North American tour.

English Teacher have extended their 2024 UK tour, announcing another show in London. Find ticket details below.The rising Leeds band first shared details of their upcoming tour dates in April, confirming a five-date run, commencing with a headline show at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on November 12.From there, further dates included shows in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol.Now, having sold out the first night of the upcoming tour, Lily Fontaine and co have confirmed that they are adding a second London gig to the schedule.

English Teacher‘s debut album ‘This Could Be Texas‘ has re-entered the UK Top 40 following their Mercury Prize win.The Leeds four-piece recently snagged the prestigious music prize at the ceremony held earlier this month at Abbey Road Studios.They warded off competition from the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more with their debut album, ‘This Could Be Texas’.Now, UK record labels association the BPI has reported an increased demand for the record. The BPI (which also organises the Mercury Prize) claimed that ‘This Could Be Texas’ gained a 1,073 per cent increase in sales in the week after the ceremony – its best chart performance since it was released in April this year.Other albums by Mercury Prize nominees BERWYN, Corinne Bailey Rae and corto.alto also saw sales increases of over 100 per cent.NME spoke to the band shortly after their win, where they said they would “continue to be honest” about their struggles as a band.“It was never a conscious [choice] to be like ‘We’re going to be one of those bands that does that’,” frontwoman Lily Fontaine explained.

Franz Ferdinand have returned with their bold new single ‘Audacious’ and announced details of their long-awaited sixth album ‘The Human Fear’ along with UK and European tour dates. Check everything out below, along with our interview with frontman Alex Kapranos.Read More: Franz Ferdinand on their greatest hits and new line-upTheir first studio album since 2018’s acclaimed and dance-driven ‘Always Ascending’, ‘The Human Fear’ will arrive on January 10, 2025.

English Teacher have spoken to NME about their historic win at the 2024 Mercury Prize, sharing how still strive to use their platform to help fight for a fairer world for artists across the UK.The Leeds band and former NME Cover stars – comprised of vocalist Lily Fontaine, guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost, and bassist Nicholas Eden – got fans talking when they took home the victory last night (September 5) for their acclaimed debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ – beating off tough competition from the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.Theirs was the first Mercury Prize win by a non-London act since Edinburgh’s Young Fathers won in 2014.Speaking to NME at the Abbey Roads Studio ceremony, the band opened up about how they were not expecting such high praise for the album, as well as recalling what the victory meant to them.“The response to the album has been incredible, we did not expect it at all. We were actually very worried about it and expecting the opposite, so it’s been surreal,” explained Frost.

English Teacher have won the Mercury Prize 2024 for their acclaimed debut album ‘This Could Be Texas‘.The Leeds four-piece were among the favourites to win in tonight’s ceremony (September 5), behind Charli XCX with ‘Brat’. The Last Dinner Party were also considered to be one of the front-runners with their album, ‘Prelude To Ecstasy‘.The band members embraced Jamz Supernova, who handed them the award at the iconic Abbey Road studios in London.

English Teacher being announced as this year’s Mercury Prize winners.Comprised of vocalist Lily Fontaine, guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost, and bassist Nicholas Eden, the former NME cover stars‘ acclaimed debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ was shortlisted alongside records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.Today (September 5), the Leeds four-piece were announced as this year’s winners. While announcing their victory, guest presenter, 6 Music’s Jamz Supernova, said: “In the end, though, we did agree that ‘This Could Be Texas’ by English Teacher stands out for its originality and character.

English Teacher have cancelled the headline slots of their upcoming US tour due to “health reasons”.The indie band picked up their Mercury nod this summer (July 25), with the former NME cover stars‘ acclaimed debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ being shortlisted alongside records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.The band were due to head out to the US this month, kicking off in Texas in two weeks (September 11) and embarking on a 16 night tour that finished up in Los Angeles.They wrote on Twitter: “For health reasons we have decided to cancel the headline shows of our upcoming US tour. There is no need for concern,” the reassured fans, before adding: “but we ask that you forgive us for the disappointment this may cause.

English Teacher have announced a special one-off free hometown show to take place in Leeds tonight (July 31) to celebrate their Mercury Prize nomination.The show, which the band announced on social media, will take place at Brudenell Social Club in the city, in collaboration with Fender. Doors are at 7pm and the band have confirmed it will be first come, first served.The indie band picked up their Mercury nod last week (July 25), with the former NME cover stars‘ acclaimed debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ being shortlisted alongside records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.FREE ENTRY SHOW TOMORROW AT @Nath_Brudenell IN COLLAB WITH @Fender TO CELEBRATE THE BIG NEWS 7pm first come, first serve xxxxx pic.twitter.com/u48k7KomqE— English Teacher (@Englishteac_her) July 30, 2024Since receiving the news, the band have spoken to NME about what it means to be nominated, with frontwoman Lily Fontaine describing it as “mental”, and calling this year’s list of nominees “the best year yet.

English Teacher, HighSchool and more.Set to arrive on August 30, the new instalment marks the sixth edition of the series, and will spotlight single releases that best summarise the South London-based label’s output across 2022 and 2023.It features eight songs, and all of which are described as a snapshot in time for each of these artists as they were each recorded in a single day – as per the label’s studio rules.Dutch post-punks Lewsberg open the tracklist with their song ‘Six Hills’, and this is followed by a track called ‘Oblique Fantasy’ by Jane Weaver, ‘Your God Owes You Money’ by The Queen’s Head, and ‘Only A Dream’ by Australian goth-poppers HighSchool.The second side of the compilation includes a song from experimental rock pair O. – who released acclaimed debut album ‘WeirdOs’ earlier this year – psych-punks Hot Face, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tummyache, and newly-anointed Mercury Music Prize nominees and NME Cover stars English Teacher.“I’m excited to have this collection ready.