Catfish and the Bottlemen

Catfish and the Bottlemen formed in Llandudno, North Wales in 2007, though the band spent years touring relentlessly before their breakthrough. Van McCann, Ryan 'Ry' Taylor, Benji Blakeway, and Bob Hall developed a sound rooted in classic indie rock — big guitars, anthemic choruses, and lyrics about relationships and the touring life delivered with genuine conviction.

Their debut album 'The Balcony' (2014) was a breakthrough, reaching number ten in the UK and producing the singles 'Kathleen', '7', and 'Cocoon'. The album's straightforward, emotionally direct indie rock found a huge audience among younger listeners who had grown up after Britpop. 'The Ride' (2016) went to number one and confirmed them as one of the biggest indie bands in Britain.

'The Balance' (2019) continued their commercial success, debuting at number one. The band have been on an extended hiatus since, with McCann pursuing solo work, but they remain one of the defining indie rock acts of the 2010s. Their ability to fill arenas with straightforward, unironic guitar music was a reminder that the appetite for that kind of music never really went away. ⚠ Flag: post-2019 activity — verify current status and any releases since 'The Balance'.