Tales of Stockport, Scaffolding and Spag Bol.
Blossoms have had a remarkable few years. Since releasing their self-titled debut in 2016, the band has been relentlessly active, touring the world or creating new music with long-time friend and producer James Skelly of The Coral. Over nine years, the band has gone from strength to strength, releasing five albums: their self-titled debut (2016), Cool Like You (2018), Foolish Loving Spaces (2020), Ribbon Around the Bomb (2022), and most recently, Gary (2024). Throughout their journey, they’ve consistently evolved their sound.
Where It All Began- Formation
Blossoms consist of Tom Ogden, Charlie Salt, Joe Donovan, Joshua Dewhurst, and Myles Kellock. The band formed in Stockport in 2013, naming themselves after The Blossoms pub in the town. Unbeknownst to them, all members grew up within two miles of each other, attending the same secondary school, albeit at different times and were even all born in the same hospital, Stepping Hill Hospital.
Stockport isn’t just where they’re from; it’s an integral part of their identity. At every gig, Tom proudly introduces the band as “Blossoms from Stockport!”
Once all five had got together, they began rehearsing in Charlie Salt’s grandfather’s scaffolding yard, depicted on their debut album cover. The band played their first gig together in April 2013 at the Night and Day Cafe on Oldham Street in Manchester.
In January 2014, they released their first single, You Pulled a Gun on Me, with a self-produced video made on a £60 budget. By July 2014, they were opening for James at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl. Later that year, they quit their day jobs to focus on music full-time.
Their Kingdom Reigns- Blossoms 2016
Blossoms released several EPs before their big break in 2015 with Charlemagne, a 2-minute, 47-second indie pop gem that dominated the airwaves. This momentum led to their debut album, recorded in late 2015 and released on August 5, 2016. It debuted at number one, just a week after Viola Beach’s posthumous album achieved the same feat a bittersweet moment, as Viola Beach had supported Blossoms on tour before their tragic passing.
The album itself featured 7 singles, released in the build up to the record. Earliest single 'Blow' was released in August 2024, just after 'You Pulled a Gun On Me' and the last single 'Honey Sweet' was released in August '2016'.
This record contains some of the bands most well loved songs, many of which are still main stays in the bands setlist. It's a brilliant collection of songs, and doe not sound like a debut album at all. This at the time and still sounds like a band who knew what they were doing. You can hear the bands influences littered throughout, from ABBA to Arctic Monkeys but this still sounds like a Blossoms record. Well formulated intricately crafted indie pop songs.
The band toured extensively, quickly moving from small venues to academies. At this time it seemed as if the band were constantly playing live. Heading out on the road multiple times to support this record.
By 2017, they were playing to larger audiences and even met their heroes, like Noel Gallagher, who invited them to support his European tour in 2018. Which gave them ample oportunity to test out material for their second album.
There's A Reason Why- Cool Like You 2018
With Cool Like You, Blossoms embraced an 80s synth-pop sound. Every track could stand alone as a single, with anthems like I Can’t Stand It and There’s a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls) becoming setlist staples. Produced by James Skelly and Rich Turvey, the album peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart and topped the Official Vinyl Albums Chart.
This album is crammed full of singles, and sees the band really experiment. In interviews promoting the album, they described the sound of this album as the sound of “New Order covering Kylie Minogue”. There's a lot to take in, there's Hot Fuss era Killers on 'Unfaithful', Blondie on 'Lying Again' and the OMD feel of 'I Can't Stand It'. It was a bold new direction for Blossoms and it worked.
Many bands struggle with their second album. Blossoms didn't.
The band’s following UK tours sold out in minutes, with shows at iconic venues like Manchester’s O2 Apollo and Stockport Plaza. Blossoms also headlined their biggest hometown show yet at Edgeley Park in June 2019.
An all star Northern Line up led by Blossoms, play to 15,000 people. Including me and two of my mates. Who just so happen to be from Stockport. They ended the Cool Like You era with a massive party in there back garden. Complete with singing, dancing, a lot of beer. Amstel if I’m not mistaken, and the lighting of flares. They truly made there hometown proud that night, it was more than just a gig. It was a gathering of a town who often live in the shadow of a big city. But all eyes were on Stockport that night.
The band celebrated the two albums in typical Blossoms fashion. With dressed in multi coloured suits. Walking on stage o crooner Frankie Vaughan’s paean ‘Stockport’ (sample lyrics: ‘There’s simply nowhere finer/I wouldn’t budge from Stockport for all the tea in China’)
It was a real party atmosphere, with all of the hits from both records, a celebration of Manchester musical heritage. The end of the wistful ‘Between The Eyes’ is heralded by a snippet of New Order’s banging ‘Blue Monday’, while a familiar acoustic section sees Tom simply sing the first few words of Babybird’s ‘You’re Gorgeous’ and Oasis’s ‘Half The World Away’, before the 15,000 strong crowd pick up the vocal baton. The band also debuted a new cover. A funky brass augmented verison of one of the best songs of the 1980s David Bowie's 'Lets Dance'.
Edgeley Park was one of the bands milestone moments. Tom said to the NME before the gig “We always drove past here as kids and have been to football matches there growing up,”
“We always joked and said one day we should do a gig at Edgeley Park. Then the bigger we became, it became a reality. This is everything we’ve been building towards since the start of the band. This is our era-defining moment of the early years. We’re going into the third record, so this is signing off the first two albums with a huge party in your back garden.”
The gig and it's build up also became the subject of a 90 minute documentary entitled "Blossoms: Back to Stockport".
Which showed the band in the run up to the show, in soundchecks, rehearsals, suit fittings and of course playing those hits to the massive crowd.
We Run Around This Town For Days- Foolish Loving Spaces 2020
Blossoms continued to evolve with Foolish Loving Spaces, released in January 2020. Inspired by U2 and Talking Heads, the album showcased a richer sound, featuring gospel elements 'The Keeper' and anthemic energy 'If You Think This Is Real Life'. Blossoms demonstrated their ability to adapt, with each band member pushing their limits. Refining Tom's songwriting. This may be the bands best collection of songs to date.
Shattering the idea that Blossoms are just Northerners with guitars. The band master their craft and incoprorate new styles that had not been heard by Blossoms before. Disco with 'My Swimming Brain’ and Strokes-style electro-rock ‘Like Gravity’ are not just explored but mastered. It doesn't try and be something that it isn't though, this record doesn't feel avaunt garde or experimental for the sake of it. It's still a very fun record, that embraces big choruses, witty lyrics and danceable grooves.
The band planned to head out on tour to support the record. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These plans were halted. Despite this, the band still continued to operate, releasing a compliation of covers and re-workings of their own songs, recorded at home.
The album features an eclectic mix of covers, including Frank Ocean’s Lost and The Beatles’ 'Paperback Writer'. Blossoms reimagine The Coral's 'Dreaming of You' alongside James Skelly, team up with Miles Kane for a rendition of Tame Impala’s 'The Less I Know the Better', and join Liam Fray for a heartfelt cover of Courteeners' Please 'Don't'.
Alongside reworkings of their own songs across all three records. Including 'Charlemagne' and 'Oh No I Think I'm in Love'.
The isolation album was relased in May 2020 digitally before being released on CD/Vinyl in October 2020.
In April 2021 they made national headlines when they were announced as headlining a one-day "trial" festival at Sefton Park on 2 May that year. The festival was notable as the first major festival in the UK for 14 months with no social distancing or face masks, following the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
This show was the first sign of a return to normality in the UK. Organised by Melvin Benn, the boss of Reading & Leeds festival. It featured an all star Northern Indie lineup. Liverpudlian Zuzu opened the show and Wigan band The Lathums also seized their moment. Following on from this show the band would join Blossoms on their 2021 tour.
This was not only a signifcant moment for the band but for live music in Britain. It was the pilot for re-introducing normality, and Blossoms well and truly seized it.
It was a real celebration of the here and now but Blossoms also paid tribute to the musical heritage of Liverpool, with a cover of 'Paperback Writer' as well as a love letter to the other city 30 miles down the M62. With their tried and tested medley of Babybird’s ‘You’re Gorgeous’ into Oasis’ ‘Half The World Away’ along with a little of New Order‘s thumping ‘Blue Monday’ for good measure. Blossoms would release a full recording of the show as part of the deluxe editon of their fourth album.
The show at Sefton Park was a huge success and was a catalyst moment for live music returning later that year. It wouldn't be the only huge show that Blossoms would play in 2021.
With their own sell out tour, including a famous night at Manchester Arena.
It was a huge jump for the band but being in the room that night it didn't feel like it. Blossoms had played countless live shows by this point and they had an arsenal of anthems to perform in venues of this size.
After proudly announcing 'We’re Blossoms from Stockport’ the band rifled through classics old and new. Tracks from 'Foolish Loving Spaces' were met with a rapturous reception. 'The Keeper' and 'Falling for Someone' in particular led to huge sing alongs, and dancing.
Old favourites were still there to 'Honey Sweet', 'Blow' and 'My Favourite Room' all slotted in to the setlist perfectly. Although the show was 18 months later than fans expected it to be. The show was one of the bands best ever. Blossoms should be playing these venues all the time. It surprises me that they aren't. The band also played a new song 'Care For' at the Manchester Arena show. The first effort from their upcoming fourth album.
Following on from the arena show. Blossoms supported Manchester legends Courteeners at Old Trafford Cricket Down, alongside Johnny Marr and The Big Moon. It was not the first time that the band had supported Courteeners. Having supported them at their 2017 show at Old Trafford Cricket Ground and the 2015 show at Heaton Park.
Lets Have a Toast for the Sulking Boy- Ribbon Around the Bomb 2022.
Following on from the bands biggest year. They really stripped things back with album number four. It marked a more introrespetive phase for the band. Acoustic guitars, strings, and candid songwriting took center stage, revealing a vulnerable and reflective side.
It's an album that sees the band portray their thoughts, feelings and insecurities more than ever. ‘Visions’, which airs some of Ogden’s most candid and poetic lyricism to date as he longingly questions: “Was I complete at 23?”. Replete with swirling violin refrains and wistful acoustic strums, it show a vulnerable and reflective side we haven’t seen before, almost rewarding the listeners that have grown and matured with them.
'The Sulking Poet' see's the frontman look band to his younger days, with a Paul Simon jangle and very funny lyrics. “Thinking back to when I was a child / I was trying to become someone / I can still remember road signs / Let’s have a toast to the sulking boy.”
It still has moments of romance, especially in the cinematic love story 'Ode to NYC' which talks about a romantic trip to New York. This record was Blossom's biggest career leap, despite this, the Blossoms DNA is still littered throughout the record. A emotive and mature affair.
Blossoms also made the jump to headliners on this record headling both Y Not Festival in Derbyshire and Neighbourhood Weekender in Warrington.
Blossoms are now firmly one of the biggest guitar bands in Britain, they have been around for a number of years, and have played some of the biggest stages in the UK and abroad. With a collection of songs that rivals most other indie bands of this generation.
Also Known As- Gary 2024
In 2024 Blossoms released their first album away from Virgin EMI. Released on their own SK2 album 'Gary' is the sound of Blossoms at their best. Taking elements of everything they have done before, and combining it into a 30 minute collection of infectious indie pop bangers. It’s the perfect soundtrack to your very own dance floor
The albums title track is next ‘Gary’ was written about an 8ft Gorilla statue called Gary, it was stolen from a garden centre in Scotland in 2023. After being gripped by the story the band wrote the song. It has already taken the crown as the bands most infectious song with witty lyrics and a catchy guitar line. This one will be in the set for years. ‘Perfect Me’ the albums third and final single. A late edition to the record, written and recorded in a band jam session. With repeating synths, and a Joshua Dewhurst guitar solo. It reminds me a lot of Old School Blossoms.
On this record the band ripped up the rule book, collaborated more than ever before and created an album that is some of their finest work to date.
In support of this album, the band announced their biggest show to date. A huge show at Manchester's Wythenshawe Park in front of 35,000 fans.
Another all star northern lineup featuring legends 'Shed Seven' and indie royalty 'Inhaler' alongside one of the brightest indie sparks in 'The K's'. It was a celebration of British guitar music, but also of just how far Blossoms have come.
The show was an intricately crafted mix of old and new, featuring tracks from 'Gary' and classics from their previous four records. A 21 song setlist, that included 8 songs from the bands debut album.
It was a huge milestone moment for the band. I've said it previously that the band belong on this huge stages. This night at Wythenshawe Park proved that. It was a celebration of Blossoms and Stockport, by a band at their very best and most confident. Numerous people have said it was the bands best gig to date, and it would be hard to argue otherwise.
Following on from Wythenshawe Park. The band headed out on a sold out tour, of venues across the UK and Ireland.
Blossoms are one of the very best live bands in the UK right now. History tells us that we don't know what to expect next. One thing is for sure though. It will be something very unique and different to where we have been before.
The reason for the growth and staying power, is that the band are all still really good friends, which is not always the case within bands. Especially bands who are five albums in. Blossoms also are not ones to stand still, they are constantly evolving with bigger, bolder live shows, and they are never afraid to embrace new sounds and ideas. Of course they draw influence from the Mancunian giants on their doorstep, but the bands influences stretch much further than the grey skies off greater Manchester.
2024 was arguably Blossoms biggest year to date. With their fourth number one album, the biggest live show to date. Singles with constantly getting radio play, and the band still very much in the conversation for the Oasis support slots for the Heaton Park gigs. 'Gary' the single in particular has given the band a new banger, Tom commented on the song to the NME, “It’s amazing, like ‘Gary’ has already gone down just behind some of our biggest tunes after ‘Charlemagne’, ‘There’s A Reason Why’ and ‘Your Girlfriend’. I remember looking out at Wythenshawe, thinking, ‘Fucking hell, I was writing this a year ago, and now there’s 30,000 people chanting along’.”
There's a playful sense with the band now that has always been there, but it has really come to the forefront of the bands sound. The collaborations with Josh Lloyd from Jungle and CMAT brought a new outlook to songs. It's an exciting time to be a fan of the band.
Thank you for reading x
Jack