The Banquets continue their rise with a meteoric entrance onto the live music scene in 2019. The media hails them as “a modern-day Fleetwood Mac”. Fans love their rambunctious energy and unique blend of country, indie, and rock. The Banquets’ music is a simple mix of rock, blues, and pop music while maintaining the grand tradition of British rock. The band’s musical influences stretch far and wide and return to the early 20th-century blues scene. Their sound is laden with impact by the music that has flowed out of America over the last century. Like most British music, it reflects back that sound and rubs in some northern British magic.

The popularity of their music is growing in the UK and worldwide. In 2023, they released 4 new singles, all broadcast on BBC Introducing (York/North Yorkshire and Humberside), and the band’s music has been airing in Canada and Australia. Their most recent release, ‘Faithless,’ was picked up by one of Spotify’s algorithmic playlists, and their monthly listeners have grown significantly since then.

The band’s calendar is impressive. After a successful festival application, they will begin 2024 by performing on the Introducing Stage at the UK’s Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The Banquets performed at Leeds’ renowned Brudenell Social Club to kick off 2023. With the release of 4 new singles this year, they organised a 4-city tour in November (Whitby, York, Leeds, and Doncaster) to promote a November EP release. The Banquets have solid local recognition. This led to supporting The Style Council and The South (The Beautiful South) twice. Substantial grassroots venues like Northern Guitars and The Puzzle Hall keep asking them back. They recently performed on the main stage at Askern Music Festival and Leeds’ Unity Day Festival. When the band started as an acoustic trio, they also made the Introducing Stage at The Great British Folk Festival. They performed at Holmfirth’s Festival of Folk.

Songwriting comes from the powerhouse duo of Leon (guitar) and Gem (lead vox). Lyrical masterpieces depict personal experiences many relate to. Check out – “Faithless” (betrayal and revenge), “Red Sky Morning” (addiction), and “Two Little Acorns” (death of a parent). Quasi-political/societal anthems “What Ya Saying” and “Cold War” give listeners essential messages.