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The Banquets performed at Leed’s renowned Brudenell Social Club to kick off 2023. With six scheduled new single releases every six weeks in 2023, the year will be busy. It will culminate in a 4-city tour in November (Whitby, York, Leeds, and Doncaster) to promote a December EP release. In 2019, The Banquets burst onto the music scene. Fans adore their boisterous energy and distinctive fusion of rock, indie, and country music. They are hailed by the media as “a modern-day Fleetwood Mac.” Leon, on guitar, and Gem, on lead vocals, are a songwriting powerhouse. Lyric masterworks portray human experiences that everyone can identify with. Check out “Mary Mary” (sexuality), “Red Sky Morning” (addiction), and “Two Little Acorns” (death of a parent). The quasi-political songs “What Ya Saying” and “Restless” convey significant messages to listeners. A BBC Introducing segment highlighted the band’s upcoming release ‘COLD WAR’, demonstrating that this is a band that is on the rise!
Songwriting comes from the powerhouse duo of Leon (guitar) and Gem (lead vox). Lyrical masterpieces depict personal experiences many relate to.
Check out – “Mary Mary” (sexuality), “Red Sky Morning” (addiction) and “Two Little Acorns” (death of a parent). Quasi-political/societal anthems “What Ya Saying” and “Restless” give listeners important messages.
The Banquets’ music is a simple mix of rock, blues, and pop music, whilst maintaining the great tradition of British rock.
At the front of the shop is the enigmatic and exceptional singer/ songwriter Gem. Gem is the driving force and energy in the group, writing most of the band’s lyrics and making sure the boys deliver exactly what she dreams. She comes from a very musical background, with her dad filling their house with rock & roll throughout her childhood, and with many members of her family being involved in the local music scene in Cleethorpes.
Gem is the driving force and energy in the group, writing most of the band’s lyrics and making sure the boys deliver exactly what she dreams.
Leon is the band’s guitarist. He taught himself how to play the guitar from an early age, and hasn’t looked back since. He is the creative force behind the band, and provides simple and catchy tunes for Gem to lay melodies and lyrics over, whilst writing some of the lyrics himself. Coming from working class roots and having no musical education or musical inspiration in his family, Leon really does epitomise raw talent.
Coming from working class roots and having no musical education or musical inspiration in his family, Leon really does epitomise raw talent.
On percussion is Sir Francis Watson. Fran is a pure music man. Both of his parents were professional musicians, and his sister is a singer in a four-piece acapella group. He has been to Music College both in Birmingham and Leeds, and has been in many bands over the years. Fran is more than just percussion though: he can play a plethora of instruments, and in the band, offers both backing singing, arrangement and fine details to the music.
Fran is more than just percussion though: he can play a plethora of instruments, and in the band, offers both backing singing, arrangement and fine details to the music.
Jonny Lyons, born and raised in sunny Bradford, is new to the band. But with his Yorkshire charm and northern sense of humour, he fits right in. Jonny’s played bass for over 20 years now. He’s played in a range of bands and has toured all over the UK and Europe. He’s recorded EP’s and albums that have had worldwide airplay – in the UK, US, Asia and Australia. His main influences are John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, Flea and Sonny T. The Banquets are very happy to have found him!!
WITH HIS YORKSHIRE CHARM AND NORTHERN SENSE OF HUMOUR, HE FITS RIGHT IN. JONNY’S PLAYED BASS FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW. HE’S PLAYED IN A RANGE OF BANDS AND HAS TOURED ALL OVER THE UK AND EUROPE.