The Banquets will kick off 2024 by performing on the Introducing Stage at the UK’s Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool. The popularity of the band’s 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. They started 2023 by playing at Leeds’ renowned Brudenell Social Club. They ended the year in a 4-city tour (Whitby, York, Leeds, and Doncaster) to promote a November EP release.
Fans adore The Banquets’ 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 “Faithless” (betrayal), “Red Sky Morning” (addiction), and “Two Little Acorns” (death of a parent). The quasi-political songs “What Ya Saying” and “Cold War” convey significant messages to listeners.
This is a band on the rise!
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.