The Backfires / The Illustrated / Recess Party

From the venue:

Event Description

Equally British and American, the Backfires are a rock band from both sides of the Atlantic. The band formed in 2018 when Alex Gomez (frontman) studied in London, meeting Harry Ruprecht (lead guitar) and Max Wanduragala (drums). Gomez's childhood friend Matt Walter (bass) joined the band in 2019 ahead of recording their debut EP. In January 2020, the band finished recording their EP, Consider the Backfires, in London. Two months later, the world went into lockdown and the band was separated due to border closures between the United States and the United Kingdom. The band released Consider the Backfires in 2021, and remotely-recorded and released follow-up single "Song 55" later in the year. At the end of 2021, the band finally reunited in London to record their 2022 singles "Blindsided" and "Reflections On My TV".

The Backfires relocated to New York City at the beginning of 2022 with Ruprecht and Wanduragala moving to America on artist visas. The band had their post-pandemic debut at the Mercury Lounge in New York City on February 23 where they performed for a sold out crowd. The band continued their success in New York with additional headline performances at the Knitting Factory on April 12 and Elsewhere Zone 1 on May 15. In May, following their success in New York, the Backfires supported UK-based The Mysterines in Boston and Washington DC. In July, the band went on an 11-date tour through the Southeast where they performed sold out shows in Atlanta and Charlotte, before returning to New York for a headline performance at the renowned Bowery Ballroom on August 5. In September, the band joined Nashville-based The Criticals on their Northeast dates in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. In November, the band supported UK-based Courteeners on their East Coast dates in Boston, Brooklyn, New York, and Philadelphia.

Recess Party is an up-and-coming college town favorite expanding the indie-rock scene of Athens, GA. The four-piece is composed of current and former UGA students and has been creating original music since July of 2022. With the recent release of their debut album "Paid in Full" and a relocation to the Atlanta area, the band truly thrives in a live setting and creates an original sound with a cross-genre, multigenerational feel. You'll hear tributes to bands such as Tool ("Happy Accidents"), Paramore ("Second Time"), and The Strokes ("Different Bodies/ Different Lights") in their music. Their songs could easily claim a spot on a playlist with Grouplove, Foster the People, or Young the Giant.