The crowd at London's Roundhouse venue was treated to a truly unforgettable moment on June 19, when Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams welcomed Romy Madley Croft of The xx onto the stage for an electrifying rendition of Prefab Sprout's 'Wild Horses'.
The pairing of these two British music stalwarts brought a thrilling energy to the iconic North London venue, their distinctive voices blending in perfect harmony as they tackled the classic track. This surprise collaboration is just the latest instalment in a blossoming working relationship between Williams and Romy, who previously joined forces in 2023 for a reworked version of Paramore's song 'Liar', featured on the 'Re: This Is Why' remix album.
Williams' extensive global tour, currently in full swing, has already generated massive buzz, with her critically-acclaimed third solo studio album, 'Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party', continuing to rack up plaudits. The album's release last July saw it hailed as one of the top albums of the year by NME, and a 12-minute documentary detailing its creation dropped just last month – testament to Williams' creative vision.
As she embarks on her first comprehensive run of shows as a solo artist, Williams has been delighting fans with an ever-changing roster of guest stars. Previous shows have seen the likes of Jenny Lewis, Julien Baker, Jack Antonoff, Bethany Cosentino, and Jay Som join her on stage for unforgettable performances.
It's a testament to Prefab Sprout's enduring influence that their album 'Jordan: The Comeback' remains a touchstone for artists across different generations and genres. Williams' decision to include 'Wild Horses' in her setlist – and give it a modern makeover courtesy of Romy's involvement – highlights the lasting power of British music to inspire new interpretations and collaborations.