Rick Astley brought the house down at Sheffield's Tramlines Festival yesterday (25 July) when he joined forces with Stockport indie band Blossoms on the Sarah Nulty Main Stage. The crowd went wild as they tore through a rip-roaring rendition of 'Joke About Divorce', the lead single from Blossoms' forthcoming sixth studio album, 'Songs From The Wedding Cake'. And it's no wonder - Astley isn't just lending his vocals to the track; he's also making waves in its music video and backing up Blossoms on stage.
This was just the latest chapter in a thrilling partnership between Rick Astley and Blossoms, which kicked off back in September 2021. They first blew minds with their acclaimed covers of The Smiths' classics at a London gig, racking up millions of views online and earning them two sold-out shows in London and Manchester. NME hailed the first show as "the best Smiths gig since December 12, 1986" - high praise indeed!
But the duo's collaborative spirit didn't stop there. In 2023, they stunned fans with a secret Smiths covers set at Glastonbury Festival, and Rick Astley was effusive in his praise for the project, shrugging off potential criticism by saying "I know it’s sacrilege... but I also just don’t care" - fair play to him!
Blossoms' electrifying setlist also included the live debut of 'Meet Me In Love', which boasts backing vocals from Declan McKenna and features Maya Jama and Callum Scott Howells in its music video. And that's not all: McKenna is set to feature on new album track 'Additional Driver'. The full album, produced by Shawn Lee, drops on 2 October via ODD SK / Distiller Records - mark your diaries!
Blossoms are about to embark on their most extensive UK tour yet, kicking off at Cardiff's Utilita Arena on 26 November. They'll be taking in major cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, with The Royston Club supporting them throughout the tour - don't miss out!