"that night it was over, / thank god it was over, / because i read the news today, / but i was tryna be different / with brilliant indifference..."
The exuberance / invincibility of youth and free falling fury of "The News", by Bolton, England's teenage indie rockers Florentenes, feels potently punchy, artfully fun, and wildly British. For an old dog like me, they look like kids and I admit I likely have rock t-shirts / albums that are older than their combined ages but I appreciate, absolutely love the wide range of sounds that they are putting out within this one song. It has moments of alt rock / indie rock, artful raucous lead vocals by William Smith and unabashed kinds of blistering rock break downs that make me think of UK bands like The Kairos, Fontaines D.C., Shame, while offering some tender moments too which makes me think more of UK artists like Yowl or Wunderhorse or thereabouts.
More than dissecting genres or genre bending, my first impression of Florentenes is a band with an amazing amount of artful energy, raw passion, true potent musicality and they can literally spin off any whatever creative direction they want to. I feel like the sky is the limit for frontman and songwriter William Smith, Luke Holding (guitar), Harry Stubbs (bass), and Liam Fiddy (drums).
LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed):
[Frontman William Smith explains: “The News is me flipping through all the noise, headlines, opinions, expectations, and trying to find a bit of truth in it. It’s cynical and affectionate at the same time. It ends with this realization that I don’t need to compete with anyone, I just need to make something that feels true to me.”
The band’s first release from their final EP trilogy before entering debut album mode; ‘The News’ fuses dark sinister riffs with bursts of warmth and introspection before exploding into a raw, self-aware rant about the state of modern rock. It’s sharp and fearless, with a relatable sound of a young band exploring their artistry.
Currently on a co-headline tour alongside Villanelle fronted by Gene Gallagher, as part of the PUNCHBAG UNI Tour, Florentenes are part of a new wave of emerging guitar bands reigniting the UK’s grassroots circuit. The tour itself is a celebration of youth, authenticity, and the return of live guitar culture to universities, a mission the band fully embody. As William puts it: “Taking this Uni Tour on the road feels like a real statement, it shows that live music is alive and kicking on campus. Universities have always been a breeding ground for new sounds and new energy, and we’re proud to be part of that tradition. For us, it’s not just about playing gigs; it’s about reminding people that bands are back and live music is worth supporting.”]
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://www.instagram.com/florentenes/?hl=en
https://linktr.ee/punchbag___?
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/florentenes/?hl=en
https://linktr.ee/punchbag___?
https://www.tiktok.com/@florentenes
Florentenes are in a rush.
With youth on their side and short, sharp shocks of songs that could soundtrack a generation, the Bolton-based four-piece match the eloquent urgency of early Arctic Monkeys with the guitar rush of The Strokes and the classic rock power of The Who. They have the songs, the attitude, and that indefinable extra that has seen them pack out venues and forge a tight bond with an ever-growing audience.
Forged in the North and steeped in its storytelling tradition, Florentenes are a band who are part of a new wave of creativity rising from the grassroots. With frontman and songwriter William Smith, Luke Holding (guitar), Harry Stubbs (bass), and Liam Fiddy (drums), the band’s chemistry is palpable, four schoolmates turned sonic force, mixing jagged riffs, melodic basslines, and hooks that stay lodged in your head for days.
Their recent work with legendary producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Jamie Webster, The Who) captures their live spark and intent, raw, real, and free of gimmicks. As Eringa put it: “This is the band the UK music industry has been waiting for, insanely talented, insanely young, and cool as! No clicks, no autotune, no nonsense, just massive songs recorded live and allowed to breathe like the records of old, but sounding like the records of tomorrow.”
Following recent supports with Razorlight, Jamie Webster, The Royston Club, and Sundara Karma, the band have a packed year of live shows ahead including slots with Red Rum Club, The Rolling People and The Wombats before the end of the year, setting their sights firmly on making 2026 their breakthrough year, as they prepare to release their first full body of work.
Florentenes somehow make guitars feel urgent again, a new generation of northern voices with something to say, something to prove, and the songs to back it up.
LIVE TIMELINE
05/10/25 — University of the Arts London @ The Social
07/10/25 — University of Cardiff @ Clwb Ifor Bach
09/10/25 — Brixton Electric (supporting Red Rum Club)
12/10/25 — University of Oxford @ The Jericho Tavern
17/10/25 – University Of Manchester @ Night & Day
20/10/25 — University of York @ The Fulford Arms
25/10/25 — University of Glasgow @ Queen Margaret Union
02/12/25 — Edinburgh Corn Exchange (supporting The Wombats)
03/12/25 — Aberdeen Music Hall (supporting The Wombats)
04/12/25 — Grimsby Docks Academy (supporting The Rolling People)
05/12/25 — Stockton KU (supporting The Rolling People)
06/12/25 — Sheffield Hallamshire Hall (supporting The Rolling People)
08/12/25 — Glasgow King Tut’s (supporting The Rolling People)
10/12/25 — Brighton Green Door Store (supporting The Rolling People)
11/12/25 — Bristol Rough Trade (supporting The Rolling People)
12/12/25 — Nottingham Bodega (supporting The Rolling People)
13/12/25 — Scunthorpe West View Sounds (supporting Shambolics)
20/12/25 — Manchester Guerilla (supporting Kairos)
Florentenes are in a rush.
With youth on their side and short, sharp shocks of songs that could soundtrack a generation, the Bolton-based four-piece match the eloquent urgency of early Arctic Monkeys with the guitar rush of The Strokes and the classic rock power of The Who. They have the songs, the attitude, and that indefinable extra that has seen them pack out venues and forge a tight bond with an ever-growing audience.
Forged in the North and steeped in its storytelling tradition, Florentenes are a band who are part of a new wave of creativity rising from the grassroots. With frontman and songwriter William Smith, Luke Holding (guitar), Harry Stubbs (bass), and Liam Fiddy (drums), the band’s chemistry is palpable, four schoolmates turned sonic force, mixing jagged riffs, melodic basslines, and hooks that stay lodged in your head for days.
Their recent work with legendary producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Jamie Webster, The Who) captures their live spark and intent, raw, real, and free of gimmicks. As Eringa put it: “This is the band the UK music industry has been waiting for, insanely talented, insanely young, and cool as! No clicks, no autotune, no nonsense, just massive songs recorded live and allowed to breathe like the records of old, but sounding like the records of tomorrow.”
Following recent supports with Razorlight, Jamie Webster, The Royston Club, and Sundara Karma, the band have a packed year of live shows ahead including slots with Red Rum Club, The Rolling People and The Wombats before the end of the year, setting their sights firmly on making 2026 their breakthrough year, as they prepare to release their first full body of work.
Florentenes somehow make guitars feel urgent again, a new generation of northern voices with something to say, something to prove, and the songs to back it up.
LIVE TIMELINE
05/10/25 — University of the Arts London @ The Social
07/10/25 — University of Cardiff @ Clwb Ifor Bach
09/10/25 — Brixton Electric (supporting Red Rum Club)
12/10/25 — University of Oxford @ The Jericho Tavern
17/10/25 – University Of Manchester @ Night & Day
20/10/25 — University of York @ The Fulford Arms
25/10/25 — University of Glasgow @ Queen Margaret Union
02/12/25 — Edinburgh Corn Exchange (supporting The Wombats)
03/12/25 — Aberdeen Music Hall (supporting The Wombats)
04/12/25 — Grimsby Docks Academy (supporting The Rolling People)
05/12/25 — Stockton KU (supporting The Rolling People)
06/12/25 — Sheffield Hallamshire Hall (supporting The Rolling People)
08/12/25 — Glasgow King Tut’s (supporting The Rolling People)
10/12/25 — Brighton Green Door Store (supporting The Rolling People)
11/12/25 — Bristol Rough Trade (supporting The Rolling People)
12/12/25 — Nottingham Bodega (supporting The Rolling People)
13/12/25 — Scunthorpe West View Sounds (supporting Shambolics)
20/12/25 — Manchester Guerilla (supporting Kairos)
Florentenes, indie rock, alt rock, post punk, glam, power pop, "The News" (Official Video), jammy raw energy, tightly wound musicality, classic rock power, Manchester, Bolton England, killer vocals, songwriter William Smith,
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