Formed in the heart of Brighton, after meeting at university, unstoppable five piece Fickle Friends were born and have been blowing up blogs with their vital slices of upbeat pop ever since.

The thrilling outfit have been working on their first release, 'You Are Someone Else' for a number of years and the finished product oozes with smart, ear-catching tunes that sees them make their first full-length mark so confidently.

Opening with 'Wake Me Up', there's little about the number that isn't euphoric but it's one that really shows how well the group have honed their sound, thus serving as a perfect intro to a remarkable album. 

Next up comes 'Glue', the title single of a previously released EP and it practically soars. The sublime synth-led number brims with bouncy beats and lyrics strong enough to worm their way into your head in a heartbeat. Live fan favourite and the track that made everyone sit up and listen originally, 'Swim' makes an appearance and as ever bursts with high octane energy and striking lyricism. 

Photo credit: Daniel Alexander Harris

'Hard To Be Myself' touches on an issue that many young people are affected by at some point whilst growing up or in their twenties. The track is an ode to feeling like you want to be someone, anyone else to get rid of anxious thoughts and feelings. The three minute cut finds Fickle Friends in a refreshingly honest state and the album is all the better for it. 

Sassy and charming, newbie 'Heartbroken' is another stand out single with lyrics like 'You think everything sucks, I really couldn't give two fucks' that displays a more confident and daring side to the band we haven't quite seen before. 'In My Head' is a vocal triumph for singer Natti Shiner and one which sees them slow the pace for a slight pause in upbeat activities. 

'Rotation' bursts into life with strokes of brilliance. Another new cut, it's the sound of Fickle Friends realising they've got their niche nailed and sticking to it; it's pure pop territory with their trademark tropical synth sound and it works so well. 'Hello Hello' may have been released by the band previously but it works in their favour by adding an extra dose of high intensity charm to an already brilliant album. 

Photo credit: Daniel Alexander Harris

Reworked mid-tempo tune 'Paris' is as tangibly intimate as always and sees Shiner's vocals sail with effortless grace. Luscious finale 'Useless' packs a punch with maximal euphoria and heavenly harmonies. Fickle Friends are pure sunshine and have delivered on a promise they made a long time ago. 

If you're looking for a band that lives up to the hype and outshines it completely, look no further than Fickle Friends. 'You Are Someone Else' has been a long time coming but the wait is justified for a debut like this that only comes around once in a while. 

Listen to: 'Glue', 'Heartbroken' and 'Rotation'

Words Lauren Wade

@laurenlily__

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Fickle Friends have unveiled their new track 'Hello Hello' ahead of their eagerly-awaited debut album and it's a certified banger. 

The new number follows on from previous releases 'Cry Baby' and 'Brooklyn' and is one of their catchiest cuts to date which finds them in pure-pop territory.

Speaking to The Independent, vocalist Natti said: "'Hello Hello' was one of the first songs we wrote this time last year during our first trip to LA. We were super enthused and inspired as we'd just finished a long tour and SXSW.

"This song came about in the home studio we'd put together in an Airbnb and it was one of those sessions where a song comes together quickly, it just flowed.

"It's about sticking with someone who's lost sight of who they are and what they're worth."

Losing sight of who they are what they're about is something Fickle Friends are unlikely to experience anytime soon; they're on a sure-fire route to success and they're keeping it real the whole way there. 

Listen to 'Hello Hello' below

Fickle Friends will play:

Leeds, Live At Leeds Festival (Apr 29)

Standon, Standon Calling Festival (Jul 27-30)

Words Lauren Wade

@laurenlily__

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Brighton five-piece Fickle Friends are back at it again with their latest track 'Cry Baby'. The female-fronted group are currently Stateside working on their eagerly-anticipated debut album but they've unveiled a little something to keep us hooked until such time said album is released. 

The band are well on their way to stardom and their newest cut is one that recalls the 80s with shimmering synths, gigantic hooks and scattered hooks throughout. The sub-four minute number excites immediately and exists in a similar vein to previous hits such as 'Swim' and 'Could Be Wrong'. 

Everything Fickle Friends put out is ridiculously catchy from the off and they've certainly come on leaps and bounds in the last year. Just six months ago, the band were stuck without a manager and feeling like they'd never make the progress to where they currently are, but a re-release of the epically infectious 'Swim' saw them reach a new high. 

Now, they're putting in the hard work and reaping the rewards. The five-piece ignite an enthusiasm that blazes fully and their live energy is as unrelenting as it comes. Fickle Friends are nothing short of magic and all it takes is one listen to 'Cry Baby' to see why their music is such an effortless draw. 

Words Lauren Wade

www.ficklefriends.co.uk

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BRIGHTON indie-funk tinged five-piece, Fickle Friends brought their latest tour to a close with a hyped homecoming show at one of the city’s newest venues, Patterns, formerly known as Audio – a venue that achieves intimacy without feeling too claustrophobic. 

Armed with the bushy and bearded Merseyside quartet Clean Cut Kid and local band, Kudu Blue in tow, the supports were equally as impressive as the headliners and acted as a complimentary warm-up before Natti and Co took to the stage for the moment every member of the sold out crowd had been waiting for.

Fickle Friends are a feel-good band who have blazed with promise for quite some time and now it appears years of continuous hard-work and touring has paid off as the crowd are swept up into a state of euphoria as the first beats off their set play out. The crowd also proves just how popular the band have become, as displayed by fan favourites and live set staples such as ‘Say No More’ and ‘Could Be Wrong’ go down a storm and translate well live.

A handful of new cuts are also debuted throughout the evening, with a track titled ‘Brooklyn’ standing out in particular. At times an 80s feel is evoked through their brand of indie pop but it works well in their favour. 

Lead singer, Natti comes across as effortlessly cool as she thanks the crowd for coming down to the show, adding that: “The last time we played in Brighton was at The Haunt to about four people”. Although, for this gig, the turnout is very much the opposite, which demonstrates just how they’ve grown in such a short space of time, to their credit.

The five-piece’s set dips and peaks in strategic places, whilst the tease of new material excites fans for what’s to come and what to expect from the band in the nearby future. The punchy beats of the crowd pleaser that is ‘Swim’ brings their set to a close and it’s clear to see that the band have won more ears (and minds) over.

Fickle Friends were on blistering form as always and it’s evident that what the group are best at is cultivating a sound and truly making it their own. The delivery of their sound is as unique as it comes and we can’t wait to see what else Fickle Friends have left up their sleeve to give.

Words Lauren Wade

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MARCH is finally upon us and as spring kicks off, we've got plenty of gigs for you to get your teeth into this month. As the weather warms up, there's no excuse for not standing in line at your local venue to catch some of the hottest bands on the rise at the moment. Here's what's in store over the next few weeks. 

Everyone's favourite northerners, Lisbon, are back in Brighton on the 8th and will be supporting Model Aeroplanes across a string of UK dates. Lisbon's last performance in the seaside capital of the nation descended into madness and we expect nothing less from the Whitley Bay four-piece this time round. Head down to the kooky indie venue for a glimpse of the band who can do no wrong before they go stadium. 

Tickets are £8.00 and can be bought here. 

Beach-dwelling babes, Fickle Friends bring their heart-stopping live show to Patterns in Brighton on the 12th. Armed with the incredible Clean Cut Kid and Kudu Blue in tow, you couldn't ask for a better line-up. Head down to the stellar seafront venue to hear the five-piece play sun-kissed indie anthems that make you feel more like it's August, than March. Everybody needs that sometimes. 

Tickets are £8.05 and can be bought here. 

The Hunna are the band on the tip of everyone's tongue at the moment and they're treating The Louisiana in Bristol to a rare live performance on the 23rd. Glistening with rock and roll shine, The Hunna are one of those bands you fall in love with instantly and have on repeat for a long time after. They're owning it at the moment; catch them in an intimate venue whilst you still can. They'll be selling out venues ten times the size of The Louisiana before long. 

Tickets are £6.75 and are available from the venue. 

The 100 Club has a reputation for showcasing only the finest bands around and Clean Cut Kid are the latest addition to to the venue's wave of talent. The Liverpool four-piece are set to dazzle crowds at what will serve as a landmark gig to them on the 23rd. Every ingredient of their music works and is utterly bewitching to witness. Clean Cut Kid are set to make the big impact they've always been destined for soon. Go give them some love in the capital. 

Tickets are £9.50 and can be bought here. 

The final band you need to add to your gig list is that of indie upstarts Nai Harvest, who have previously supported the likes of The Magic Gang. Returning to Brighton's The Hope and Ruin for a headline show is a reason in itself to get excited and with support from Abattoir Blues, the list extends even further. Expect infectious riffs and big choruses doused over powerful drumming from the buzzy newcomers. 

Tickets are £8.05 and can be bought here. 

To give you a taster of what's to come from these eagerly-anticipated gigs, have a listen to Fickle Friends' track 'Say No More'

Words Lauren Wade

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WHAT a month January was for gigs but February looks set to be bigger and better with all the gigs that are lined up. Whether they're local to you or not, make an effort to get down to the epic array of live shows we're tipping for this month. You won't be disappointed.

Fresh from supporting The Libertines on their UK arena tour, northern indie four-piece The Sherlocks are heading out on their headline tour in February and what a run that looks set to be. Catch the group responsible for the rumble of tracks such as 'Live for the Moment' and 'Heart of Gold' at The Joiners in Southampton on Thursday 4th for a night of indie bangers and madness. The group have evolved superbly over the last year or so and now the promise of a bright future beckons so get down to Hampshire's iconic venue and see them. Why wouldn't you? 

Tickets are £7.70 in advance and can be bought here. 

South Wales four-piece, Pretty Vicious have gone from strength to strength recently and are definitely going somewhere big but first they're stopping by Dingwalls in Camden on Thursday 11th for a headline performance as part of NME's Awards Shows 2016. This is one not to be missed as they tear through hits such as 'It's Always There' and 'National Plastics' that have already been released to national acclaim. 

Tickets are £11.66 in advance and can be bought here.

Brighton's The Hope and Ruin plays host to mind-boggling Mancunians, Spring King on Wednesday 17th. The band are on a rapid rise and are producing a romantic post-punk sound that begs to be heard. Having previously toured with Slaves, the spotlight if firmly fixed on them now and we can't wait to witness them impress on the night. 

Tickets are £7.70 in advance and can be bought here.

The infectious, upbeat indie of Fickle Friends are set to cement their position as worthy headliners at The Joiners in Southampton on Friday 19th. Everything they do sizzles infectiously with glory and ambition. Every track is a stand-out, however it's the likes of 'Say No More' and 'Could Be Wrong' that we're looking forward to hearing aired on the night the most. The five-piece, led by front gal Natti, are already conjuring up a storm and in the industry and with a record deal under their belts, they're going stadium. 

Tickets are £7.70 in advance and can be bought here. 

Symptomatic of the times are Little Comets, the indie quartet from Newcastle Upon Tyne, who inject funk-based fretwork fused with modern issues into the core of their tracks. The band will be bringing their catalogue of hits to Brighton's Concorde 2 on Sunday 21st and it's set to be a sell out; bag yourself a ticket whilst you still can. 

Tickets are £13.20 in advance and can be bought here.

The Joker in Brighton experiences a triple threat in the form of Sahara, Cavaliers and Howland as part of a special show by CloseUp Promotions. All three groups on the bill are Brighton-based and ready to thrill with impressive riffs and huge choruses. As some of the sweetest bands of the South Coast at the moment, you'd be foolish to miss these promising acts in an intimate setting before they really make it big, as we predict will happen soon enough. 

Tickets are £5 and can be bought on the door.

Words Lauren Wade

To give you a taster of what to expect from some of these eagerly-anticipated gigs, have a listen to Pretty Vicious' 'National Plastics'.

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LIVERPOOL quartet, Clean Cut Kid team hooky Haim-tinged beats with a positive philosophy that threads throughout all of their tracks. Consisting of husband and wife Mike and Evelyn Halls and Saul Goodman and Ross Higginson, they describe their sound as "soulful pop ballads, washed in Mersey water" and if you're a fan of Brighton's Fickle Friends - then Clean Cut Kids will definitely be your cup of tea. 

Their debut track 'Vitamin C' sets the tone, a stunningly ethereal piece that is greeted with nods as to what the future might hold for them. It's a promising start and other cuts from the group, such as the uplifting anthem that is 'Runaway', dips into honeyed harmonies whilst singlehandedly winning listeners' hearts over. 

Clean Cut Kid have already earned themselves comparisons to Fleetwood Mac in their early 70s experimental stage and it's not hard to see why on tracks like '20 Years From Now' but they're coming into their own merit too.

Their brand of vibrant indie is a haven for all you minimalistic darlings out there and this hotly anticipated group are so good that one listen to them will coax the goosebumps right out of you. Clean Cut Kid are making clean-cut anthems and we can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for them. 

Words Lauren Wade

www.cleancutkid.co.uk

www.facebook.com/cleancutkid

www.twitter.com/cleancutkid

www.soundcloud.com/cleancutkidmusic

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