Indie rock band Blossoms are full of petal power for shift on the shopfloor in Leeds

Everything's coming up roses for indie rock band Blossoms at the moment.
Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden at HMV in Leeds. Picture: Andrew Benge.Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden at HMV in Leeds. Picture: Andrew Benge.
Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden at HMV in Leeds. Picture: Andrew Benge.

The Stockport five-piece’s self-titled debut album is expected to go straight in at number one in the charts tomorrow.

And despite hailing from the wrong side of the Pennines, they got a rapturous reception yesterday when they played an in-store set at HMV in Leeds city centre in support of the LP.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Frontman Tom Ogden and co also took time out before the show to meet two local bands who are hoping to emulate their recent rise to success.

Picture: Andrew Benge.Picture: Andrew Benge.
Picture: Andrew Benge.

Leeds’s Fighting Caravans and York-based Faux Pas are both unsigned but will be playing this year’s Leeds Festival after winning separate competitions.

Blossoms, who have drawn comparisons to The Stone Roses and The La’s, were also unsigned when they appeared on the Festival Republic stage at last summer’s event.

Fast forward 12 months and they will be among the main attractions on the August Bank Holiday weekend festival’s NME/BBC Radio 1 stage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fighting Caravans singer Daniel Clark and two of his bandmates – Alex Fletcher and Ross Day – came away full of optimism after their hook-up at HMV with Blossoms.

Fighting Caravans meet Blossoms before the show. Picture: Andrew Benge.Fighting Caravans meet Blossoms before the show. Picture: Andrew Benge.
Fighting Caravans meet Blossoms before the show. Picture: Andrew Benge.

Daniel said: “They were nice, down to earth guys – no different to us, really, just northern lads who have been trying their best to make it.

“They are enjoying what they are doing and it was good to have the chance to meet them.”

Blossoms have been mentioned by Leeds Festival boss Melvin Benn as an example of how an up-and-coming act can benefit from an appearance at the event.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking during a press day at festival venue Bramham Park last week, he said: “For these bands it’s a real, real opportunity – it gives them a national platform because they play both Leeds and [sister event] Reading.”

Picture: Andrew Benge.Picture: Andrew Benge.
Picture: Andrew Benge.

Day and weekend tickets are still on sale for Leeds Festival.

Acts playing its Main Stage include Biffy Clyro, Foals, Disclosure, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Vaccines and Courteeners.

Fighting Caravans won the chance to play at the festival in a competition organised by local concert promoter Futuresound.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Competition runners-up The Indigo Project, Vexxes, Dusk, Adore//Repel and Night Owls will also be appearing at Leeds.

Faux Pas, meanwhile, landed their place on the bill by winning the annual Centre Stage contest that raises funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice.

Related topics: