“You know, there’s never been a good band from London,” shrieks Freddie of the Leeds band Thank in their song ​‘Dread’

Alt-J lead singer and guitarist, Joe Newman explores the evolution of the band, from Leeds to Mercury and around the world, as they simultaneously prepare for the release of the new album ‘The Dream’, and the 10th anniversary of their debut.

I arrive at the Anne Boleyn Covid testing facility in North Yorkshire on a December morning. Three hours later and disease-free, I get into a van, whose driver says, “I’m going to warn you – where we are going is muddy.” I look at my heeled boots and then out of the window as we leave suburbia, passing gated properties and young families on their daily hour of exercise, down narrow, cobbled country roads, and into the 16th century, where I am set to meet a Tudor queen that I’ve never seen before

Despite a maturing sound, the friendship and fun that generated albums one and two still sit at the heart of ‘Blue Weekend’s creativity - something every emerging artist should remember; make music that you want to listen to and do it with people whose company brings you joy.

"...it's the only way to get yourself seen without having buckets of cash or a parent who used to drum for The Clash"