ON THE RISE: AN INTERVIEW WITH FLORENTENES
Before supporting The Kairos at Colours Hoxton in London on April 23rd, we sat down with rising Bolton/Manchester indie rock four-piece Florentenes. Recently, the young band has quickly built a reputation for their raw, high-energy live shows. The band was formed by teenagers Will Smith (vocals), Luke Holding (lead guitar), Harry Stubbs (bass) and Liam Fiddy (drums) during lockdown.
That night, Florentenes were supporting Liverpool indie-rock four-piece The Kairos. Smith says ‘‘The Kairos are really lovely. And they're also an amazing band“. They recall the tour experience fondly, even if it involved a lot of time on the road. The young band has already supported a number of major acts, including The Wombats, Sundara Karma, The Royston Club and Jamie Webster. When asked who they would love to support one day, Smith immediately blurts out Robbie Williams before Holding adds ‘‘Maybe Spice Girls, if they do a reunion“. Smith then adds more seriously „It'd probably be someone like Led Zeppelin, but there's not much chance of that happening now, I don't think. But probably someone old with legacy“.
The Bolton-based band formed from bedroom jams between Holding and Smith when they were only 15 years old, before Stubbs and Fiddy later joined the lineup. They began writing songs during lockdown, rehearsing in a studio in Bolton whose owner was mentoring them at the time. Recalling their early days and the moment the band began to feel like something more serious, Smith says ‘‘I think since we started we just wanted to take it as far as we could. I don't think our mindset has changed since we started. I think we always wanted to just take it as far as we possibly can. No risk, no reward“. That mentality has clearly paid off for the rising indie band. On their latest single ‘Undiscovered Colours‘, they worked with producer Dave Eringa, known for his work with The Who and Manic Street Preachers. Smith recalls the experience: ‘‘Dave works with the Manic Street Preachers, who are really a punk band. They do some really great anthemic-sounding tracks. I think a lot of his knowledge in that field, specifically working with them, is brought over like ‚You should try this idea, you should try that idea‘. Stuff that's just outside of two guitars, bass, drums and singing to make it more of a bigger-sounding thing which we wouldn't have done if it wasn't for him“. The band are keen to keep their recordings sounding as live and raw as possible, something they take pride in. When asked why that matters so much to them, Smith explains: ‘‘I feel like we play quite...It relies on feel when we play together…Not saying we can't play to a click track but if we play to a click track, the songs lose the human element of it“.
Supporting so many bands in the recent months has given the young group the chance to build a growing fanbase while constantly introducing their music to new audiences. When asked which song they would want new listeners to hear first, they all agree on their 2025 release ‘The News‘ saying it captures everything they want to convey through their sound. Despite their young age, the band already seems to have a strong sense of identity. Asked whether their current sound reflects who they are or if they are still searching for it, Smith says ‘‘I think The News does. That's why it somewhat reflects it well. We're getting heavier, I think. A lot of the unreleased songs are a little bit heavier than what we used to do“. Their sound draws on influences from the late 60s and early 70s, with bands like Led Zeppelin, which Holding describes as ‘‘the perfect rock music“, serving as key references. Smith adds ‘‘We take inspiration from a lot of psychedelic bands from the early 70s. Also from some early 2000s garage bands as well, less so now than when we started.“ Unsurprisingly, they have been compared to Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes by many before.
Holding recalls the first time one of the band’s songs truly clicked with an audience at their first proper headline show. It was the first time people had sung the lyrics back to them, a moment that made them realise: ‘‘Okay, we’re writing songs and people will sing to us“. Smith adds ‘‘And people moshpitted, and we’re not a moshpitting type of band at all. That was pretty fun to watch“.
One of the biggest decisions the band has made in their early career, Fiddy and Smith explain, was to cut many of their early songs, tracks they no longer feel connected to or click with. Smith adds ‘‘We just cut them and we’re just playing stuff that we really enjoy playing. That‘s what we hope people enjoy seeing“. With their new EP Breaking News arriving in just a few weeks, that risk already seems to be paying off. Speaking about the release, Smith says ‘‘We've got an EP coming out in the next two weeks. We‘re super excited for it. It's the longest EP we've ever done. It's the best EP we've ever done, so we're really excited for everyone to hear it“. Beyond the EP, Florentenes have plenty to look forward to this year, including their first show abroad in Madrid playing Mad Cool Festival and an upcoming appearance at Leeds Fest. The band is also hoping to head out on their own headline tour following the release of their new EP. With so much on the horizon, it is clear there are plenty of exciting things ahead. Smith leaves things on a fitting final note „Stream Breaking News EP when it comes out“.
Shortly after our conversation, the band stepped on the stage in front of a packed room, winning over The Kairos‘ crowd with ease. Watching their set, it quickly became clear why Florentenes have built such a reputation as a high-energy, must-see indie act. The main act, The Kairos, who followed soon after, did not disappoint either. The Crowd moshed, got on each other’s shoulders and sang at the top of their lungs, throwing themselves into the band’s catchy guitar riffs and driving basslines. Frontman Tom Dempsey led the set with confidence throughout.
Florentenes had left little doubt that night as to why they are attracting so much attention. Still young yet already remarkably self-assured, they bring a kind of chemistry and certainty that can’t be taught. Their sound may still be evolving, but the foundations are clearly there: sharp songwriting, a love for classic rock influences and a live energy that connects with audiences instantly. With their EP ‚Breaking News‘ about to arrive and their momentum continuing to grow, Florentenes are clearly ready to take the next step.
Words and photos by Nadine Goetz