The Ballet + Letters To Fiesta + Johnny5thWheel&thecowards

New York trio The Ballet announce a UK tour in July and August following the release of their new album I Blame Society on Fortuna POP! on 10 June. They’ll appear at the Indietracks festival as well as headlinging London’s The Lexington on 1 August with further dates in Glasgow, Nottingham and Manchester.

Unashamedly ‘sissy’ and explicitly queer, The Ballet marry the DIY queer ethos of the Hidden Cameras with the wry poeticism of The Magnetic Fields and the romantic pop of Jens Lekman, to create literate infectious pop gems.

The Ballet have a longevity that is rare in this day and age. Formed in 2005 by Greg Goldberg and Craig Willse, with Marina Miranda completing the trio, they’ve released two previous albums Mattachine! and Bear Life. They have been joined by a few other musicians along the way including Ginger Brooks Takahashi and Michael O’Neill, who left in 2007 to join JD Sampson in MEN as well as guest appearances on previous albums from the likes of Linton from The Aislers Set and Ramesh from Voxtrot.

In addition to citing Merritt as an influence, Goldberg draws from an array of pop artists and periods, from 60s bubblegum to 80s synthpop and 90s indiepop, fusing these in sophisticated and novel ways which rewards repeat listening.

Supporting are Manchester’s own Letters To Fiesta. The band leapt into in 2013 with new sounds and a new line-up. Following the great success of their debut single Mesosphere, the Manchester based band are getting ready to release their second single Vampires which should be out in the autumn. Described as post-punk, alternative, electronic and pop (but difficult to pin down), Letters To Fiesta are a band using vocals, soundscapes and atmosphere to create their own unique sound.

Psych-folk group Johnny5thWheel&thecowards open the show.

Price: £6 adv
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