Hard-Fi make their welcome return with new single 'Don't Go Making Plans' on Ignition Records. Their first new material in ten years, the song previews an upcoming EP of new songs, as well as a major UK tour this November.
With a sun-scorched beat and boisterous rhythms, 'Don't Go Making Plans' is an immediate, soul-infused summer anthem, recorded at the band's own Staines studio, produced by frontman Richard Archer and collaborator Wolsey White for a long time. It is the final result of the first session together since the 2011 album. Killer sounds and follows a series of sold-out tours and live shows over the past 18 months.
As with many of the band's songs, there's a thought-provoking depth behind Hard-Fi's pop sensibility. The song's challenging themes were initially inspired by the UK government's attempts to criminalize many aspects of popular protest through the Public Order Act 2022, while the topic has come into further focus over the last year as Police and people have repeatedly clashed in the streets around. the world. Watch the amazing lyric video BELOW:
“Don't Go Making Plans is kind of a protest song about protest, but I wanted to distill that message into something that was still a pop song.” Archer explains. “A song that you can still dance to in a club or play on the radio, because with a song like that you can make a real connection and get around the useless restrictions that are placed on us. That governments pass laws to stop protests that cause more than minor disturbances seems like something out of a dystopian movie. The goal of protest is disruption. “You're trying to interrupt the inevitable flow of things, to encourage the people who run the country to think again, especially when you have a government that doesn't seem to care about what people really need.”
The new single is taken from the upcoming Don't go making plans EP released on November 1st, available in limited edition, numbered, transparent red 12”.
The new music is released alongside news of a 10-date UK tour in November, which will include a welcome show at London's Roundhouse on the 30th. Pre-sale will take place on Wednesday, May 22 at 10:00 am for those registered in advance at https://hard-fi.planet.fans/aaa/registerOtherwise, all dates will go on general sale this Friday 24 May at 10:00am (BST); tickets available HERE
“Playing gigs together really rekindled the fire in the heart of the band, and as much as we enjoyed playing our older songs, the crowd loved hearing them.” Archer concludes. “We all feel the need to create something new.”
With over a million albums sold in the UK, 2 number 1 albums (3 top 10) and 5 top 20 singles, Hard-Fi has been a phenomenon. Having debuted with the Mercurio Prize finalists CCTV stars In 2005, the quartet proved progressive yet accessible, with stories of street life, weekends in clubs and staying afloat through misery. The album produced singles including 'Hard To Beat', 'Living For The Weekend' and 'Cash Machine'; it reached number 1 and has since been certified double platinum in the UK alone.
Second album once upon a time in the west also topped the charts and included the lead single 'Suburban Knights', while the third album Killer soundswas a Top 10 hit. The band also played one of the longest residencies at O2 Academy Brixton, a sold-out feat they share with the likes of Bob Dylan and The Clash, after performing at the iconic London venue for five nights in a row in 2006.
Hard-Fi is back. Catchier, louder and more challenging than ever.
UK TOUR DATES
November Saturday 16 Hastings, White Rock
Tuesday 19 Portsmouth, Guildhall
Thursday 21 Cardiff, Tramshed
Friday 22nd Wolverhampton, Wulfrun
Saturday 23rd Nottingham, Rock City
Monday 25th Glasgow, Garage
Tuesday 26 Sheffield, The Leadmill
Wednesday 27th Manchester, Ritz
Friday the 29th Leeds, Stylus
Saturday 30 London, Roundhouse
Hard-Fi are Richard Archer (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Steve Kemp (drums), Kai Stephens (bass) and Ross Phillips (guitar).
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