If music is a mirror reflecting society, then Big Special’s debut album, ‘Postindustrial Hometown Blues,’ is a sharp, unflinching gaze into the complexities of modern existence.
The critical acclaim preceding the album’s release speaks volumes about its impact. With praise from industry heavyweights like Steve Lamacq of BBC Radio 6 Music, Clash, DIY, and Dork, among others, ‘Postindustrial Hometown Blues’ arrives with a weighty reputation that it more than lives up to.
Each track on the album serves as a brushstroke on a larger canvas, painting a picture of life in contemporary England. From the energy of singles like ‘Dust Off / Start Again’ to the haunting introspection of ‘Black Dog / White Horse,‘ Big Special crafts a tapestry that captures the essence of struggle, resilience, and ultimately, hope in the face of adversity.
Lead singer Joe Hicklin offers a candid insight into the album’s thematic core, describing it as “an album about depression.” Yet, amidst the darkness, there’s a glimmer of hope, a recognition of shared struggles and a determination to move forward together. It’s a message that resonates deeply in today’s turbulent world, where music serves as both a refuge and a rallying cry for change.
As Big Special embarks on a series of UK in-store performances and headline tour dates, followed by a whirlwind summer of festivals across the UK and Europe, their trajectory seems set for the stratosphere. With tour dates alongside PIXIES in August and appearances at iconic festivals like Glastonbury and Latitude, the band is here to redefine the sound of a generation, and with their debut album, they’ve set the bar sky-high.
BIG SPECIAL UK INSTORE PERFORMANCES
10 May – Assai, Edinburgh (1pm)
11 May – Jacaranda, Liverpool (1pm) / Eclipse, Walsall (6pm)
12 May – Rough Trade, Bristol (1pm)
14 May – Rough Trade, Nottingham (6pm)
15 May – Banquet, Kingston upon Thames, London (6pm)
BIG SPECIAL 2024 TOUR DATES
Tickets are on sale now here.
07 May – District, Liverpool, UK
08 May – The Key Club, Leeds, UK
09 May – XOYO, Birmingham, UK
10 May – King Tuts, Glasgow, UK
12 May – Strange Brew, Bristol, UK
16 May – Jazz Café, London, UK – SOLD OUT
17 May – Horatio’s, Brighton, UK (The Great Escape 2024)
18 May – Deaf Institute, Manchester, UK
20 May – Kasbah Club, Limerick, Ireland
21 May – Workman’s Cellar, Dublin, Ireland
22 May – Ulster Sports Bar, Belfast, Norther Ireland
24 May – Netherlands, Den Haag, Zwarte Ruiter (Sniester Festival)
26 May – Bearded Theory Festival, Derbyshire, UK
27 May – Paradiso Upstairs, Amsterdam, Netherlands
28 May – Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands
30 May – Block Party Festival, Paris, France
31 May – Vestrock, Hulst, Netherlands
01 Jun – Dauwpop Festival, Hellendoorn, Netherlands
28 Jun – Glastonbury Festival, UK
11 Jul – Jardin Sonore, Vitrolles, FR
19 Jul – Deichbrand, Cuxhaven, DE
26 Jul – Low Festival, Benidorm, Spain
27 Jul – Secret Garden Party, Huntingdon, UK
28 Jul – Latitude Festival, Suffolk, UK
07 Aug – Den Atelier, Luxembourg (w / Pixies)
10 Aug – Forum Karlin, Prague (w / Pixies)
13 Aug – House of Culture, Helsinki (w/ Pixies)
14 Aug – House of Culture, Helsinki (w/ Pixies)
17 Aug – Cinzella Festival, Brindisi, IT
18 Aug – Green Man Festival, Bannau Brycheiniog, UK
23 Aug – Reading Festival, Reading, UK
24 Aug – Leeds Festival, Leeds, UK
29 Aug – Rock N Roll Circus, Sheffield (w/ Richard Hawley)
31 Aug – End Of The Road Festival, Dorset, UK
07 Sep – Surfana Festival, Bloemendaal aan Zee, NL
08 Sep – Misty Fields Festival, NL
15 Nov – Rolling Stone Beach Festival, DE
30 Nov – O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, UK
