Florentenes are quickly becoming an unstoppable, vibrant force in Manchester’s music scene. Fronted by lead vocalist and songwriter William Smith, the band features Luke Holding on lead guitar, Harry Stubbs on bass, and Liam Fiddy on drums. What began as bedroom jams between Smith and Holding has blossomed into a powerhouse band with a distinctive sound.
In just over a year, Florentenes have sold out many shows locally and are rapidly growing a loyal fanbase. They have also recently been in the studio recording their debut album with legendary producer Dave Eringa (Jamie Webster, Manic Street Preachers, The Who).
Florentenes is the type of band you want to get in on early, as their first slew of releases show nothing but promise and natural prowess. “The News,” one of the more recent examples of this band’s singular approach to contemporary indie rock, showcases a forward-thinking band that has already mastered the art of soul-touching tone control. This single leaps from one mood to the next with unapologetic grace, slowing down to a woozy, guitar-driven ballad before exploding into off-kilter melodies fueled by throat-scratching vocals and distorted chaos. “The News” captures the anxiety of impending doom and wrestles with it, at times conquering the beast, only to let the strong-willed emotion take control. “The News” brings the catharsis of letting go and blends with the stress of holding on, creating an emotional single from a young band already on the cusp of something special.
