Lovejoy are an English indie rock band formed in Brighton in 2021. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitaristWilliam Gold (also known by the stage name Wilbur Soot), lead guitarist Joe Goldsmith, drummer Mark Boardman and bassist Ash Kabosu, with all four also sharing songwriting duties.[4]
2021–2022: Formation, Are You Alright?, and Pebble Brain
Lovejoy was founded by William Gold and Joe Goldsmith in 2021. The two met from previously playing in the same folk group.[9] Gold previously gained a following online for his Twitch streams and YouTube videos,[10] as well as his solo music.[11][12] The band was originally called "Hang the DJ". The current name is after Benedict Lovejoy, a friend of the band, who would sit with them during their early days of songwriting.[13][14]
Before joining Lovejoy, drummer Mark Boardman had been studying editing at university, bass guitarist Ash Kabosu was working in TV broadcasting, and lead guitarist Joe Goldsmith was a tree surgeon.[15] Gold met Kabosu, a friend of a friend, in a Smashburger shop in Brighton, and asked him if he'd like to join the band. During studio recording, the band hired Boardman on Fiverr, and after watching him perform, Gold invited him to join as a permanent member.[15]
Their second EP, Pebble Brain, was recorded in August 2021 at Small Pond Recording Studios in Brighton,[20] and released on 14 October 2021.[21] The EP peaked at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart.[22] The songs of this EP had the theme of failed romantic relationships, but also expand to political unrest.[23] In October 2022, the band issued their first two EPs, as well as their cover of "Knee Deep at ATP", to vinyl for the first time.[24]
Prior to their large concert and festival performances, Lovejoy performed unadvertised gigs under pseudonyms.[25] From November 2022, the band began to receive attention on mainstream radio, with airtime on BBC Radio 1,[26][27] and on Dutch radio show "Welkom Bij De Club!" (transl. Welcome to the Club!).[28] Their songs have also been featured on BBC Music Introducing.[29][30]
2023–present: Wake Up & It's Over, From Studio 4, and touring
On 10 February 2023, Lovejoy released the single "Call Me What You Like"[31] through AWAL. The single peaked at number 32 on the Official UK Top 40 chart.[22] The song would later be featured on their third EP, Wake Up & It's Over, which was released on 12 May 2023 and debuted at number 5 on the UK Album Chart. In addition, "Portrait of a Blank Slate" from the EP was featured in the soundtrack for EA Sports FC 24.[32]
On 7 April 2023, under the Anvil Cat alias, the band surprise-released an EP titled From Studio 4. It contains acoustic versions of the songs from their debut EP, Are You Alright?, as well as a previously unreleased track, "Tomorrow".[33]
In May 2023, the band performed in London for a Spotify event titled Our Generation. They released two songs from the session as part of Spotify Singles, including an acoustic version of "Call Me What You Like" and a cover of "The Perfect Pair" by Beabadoobee. Gold said the band had "been huge admirers of Beabadoobee for a while now and love the melody of this song, so it was great to give it our own Lovejoy twist".[34]
On 2 October 2023, the band announced that their upcoming single "Normal People Things" would be released on 6 October 2023, after having previously teased the track in the week prior. The same day, they announced their Road to 100 tour.[44]
On 16 January 2024, it was announced that Lovejoy would be playing at Coachella.[46] On 21 March, the band cancelled their Coachella, Boston Calling, Bonnaroo, and Fox Theater Pomona appearances, citing "concerns over Wilbur's mental health".
In June 2024, the band announced their first Australian shows would be taking place from August.[47]
On 8 August 2024, the band released the single "I'll Look Good When I'm Sober".
^Nivison Jr., Theodore; jschlatt; Gold, William (13 August 2022). Wilbur Soot's Deepest Secrets - Chuckle Sandwich EP 55. YouTube. Chuckle Sandwich. Event occurs at 20:07–20:22. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2022. I wanted to be in a band for ages, and I joined this folk band. I wasn't really into folk music, but I joined a folk band because I just wanted to be in a band. I was the bassist. And, um, it was in that band I met the lead guitarist of this current band, Joe.
^Weil, Helen; Gomez, Alberto (15 November 2021). "Lovejoy on the Brain". The Wake. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
^ ab"Store". Lovejoy. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
^Frank & Eva: Welkom Bij De Club!. NPO 3FM (in Dutch). 9 November 2021. Event occurs at 1:18:35. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
"Knee Deep at ATP": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
"Call Me What You Like": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
"Normal People Things": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
Songs from Pebble Brain: "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
Songs from Wake Up & It's Over: "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
^Peaks on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart: