Lovejoy (band)

Lovejoy are an English indie rock band formed in Brighton in 2021. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist William 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.

Their debut EP, Are You Alright?, was released on 9 May 2021. Their second EP, Pebble Brain, came out on 14 October 2021. The band's third EP, Wake Up & It's Over, was released on 12 May 2023. The band independently releases their music under their own label, Anvil Cat Records, distributing with AWAL.

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. Gold previously gained a following online for his Twitch streams and YouTube videos, as well as his solo music. 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.

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. 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.

The band recorded their debut EP, Are You Alright?, in two days at Brighton Electric in March 2021. It was released on 8 May 2021, which saw Lovejoy debut at number 10 on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart on 20 May 2021.

Their second EP, Pebble Brain, was recorded in August 2021 at Small Pond Recording Studios in Brighton, and released on 14 October 2021. The EP peaked at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart. The songs of this EP had the theme of failed romantic relationships, but also expand to political unrest. 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.

Prior to their large concert and festival performances, Lovejoy performed unadvertised gigs under pseudonyms. From November 2022, the band began to receive attention on mainstream radio, with airtime on BBC Radio 1, and on Dutch radio show "Welkom Bij De Club!". Their songs have also been featured on BBC Music Introducing.

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" through AWAL. The single peaked at number 32 on the Official UK Top 40 chart. 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 charts. In addition, "Portrait of a Blank Slate" from the EP was featured in the soundtrack for EA Sports FC 24.

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".

In May 2023, the band performed in London for a Spotify event entitled 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".

In June 2023, the band appeared on the front cover of issue 77 of the music magazine Dork. On 25 June 2023, Lovejoy performed at Glastonbury Festival on the BBC Music Introducing stage. They have also performed at Rock Werchter, TRNSMT, the Montreux Jazz Festival,  Osheaga, and Lollapalooza. They performed at Leeds Festival on 25 August 2023, and Reading Festival on 27 August 2023. They started their Wake Up & It's Over Tour across the United Kingdom in September 2023, notably with James Marriott as a support act for the Birmingham, London and Manchester show.

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.

The band performed "Call Me What You Like" on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on 13 October 2023.

On 16 January 2024, it was announced that Lovejoy would be playing at Coachella. On March 21, 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.

Musical style and influences
Lovejoy’s music has been described as indie rock, alt-rock, and pop-punk. Some of the band’s influences include, Los Campesinos!, The Strokes, Crywank, Arctic Monkeys, Bo Burnham, The Killers, and The Front Bottoms. In a 2023 interview with MTV, the band described their music as, “Aromantic British Noises”.

Members
Band members
 * William Gold – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriting (2021–present)
 * Joe Goldsmith – lead guitar, backing vocals, songwriting (2021–present)
 * Ash Kabosu – bass, songwriting (2021–present)
 * Mark Boardman – drums, backing vocals, songwriting (2021–present)

Touring members

Touring personnel differs between shows.


 * Leandra Badruzaman – trumpet, keyboards (2022–present)
 * Isaac Beer – trumpet (2022)
 * Zoe – trumpet, keyboards (2022–2023)
 * Alan Osmundson – trumpet, keyboards (2023–present)
 * Jackie Coleman – trumpet, keyboards (2023–present)

Tours

 * Northern Autumn Tour (2022)
 * December Tour (2022)
 * Inselaffe Tour (2023)
 * Across the Pond Tour (2023)
 * Wake Up & It's Over Tour (2023)
 * Road to 100 Tour (2023)
 * Right Way Up Australia Tour (2024)