The rise of Enfield-born and Hertfordshire-raised indie rock singer-songwriter Declan McKenna has been nothing short of spectacular. From bursting onto the scene as a winner of Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition in 2015, to smashing into the Top 10 with the latest LP Zeros, McKenna is fast becoming the voice of the next generation.
The young star is now preparing to launch his highly anticipated What Happened to the Beach? which drops on Friday 9th February. McKenna has also announced a headline show taking place at O2 Academy Oxford on Sunday 11th February where he will showcase new material whilst playing his biggest hits and fan-favourite anthems.
McKenna also appears at Live At Leeds, Temple Newsam on Saturday 25th May: the exciting Yorkshire day festival, which sees The Kooks preside over a huge range of indie fan favourites, including The Cribs, Future Islands, White Lies, Mystery Jets and more.
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“Brazil”
“Brazil” was first released on Bandcamp in 2015, and saw enigmatic songwriter Declan McKenna become a virtual overnight. The protest song was written in response to allegations of corruption surrounding the 2014 World Cup involving FIFA and Sepp Blatter; the release of “Brazil” on Bandcamp prompted a frenzy from labels and managers all looking to work with.
Signing to major label Columbia, “Brazil” became the lead single of his 2017 debut album What Do You Think About the Car? and reached Platinum certification.
"The Kids Don't Wanna Come Home"
What Do You Think About the Car? would generate a remarkable nine singles, including fan favourite "The Kids Don't Wanna Come Home". This anthem of alienation addresses the generation gap between a frustrated youth presented with a world of challenges and inequality as handed down by their parents yet excluded from the conversations of how to bring about change.
Declan shines a glimmer of hope in the dark with this emotively charged song, offering optimism and resilience to Gen Z.
“British Bombs”
Declan McKenna challenges the military-industrial complex with his stand alone single “British Bombs”. The furious pop-punk track is his most politically charged song to date, and rallies against the arms trade, the DSEI exhibitions and the hypocrisy of government lies of ethical foreign policies.
"Not only do we still engage in wars far away from our homes, which settle nothing and fuel extremism in the aftermath, we sell weapons to other countries full well knowing where they end up.”
"The Key to Life on Earth"
Taken from his second album Zeroes; "The Key to Life on Earth" tackles the causes of conflict, and questions why bother fighting when we are essentially all the same?
The accompanying video features the London Film Critics' Circle Award-winning actor Alex Lawther playing Declan‘s dastardly doppelgänger, bringing him down at every turn. Lawther starred in the hit dark comedy series The End of the F***ing World and has also appeared in the televised Star Wars series Andor and Black Mirror.
“Nothing Works”
“Nothing Works” is the second single from McKenna‘s eagerly awaited new album What Happened to the Beach? The playful song focuses on issues of identity, with a character looking not too dissimilar to a latter-day Alex Turner seemingly trapped between his public image and authentic self. The schism may be tearing the songwriter apart, at pains to appease his audience whilst being true to himself but Declan has managed to turn his angst into a cracking anthem.
📆 Tour Dates:
- 11 February 2024: Declan McKenna – O2 Academy Oxford, Oxford
- 25 May 2024: Live At Leeds (Declan McKenna) – Temple Newsam, Leeds
Get your Declan McKenna tickets with Gigantic today!