The Milltown Brothers in conversation with live acoustic set

What an absolute treat to welcome The Milltown Brothers and author Nigel Wood to #Louder2025. We can't wait for host Ryan Walker to tease out their history and associated anecdotes before the band treat our ears to an acoustic set. What an event!

The Milltown Brothers from Burnley were discovered by Steve Lamacq playing their fifth gig at the Bull & Gate in London in May 1988. Signed to A&M in 1990 for a £100,000 advance, they had a publishing deal with EMI and their debut album Slinky was awarded 5 stars in Q magazine – one of just three Q magazine gave during 1991. Oasis supported them less than a year before the release of Definitely Maybe. Two years earlier they shared the bill with Nirvana in Boston, the day before Nirvana released the paradigm changing Nevermind, the promoter described their performance as the event highlight. Relentlessly touring the UK, Europe, America and Japan they were on the cusp of global success… only to gloriously snatch anonymity from the jaws of immortality.

The book And Jesus Danced (Twice) describes their meteoric rise and ‘much ignored demise’. It tells the story of a good band that got very lucky and then got very unlucky. More broadly it demonstrates the role luck plays in all our lives, however much we like to think we’re in control.

“It is not just a story about a band – although as a cautionary tale for young aspiring indie wannabees it should be a must read – it also explores more universal human experiences: how much luck plays in our lives, the importance of being resilient in the face of disappointment and change, the importance of loyalty and brotherhood, the importance of laughing and not taking oneself too seriously and the understanding that one should be happy for what one has: not always thinking the grass is always greener. Added to this, the book has cannily drawn in important happenings in the music scene that we traversed – the Stone Roses, Madchester, Nirvana, Grunge and Britpop. Surely, the fact that our story tangles with these important times and events should have a broader appeal for music fans.” Simon Nelson, guitarist, Milltown Brothers

Our publishing friends and partners McNidder & Grace will have books on sale at the Festival and there's a dedicated book signing directly after the event.

Revitalised by their Hebden Bridge show, 2024 saw sold out gigs including a first London performance in 20 years and a triumphant return to the main stage at Shiiine On festival. 2025 will see the Milltown Brothers release the album ‘Boogie Woogie’ via Last Night From Glasgow and a series of live shows and their new single ‘Bring It On’ recently released 2 May 2025.

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