Stornoway
Biography Stornoway
Stornoway
named for a Scottish island but hailing from Oxford, formed in 2006 and quickly started leaving an indelible mark on the indie folk scene.
Their debut album, Beachcomber's Windowsill (2010), unveiled a delightful blend of folk, pop, and whimsy. Led by the captivating voice of frontman Brian Briggs, the album's standout tracks, 'Zorbing' and 'I Saw You Blink', showcased the band's ability to craft infectious hooks that nestled deep into the listener's consciousness.
Stornoway's follow-up release, Tales From Terra Firma, arrived in 2013 and further solidified their status as storytellers. The album showed off a more introspective side, exploring themes of love, loss, and longing with a nuanced touch. Tracks like 'The Great Procrastinator' and 'Farewell Appalachia' landed big, earning Stornoway critical acclaim and a dedicated following as well as chart success.
The band's infectious energy transformed their shows into communal celebrations. Playlisted everywhere, they toured with the likes of Sting, Norah Jones, Jay-Z, and Foo Fighters. Whether they were headlining massive festivals or playing intimate local gigs with an environmental focus, Stornoway fostered a profound connection with their audience. And then everything stopped.
After four studio albums, including the heartfelt Bonxie (2015) and the introspective The Bonxie Unseen (2016), Stornoway announced an indefinite hiatus in 2017. The fans were distraught, but it allowed the band members to follow their own individual paths and recharge their creative batteries.
Reforming for Truck festival in 2020, Stornoway began work on a comeback album. After a 6-year hiatus, the band returned in 2023 with their playful 4th album ‘Dig The Mountain!’, which reached number 7 in the sales charts and saw them further build their dedicated fanbase, with multiple headline sold-out tours in unique venues across the UK and further afield, including a run of their popular outdoor ‘Unplucked’ shows at nature reserves.
