AS FEATURED IN ISSUE 24 OF ASBO MAGAZINE

W: Mandy Morgan

Since their formation in 2023, Manchester-based indie-rock outfit The Falls have hit the UK music scene with remarkable momentum. Consisting of Harrison Sharp (vocals), Joel Quirk (guitar), Ren Smith (bass), and Tom Chester (drums), the quartet has rapidly built a reputation both in their hometown and nationwide. The band has cultivated a formidable live presence, consistently selling out venues across the country while their Manchester shows have become legendary for their electric atmosphere.

The early months of 2026 marked a significant milestone for the group as they undertook their biggest hometown headline to date. Stepping up to the city’s iconic Manchester Academy, Sharp, Quirk, Smith, and Chester proved they are more than capable of commanding larger stages. The demand for their live performances remains unprecedented; a recently announced headline show at Manchester’s Gulliver’s sold out in under 24 hours, leading the band to add a second, more intimate date at The Castle Hotel to accommodate their growing fanbase.

Musically, The Falls draw inspiration from a rich tapestry of classic and contemporary indie influences, such as The Courteeners, The Kooks, and Jake Bugg. Their signature sound expertly combines Quirk's energetic guitar hooks and the driving rhythm section of Smith and Chester with Sharp’s sharp, relatable lyrical storytelling. This formula has already proven successful with their debut EP, ‘Viva La Falls’, released late last year. The project has amassed over 100,000 streams and earned early critical praise from influential tastemakers like Radio X’s John Kennedy.

Working closely with producer Luke Owens, the band has refined a sonic identity that balances explosive instrumentation with melodic sensibility. Their arrangements feature a blend of driving drums, melodic bass lines, and urgent vocals that encapsulate themes of modern life and emotional intensity.

Vocalist Harrison Sharp notes that the band’s songwriting often mirrors the feeling of navigating a chaotic world. By using physical metaphors to describe internal pressures, the band aims to create music that symbolises danger and disorder while ultimately highlighting the importance of self-care. As they continue to sell out venues and climb the ranks of the UK indie scene, The Falls are cementing their place as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from the North-West in recent years.

New track ‘Loaded Gun’ is streaming now. Their EP will drop this month,