The Slates Share New Single Today Ahead of UK Tour
By The Slates
Share The New Single ‘Watch Life Burn’ – Listen Here
Their First Release Under a New Deal With
This Feeling Records in Partnership with Lab Records
Headline Tour Starts in Birmingham – New Vinyl-Only Compilation Album ‘From Then Till Now’ Available Exclusively at Headline Shows
The Slates have been stepping up big time already in 2026, playing shows with Crystal Tides, The Clause and The Lilacs, as well as hitting New York for the first time at the New Colossus Festival. But they’re still just getting started stepping into a big future with the news that they have signed a new deal with This Feeling Records in partnership with LAB Records. Knowing that now is when the hard graft really starts, they’re kicking off in style with their brand new single ‘Watch Life Burn’.
‘Watch Life Burn’ is the sound of The Slates powering into fulfilling their immense potential. With widescreen atmospherics, crystalline guitar textures and dynamic sonic contrasts, it places the band as simultaneously being at the forefront of the indie-rock underground scene while having everything it takes to ascend to the next level. That belief is further underlined by Louis Barnes’ voice, as he captures the emotions that surface when you realise some things have to be left behind so you can make the most of what’s to come.
Louis says, “‘Watch Life Burn’ was written shortly after moving to university and the song, really, is a reflection of nostalgic feelings and a reminder to live life to the fullest. It’s an ‘arms open wide’ experience where the world disappears briefly and it’s just you and the tune. It makes your mind escape within the melodies and really feel a sort of euphoria that only music can really deliver. It’s a proper tune and the production, songwriting and performance on the track are up there for us at the moment.”
‘Watch Life Burn’ was written by The Slates and was produced by Peter Redshaw, with mixing courtesy of James Kenosha.
This new start for The Slates is also an opportunity for the band to reflect upon their journey so far. They have compiled all of their releases to date in the new vinyl-only album ‘From Then Till Now’, which is limited to 500 copies and will be available exclusively at their upcoming headline shows. It highlights their rapid evolution, from the DIY indie-pop of their first single ‘Try That’ to the surging melodic rush of ‘What Have You Done?’ and the joyous sun-kissed summer anthem ‘Calling Up’. The collection also features a previously unreleased song in the shape of ‘Try It Again’.
As well as the This Feeling Records / LAB Records news, there is a further new development for The Slates with the addition of new drummer Cohen Hall. He joins the band’s three founder members: Louis Barnes (vocals, guitar), Joe Briggs (guitar) and Jude Wales (bass).
Louis adds, “We have just signed to This Feeling Records in partnership with LAB Records which will be taking the music to the next level! It was a genuinely surreal moment getting it finalised and it’s not the sort of thing you can really grasp happening when you’re playing to your mum and dad in a pub, haha. The only word we really have for it is mental; it’s all mental (in the best way possible).”
The Slates are in Birmingham tonight as they start a near sold-out headline tour. They’re on the road all summer, with highlights including a headline set at The Pit at Y NOT?; further festivals including The Great Escape, Truck and Tramlines; a big support show with The Kairos; and their first ever show in Spain at Polifonik Sounds. Remaining tickets for the dates, listed below, are available HERE.
APRIL
8th – Birmingham, Dead Wax (FINAL TICKETS)
9th – London, The Social (SOLD OUT)
10th – Sheffield, Sidney & Matilda (SOLD OUT)
11th – Manchester, Gorilla (SOLD OUT)
18th – Bridlington, This Feeling By The Sea
24th – Cheltenham, The Steam & Whistle
25th – Liverpool, Invisible Wind Factory (with The Kairos)
MAY
1st – Bath, Komedia
16th – Brighton, The Great Escape Festival
17th – Chesterfield, Hasland Club
24th – Liverpool, Noisy Weekender Festival
JUNE
12th – Portsmouth, Golden Touch Festival
JULY
3rd – Spain, Polifonik Sounds Festival
11th – Plymouth, Sound Factory Festival
18th – Glastonbury, Godney Gathering
23rd – Oxfordshire, Truck Festival
24th Sheffield, Tramlines
30th – Derbyshire, Y NOT? Festival (The Pit – HEADLINERS)
AUGUST21st – Leicestershire, 110 Above Festival
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