All good things must end. Today The Magic Gang announce that they are going to go their separate ways after more than a decade together. And what a journey it has been: from the joyous power-pop and swooning vocal harmonies of self-titled debut to the rousing Northern Soul leanings of their acclaimed second album, ‘The Death of the Party’, they depart with a back catalogue to be proud of. Just look at those songs: ‘No Fun’, ‘How Can I Compete’, ‘All This Way’, ‘Getting Along’, ‘Think’, ‘Take Back The Track’ and a whole lot more.
The Magic Gang - Jack Kaye (vocals/guitar), Kris Smith (vocals/guitar), Gus Taylor (bass/vocals) and Paeris Giles (drums) - will say goodbye with a celebratory farewell tour. Tickets for the dates will go on sale via the links below at 9am this Friday January 26th.
MAY
21st - Glasgow, St. Luke’s – TICKETS HERE
22nd - Manchester, New Century Hall – TICKETS HERE
23rd - London, Electric Ballroom – TICKETS HERE
In addition, The Magic Gang will also play festival dates at Truck and Tramlines this summer.
Jack Kaye reflects on their time together:
“This band started in 2013 in a bedroom in Kris’ parents house. I remember it was a sweltering hot day and me, Kris and Paeris were arguing over band names. Kris wanted to start a band with around ten members, playing an array of percussive instruments and acoustic guitars. With this in mind, we settled on The Magic Gang and Paeris wrote it on the front of a kick drum to make it official.
We recorded our first song ‘Bruises’ in our shared house in Brighton. Gus happened to be home at the time and was drafted in to play bass. There was something truly magical about that recording; a lightning-in-a-bottle moment you take for granted when you first start a band.
A decade on (and some time after our most recent gig), it’s clear to see how incredible the journey has been. We’ve travelled the world and have had the opportunity to share our music with anyone who cared to listen (and some who didn’t). We dedicated everything to the band and I’m so glad we did, because we got the world in return.
For now, we’ve decided to call time on The Magic Gang. This band has always been a sum of its parts - four songwriters working in collaboration and doing our best to honour each other’s ideas. The most natural thing now is for everyone in the band to spend some time exploring their own creative pursuits.
You’ll be hearing a lot more from all of us but for now, as The Magic Gang, we’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us over the years by playing a handful of extended shows. We’ll be playing a lot of songs we’ve not performed in years and covering everything from Bruises right up to now.
Thank you and good night x”
Previous praise for The Magic Gang:
“Effervescent songwriting with soulful energy.” - Clash
“Their use of melody has a timeless purity that defies the grubby underbelly of trend-chasing movements and algorithm baiting facsimiles.” - Dork
“The Magic Gang can stay young forever.” - DIY
“The Magic Gang make the kind of pleasing, feel-good guitar driven pop that is refreshingly uncynical.” - GQ
“Their hooky choruses are as indelible as a pier-end neon sign flashing in the night sky.” - The Guardian
“Bangers galore… a bonafide anthem factory.” - The Line of Best Fit
“Ambitious and exquisite.” - NME
“A bundle of youthful energy… naive kids who finally found the band they dreamt of forming.” - VICE
