For Viola Beach

I remember when I first heard about Viola Beach’s passing. I remember when I first heard their music and a feeling washed over me that I will never be able to articulate and describe properly.

A feeling of loss, emotion and a anger at this World for taking one of the newest and most promising bands around. I also remember watching Glastonbury the year of their deaths and seeing Coldplay honour them with letting them headline for one song, where they would usually play Heroes by David Bowie.

I remember knowing that if it wasn’t for that tragic accident, then they would one day be headlining with their jangly guitar songs, such as Swings and Waterslides which is the ultimate summer anthem, filled with incredible guitar riffs and distinctive vocals taken from their self titled debut album, released shortly after the bands death.

In many ways, they were the first band that ever got me into indie music and for that I am forever thankful.

It has ultimately made me make the decisions I have, including writing here now and listening to all of the music I have since discovered from them.

So this is dedicated to Tomas, River, Kris, Jack - the Viola Bech boys and their manager Craig. Without your music and your story, I wouldn’t be writing this today and following my dreams.

This is for you. I promise that you will never, ever be forgotten and that you will live on in your music forever.