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THE MUSIC INDUSTRY PODCAST FROM RGM MAGAZINE · RGMMagazine

#231 THE SLATES

·43 min·3 clips
A tribute band blew my head off at 12, so I learned bass—then I just messaged musicians I found on Instagram.
The Slates, a three-piece band from Manchester, England, discuss their journey from individual musical discovery to selling out venue shows and touring internationally. Each member came to music differently—Jude was inspired by a tribute band at age 12, Joe played classical guitar in school, and Louis was invited to join after a football presentation performance. Starting in Year 6 with rehearsals in Jude's grandma's old slaughterhouse (every Tuesday at 5pm, freezing cold), they maintained discipline and consistency that tightened their sound over years. Early band names were Addiction and Distortion before they rebranded to The Slates during COVID lockdown—a pivot that marked their renewed commitment to the band. After selling out The Port in 2022 and playing Line Up festival the same year, they connected with This Feeling booking/management, becoming part of their tight community. Now at age 20, all three are living together, balancing uni and band commitments (one studies events management and music performance), and recently completed a Sweden tour. They're booked for Bridlington festival next year.

As heard by us

A loose, local band chat that lands on touring, travel, and the small realities behind the noise.

The Slates' chat with Karl Bologna settles into a loose, friendly band interview in Manchester, moving from life near the Apollo to the trip to Sweden.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a band interview that feels like a pub chat after soundcheck, this is it.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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