BRING THE NOISE FESTIVAL | INTERVIEW

Whitby’s finest, Sunbeam, are setting the northern music scene ablaze with their anthemic sound and unstoppable momentum. Bursting out of the coastal town with a blend of soaring hooks and raw emotion, the band is no stranger to the spotlight. Their breakout track, Everytime You Call, stormed to #2 on the iTunes Alternative Chart, announcing them as one of the most exciting acts coming up. With regular spins on Radio X’s X-Posure, championed by tastemaker John Kennedy, Sunbeam have captured the ears of indie diehards nationwide. Their live game is just as sharp: In December 2024, they sold out their first headline show to a 1,000-strong crowd, proving they’ve got the chops to match their hype. The band has already hit some of the UK’s biggest festival stages, with standout performances at YNOT Festival and the iconic Isle of Wight Festival, leaving audiences buzzing. Add to that sharing stages with legends like the Kaiser Chiefs and rising stars like The K’s, and it’s clear Sunbeam are no strangers to big moments.

And this is just the beginning. With big announcements for 2025, Sunbeam is primed to take its career to the next level.

Could you introduce yourselves, who’s in the band, what your sound is, and how you came together?

Now then, we’re Sunbeam; we’re a 5-piece from Whitby! My names Jimmy and I’m the singer, Nicky’s on rhythm guitar, Sean S on lead, Sean D on drums and Alf on bass.

What’s happening for you right now? Any new releases, upcoming gigs, or exciting projects in the works?

We have just released our latest single almost always! We’re looking ahead to a belting summer. We’ve got some mint festivals coming up, including Stockton Calling, Bring the Noise, Truck, Y-Not, The Great Escape and TFBTS! We’ve also just announced a big hometown show at the Spa pavilion, a 1000-cap venue in Whitby that we sold out at Christmas. We’ve sold 70% of the tickets within the first 2 days of it being on sale, so it’s looking like it’s gonna be another sell-out! We’re also writing our debut album.

Looking back, how has your music evolved since you first started out? Are there any key moments that shaped your sound or approach?

We didn’t have a clue what sound we wanted at the beginning. We have lots of different influences, and they came out in our early demos but didn’t always marry together well. Since becoming a five-piece, we’ve found a sound that works for us and the crowd!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an independent band, and how have you navigated it?

Challenges are around every corner. You’ve got to really love this game and believe in what you are doing, especially in the early stages. Playing to no one and getting paid peanuts is a real test of your dedication and ambition.

What’s your songwriting and recording process like when creating new music? Do you have any unique rituals or methods?

There are no real rituals or methods to our writing. We will come up with ideas and ask each other for direction, or we will come up with a full song. Often, I’ll wake up from a dream with a melody or some words and whisper them into my voice notes, trying not to wake our lass! We write about everyday things. Some of it is meaningful, some of it doesn’t mean anything, but it all seems to resonate.

If you had to describe your upcoming (or latest) release in just three words, what would they be?

Indie pop banger.

What made Bring the Noise stand out to you? What excites you most about playing (or being part of) the festival?

We were buzzing that they reached out. We’re always keen to play as many places to as many faces as possible, and they provide that and more. I spoke to Joe from Alright about it, and it says it’s a banging day, so we’re well up for it!

Sheffield has a rich musical history; how do you see your band fitting into or challenging that legacy

We’re just happy to be playing.

The indie scene is constantly evolving. Where do you see it heading, and how do you hope to contribute to its future?

We wanna be on the front line of the indie resurgence, along with some unreal up-and-coming bands

Who would you choose to cover your songs if you could select one band from the lineup?

ALRIGHT! Them boys would put a naughty spin on any of our tunes.

Sunbeam play Bring The Noise Festival at Sheffield’s Network on the 26th of April. Tickets are available here: https://www.skiddle.com/festivals/bring-the-noise/