THE SLATES ARE ON FIRE: NEW DEAL, ‘WATCH LIFE BURN’ SINGLE, LIMITED VINYL & A SUMMER TOUR THAT’S ALREADY SOLD OUT HALF THE DATES

The Slates are absolutely smashing it in 2026, and today marks a massive new chapter for the Leeds lads as they drop their electrifying new single ‘Watch Life Burn’ their first release under a shiny new record deal with This Feeling Records in partnership with LAB Records.

This isn’t just another track, it’s a proper statement of intent. Bursting with widescreen atmospherics, shimmering crystalline guitars, and those dynamic shifts that pull you in and refuse to let go, ‘Watch Life Burn’ positions The Slates right at the sharp end of the UK indie-rock scene while sounding destined for far bigger stages. Frontman Louis Barnes delivers a vocal performance packed with raw emotion –that bittersweet realisation that sometimes you’ve got to let go of the past to fully embrace what’s coming next. It’s nostalgic yet forward-charging, reflective yet euphoric.

As Louis puts it: “‘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 deliver. It’s a proper tune and the production, songwriting and performance on the track are up there for us at the moment.”

Written by the band and produced by Peter Redshaw (with mixing by James Kenosha), the single captures everything that’s made people fall for The Slates, massive hooks, heartfelt lyrics, and that undeniable live energy translated perfectly to record.

To mark this exciting new era, the band have also put together a special vinyl-only compilation album called ‘From Then Till Now’, strictly limited to 500 copies and available exclusively at their upcoming headline shows. It’s a brilliant snapshot of their rapid rise, pulling together their early DIY indie-pop bangers like ‘Try That’, the surging melodic rush of ‘What Have You Done?’, the sun-drenched summer joy of ‘Calling Up’, and even a previously unreleased gem in ‘Try It Again’. From those first pub gigs to where they stand now, it’s clear how far and how fast they’ve evolved.

The lineup is stronger than ever, too, with the addition of new drummer Cohen Hall joining the three founder members, Louis Barnes on vocals and guitar, Joe Briggs on guitar, and Jude Wales on bass. Fresh blood, same unstoppable drive.

Speaking about the signing, Louis said:

“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).”

And they’re not wasting any time celebrating. The headline tour kicked off in Birmingham tonight at Dead Wax (with final tickets still available), and the rest of the run is looking ridiculously strong, with near-sold-out shows, festival highlights, and even their first-ever gig in Spain.

They’ve already been turning heads this year, supporting the likes of Crystal Tides, The Clause and The Lilacs, and making their New York debut at the New Colossus Festival. Now, with proper label muscle behind them and a summer packed with shows, The Slates feel like one of those bands you’ll be telling people “I saw them when…” in a couple of years.

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)

AUGUST

21st – Leicestershire, 110 Above Festival

Go and stream ‘Watch Life Burn’ right now, grab a ticket if you can, and get yourself down to a show. This is the sound of a band properly taking off.

Merch and that limited vinyl? Only at the gigs. The future’s bright, the guitars are loud, and The Slates are just getting started. Don’t sleep on them.

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