Amidst the myriad of talents of SXSW 2024, Coach Party emerged not just as performers but as a force majeure of indie rock. The British four-piece band, hailing from the Isle of Wight, England, delivered performances that demonstrated their burgeoning status in the music world, while also potentially ‘terrifying’ some children with less-than-savory language at a nearby park (apparently, the lead singer has a video of this somewhere). With a schedule as packed as their punchy tracks, they graced nine different stages during their grueling week at SXSW. From the intimate setting of The Coral Snake for the Paste Showcase to the outdoor British Music Embassy on their last day, they left an indelible mark on the festival’s sonic canvas.
The band, composed of lead singer and bassist Jess Eastwood, guitarists Joe Perry and Steph Norris, and drummer Guy Page, have been building momentum in Europe since their inception in 2019. SXSW was their first trip across the pond to the United States. Their journey, dotted with singles that resonate with youthful exuberance and lyrical depth, culminated in their recent debut album KILLJOY.
A Sonic Journey Through KILLJOY
The album KILLJOY, unfurled live, is a tapestry of emotion; each song a thread woven with personal stories and universal themes. Tracks like “Born Leader,” “All I Wanna Do Is Hate,” and “What’s The Point in Life” not only showcase the band’s ability to craft songs that are both catchy and thought-provoking but also speak to the intricate dynamics of human relationships and self-reflection.
“What’s the Point In Life” resonated with the SXSW crowd as its anthemic quality paired with Eastwood’s commanding vocals became a call to arms for the disenchanted and the dreamers alike. “Micro Aggression” and “Parasite” dialed up the energy, pulsing through the crowd, with gritty guitars and aggressive percussion – a testament to the band’s rock credentials.
The Live Experience: Authenticity and Connection
Coach Party’s live performances are a visceral reminder of the power of live music; its universal ability to convene, to communicate, and to celebrate the collective experience across all ages. The band’s ethos, grounded in authenticity and connection, was palpable in their interactions onstage and their “telling it as it is” recap of their Austin experience.
“Being the furthest from home we’ve ever been, yet meeting people who are familiar, or even LIKE us has been a hell of a concept to process, and we’ve been so humbled by that social side of the festival. We played a total of nine times in Austin, but every gig felt like a totally new experience. It was really exciting,” reflected Page, on their week in Austin.
Influences and Evolution
Coach Party’s sound, a melange of indie rock, brit-pop, stoner-rock and grunge, reflects their eclectic musical tastes. The new album underscores their ability to navigate these genres with ease, creating a sound that is distinctively their own. The band credits their unique sound to a collaborative process that allows individual influences to filter through their collective vision, resulting in music that is rich, layered, and wholly Coach Party.
Beyond SXSW: Looking Ahead
With SXSW behind them, Coach Party sets their sights on a European tour, including stops in Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland before hitting the UK in June and July. Their summer itinerary is packed with festival dates, cities they have yet to play, and as Page lamented, “getting our coffee orders completely wrong in every new town; the variation in coffee lingo from place to place never ceases to completely destabilize our mornings.”
