0
One of the UK’s most exciting new guitar bands, Bolton’s bright new teenage rock four-piece Florentenes kick start 2026 with their new single ‘Madeline’.
With Madeline, Florentenes shapen their focus and lean into the instinctive, guitar-led sound that’s fueled their rapidly growing live following. Captured through a performance led video, the single highlights what has made the four piece one of the most talked about new bands on the live circuit.
Rooted firmly in the North’s rich tradition of storytelling and live music culture, Florentenes have quickly built a reputation for razor-sharp songwriting, fully live, tight musicianship and performances that connect instinctively with real audiences. Fronted by songwriter William Train Smith, alongside Luke Holding (guitar), Harry Stubbs (bass) and Liam Fiddy (drums), the band’s chemistry is unmistakable and their songs have earned them high profile airplay and on air praise from Radio X’s John Kennedy & BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins.
With coveted spots on the bill at grassroots venues, festival stages and live shows across the UK in 2025, Florentenes have cemented their place at the forefront of a new wave of modern indie rock charging into 2026. Fresh off the back of performing at Chris Hawkins Awesome Friends night at Deaf Institute in Manchester on 17th Jan, the band were recently special guests of Justin Hawkins at his Rides Again (again) tour on 28th Jan in Crewe.
Recorded with legendary producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Jamie Webster, The Who), ‘Madeline’ is another step forward for a band still barely a year out of school and already helping to define a new era of northern guitar music. Evoking the relentless energy of The Libertines and the melodic urgency of the Arctic Monkeys.
Frontman William Train Smith explains, ‘Madeline is about those moments of chance, connection and letting yourself be swept up in life, the highs, the heartbreaks, and the energy that comes from just living in the moment’
Momentum around Florentenes continues to build at pace. With growing streaming support, regular playlist additions across Spotify & Apple Music and tastemaker endorsements. BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins has hailed them as ‘One of the most exciting guitar bands in the UK right now…Arctic Monkeys meets Pink Floyd via the Libertines” while renowned journalist and author,
John Robb captures their rise perfectly.. “with a sold out show, full of teen energy and the thrill of high octane guitar rush, there is already a sophistication and musicianship way beyond their years, slotting neatly into that northern lineage that runs from Buzzcocks to Arctic Monkeys. The band are on the fast track to breakout. They have the songs, the cheeky charm and the musical nous that has already caught them a fevered following.”
About Florentenes
Florentenes are in a rush.
With youth on their side and short, sharp shocks of songs that could soundtrack a generation, the Bolton based four-piece match the eloquent urgency of early Arctic Monkeys with the guitar rush of The Strokes and the classic rock power of The Who.
They have the songs, the attitude, and that indefinable extra that has seen them pack out venues and forge a tight bond with an ever-growing audience.
Forged in the North and steeped in its storytelling tradition, Florentenes are a band who are part of a new wave of creativity rising from the grassroots. With frontman and songwriter William Train Smith, Luke Holding (guitar), Harry Stubbs (bass), and Liam Fiddy (drums), the band’s chemistry is palpable, four schoolmates turned sonic force, mixing jagged riffs, melodic basslines, and hooks that stay lodged in your head for days.
Their recent work with legendary producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Jamie Webster, The Who) captures their live
spark and intent, raw, real, and free of gimmicks. As Eringa put it: “This is the band the UK music industry has been waiting for,
insanely talented, insanely young, and cool as! No clicks, no autotune, no nonsense, just massive songs recorded live and allowed
to breathe like the records of old, but sounding like the records of tomorrow.”
Following recent supports with Razorlight, Jamie Webster, The Royston Club, and Sundara Karma, the band had a packed 2025
of live shows, including slots with Red Rum Club, The Guest List, Arkayla, The Rolling People and The Wombats, firmly setting
their sights on making 2026 their breakthrough year, as they prepare to release their third body of work.
Florentenes somehow make guitars feel urgent again, a new generation of northern voices with something to say, something to
prove, and the songs to back it up