Welly - Live at Third Man Records

The basement in Third Man Records (for those of you who don’t know it) houses a tiny music venue, and, in the middle of May, it’s hot, sweaty, and stuffy. Though nobody in attendance seems to mind this fact, as Welly and his band - dressed for a stag-do fit for the ages - have enough energy for everyone in the room.

We at Heddon Press have, of course, heard the (well-deserved) buzz around Welly, and said buzz was palpable among the audience as we waited for the band - who did not disappoint.

They start the show with Shopping - one of their newest songs, released in March of this year. The track itself sounds almost as if nineties-era Blur were making music in 2024 - with cheeky one-liners, niche cultural references, and an overarching theme of mocking the mundane, while simultaneously revelling in it. And it’s the perfect introduction to Welly as a live act; it’s raucous, lively, and energetic - perfectly encapsulating the band’s ethos. It’s also a bit sarcastic and satirical, and ever-so-slightly cynical - which is also synonymous with the band’s ethos.

The band, or the ‘Alan Sugababes’, as Welly (lead singer and namesake) calls them, are just as integral to the performance as Welly himself. With Joe and Matt on guitars, Jacob on bass, and Hanna on the synthesisers, the band is solid - chiming in with one-liners and winding one another up in the background, all while providing impressive instrumentals through which Welly himself delivers charismatic vocalisation. 

The show at Third Man Records coincides with the release of their newest single - Soak Up The Culture. The track pokes fun of the baccy-smoking, rah-girls of Bristol and Manchester, and the questionable reputation of Brits abroad. It’s droll, it’s dry, it’s brilliant - and it gets the crowd going, undoubtedly.

Midway through the show, Welly (as in, the singer) asks for a volunteer from the audience, who’s subsequently handcuffed to the band’s photographer for the duration of a song. It gets a good laugh out of the audience - which is something Welly and his band clearly value. It makes for a nice change from all the indie bands that like to stand on stage, miserably strumming their guitars, at any rate.

The highlight of the show is, undoubtedly, Me and Your Mates - one of the first singles the band released, way back in 2022. It’s quintessential indie music, with distorted guitars, a catchy chorus, and an undefinable sense of relatability - an ode to British youth, at its core. And it certainly resonates with the crowd at Third Man Records.

At the end of the show, the sixty-odd people in the venue pour out into the street - and then directly across the road to the pub. We at Heddon Press hang back, though, to speak to Welly and Co. about the show, their dream venues to play in, and, naturally, their meal deals of choice.

The interview is as chaotic as the band - evidenced by the fact that Welly himself is wrestling with a Lime bike that’s not his (and is seemingly very confused about this) when we first approach them. Members of the band briefly pop in and out of the conversation at will to quickly greet friends and fans alike. But, for a band like Welly, nothing could be more apt.

Heddon Press: How did you guys come together?

Welly: Joe, Jacob and I met at school. And then we [himself and Matt] met at an adult sex education class, you could say.

Matt: Or we had sex.

Welly: We went to an STD clinic together.

Matt: Or you could say that.

Welly: No, but Hanna worked at the bar we all drink at, and somebody told me she played an instrument. I didn’t really even know what it was. A frog.

Joe: So, basically, Hanna is the optimum member. And, then, the rest of us - we’ve just been here too long, so he can’t get rid of us. I think we’re on the lease.

Jacob: I’m rented.

Heddon Press: We think your sound is similar to Blur. What do you think?

Joe: Well, we could never be offended by a Blur comparison. Thoughts, Welly?

Welly: I’m not going to complain. 

Heddon Press: Do you have any other inspirations or influences?

Welly: Harry Hill.

Joe: Rizzle Kicks.

Welly: Oh, Horrid Henry.

Joe: Are you Rude Ralph, or am I Rude Ralph?

Welly: I think I’m Henry, but I’d like to be Ralph.

Joe: By proxy, you sort of have to be Henry.

Heddon Press: The real question is - which one of you is Perfect Peter?

Welly: Well, I think he [Matt] is Soggy Sid.

Joe: Hanna’s Sour Susan. Then who’s Jacob?

Welly: Oh, he’s Weepy William. The one with the purple jumper who cries a lot.

(Editor’s Note: This was followed by shockingly accurate impressions of Perfect Peter, Weepy William, and Dad)

Heddon Press: If you could open for any artist, alive or dead, who would it be?

Joe: Incubus. I think Elliott [Welly] would kill me for saying that, though.

Welly: If we could play with anyone-

Jacob: Guns ‘n’ Roses!

Welly: Oh, Example. 

Joe: It would have to be Example and Guns ‘n’ Roses.

Welly: Guns ‘n’ Roses, then us.

Heddon Press: Wait, you want Guns ‘n’ Roses to open for you?

Welly: Yes. Guns ‘n’ Roses, then us, then Example.

Heddon Press: What’s your dream venue?

Jacob: The Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Welly: Oh, and the Other Stage at Glastonbury.

Jacob: But mainly the Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Joe: Oh, and it doesn’t count, but the Maida Vale Sessions. Maida Vale and Shepherd’s Bush - I think those are the only two things on the bucket list.

Heddon Press: Those are the only two things?

Joe: Effectively. Aside from, like, enjoying myself.

Heddon Press: We watched your behind-the-scenes video for Shopping - are those your real Meal Deals of choice?

Joe: Normally, I go for the sausage, bacon, and egg triple, which a lot of people shit on, but I think is good because you get maximum sandwich for minimum value. It’s the same price, but it’s three sandwiches. And it’s none of that other crap. And then I like Squares - salt and vinegar. But you can’t put them in the sandwich, because that’s weird. And then some sort of caffeinated beverage.

Jacob: Just ham. Milk. Ready-salted Walkers.

Joe: You can’t get milk in a Meal Deal! I’ve tried!

Jacob: Yeah, if you go to the counter, they’ll give you the milk.

(Editor’s Note: This has not been fact-checked)

Welly, having just returned from signing an autograph: Why am I not supervising this Meal Deal?

Heddon Press: Go on, what’s your Meal Deal go-to?

Jacob: I’ve already taken just ham.

Welly: I really like the cheese and onion sandwich, at the moment - which is so unsexy. Pickled-onion Monster Munch. And then ginger beer. That’s a stinky Meal Deal.

Joe: Are you fucking kidding?

Heddon Press: And what’s next for Welly?

Welly: Having a drink in there.

Referring, of course, to the pub the majority of their audience is in. However, you can expect some more music from the band this summer (probably June, according to them).

Words by Rosie Smith

Photography by Sarah Pruim // @sarahpruim.jpg