Blossoms Celebrate 10 Years of Debut, Share Playful Vibes of Album Six

Ten years on from their iconic debut, Blossoms reflect on their journey and the playful spirit behind their upcoming album.

A Special Night at Manchester’s Deaf Institute

There’s something magical about bands returning to their roots, isn’t there? On August 5th, Blossoms did exactly that, marking a decade since their debut album dropped by performing it in full at Manchester’s intimate Deaf Institute—a cozy 260-capacity venue that holds a special place in their hearts.

It was their first show there since 2014, and they made it a night to remember, treating fans to deep cuts, beloved classics, and sneak peeks from their upcoming sixth album, Songs From The Wedding Cake. The gig was so special that it was recorded for a live album titled Live At The Deaf Institute — a perfect snapshot of their journey.

Intimacy, Nostalgia, and Carnations

Tom Ogden, the charismatic frontman, reminisced about the magic of playing such intimate venues. He shared a touching story about a fan named Joe who had been with them since their early days:

“We had a nice email from a fan called Joe, who we stopped seeing, the bigger we got, because he obviously prefers the smaller shows. He exchanged email addresses with Charlie [Salt, bassist] back in the day, and he emailed saying, ‘I still follow the band, it’s great to see how much you’ve risen, but to see you in this venue again would mean a lot to me.’ In 2014, we gave out little carnations to every person who came to the show – Charlie’s aunty was a florist – and he was like, ‘I’ll wear the red carnation again!’ Little things like that, there is a real old-school togetherness with the fans, and it was a really special night.”

These little moments, the carnations, the intimate connection, create that old-school camaraderie you just don’t get at massive arenas. It’s a vibe that keeps both band and fans grounded.

An Electric Atmosphere and a Nostalgia Trip

The night buzzed with excitement even before the band hit the stage. Teenagers swarmed the Oxford Road venue, desperate for last-minute tickets, with notable faces like Thom Rylance from The Lottery Winners spotted in the crowd.

Blossoms kicked off with ‘Charlemagne,’ a song usually reserved for their show finales, but here it took a front-row slot, setting the tone perfectly. Tom joked about drummer Joe Donovan’s 22nd birthday being the last time they played this venue and confessed, “I still can’t grow facial hair!” His playful banter brought an elastic energy that carried through the set.

Songs like ‘At Most A Kiss’ had the crowd bouncing, and ‘Getaway’ turned into an enthusiastic sing-along. Tom even warned fans before performing ‘Onto Her Bed’ for the first time in ten years:

“If I fuck the words up, I have an excuse! We thought we’d give you an authentic 2014 experience where there’s loads of silence in between the tunes, and it’s not as slick,” he laughed. “It’s nice, a bit of nostalgia every now and again, isn’t it?”

Musical Homages and Stories Between Songs

The setlist was sprinkled with musical nods and fun surprises. ‘Texia’ carried a vibe reminiscent of The Last Shadow Puppets, while the outro of ‘My Favourite Room’ morphed into a crowd sing-along of Oasis’s ‘Half The World Away’. Tom regaled the audience with tales about keyboardist Myles Kellock’s audition and a generous guitar gift from The Coral’s James Skelly.

Then came the encore, featuring recent singles ‘Joke About Divorce’ and ‘Meet Me In Love’. The latter brought a special guest: Declan McKenna. He joined them on stage, adding backing vocals before cheekily picking up a guitar and quipping, “Here’s ‘Wonderwall’!”

The Story Behind ‘Additional Driver’

The highlight of the night for many was the debut of ‘Additional Driver,’ an unreleased track born from a minor car bump outside the Apollo roundabout. Tom explained the humorous inspiration behind the song:

“I was pulling out and somebody cut me up, but the police were right behind us, so we had this whole exchange of, ‘Just making sure you’re insured.’ As it happened, some lad tapped and asked for a selfie.”

The song blends art-rock, funk, and disco, with playful nods to The Beatles’ ‘Drive My Car’ as Tom and Declan trade vocals. The title? A reflection of Tom being literally an additional driver on the insurance.

Tom shared that the song was written in the same Airbnb in Anglesey where they crafted their 2024 single ‘I Like Your Look’ with CMAT. He recalled:

“We wrote with Declan for a week. One day, it got to 9 o’clock, we had a few drinks, and we started getting that groove of what the song is, and that bump – it wasn’t a crash, it was a bump – had just happened a couple of days before... We started spitballing these ideas and ended up doing the vocals in the hot tub. It was, as you’d imagine, ridiculousness, but it ended up being fun the same way as [the 2024 album] ‘Gary’ was fun.”

The video, featuring the 192 bus rolling down the A6 and a staged police scene outside the Apollo, matched the song’s playful energy perfectly.

Looking Back with Pride and Forward with Energy

When asked about the feelings on stage, Tom reflected on the rawness and youthful energy of their debut:

“Pure joy, really. For the vast majority of our career, and as a person, I’m always looking forward, but it is nice to take it in and actually appreciate the moment. Them old tunes, there’s a rawness, the youth of making them songs. You couldn’t do it again now because you’re a different person, you sing about different things. We’ve never been ‘punk’, but there’s a youthful energy to it, an aggression in the singing, which is charming, in a way.”

He also mentioned how, unlike some artists who might rest after early success, Blossoms have kept their foot firmly on the gas:

“After ‘Gary’, I had a moment where I felt like I could take stock. Up until that point, I was always restless… I’d beat myself up about things and kept a barrier on how much I could let myself enjoy it. Seeing people take to ‘Gary’ made me take stock a little bit and go, ‘We’ve done all right here. We’ve got a new album and arena tour on the way.’”

From Intimate Venues to Arenas

Tom addressed the question of whether they see themselves solely as an arena band now:

“A lot of fans online have said, ‘You should be in arenas,’ but we’ve choked it to a point where we’ve got a catalogue to do those shows now. If we’d made that jump too early, we’d have been out of our depth. I think we’re a better live band, I’m a better frontman, I’m way more comfortable. I know who I am now, I’m 33. For many years, I felt a bit lost with it, self-conscious, whereas I’ve evolved into that role and I love it now. It feels like the right time to go to arenas, and it’s not daunting. It feels like where we should be, in a way.”

How Would the Debut Hold Up Today?

Would that first album still resonate if released in 2026? Tom is confident:

“I’d like to think it would stand up! On the second album [Cool Like You] there are a few stinkers – maybe because I had less time and that ‘second album’ thing – but that first record, there’s no songs I’d get rid of. Playing them 10 years later, none of it felt outdated, it felt timeless, to me. I think if we put out ‘Charlemagne’ tomorrow, people would still jump on it.”

Keeping the Creative Fire Burning

Reflecting on peers like Wolf Alice, Sundara Karma, and The Hunna, Tom speaks about the hunger and desire to evolve that keeps Blossoms going strong:

“From the start, we wanted longevity. Resting on our laurels was never on the agenda for us, to be honest. Maybe because of where we’re from, once we got that opportunity with the record deal, we thought, ‘This is it. We’re going to grab it with both horns and go for it.’”

He admires Wolf Alice’s passion and friendship, noting how important that bond is in sustaining creativity. The friendships, creative control, and hunger to keep evolving make all the difference.

Collaborations and New Sounds

Alongside Declan McKenna, Blossoms enlisted some exciting collaborators on their new album. Rick Astley lends backing vocals on ‘Joke About Divorce’, while Elijah Hewson from Inhaler contributed remotely:

“On an album track, this middle eight section, I was singing like Eli and thought, ‘This bit would sound great with Eli singing it,’ so Joe was like, ‘Well, let’s just fucking message him.’ He sent us the vocals back the next day, he did it remotely at his place in London.”

This openness to collaboration reflects their evolving approach and willingness to experiment.

Playfulness at the Heart of ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’

Tom reveals how their playful streak has flourished on the new album, which includes songs inspired by the Kardashians and Uma Thurman:

“I think [the 2016 Tom] would like it! Writing the song ‘Your Girlfriend’ was a game-changer for me, in terms of narrative-based songs where you have licence to have fun with it and go elsewhere. But I think he’d like the playfulness, because that sense of humour has always been there.”

Fans can mark their calendars for Songs From The Wedding Cake, out October 2 via ODD SK / Distiller Records. Pre-orders include an exclusive live double CD featuring Live At The Deaf Institute.

Upcoming UK Tour Dates

• November 26: Cardiff, Utilita Arena
• November 27: London, Alexandra Palace
• November 28: Manchester, Co-op Live
• December 4: Birmingham, Utilita Arena
• December 5: Glasgow, OVO Hydro
• December 11: Manchester, Co-op Live

Tickets are flying fast for this highly anticipated tour!

To Wrap It Up

Blossoms aren’t just celebrating their past; they’re embracing the future with a playful spirit and unwavering hunger. From intimate gigs to arena shows, their journey is proof that evolving while staying true to your roots is the sweetest kind of success. So, what’s your favorite Blossoms era — the raw debut or the playful new chapter?

FAQ

• How did Blossoms celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut album? They played the entire album live at Manchester's Deaf Institute, an intimate venue significant to their early days, and recorded the show for a live album.
• What’s special about the song ‘Additional Driver’? It was inspired by a minor car bump involving Tom Ogden, featuring playful lyrics and vocals shared with Declan McKenna.
• Who are some notable collaborators on Blossoms’ new album? Rick Astley and Elijah Hewson from Inhaler contributed backing vocals, adding fresh layers to their sound.
• How does Tom Ogden describe the vibe of their debut album? He calls it raw and youthful, with an energy and aggression in the singing that captures a moment in time they can't replicate now.
• What can fans expect from the album Songs From The Wedding Cake? A playful, narrative-driven record with a cheeky sense of humor, featuring songs inspired by pop culture and personal stories.

Looking to bring a bit of that Blossoms magic into your space? Shop your favorite album cover posters at our store here for a stylish nod to their musical journey.