Air Drawn Dagger

Air Drawn Dagger

Air Drawn Dagger is a Sheffield rock band active since 2016. Their sound combines electronic elements, grunge, punk and angst-pop, with My Chemical Romance and Paramore listed among the main influences on their style.

The band name comes from Macbeth, where it is described as a “characterization of an emotional outburst”. The group begins in the back of a cake shop in Sheffield, where guitarist Lewis and vocalist Maisie meet and start writing songs after hours in her shop.

Early development

Air Drawn Dagger first builds an audience by playing to a wide mix of crowds, from punk audiences at hardcore shows to couples in tapas restaurants. Their debut release appears in 2015 and receives strong support from BBC Introducing, helping them establish a cult following through regular touring across the UK.

The band signs a publishing deal in 2016 and releases an EP at a hometown show at Sheffield’s Corporation. That release also receives attention from the underground press, including Hit The Floor, Mosh & Punktastic, alongside further BBC Introducing support.

Line-up

The group consists of Maisie Manterfield on vocals and electronics, Sam Wagner on lead guitar and backing vocals, Lewis Budden on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Ross Dore on drums and percussion.