The last few years have been a journey for The Longsands: Two self-penned singles, battling Take That for HMV’s best-seller shelf-space; two UK tours, culminating in a glorious sold-out Sage Gateshead homecoming; commissioned to record the Newcastle United walk-on tune (guests of honour at St James’ Park on its debut). Never far from a football link, asked by the BBC to write a football song for West Jesmond FC: Fields of Green was born and made onto BBC radio one’s website for downloads. No surprise then that amongst all this the band were invited to perform a headline slot at the opening party for Northumbria University’s stunning new campus. Performed at Radio One, meeting Chris Moyles and Jo Whiley after winning the national unsigned competition Band Republic. Outstanding reviews in The People, The Sun and Music Week Magazine were to follow. Invited to record and work with producer Andy Macpherson (The Who, Doves, Eric Clapton). Ever sort after by promoters for supports, The Longsands have played a string of sell out shows supporting: The Hoosiers, Bonehead from Oasis, From the Jam and a glorious performance with The Complete Stone Roses on Newcastle Academy’s main stage to over 1000 fans. Further a field, triumphant European tours and hot ‘n’ sticky summer festivals allowed the band to grab the continent by the balls playing to thousands of new fans and attracting licensing interest from European territories for future releases.
