Their indie-rock anthems have been blasted from the speakers at the likes of Glastonbury and T in the Park, and now, they're moving onto our turf at Founder's Quad!
Built on a foundation of long-term friendships and a desire to play exciting music to packed venues, The Pigeon Detectives have taken influences from Rolling Stones, The Cure, The Stooges to name but a few to fashion a savvy sound that’s impressing folks with every show.
Formed in 2002, in Rothwell, West Yorkshire, the Leeds-based five-piece were the automatic choice of DJs Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley to playlist on BBC Radio One. Comprising school chums Matt Bowman (vocals), Oliver Main and Ryan Wilson (guitars), Dave Best (bass) and Jimmi Naylor (drums), the latter having superseded Paul Spooner, The Pigeon Detectives emerged from their rehearsal loft to play locally before performing in front of large crowds at the annual Reading and Leeds festivals in 2006.
Impressed by their youthful vigour and laddish swagger, Dance To The Radio Records wooed the lads into their lair, releasing debut track, `You Know I Love You’, that summer. Although its limited edition numbers left it bubbling outside the official charts, it paved the way for a quick-fire succession of Top 40 hits by way of `I Found Out’, `Romantic Type’, `I’m Not Sorry’ and `Take Her Back’. All spawned from their meteoric debut album, Wait For Me (2007), it certainly gave them their place alongside some of the most recognisable indie-rock bands of the noughties.