{{Short description|British indie band}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Lathums | image = The Lathums playing at Robin Park, Wigan.png | image_size = | image_upright = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = The Lathums performing at Robin Park Arena in 2024 | alias = | origin = Wigan, Greater Manchester, England | genre = Indie rock | years_active = {{Start date|2018}}–present | label = *Modern Sky *Island | associated_acts = The Snuts Paul Weller Rianne Downey | website = {{URL|thelathums.com}} | current_members = *Alex Moore *Scott Concepcion *Ryan Durrans *Matty Murphy | past_members = Lewis Halliwell *Johnny Cunliffe }}
'''The Lathums''' are an English indie rock band from Wigan, Greater Manchester.<ref name=BBC58762707>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58762707 |title=The Lathums: Wigan indie band score debut number one album |work=BBC News |date=October 2021 |accessdate=1 October 2021}}</ref> They are formed of singer/songwriter and guitarist Alex Moore, lead guitarist Scott Concepcion, bassist Matty Murphy and drummer Ryan Durrans, and are managed by Alfie Skelly. They were created by The Music Project,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tmpcollege.co.uk/home | title=TMP College }}</ref> a stage school specialising in music, art, games and media, in April 2018 after their tutor placed them in the same project group, and within a year they signed with Island Records. They released their debut album, ''How Beautiful Life Can Be'', on 24 September 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/24/the-lathums-how-beautiful-life-can-be-review|title=The Lathums: How Beautiful Life Can Be – hearty 00s indie revivalism|work=The Guardian|last=Aroesti|first=Rachel|date=24 September 2021|access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref> It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart on 1 October 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-lathums-score-number-1-debut-album-with-how-beautiful-life-can-be__34147/|title=The Lathums score Number 1 debut album with How Beautiful Life Can Be|publisher=Official Charts Company|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=1 October 2021|access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref>
== History ==
=== 2018–2019: Formation === Alex Moore, frontman of the band, first met Scott Concepcion before the band formed. The band began as a music project at college in Pemberton, Greater Manchester. The members consisted of drummer Ryan Durrans, bassist Lewis Halliwell, guitarist Scott Concepcion and singer Alex Moore. The band are named after a venue that they performed at. It's commonly pronounced as "La-thums", rather than "Lay-thums". When asked how it's pronounced, Moore stated, "It's just how we pronounce it. It's just how it was christened."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-01 |title=Meet the Wigan band, the Lathums who've just signed for Island Records |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2020-05-01/granada-introducing-the-lathams |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=ITV News |language=en}}</ref> Halliwell later left the band and brought on Johnny Cunliffe to replace him.
In 2018, the band wrote their first song together, "Artificial Screens", which they would self-release, along with other singles that would be re-released and remastered later down the line. In April 2019, the band released their first official single, "Crying Out".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lathums Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-lathums-mn0003884363/biography |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> It was recorded by John Kettle and then later released as a single. Later on, the band released another single, "The Great Escape". This garnered the attention of Tim Burgess from the Charlatans. He invited the band to play a set at Kendal Calling.
=== 2020–2021: COVID-19 and ''How Beautiful Life Can Be'' ===
[[File:The Lathums performing at Victoria Warehouse in 2021.jpg|thumb|The Lathums performing at Victoria Warehouse in 2021]]
The Lathums were signed to Island Records in March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lathums Sign Massive Deal With Island Records |url=https://www.onlyanorthernone.co.uk/news/the-lathums-sign-massive-deal-with-island-records |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Only A Northern One |date=11 March 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> The band were set as support acts for Paul Weller and Blossoms, but they were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the band released "All My Life" in July, an acoustic ballad, written by a 16-year-old Moore. It was produced by the Coral's James Skelly at Liverpool's Parr Street Studio.
In September 2021, the band released their debut album, ''How Beautiful Life Can Be'', which featured remastered versions of previously released singles, alongside new songs.
=== 2022–2024: Cunliffe's departure and ''From Nothing to a Little Bit More'' === [[File:2024 Super League Grand Final Wigan Players Warming Up 07.jpg|thumb|The Lathums performing pre-match at Old Trafford during the 2024 Super League Grand Final]]
In April 2022, the band released ''Sad Face Baby'', the last single to feature Johnny Cunliffe on bass before his departure in 2022. Cunliffe has not publicly spoken since his departure, nor has the band directly mentioned him. The band brought on Matty Murphy as a replacement but was not officially dubbed as a member until January 2023. During the time of Cunliffe's absence, the band were a support act for The Killers. Moore got the chance to do a cover of ''How Beautiful Life Can Be'' with them on stage, with Alex on acoustic guitar and Brandon Flowers on co-lead vocals.<ref>{{Citation |title=THE KILLERS ft. ALEX MOORE (THE LATHUMS) - How Beautiful Life Can Be Wien, Stadthalle, 12.07.2022 | date=17 July 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOsTV_ys9Ek |language=en |access-date=2023-02-01}}</ref>
In November 2022, the band announced their second album, ''From Nothing to a Little Bit More''. Following the announcement, "Say My Name" and "Turmoil" were released.
In December 2022, "Say My Name" was named the Radio X Record of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lathums named Radio X Record Of The Year 2022 winners |url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/news/music/the-lathums-say-my-name-record-of-the-year-winner-best-tracks-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Radio X |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2023, they released the single "Struggle." On 16 February they performed in Warrington ahead of the opening round of the Betfred Super League, Warrington Wolves vs Leeds Rhinos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolves |first=Warrington |title=Warrington Wolves - The Lathums to headline Super League season opener |url=https://warringtonwolves.com/news/2023/february/The-Lathums-to-headline-Super-League-season-opener/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Warrington Wolves|date=6 February 2023 }}</ref>
In June 2023, The Lathums made their debut on the Other Stage at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury Festival for a 45-minute set with the crowd getting bigger as each song was played.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |last1=Lathums |first1=THE |title=The Lathums - BBC Glastonbury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ec59hn/acts/acrvwh |website=BBC |access-date=13 July 2023 |ref=BBC}}</ref>
The Lathums announced in December of 2023 that they would be playing a gig in the hometown, Wigan, accompanied by Jake Bugg, Brooke Combe, and Alex Spencer on 19 July 2024. The gig was held at Robin Park Arena and alongside the band playing there, James Arthur, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Richard Ashcroft of The Verve would be playing there during the same week. During the performance for the band, Moore was joined by Jake Bugg and covered Bugg's 'Simple as This'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lathums Setlist at Robin Park Arena, Wigan |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-lathums/2024/robin-park-arena-wigan-england-3ab8d47.html |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=setlist.fm |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2025-present: ''Matter Does Not Define'' === On 30 October, the band announced their forthcoming third album, ''Matter Does Not Define,'' with a single to coincide with the announcement, ''Stellar Cast''. The band toured the album from March 2025 to April 2025.
== Musical style and influences == The Lathums are an indie rock band influenced by, and often compared to, the Smiths and Arctic Monkeys. Concepcion said his "personal influences have been drawn from many places across British musical history".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-12 |title=Who TF are The Lathums? |url=https://cloutcloutclout.com/features/who-tf/the-lathums/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Clout |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Band members == '''Current members'''
* Alex Moore – lead vocals, guitar (2018–present) * Scott Concepcion – guitar, piano, backing vocals (2018–present) * Ryan Durrans – drums (2018–present) * Matty Murphy – bass guitar, backing vocals (2023–present)
'''Former members'''
* Johnny Cunliffe – bass guitar (2018–2022)
* Lewis Halliwell – bass guitar (2018)
== Discography ==
===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56701/lathums/|title=The Lathums {{!}} full Official Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| IRE<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Lathums|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008164208/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Lathums|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2021|title=Discography The Lathums|website=irish-charts.com|access-date=9 October 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''How Beautiful Life Can Be'' | * Released: 24 September 2021 * Label: Island * Formats: Digital Download, CD, 12" Vinyl, Cassette, Streaming | 1 || 71 |- ! scope="row"| ''From Nothing to a Little Bit More'' | * Released: 3 March 2023 * Label: Island * Formats: Digital Download, CD, 12" Vinyl, Cassette, Streaming | 1 || — |- ! scope="row"| ''Matter Does Not Define'' | * Released: 28 February 2025 * Label: Modern Sky * Formats: Digital Download, CD, 12" Vinyl, Cassette, Streaming | 3 || — |}
===Live albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Title ! Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Live from Sefton Park'' | * Released: 2 June 2021 * Label: Island *Formats: Digital Download, Streaming |- ! scope="row"| ''Live at Blackpool Tower'' | * Released: 12 June 2021 * Label: Island *Formats: Digital Download, 12" Vinyl |}
===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Title ! Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Úp Fûk Lätum'' | * Released: 14 August 2019 * Label: Self Released * Formats: Digital Download, CD |- ! scope="row"| ''The Lathums'' | * Released: 24 September 2019 * Label: Modern Sky UK *Formats: Digital Download, Streaming |- ! scope="row"| ''Fight On'' | * Released: 24 January 2020 * Label: Modern Sky UK *Formats: Digital Download, Streaming |- ! scope="row"| ''The Memories We Make'' | * Released: 26 June 2020 * Label: Modern Sky UK *Format: 12" Vinyl |- ! scope="row"| ''Ghosts'' | * Released: 30 October 2020 * Label: Island *Formats: Digital Download, Streaming |- ! scope="row"| ''How Beautiful Life Can B-Sides'' | * Released: 23 September 2021 * Label: Island *Formats: Digital Download, Streaming |- ! scope="row"| ''Gull In The Wind'' | * Released: 29 January 2026 * Label: Modern Sky UK *Formats: Digital Download, Streaming, Ltd. Edition Record Store Day 10" Vinyl |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Album / EP |- ! scope="row"| "Artificial Screens" | rowspan="3"| 2018 | rowspan="4"| ''The Lathums'' |- ! scope="row"| "The Great Escape" |- ! scope="row"| "Villainous Victorian" |- ! scope="row"| "This Place O' Yours" | rowspan="3"| 2019 |- ! scope="row"| "Crying Out" | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "I Know That Much" | rowspan="2"| ''Fight On'' |- ! scope="row"| "Fight On" | rowspan="4"| 2020 |- ! scope="row"| "The Snake" | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "All My Life" | rowspan="2"| ''Ghosts'' |- ! scope="row"| "I See Your Ghost" |- ! scope="row"| "Oh My Love" | rowspan="5" | 2021 | rowspan="4" | ''How Beautiful Life Can Be'' |- ! scope="row"| "How Beautiful Life Can Be" |- ! scope="row"| "The Great Escape (2021 Master)" |- ! scope="row"| "I'll Get By" |- ! scope="row"| "Krampus" | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Sad Face Baby" | rowspan="3" | 2022 | rowspan="4" | ''From Nothing to a Little Bit More'' |- ! scope="row"| "Say My Name" |- ! scope="row"| "Turmoil" |- ! scope="row"| "Struggle" | rowspan="1" | 2023 |- ! scope="row"| "No Direction" | rowspan="3" | 2024 | rowspan="4" | ''Matter Does Not Define'' |- ! scope="row"| "Stellar Cast" |- ! scope="row"| "Long Shadows" |- ! scope="row"| "Heartbreaker" | rowspan="3" | 2025 |- ! scope="row"| "Reflections Of Lessons Left (Acoustic)" | rowspan="1" | ''Matter Does Not Define (Acoustic)'' |- ! scope="row"| "Cobblestones" | rowspan="1" | ''Gull In The Wind'' |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lathums}} Category:English indie rock groups Category:Music in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan Category:Musical groups established in 2019 Category:Island Records artists Category:Rock music groups from Greater Manchester Category:2019 establishments in England