Magnolia's avant angst contorts into 'Under The Gaze'

Pools of contemplative space connect with taut, crashing multi-instrumental signatures as Norwich’s seven-headed creature of operatic avant-punk, MAGNOLIA release their latest single, Under The Gaze, whilst simultaneously announcing the band’s debut EP. Bringing a fractured, undulating and equally frenetic and tranquil six-minutes of new music to the table, the band’s sonic and lyrical contortions underpin their emergence as one of the UK’s most exciting and eccentric bands.

Blending virtuosity, literary influence and a deep creative connection between each contributing member, MAGNOLIA adapt the passion, chaos and cracked splendour of contemporary influences such as Black Midi, Maruja and Opus Kink, while casting long glances over their shoulder at the smoky non-compromise of Velvet Underground. The band’s first EP, Omaha has been announced for release via Shake! Shake! Records on Fri 30 May 2025.

Having already released the choppy, throaty rush of Five Hundred earlier this year, following up previous singles, Television and Feed Me, MAGNOLIA’s artistry has put them on the UK’s new music map, abetted by support from BBC 6 Music, Radio X and Soho Radio. Whilst the band’s live shows are naturally generous with communal energy and collective spirit, the band releases Under The Gaze in coy mood, asking listeners to find their own way in.

Adam Turner, Singer and Bassist, says: “’Under The Gaze’ has been changed multiple times to a point where it’s almost unrecognisable compared to how it began. I am massively proud of this song, Lyrically, it follows the journey of a fictional protagonist who gets hurled into a series of events. That’s probably as much detail as I’ll give, as I like to leave it to the listener to decipher much of what we create. However, it takes the stories and ideologies of religion, cults and harsh landscapes all into consideration.”

Getting together to explore their individual and shared drive to explore the outer limits of multi-instrumental music in 2022, Turner and his band mates - George Rodgers (guitars/vocals)

Daisy Green (saxophone), Tom Reynolds (percussion/programming), Matthew Creegan (guitar), Harrison Peek (drums), Matthew Cassie (trombone) – spared little time in establishing an impassioned local Norfolk audience and hitting the road to take on London’s most prominent indie stages.

Counting a “where’s where” of must-play venues into past itineraries, including Brixton’s Windmill, The Shacklewell Arms, Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes and Hackney’s Two Palms, the band’s savvy touring into and around London hasn’t dulled their acknowledgement of a vital circuit outside the capital. Helping to establish the innovative Arts Council-supported East Meets West series of shows, which connects their own Shake! Shake! Records with Bristol’s Grey Muzzle Promotions, the run links two regions of the country with borderless passion and acknowledges the increasingly re-centralised British music industry.

Having played two shows already, bringing together kindred spirits Feasts, The Scuttlers and Kill Mirror Image on the same bills, MAGNOLIA play the last in the current series on Tue 15 April 2025 at Voodoo Daddys Showroom, Norwich.

All confirmed, upcoming MAGNOLIA’s live dates are as follows:

• Tue 25 Mar: Norwich, Voodoo Daddy's: supporting Gurriers
• Wed 9 Apr: Oxford, The Jericho Tavern: supporting Man/Woman/Chainsaw
• Fri 11 Apr: Ipswich, The Smokehouse
• Sun 13 Apr: Hull, The New Adelphi club: supporting CLT DRP
• Mon 14 Apr: Nottingham, The Grove
• Tue 15 Apr: Norwich, Voodoo Daddy's
• Wed 16 Apr: Reading, The Purple Turtle
• Thu 17 Apr: Portsmouth, The deco
• Sat 19 Apr: Carmarthen, CRWC
• Fri 2 May: London, The George tavern
• Sat 7 June: Bury St Edmunds, The Hunters Club
• Fri 13 June: Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre