Through courage, conviction and tidal waves of confidence, The Lathums turn heart-wrenching pain into a breathtaking ocean of raw, emotional power on their latest single, Long Shadows. Kicking down barriers of convention, expectation and the boundaries of neat, melodic indie pop songs, the introspective words of front man, Alex Moore meet their match with almost five, ambitious minutes of evocative, heavyweight songwriting.
A breathtaking statement of intent drawn from their upcoming album, Matter Does Not Define, the single arrives after last month’s announcement of extensive touring plans for spring 2025. With their initial dates at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow and Manchester’s O2 Apollo selling out in minutes, The Lathums have now added extra dates at both venues. They will take place on Fri 14 March in Glasgow and Thu 10 April in Manchester. Also confirming a 5,000-capacity outdoor headline slot at Leeds Millennium Square for Sat 12 July, remaining tickets are available via www.thelathums.com
The Lathums’ previous 2024 singles, No Direction and Stellar Cast, reassured the band’s ever-expanding community of fans that the four-piece not only remained recommitted to their proven formulas for upbeat, aspirational songwriting, but had found new heights. Now an advanced sense of unrestrained restlessness and determination pervades the thunderclap brought by Long Shadows, transgressing beyond any perceived zones of comfort.
A product of hurt and of discovering love’s permanence, even as an unwelcome source of agony, the song teases a glimpse of sunshine from behind the darkest of clouds. Recorded in one single take, Moore’s vocal performance of intense, primal urgency left his bandmates floored.
He says of the song: “’Long Shadows’ is a song about deep emotional struggle and the complexities of love. I'm expressing feelings of despair, isolation, and fear of change after losing love, evoking a sense of tragic suffering. Despite the darkness, we recognise love’s enduring presence, though it casts long shadows over our life.
“The song explores the dual nature of love and its ability to both heal and hurt. Through metaphors of light, shadow, and transcendence, we find hope in embracing vulnerability and seeks freedom through love.”
On the announcement that Matter Does Not Define would follow last year’s chart-topping album, From Nothing To A Little Bit More and the band’s runaway No.1 debut from 2021, How Beautiful Life Can Be, Moore described the process of recording the album as “organic”. Joining long-time studio collaborator, Chris Taylor and mentor, John Kettle, in sessions at Liverpool’s Kempston Street Studios, he added that fans could expect an album that’s “real, raw, and everything we hoped it would be.”
The album is set for release on Fri 7 March 2025 on multiple formats, including standard and special edition vinyl, CD, cassette and digital.
The Lathums will bring highlights from every chapter of their songbook to the stage throughout their now expanded, 15-date Matter Does Not Define 2025 UK Tour, with all dates newly confirmed as follows:
- Thu 13 March 2025 - Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom – SOLD OUT
- Fri 14 March 2025 - Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom - Extra Date
- Sat 15 March 2025 - Newcastle, NX Newcastle – SOLD OUT
- Mon 17 March 2025- Stoke, Victoria Hall
- Tue 18 March 2025 - Sheffield, Octagon
- Thu 20 March 2025 - Nottingham, Rock City
- Fri 21 March 2025 - Birmingham, O2 Academy
- Sat 22 March 2025 - London, O2 Academy Brixton
- Mon 24 March 2025- Southampton, O2 Guildhall
- Tue 25 March 2025 - Bristol, SWX
- Thu 27 March 2025 - Belfast, Limelight
- Fri 28 March 2025 - Dublin, The Academy
- Thu 10 April 2025 – Manchester, O2 Apollo – Extra Date
- Fri 11 April 2025 – Manchester, O2 Apollo – SOLD OUT
- Sat 12 July 2025 – Leeds, Millennium Square - New Date
Remaining forever true to their roots, The Lathums remain at home in their native Wigan and were welcomed home there earlier this year with a sell-out 11,500-capacity show at the town’s Robin Park Stadium. The same line-up of Moore, Scott Concepcion (guitars), Ryan ‘Duz’ Durrans (drums) and adopted Wiganer, Liverpool’s Matty Murphy (bass) previously enjoyed a capacity show at Manchester’s 8,000-capacity Castlefield Arena in 2023.
In addition to main stage appearances at domestic and international festivals, including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds Festivals and TRNSMT, they have found themselves at home on arena stages in support of The Killers, Blossoms, Louis Tomlinson and Keane.
Giving back to their home town and recognising the value of cultural experience amongst young people, The Lathums continue to raise funds and awareness of their own Chance To See Fund. Donations from fans, the band and through special projects arranged with participatory arts charity, Curious Minds, saw the total available to local individuals, groups and projects in the Wigan area hit £25,000 earlier this year.