Witch Fever Share New Single, ‘Beauty and Grace’, from debut album, ‘Congregation’

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Manchester’s Witch Fever share the latest offering from their debut album, Congregation, available on October 21st via Sony’s Music For Nations, arriving in the form of Beauty and Grace. The release of ‘Beauty and Grace’ follows on from previous singles, Blessed Be Thy, Congregation, and I Saw You Dancing – all arriving with videos more hypnotising than the last. 

‘Beauty and Grace’ speaks about the beauty standards set for non-men and allows Witch Fever to go full ‘rage mode’. Of the track, lead vocalist Amy Walpole states:

‘Beauty and Grace’ ended up being the dark horse of the record, before we went into the studio it wasn’t one of our faves but Sam really brought it out of its shell. The song is about pushing back against oppressive feminine beauty standards whilst also finding a place for femininity that you enjoy and makes you feel powerful, femininity is not a weakness, as much as society may tell you it is! If it empowers you and brings you joy it’s a strength! 

Witch Fever have also recently announced a short run of intimate shows, accompanying the release of Congregation. The band will be stopping off in Brighton, London, Leeds, and Manchester, taking place between the 21st – 25th October.

Witch Fever UK Tour Dates

  • 21st October – Resident, Brighton (Album Release)
  • 22nd October – Rough Trade East, London (Album Release)
  • 24th October – Key Club, Leeds (Album Release)
  • 25th October – YES (Basement), Manchester (Album Release)
  • 15th November – The Victoria Dalston, London (TGE X First Fifty)

Witch Fever refuse to be confined by gender or genre. As individuals, the band have always defied expectations, and Congregation allows Witch Fever to defy those expectations as a band. Showing punk without boundaries, Congregation promises to be accessible, confrontational, and most importantly, a pressure release. 

The new track follows on from previous single, I Saw You Dancing, another glimpse into the four-piece’s debut album. Written about lead singer Amy Walpole’s experiences of the charismatic church that she grew up in, and feeling watched by men as a teenage girl, I Saw You Dancing, arrives with bass tones reminiscent of IDLES, mixed with claustrophobic, uncomfortable vocals that help to build an oppressive aura across the tracks duration. 

Of the track, Amy Walpole states:

This is a song on the album that we’re really excited about as it’s the first time we’ve written and allowed a song to have space and time to breathe! We’ve been so used to writing quick thrashy tunes it was fun to experiment and write slower ones for the album. We really love the drone of the guitar, the rattle of the bass and the reverb on the snare drum, as well as the vocals being a little more relaxed and expressive.

Accompanying the single’s release, the band have also shared it’s accompanying visual. Directed by Sam O’Leary, the video takes form as a horror style mini-movie which uses a handheld camera to convey the feeling of voyeurism that is portrayed throughout the track’s lyrics. 

Next weekend sees Witch Fever make appearances at Reading and Leeds festival, before they head out on a 15 date, UK-wide tour supporting Cancer Bats this September. 

Witch Fever Debut album Congregation arrives in October

The band have recently announced their long awaited debut album, Congregation, which is set for release on October 21st via Sony’s Music For Nations. Alongside the album’s announcement, the 4-piece have also shared the album’s title track.

Produced by Pigs x7’s Sam Grant, the album captures Witch Fever at their heaviest, and most challenging yet. The album’s title track, it’s lead single, is the first glimpse of what is to come. Featuring a Warpaint-inspired bass riff, the single sees Witch Fever make their departure into post-punk, showing the evolution of lead singer Amy Walpole’s vocals. 

Of the single, Amy states:

This is Alisha’s personal fave! It marks a new step in our development as songwriters as it’s something different from what we’ve done before. We allowed ourselves to experiment with space and dynamics and we love it!

It’s accompanying music video displays one of the first times that the band have ever worked with a ‘big team’ – with its result a polished, high-fashion look curated by Matt King. 

Refusing to fit into a box both in terms of gender and genre, Witch Fever have always defied all expectations – and Congregation is set to open listeners ears to punk without boundaries as the band usher in a new dawn of post-punk which is both accessible and most of all, a huge release. 

Listen on Apple Music

Katie Macbeth

katie macbeth

Katie Macbeth is a freelance music journalist for Indie Is Not A Genre based out of Manchester, presenter of @drunktankthink, and post punk enthusiast.



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