Messed!Up
Formed in 2023, British four-piece unpeople have wasted little time establishing themselves as one of the more intriguing new forces in alternative rock. Built around guitarists Jake Crawford and Luke Caley, bassist Em Lodge and drummer Richard Rayner, the band combine hefty riffs, huge choruses, four-part harmonies and uncompromisingly personal lyrics into a sound that can be as melodic as it is crushing.
The band’s identity is rooted in their name. “Unpeople” refers to those considered politically unimportant or without value, a concept the band have reclaimed as a statement of solidarity. Their songs channel frustration with society, existential dread, self-worth and the pressures of modern life, while ultimately creating a sense of connection for people who feel overlooked or alienated.
After making their live debut at 2000trees in 2023, unpeople quickly built a reputation for ferocious performances and an unusually strong connection with their audiences. Their debut single, ‘smother’, received early BBC Radio 1 support from Jack Saunders and Daniel P. Carter, while their self-titled 2024 EP drew praise from publications including Metal Hammer and Distorted Sound.
The momentum continued with appearances alongside artists including Metallica, as well as festival sets across the UK and Europe. In 2026, the band stepped onto the main stages at Download and Slam Dunk and appeared at major European festivals including Copenhell, Jera On Air, Greenfield, Rock for People, Hurricane and Southside. Their explosive live reputation has been matched by growing critical attention, with Kerrang! describing them as a band developing into something bigger than a conventional rock group.
Now signed to SharpTone Records, unpeople are entering their next chapter with their debut album, we are unpeople, released on 9 October 2026. Preceded by singles including ‘clouds’ and ‘friends’, the album expands their mix of aggression, melody, and vulnerability. For unpeople, the message remains simple: music can turn alienation into community. We are unpeople. You are unpeople. We are all unpeople.
GIG DATES 2027
- 3 February at Helios37, Cologne
- 5 February at Molotow, Hamburg
- 6 February at Urban Spree, Berlin
- 9 February at Strom, Munich
