Taking Flyte in Austin
PLUS: The Coronas, an Irish Band We Love Are On Tour
Flyte, the London-based indie folk duo consisting of Will Taylor and Nick Hill, arrived in Austin on the day of their first-ever headline show in the city. The performance took place at the historic Antone's on 5th. Having seen them play a chill afternoon set at SXSW 2018 and open for Jade Bird in November 2019, I was more than ready to see them again - this time for a full set.
My memories of their previous shows include being entirely immersed, and in the moment for the entire set, and this played out tonight too. The set was just over an hour and I could have happily watched them play for double that. I didn’t glance at my phone or watch the entire time.
Flyte’s melodies are mesmerizing, their harmonies entrancing, and their set is polished and accomplished without being sterile. The stellar acoustics at Antone’s made their sound even more special, and the band complimented the crowd and the venue, including the bartenders, for being respectful of the music. The few people I did hear talking during songs were gushing about how fantastic they were.
While I am not a guitar player, watching their fingers dance over the strings was seriously impressive. They switched between acoustic and electric throughout the set. Both Nick and Will play with mastery and confidence and seem born to do this. Still, I can only imagine the hours of conscientious practice it has taken to become this good. That said, they apologized for the ‘chaos’ on stage, which was not at all evident to me (or probably anyone else) in the audience.
Flyte are a band you can enjoy live without having heard a single song of theirs, so I was excited to introduce a friend to their music, who went in blind. They played a selection of songs from all three albums, which was an excellent introduction to their discography.
Post-show, my friend said she felt “simultaneously relaxed and energized, emotionally tender in a way that was not nostalgically painful.” I absolutely agree with her observations and that the set was “beautiful and utterly soothing.”
Flyte ended the show by commenting that it's impossible to get British bands out here and that the US needs to reduce the cost of their Artist visa. This sent me down a post-gig rabbit hole, which confirmed that as of April 1, the process, while historically complex and never cheap, has become exponentially more expensive. I chatted with another Sonic Bridge friend about it, and she said this issue was already high on her list to write about - so more will come from us at a later date regarding visas and fees, which are a significant barrier to having more of the artists we love come over here.
The Coronas: A Taste of Their Forthcoming Album and a Jam-Packed 2024 Tour
Ireland’s favorite live band, The Coronas, is back with a bang—and possibly a confetti cannon! Offering a sneak peek of their forthcoming eighth studio album, they’ve just released the first single, "Speak Up." This gem was crafted with producer George Murphy (yes, the one who’s worked with The Specials, Ellie Goulding, and Mumford and Sons) at Eastcote Studios in London, their familiar recording haunt. Expect the full album to drop this fall, right when you're least prepared for an explosion of new music.
The Coronas, arguably the hardest-working band in Ireland (we suspect they’ve cloned themselves), had a banner year. They rocked out in front of 65,000 fans at Hyde Park, opening for none other than Bruce Springsteen, and even serenaded President Joe Biden during his visit to Ireland. We can only imagine the Secret Service’s confusion when the President started humming along. Now, they’ve added more dates to their 2024 North American tour, because sleep is for the weak.
The Coronas—Danny O’Reilly (lead vocals/guitar), Graham Knox (bass), and Conor Egan (drums)—are also set for several big outdoor summer shows in Ireland. Expect to see them at Live at the Marquee in Cork, Park Live in Wexford, King John’s Castle in Limerick, Galway Summer Sessions, and Fairview Park in Dublin. Pack a picnic and maybe some earplugs for Granny.
Despite the constantly changing music industry, The Coronas’ longevity is something to marvel at. They’ve evolved and continued releasing hit albums, with their last three going straight to number 1 in the Irish charts. Their fanbase has exploded across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia—possibly due to their use of musical pheromones.
This formula clearly works. They’ve been headlining major shows and festivals in Ireland for nearly 15 years, and their annual Christmas shows at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre are legendary. Legend has it, Santa himself once showed up, but couldn’t get a ticket.
Acknowledgment - Ireland is obviously not Britain, but sometimes we just love the music so much we’ll break our own rules - and we like breaking rules.
Visit our updated Brits-In-The-US Tour Listings Page
Who We Are
Sonic Bridge bridges the gap for British Indie music lovers in the USA, where our community embraces Americans and Brits, fans, and industry insiders alike. What unites us is our unwavering belief in the distinct quality and character of the UK Indie scene. Our primary goal? Discovering and supporting emerging British talent as they embark on their American journey. As passionate fans, we're not just observers—we're front-row enthusiasts, dancing and singing along with infectious joy. For us, music is not just happiness; it's an exhilarating experience that we want to share.
Of course, we’ll discuss established acts, but our main focus is where we can truly make an impact—nurturing and promoting emerging talent.
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