Britpop brothers of Bristol

Hailing from Bristol and founded in 2021 by Welsh brothers Louis and Toby Ellis, the indie rock band Twin City has quickly established itself as a rising force in the UK’s music scene. The band’s name is a blend of their favourite film, Twin Town, and The Jam’s classic tune, In the City, which offers a clue to their Britpop-infused sound. What began as a duo rapidly expanded to a five-piece with the addition of Conor Feeney on bass, Pete Refson on rhythm guitar, and James Wilson on lead guitar. The inclusion of a dedicated lead guitarist has allowed for epic guitar solos and more complex arrangements, intensifying their sonically charged musical identity.

Twin City’s music is a potent fusion of indie and rock. Their sound blends the urban energy of the Bristol music scene with the raw, heartfelt authenticity of Welsh rock tradition.

The band has strategically released a series of singles and an EP to build momentum. Their debut single, Shake The Walls (2021), garnered over 10,000 YouTube views in its first week alone and received airplay on major stations like Radio-X and BBC Introducing. Looking Glass followed in May 2022 and was named BBC Upload’s Big New Sound. Their self-titled debut EP was released later that year and included Looking Glass among its four tracks.

A significant milestone came in March 2024 when Twin City signed a record deal with the independent label Bubblebrain Records. Their first release with the label was the single I Feel Alive in May 2024. This was followed by Simple Melody and I Saw God which is particularly notable for its title inspired by an incident where Pete slipped on some stairs in a Bristol pub called The Crown and jokingly claimed he “saw God”.

Twin City’s live performances are known for their explosive energy and commanding stage presence. Their debut gig in Bristol sold out in under 24 hours, leading to a venue upgrade that also sold out just as quickly. This organic momentum led to their second-ever performance: a main support slot for The Lathums in front of a sold-out crowd of 1,000 at Bristol’s Trinity Centre. Reviews of their shows describe them as a “sonic blast of guitars,” with one reviewer noting that “pints have been known to go flying” in the lively audience. The band has also secured high-profile support slots for well-known acts such as The View, The Coral, and Sea Power, and performed on two separate stages at the 2024 Isle of Wight Festival.