Emerging UK “emo-indie” trio blending pop-punk bite with widescreen indie hooks and big sing-along choruses.
FFO / RIYL: Catfish and the Bottlemen • The K’s • blink-182 • The Story So Far • Inhaler • DMA’s
Midnight P.M. are part of a new wave of Northern guitar bands—coming-of-age stories and heart-on-sleeve relationships carried by raw, melodic guitars. Starting as the songwriting project of Jack Simpson and Thomas “Mez” Merrills in Barnsley, the pair found their rhythmic backbone in drummer Nate Westbury and started road-testing songs across Yorkshire. Influenced by blink-182, The K’s, Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Story So Far, the trio coined “emo-indie” to describe their mix of heartfelt lyrics and hook-driven guitars.
Their debut single “Line in the Sand” arrived in December 2024, picking up spins on Amazing Radio and more, and charting on the Future Hits Radio Top 40. Follow-up “Barcelona or Arizona” reached #1 on the same chart, earning the band bookings including a This Feeling night at the historic Lending Room and a packed House of Indie crowd at Barnsley Live.
Produced by Alex Beevers (Nightsway), debut EP It’s What The Kids Want (19 Sept 2025) crystallises their mission statement: songs that get the kids singing and bring people back to venues.
Our debut EP has been brewing since we recorded first single “Line in the Sand” at the end of last year. Initially titled This Time, Next Year, we switched to It’s What The Kids Want because the title track fit our vision: a run of songs that get the kids singing and bring people back to live music venues. Produced by Alex Beevers (worked with Nightsway), the record turns our demos into the songs we always heard in our heads. The cover art by Libby Howarth captures that disoriented, electric feeling of being young and going out.
Chokehold — First written/demoed last August; fast, 2000s pop-punk energy and a “grab-you-from-bar-one” opener.
What You Said — Rescued from Jack’s notes; rebuilt from acoustic ballad into a raw, emotional indie cut (think Pierce the Veil / Inhaler).
It’s What The Kids Want — Title track; fast-paced indie anthem with a shout-along chorus and fans-first spirit.
Blue Dye — The slow-burn romantic turn; inspired by DMA’s and The Verve.
Balcony Talk — Our long-form, alternative-indie ballad—two lovers drifting apart, pulled together in one widescreen closer.
General/Management: midnightpm.band@gmail.com
Booking: Open for enquiries
Press/PR: Open for enquiries