Acclaimed London-based post-punk band Black Midi have confirmed news of their disbandment after only seven years of performing and recording, in a surprise turn that has left fans of the group’s innovative noise-rock style stunned.
The news initially broke during an Instagram Live session hosted by the band’s frontman, Geordie Greep, on August 10. When asked about the status of their new album, Greep responded with the unexpected revelation in the live chat: “No more Black Midi. It’s over.” He further elaborated, stating, “Black Midi was an interesting band that’s now indefinitely over”. The band’s own Instagram page has not posted since November last year.
The announcement was met with disbelief and confusion among fans, many of whom took to social media to express their sorrow and disbelief, with one fan lamenting on X: “I will never see Black Midi live.”
Putting aside all memes and discourse, I’m genuinely pretty sad about the end of black midi. They were champions of a truly atypical kind; we won’t see another force like them for a long time.
If it’s really over, then it was a true privilege to have witnessed their success. pic.twitter.com/SMGrVHIAGr
— uosɹǝpuɐ ʎuuɐp (@EASY_BAKE_C0VEN) August 11, 2024
Adding to the drama, bassist and singer Cameron Picton confirmed the news the following day on social media, revealing that he too was taken by surprise by Greep’s comments. In a since-deleted tweet, Picton wrote, “We’d agreed not to say anything about ‘breaking up’ so I was as blindsided as everyone else last night but maybe in a different way. I guess sometimes all you can say is lol. Anyway!”
Picton also mentioned that he is already working on his own music, stating, “Starting sessions for my own record soon, looking forward – should be good, hopefully great!”.
“After a successful tour including South American dates they agreed to have a break and do some solo work, with the understanding the black midi door be left open,” the band’s management company said in a statement to the website The Quietus, which Picton referred to as official.
Black Midi’s rise to fame was nothing short of meteoric. Formed in 2017, the band quickly gained a reputation for their electrifying live performances and innovative sound. Their debut album, “Schlagenheim,” released in 2019, was nominated for the Mercury Prize and received widespread critical acclaim. The band’s subsequent albums, “Cavalcade” (2021) and “Hellfire” (2022), further solidified their status as one of the most exciting and unconventional guitar bands going.
Despite their relatively short career, the group has been hailed as “the most exciting new band in Britain” by newspapers including the Financial Times and the Guardian, as their music was celebrated for its complexity, intensity, and originality. On the band’s subreddit, one fan bargained: “at least they’ll always have a perfect discography.”
While the band may be indefinitely over, the individual members are expected to continue their musical journeys. Picton’s announcement of his solo project has already sparked interest and anticipation among fans, and he has also been performing solo acoustic sets under the name Camera Picture at Black Midi’s old stomping ground, The Windwmill in Brixton. Frontman Greep, meanwhile, recently launched jazz fusion band Georgie Greep and the Swingmen, and is currently taking part in a residency at London’s Map Studio Cafe, tickets for which can be found here.
