Fans who have been eagerly awaiting Glass Animal’s livestream tomorrow have got another thing to be exited about now. In an announcement which subscribers to the band’s mailing list received to their inboxes yesterday, the band revealed that joining them for Live In The Internet this month would be Arlo Parks. NME’s ‘most empathetic pop star,’ Parks is a singer songwriter from South London who straddles the indie-pop genre with a touch of hip-hop influence.

Arlo Parks has a substantial online following, with her most recent music video ‘Hurt,’ reaching 147,024 views on Youtube since its release on August the 19th this year. Her website describes her songs as ‘confessional and tender, mainly inspired by Portishead and Earl Sweatshirt,’ which suggests Parks as a clear alternative to the Grime which dominates the music scene in London right now.

The news of Arlo Parks’ appearance does not come as a complete surprise to all fans, some of whom may remember the Glass Animals Quarantine Covers series which was released when the country was in full lockdown. One of the Quarantine Covers featured Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley team up with Arlo Parks to create a version of Drakes hit ‘Hotline Bling.’

When the Oxford quartet made it public that they would be live streaming an event in September, they stated that they wanted to create ‘one time only virtual gig/experience,’ which would go beyond playing to an empty room and take inspiration from video game and social media companies which have developed ‘pioneering methods of online interaction.’

Glass Animals, who released their latest album ‘Dreamland,’ on the 7th of August this year have found themselves in the unique position faced by many artists this year of having an album out and being unable to tour. The band, particularly frontman Dave Bayley have managed to maintain their creative output by releasing lots of content online. Most recently, a stripped back performance which featured just two of the band in Bayley’s London studio performing versions of their breakthrough hit ‘Gooey,’ as well as tracks from their new album.

Due to the the ongoing restrictions surrounding live music, dates from the tour for ‘Dreamland,’ have been pushed back to summer 2021. The band have shows planned across the UK in major cities such as Birmingham and Manchester and the tour also includes dates in the United States. Fans will be hoping that the pandemic will not be affecting live music in the way it is now when it comes to next summer.

The band have perhaps adapted better to the pandemic better than other acts due to their futuristic outlook and use of social media. Their album covers were paired with an Instagram filter which allowed users to make the images on the artwork rise up and float around their screens.

Glass Animals Live From The Internet will be streaming tomorrow at 8pm with tickets available through the band’s website, ticketmaster or songkick. UK Tour dates for the band in 2021 are as follows:

17/05/2021 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
19/05 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
21/05 – O2 Academy – Leeds
23/05 – Rock City – Nottingham
25/05 – O2 Academy – Bristol
26/05 – Alexandria Palace – London