Brighton-formed band, The Magic Gang, has announced their decision to part ways after more than a decade of making music together. The group, consisting of members Jack Kaye, Kris Smith, Gus Taylor, and Paeris Giles, has decided to embark on separate creative journeys.
To bid farewell to their fans, The Magic Gang has scheduled a series of celebratory shows in May, with performances set for Glasgow on May 21, Manchester on May 22, and a final show in London on May 23. Tickets for these shows will go on sale on Friday, January 26, at 9am GMT and are available for purchase here. O2 pre-sale for the London date at Electric Ballroom (this has now been relocated to Roundhouse) will also be available on Wednesday, January 24, at 9am GMT via the O2 app.
The announcement came in a heartfelt note from vocalist/guitarist Jack Kaye on Instagram reading, “This band started in 2013 in a bedroom in Kris’ parents house. I remember it was a sweltering hot day and me (Jack), Kris and Paeris were arguing over band names. Kris wanted to start a band with around ten members, playing an array of percussive instruments and acoustic guitars. With this in mind, we settled on The Magic Gang and Paeris wrote it on the front of a kick drum to make it official.
We recorded our first song ‘Bruises’ in our shared house in Brighton. Gus happened to be home at the time and was drafted in to play bass. There was something truly magical about that recording; a lightning-in-a-bottle moment you take for granted when you first start a band.
A decade on (and some time after our most recent gig), it’s clear to see how incredible the journey has been. We’ve travelled the world and have had the opportunity to share our music with anyone who cared to listen (and some who didn’t). We dedicated everything to the band and I’m so glad we did, because we got the world in return.
For now, we’ve decided to call time on The Magic Gang. This band has always been a sum of its parts – four songwriters working in collaboration and doing our best to honour each other’s ideas. The most natural thing now is for everyone in the band to spend some time exploring their own creative pursuits.
You’ll be hearing a lot more from all of us but for now, as The Magic Gang, we’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us over the years by playing a handful of extended shows. We’ll be playing a lot of songs we’ve not performed in years and covering everything from Bruises right up to now.
Thank you and good night x”
Having released their self-titled debut album in 2018 and their Northern Soul-influenced second record, ‘Death Of The Party’, in 2020, The Magic Gang experienced considerable success. Earning a formidable number 12 slot on the UK Albums Chart, their debut album made waves, earning the band a nomination for the ‘Best New Artist’ accolade at the esteemed 2018 NME Awards
As the band members embark on individual creative pursuits, The Magic Gang’s legacy will live on through their music, and fans can expect to hear more from each member in the future. For now, as the curtain falls on The Magic Gang’s chapter, they express their heartfelt thanks: “Thank you and good night x.”
Catch The Magic Gang’s farewell shows live:
- 21/05/24 – St. Lukes – Glasgow
- 22/05 – New Century Hall – Manchester
- 23/05 – Roundhouse – London
