Catfish and the Bottlemen return with new single ‘Showtime’

After five years, the indie group - Catfish and the Bottlemen, fronted by Van McCann is back with a new single ‘Showtime’. 

Catfish & The Bottlemen on The Balance tour in 2019 - Image by Natasha Judge

The highly anticipated return of the indie group was met with divided fans, with some expressing their joy at the band's return to music, and others expressing disappointment in this new release.

Like some tracks off their last album, it will likely take a few listens of this new addition to their discography to determine its playability. 

‘Showtime’ admittedly has a chorus designed to be sung along to - which will likely receive a lively reaction from festival crowds this year. 

The beats are similar to earlier Catfish releases but there are noticeable elements of differentiation and the lyricism focuses on McCann’s accounts of the break from music. 

New tune ‘Showtime’ is produced by Dave Sardy who had previously worked on the band's album - ‘The Ride’, which was released in 2016. 

Interestingly, ‘Showtime’ references Leeds, as did the bands 2014 release ‘Fallout’, which could link to one of the bands last performances at Leeds and Reading before their hiatus. 

Catfish are headlining Reading and Leeds Festival this summer, but it is still unknown who will be joining McCann and bassist Benji Blakeway, after guitarist Jonny Bond and drummer Bob Hall left the band. 

The last release was the album - ‘The Balance’ in 2019, which featured popular tracks ‘Longshot’, ‘2all’ and ‘Conversation’. 

The social media teases for the track used lyrics “back to the graft again” which hints that an album will be on its way in the near future. 

Alongside the single release, the band has announced headline shows at Cardiff Castle and Edinburgh this summer, with pre-sale taking place on Tuesday, February 27 and general sale on March 1. Further information can be found on their website.