Matt Wellham
After years of photographing and filming the London music scene, Matt’s now based in Sydney, Australia. A lover of the post-punk and alternative movement, he can usually be found in the grassroots venues, camera in one hand and a beer in the other.
Made up of members from Fat White Family, Meatraffle, and Pregoblin, Y are a genre defying outfit from the underground of South London
Emerging from the creative crucible of London, and comprising members from or involved with Fat White Family, Meatraffle and Pregoblin, Y is a genre-defying band founded by Adam Brennan and Sophie Coppin during a period of isolation.
On January 20th, Y dropped their debut single and instantly sold out their single release show at South London’s iconic venue The Windmill, Brixton.
Listen to ‘Why’ here:
Anyone that arrived early in the evening were treated to an array of genres from the support acts. Alex Sebley, of Pregoblin fame, kicked the night off with a medley of covers and Pregoblin songs, before Pink Eye Club had the room whipped up and bouncing along to his 2000’s dance tunes coupled with lyrics about everyday life “You’re just a stupid fucking man, in a really shit band”. Finally Vanity Fairy enticed the crowd closer with her disco tracks, giving everyone a reason to move as she danced and sang her way through the crowd.
As the members of the now packed out venue got their last pints in, Y stepped out onto the stage to huge applause and a buzz of anticipation. Y instantly established their presence by laying down some heavy hitting tracks that sent the crowd straight into a frenzy and beers flying about the room. The band felt incredibly tight for a new project. Saxophone led melodies dominate the space with catchy hooks, while Sophie and Adam weave in traditional lyric based verses on top of driving synths and punchy guitar rhythms. Anyone that enjoyed Fat Dog’s burst onto the alternative scene last year would feel very at home listening to Y.
At the end of their set they dropped their debut single ‘Why’. At this point The Windmill’s roof was sweating, as circle pits opened up and the crowd eagerly anticipated Adam to cry out “Whyyyyyyyyyyy”. When he screams the statement, hearts pounded as the room temperature cranked to max. People swung about in the mosh and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the chaos as the saxophone snarls out the gritty hook and strobe lighting beams around the room. The Windmill is alive and it’s proper punk den energy.
Y are on to a heater with their first single, and I can happily confirm the rest of their setlist solidifies their reputation as one of the most captivating upcoming acts in the scene.
They’ve already got a busy 2025 ahead of them, their debut EP ‘Y’ launches April 4th, with their headline show following at London’s iconic 100 club on the 24th. You can also catch them supporting Fat Dog and Keg on their upcoming tours.
If you get a chance to catch Y at an upcoming show, cancel your plans, clear your calendar and get yourself there, I promise you won’t be disappointed.