the thing is...

We are ‘the thing is…’, an indie-rock band from Downpatrick, County Down. Forming in school in 2021 as a busking band, now in 2024, we all study music at Queen’s University Belfast. We have developed our unique, gritty, whimsical sound and now play all over Belfast, including venues like Oh Yeah Centre, Mandela Hall and The Empire Music Hall. Our influences include Paramore, Radiohead, Wolf Alice and many more. Our sound has often been compared to Olivia Rodrigo, Wunderhorse and Two Door Cinema Club. In 2023 we played at festivals including Camp Dalfest and Music For Youth in Birmingham, and played at the Irish Youth Music Awards. We also released our debut single “Earwax” at the end of November, which was a dream come true. This year has already got off to a flying start with a headline in The Empire Music Hall and gigs in Liverpool, including a headline show.