Reverend and The Makers launch eighth studio album in style

Photo by Rob Sutton

The people of Sheffield gathered on the Foundry’s sticky dance floor to launch the new album of one of the city’s most beloved bands last week.

On Friday 15th May, Reverend and the Makers released their eighth studio album Is This How Happiness Feels? and marked the occasion with a three day pop up shop in Meadowhall, and a blowout gig ahead of their upcoming UK tour.

The support for the night was Lauren Housley and the Northern Cowboys, who delivered some incredible vocals to warm up the crowd. Lauren is a brilliant writer, bringing authentic and emotive Yorkshire soul (and amazing hair) to everything she does. 

The headline act was met with cheers from the 1000 fans who had come to support them. The band are known for their humorous approach to lyricism and performance and the fans know how to respond in kind. The room had that classically Sheffield energy, where it feels like everyone knows everyone and you're all already mates.

Frontman Jon McClure is an expert at crowdwork, sharing anecdotes between songs. The band played us a range of songs from their new album, from the surefire hits 'I Want You So Bad' and 'Is This How Happiness Feels?' to the very emotional 'Twenty-Seven Past Midnight', with Jon asking the crowd to raise a toast to his dad, who passed away in April 2024. 

We were also treated to a brilliant selection of fan favourites, with 'Heavyweight Champion of the World' being a highlight of the night as the floor shook with the impact of 1000 people jumping along.

The night ended in true Reverend fashion with Jon shepherding everyone outside for an acoustic performance. He used the Foundry’s steps as his stage and delivered an intimate rendition of a variety of crowd pleasers - no mic, no amp, just him and his guitar. 

The new album is a fantastic listen, with a couple of very recognisable features. It is well worth a listen, especially if you’re heading to Tramlines this summer to see them. You can find out more about the album here: Reverend And The Makers | Official Site