Get ready to rock out with Villanelle, the UK trio that’s shaking up the music scene with their latest single, ‘Measly Means.’ But here’s where it gets controversial—can a band fronted by Gene Gallagher, son of rock legend Liam Gallagher, truly revive rock music without accusations of nepotism? Let’s dive in.
Villanelle, comprised of frontman Gene Gallagher, guitarist Ben Taylor, and bassist Jack Schiavo, has just dropped a hazy, alt-rock track that’s as much about hangovers as it is about paying homage to The Smashing Pumpkins. ‘Measly Means’ is a gritty blend of nonchalant grunge vibes, fierce guitar riffs, and thunderous basslines that’ll make you feel like you’re in the midst of a 90s rock revival. And this is the part most people miss—Gene wrote the lyrics when he was just 14, proving that raw talent knows no age.
‘We laboured over this track for ages,’ Gene shared. ‘At first, it felt too light, but when Ben added those Smashing Pumpkins-inspired bends and sustains, it clicked.’ Speaking to NME, he revealed, ‘It’s one of the first riffs we ever did, and the lyrics just stuck around. It had to be perfect.’ Schiavo chimed in, ‘The lyrics flow almost like a rap song. It’s a track that builds and builds, just like our journey as a band.’
Produced by James Neville at Teeth Studios near Croydon, Villanelle’s forthcoming debut EP is slated for a 2025 release, though details are still under wraps. But before you mark your calendars, let’s talk about their live shows. The band sold out their launch gig at London’s Jaguar Shoes in September and is now gearing up for a headline tour across the UK, followed by supporting Miles Kane in the new year. Is this the start of a rock renaissance, or just another fleeting trend?
Here’s where you can catch them live:
DECEMBER – HEADLINE SHOWS
4 – Glasgow, McChuills
5 – Sunderland, Independent
7 – Stockton, KU
9 – Preston, The Ferret
10 – Manchester, The Castle Hotel
11 – Northwich, The Salty Dog
14 – Oxford, The Jericho
15 – London, The Lexington
16 – Southampton, The Joiners
JANUARY – WITH MILES KANE
24 – Glasgow, O2 Academy 1
26 – Sheffield, Crookes Social Club
27 – Sheffield, Crookes Social Club
29 – Southampton, The 1865
30 – London, Roundhouse
31 – Manchester, Albert Hall
FEBRUARY – WITH MILES KANE
2 – Bristol, O2 Academy
3 – Newcastle, NX
5 – Leeds, Project House
6 – Nottingham, Rock City
7 – Birmingham, O2 Institute
When asked about their mission, Taylor told NME, ‘It was a genuine passion to bring back rock music. Indie rock had its moment, but it plateaued into this almost pop-band culture. We wanted to reignite that fire.’ But is rock music truly dead, or has it just been waiting for a band like Villanelle to breathe new life into it?
What do you think? Can Villanelle lead the charge in a rock revival, or is the genre better left in the past? Let us know in the comments below!
