VENUS GRRRLS have released their new single “Darla”, an explosively exquisite track dedicated to the space and power of female friendship, which arrives ahead of their upcoming appearance at Reading & Leeds festival and headline UK tour taking place in September.
Reminiscent of the golden-era of Tumblr, the spellbinding new track lands with another paradiscal music video, once again co-directed by long-time collaborator Misha Warren and VENUS GRRRLS. “Darla” – recorded by Sugar House and mixed/mastered by Grammy-nominated Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Nova Twins) and released on the band’s own Beltayne Records via The Orchard- continues the Leeds/Newcastle-based coven’s poetic storytelling against their thunderous yet delicate goth-grunge sound.
“Darla’ is a ritual of witchy premonitions that two people were destined to meet.” says GK. “Embodying the sanctity of female companionship, friendship, and love; ‘Darla’ and her best friend Marceline join a coven together knowing they are better together, becoming two halves of the same whole. It is a direct reflection on the bonds present within the members of VENUS GRRRLS, and how female companionship has been a life force during hardship and change.”
“Darla” is the third single from VENUS GRRRLS in 2024, following on from the emphatic success of their “Bloodsick” and “Divine” which earned the band support from BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, Nels Hylton, Sian Eleri and Daniel P Carter, Radio X’s John Kennedy and press acclaim from the likes of Kerrang!, Dork and Upset, Distorted Sound and DIY who hailed Divine as “…a glorious start to 2024 for the alt-rock group.”
Due to the whirlwind nature of the band’s momentum, VENUS GRRRLS have been spotlighted by the likes of CLASH, Iggy Pop on BBC 6 Music, Ticketmaster, NARC, Yorkshire Evening Post amongst others. Lead singer GK was also the first guest on Upgrade Sounds with Nels Hylton in a two part interview which was released in February and available to watch here.
The band have been turning heads in the live space too, starting with in April as they appeared on Sprints’ SOLD-OUT ‘Letter To Self’ UK headline tour as main support, often joining the fast-rising Irish band on stage for a raucous cover of Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon”. Their festival run has seen VENUS GRRRLS appear at Liverpool Sound City, Isle Of Wight, Kendal Calling, Y Not and The Great Escape – where they performed a showcase for Selector Radio hosted by Sian Eleri – and will see them conclude their summer at Reading & Leeds on the BBC Introducing stage.
Further to this, VENUS GRRRLS will embark on their own headline tour in September. Tickets have already been flying out the door with few tickets remaining for London, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle. In a move that speaks to VENUS GRRRLS own experience with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the band have partnered with stem cell transplant charity Anthony Nolan, and will have charity volunteers at the shows to talk to fans about how to get involved with their life-saving treatment.
VENUS GRRRLS are GK/Grace Kelly (lead singer/rhythm guitarist), Hannah Barraclough (Bass), Eliza Lee (lead guitar), Grace Stubbings (synth) and Gabby Cooke (drums).
VENUS GRRRLS – UK LIVE DATES
August 23rd – Reading & Leeds Festival, Leeds
August 25th – Reading & Leeds Festival, Reading
September 5th – The Victoria, Birmingham
September 6th – The Cluny 2, Newcastle
September 7th – McChuills, Glasgow
September 8th – Yellow Arch, Sheffield
September 10th – The Waterfront Studio, Norwich
September 11th – Bodega, Nottingham
September 12th – The Grace, London
September 13th – The Louisiana, Bristol
September 14th – Disorder, Manchester
TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA WWW.VENUSGRRRLS.COM/TOUR