At Austin, Texas’ 29th Street Ballroom, British indie-rock band English Teacher brought their dreamy tracks to the excited local fans.
English Teacher is a rock band from Leeds and Lancashire, England, and is made up of four members: Lily Fontaine (vocals), Lewis Whiting (guitar), Douglas Frost (drums), and Nicholas Eden (bass). In addition, cellist and pianist Blossom Caldarone tours with them. The musicians have been working together since 2018 and performed their first show together, under the name English Teacher, in 2020. In 2024, they released their debut album, This Could Be Texas. The album won the 2024 Mercury Prize.
Opening for English Teacher is the locally based band Guiding Light. This Austin band released their debut EP in August 2024, titled S/T EP. The band consists of Elise Cook (vocals), John Morales (guitar/synth), Rachel Kirk (bass), and Charles Powell (drums). They performed their tracks “Stimmen” and “Spiegelbild.” Their songs are written and performed in German, with the two tracks translating to “Voices” and “Reflection.”
Because the stage was packed with both bands’ instruments and equipment, Cook opted to perform on the floor directly in front of the stage. The decision made the performance that much more intimate. They closed their set with “Sterb Doch,” another German track that touches on themes of being overwhelmed and having self-doubts. The band played totally in sync and took turns leading the charge into each track. This small-time band is definitely one to look out for.
As the anticipation in the room began to peak, English Teacher finally entered onto the stage. They opened their set with the very fitting song, “This Could Be Texas” from their album with the same name. From the very beginning, the band’s energy emanated throughout The Ballroom. The disco ball in the center of the room glinted as the dreamy tune of “Broken Biscuits” played. “Broken Biscuits” was written about Fontaine’s experiences in her hometown, Colne. They performed other songs such as “Albatross” and “You Blister My Paint.”During “Not Everybody Gets to Go to Space,” the crowd settled as Fontaine pulled the crowd in with the spoken song. “Not Everybody Gets to Go to Space” is a commentary on the current class system, implying that the wealthy only appear to have all the power, when in reality , common wealth makes up the majority and could hypothetically control them if they wanted. Towards the end of the set, the band performed a cover of MJ Lenderman’s “She’s Leaving You.”
The band performed a two-song encore. One of which, “R&B,” they delivered with a member from the audience. They closed the night with “Good Grief,” from their debut EP Polyawkward (2022). English Teacher was an astounding watch, sprinkling in remnants of The Velvet Underground and Black Box Recorder, while completely creating a unique sound of their own. After seeing their understated performance, it’s safe to say their recognition and prizes are well-deserved.
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