Four friends, one feeling: Inside Foxglove’s alt-pop universe

It all started with a Jazzmaster and a DM.

Foxglove isn't here to follow anyone else’s path. The Manchester-based four-piece are carving out a sound that’s fluid, emotional, and entirely their own. Think dream-pop textures, garage-tinged rhythms, and choruses that hit like a wave—equal parts heartbreak and euphoria. It’s nostalgic without leaning too hard on the past, bold without shouting. A sound built on instinct and a shared feeling that makes you want to cry and dance at the same time. It’s unmistakably theirs.

And it all started with a Jazzmaster and a DM.

Lead singer Abi White first discovered drummer Liam and guitarist Ryan through their previous band. “I saw them play live at the Academy and ended up following them on Instagram,” she says. Liam and Ryan were looking for a new vocalist, and Abi had just left her band. “We had one rehearsal together, and it was clear straight away – she was the missing piece.”

Bassist Joe came along not long after. “He came to see us at Factory and later saw we were looking for a bassist. For us, it wasn’t just about technical ability – we wanted someone who fit our vibe and shared the same hunger to be part of something real.”

That hunger shows in everything Foxglove does. Their new single Busy Beach might be their most emotionally layered yet — a song that swims in dreamy production but drips with real-life tension. “I wrote it after a friend’s birthday,” Abi explains. “I was feeling really anxious. I didn’t know what to say to anyone and just wanted to leave. That feeling stayed with me — not just the awkwardness of the night, but the sadness of feeling disconnected from people I care about.”

The track began life as a beat in drummer Liam’s bedroom, a sample-based experiment that eventually evolved into a fully-fledged band favourite. “Once we got into the studio and started referencing artists like Jungle and Maribou State, it really came to life,” they say. “It blends a range of genres yet still holds onto that nostalgic feeling we’re always drawn to.”

Nostalgia is a major theme for Foxglove — not as a trend, but as an emotional compass. Their sound pulls from everywhere: 80s synth-pop, shoegaze haze, early 2000s guitar ballads, and the pulse of UK dance music. But they don’t box themselves in. “Genre isn’t really a strict box – it’s more of a feeling.”

“That song captures something really special for us - those long car journeys with friends and family, where you share playlists, tell stories, and properly connect with the people you care about. There’s a certain magic in those moments that we all relate to.”

They cite artists like Wolf Alice, The 1975, and even PinkPantheress as touchstones. But you’ll just as likely find them drawing inspiration from a late-night DJ set in Manchester or the quiet intimacy of a long drive with friends. That’s what Night Drive, one of their most cherished songs, is all about. “There’s a certain magic in those moments we all relate to. The track captures something really special – those long journeys where you share playlists, tell stories, and properly connect.”

While they’re proud of their Rochdale roots, the Foxglove members aren’t trying to play into the typical “Manchester band” narrative. “We’ve never wanted to follow the traditional route,” says Liam. “A lot of the local scene revolved around pubs playing Oasis and The Stone Roses on repeat, and while we appreciate those bands, we’ve always known that wasn’t the sound we wanted to chase.”

“We’re proud of where we’re from, and it’s definitely shaped who we are, but we’ve never wanted to follow the traditional “Manchester band” route.”

Instead, Foxglove are forging a new path — one that reflects their love for big emotions, sonic depth, and escapist energy. “We’re proud of where we’re from, but we want to push things forward in our own way.”

That ethos carries into their live shows too. “In a word, joy,” they say of their gigs. “Anyone who’s been to one of our headline shows knows it’s about bringing fans, friends, and family into one room and creating a night that leaves everyone smiling.” Whether it’s a small venue or a bigger festival stage, they approach every set with a sense of urgency and care. “We know there's no guarantee of blowing up or playing something like Glastonbury, so we approach every gig with a sense of gratitude, energy and a real desire to make it unforgettable for everyone in the room.”

With their second EP on the horizon and festival slots alongside The Prodigy and Swim Deep this summer, Foxglove’s world is growing — but they’re still keeping things grounded. They’re still DJing after their own shows, still holding band meetings over plates of food at Chakalaka or Hong Thai, and still making music that feels personal, raw, and real.

Foxglove might not fit neatly into a genre. But they’re not trying to. They’re chasing something far more powerful: a sound that feels like home.

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