Can these strictly underground Ulster Existentialists be the first Northern Irish-Mancunian band to walk down Albert Road after the last 2 years' ground-breaking awards, which arousesd interest from all over the globe again, to ensure the big prize is also an Irish Manc & even Scots Ulster thang?  We will see.
With a lead track chosen by Bailey in summer '25, the box of records has arrived, deals done. #chewinggumweekends

No pop, just style, strictly roots, some Belfast bookmakers seem to think it's possible. The fans there are superfans and the band say after playing Kendal Calling that their last underground gig will be in new Belfast. Mercury tilt switch? No bombs just Cherrybomb now!  Belfast did the Brits better than anyone didn't it?! 

Their album "This Modern Sound" arrived for physical distribution in Summer 2025 ahead of digital load-in for Northern Ireland's entry to the Mercury Prize 2026. On Inter City Records ©️ 2025 cd pre sales & DJ / indie media white label dj available 1.1.26.  In Rough Trade East & Picadilly Records 1.3.26.
Mercury Prize Entrants 2026

Product Manager: Paul Henderson at Inter City Records 
Management: Nicky at Galway and Jackson
Email : thenouvelles@hotmail.co.uk 
Cell : (44) / (33) (0)77 5151 5775
Album full publishing rights (11 5* tracks) $1m
Full back catalogue rights in Tom Robinson Faves, BBC sessions etc $2m (20 indie 4 & 5* single level tracks) Marxist value $10m..
Private gigs only, $10k + costs, insurance, flights, riders etc.
Shortlist video or live shows tbn.

Review selection (from 100s) -
Compilation of indie reviews -
"This local band, look set for big things judging by the reviews they've been getting lately: '"Jackson's the new Ian Brown. The band are the new Joy Division. They're gonna be massive!'; 'best new band in Manchester... "Surrounded By Angels" is already the new anthem of lad rock'; 'The Nouvelles moody elegance did bring thoughts of The Roses ... a very powerful but tight, rocking indie sound... The Nouvelles are a quality act'.
- Collection of reviews c/o Picadilly Records End of Year Review 
And the Belfast MSM who broke it all put it:
"Jacko will be massive" 
- Belfast Telegraph Music Editor Maeve Quigley also Ents Ed Daily Mirror Dublin, who stood her ground and refused to give Snow Patrol & Colin Murray the "next big thing" talk, as the music scene took shape in a changing Belfast before things got too big & Jacko joined Dean & Co in Gtr Manchester, having refused to leave his job as a senior advisor & conflict management consultant until the Assembly was voted in. #gtfbo as Dean says.

Unique, non-conforming, authentic, The Nouvelles seek to re-create the classic underground indie band, refusing Glastonbury for Kendal Calling Sat night slot, warming up for that with BOTW Sat night sellout. Often classed as a Manchester band, they actually started out and will finish up in Belfast.  Everything about them reeks of Good Vibrations purist indie, and only they will ever know why they are chosing to remain under the radar when being tipped up as the new Roses or whatever. #keepitindie

Grok - The Nouvelles Independent Music Band -

https://x.com/i/grok/share/8dHhHZzYjvoeEj4aKKUljMQGm

Go and give your support to Nouvelles  spin off wonder 2020s acts like Harper Roots etc - we all just want to #keepitindie

The Nouvelles are Dean Bailey guitars, Steve Atkinson percussion, Johnnie Jackson MA vocal lead, & the girls & boys wonder! 

Thanks to all who are there for us (full credits on album sleeve). #WATN

Clark &amp; Paige is following

Clark & Paige is following