Black Country, New Road’s Fervent Fanbase Drives Their Top 5 Albums and Sold-out Shows. Discover how fans fuel their chart success and live triumphs!
Black Country, New Road are the kind of band that makes you believe in the power of music all over again. They’re not just a group of musicians; they’re a movement, a collective experience that’s as much about the fans as it is about the songs. And if you’ve been paying attention to the UK music scene lately, you know their rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Their third consecutive Top 5 album, Forever Howlong, just dropped via Ninja Tune, and it’s not just the critics who are swooning—it’s the fans who are driving this train, full speed ahead.
I caught up with the band’s co-managers, Dan McEvoy and Constance Keane of ATC Management, to talk about how this fervent fanbase has been the secret sauce behind BCNR’s chart success and their unstoppable live business. And let me tell you, it’s a story that’s as inspiring as it is improbable.
Let’s set the scene: a packed venue, the kind where you can feel the anticipation buzzing through the air like static electricity. The lights dim, and suddenly, there they are—Black Country, New Road, all six of them, ready to unleash their genre-defying magic. The crowd loses it. This isn’t just a gig; it’s a communal rite, a shared experience that’s been years in the making. And it’s the fans who make it all possible.
“Our fans are the lifeblood of this band,” McEvoy tells me, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and disbelief. “They’re not just passive listeners; they’re active participants in our journey.” It’s a sentiment that Keane echoes, emphasizing how the band’s grassroots approach has been key. “It started with small, intimate shows where we could really connect with the audience,” she says. “Word of mouth spread like wildfire, and before we knew it, we had this incredible community of supporters who were as invested in the band’s success as we were.”
And invested they are. When Forever Howlong dropped, the fans didn’t just stream it—they devoured it, bought the vinyl, shared it on every social platform known to humanity. The result? Another Top 5 album, making it three in a row for a band that’s still, somehow, flying under the radar for some. But for those in the know, BCNR is a revelation.
From the jump, BCNR has been about more than just the music. They’ve always had a knack for creating a tangible connection with their audience, and that starts with the physical product. “Since the first ever release, it’s always come out on vinyl,” McEvoy explains. “From those early days with Speedy Wunderground and Blank Editions, it helped establish a true collector fanbase that’s stuck with them through thick and thin.”
And it’s not just any vinyl. We’re talking limited editions with wood-effect sleeves for Ants From Up There, embossed covers for Forever Howlong that look like each one was hand-painted. “Sean Preston at Ninja Tune deserves a Grammy nomination for the packaging ideas alone,” McEvoy laughs. “It’s about giving fans something special, something they can hold onto.”
But it’s not just about the merch. It’s about the ethos. The band’s DIY spirit—remember when they released “Sunglasses” with 500 different sleeves?—has never wavered. And that authenticity resonates. It’s why fans don’t just buy the records; they evangelize them.
If you’ve never seen BCNR live, you’re missing out on something transcendent. Their shows are legendary, not just for the music, but for the palpable connection between the band and the audience. “Our fans make every show feel like a homecoming,” McEvoy says. “They sing every word, they dance, they cry. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
And it’s not by accident. After the band went through some lineup changes and personal struggles, they hit the road with a small tour of intimate venues, playing completely unreleased material. “From the first gig in Brighton, it was clear the fans were going to stick with us,” Keane recalls. “Footage from those shows ended up on YouTube, and suddenly, fans around the world were connecting with songs that hadn’t even been officially released.”
It was a bold move, but it paid off. When the idea for a live album came up, the label had the brilliant idea to involve the fans directly, inviting them to film a series of gigs for what would become Live At Bush Hall. “It was another way to deepen that connection,” Keane says. “The fans aren’t just spectators; they’re part of the story.”
One of the most fascinating things about BCNR is how they’ve evolved. After the departure of original frontman Isaac Wood, the band didn’t just survive—they thrived, with three members stepping up to share vocal duties. “Each singer brings something unique to the table,” McEvoy explains. “It’s not about replacing Isaac; it’s about reimagining what the band can be.”
And the fans have embraced it. Songs from Live At Bush Hall are already staples in their setlists, and there’s a sense that the band is just getting started. “We wouldn’t be surprised if they start road-testing new material soon,” McEvoy hints. “They’re always creating, always pushing forward.”
So, what’s next for Black Country, New Road? With a fanbase this dedicated, the sky’s the limit. “This is just the beginning,” McEvoy says, a grin in his voice. “We’re excited to see where this journey takes us, and we’re grateful to have such an incredible group of fans along for the ride.”
In an industry that often feels like it’s chasing the next big thing, BCNR is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful force in music is the one that’s been there all along: the fans. They’re not just buying tickets or streaming songs; they’re building a community, one that’s as much a part of the band’s success as the music itself.
And that, my friends, is something worth celebrating.
source music week
