Full Breakdown
Westside Cowboy Releases “Pin Up Boys” and Announces Record-Store Shows Ahead of Debut Album
7/2/2026, 1:54:59 PM
New Single and Record-Store Tour
Manchester-based indie rock quartet Westside Cowboy issued the single “Pin Up Boys” and simultaneously announced a series of record-store performances. The track, described as a quiet-loud indie anthem that builds from sparse vocals to a rousing chorus, is accompanied by a video directed by Jack Shep of Saturday Night Live UK. Record-store dates are set for 19 August – Resident, Brighton; 20 August – Rough Trade East, London; 25 August – Jumbo, Leeds; 27 August – Rough Trade, Liverpool; 3 September – Rough Trade, Nottingham; and 4 September – Assai, Glasgow. Tickets go on sale 2 July.
Background and Recent Releases
“Pin Up Boys” follows the band’s lead single “Kick Stones (The Boys)”, released the previous month, and continues the promotion of their forthcoming debut album *It Goes On*. Earlier EPs and the debut single “I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)” established the group’s blend of classic guitar-driven rock with contemporary indie sensibilities.
Key Personnel and Production
The song features lead vocals by guitarist Reuben Haycocks, with backing vocals from bassist Aoife Anson O’Connell. Production was handled by Loren Humphrey at Greenmount Studios, Leeds. The accompanying video’s visual concept— a malevolent spotlight pursuing a hero who splits into multiple versions—was devised by director Jack Shep.
Data & Statistics
- Album release date: Reported as 21 August 2026 (Island Records) in three sources; one source lists 31 August 2026.
- Single release: “Pin Up Boys” debuted on 2 July 2026.
- Record-store shows: Six dates across the UK in August – September 2026.
- Headline tour (autumn/winter): Includes O2 Forum Kentish Town, London and Albert Hall, Manchester (sold out).
- Festival appearances: Green Man, Latitude, Reading, Leeds, and additional European festivals listed in the tour schedule.
Official Statements & Responses
The band explained that “Pin Up Boys” originated a year and a half ago using an acoustic guitar, a drum-machine sample pad and screwdriver-type drumsticks. They noted the song’s long presence in live sets made the recording process both advantageous and challenging, prompting a decision to retain the live arrangement’s energy in the studio version. Reuben Haycocks added that reducing self-imposed pressure allowed the group to produce material they consider more authentic. Director Jack Shep highlighted the band’s energetic performance style and expressed confidence in their future trajectory, describing the video as an effort to capture that dynamism.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the official album release date: three cite 21 August 2026, while one lists 31 August 2026. No critical commentary or external reviews of the single appear in the provided material, leaving the reception landscape unaddressed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Speaking further on the track’s origins, the band say: “Pin Up Boys was written a year and a half ago using an acoustic guitar, a drum machine sample pad and some screwdrivers as drumsticks.” — Westside Cowboy (band statement)
- “It is by far the longest serving song on the album and the one that we have played the most live, which was a blessing and a curse when we came to record.” — Westside Cowboy
- “As soon as we stopped putting loads of pressure on ourselves to make something great, the stuff that came out was much more authentically us.” — Reuben Haycocks, vocalist/guitarist
- “Westside Cowboy’s performance style is so energetic and distinct. They clearly have a mountainous future ahead of them, and it was awesome to work with young people at the precipice of starting something really special together. In the video we wanted to capture the band’s dynamism, through a spotlight. We follow this fixed, malevolent spotlight chasing our hero (played by the band’s mate, Will) as he tries to escape its gaze. As he runs, he manages to escape, splitting into a new spotlight with a new version of the band. The whole thing begins to buckle and shatter.” — Jack Shep, director
- “For us, Westside was all about bringing the fun back into the music generally,” — Reuben Haycocks, vocalist/guitarist
- “We follow this fixed, malevolent spotlight chasing our hero (played by the band’s mate, Will) as he tries to escape its gaze.” — Jack Shep, director
