William McCarthy at Leeds Stylus on Augustines’ farewell UK tour (Gary Mather for Live4ever)
Augustines said their farewells during a UK tour back in 2016.
A live and studio return from Augustines appears to be on the horizon.
Almost exactly seven years on from when the announcement was made that they would be calling it a day in the midst of a time which was, ‘very challenging for artists’, frontman Billy McCarthy has been on social media during recent days showing the beloved US band back together and apparently deep in studio rehearsals.
Live4ever was at that farewell UK tour when it reached the Leeds Stylus – waving ‘goodbye’ to a group who, ‘always gave so much more than they ever needed to’:
Nothing to Lose But Your Head, Philadelphia (City of Brotherly Love), Weary Eyes, Book of James and Chapel Song all stand out, but what stands out more is the relationship the band have with their audience. The crowd play a disproportionate art in every Augustines show, and tonight is no different. From conversation to backing vocals, the band expect, ask for and demand participation. They get it.
“It’s a relationship that will be sorely missed as the prospect of no more nights like this begins to sink in. Because, as a two-hour-plus show draws to a close, it still manages to feel like it’s not been long enough.”
