South Arcade makes a major impact with new EP PLAY!
The emerging band South Arcade has come out swinging with the launch of PLAY!, a powerful five-track EP that exudes confidence, vitality, and a fresh wave of emotion. PLAY! perfectly encapsulates the essence of a band finding their stride, delivering music that is raw, authentic, and filled with passion. The EP, which is now available via BKM Artists and LAB Records, can be streamed online to be enjoyed by music lovers everywhere.
Featuring the band’s latest singles like FEAR OF HEIGHTS and the Radio 1 favorite Supermodels, PLAY! also includes the dynamic Drive Myself Home. Additionally, listeners can enjoy two previously unreleased tracks, Bleed Out and Blood Run Warm, both masterfully mixed by Adam Hawkins. Bleed Out stands out as a powerful anthem with its sharp melodies and explosive finish, while Blood Run Warm, which was recently highlighted as the Hottest Record on Radio 1’s New Music Show, delves into vulnerability and introspection, showcasing a different facet of the band’s artistry that is both heartfelt and haunting.
In describing the inspiration behind the EP, the band shared, “PLAY! is an EP that we created while on tour this year! These tracks were influenced by what we believe will resonate with live audiences and what we envision for our future performances. It’s a fun and vibrant EP that explores various genres within the Y2K era, and we are excited to see how people react to it! The title reflects the concept of continuously performing back-to-back shows while maintaining high energy levels, similar to hitting ‘play’ on a movie or engaging in video games, mirroring the current pace of our lives.”
PLAY! arrives amidst South Arcade’s most extensive UK and Ireland tour to date, where they put on electrifying performances at some of their biggest headline shows, including a spectacular performance at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on November 28th. The band’s meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing down, with upcoming appearances at major festivals in 2026, such as the iconic rock festival Download, where they will share the stage with headliners like Guns and Roses and Linkin Park, as well as a slot at TRNSMT Festival.
In addition to their successful US and UK headline tours, South Arcade has been making waves with their memorable appearances at events like Slam Dunk and Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Following a spectacular headline set at the BBC Introducing stage in 2024, the band returned to the main stage at Reading & Leeds in August, delivering electrifying performances alongside renowned acts like Limp Bizkit and Bring Me The Horizon.
South Arcade has garnered a massive following on social media, with over 19.3 million likes on TikTok and a rapidly growing YouTube fanbase thanks to videos showcasing their rehearsals and live shows. With over 1.5 million monthly listeners, their previous EP 2005 has amassed over 50 million streams on Spotify alone, featuring tracks like Stone Cold Summer, MOTH KIDS, and HOW 2 GET AWAY WITH MURDER. Don’t miss out on this rising band’s latest release, PLAY!, which is a testament to their evolving artistry and boundless potential.