Acetate

Emerging from Leeds’ ever-thriving indie scene, Acetate are a band quickly making their mark with a sound that balances raw energy and melodic instinct.

Formed in 2023, the four-piece channel a mix of nostalgia and modern edge, blending driving rhythms, soaring guitars, and introspective lyricism into something that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

After their supporting slot with The Slates, we chatted with them about what's next for this band

So, how do you think the show went tonight?
Acetate: Honestly, probably one of the best we’ve played. The sound was up there with the best we’ve had in a long time. We loved it! Definitely a gig to remember. We’d love to come back.

Hopefully you will, you’re not too far away, are you?
Acetate: Nah, we’re from Leeds, so it’s not far at all.

What’s your creative process like when it comes to making music?
Acetate: It usually starts pretty simply. We’ll come up with a melody and some chords on an acoustic, get a few lyrics down. The foundations of a song are normally done in my bedroom, usually on my phone. Then I’ll take it to the rest of the lads. If they’re into it, we build on it. If not, we’ll tweak it or move on to something else.

We don’t really aim for a specific “sound” it’s more about what happens naturally in the moment. However the song develops in that time, that’s what it becomes. It’s all gut instinct.

We’ve never sat down and said, “This is what we need to sound like,” and I think that’s a good thing. It means every song’s a bit different. A lot of bands can stick too closely to one sound, and it can get a bit repetitive. We like having variety in our set.

Your influences seem quite varied as well?
Acetate: Yeah, definitely. We’re all into different things. There’s stuff like The Smiths, more bluesy sounds, 60s and 70s music, then Britpop and loads of British bands from the 90s and 2000s. Everyone brings something different — and Ethan just likes whatever he likes, really. It all blends together in its own way.

How did tonight come about, playing with The Slates?
Acetate: We’ve been following them for a while. When we first started out, we’re still a relatively new band, about two and a half years in, we actually looked up to them. As we’ve grown and built a bit of momentum, things just lined up.

They reached out and asked if we wanted to jump on the bill, and we were buzzing. It’s only our second time playing in Sheffield we played a smaller gig here not long ago but tonight felt like a big step up.

What are your goals for the rest of the year?
Acetate: Just to grow, really. If people connect with the songs, that’s everything. They don’t have to take the same meaning from them as we do — it’s about what it means to them.
If people enjoy the set, enjoy the music, then we’ve done our job. We just love playing. That’s what it’s all about.

If you had to describe your sound in a couple of words?
Acetate: Loud. Energetic. Passionate.

You can really tell especially live. The stage presence is there.
Acetate: Yeah, we just feel at home on stage. It might sound cliché, but it’s true. Performing is what we love most, playing to new people, meeting crowds, putting our music out there.

Even if there are quiet periods where we’re not gigging much, as soon as we’re back together in a room or on stage, it all clicks again. When you can see people enjoying it, that’s what makes it worth it. That’s why we do it.

Where can people find you online?
Acetate: Pretty much everywhere! Instagram, Spotify, TikTok. It’s all @_acetateofficial and Spotify is just Acetate.

Any new music coming soon?
Acetate: Yeah, our latest single Back of the Line came out in February, and we’ve got a new track on the way. Hopefully early summer. It’s called ‘Hope’ for now although that might change!