The Ocelots to headline at Manchester’s The Castle
After releasing their latest album Everything, When Said Slowly, The Ocelots will headline at Manchester’s The Castle.
The Manchester gig is one of 12 UK dates they are headlining.
The Ocelots (twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Watson) previewed the album back in 2024 with a first taste in the form of a mix of folk and indie rock, following by a change of pace through November’s release The Good of a Bad Year which leant in a more ballad direction featuring string arrangements and harmonica.
The album itself was recorded live in Orphan Recording Studios by Gavin Glass. It features open tunings, banjo country-folk hints, energy and whimsy amongst its many influences textures.
“Apart from recording the majority of the album in an intense window of three days, we had a long overdubbing phase back in Leipzig. We were able to be more creative with the final touches. I worked in a bookstore and inside we had this beautiful noisy harmonium. I had a lot of fun with that, and I was in love with the sound. Brandon worked day after day on lead guitar parts, harmonica parts and arrangements for cello lines or extra harmonies. It took way longer than it should have, but it was worth it” they said of the recording process.
Whilst The Ocelots added of the album title and thematic inspiration “The title Everything, When Said Slowly is a response from an old Irish man’s perspective on people leaving our hometown of Wexford over the years past. He said it was a very long time since they left, but not much time if you said it fast. I found it wonderful and profound, but also deeply moving and fitting for the album’s sentiment. How time flies or drags depending on what you’re experiencing, especially when it’s time in a place you said goodbye to.”
When do The Ocelots headline at The Castle Manchester?
The Ocelots headline at Manchester’s The Castle on 5 March 2025. The Manchester gig is one of 12 UK dates they will headline:
26 February – Newport, Le Pub
27 February – Frome, HydeAway
28 February – Worcester, St. Swithun’s Church
1 March – Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge
2 March – Sheffield, Cafe #9
4 March – Leeds, Oporto
5 March – Manchester, Castle Hotel
6 March – London, Green Note
7 March – Brighton, Folklore Rooms
8 March – Winchester, The Arc
9 March – Southbourne, Wight Bear
11 March – Cambridge, Portland Arms
Image of The Ocelots courtesy Paul Tobin
