If you thought the cancellation of the summer Warped Tour announced the end of alt-pop and pop-punk, you were wrong. And, while you can never replace the memories Warped gave us, something similar will soon pop up in its place.

And when that does happen, whoever is organizing the event would be smart to invite Amber Run. They’re the new wave of alt-pop, without the aggressive side bangs and heavy eyeliner. Instead of trying to prove just how alternative they are, the band lets their music speak for itself – which is a beautiful thing. Don’t know what that means? You’d have the same emotions watching the band perform in person as you would listening to it with your eyes closed.

Making the Band

Joe Keogh, Will Jones, and Tom Sperring grew up together outside of Nottingham. And so, when one of them decided they wanted to form a band, he knew just who to ask. The childhood friends still needed a drummer, though, which they found at University. Felix Archer joined the group, completing their lineup in 2012. The band got lucky in its infancy, scoring an opportunity to play on BBC live – and their careers took off from there.

Moderate Success with Expanding Sounds

Their first two albums, 5AM and For a Moment, I Was Lost, both charted somewhere on the top 100 charts. Neither had number one hits, but they weren’t so unsuccessful that the members got discouraged, either. And that’s a good thing, as their next EP, The Assembly, did much better. It had the hit single Carousel to thank for that, as well as the albums’ more instrumental-focused sound. Whether you like Amber Run for their gritty lyrics or their high-quality instrumentals, it’s always better to experience your favorite bands in person.