The Joy Formidable becoming the first signing to Ayad Al Adhamy ‘s imprint, Black Bell Records, should come as no surprise.
They have toured with Adhamy’s own band, Passion Pit, and played support during Passion Pit’s string of three sold-out shows at NYC’s Terminal 5. The band even helped Passion Pit earn the hearts of “stone cold” Londoners during a show at NME.
Ayad, who plays keyboards and samples in Passion Pit, said he has been addicted to the band since he first heard their 2009 EP, A Balloon Called Moaning. Who wouldn’t be addicted to the band after hearing that EP? Ritzy Bryan’s croon over the fuzz and pulsing bass line of “Austere” is more than enough to induce some musical crushing.
Black Bell will re-release the effort on May 4, but anyone who wants to have a copy of the original release can get some through the band’s website.
The band is currently on tour with stops throughout Europe and the northeastern U.S. — including a stop at this year’s Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey. There is a two week gap between their last stateside date and a stop scheduled for Ireland, so maybe more U.S. stops are in the works?
Supporting acts for U.S. dates have not been announced, but The Baddies will support on select U.K. dates.
The Joy Formidable 2010 Tour Dates:
03/25 – Southampton, UK @ Joiners *
03/26 – Bristol, UK @ Start The Bus *
03/27 – Cardiff, UK @ Barfly *
03/29 – Northampton, UK @ Roadmender *
03/30 – Sheffield, UK @ Academy 2 *
03/31 – Newcastle, UK @ Academy 2 *
04/01 – Wrexham, UK @ Central Station *
04/03 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tuts *
04/04 – Inverness, UK @ Madhatters *
04/05 – Aberdeen, UK @ Snafu *
04/06 – Dundee, UK @ Fat Sam’s *
04/16 – Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz
04/17 – Granada, ES @ Loop Festival
04/18 – Lisbon, PT @ Santiago Alquimista
04/19 – Madrid, ES @ TBC
04/21 – Paris, FR @ Flech D’or
04/22 – Belgium @ TBC
04/23 – Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling
04/30 – Big Indian, NY @ Truck America Festival
05/01 – New York, NY @ Mecury Lounge
05/02 – East Rutherfor, NJ @ Bamboozle Festival
05/04 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
05/05 – Montreal, QC @ The Green Room
05/06 – Allston, MA @ Harper’s Ferry
05/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
05/08 - Albany, NY @ Julian’s
05/27 – Cork, IE @ Cyprus Avenue
05/28 – Dubline, IE @ Academy2
05/29 – Belfast, IE @ Spring & Airbrake
06/03 – Berlin, DE @ Comet
06/04 – Munich, DE @ Atomic Café
06/05 – Schomdoft, DE @ Manufaktur
06/06 – Koln, DE @ Gebaude 9
07/16 – Tønsberg, NO @ Slottsfjell Festival
* = w/ The Baddies
