Hear the exclusive Amazon Original version of Gang of Youths "Spirit Boy".
2022 North American tour dates:
Apr 21: Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
Apr 22: Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
Apr 24: Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
Apr 25: Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom
Apr 27: Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
Apr 28: Charlotte, NC - The Underground
May 1: Nashville, TN - The Basement East
May 3: Chicago, IL - Metro
May 4: Detroit, MI - Shelter
May 6: Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
May 7: Montreal, QC - L’Astral
May 9: Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
May 10: Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel
May 12: Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
May 13: Washington, DC - Union Stage SOLD OUT
May 16: San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
May 18: Los Angeles, CA - Belasco Theater
May 20: Las Vegas, NV - 24 Oxford
May 21: Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
May 23: Austin, TX - Scoot Inn
May 24: Dallas, TX - The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
May 26: Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom
Sep 13: Milwaukee, WI - The Rave II
Sep 14: Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue - Mainroom
Sep 16: St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
Sep 17: Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck
Sep 19: Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
Sep 20: Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
Sep 22: Portland, OR - Revolution Hall
Sep 23: Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
Sep 25: Seattle, WA - Neumos
Sep 27: Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
[March 18, 2022] Following the release of their critically acclaimed album angel in realtime. last month, Gang of Youths shared their first Amazon Original, an orchestral version of the album’s centerpiece “spirit boy” available exclusively on Amazon Music.
Already a moving paean to frontman Dave Le’aupepe’s late father, the emotional majesty of this new version of “spirit boy” is elevated by the band’s collaboration with lead orchestrator Rosie Danvers, whose previous credits include Adele, Coldplay and Kanye West. Building upwards from the plaintive sorrow of Le’aupepe’s opening words, their stately strings and beautifully beguiling brass accentuate the song’s cathartic release. It’s an accompaniment that dramatically enhances the song’s whole-hearted final flourish after Le’aupepe sings, “I wanna live like it’s worth something in time, I gotta give it time.”
As a song in which London is an essential part of its story, it’s fitting this orchestral version was recorded and filmed in AIR Studios, one of the capital’s most beautiful and storied studios.
Gang of Youths commented, “It was truly a dream come true for us five to be invited to AIR studios to record one of our songs with such an extraordinary group of musicians; particularly working with Rosie Danvers and seeing her bring the song and its many parts to life in her orchestral arrangement. we are grateful for the opportunity.”
The original version of “spirit boy” is featured on the angel in realtime. album. It’s a record that channels its emotional intensity and existential questions into an exploratory sonic tapestry that touches upon everything from Britpop and post-punk to American minimalism and contemporary classical.
Gang of Youths will commence a major North American tour in April. Tickets are on sale now and a full rundown of dates can be found below.
Gang of Youths consists of Dave Le’aupepe (vocals, guitar), Max Dunn (bass), Jung Kim (guitar, keyboards), Donnie Borzestowski (drums) and Tom Hobden (keyboards, guitar, violin).
