Lancashire band The Milltown Brothers announces anniversary show - 35 years after hit debut album
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A chart-hitting Lancashire band is celebrating 35 years since the release of their acclaimed debut album with new shows and a new release.
One of Lancashire’s most successful bands has announced a special anniversary show next month.
Colne indie band The Milltown Brothers- who rose to prominence during the early 1990s- will return to the Lexington in Islington, on Saturday, September 12 as part of a celebration of their debut album ‘Slinky’, 35 years after its release.
Founded in 1989, after meeting at Lancaster Grammar School, the five-piece band is made up of brothers Matt Nelson (vocals) and Simon Nelson (guitar) from Colne, Barney Williams (organ/piano) from Padiham, and Lancaster locals James Fraser (bass) and Nian Brindle (drums).
In 1991, they released their debut album ‘Slinky’, which made the UK top thirty and brought them critical acclaim, including a 5-star review in Q Magazine.
In celebration of Slinky’s anniversary, the band’s upcoming London gig, tickets for which can be found here, will feature a set drawn heavily from the A&M released album.
A compilation of live recordings from the 1991 tour will also be available on a limited-edition CD which can be purchased online or at shows.
Milltown Brothers say this unreleased material captures the exuberance and spirit of the band during what came to be a watershed year for them.
Speaking to the Post, guitarist Simon said: “It feels like a privilege to still be playing the Slinky tunes after so many years and we really appreciate the support that people have shown at recent gigs.
“Slinky gave us an opportunity to play all over the place, including Europe, Japan and North America – a number of the tracks on the new live album were recorded at Prince’s legendary First Avenue Club in November 1991. It really was a very special time for the band.
“And for us all, now in middle-age, it is magnificent and liberating to still be able to embody our younger selves as we play the tunes.”
Two years after the success of Slinky, Milltown Brothers sadly took a nine year break but since re-forming in 2004, they have continued making music, releasing four studio albums since then.
The Lexington show represents a continuation of the band’s return to touring since 2023 and will provide an opportunity to hear songs from their extensive back-catalogue.
This will include tracks from their latest, sixth, studio album ‘Boogie Woogie’, which also made the UK Vinyl Charts in 2025, and from their recently re-issued fourth studio album ‘Long Road’.
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Closer to home, The Milltown Brothers will also headline the Barnoldswick Music and Arts Club on Saturday, December 19.
A chance to celebrate Slinky in a Lancashire setting, the five-piece band will perform an afternoon matinee and evening show for what promises to be one enormous Christmas celebration.
Tickets for The Milltown Brothers at The Lexington on September 12 cost £24.75 and are available here.
Tickets for their Barnoldswick shows, which cost £30, can also be bought online here.