Cardinals reveal progress on their darker album at Reading 2026
The journey of an indie band is often a delicate balance between raw artistic vision and the messy reality of life. For Cardinals, this balance is deeply etched into their songwriting, especially as they look toward the next chapter following the success of their acclaimed album Masquerade.
The group, which includes former NME cover stars and alumni of the NME 100 list, recently shared their thoughts on the progress they are making on their forthcoming, more darker musical direction. This conversation, held backstage at the Reading & Leeds festival, offered an intimate glimpse into how their experiences shape their art.
Cardinals’ ascent has been a steady climb, moving from tiny basement gigs to larger stages. They have navigated the music world by embracing the energy of live performance, from playing small, intimate rooms to sharing the stage with massive acts like Fontaines D.C at Finsbury Park.
When reflecting on this journey, accordionist Finn Manning noted a profound difference in musical engagement based on setting. “It’s interesting,” he explained. “We’re just over from Japan where we played some very big stages. As a band, in terms of the gigs we like, and as musicians, we love playing club gigs to a couple of hundred people in a small room. There’s a certain intimacy about it as a punter, and as a musician there’s definitely more of a connection to the crowd.”
Euan Manning, the band’s frontman and brother, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the relationship between the musicians and the audience is fundamentally altered by scale. “We like to look at it through the lens of how music has served us,” he said. “We remind ourselves fairly regularly that the stuff that we like is the stuff that’s a bit more close to the ear.”
For the Cardinals, the process of creation is deeply rooted in lived experience. They feel that to truly capture the full emotional spectrum of their work, they need time away from the stage. “I think so,” Euan admitted, “there’s a lot built up from being on the road and touring so much. That’ll come out in its own way. From what we’ve done so far, I would say it’s a darker record.”
They find their creative sanctuary not in grand stadium tours, but in familiar, quiet places—Cork city and the coastal town of Kinsale. This is where they find the space to write, allowing the mental rewards of the process to take center stage.
Looking ahead, the band is not resting on their laurels. They are actively exploring new sonic territories, diving into electronic music, heavier sounds, and influences from black metal. While they are careful not to commit to a single genre, they are excited about expanding their sound into surprise territory.
With a commitment to vulnerability and emotional depth, Cardinals are currently writing and touring, bringing their unique, intimate approach to audiences across Europe, the UK, and North America through the end of the year.
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