Felt members reunite for first show in 37 years

Nearly four decades after their last live performance, the legendary British jangle pop group Felt has finally reunited, stepping back into the spotlight under the name Feel.

The journey of Felt is steeped in the distinctive sound of the late 1970s and the vibrant energy of the 1980s. They dropped ten albums across the decade, starting with their debut in 1982 and continuing through to 1989.

For over thirty years, the members of Felt have not appeared together or played a public show, with their final performance taking place in Birmingham in December 1989. That silence gave way to a momentous occasion on Saturday night, August 15th, when three core members converged for the first time in decades.

This historic reunion took place at the annual Scottish indie music festival, Glas-Goes Pop, where Gary Ainge, the original drummer, Marco Thomas, the bassist, and Philip King, the guitarist, performed live as Feel.

The performance was more than just a nostalgic throwback; it was an artistic statement. The trio decided to honour the melodic genius of Felt by performing instrumental versions of their classic tracks. They aimed to showcase the beauty of Felt’s songwriting and the melodic ingenuity of the group, allowing the music itself to speak for the band.

The decision was rooted in the band’s ethos: the songs were ‘coloured in by the band,’ and the performance sought to reflect that creative spirit, highlighting the intricate layers created by members like Maurice Deebank and Martin Duffy.

Adding further sparkle to the evening, the group brought surprise guests to the stage, including Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian and the rising artist Rhadika. They joined the jangle pop group for a rendition of Belle and Sebastian’s 1984 track, ‘Primitive Painters,’ creating a truly eclectic musical tapestry.

For Rhadika, the night offered a deeply personal connection. She reflected on the moment, noting that seeing Felt reunited brought a wave of joy and reflection. She shared that growing up, her father’s adoration for Felt and the songs he played her were a subconscious source that inspired her to create her own dream pop music.

As Stuart Murdoch observed on stage, the shared experience of embodying their musical heroes felt incredibly special. The performance served as a beautiful bridge between a celebrated past and an exciting present, proving that some musical legacies are meant to be revisited and celebrated.