In April 2025 The Virginmarys embark on their most extensive tour of the UK to date, bringing their new album The House Beyond The Fires to all corners of the UK. This spiky, punk rock fuelled duo are a formidable force with a raw live energy that is almost unbeatable: a live show not to be missed.
Frontman Ally states, “We’ve never been prouder of an album than this one, it feels only right to extend the run and cover as much of the UK as possible. This will be the most extensive tour of Britain we’ve done and we’re proud it includes some of the coolest independent venues.These places should be both celebrated and supported, they’re part of the last standing pillars of truth within a crumbling industry and it’s our pleasure to create further memories within them.
Macclesfield’s power duo The Virginmarys have recently released their third single “When The Lights Go Down” from theirfourth studio album The House Beyond The Fires and today showcase a brand new video for the track which features a combination of live and light hearted footage from their 2024 tour with Ugly Kid Joe. This footage captures a different side to the band and gives a peek behind the curtain to life on the road with The Virginmarys.
“When The Lights Go Down” is an anthemic powerhouse that captures the raw energy we’ve come to love from the pairing. While it retains their signature intensity, this track introduces a refreshing authenticity and a more melodic sound compared to their previous singles. With its indie swagger and an irresistibly catchy chorus, “When The Lights Go Down” is bound to linger in your mind for days.
Frontman Ally states, “‘Out of all the songs we’ve done, this is one of my favourites ever.
The hook, melody and lyrics together with Danny’s hard hitting and intricate drumming showcases many of the unique flavours of the band in one track.
I don’t think there’s anyone better at doing sixteenths on a hi-hat than Danny.
It’s our most anthemic Virginmarys song!”
This extra video we have released was captured by the super talented Ashley Barry when we were on the road with our good friends Ugly Kid Joe.
Ashley wanted to capture more of the off stage personalities of us both, so it’s a different vibe to most of our other music videos and we think it will be a fan favourite.
The House Beyond The Fires is the band’s first album since they reformed as a two piece in 2021, teaming up with Dave Draper to produce the drums and guitars (Terrorvision, The Wildhearts) and Karl Daniel Lidén from Sweden for the mix and mastering – an instant go-to after hearing his work (Dozer, Greenleaf) and this approach has certainly paid off.
Ally continues, “We have always been renowned for the power and energy of our live performances and strived to recreate that intensity through the production and mix of the records. I feel like we’ve really turned a corner with this album”
The official tour video was shot and edited by Ashley Barry (@ashleybarrymedia)
Watch it here or by clicking below:
6 years in the making, and a worthy follow up to their previous Top 10 “Heatseekers” charting album Northern Sun Sessions – The House Beyond The Fires brings a collection of anthemic, hard hitting Alt/Rock tracks with a punk edge.
The album carries a deep personal significance for the band as Ally tells us:
“This album is a tribute to Danny’s Dad, Tommy Dolan, who passed away last year. It’s difficult to articulate how much he meant to us and how deep the grief runs within all who loved him. The LP is a direct reference to his notorious shop, The House of Fires; it felt fitting to make a direct reference to his love, support and influence in the album title.”
He continues, “This will also be the first album released since becoming a two-piece, we have grown a lot in the last few years by tuning into our creative synergy and transposing it into our most impactful work to date.”
The House Beyond The Fires takes you on an all-encompassing journey with more earworms than ever before, from the stunningly powerful ‘When The Lights Go Down’ to the meaningful ‘Dance To The City’ which revisits the Manchester music scene of old, the cliques, the gatekeepers and the struggles of a modern band, while also being a song of reflection for Tommy Dolan who was a big part of the Manchester scene. ‘White Knuckle Riding’ is a deeper track that takes on the daily struggles with mental health, ‘There Ain’t No Future’ hits you with the funk and builds up into an angry ‘in your face’ chorus giving us that raw energy we have come to expect from the duo.
- WHITE KNUCKLE RIDING
- THERE AIN’T NO FUTURE
- WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN
- YOU’RE A KILLER
- TRIPPIN’ NEW YORK CITY
- MY NETTLE
- LIES LIES LIES
- NORTHWEST COAST
- WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
- DANCE TO THE CITY
- URBAN SEAGULL
| The House Beyond The Fires was released on 1st November 2024 and is available on White vinyl, CD and more at https://www.thevirginmarys.com/ |
See Virginmarys Live:
APRIL/MAY 2025
24.04 – Liverpool, Arts Club Loft
25.04 – Swansea, Sin City
26.04 – Frome, Tree House
30.04 – Preston, The Ferret
01.05 – Sheffield, Corporation
02.05 – Hull, The Welly 2
03.05 – Stockton-On-Tees, KU Stockton
04.05 – Kirriemuir, Bonfest
07.05 – Southend-On-Sea, Chinnery’s
08.05 – Tunbridge Wells, The Forum
09.05 – Bedford, Esquires
10.05 – Leicester, Duffy’s Bar
11.05 – Oxford, The Bullingdon
14.05 – Kingston Upon Thames, The Fighting Cocks
15.05 – Cheltenham, Frog & Fiddle
16.05 – Plymouth, The Junction
17.05 – Bridgewater, Cobblestones
Tickets and info via https://www.thevirginmarys.com/tour
Stream WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN here:
The Virginmarys Socials
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVirginmarys/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevirginmarys
