Sleaford Mods are the iconic English post-punk duo from Nottingham, consisting of vocalist and lyricist Jason Williamson and producer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Fearn. Formed in 2007 by Williamson, who initially worked solo before Fearn joined in 2012, the pair have built a formidable reputation for their minimalist electronic beats fused with raw, spoken-word rants delivered in Williamson’s distinctive East Midlands accent.
Their music sharply critiques austerity, class divides, consumerism, political hypocrisy, and the banal absurdities of modern British life, blending humour, anger, and unflinching social observation.Rising to wider acclaim in the 2010s with breakthrough albums like Divide and Exit (2014), Key Markets (2015), and English Tapas (2017), they earned praise for their no-frills approach—sparse production highlighting Williamson’s acerbic wordplay over Fearn’s looped basslines and beats.
Subsequent releases, including Eton Alive (2019), Spare Ribs (2021), UK GRIM (2023), and their latest, The Demise of Planet X (released 16 January 2026 via Rough Trade), have expanded their sound with occasional collaborations (e.g., Aldous Harding, Sue Tompkins, Gwendoline Christie) while staying true to their confrontational ethos. Tracks like “Megaton” and “The Good Life” tackle tech overload, societal decay, and everyday grind with biting wit.
On 7 February 2026, as part of their No War No Death UK Tour, Sleaford Mods played Manchester Academy 1—following Glasgow the previous night—delivering a high-energy set drawn from their catalogue, including staples like “The Unwrap,” “The Good Life,” “Megaton,” “T.C.R.,” “Dad’s Corner,” “I Don’t Rate You,” “UK GRIM,” and “Kebab Spider,” alongside newer material.
The Oxford Road venue hosted the gig with support from Heartworms and Jasmine.4.t, reinforcing their enduring appeal in working-class cities.
Photo Copyright © Gary Mather
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