2 days Ago
He’s reflecting on 2024 – a year that saw the band land their first number one album in January, 30 years after they formed in York. In October they topped the charts again, becoming the 20th artist in history to land two number one albums in the same year. And in the summer they sold out Museum Gardens – the first band to play a headline gig there in more than 30 years.
“What we’ve done in 2024 is not only win some people round, but prove we deserve our place now,” says Rick. “We’re a relevant band because for a while we were just that nineties Britpop band going back out and playing nineties songs.” The 52-year-old adds: “The thing I’m most proud of is that we can hold our own – we’re relevant, and with today.
” Shed Seven celebrate Liquid Gold going to number one in 2024 - months after A Matter of Time topped the charts (Image: Official Charts Company 2024) Rick – speaking to The Press fresh from the Sheds' UK tour – says the reaction when playing live has never been better either. “We seem to have upped it a level,” he says. Rick adds that the tour felt like a “victory lap”, coming after the band’s two number one albums.
In York, the reaction to the band has never been stronger – shown by the summer’s Museum Gardens gigs. The crowd at Museum Gardens for Shed Seven in July 2024 (Image: David Harrison) With Elbow booked for 2025, Rick hopes the Sheds have made way for more acts to perform at the venue. “I thought it worked really well over the two days,” he says.
“People were really well behaved, everyone looked like they were having a great time. “The revenue that it must have brought into the city is a brilliant thing. Recommended reading: “From taxis to hotels to bars, it’s a win-win really because we get to play homecoming shows in a unique setting and everyone else wins out of it as well.
” He hopes the band will perform at Museum Gardens again but adds with a laugh: “I’m going to be keeping my eye on who’s stood next to the river and who hasn’t paid.” Looking to 2025, Rick says the Sheds will “go a little bit quiet” for the first months “then we’re just going to do loads of festivals”. They may look to write new music in their downtime but will only release it “if we think it’s good enough”, he adds.
“And now that we’ve had two number ones, it’s got to be good.” Shed Seven (Image: Supplied) Rick isn’t nervous about following up 2024’s success. “We’ve never really released something with any intention than we want people to hear it,” he says.
“So, anything else is a bonus. “If people like it that’s a bonus and if it goes high in the charts, that’s an amazing thing.” His main aim is that the Sheds' new music stands the test of time, like their Britpop hits have.
“That’s the biggest buzz for me, that’s what makes me want to do it,” he says..
