Capital ambitions

Reporter: Simon Smedley
Date published: 21 April 2015


MUSIC: THEY might have been together for only 12 months, but Oldham indie rockers The Visitors are already planning a future assault on London.

It’s been a whirlwind year for the widely-influenced Visitors — Jack Bottomley-Clift (20, guitar/vocals from Royton), Charles Cotton (20, lead guitar from Chadderton), Greg Higham (19, bass, from Royton) and Conor Mather (20, drums, from Shaw) — and now the talented group are hoping they will soon get the chance to spread their wings.

The band has played 50-plus gigs and is currently recording a 13-track album at Cotton’s home studio. But the draw of the capital appeals strongly to this latest bunch of confident Oldham musicians.

Cotton said: “Greg and I work pretty much full-time, but we are considering quitting so we can concentrate on the band.

“We plan on getting some money together and buying a van, then we want to be gigging more regularly, and further afield. I feel we’re getting a little over-exposed in this area, but at the end of the day it’s just about trying to play in front of as many people as we can.

“London is in our plans, too. When we went down to meet our new management we were struck by the great vibe, and we also felt our music would fit in really well down there. I’d love to live there, it’s such a cool place.”

The Visitors’ new management is Soho-based Animal Farm, whose deal includes three single releases, and hopefully the chance to gain increased exposure nationwide.

All four band members promise not to forget their Oldham roots - and they are clearly popular in their home town, having packed out the town centre Jackson’s Pit venue recently.

Visitors’ vocalist Bottomley-Clift welcomes talk of rivalry between Oldham’s up-coming bands. It’s a healthy scenario, with fellow hopefuls the Gramotones, 5ft Fez, Goda Tungl, the Velocetas, Indigo Empire, the Recreation and more currently making waves.

“With bands like Indigo Empire out there, for instance, we know they’re really good and it’s up to us to up our game all the time,” said Jack.

“We did have fun at Jackson’s Pit. You can work alongside other bands and bounce off one another. There’s a thriving scene in Oldham at the moment and it’s good to be part of it, but you don’t really realise just how much talent there is until you join a band yourself.”

Check out the band’s gig dates and latest news on Facebook and Twitter. “Oxblood and Black” is set for release in May.