The Enemy will bring two decades of indie anthems to Blackpool this summer when they headline the latest date in the inaugural Blackpool Live series at the Winter Gardens.

The Coventry trio, whose platinum-selling debut We'll Live And Die In These Towns helped define the mid-2000s indie boom, will top the bill on Friday, August 28, joined by New York favourites We Are Scientists and rising UK acts Alex Spencer and Shambolics.

The announcement continues to build momentum behind Blackpool Live, a new concert series aiming to establish the Winter Gardens as one of the country's leading destinations for guitar music. Across seven headline events, more than 27 artists will perform at the historic venue, with organisers combining established names with emerging talent.

For The Enemy, the Blackpool show comes during a renewed chapter for the band. After reuniting with their original line-up in 2022, frontman Tom Clarke, bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts returned last year with Social Disguises — their first studio album in more than a decade. The band are also preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark debut album with a major hometown arena show next year.

Known for hits including Away From Here and Had Enough, The Enemy built a reputation for punchy, socially observant songs that captured life in Britain's towns and cities, earning a devoted following that has endured long beyond the height of the 2000s indie explosion.

Supporting them in Blackpool are fellow indie stalwarts We Are Scientists. The New York duo first broke through in the UK with their acclaimed debut With Love & Squalor and have since released nine studio albums, while remaining a popular live act thanks to songs including Nobody Moves, Nobody Gets Hurt, After Hours and It's A Hit.

Opening the evening will be fast-rising artists Alex Spencer and Scottish indie outfit Shambolics, continuing Blackpool Live's commitment to showcasing the next generation of guitar bands alongside established names.

The Enemy join an increasingly impressive line-up for the debut Blackpool Live season, with Feeder, The Fratellis, Cast, Doves, Happy Mondays and The Pigeon Detectives among the headline acts already announced. Support across the series includes The Futureheads, Sleeper, Echobelly, Inspiral Carpets, The Twang, The Rifles and The Slow Readers Club.

Beyond the music, organisers say Blackpool Live has been designed to encourage fans to make a full day of their visit, combining live performances with the resort's beaches, attractions, bars and restaurants before heading to the Winter Gardens for the evening's show.

The Enemy, supported by We Are Scientists, Alex Spencer and Shambolics, perform at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Friday, August 28, with tickets on sale now.

https://www.blackpool-live.com

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.