Four: The British Indie Rock Quartet

Four is a British indie rock band known for their melodic guitar-driven sound and introspective lyrics. Hailing from Manchester, the group achieved mainstream success with their 2011 debut album, which charted in the UK Top 10 and was certified gold.

Early career

Formed in 2006, the band's original members met while studying at university in Manchester. They began performing at local venues like the Night & Day Cafe, building a grassroots following with their energetic live shows.

Their self-released debut EP, "Static Lines," caught the attention of several independent labels in 2008. This led to a signing with the respected indie label Fierce Panda Records, which released their follow-up EP "The Northern Quarter" in 2009.

Breakthrough

Four's major breakthrough arrived in 2011 with their debut album "Cities and Ghosts." Released on Fierce Panda with distribution through PIAS, the album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 7.

The lead single "Anchor" became a staple on BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music, helping drive sales toward a gold certification. This success established Four as a leading act in the UK's indie rock revival of the early 2010s.

Key tracks

Anchor — This breakthrough single defined their early sound and secured their first major radio play.

Glass Houses — A fan favorite from the debut album, it became a setlist staple for its anthemic chorus.

The Fall — Featured in several television soundtracks, this track expanded their audience beyond the UK.

Signal Fire — The lead single from their more experimental third album, showcasing evolved production.

Horizons — A key deep-cut ballad that highlights the band's lyrical depth and melodic strength.

Their sophomore album, "The Distance Between," arrived in 2014 and debuted at number 12 on the UK chart. While not matching the commercial peak of their debut, it was praised for its matured songwriting and earned a silver certification.

Four collaborated with electronic producer Submotion on the 2016 single "Echoes," blending their rock foundation with atmospheric textures. Their third studio album, "Volumes," released in 2018 on a new deal with Infectious Music, marked a deliberate shift toward a denser, more layered sound.

The band has maintained a consistent touring presence across Europe and has performed at major festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds. Their music continues to evolve while retaining the core guitar melodies and earnest vocals that first attracted their fanbase.

Fans of Four's brand of thoughtful indie rock often also enjoy The Wombats for their similarly hook-driven guitar pop. The Kooks share a knack for crafting timeless British indie melodies. The atmospheric side of Four's later work finds parallels with The National in its brooding intensity. Listeners may also appreciate the anthemic qualities of Two Door Cinema Club and their danceable rock rhythms.

The music of Four is regularly featured in rotations across a network of alternative rock radio stations and online rock radio streams. Their hits are common on stations dedicated to guitar music from the 2000s and 2010s, while their newer material appears on independent music radio stations championing modern rock.

You can hear the music of Four on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover their discography and latest singles by tuning into the indie and alternative rock stations available on onairium.com.