The Guest List are confronting a world dominated by “trolls, comment bots, algorithms and whistleblowers” on their new single ‘Something Real’.
The new single is the Mancunian band’s first release of 2026, on which they take on the deeply entrenched distrust in the world over jangling chords. “Hate… is on trend / war… is on trend,” sings vocalist Cai Alty, later declaring: “And I know that it blows your mind just to hear me saying something real.”
“This is the song that best represents what we want to say and be,” Alty said. “It’s about finding something meaningful in a world where trolls, comment bots, algorithms and whistleblowers dictate public understanding. Where suffering is normalised, and where our most hateful impulses are nurtured. We hope that people find this song as genuine as we do.”
Check out ‘Something Real’ below:
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The Guest List have tackled similarly topical subject matter in their music previously. On their debut EP ‘When The Lights Are Out’, they explored topics such as men’s mental health, environmental collapse, insecurities, and domestic violence.
They have also spoken of their ambitions to rise above the associations of coming from Manchester’s music scene. “We have been brought up listening to Manchester bands, but we don’t want to be defined by that,” said Alty. “We want to be seen as a band from Manchester, not just a Manchester band.”
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In November, The Guest List played three sold-out nights at London’s Camden Assembly as well as a huge 1,300-capacity hometown date at Manchester’s New Century Hall.
They’ll be back on the road in April – you can check out the full list of dates below and buy your tickets here.
The Guestlist’s April 2026 UK headline tour is:
7 – Dublin, Academy 2
9 – Blackpool, Bootleg Social
10 – Hull, Polar Bear Music Club
11 – Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire
12 – Hebden Bridge, Hebden Bridge Trades Club
13 – Preston, The Ferret
15 – Liverpool, Arts Club
16 – Stoke-on-Trent, The Sugarmill
17 – Bedford, Esquires
18 – Portsmouth, Kola
20 – Southampton, Joiners Arms
22 – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
23 – Bristol, Exchange
24 – Brighton, Dukes at Komedia Picturehouse
