Hartlepool’s rising quintet Marketplace set the stage for an electrifying year, announcing their forthcoming EP, Marketplace Mean Business, set for release on June 6th. Ahead of this milestone, the band unveils their latest single, “Contact Sports,” a radiant, high-energy anthem that captures the chaotic thrill of newfound romance, premiering today on 1883.
Vocalist Evie Rhodes explains: “‘Contact Sports’ is about budding romances, where everything is touch and go, and where you know you really like someone but you’re still trying to convince yourself it’s not that serious,” explains vocalist Evie Rhodes. “We took a lot of inspiration for this song from bands like The Beths and their style of scrappy love songs that are just so unapologetically sincere without being too serious. The song kind of reads like I’m just crashing out and riding through a train of thought, so I think that balance of lighthearted sincerity was something we tried to capture.”
Helmed by producer Chad Rodgers (known for his work with Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Cape Cub), “Contact Sports” merges indie rock, alt-pop, and an undeniable melodic punch. A driving guitar-led backdrop fuels its vibrant spirit, with infectious hooks and soaring energy that make it impossible to resist. The track is equal parts cathartic and euphoric — a cascading soundscape that intertwines intricate melodies paired with deft lyricism.
With influences spanning from Alvvays and Declan McKenna to Pulp and Talking Heads, Marketplace crafts a sound that is distinctly their own. The lineup — composed of Rhodes (vocals/guitar), Joel O’Beirne (vocals/bass), Jack Purcell (guitar), Matthew Short (synth/vocals), and Ross Dixon (drums) — brings together diverse musical sensibilities, resulting in a dynamic and refreshing sonic identity.
Already a formidable live act, Marketplace have shared stages with Alfie Templeman, Swim Deep, The Lottery Winners, and Abbie Ozard, while headlining sold-out shows in Manchester, Leeds, and their hometown of Hartlepool. A UK tour is lined up for May, so it’s clear the band is steadily building momentum toward what promises to be a breakthrough release.
“Contact Sports” is out now.
