Champions City host second-placed Liverpool in a crunch clash in the title race and, as we edge closer to kick-off, anticipation and excitement increases and the atmosphere is sure to be electric.
Ahead of the game, we caught up with indie band Blossoms, who have revealed their brand new single The Sulking Poet from their upcoming new album Ribbon Around the Bomb - out 29 April 2022.
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We asked City fan Tom Ogden about the album and their live plans, the influence of collaborator James Skelly and his thoughts on City v Liverpool, as well as his top five Blossoms tunes and a suggested playlist for the big game!
Tell us about the new album. What can we expect in terms of the sound?
With it being our 4th album we knew we wanted to do something different. We used real strings across the album which added a real cinematic feel to the whole thing.
Artists such as Simon and Garfunkel and Dire Straits heavily influenced the sound on some tracks.
There’s a central character throughout in ‘The Writer’, which delves into the emotions of achieving so much at such a young age, and reflecting on my life so far.
James Skelly has produced the record. What does he bring your to your output?
James has been involved with us right from before the first album. He’s been my songwriting mentor for a long time now, and we speak about songs and music weekly.
As I’m the only songwriter in the band it’s good to have someone like James to talk to about songs and for advice. He’s grown with the band and has a great sense of where we’re at as a band.
Speaking of James, I recently went to see the Coral’s 20-year anniversary tour. Why has their first album stood the test of time, do you think?
It was so different to everything else that came out around that time. They had such a great personal identity, quirky but also identifiable. It helps having one of the greatest pop songs of the last 30 years on there in ‘Dreaming Of You’ too.
What are your live plans?
We’re doing some intimate shows around our album launch at the end of April, then it’s onto festival season and supporting the Killers in the UK. Then off for 2 shows in America, LA and NYC in August, then we plan to tour properly in the UK at the end of the year.
The lockdown sessions you did were fantastic. How did they come about and which was your favourite?
Well we were on tour when the lockdown hit so we were in a creative space still after being on tour, and we’re the kind of band who don’t sit still.
I think my wife Katie showed me the Backstreet Boys on the news doing something similar and I thought we could do that. I edited the video footage together that we all took on our iPhones and then Myles edited the sound together from the same videos.
My favourite was probably Lost by Frank Ocean.
Who’s the most talented musician you guys have collaborated with?
Josh’s dad Robin Dewhurst is an amazing musician and pianist, so I’d have to say him.
Sunday is a huge game for City. How do you see it playing out?
I mean, I think on our day we can beat any team in the world so I think we’ll do it. However, the inner pessimist never seems to fully leave me, so you can never be sure.
What do you like most about Pep Guardiola’s style of play?
I love how patient and regimented it is. When you watch him watching the team play, he knows exactly what everyone should be doing, and he gets frustrated when they don’t do it. It’s pure passion.
Which City player is the most rock’n’roll?
I’d have to go with Jack Grealish in this current team. He’s got a little edge to him. You can see he likes the attention and winding other players up!
Can you give me your top five Blossoms songs to date in order?
Ah, this is such a difficult question but today my gut feeling is:
There’s A Reason Why
Blown Rose
My Swimming Brain
Ode To NYC
Your Girlfriend
Playlist choices....
The Riverboat Song - Ocean Colour Scene
West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
She’s Electric - Oasis
Ask - The Smiths
At Most A Kiss - Blossoms
Miss Me Now - Brooke Combe
Go - Chemical Brothers
Call Me - Blondie
Crackling Rosie - Neil Diamond
What A Life - Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Web users can listen to the playlist via Spotify below, and Man City app users can do the same, here.
City host Liverpool at 16:30 (UK) on Sunday 10 April and we’ll have comprehensive coverage here on mancity.com and the official app.
Live updates begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, whilst our Matchday Live show, with guests Shaun Goater and David James, starts one hour before we get under way at the Etihad Stadium.
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison, whilst a match report and post-match reaction from players and Pep Guardiola will be available shortly after the final whistle.
You can watch highlights for free from 20:15 on Sunday and CITY+ subscribers can also enjoy a full-match replay from midnight after the game.
