Lawson (band)

Lawson
Background information
Origin England, United Kingdom
Genres Pop rock
Years active 2009–present
Labels
Website lawsonofficial.com
Members
  • Andy Brown
  • Ryan Fletcher
  • Joel Peat
  • Adam Pitts

Lawson are an English pop rock band, consisting of Andy Brown (guitar, lead vocals), Ryan Fletcher (bass guitar, backing vocals), Joel Peat (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Adam Pitts (drums). The band's debut album, Chapman Square, was released on 22 October 2012 and reached number three on the UK Albums Chart. To date, the band have achieved seven UK top 20 hit singles. They are named after Liverpool-based surgeon Dr. David Lawson who performed life-saving surgery on Brown.[1][2]

History

2009–12: Early career and breakthrough

The band was formed in late 2009 and was earlier known as "The Groves" but they later changed their name to "Lawson" when Dr. David Lawson performed a life-saving brain surgery on the lead singer Andy Brown.[1][2] Lawson began recording material in early 2010. Acoustic versions of their early original material as well as covers of artists such as Bruno Mars and Adele built up an online fanbase. They soon began playing gigs around the United Kingdom, including the Wireless Festival[3] and the Ultrasound Festival.[4][5]

On 8 September 2011, it was announced that the band had been signed to Polydor Records, with a lucrative two-album deal on the cards. After signing to a major label, Lawson were tasked with opening for acts such as The Wanted, Will Young,[6] Avril Lavigne,[7] and Jessie J.[8] The band toured extensively at the beginning of 2012, fitting in a headline tour of the UK in January[9] and another in May[10] as well as a one-off intimate show at Monto Water Rats in London[11] which was streamed worldwide in April. During this time the band worked on material for their debut album with writers and producers such as Carl Falk and John Shanks.

2012–13: Chapman Square

Main article: Chapman Square

The band's first official single, "When She Was Mine", was released in May 2012 and reached number four on the UK Singles Chart.[12] Following the single release, the band undertook their second headline tour, selling out venues in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham.[13] The band's second single, "Taking Over Me", was released on in August 2012, peaking at number three in the UK. In the summer of 2012, Lawson performed at T in the Park,[14] V Festival[15] and alongside Bruce Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling.[16] They also announced a Hometown Tour,[17] playing dates from October through November in their respective home towns and London, where they reside now. In October 2012, the band released their third official single, "Standing in the Dark", which reached number six in the UK. The band later revealed that their debut album, Chapman Square, would be released on 22 October. Guitarist Joel Peat said of the album: "We're all so excited to release our debut album, we've been building up to it for the past four years, and the album's title for us is special, because it is the first place that we played together as a band. Going out on tour to support the album is amazing too. Doing shows in our home towns feels like the perfect way to celebrate. Performing live is what we love the most, so to be able to play our biggest venues to date in the cities where we grew up is very special." Lawson cited many inspirations for their debut album, including John Mayer and Taylor Swift.[18] On 22 October 2012, Lawson released Chapman Square, peaking at number four in the UK Albums Chart. The album was later certified gold. The band finished the year performing at the Oxford Street Christmas Lights switch on with Robbie Williams[19] and at the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball where their performance was watched by Taylor Swift.[19]

At the beginning of 2013, Lawson played their first headline shows in the US and Canada selling out New York's Bowery Ballroom, The Troubadour in LA and The Mod Club in Canada.[20] In February, they embarked on the Chapman Square tour, playing 18 sold out shows in the UK and Ireland.[21] While working on new tracks for the repack of Chapman Square they visited South East Asia[22] and Australia[23] as well as announcing numerous festival dates including T in the Park,[24] V Festival[25] and Hard Rock Calling[26] for the second year running and Isle of Wight Festival for the first time.

2013: Chapman Square / Chapter II

"Brokenhearted", featuring American rapper B.o.B, was released as the lead single from the repackaged version of Chapman Square in July 2013, reaching number six in the UK. B.o.B flew over to the UK to perform Brokenhearted with the band at Wembley Stadium for the Capital FM Summertime Ball.[27] The band announced their second single, "Juliet", while on tour in the US for the second time in 2013.[28] The track was released on 13 October 2013. British model and actress Kelly Brook stars as the titular character in the video. The band were included in the line-up of the iTunes Festival 2013, opening for Jessie J.[29] Lawson began their biggest headline tour to date, the "Everywhere We Go Tour", in September 2013.[30] The repackaged version of their debut album titled Chapman Square / Chapter II was released on 21 October 2013. The reissue featured all twelve of the songs from standard edition of the Chapman Square (though not the full sixteen of the deluxe edition), plus six new songs. The deluxe edition of Chapter II includes a second disc including acoustic songs and a short tour film.[31]

2014–2015: "Roads", Lawson and Perspective

In 2014, according to the updates at Facebook by Ryan Fletcher, he wrote "Lawson have been in Iceland to do a photo shoot for their new album, and maybe to film a video... More news soon!"

On 2 February 2015 Lawson announced via Twitter that their first gig (after releasing the new album) would be at live at Leeds on 2 May 2015.

On 10 March 2015, Lawson announced the name of the lead single of their second album "Roads" after being played for the first time on in demand radio. Lawson then released a lyric video to "Roads" straight after play being posted to there YouTube channel. "Roads" was released on 24 May 2015.

The band also announced that their album would be titled Perspective, and stated it was due to be released sometime in 2015. This was delayed after band member Andy Brown was taken to hospital with liver failure.[32]

In October, Lawson released a self-titled extended play globally, except in the US and Asia. It included their singles "Roads" and "Under the Sun".[33] The Australian/New Zealand release of Lawson coincided with their support of Robbie Williams' Australian and New Zealand tour, and features the four tracks from deluxe version of Chapman Square, which was not released in Australia.[34]

2016–present: "Money" and upcoming second album

On Twitter in January 2016 Lawson announced that their single "Money" was issued on 29 January 2016. Lawson also announced a video for the single. The music video for "Money" was released on 4th February 2016 before the single was released on 18th March 2016.

Lawson also announced the release of their upcoming second album to be out in the summer of 2016 .[35]

Members

Digital

In December 2013, the first official mobile game was launched for the band by SoshiGames of Birmingham, UK. Available across iOS (Apple), Android (Google Play) and Facebook, the trivia game tests the players knowledge of the band, its members and music.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK IRL SCO
Chapman Square
  • Released: 22 October 2012
  • Label: Polydor Records, Global Talent Records
  • Formats: CD, 2CD, 3CD, Digital download
 4 23 4 BPI: Gold

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[37]
Lawson
  • Released: 2 October 2015
  • Label: Polydor Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
 76

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK IRL HUN POL SCO
"When She Was Mine" 2012 4 46 — — 4 Chapman Square
"Taking Over Me" 3 32 39 — 3
"Standing in the Dark" 6 50 — — 5
"Learn to Love Again" 13 50 — — 11
"Brokenhearted"
(featuring B.o.B)		 2013 6 12 40 — 5 Chapman Square - Chapter II
"Juliet" 3 32 — 3 3
"Roads" 2015 11 — — — 4 Lawson
"Money" 2016 — — — — — Perspective
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.

Promotional Singles

Title Year Album
"Love Is You" 2015 N/A
"Under the Sun"[39] Lawson
"We Are Kings"
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.

Music videos

Title Year Director
"When She Was Mine" 2012 Declan Whitebloom
"Taking Over Me" Josh Forbes
"Standing in the Dark" Nick Bartleet
"Learn To Love Again" Shane Drake
"Brokenhearted"
(featuring B.o.B)		 2013 Declan Whitebloom
"Juliet" Carly Cussen
"Roads" 2015 James Slater
"Under the Sun" Embryo
"We Are Kings" Embryo
"Money" 2016 Carly Cussen

References

  1. 1 2 "Lawson's Andy Brown Visits The Doctor Who Saved His Life - Pictures, News and Music Videos - Heart FM". Heart.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  2. 1 2 "Lawson meet Dr Lawson!". ITV News.
  3. ↑ "Wireless 2010 :: Line Up". Wirelessfestival.co.uk. 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  4. ↑ "Tamworth UltraSound Music Festival - Tamworth". Urldir.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  5. ↑ "Great Offer Store". universal-music.co.uk.
  6. ↑ Green, Laurence (2011-11-19). "Lawson to head out on tour with Will Young". TotallyVivid. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  7. ↑ "Avril Lavigne @ HMV Apollo 21st September 2011 « Planet Music Reviews". Planetmusicreviews.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  8. ↑ Jessie J at Warwick Castle
  9. ↑ Jon Stickler. "Lawson Announce 2012 Headline UK Shows". Stereoboard.com.
  10. ↑ "Lawson Announce New May UK Tour". Capital. 16 April 2012.
  11. ↑ "Lawson play Monto Water Rats". 4music.com.
  12. ↑ "First listen: Lawson's When She Was Mine". 4Music. 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  13. ↑ "Lawson Set To Tour In May". The Student Magazine. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
  14. ↑ "Lawsonofficial.com -". lawsonofficial.com.
  15. ↑ "Lawson at V Festival 2012". 4music.com.
  16. ↑ "Lawson - Hard Rock Calling 2012 - Digital Spy". Digital Spy.
  17. ↑ "Lawson announce UK 'Home Town' tour". Digital Spy.
  18. ↑ "Lawson's Andy Brown: 'Taylor Swift told us she loves Standing in the Dark'". Sugarscape.
  19. 1 2 "Robbie Williams Hails Lawson As "Lovely Lads" After Christmas Lights Ceremony". Capital. 5 November 2012.
  20. ↑ "Lawson Announce US Tour Dates For January 2013". Capital. 5 December 2012.
  21. ↑ "Lawson Announce Chapman Square Tour For Feb And March 2013". Contactmusic.com.
  22. ↑ "Lawson - Asia Tour 2013 | Getmusic Asia". News.getmusicasia.com. 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  23. ↑ Lawson Announce First Australian Concert - The Hot Hits
  24. ↑ "April 2013 – Ke$ha, Little Mix, Lawson and more join 20th year celebrations.". T in the Park.
  25. ↑ "V Festival 2013 Confirms John Newman, Idris Elba, Naughty Boy, Seasick Steve And Lawson". Contactmusic.com.
  26. ↑ "Calling Festival 2014 | Official Calling Festival Website". Hardrockcalling.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  27. ↑ "Lawson Joined By B.o.B During Summertime Ball 2013 Performance". Capital. 9 June 2013.
  28. ↑ Juliet Announcement from NYC!. YouTube. 22 August 2013.
  29. ↑ "Tinie Tempah, Lawson, Avicii & Bastille added to iTunes Festival 2013". 4music.com.
  30. ↑ "Lawson announce 'Everywhere We Go' UK tour". Digital Spy.
  31. ↑ "Lawsonofficial.com -". lawsonofficial.com.
  32. ↑ "Lawson's LP delayed due to frontman's liver failure". www.virginmedia.com. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  33. ↑ "Lawson "Under the Sun" (Single Premiere)". www.josepvinaixa.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  34. ↑ "Lawson album locked". www.auspop.com.au. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  35. ↑ http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/lawson/news/new-song-money/#hSrAJUtFRWt4phiY.99
  36. 1 2 3 4 "-LAWSON;". tumblr.com.
  37. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (31 October 2015). "ARIA Albums: 5 Seconds of Summer Top Australian Chart". Noise11. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  38. ↑ http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx
  39. ↑ "Under the Sun - single by Lawson". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 13 November 2015.

External links

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