White Lies

When the trio's first incarnation as chirpy Brit-pop throwbacks Fear of Flying failed to take off, a quick name change, a couple of Interpol and Editors records and a trip to the depths of Robert Smith's wardrobe gave the lads a second chance as atmospheric, gloom merchants. Themes such as death, loss and electro-shock therapy instantly gave their new songs a spiralling, morbid eeriness and they were soon being hailed as future stars by the NME, XFM and in the BBC Sound of 2009 poll. The gothic grandeur of singles To Lose My Life and Farewell to the Fairground set the tone as support slots with Glasvegas and festival appearances at Reading/Leeds, Oxygen and T in the Park festivals built their profile. The band's growing reputation as one of Britain's hottest new bands was confirmed when debut album To Lose My Life... shot straight to No 1 in the UK charts in January, 2009.