New Music: Theatre Royal – Welsh Coastal Towns

Theatre Royal is a seasoned indie rock quartet hailing from the Medway area in the UK. Formed in 2009 from the ashes of the band The Long Weekend, the band consists of Oliver Burgess (vocals, guitar), Dr Robert (guitar, vocals), Brendan Esmonde (bass), and Jon Gibbs (drums). They are known for their timeless guitar pop classics and a sound that has been described as a blend of the Medway scene’s grit with a touch of West Coast sensibilities. Over their career, Theatre Royal has released several albums and EPs, building a reputation for their earnest songwriting and energetic live shows.

Their song, “Welsh Coastal Towns,” is a recent single released in April 2025, preceding their sixth studio album, “A Change Of Weather,” which is set to be released on May 30, 2025. Despite its geographical title, “Welsh Coastal Towns” is notably not a literal travelogue about locations in Wales. Instead, the song uses the imagery of Welsh coastal towns as a backdrop to explore deeper, more personal themes, specifically fatherhood and life itself. This lyrical focus adds a layer of introspection and personal reflection to the track, demonstrating Theatre Royal’s ability to weave meaningful narratives within their melodic indie rock framework. The release of “Welsh Coastal Towns” signals the band’s continued artistic evolution and offers a glimpse into the thematic landscape of their forthcoming album.