Rothco

As part of the Sound Diplomacy Music Cities Convention - Hull of a Night, a city-wide pop-up festival celebrating Hull as a Music City.

ROTHCO have embraced chaos and chemistry, fusing their wildly different tastes into something they've dubbed “Technicolour New Wave”—a heady blend of experimental grit, theatrical energy, and melodic instinct that resists easy classification. Oozing with authenticity and Big Yorkshire Energy, their sound is an alluring blend of influences that impresses in its effortless blending of elements from abrasive punk, brooding psychedelic, disco and gothic post-punk.

Their debut EP, Fools Gold—recorded and released in 2025 at Young Thugs Studio with producer Nick “The Muscle” Russell and mastered by Pete Maher (Jack White, U2)—marks the band’s first deep dive into capturing the raw alchemy of their sound. Nick quickly became an honorary sixth member, pushing the band further and letting their more experimental impulses flourish. The result is a record that’s rough-edged, heartfelt, and alive with possibility.

In 2026 the band have been focussing on recording their debut album, again at Young Thugs Studio in York with Nick Russel, who the band have developed a strong relationship with. Outside of recording they have been playing live shows and experimenting with the new songs on stage whilst having tons of fun.

Live, the five-piece are electric. Shows are built on tension and release, on trust and instinct. Their bond as friends is obvious onstage, and the audience becomes part of the energy—whether it's singing back the lyrics, crowd surfing, or getting caught in the cathartic swirl of it all, the ROTHCO live experience is loud, raw, and joyous.