Bradley Simpson is having a moment. After breaking into the UK charts with a Top 10 debut solo album, The Panic Years, the former Vamps frontman is proving he’s not just the guy from the band — he’s a full-blown storyteller. Now, he’s teamed up with fast-rising indie star Nieve Ella for a fresh version of fan-favorite “Favourite Band,” and it hits even harder.
Originally one of the emotional high points on The Panic Years, “Favourite Band” spins a fictional tale of heartbreak with a revenge twist. Bradley doesn’t just get sad. He gets even, writing a hit song so catchy that his ex’s new boyfriend can’t stop listening to it. Petty? Maybe. Iconic? Definitely.
Now, with Nieve Ella stepping in, the story gets a second side. Her new verse gives us the ex’s perspective, flipping the track into a musical duel between two artists who both have something to prove. Their voices, his smooth and sincere, hers raw and rich, collide in the best way, turning the song into an alt-pop standoff that’s as cinematic as it is addictive.
Bradley leans into classic singer-songwriter vibes here, but with a sharp alt-pop edge that makes the whole track feel fresh and current. It’s more mature than his Vamps material, but still totally relatable for anyone who’s ever made a playlist to get over someone (or to haunt them, no judgment).
Nieve, who’s been turning heads as a breakout indie voice, brings serious depth to the collab. “Having a feature on one of Brad’s songs, it’s such an honour,” she says. “His album is such a great representation of how good a writer he is.” And she’s right, the storytelling here is razor-sharp.
Bradley adds,
“I’ve been a fan of Nieve’s for a long time… She’s got a fantastic voice and is a great writer… It was a really organic process getting ‘Favourite Band’ together.”
The chemistry shows… this doesn’t feel like a one-off; it feels like a moment.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see them share a stage either. Nieve’s just been announced as the support act for Bradley’s upcoming UK headline tour, so expect this track to blow up even more when they perform it live together.
If “Favourite Band” isn’t already on your playlist, fix that immediately. It’s the alt-pop breakup banger you didn’t know you needed, and proof that Bradley Simpson’s solo era is only getting started.
Keep up with Bradley Simpson here: Website // Instagram // X // Spotify // Apple Music
Keep up with Nieve Ella here: X // Instagram // Spotify // TikTok
