Billy Bibby & The Wry Smiles, The Rocking Chair, Sheffield

Ex-Catfish And The Bottlemen's Billy Bibby

One of the founder members of music darlings Catfish and the Bottlemen brings his new band to Sheffield next month.

Billy Bibby has no regrets about quitting the Welsh rockers in summer 2014, just a few weeks before the release of their debut album.

His new band hit the road to make the release of their debut EP just under a year ago and since then Billy Bibby & the Wry Smiles have gone from strength to strength.

A band spokesman said: “Truth be told, that first tour hasn’t really ended, but a lot has happened since. It’s all good news that points to hard work paying off and a band on an upward trajectory.”

The band have now performed more than 80 gigs and a dozen festivals, boast an ever-expanding live repertoire with the EP and two follow-up singles under their belt and have more music and touring planned in 2017, thanks to two music industry grant wins.

And in December, Billy earned a platinum disc for Catfish, the band he founded in in 2007 with friend “Van” McCann.

Saturday, March 25, billybibby.com