From rehearsal rooms tucked behind Chester’s pubs to festival fields across the Northwest, the sound of our region keeps shifting, keeps surprising, keeps reminding us why we listen. Circl8 steps into the noise with its first regional music news blog, a weekly pulse of stories, gigs, and voices that deserve to be heard.
Igloo Hearts’ debut album is a deeply personal, cinematic record blending grief, joy, and transformation into ten tracks of piano-led contemporary folk.
Igloo Hearts are a North Wales folk‑pop duo made up of Katie Lynne MacGregor and James Michael MacGregor, whose debut album ‘Eyes Closed Against the Sun’ was released on November 14, 2025.
Originating from Wrexham, the pair have built a reputation for blending classical piano, fingerpicked guitar, and haunting harmonies into a sound often described as “one voice in two bodies.” Their influences range from Elliott Smith and Radiohead to Jesca Hoop, Mitski, and Kate Bush, and their performances have already taken them to stages such as Liverpool Philharmonic, the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, and Focus Wales.
They were runners‑up in the Purbeck Folk Rising competition, have been championed by BBC Introducing’s Adam Walton, and Katie’s piano playing was featured on Channel 4’s The Piano.
The album, which was launched at St Mary’s Creative Space in Chester, is a ten‑track, forty‑minute journey through grief, healing, and transformation, with songs like Bodyclock, Mountain Song, Teddy, Elvis Would Be Smilin’, Eyes Don’t Lie, and People Need Sunlight capturing both vulnerability and resilience.
The band go on to say:
“This album is a piece of our hearts, representing a period of time in our lives. Recorded live (with a few careful overdubs) in the room together, capturing every breath, every fingertip on the keys, every unfiltered moment of connection. No safety net. Just the songs, and the energy that filled the space.
More than just a debut, ‘Eyes Closed Against the Sun’ stands as a statement of intent, rooting Igloo Hearts firmly in the North Wales and Chester scene while offering a cinematic, emotionally charged record that resonates with Circl8’s ethos of connection, fairness, and legacy.
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Syntara Release 2 new singles as they gear up to their huge release plans for 2026.
Syntara are stepping into a bold new chapter with the unveiling of two brand new singles, a move that marks the beginning of what promises to be their most ambitious year yet.
As they prepare for a sweeping rollout in 2026, the band are introducing listeners to a fresh sonic direction that leans deeper into experimentation, atmosphere, and emotional intensity.
The double single, titled ‘The Minds Descent’, captures a striking evolution in Syntara’s sound, blending new textures, unconventional production choices, and a more adventurous creative approach.
It highlights the band’s growing confidence in pushing their musical boundaries and redefining what their audience can expect from them. With these tracks, Syntara signal a departure from familiar territory and a step into a more exploratory, inventive space, setting the tone for the groundbreaking material set to follow in the year ahead.
‘The Minds Descent’ will be available on all major streaming platforms from December 5th, with fans invited to stay tuned for further announcements as Syntara continue to unveil their expansive plans moving forward.
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Mantle release new single ‘Pearl’ as Chester’s indie scene gains momentum.
Mantle, Chester’s fast‑rising indie‑rock outfit, have unveiled their brand new single ‘Pearl’, released on November 22, 2025, and it’s already turning heads across the Northwest.
Known for their polished yet excitable sound, the band first cut their teeth at Telford’s Warehouse before quickly becoming regulars at The Live Rooms and Alexander’s Live, where they’ve supported acts like Pacifier.
With ‘Pearl’, Mantle showcase a shimmering evolution in their style — guitars that glisten with urgency, rhythms that drive with intent, and vocals that carry both youthful energy and emotional weight.
The track signals a band stepping confidently into their next phase, ready to move from local favourites to regional contenders.
Shared widely on platforms like TikTok, Pearl is more than just a single; it’s a statement of ambition, a signpost of Mantle’s growing reputation, and a reminder that Chester’s grassroots scene continues to thrive.
As 2026 approaches, Mantle’s trajectory looks set to mirror the vibrancy of the city itself, proving that Chester’s indie‑rock revival is only just beginning.
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Incoming:
Sun 26th: Beans on Toast – Live Rooms
Thu 27th: Bad Manners – Live Rooms
Su 30th: Kingdom of Madness – Live Rooms
Su 30th: Paul Nazole – Telfords Warehouse
See our more extensive guide here
From Igloo Hearts’ cinematic debut to Syntara’s bold experiments and Mantle’s shimmering new single, this week proves that our region’s sound is restless, resilient, and ready for the future.
Circl8 isn’t just reporting the news, we’re archiving the pulse of a community, one gig, one record, one story at a time.
If you’ve got a show, a song, or a memory worth sharing, let us know at circl8chester@gmail.com.
Because the music of Chester and the Northwest isn’t just happening…it’s becoming history, and together we’re writing it.
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