This three-piece from Northern Wales first started to grow as Ritzy Bryan (vocals, guitar) and Rhydian Dafydd (bass, vocals) began to work together in bands. Though a duo for a while, honing their skills for pop hooks and textured backgrounds, the two brought in drummer Matthew Thomas after moving to London. The result was an even more energetic and even metallic element to their pop-rock aesthetic, both on the stage and off.

Though they're a relatively young band (they just released their studio debut, "The Big Roar", this past March), The Joy Formidable are getting plenty of critic and fan love. "The Big Roar" was produced in LA with Rich Costey (Muse, Foo Fighters, Glasvegas), and incorporated what they've learned from touring with Editors, Temper Trap and Passion Pit at venues large and small. Bryan describes the feeling of their on-the-road production as "the possibility of victory in a hopeless situation." There's no doubt that "The Big Roar" has only solidified the trio's reputation for smart scope and volume. Perhaps the reviewer in Slant put it best: "Despite its straightforwardness, "The Big Roar" is both a thrilling exercise in excess and a smart example of overdriven guitar pop, made even more majestic through studio-accented orchestral touches."

The Joy Formidable is currently touring the UK throughout July. They've just wrapped up a slew of dates in the States.

Hear the band play live and talk about North Wales and its growing music scene.


Website: http://www.thejoyformidable.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thejoyformidable



Set List:
THE GREATEST LIGHT IS THE GREATEST SHADE   
AUSTERE                                                               
I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU LIKE THIS                     
WHIRRING                                                                                         

Recent Release: The Big Roar   
Release Date: March 15, 2011
Label: Atlantic/Canvasback
Band Origin: North Wales