From supporting Fat Dog and Warmduscher to appearing at festivals all over the country, London collective Y are most definitely ones to watch.
Chatting to Erazer post-set at last month’s Night Currents Festival, founding members Adam Brennan and Sophie Coppin told us all about one element of the band that sets them aside from almost anyone else… the saxophone.
“The sax can really cut through,” Adam said.
“It can be a lead instrument and it can really bite. We thought it would be fun.”
Sophie praised Harry McHale for his woodwind skills, saying he doesn’t play the saxophone ‘too traditionally.”
“We’re reinventing the sax a little bit,” she added.
“Harry does it so well. He plays it very sternly, almost like a trumpet.”
The pair both shared a dislike towards a ‘loungy’ sound, saying they prefer the saxophone as a lead element, rather than in the background.
Y were among the acts at the 2025 edition of Night Currents Festival.
The Portsmouth event returned to the Wedgewood Rooms with a lineup including Chloe Slater, The Pill, Swim School and Honeyglaze.
For Adam and Sophie, it marked a return to the venue, having previously supported Brighton 7-piece Keg there.
“I’ve seen [Keg] live a bunch of times,” Adam said.
“We’ve got the same booking agent. They paired us up.”
“They’re really nice guys,” Sophie added.
No stranger to high-profile support slots, Y toured with Fat Dog earlier in the year, a band Adam booked for a gig early on in their formation.
“I put them on at The Windmill,” Adam said, revealing he occasionally books gigs at the Brixton venue.
“We’ve known Joe [Love] since he was in his first group, Peeping Drexels.
“They’ve done really well.”
At the end of last month, Y released their latest single, Skipper.
