South Coast indie-pop band The Manatees juxtapose typical pop song structures with melodic guitar riffs, afrobeat drum patterns and nuanced bass lines. The band are Jay Harris (vocals, guitar), Tyler Bloor (guitar), James Miller (bass) and James Brearley (drums). Having performed together under different guises since school, Harris and Brearley, linked up with Bloor and Miller in early 2017 to form The Manatees.

A tangible buzz surrounds the band following the word-of-mouth success of their youthfully nostalgic early EP releases ‘Avoiding Glances’ and ‘Young Hearts’, with fans resonating to their compelling lyrical reflections of teenage adolescence and young love. This has led to plays on Radio X and Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6 Music show, sold out shows at the iconic Joiners and Heartbreakers venues in Southampton and being added to Spotify’s ‘Hot New Bands’ playlist.

Championed by BBC Introducing Solent, The Manatees are emerging as one of the most exciting acts to come from the South Coast in recent years.