To celebrate their 15th Anniversary, The Polyphonic Spree are touring in Europe and performing their debut album, ‘The Beginning Stages Of…’ in its entirety – plus knitting in some brand new material as well as favorites spanning their career for good measure.
Twelve years after their first Greenbelt appearance in 2003 – the festival’s 30th birthday bash at Cheltenham Racecourse, which saw them on a bumper bill headlined by Billy Bragg – when The Polyphonic Spree reached out and asked if we’d consider a return visit from them, we couldn’t resist.
Variously described as a choral rock, a psychedelic pop or a symphonic rock act, The Polyphonic Spree are a 16-piece act founded by Tim DeLaughter in Dallas, Texas.
They’ve performed the world over during their 15 years, earning a reputation is one of the most unique and unforgettable live acts around, performing with acts as diverse as Grandaddy and David Bowie.
Many of their songs have been used in film and TV, with especially “Light and Day / Reach For the Sun” providing almost the default go-to song for film and TV producers throughout the noughties.
With a gentle nod towards political commitment, they performed at the late Wangari Maathai’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert, and dropped their early white robes for black military attire in the later noughties.
The Polyphonic Spree have even released a Christmas album.
But it’s when playing live that the barely contained symphonic instrumental and vocal euphoria makes most sense, catching audiences the world over up into the hopefulness and joy that only The Polyphonic Spree can weave in concert.
We can’t wait to welcome back this Dallas super-group to Greenbelt, to The Bright Field, to bring their own light and euphoria to the festival. We defy anyone not to be left smiling, to be caught up, to be all-but raptured.