The Afterword + The Dandelion Chain + Apple Eyes

The Afterword, The Dandelion Chain and Apple Eyes
A relaxed warm‑up show hosted by The Afterword at The Harrison, King’s Cross. The Afterword are a British indie‑folk and cinematic pop duo made up of songwriters Tom Walkden and Alex Billig. Both previously played in the Oxford alt‑rock band Wolventrix, and Walkden has collaborated with longtime Morrissey guitarist Boz Boorer. Signed to the Austrian independent label Fabrique Records, they’ve released singles including “An Illusion”, “LA” and the more intimate, piano‑led ballad “Siren Smile”.

Their music is melodic indie‑pop shaped by bittersweet self‑irony, big choruses and cinematic melancholy, blending warm, contemporary indie‑pop with folk‑inflected storytelling. Billig’s classically trained piano underpins many tracks, while Walkden’s vocals and lyrics lean into emotionally raw, narrative songwriting in the vein of poignant love songs by Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Their sound moves between widescreen, chorus‑driven indie‑folk and quieter, more reflective ballads built around piano and acoustic guitar.

The Dandelion Chain are a polymorphic duo centred on Mike and Carlos, weaving post‑punk energy, gothic edge and pop sensibilities with intricate, genre‑blurring arrangements. Originally emerging from the Hampshire scene, they’ve become a regular part of London’s grassroots circuit.

In their minimal duo format, they weave synthpop ideas with classical arrangements and turn rockabilly on its head through intricate live performance and evocative soundscapes. Their style fuses driving post‑punk rhythms and gothic atmospheres with synth‑pop hooks and classical textures, creating bold, genre‑defying songs that balance raw emotion with detailed, inventive instrumentation. They describe their music as a Hampshire‑based post‑punk fusion of alt‑rock and electronic vibes set over dark lyrical harmonies, spanning gothic moodiness, indie‑pop bangers and anthemic ballads.

Apple Eyes are a London‑based duo of vocalist Claire Hadidjenar and producer/instrumentalist Matthew Walker. They first gained attention around 2013 with the track “Wild Beasts”, which was championed on BBC 6Music by Tom Robinson. Their recent 2026 singles include “Begin With The End” and the melodic synth‑pop track “Be”.

Their sound centres on bright, hook‑led indie and synth‑pop. “Be” is built around glistening keys, radiant synths and Hadidjenar’s magnetic vocals, with funky basslines, dashes of electric guitar and layered backing harmonies adding to the hooky, dreamy vibe. Across their work they combine starry‑eyed synth melodies, playful rhythms and immersive vocal writing, creating emotionally direct pop songs that feel both polished and intimate.

Source: The Harrison website