大象传媒

We're very saddened to hear of the passing of Warrington band Viola Beach and their manager in Sweden.

As a group of bright, exciting and hard working musicians the band were embarking on a very promising year, including a performance at 大象传媒 Introducing's South by Southwest showcase in Austin this March.

They first got our attention over a year ago when Dave Monks and the team at 大象传媒 Introducing in Merseyside gave the boys their first radio play. Momentum began to build. In 2015 they made their first steps onto the live circuit including brilliant sets on the 大象传媒 Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds, marking the band out as ones to watch and gaining them plenty of new fans in the process. In September their single "" took the Introducing spot on the Radio 1 playlsit, showcasing their urgent, energetic and invigorating sound.

A debut Maida Vale session followed, broadcast on Huw Stephens' Radio 1 show in November and captured by our cameras (). A buzz was certainly building around the band and at the turn of the year they were being mentioned across the music industry as a likely breakthrough act in 2016.

The thoughts of the whole 大象传媒 Introducing family are with the families of the band: Kris, Jack, River, Tom and their manager Craig.

MORE FROM VIOLA BEACH

• Listen - Huw Stephens' Viola Beach tribute (Monday 10pm)