2022 sees Reverend and the Makers back with their brand-new track, ‘Heatwave in the Cold North’, a timely sun-drenched slice of northern soul, which showcases a new side of Jon ‘Rev’ McClure’s songwriting, as he develops his Sheffield origins and classic soul influences. Speaking on the track, Rev compares it to the feeling of “lazing around on a sunny day with your lover getting stoned. Imagine if Barry White lived in Sheffield and you're getting there.”
The melodic summer anthem-in-waiting infuses tropical, rhythmic beats, sailing along on a shimmering string section and The Reverend’s renowned smooth lyricism, it all combines to make a statement of intent for their forthcoming album. Following on from their unbroken run of six top 20 albums, Reverend and the Makers have returned, this time with a new look and new sound.
Moving from the Twitter to TikTok generation, RATM have not only reinvented themselves as a band but frontman Jon McClure has taken on a new challenge of travelling from ‘Sheffield to Kitwe’, Sheffield’s twin town in Zambia.. This cultural expedition, spanning 34 days and 15 different countries, will see him collaborating with local artists in their studio, showing their city through their eyes. Confirmed musicians vary from grassroots bands and street artists to established globally renown names such as Dave Clarke, Onipa, & Mohamed Lamouri.
