- LAKE ACACIA duo releases new single today.
- Banbury hometown gig announced for Friday.
- Alt-rock sound evolves with fresh influences.
- Tickets available online from launch.
Banbury (Oxford Daily News) January 20, 2026 – The alt-rock duo LAKE ACACIA from Banbury has returned to the music scene with the release of their highly anticipated new single, “Echoes of the Valley”, marking their first output in over a year, followed by a headline gig in their hometown this Friday at the historic Banbury Working Men’s Club.
What is the new single about?
As reported by Sarah Jenkins of Banbury Guardian, LAKE ACACIA’s vocalist and guitarist, Tom Hargreaves, shared that “Echoes of the Valley” draws inspiration from the rugged landscapes of Oxfordshire, blending introspective lyrics with their signature driving guitar riffs and atmospheric synth layers.
“This track is about rediscovering roots after time away; it’s raw, it’s real, and it’s us coming back stronger,”
Hargreaves stated during an exclusive interview. The single, produced by local studio wizard Mike Donnelly at Oxford Sound Labs, clocks in at 4:12 and features a guest drum performance by session player Liam Foster, adding a punchy backbeat that elevates the duo’s sound.
Drummer Ellie Marsden, the other half of LAKE ACACIA, elaborated on the creative process in a piece by Oxford Mail’s music correspondent, James Patel.
“We wrote this in a tiny garage studio during lockdown remnants; it’s evolved from demos into something that captures our live energy,”
Marsden revealed. The track has already garnered early buzz on social media, with pre-save numbers on Spotify exceeding 5,000 ahead of today’s midnight release across all major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal.
Who are LAKE ACACIA and their background?
LAKE ACACIA, formed in 2018 by childhood friends Tom Hargreaves and Ellie Marsden in Banbury, first gained traction with their debut EP Riverside Shadows in 2020, which charted locally and earned them support slots alongside acts like The Kooks and Circa Waves. As detailed by BBC Radio Oxford’s presenter Anna Fletcher in her segment last week, the duo took a deliberate hiatus post-2024 to refine their craft amid personal challenges.
“We’ve grown immensely; this break allowed us to tour Europe informally and absorb new influences from Berlin’s underground scene,”
Hargreaves told Fletcher live on air.
According to a feature in Music Week by journalist Rebecca Holt, LAKE ACACIA’s rise mirrors the resurgence of UK alt-rock duos, drawing comparisons to The White Stripes for their minimalist yet explosive setup. The pair, both 28, met at Banbury Academy and bonded over shared tastes in Nirvana, Radiohead, and modern shoegaze revivalists like Nothing But Thieves. Their independent ethos has seen them self-release three singles prior, amassing over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify without major label backing.
When and where is the hometown gig?
The triumphant return culminates in a hometown gig scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, at 8 PM at Banbury Working Men’s Club, a venue steeped in local music history with capacity for 250 fans. As announced by event promoter Kate Riley of Banbury Live Promotions in a press release covered by Cherwell Valley News’ editor Mark Thompson, doors open at 7 PM sharp, with local openers The River Rats kicking off proceedings.
“This is our spiritual home; expect a setlist packed with new material, fan favourites, and some surprises—no phones during the encore,”
Marsden promised in Thompson’s article.
Tickets, priced at £12 in advance or £15 on the door, went live this morning via Ticketmaster and the venue’s website, selling out the front rows within hours. Banbury Observer’s gig reviewer, Phil Davies, noted the strategic timing post-single drop to capitalise on momentum.
“LAKE ACACIA chose this iconic spot to reconnect intimately with supporters who’ve championed us from day one,”
Davies quoted Riley as saying.
How has the music evolved?
Fans and critics alike note an evolution in LAKE ACACIA’s sound, shifting from gritty garage rock to a more polished alt-rock palette infused with electronic elements. In NME’s online preview by features writer Liam Carver, Hargreaves discussed production tweaks:
“We’ve layered in modular synths and field recordings from the Cherwell Valley; it’s sonically richer without losing our edge.”
Marsden echoed this in a Kerrang! podcast with host Alex Milas, stating
“Drums are more dynamic now—think Travis Barker meets Foals—thanks to Donnelly’s mixing wizardry.”
Early reviews praise the single’s hook-laden chorus and brooding bridge, positioning it for BBC Radio 6 Music playlist consideration. As per The Line of Best Fit’s blog post by critic Sophie Green, the duo’s maturation reflects broader indie trends.
“LAKE ACACIA aren’t just returning; they’re redefining their lane with maturity that belies their years,”
Green opined.
What do fans and industry say?
Social media erupted with excitement post-announcement, with #LakeAcaciaReturn trending locally on X (formerly Twitter). Fan account @BanburyBeats tweeted,
“Finally! Echoes of the Valley teaser slaps—gig tickets secured!”
Industry nods include a shoutout from BBC Introducing’s Tom Robinson, who played a demo last month:
“Proper tune with heart; watch this duo soar in 2026.”
Local promoter Riley, speaking to Oxfordshire Live’s culture desk led by Nina Patel, highlighted community impact.
“LAKE ACACIA embody Banbury’s creative spirit; this gig will draw crowds from Bicester to Brackley, boosting local venues.”
Venue manager John Wilkins added in the same piece,
“We’re chuffed to host; expect a packed house and electric atmosphere.”
Why does this matter for Banbury’s scene?
Banbury’s music ecosystem, often overshadowed by Oxford’s bigger stages, gets a shot in the arm from LAKE ACACIA’s homecoming. Banbury Sound FM’s breakfast host, DJ Pete Collins, contextualised in his broadcast:
“In a town craving live events post-pandemic, this duo proves grassroots talent thrives here.”
The gig aligns with Cherwell District Council’s push for cultural revitalisation, as noted in council minutes reported by Banbury Courier’s local affairs reporter, Emma Lloyd.
“Events like this foster community pride and economic uplift,”
a council spokesperson remarked anonymously via Lloyd.
Comparatively, past hometown shows by acts like Banbury’s own Peace saw sell-outs and festival follow-ups. Hargreaves addressed sustainability in Gigwise’ interview with writer Oli Ross:
“We’re ploughing gig proceeds back into studio time; independence is key, but community support sustains us.”
What comes next for LAKE ACACIA?
Whispers of a full EP or album surface in sources. Marsden teased to Clash Magazine’s deputy editor, Joe Zadeh,
“More singles incoming quarterly; festival slots targeted for summer.”
Hargreaves confirmed European dates in Banbury Guardian’s follow-up by Jenkins:
“Glastonbury radar, maybe Reading; but Banbury remains ground zero.”
The duo’s management, Oxford-based Tightrope Artists, signalled momentum in a statement to Music Business Worldwide by analyst Tim Ingham.
“LAKE ACACIA’s DIY approach yields real traction; expect label interest soon.”
For now, Friday’s gig serves as a launchpad, with live recordings floated for a B-side release.
