Yard Act

About

Yard Act are a post-punk band from Leeds, formed in 2019, built around vocalist James Smith's wordy, sardonic storytelling. Their debut 'The Overload' (2022) reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and earned a Mercury Prize nomination. The follow-up 'Where's My Utopia?' (2024), co-produced with Gorillaz member Remi Kabaka Jr., pushed the band into broader sonic territory. Their third album, 'You're Gonna Need a Little Music', arrived in July 2026, recorded with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen between Leeds and Los Angeles.

peak position 'The Overload' in the UK Albums Chart (2022)

26,800

YouTube subscribers (February 2025)

average critics score 'Where's My Utopia?' on Album of the Year

top-5 albums in the UK Charts

What's new

2026-07
The third album 'You're Gonna Need a Little Music' was released on 17 July 2026 via Island Records, recorded with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen in Leeds and Los Angeles.
2026-06
The band shared the second single 'New Beginnings' and announced a European headline tour for October 2026, with a stop in Utrecht on 3 October.
2026-05
Yard Act announced their third album with the single 'Redeemer', recorded as a full live band - a first for the group.
2024-03
The second album 'Where's My Utopia?' was released on 1 March 2024 via Island Records, co-produced by Gorillaz member Remi Kabaka Jr.
2024-02
Yard Act performed on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and announced an extensive North American tour for autumn 2024.