Built on chance connections and a defining love of guitar music, Arkayla are earning a place among Manchester’s illustrious musical alumni. Cal Blakebrough getting stood up could have been just another forgettable night – a bruised ego and a story told on bleary nights at the pub.
Instead, it sparked “Waste of Time,” one of the standout tracks on Arkayla’s 2025 EP “Don’t Look For Answers“, and a reminder that sometimes rejection can be the best kind of inspiration. The song quickly became a highlight of Arkayla’s sets, with fans belting out every line like it’s their own story, setting the tone for the band’s infectious live energy.
“We weren’t setting out to ‘make an EP’ this time,” says Blakebrough. “We just wanted to supercharge our live set with as much excitement as possible. That energy really comes across in the songs and the production – they were built for the stage.”
Blakebrough and his bandmates – Joe Harley, Finley Rubens, and Dylan Murphy – spent 2025 sweating it out on stages that have launched generations of Manchester talent, turning what could have been a one-off moment into anything but a waste of time. Support slots grew bigger, crowds grew louder, and by the end of the year, the four-piece headlined their biggest hometown show yet: a 900-capacity sellout at Manchester’s O2 Academy, confirming their status as one of Britain’s most talked-about rising indie bands.
Praised for their nostalgic undercurrents, Arkayla have drawn comparisons to The Smiths, the La’s, and Oasis, setting them up for a comfortable spot among Manchester’s illustrious music alumni.
That nod to the past is evident on their record, which channels the band’s live-wire energy into a batch of tight, guitar-driven songs – from the breezy and “criminally underrated” (according to one fan) “Doctor” to the explosive “Long Way Back.”
Compared to their previous release, “Ella Malone”, which many have described as “Beatles-esque,” this EP feels more natural and self-assured, signaling a band growing into their sound.
Building on the momentum earned last year, the band is gearing up for a run of shows across Europe starting in February. Arkayla said about the unbelievable moments standing on iconic stages, staying optimistic, and why, when the world is f**ed, that’s exactly when some of the best music gets made.
