Overpass

Overpass are a young British band from Birmingham who, in just a few years, have gone from being a local act to one of the most prominent new names on the English indie scene. Their music blends energetic indie rock, melodic alternative rock and atmospheric guitar parts. The band’s trademark is their emotional choruses and vibrant live performances. The band’s name is linked to the famous Spaghetti Junction motorway junction, considered one of the symbols of Birmingham.

In this article, we’ll explain how the band came to be, who’s in the line-up, which songs have brought the musicians fame, and why they’re increasingly being hailed as one of Great Britain’s most promising young bands.

Who are Overpass?

Overpass formed in early 2020. Max Newbold posted an advert on Instagram in December 2019 looking for musicians. He was joined by Elliot Rawlings and India Armstrong, whilst Jake Bishop joined the band through mutual friends. Almost immediately, the band began working on original material and, by the autumn, had released their debut single ‘One Night Lover’, which caught the attention of listeners and the music press.

Despite the fact that the band’s early days coincided with the pandemic, Overpass quickly found their audience. Their songs regularly featured on streaming service playlists, were played on BBC Introducing, and the musicians themselves began receiving invitations to gigs and festivals. Gradually, the band started performing alongside young British acts such as The Clause, The Snuts and The Lottery Winners, before going on to appear at major European festivals.

Overpass’s music is often compared to contemporary British indie from the early 2020s. Their tracks combine memorable guitar melodies, emotive vocals and a big sound designed, above all, for live venues. It was precisely their live performances that became one of the main reasons for the band’s rapid rise in popularity.

A major milestone in the band’s history was the release of their debut album, Elsewhere, Always, in 2026. The album received favourable reviews from critics and debuted in the top ten of the UK Albums Chart, confirming Overpass’s status as one of the most promising new acts on the British rock scene.

Overpass members

One of the key factors behind the band’s rapid success is its line-up. Overpass’s line-up has remained unchanged throughout the band’s existence, which is a rarity on the modern indie scene. Each member of the band is not only responsible for their own instrument but also contributes to songwriting, which has helped the band develop its own distinctive sound – melodic, emotional and, at the same time, very energetic.

Max Newbold

Lead vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter for Overpass. It is his voice that features on all the band’s tracks, and most of the lyrics are drawn from the artist’s personal observations and experiences. In interviews, the musician has often mentioned that he draws inspiration from everyday stories about growing up, friendship, finding one’s place in the world and complicated relationships. This is why songs such as ‘One Night Lover’, ‘3AM’, ‘Right Time’ and others resonate so easily with a young audience. On stage, Max stands out for his emotional delivery and constant interaction with the audience; fans often refer to him as the band’s driving force.

Elliot Rawlings

Elliot Rawlings is responsible for Overpass’s guitar sound alongside Max Newbold. It is his guitar work that gives the band’s music its depth: he combines a tight rhythm with melodic riffs and atmospheric effects characteristic of contemporary British indie rock. Elliot is also one of the songwriters behind most of the band’s tracks; he contributed to the creation of releases such as ‘From the Night’, ‘Dependent’, ‘Elsewhere’ and ‘Always’. Although he doesn’t often take centre stage, fans appreciate him for his distinctive guitar style.

India Armstrong

India Armstrong plays bass guitar and is the only female member of Overpass. Her bass lines have become a key component of the band’s signature sound, lending the songs depth and a rhythmic foundation. As well as performing live, India is involved in songwriting: her name is listed among the writers of several of the band’s tracks. Together with the other members, she has come a long way from those first rehearsals in Birmingham to performing at major British festivals and touring with bands such as Inhaler and Wunderhorse.

Jake Bishop

Jake Bishop is Overpass’s drummer and the man who sets the tempo for virtually every one of the band’s tracks. His style is built on a blend of dynamic rock rhythms and lighter indie passages, giving the songs a sound that is both powerful and melodic. Together with the other musicians, Jake founded Overpass in 2020 and has remained a constant member of the band ever since. He has contributed to the recording of all the band’s releases – from their debut single ‘One Night Lover’ right through to the album ‘Elsewhere, Always’. During live performances, Jake Bishop embodies the energy on stage.

Overpass concerts and festivals

Overpass initially performed in small clubs in Birmingham, but it didn’t take the band long to make a name for themselves; they soon began supporting well-known British artists on tour, and were subsequently invited to perform at the country’s biggest music festivals. Live performances remain one of the band’s greatest strengths: many fans first discovered the band on festival stages, rather than via streaming services.

One of Overpass’s first major venues was their home ground, the O2 Academy Birmingham. The band performed there regularly even before the release of their debut album, gradually moving from smaller venues to larger stages. For example, on 4 November 2023, the musicians played a concert at the O2 Academy 2 Birmingham as part of their UK tour. Three years later, they announced their own major show in the main hall of the O2 Academy Birmingham, which is set to take place on 7 November 2026. The band’s journey clearly demonstrates just how much their popularity has grown in such a short space of time.

The next significant milestone was their appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival. For young British bands, this festival is considered one of the country’s most prestigious venues, so being invited there was a major accolade for Overpass. Their performance on 19 June 2026 allowed the musicians to showcase their songs to a much wider audience and cement their reputation as a promising new act on the British indie scene.

Their appearance at the Latitude Festival proved no less significant. The organisers invited Overpass following a successful tour, and the band was included in the line-up for the festival, which took place from 23 to 26 July 2026 at Henham Park. The band performed on the Second Stage, following the release of their debut album Elsewhere, Always. It was one of the most notable festival performances of their career.

Another significant event will be their appearance at the Y Not Festival. The festival traditionally focuses on young British rock bands, so Overpass’s inclusion in the line-up seems entirely natural. For the band, this will be an opportunity to perform in front of an audience of many thousands and expand their fan base.

In 2026, the band reached new heights, receiving invitations to perform at two legendary festivals at once, one of which was the Reading Festival. According to the official programme, on 28 August 2026, Overpass will perform as part of the festival’s line-up, after which, on 29 August, they will take part in the Leeds Festival, which traditionally takes place over the same festival weekend with virtually the same line-up of artists. For young musicians, taking part in such events is considered one of the greatest achievements on the British rock scene, as it is at these venues that leading alternative music acts regularly perform.

Albums and popular songs

On 16 February 2024, Overpass released the EP ‘From the Night’. On 28 February 2025, the EP ‘Dependent’ was released.

On 5 June 2026, the band released their studio album ‘Elsewhere, Always’. The album was recorded in collaboration with Communion Records. It features 10 tracks, including ‘Union Station’, ‘Sandman’, ‘Is This Real?’, ‘Fall In Love’ and others.

The band’s list of most popular songs includes:

1. ‘Changes’
2. ‘On Your Own’
3. ‘3AM’
4. ‘Right Time’
5. ‘Beautiful’
6. ‘From the Night’
7. ‘Wide Eyed’
8. ‘Dependent’
9. ‘Like No Other’

Over the course of a few years, Overpass have gone from rehearsing in Birmingham to performing at the Reading Festival, Leeds Festival, Isle of Wight Festival and other major venues across Great Britain and Europe. The band have quickly developed their own sound, avoiding a direct imitation of classic British indie rock and instead combining melodic elements, energetic guitar parts and emotive vocals.

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