Wunderhorse

Wunderhorse - is a name appearing with increasing frequency on the line-ups of festivals and venues across the United Kingdom. This young but incredibly talented band from Birmingham has, in a short space of time, managed to win the hearts of thousands of fans thanks to their unique sound and energetic performances, an authentic blend of indie and garage rock. Formed in London, the band has attracted attention with their memorable songs and dynamic live shows. Their work reflects the evolution of the British music scene, combining raw energy with lyrical depth. In the age of streaming, the band has reignited interest in vinyl records and merchandise.

The Wunderhorse logo – a stylised horse with purple hooves – symbolises speed and freedom, the central themes of their lyrics and live performances.

Who are Wunderhorse?

Wunderhorse’s story began in 2020 as a solo project by Jacob Slater in Newquay, Cornwall. Initially, it was an attempt to express personal experiences through music — raw, honest and full of energy. By 2021, a full-fledged band had formed: Harry Fowler, Peter Woodin and Jamie Staples joined Jacob. Later, Seb Byford took over on bass, adding power and depth to the music.

Wunderhorse’s collection is a mix of genres, where alternative rock intertwines with indie motifs, and grunge riffs sit alongside melodic passages. References to classic rock can be heard in the tracks, yet the sound remains contemporary and distinctive.

The lyrics touch on themes of identity, relationships and the urban melancholy of the big city. The chords of the hits are easy to play, which contributes to the popularity of covers among fans.

Milestones:

• 2020: formation and first single;
• 2022: release of Cab and Glastonbury Festival;
• 2023: BBC Sound of and European tour;
• 2024–2026: Midas, new concerts.

Wunderhorse is an example of a successful musical evolution: from a TikTok hit to Mercury Prize nominees. The band focuses on live performances as the main driver of their popularity.

Awards and nominations

Despite having been active for only a relatively short time, Wunderhorse have already made their mark on the music industry. In 2020, the band won the prestigious BBC Introducing programme, which helps young talent make a name for themselves. And in 2023, the band was nominated for the NME Awards in the ‘Best New Artist’ category .

Their nomination for the Mercury Prize for their album (2023) marked a turning point in the band’s career. Winning the Best Group award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards (2025) confirmed that Wunderhorse are one of the most striking bands on the contemporary British scene.

The recognition and achievements of these young artists show that the band is truly creating its own unique style, rather than copying trends.

We just wanted to play the music we like. The fact that people have come to love it is an incredible bonus

— says Jacob Slater, the band’s vocalist and guitarist.

The Mercury Prize isn’t just a prize, but confirmation that our music resonates with the culture

— comments the project’s founder.

The members of Wunderhorse

Wunderhorse is a team of like-minded individuals, each of whom makes a unique contribution to the band’s sound. Today, the band has clearly defined roles: each member is responsible for their own part of the musical material, which helps to achieve a cohesive sound.

Jacob Slater

Jacob Slater—not only the lead vocalist but also the band’s frontman—was born in 1999 in Birmingham. He has been passionate about music since childhood and began playing the guitar as a teenager. Before Wunderhorse, he released solo demos under the pseudonym ‘Slater’. His voice (hoarse and emotional) is Wunderhorse’s trademark, and the lyrics often reflect his personal emotions. As the founder, he makes key decisions regarding the band’s development and coordinates the members’ work.

Jamie Staples

Jamie Staples is the band’s drummer, known for his virtuoso playing and love of experimenting with sound. He joined the band later on but has become an integral part of the overall vision. A vinyl collector and Joy Division fan, Jamie helps select guitar parts for new songs and suggests ways to refine them.

Harry Fowler

Harry Fowler is the bassist, aged 25. A specialist in solos and riffs, he focuses on garage aesthetics (having session experience with other indie acts). His parts often form the foundation for Wunderhorse’s melodies, making them richer and more powerful. He works closely with the drummer to build a tight rhythm section in every track.

Seb Byford

Seb Byford — guitarist, 23 years old, from London. He joined the band in 2022. His playing is characterised by precision and dynamism. Seb crafts the drum parts for each song and ensures they blend well with the other instruments.

Former members

Peter Woodin — the band’s first bassist, who contributed to the recording of early tracks and helped shape the band’s sound. He left the band in 2022 to focus on his solo project.

Oscar Browne — a guitarist who left the band in 2021. He took part in recording early demo versions of songs and helped shape the guitar sound during the band’s early days.

Wunderhorse Concerts

Wunderhorse are not the sort of band that rarely appear in public: the musicians tour extensively — from intimate clubs, where they can forge a personal connection with the audience, to large-scale festivals with thousands of spectators. At every concert, the setlist is sure to include popular hits such as ‘Leader of the Pack’ and ‘Arizona’, but there is always room for fresh compositions too — the band shares new ideas and sees how the audience reacts to them:

• Glastonbury Festival (2023). Wunderhorse played on the small stage. Many festival-goers noted that the band was a revelation for them: their energetic performance and live sound left a lasting impression.
• Wunderhorse performed at Brixton Academy as part of their tour in support of the album Cub (2023).
• O2 Academy, Birmingham (2024). The concert was a complete sell-out. The band performed tracks from the album Midas, and the audience received them with enthusiasm.
• Alexandra Palace, London (2025). One of the biggest shows of their career: over 3,000 people attended the concert. Wunderhorse played their hits and the atmosphere was truly festive.
• During their UK tour (2024–2025), the band performed in Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol.

Upcoming events (2026):

• UK tour (May–June). The band will visit London, Glasgow and Birmingham.
• Reading Festival (August 2026). Wunderhorse have been announced in the festival line-up — this will be yet another opportunity to showcase themselves to a wide audience and play on a big stage.

The set list for live performances usually consists of 18 songs — this is enough to showcase all facets of the band’s creativity without tiring the audience.

It is their live performances that have largely defined Wunderhorse’s popularity. The musicians don’t just play songs — they interact with the audience, adapt to the crowd’s mood and create an atmosphere that is difficult to capture on a studio recording.

Albums and popular songs

Wunderhorse don’t have many releases yet, but each one helps us better understand how the band is evolving. The musicians aren’t chasing quantity — they work meticulously on their sound, try out new approaches and gradually hone their style:

1. EP Leader of the Pack (2022) — this mini-album was the band’s ‘first word’ — it was released shortly before their debut album and helped Wunderhorse make a name for themselves.
2. Cub (2022) — the debut full-length album, recorded at London’s Sound Wave studio. Here, the band confidently asserted their musical direction.
3. Midas (2024) — the album demonstrated that the band is ready to move forward and experiment. The sound became more varied: the musicians added new nuances to the arrangements.

Popular songs:

• ‘Leader of the Pack’ often opens Wunderhorse’s concerts. A memorable guitar riff and powerful vocals set the tone for the performance.
• ‘Rain’ — a more subdued and atmospheric track. It has less aggression and more atmosphere.
• “Arizona” is a track from the album Midas, in which the band combined melody with the energy of alternative rock.
• “Midas” is the title track of their second album. It made it onto the BBC Radio 6 Music playlist, which helped the band expand their audience.

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