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| image_size =
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| image_upright =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| landscape = yes
| alt =
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| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[University of Cambridge]], [[Cambridge]], United Kingdom
| origin = [[Cambridge]], England
| genre = [[Alternative rock]] · [[Indie rock]] · [[post-punk]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[indie rock]]|[[post-punk]]}}
| years_active = {{start date|2016}}–present
| years_active = {{start date|2016}}–present
| label = [[Island Records|Island]], [[Bright Antenna Records|Bright Antenna]], Nice Swan Records
| label = {{hlist|[[Island Records|Island]]|[[Bright Antenna Records|Bright Antenna]]|Nice Swan}}
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|http://www.sportsteamband.com}}
| website = {{URL|sportsteamband.com}}
| current_members = Alex Rice<br />Oli Dewdney<br />Al Greenwood<br />Rob Knaggs<br />Ben Mack<br />Henry Young
| current_members = *Alex Rice
*Oli Dewdney
*Al Greenwood
*Rob Knaggs
*Ben Mack
*Henry Young
| module =
| module =
| module2 =
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'''Sports Team''' is an English [[Alternative rock|alternative rock band]] based in London. The band consists of lead vocalist Alex Rice, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rob Knaggs, lead guitarist Henry Young, bassist Oli Dewdney, drummer Al Greenwood, and keyboardist Ben Mack. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', their songs "romanticise [[Middle England]]" and idiosyncrasies like [[Wetherspoons]],<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – Lander|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-lander-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> [[flip phone]]s,<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – Stanton|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-stanton-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> the [[M5 motorway|M5]],<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – M5|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-m5-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> and fishing.<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – Fishing|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-fishing-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref><ref name="ben-beaumont-thomas" />
'''Sports Team''' is an English [[Alternative rock|alternative rock band]] based in London. The band consists of lead vocalist Alex Rice, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rob Knaggs, lead guitarist Henry Young, bassist Oli Dewdney, drummer Al Greenwood, and keyboardist Ben Mack. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', their songs "romanticise [[Middle England]]" and idiosyncrasies like [[Wetherspoons]],<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – Lander|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-lander-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> [[flip phone]]s,<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – Stanton|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-stanton-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> the [[M5 motorway|M5]],<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – M5|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-m5-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> and fishing.<ref>{{Citation|title=Sports Team – Fishing|url=https://genius.com/Sports-team-fishing-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref><ref name="ben-beaumont-thomas" />


== Background ==
== History ==
The group met whilst studying at the [[University of Cambridge]], aside from Dewdney, who studied at the [[University of Bristol]].<ref name="ben-beaumont-thomas">{{cite web|first=Ben |last=Beaumont-Thomas |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/sports-team-the-indie-stars-romanticising-middle-england |title=Sports Team: the indie stars romanticising middle England |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=27 December 2019 |accessdate=18 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="lewis-rogers">{{cite web|first=Lewis |last=Rogers |url=https://www.bristolinstereo.com/sports-team-preview-interview/ |title=Sports Team // Preview & Interview |work=Bristol In Stereo |date=15 March 2019 |accessdate=16 April 2021}}</ref> The band performed in their early days at the Portland Arms, a pub in the north of Cambridge.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|first=Henry |last=Young |title=Ditching the day job: From the sports desk to UK band Sports Team|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/05/sport/sports-team-cnn-sport-music-cmd-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=2020-06-11|website=CNN}}</ref> The band's members continued to work their day jobs until they became better known.<ref name=":0" /> Henry Young was a sports reporter for [[CNN]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Henry |last=Young|title=Pep Guardiola: 'No title bigger than continuing Johan Cruyff's legacy'|work=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/07/football/pep-guardiola-jordi-cruyff-johan-cruyff-the-turn/index.html|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
The group met while studying at the [[University of Cambridge]], aside from Dewdney, who studied at the [[University of Bristol]].<ref name="ben-beaumont-thomas">{{cite web|first=Ben |last=Beaumont-Thomas |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/sports-team-the-indie-stars-romanticising-middle-england |title=Sports Team: the indie stars romanticising middle England |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=27 December 2019 |access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="lewis-rogers">{{cite web |first=Lewis |last=Rogers |url=https://www.bristolinstereo.com/sports-team-preview-interview/ |title=Sports Team // Preview & Interview |work=Bristol In Stereo |date=15 March 2019 |access-date=16 April 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416094105/https://www.bristolinstereo.com/sports-team-preview-interview/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band performed in their early days at the Portland Arms, a pub in the north of Cambridge.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|first=Henry |last=Young |title=Ditching the day job: From the sports desk to UK band Sports Team|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/05/sport/sports-team-cnn-sport-music-cmd-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=2020-06-11|website=CNN|date=5 June 2020 }}</ref> The band's members continued to work their day jobs until they became better known.<ref name=":0" /> Henry Young was a sports reporter for [[CNN]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Henry |last=Young|title=Pep Guardiola: 'No title bigger than continuing Johan Cruyff's legacy'|work=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/07/football/pep-guardiola-jordi-cruyff-johan-cruyff-the-turn/index.html|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

In December 2024, Sports Team were robbed at gunpoint in [[Vallejo, California]] on the first day of their US tour, losing their passports, stage equipment and personal belongings.<ref name="Savage">{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Mark |title=British band Sports Team robbed at gunpoint on US tour |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy09gkr08lpo |work=BBC |date=4 December 2024}}</ref>


== Releases ==
== Releases ==
Their debut EP ''Winter Nets'' was released in January 2018 on Nice Swan Records, and their sophomore EP ''Keep Walking!'' was released in 2019.<ref name="fred-perry">{{cite web|first= |last= |url=https://www.fredperry.com/subculture/playlist-profile-sports-team |title=Sports Team |publisher=Fred Perry |date=2019 |accessdate=19 February 2020}}</ref>
Their debut EP ''Winter Nets'' was released in January 2018 on Nice Swan Records, and their second EP ''Keep Walking!'' was released in 2019.<ref name="fred-perry">{{cite web|first= |last= |url=https://www.fredperry.com/subculture/playlist-profile-sports-team |title=Sports Team |publisher=Fred Perry |date=2019 |access-date=19 February 2020}}</ref>

⚫
Their debut album ''[[Deep Down Happy]]'' was released on 5 June 2020 on [[Island Records]] and [[Bright Antenna Records]].<ref name="dorkmagazine">{{cite web |title=Sports Team have announced their long-awaited debut album, 'Deep Down Happy' |url=https://www.readdork.com/news/sports-team-debut-album |work=[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]] |access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="theindependent">{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |title=Sports Team review, Deep Down Happy: Full of charm and unpredictability |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/sports-team-review-deep-down-happy-stream-interview-a9548191.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/sports-team-review-deep-down-happy-stream-interview-a9548191.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The Independent]] |date=4 June 2020 |access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref> The lead single ''Here's The Thing'' was released on 17 February 2020.<ref name="paste-magazine">{{cite web|first=Lizzie |last=Manno |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/02/sports-team-debut-album-deep-down-happy.html |title=Sports Team Announce Debut Album Deep Down Happy, Share Lead Single "Here's The Thing" |work=Paste Magazine |date=18 February 2020 |access-date=19 February 2020}}</ref> The album received four out of five stars from ''[[NME]]'', and was nominated for the [[Mercury Prize]] in 2020.<ref name="nme">{{cite web |last1=Richards |first1=Will |title=Sports Team – 'Deep Down Happy' review: A flag in the ground from a band dedicated to extremes |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/sports-team-deep-down-happy-radar-2681765 |work=[[NME (magazine)|NME]] |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-08|title=Sports Team: What to do when your album release goes to shit|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/blogs/nme-radar/sports-team-number-one-album-release-deep-down-happy-2684179|access-date=2020-06-11|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mercuryprize.com/news/the-2020-hyundai-mercury-prize-albums-of-the-year|title=The 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year'|date=2020-07-23|access-date=2020-07-23}}</ref>

Sports Team released a limited edition B-sides and rarities vinyl on 28 May 2021 called ''Plant Test'', which they announced on their Instagram. It was made only available at independent retailers in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-28 | title=Sports Team announce limited edition B-sides and rarities vinyl |url=https://diymag.com/news/sports-team-plant-test-vinyl |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=DIYMag |language=en-GB}}</ref>


On 28 March 2022, the band announced their second album, ''Gulp!'', alongside lead single "R Entertainment".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Damian |date=2022-03-29 |title=Sports Team announce new album 'Gulp' and share 'R Entertainment' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sports-team-announce-new-album-gulp-single-r-entertainment-3193190 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''Gulp'' was released on 23 September 2022, and received four out of five stars from [[NME]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/sports-team-gulp-review-3312312|title=Sports Team - 'Gulp!' review: cocksure anthems see off 'difficult second album' trope|first=Ali|last=Shutler|website=[[NME]] |date=23 September 2022|access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref>
⚫
Their debut album ''[[Deep Down Happy]]'' was released on 5 June 2020 on [[Island Records]] and [[Bright Antenna Records]].<ref name="dorkmagazine">{{cite web |title=Sports Team have announced their long-awaited debut album, 'Deep Down Happy' |url=https://www.readdork.com/news/sports-team-debut-album |work=[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]] |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="theindependent">{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |title=Sports Team review, Deep Down Happy: Full of charm and unpredictability |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/sports-team-review-deep-down-happy-stream-interview-a9548191.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/sports-team-review-deep-down-happy-stream-interview-a9548191.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The Independent]] |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref> The lead single ''Here's The Thing'' was released on 17 February 2020.<ref name="paste-magazine">{{cite web|first=Lizzie |last=Manno |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/02/sports-team-debut-album-deep-down-happy.html |title=Sports Team Announce Debut Album Deep Down Happy, Share Lead Single "Here's The Thing" |work=Paste Magazine |date=18 February 2020 |accessdate=19 February 2020}}</ref> The album received four out of five stars from ''[[NME]]'', and was nominated for the [[Mercury Prize]] in 2020.<ref name="nme">{{cite web |last1=Richards |first1=Will |title=Sports Team – 'Deep Down Happy' review: A flag in the ground from a band dedicated to extremes |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/sports-team-deep-down-happy-radar-2681765 |work=[[NME (magazine)|NME]] |accessdate=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-08|title=Sports Team: What to do when your album release goes to shit|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/blogs/nme-radar/sports-team-number-one-album-release-deep-down-happy-2684179|access-date=2020-06-11|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mercuryprize.com/news/the-2020-hyundai-mercury-prize-albums-of-the-year|title=The 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year'|date=2020-07-23|accessdate=2020-07-23}}</ref>


On 28 March 2022 the band announced their second album, ''Gulp!'', alongside lead single "R Entertainment".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Damian |date=2022-03-29 |title=Sports Team announce new album 'Gulp' and share 'R Entertainment' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sports-team-announce-new-album-gulp-single-r-entertainment-3193190 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''Gulp'' was released on 23 September 2022, and received four out of five stars from [[NME]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/sports-team-gulp-review-3312312|title=Sports Team - 'Gulp!' review: cocksure anthems see off 'difficult second album' trope|first=Ali|last=Shutler|website=[[NME]] |date=23 September 2022|access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref>
On 18 July 2024, the band announced their third album ''Boys These Days'' as well as releasing the first single "I'm in Love (Subaru)" and headlining their first show in London in two years at Omeara.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sports-team-announce-third-album-boys-these-days-with-bryan-ferry-inspired-new-single-im-in-love-subaru-3775953 |first=Damian |last=Jones |title=Sports Team announce third album ''Boys These Days'' with Bryan Ferry-inspired new single, 'I'm In Love (Subaru)' |website=[[NME]] |date=18 July 2024 |access-date=19 December 2024}}</ref>


== Reception ==
== Critical reception ==
After releasing their debut EP ''Winter Nets'', the band performed a show in September 2018 at [[Scala (club)|Scala]] in London, which the band's lyricist Knaggs described as when the group started "being in a band nearly every single day".<ref name=":1"/>
After releasing their debut EP ''Winter Nets'', the band performed a show in September 2018 at [[Scala (club)|Scala]] in London, which the band's lyricist Knaggs described as when the group started "being in a band nearly every single day".<ref name=":1"/>


Following the Scala show, the band went on to play at both [[Electric Ballroom]] and [[O2 Forum Kentish Town]] in 2019 with sell-out shows.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|title=Place Your Bets: Sports Team|url=https://diymag.com/2020/05/29/place-your-bets-sports-team-may-2020-interview|access-date=2020-06-11|website=diymag.com|language=en}}</ref> The band's preference for surprise shows at venues like The Nag's Head in Camberwell led to ''[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]'' describing the shows as harking "back to the heady days of The Libertines".<ref name=":1" />
Following the Scala show, the band went on to play at both [[Electric Ballroom]] and [[O2 Forum Kentish Town]] in 2019 with sell-out shows.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|title=Place Your Bets: Sports Team|url=https://diymag.com/2020/05/29/place-your-bets-sports-team-may-2020-interview|access-date=2020-06-11|website=diymag.com|date=29 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The band's preference for surprise shows at venues like The Nag's Head in Camberwell led to ''[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]'' describing the shows as harking "back to the heady days of The Libertines".<ref name=":1" />


== Style ==
== Style ==
The band have been described as holding unusual engagements with their fans, from their annual trips to Margate by coach where "fans, bands and booze collide for unscripted antics",<ref name=":1" /> and for taking "whole venues to the pub with them" after a show.<ref name=":1" />
The band have been described as holding unusual engagements with their fans, from their annual trips to Margate by coach where "fans, bands and booze collide for unscripted antics",<ref name=":1" /> and for taking "whole venues to the pub with them" after a show.<ref name=":1" />


However this has been balanced with media commentary on the band's Cambridge educations, at a time when bands like [[Idles (band)|Idles]] and [[Fontaines D.C.]] have pushed working class lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The explosion of Fontaines D.C. and why not every backlash is Irish begrudgery|url=https://www.joe.ie/music/fontaines-dogrel-review-665880|access-date=2020-06-11|website=JOE.ie|language=en}}</ref> Alex Rice notably drew criticism for declaring in ''The Guardian'' that [[HMLTD]] were “one of the worst bands ever” in part due to the fact their members "go to [[Goldsmiths, University of London|Goldsmiths]]".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|date=2019-12-27|title=Sports Team: the indie stars romanticising middle England|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/sports-team-the-indie-stars-romanticising-middle-england|access-date=2020-06-11|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' stated in 2019 that "Sports Team can’t quite shake off their entitlement".<ref>{{Cite web|title=First World Problems: Sports Team Stumble At London's Kentish Town Forum|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/live/first-world-problems-sports-team-stumble-at-londons-kentish-town-forum|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Clash Magazine|language=en}}</ref>
However, this has been balanced with media commentary on the band's [[Cambridge University|Cambridge]] educations, at a time when bands like [[Idles (band)|Idles]] and [[Fontaines D.C.]] have pushed working class lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The explosion of Fontaines D.C. and why not every backlash is Irish begrudgery|url=https://www.joe.ie/music/fontaines-dogrel-review-665880|access-date=2020-06-11|website=JOE.ie|language=en}}</ref> Alex Rice notably drew criticism{{From whom?|date=December 2024}} for disparaging London musicians in ''The Guardian'' for being [[Goldsmiths, University of London|Goldsmiths]] graduates who he dubbed "[[Gucci]]" magicians, in reference to [[HMLTD]], who he declared were "one of the worst bands ever".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|date=2019-12-27|title=Sports Team: the indie stars romanticising middle England|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/sports-team-the-indie-stars-romanticising-middle-england|access-date=2020-06-11|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' stated in 2019 that "Sports Team can't quite shake off their entitlement".<ref>{{Cite web|title=First World Problems: Sports Team Stumble At London's Kentish Town Forum|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/live/first-world-problems-sports-team-stumble-at-londons-kentish-town-forum|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Clash Magazine|date=6 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 53: Line 64:
! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56235/sports-team/|title=Sports Team {{!}} full Official Chart history|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=12 June 2020}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/56235/sports-team/|title=Sports Team {{!}} full Official Chart history|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=12 June 2020}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Scottish Albums Chart|SCO]]<br /><ref name="Scottish-Albums">Peak chart positions in Scotland:
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| [[Scottish Albums Chart|SCO]]<br /><ref name="Scottish-Albums">Peak chart positions in Scotland:
* ''Deep Down Happy'': {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/202000605/40/|title=12 June 2020 - 18 June 2020 Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 Scottish Albums Archive|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] | accessdate=12 June 2020}}
* ''Deep Down Happy'': {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/202000605/40/|title=12 June 2020 - 18 June 2020 Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 Scottish Albums Archive|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] | access-date=12 June 2020}}
* ''Gulp!'': {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20220930/40/|title=Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 30 September 2022 – 6 October 2022|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=28 October 2022}}
* ''Gulp!'': {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20220930/40/|title=Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 30 September 2022 – 6 October 2022|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=28 October 2022}}
</ref>
</ref>
Line 61: Line 72:
! scope="row"| ''[[Deep Down Happy]]''
! scope="row"| ''[[Deep Down Happy]]''
|
|
* Released: 5 June 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/deep-down-happy/1498230462|title=Deep Down Happy by Sports Team|website=Apple Music|accessdate=11 June 2020}}</ref>
* Released: 5 June 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/deep-down-happy/1498230462|title=Deep Down Happy by Sports Team|website=Apple Music|access-date=11 June 2020}}</ref>
* Label: [[Island Records|Island]]
* Label: [[Island Records|Island]]
* Formats: [[Compact cassette|Cassette]], [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]], [[LP record|LP]], [[Streaming media|streaming]]
* Formats: [[Compact cassette|Cassette]], [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]], [[LP record|LP]], [[Streaming media|streaming]]
| 2 || 1
| 2 || 1
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Gulp!''
! scope="row"| ''[[Gulp!]]''
|
|
*Released: 23 September 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Sports Team announce new album 'Gulp' and share 'R Entertainment' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sports-team-postpone-us-tour-as-they-delay-second-album-gulp-3280100 |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
*Released: 23 September 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Sports Team announce new album 'Gulp' and share 'R Entertainment' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sports-team-postpone-us-tour-as-they-delay-second-album-gulp-3280100 |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Label: Island
* Label: Island
* Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download, streaming
| 3 || 3
| 3 || 3
⚫
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Boys These Days]]''
⚫
|
*Scheduled release: 25 February 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Sports Team Announce New LP Boys These Days, Share "I'm in Love (Subaru)" |url=https://floodmagazine.com/167655/watch-sports-team-im-in-love-subaru/ |website=Flood Magazine |access-date=19 July 2024 |date=18 July 2024}}</ref>
* Label: [[Bright Antenna Records|Bright Antenna]]
* Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download, streaming
| colspan="2" {{TBA|To be released}}
|}
|}


Line 81: Line 100:
! scope="row"| ''Winter Nets''
! scope="row"| ''Winter Nets''
|
|
* Released: 29 January 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/winter-nets-ep/1504101022|title=Winter Nets - EP by Sports Team|website=Apple Music|accessdate=11 June 2020}}</ref>
* Released: 29 January 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/winter-nets-ep/1504101022|title=Winter Nets - EP by Sports Team|website=Apple Music|access-date=11 June 2020}}</ref>
* Label: Nice Swan Records
* Label: Nice Swan Records
* Formats: Digital download, streaming
* Formats: Digital download, streaming
Line 87: Line 106:
! scope="row"| ''Keep Walking!''
! scope="row"| ''Keep Walking!''
|
|
* Released: 8 March 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/keep-walking-ep/1502442681|title=Keep Walking! - EP by Sports Team|website=Apple Music|accessdate=11 June 2020}}</ref>
* Released: 8 March 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/keep-walking-ep/1502442681|title=Keep Walking! - EP by Sports Team|website=Apple Music|access-date=11 June 2020}}</ref>
* Label: Holm Front Records
* Label: Holm Front Records
* Formats: Digital download, streaming
* Formats: Digital download, streaming
Line 97: Line 116:
|+ List of singles, showing year released and album name
|+ List of singles, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title
⚫
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! Peak chart positions
! colspan="2" | Peak chart positions
⚫
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Details
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Alternative Airplay|US<br />Alt.]]<br /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-airplay/2023-03-25|title=Alternative Airplay - Week of March 25, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 25, 2023}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Alternative Airplay|US<br />Alt.]]<br /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-airplay/2023-03-25|title=Alternative Airplay - Week of March 25, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 25, 2023}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Adult Alternative Airplay|US<br />AAA]]<br /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/triple-a/2023-05-27|title=Adult Alternative Airplay - Week of May 27, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 23, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Stanton''
! scope="row"| "Stanton"
| 2017
| —
| —
|
| —
| rowspan="2" | ''Winter Nets''
* Released: 2017
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Beverly Rose''
! scope="row"| "Beverly Rose"
| rowspan="3" |2018
| —
| —
| —
⚫
|
* Released: 2018
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Kutcher''
! scope="row"| "Kutcher"
| —
| —
|
| —
| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Non-album singles}}
* Released: 2018
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Margate''
! scope="row"| "Margate"
| —
| —
| —
|
* Released: 2018
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''M5''
! scope="row"| "M5"
| rowspan="4"| 2019
| —
| —
|
| —
| ''Keep Walking!''
* Released: 2019
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Here It Comes Again''
! scope="row"| "Here It Comes Again"
| —
| —
| —
| rowspan="5"| ''Deep Down Happy''
|
* Released: 2019
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Fishing''
! scope="row"| "Fishing"
| —
| —
| —
|
* Released: 2019
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''The Races''
! scope="row"| "The Races"
| —
| —
| —
|
* Released: 2019
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Here's The Thing''
! scope="row"| "Here"s The Thing"
| rowspan="2" | 2020
| —
| —
| —
|
* Released: 2020
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Camel Crew''
! scope="row"| "Camel Crew"
| —
| —
| —
|
* Released: 2020
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Happy (God's Own Country)''
! scope="row"| "Happy (God"s Own Country)"
| 2021
| —
| —
|
| —
| {{n/a|Non-album single}}
* Released: 2021
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''R Entertainment''
! scope="row"| "R Entertainment"
| rowspan="5" | 2022
| —
| —
| —
⚫
|
| rowspan="5" | ''Gulp!''
* Released: 2022
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''The Game''
! scope="row"| "The Game"
| —
| —
| —
⚫
|
* Released: 2022
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Cool It Kid''
! scope="row"| "Cool It Kid"
| —
| —
| —
⚫
|
* Released: 2022
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''The Drop''
! scope="row"| "The Drop"
| 34
| 34
|
| 25
* Released: 2022
|-
|-
! scope="row"| ''Dig!''
! scope="row"| "Dig!"
| —
| —
| —
|
⚫
|-
* Released: 2022
! scope="row"| "I'm in Love (Subaru)"
| rowspan="2"| 2024
⚫
| 33
| —
| rowspan="2"| ''Boys These Days''
⚫
|-
! scope="row"| "Condensation"
| —
⚫
| 36
|}
|}


Line 198: Line 225:
[[Category:Island Records artists]]
[[Category:Island Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2016]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2016]]
[[Category:Sextets]]
[[Category:British musical sextets]]

Latest revision as of 18:17, 19 December 2024

This article is about the British band. For other uses, see sports team.

Sports Team
Sports Team in 2022 on stage at the festival Piknik i Parken in Oslo
Background information
OriginCambridge, England
Genres
Years active2016 (2016)–present
Labels
Members
  • Alex Rice
  • Oli Dewdney
  • Al Greenwood
  • Rob Knaggs
  • Ben Mack
  • Henry Young
Websitesportsteamband.com

Sports Team is an English alternative rock band based in London. The band consists of lead vocalist Alex Rice, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rob Knaggs, lead guitarist Henry Young, bassist Oli Dewdney, drummer Al Greenwood, and keyboardist Ben Mack. According to The Guardian, their songs "romanticise Middle England" and idiosyncrasies like Wetherspoons,[1] flip phones,[2] the M5,[3] and fishing.[4][5]

History

[edit]

The group met while studying at the University of Cambridge, aside from Dewdney, who studied at the University of Bristol.[5][6] The band performed in their early days at the Portland Arms, a pub in the north of Cambridge.[7] The band's members continued to work their day jobs until they became better known.[7] Henry Young was a sports reporter for CNN.[8][7]

In December 2024, Sports Team were robbed at gunpoint in Vallejo, California on the first day of their US tour, losing their passports, stage equipment and personal belongings.[9]

Releases

[edit]

Their debut EP Winter Nets was released in January 2018 on Nice Swan Records, and their second EP Keep Walking! was released in 2019.[10]

Their debut album Deep Down Happy was released on 5 June 2020 on Island Records and Bright Antenna Records.[11][12] The lead single Here's The Thing was released on 17 February 2020.[13] The album received four out of five stars from NME, and was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2020.[14][15][16]

Sports Team released a limited edition B-sides and rarities vinyl on 28 May 2021 called Plant Test, which they announced on their Instagram. It was made only available at independent retailers in the UK.[17]

On 28 March 2022, the band announced their second album, Gulp!, alongside lead single "R Entertainment".[18] Gulp was released on 23 September 2022, and received four out of five stars from NME.[19]

On 18 July 2024, the band announced their third album Boys These Days as well as releasing the first single "I'm in Love (Subaru)" and headlining their first show in London in two years at Omeara.[20]

Critical reception

[edit]

After releasing their debut EP Winter Nets, the band performed a show in September 2018 at Scala in London, which the band's lyricist Knaggs described as when the group started "being in a band nearly every single day".[21]

Following the Scala show, the band went on to play at both Electric Ballroom and O2 Forum Kentish Town in 2019 with sell-out shows.[21] The band's preference for surprise shows at venues like The Nag's Head in Camberwell led to DIY describing the shows as harking "back to the heady days of The Libertines".[21]

Style

[edit]

The band have been described as holding unusual engagements with their fans, from their annual trips to Margate by coach where "fans, bands and booze collide for unscripted antics",[21] and for taking "whole venues to the pub with them" after a show.[21]

However, this has been balanced with media commentary on the band's Cambridge educations, at a time when bands like Idles and Fontaines D.C. have pushed working class lyrics.[22] Alex Rice notably drew criticism[from whom?] for disparaging London musicians in The Guardian for being Goldsmiths graduates who he dubbed "Gucci" magicians, in reference to HMLTD, who he declared were "one of the worst bands ever".[23] Clash stated in 2019 that "Sports Team can't quite shake off their entitlement".[24]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[25] 		SCO
[26]
Deep Down Happy 2 1
Gulp!
  • Released: 23 September 2022[28]
  • Label: Island
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download, streaming
 3 3
Boys These Days
  • Scheduled release: 25 February 2025[29]
  • Label: Bright Antenna
  • Formats: CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download, streaming
 To be released

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details
Winter Nets
  • Released: 29 January 2018[30]
  • Label: Nice Swan Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Keep Walking!
  • Released: 8 March 2019[31]
  • Label: Holm Front Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt.
[32] 		US
AAA
[33]
"Stanton" 2017 — — Winter Nets
"Beverly Rose" 2018 — —
"Kutcher" — — Non-album singles
"Margate" — —
"M5" 2019 — — Keep Walking!
"Here It Comes Again" — — Deep Down Happy
"Fishing" — —
"The Races" — —
"Here"s The Thing" 2020 — —
"Camel Crew" — —
"Happy (God"s Own Country)" 2021 — — Non-album single
"R Entertainment" 2022 — — Gulp!
"The Game" — —
"Cool It Kid" — —
"The Drop" 34 25
"Dig!" — —
"I'm in Love (Subaru)" 2024 33 — Boys These Days
"Condensation" — 36

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sports Team – Lander, retrieved 11 June 2020
  2. ^ Sports Team – Stanton, retrieved 11 June 2020
  3. ^ Sports Team – M5, retrieved 11 June 2020
  4. ^ Sports Team – Fishing, retrieved 11 June 2020
  5. ^ a b Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (27 December 2019). "Sports Team: the indie stars romanticising middle England". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  6. ^ Rogers, Lewis (15 March 2019). "Sports Team // Preview & Interview". Bristol In Stereo. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Young, Henry (5 June 2020). "Ditching the day job: From the sports desk to UK band Sports Team". CNN. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  8. ^ Young, Henry. "Pep Guardiola: 'No title bigger than continuing Johan Cruyff's legacy'". CNN. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  9. ^ Savage, Mark (4 December 2024). "British band Sports Team robbed at gunpoint on US tour". BBC.
  10. ^ "Sports Team". Fred Perry. 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Sports Team have announced their long-awaited debut album, 'Deep Down Happy'". Dork. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  12. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (4 June 2020). "Sports Team review, Deep Down Happy: Full of charm and unpredictability". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  13. ^ Manno, Lizzie (18 February 2020). "Sports Team Announce Debut Album Deep Down Happy, Share Lead Single "Here's The Thing"". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  14. ^ Richards, Will (3 June 2020). "Sports Team – 'Deep Down Happy' review: A flag in the ground from a band dedicated to extremes". NME. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Sports Team: What to do when your album release goes to shit". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  16. ^ "The 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year'". 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Sports Team announce limited edition B-sides and rarities vinyl". DIYMag. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  18. ^ Jones, Damian (29 March 2022). "Sports Team announce new album 'Gulp' and share 'R Entertainment'". NME. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  19. ^ Shutler, Ali (23 September 2022). "Sports Team - 'Gulp!' review: cocksure anthems see off 'difficult second album' trope". NME. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  20. ^ Jones, Damian (18 July 2024). "Sports Team announce third album Boys These Days with Bryan Ferry-inspired new single, 'I'm In Love (Subaru)'". NME. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Place Your Bets: Sports Team". diymag.com. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  22. ^ "The explosion of Fontaines D.C. and why not every backlash is Irish begrudgery". JOE.ie. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  23. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (27 December 2019). "Sports Team: the indie stars romanticising middle England". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  24. ^ "First World Problems: Sports Team Stumble At London's Kentish Town Forum". Clash Magazine. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  25. ^ "Sports Team | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  26. ^ Peak chart positions in Scotland:
  27. ^ "Deep Down Happy by Sports Team". Apple Music. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  28. ^ "Sports Team announce new album 'Gulp' and share 'R Entertainment'". NME. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Sports Team Announce New LP Boys These Days, Share "I'm in Love (Subaru)"". Flood Magazine. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Winter Nets - EP by Sports Team". Apple Music. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  31. ^ "Keep Walking! - EP by Sports Team". Apple Music. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  32. ^ "Alternative Airplay - Week of March 25, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Adult Alternative Airplay - Week of May 27, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Sports_Team&oldid=1263976348"