British pop-rock band McFly is preparing to release a new album, aiming to capture the energy and intimacy of live performances in small venues rather than pursuing polished studio perfection. Singer Danny Jones emphasized the importance of grassroots gigs for emerging musicians, advocating for live shows in pubs and bars as the essential foundation for authentic artistry.

Jones challenged the growing emphasis on social media success, particularly the trend of going viral on platforms like TikTok, questioning whether online popularity translates to genuine musical ability. “I feel like you can get however many likes, reposts, views, streams, but if you can’t play a gig, to me you’re not an artist,” he said.

The band, formed in 2003 and composed of Jones, Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd, has achieved significant commercial success in the UK. They have tallied 19 top-10 singles, including seven number ones, as well as seven top-10 albums. Their debut, Room On The 3rd Floor (2004), made history as the youngest band to have a UK number one album, a record previously held by The Beatles.

Jones reflected on how performing in small venues profoundly influenced the band’s development. He recalled the challenges of engaging audiences in pubs, often contending with distractions such as patrons leaving for breaks and background conversations. However, he noted that these moments of intense quiet and focus during acoustic sets served as a meaningful indicator of connection and success. He also said that Fletcher, who is also a children’s author and composer of the award-winning Paddington The Musical, embraced the pub atmosphere as an important space for songwriting and performance.

The band contrasted the lively, informal environment of pub gigs with the sterility of early label showcases, highlighting the energy and audience interaction found in live grassroots settings. As they work on the new album, McFly is aiming to retain the spirit of these smaller shows, setting out to sound “like a glorified pub band” with aspirations to play larger venues such as arenas.

In addition to the album, Jones is supporting Greene King’s Live At Your Local campaign, which promotes live performances by emerging artists in the pub chain’s venues. Jones described the initiative as personally meaningful, emphasizing the importance of sustaining small live music spaces amid widespread venue closures.

“Music is so different when you see it in those environments,” Jones said. He highlighted the value of intimate shows as a way for audiences to discover new talent and share a communal experience. “You’re looking at each other, going, ‘this is amazing.’ You’ve got a beer in your hand, you’re at the pub… I loved that atmosphere.”