Failed To Ignite

September 10, 2026

Failed To Ignite is the solo pop-punk and emo project of Anthony, a Shildon singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who builds a full-band sound on his own. Using guitar, a drum pad and a loop pedal, he layers the arrangement live rather than relying on a conventional backing band.

Anthony writes, records and produces the material himself, drawing on the melodic hooks of Blink-182 and Green Day alongside the more modern pop-punk approach of bands such as State Champs and Neck Deep. The project grew from years spent playing bass in other bands, giving him a route into writing songs that did not fit those earlier projects while learning production and stepping into the frontman role.

The 2025 Haunted EP showed a more personal and introspective side of the project, while 2026 has brought singles including Sad Song, It’s You, Not Me, My Best Friend and Groundhog Day. The songs balance upbeat pop-punk energy with lyrics that are often much more vulnerable than the tempo first suggests.

Live, that one-person setup is a major part of the appeal. Failed To Ignite has taken it around Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Teesside and further afield, with 2026 dates including Emo Night at The Forum Music Centre in Darlington and a Not Dead Yet album launch at The Globe in Newcastle with Conor Michael and Berry Hagman.