Wigan indie-rock outfit, The Lathums, are releasing a cover of a Northern Soul classic, ‘The Snake’. A single 7” vinyl including the track will be cut and can be won by just one lucky fan. This is in a bid to save their hometown football club, Wigan Athletic.
Earlier this year Wigan Athletic became the first football club to feel the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic as they fell into administration. After being relegated to the third tier of English football whilst fans are still not allowed into the DW Stadium, finances are still a serious problem for The Tics.
Wigan is a town that football belongs in, and it would be devastating for fans to lose their football club. However, the Lancashire town also cherishes its music, and local lads The Lathums have been carrying that torch as they continue to grow their fanbase.
Known for their high-energy live sets, the band have decided to use their popularity to help their community and their football club. They’ve done this by releasing ‘The Snake’ to just one fan, who must buy a raffle ticket costing £5 to have a chance of winning on the 9th November 2020. Funds raised will be split between the Save Wigan Athletic fundraising appeal and Wigan Athletic Community Trust. After reaching number 14 in the UK album chart with The Memories We Make, these local lads are going to give something back to the fans that projected to them to where they are now.
The Lathums’ singer and songwriter has commented on why the band felt so strongly about saving Wigan Athletic;
“My life isn’t football at all, but I understand how important for my hometown it is to have Wigan Athletic survive. It’s not the fan’s fault, nor that of staff who face a loss of wages or worse, that so many bad decisions are made about who owns and runs football clubs. Like music, football makes memories for generations of people, their lives intertwined by the game. Even non-football fans must know how important it is.”
The significance of Al Wilson’s classic on the town of Wigan should not be overlooked. ‘The Snake’ became a classic on the dancefloor of Wigan’s legendary Northern Soul club. The Lathums have said that they can recall the track being played at weddings, christenings, and birthday parties for as long as they can remember.
The Lathums released their latest E.P, Fight On, which the title track is inspired by tales of the French Resistance. They have been on a thrilling 18-month journey from when they were playing pubs and bar to selling out shows all over the country. The band will go on to record their debut album in Liverpool in the company of producers, James Skelly (The Coral) and Chris Taylor, which will no doubt be full of up-beat indie tracks that will get their loyal fans very excited.
After touring with fellow Greater-Manchester band, Blossoms, as well as being invited guests on Paul Weller’s rearranged tour, The Lathums will tour the United Kingdom and Ireland in Spring, with many of the dates being sold out.
This is a band with a lot of excitement surrounding them and for good reason. The Lathums are a terrific band with firepower behind their music and, most importantly, their exhilarating live performances.
Thu 22 Apr Hull, Social – SOLD OUT
Fri 23 Apr Manchester, O2 Ritz – SOLD OUT
Sat 24 Apr Stoke, Sugarmill – SOLD OUT
Thu 29 Apr Glasgow, Garage – SOLD OUT
Fri 30 April Sheffield, University Foundry – SOLD OUT
Sat 1 May Newcastle, Riverside – SOLD OUT
Tue 4 May Nottingham, Rescue Rooms – SOLD OUT
Wed 5 May Birmingham, O2 Institute 2 – SOLD OUT
Fri 7 May Leicester, O2 Academy 2 – SOLD OUT
Sat 8 May Leeds, Beckett Students Union – SOLD OUT
Sun 9 May Cardiff, Globe – SOLD OUT
Tue 11 May Oxford, O2 Academy 2 – SOLD OUT
Wed 12 May London, Electric Ballroom – SOLD OUT
Tue 1 June Edinburgh, Liquid Room – SOLD OUT
Thu 3 June Dunfermline, PJ Molly’s – SOLD OUT
Fri 4 June Dundee, Fat Sam’s
Sat 5 June Aberdeen, The Lemon Tree
Tue 8 June Belfast, Limelight 2
Thu 10 June Dublin, The Academy
Fri 11 June Galway, The Róisín Dubh
Sat 12 June Limerick, Dolan’s Warehouse
TWELVE INCH 