Playlisting With... Bands FC: The 'Home' and 'Away' side playlists

Music obsessive, football fan and dab hand designer, Mark Liptrott of Bands FC chooses the tracks deemed suitable for the terraces of sacred football stadiums across the land, in this two-part 'Home' and 'Away' playlisting feature

Last updated: 14th Jun 2021

Originally published: 11th Jun 2021

Celebrating the beautiful game and the music which so perfectly captures the essence of both English and international football, noted designers and self-confessed music obsessives, Bands FC share with us two very special 'Home and Away side' playlists, featuring their ideal starting-eleven tracks.

Established by friends Nick Fraser and Mark Liptrott in the build-up to 2018's World Cup tournament, the idea behind Bands FC was simple - 'Bands as Football Teams, Football Teams as Bands.' Fusing the logos of some of the worlds biggest and most adored band's with those of English football teams, the pair's creations have become renowned amongst fans of both communities over the past three years.

Working alongside a team of collaborators, Bands FC have produced more than four hundred hybrid football crest's. Their artwork has been exhibited at The National Football Museum in Manchester, Sunderland-based record store Pop Recs Ltd, and the Old Cinema Laundrette music venue in Durham. Also the proud sponsors of Brinscall F.C. Juniors boys’ and girls’ teams, Bands FC have helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Make Tiny Changes Fund, set up by Scottish indie-folk group Frightened Rabbit in the name of the band's late frontman, Scott Hutchison.

Check out the football clubs and artists that Bands FC have merged together, in the design slideshow below...

Talented graphic designer, Mark Liptrott kindly agreed to lovingly curate both sets of playlists, just in time for the forthcoming opening game of this years UEFA Euro Championships. Splendid! Check out all twenty-two of the excellent tracks selected below, and continue reading to learn more about Bands FC from the man himself...

The Home Side Playlist:

The Away Side Playlist:

Name three records that have helped you get through the past twelve months:

Mark: "These three records have helped me get through the last 12 months. I picked them all up on vinyl from Piccadilly Records in Manchester and from the label, Needle Mythology; Les Big Byrd - Iran Iraq IKEA, Rowland S Howard - Pop Crimes and Stephen Duffy - I love My Friend

"I also read a lot of music biographies throughout lockdown, specifically The Cure's, The Triffids, Belle and Sebastian's... which put me on massive obsessive listening trips."

Have you got any artist recommendations for us? Is there anyone you think we really ought to know about?

Mark: "I’ve listened to quite a lot of podcast radio shows that have turned me on to things I’d not heard before. (Chris Geddes of Belle and Sebastian, Andy Votel of Finders Keepers, Will Sergeant of Echo and the Bunnymen...). I highly recommend all three of those.

"I’m constantly thirsty to hear music I’ve not heard before. I have been listening to a lot of psychedelic folk from the late '60s / early '70s. People like Christine Harwood, Susan Christie, The Millennium. I’ve been listening to a new band from Dublin called Bedroom this week who Bill Ryder-Jones produced and I’m liking them a lot.

"I’ve also really got into the Australian band, Bananagun (who feature on the Bands FC playlist). When I first heard them I thought they were a lost band from the '60s era. Swedish band Les Big Byrd are constantly on repeat (also on the Bands FC playlist).

"The Coral's latest full-length Coral Island has recently just landed and that's definitely being overplayed here at Bands FC. The singles they released in the build are so good.

"I’ve also been going through the back catalogue of a couple of record labels, Ace Records and Sundazed Records. The hunt for new music never stops."

Top things to consider when putting a first-rate playlist?

Mark: "Putting a playlist together isn’t about trying to get all your favourite bands on one list. It’s about creating a vibe that’s right with records that flow and fit seamlessly together. I've tried to include some things that people might not have heard, as I love discovering new music from playlists, adding some older songs and some newer releases. I wanted the Bands FC to be an uplifting playlist and a lot of the music I listen to is pretty melancholic, and obviously not right for the brief.

"I tried to imagine the playlist playing out over the terraces at football stadiums across the UK, and I'm fully aware that’s probably not the best place to try and get someone to appreciate 1970’s Hungarian prog rock! But I wanted to kick it off a bang and I think I've accomplished that!

"There are 11 songs in the Bands FC playlist, equalling the number of players in a team, which was somewhat of a happy accident. This in turn gave me the idea of creating two playlists - one for the home team and one for the away. Just in time for the Euro tournament!

"I was tempted to start each of the playlists with a well-known football theme - like the one from Grandstand and the other, the theme from the World of Sport. But it just meant losing space for an actual track, so you’ll have to imagine that they're both there."

What’s the one thing you miss most about live music?

Mark: "I’ve really missed going to gigs - a lot! Apart from going to see art exhibitions, the only time I'll leave the house is to go to see live music. I can't really put my finger on just one thing. I’ve missed watching drummers play. I’ve missed the buzz you feel when a band comes on. I’ve missed hearing music at a louder volume, everyone singing along, dancing around... And then getting some chips on the way home as standard."

Find tickets for live screenings of this years UEFA Euro Championships here

The first festival or live event you want to attend when all lockdown restrictions are lifted?

Mark: "The first festival or live event I'll be attending this year will most likely be Kendal Calling. I'm really looking forward to seeing what surprises the Tim Peaks stage has in store for us, as always. After that, I've got tickets to this year's Manchester Psych Fest, which has a quality bill of performers lined up to play this year."

Any local artists, venues, businesses or brands you’d like to give a shout out to?

Mark: "Local artists... well I’m a local artist! Anybody want any paintings commissioning, give me a shout! I’ve spent most of lockdown painting and got myself a studio, it’s been a really creative time.

"I know, I know, you mean local bands... There are so many great acts in the North West. LIINES are a really exciting band live, Dirty Laces just released a great new single, Heavy Salad are in the studio, Jane Weaver’s new album is brilliant.

"Over on the Wirral, By The Sea are cooking up new music which I’m very much looking forward to hearing. The Fernweh have a new album out soon (their latest single is also on the playlist). I’ve just designed them a new logo and I'm helping them with their album artwork which has been a pleasure. They’re such a great band.

"There’s a great record shop here in Stockport called SK1 that houses lots of obscure gems. Oh and I’ve recently joined a band playing the drums. We're called Colacello.

"A good friend of ours has also just started a tour management/logistics company called NoCo Rock Vans. Any bands out there looking to tour should definitely check them out."

Tell us about any exciting news, upcoming events or launches you have planned?

Mark: "We just did a run of football shirts with Frightened Rabbit raising money for their Tiny Changes charity, and we are currently working with The Twilight Sad on some shirts. We haven’t got any exhibitions in the diary as of yet. Hopefully, things get back to normal soon."

Looking for somewhere to watch the home nations Euro 2020/21 games?

Our Euro 2020/2021 Inspire Me Page is packed full of live screening events happening all over the UK. Grab yourself one of the few remaining tickets and be a part of something special this summer!