Play South Arcade
What happens when alternative rock comes back with the melancholy of the 2000s, but speaks the language of today? Enter South Arcade.
The English band, fronted by Harmony Cavelle on vocals, Harry Winks on guitar, Ollie Green on bass, and Cody Jones on drums, moves effortlessly between pop-punk and alt-rock, blending retro sounds with electronic elements into an immediate and irresistible formula.
Their project thrives on nostalgia without being trapped by it: a bridge between the aesthetics and sounds of the early 2000s and a contemporary attitude. Listening to South Arcade brings echoes of Avril Lavigne, Linkin Park, and Pale Waves, all filtered through a modern, self-aware sensibility.
The visual imagery follows the same direction: cargo jeans with chains, crop tops, oversized t-shirts, and chunky sneakers create a Y2K-inspired aesthetic reimagined through an alternative lens, instantly recognizable.
The project began in Oxford during their university years, when Cavelle and Winks started writing together. With Green and Jones joining in 2021, the quartet took shape and started gaining attention through small local gigs and, especially, a spontaneous and savvy social media presence. Videos of rehearsals, covers, and content shared on TikTok quickly turned the band into a viral phenomenon.
From there, growth has been steady: tours, festivals, and an increasingly diverse audience drawn not just to the music but to the band’s authenticity. South Arcade presents themselves as they are: friends before musicians, united by a genuine energy that translates live on stage, through jumps, smiles, and an unmistakable chemistry.
Their recent selection as the opening act for 5 Seconds of Summer’s European tour confirms the band’s current momentum. Adding to the excitement is the hint of new music, teased by the singer during a social media live stream, which could see the light of day as early as next spring.
South Arcade aren’t reinventing the genre, but they show just how powerful it can still be when played with conviction. Following them now means catching a band at the exact moment they’re moving from being a promise to becoming a full-fledged reality
Written by Giorgia Nozza.