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DEADPUNK PRESENTS:THE SPOOK SCHOOL (Glasgow, Scotland)
The Spook School are Nye Todd (guitar/vocals), Adam Todd (guitar/vocals), Ally (AC) Cory (bass/vocals) and Niall McCamley (drums).
They are a queer indie-pop band that began in Edinburgh in 2010. After nearly a decade they concluded their initial chapter in 2019, but they are back (and living in Glasgow)! Their music explores themes of gender identity, queerness, and self-acceptance through energetic, melodic pop that blends humour with emotional honesty.
Over the years, The Spook School became known for using indie-pop as a platform for trans visibility, inclusion, and joy. They released three albums — on record labels Fortuna POP! and Alcopop Records in the UK and Europe, Tugboat Records in Japan, and Slumberland Records in North America — and toured extensively across the UK, USA, Canada and Europe. Their songs reached audiences worldwide, with over five million streams for the single I Want to Kiss You. They were also nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year in 2018 for their last record ‘Could it be Different’.
The Spook School has been recognised for its honesty and optimism. The Guardian described them as “that rare and beautiful thing: a band with something to say,” while Pitchfork highlighted their ability to “craft irresistible power-pop moments” that reflect social change. NPR featured the song August 17th as one of its “trans love songs that hit home no matter your orientation.” These acknowledgements affirmed that The Spook School’s message — about identity, community, and self-belief — resonated beyond their scene.
The Spook School have always sought to create inclusive environments where queer people feel seen, celebrated, and supported. Their performances have often been described as affirming and empowering — experiences that bring people together through laughter, catharsis, and shared understanding. They share stories of identity and belonging that inspire others to embrace who they are — joyfully, openly, and together.
When the band ended in 2019, it felt like they had completed a meaningful cycle: three albums, hundreds of shows, and a decade of queer visibility in music. However, in recent years, there has been a growing hostility toward the trans community in public and political discourse. The conversations around gender identity, rights, and inclusion that once felt like progress now feel under threat.
As a band that has always written about gender, queerness, and self-acceptance, they feel their voice and message has become more relevant than ever. Their music has always aimed to make people feel seen and supported, to replace isolation with joy and connection. This project is about reclaiming that space: using creative energy to speak up against the politics of fear, while continuing to make hopeful music.
Now feels like the right moment to return.
https://thespookschool.bandcamp.com/
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Event venue
Exchange, 72-73 Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0EJ, United Kingdom
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