Photo Credit: JACOB HORTON
We’re thrilled to spotlight Poppyshow, a band that delivers a powerful fusion of Rock, Punk, Soul, and make-a-mark tunes. Their music has a raw energy that hits you right in the feels, blending heavy, gut-wrenching rock with sweet beats and heartfelt lyrics.
What stands out most about these guys, though, is the connection they create with their audience. Poppy shows bring an energy that is impossible to ignore, whether on stage or in person.
We were lucky enough to catch up with these talented musicians and visit their rehearsal space in the heart of Exeter. Led by frontman and songwriter Jacob, Stiff Crowd HQ offers a unique, independently-owned practice space full of gear and creative energy. Here’s what they said about their music, journey, and passion for connecting with fans through their sound.
In the Spotlight with Poppyshow
Team IM: Where are you from, and where are you currently based?
Poppyshow: We’re based in Exeter, where the band was formed. Originally, we all come from different places in the Southwest, but Exeter has become our home base for rehearsals and shows.
Team IM: What inspired you to become musicians?
Poppyshow: It’s different for all of us, but I think I can speak for the whole band when I say you don’t choose it per say; it chooses you, and so becomes you and everything you’re doing. It’s like looking at the world through a different camera lens to everyone else.
Team IM: Who are your biggest musical influences, and why?
Poppyshow: We draw from a wide range of influences! Some of the main ones include Abba. No Doubt, The Beatles, and Stevie Wonder. We love the energy and rawness of punk, but we also take inspiration from other genres like soul and indie, blending them all into a sound that feels honest and real.
Team IM: How would you describe your music in your own words?
Unique. It’s a real mix of rock, punk, sweet beats, and soul-drenching tunes. We want to create a connection through our sound and lyrics. Our music is a reflection of who we are and what we feel.
Team IM: Can you tell us about your latest release?
Poppyshow: We’ve been working hard on creating a collection of songs representing where we are as a band. ‘Trials and Tribulations’ is our first real output into the world, five tracks documenting some of the band’s first years, my turbulent inner workings and the world we find ourselves in. We’re really proud of it.
Team IM: What inspired you to write and produce this track?
Poppyshow: Everything we’ve experienced in the last 10 years of our lives We write a lot about our own experiences, but we also want our music to speak to others.
Team IM: How do you typically approach the songwriting and recording process?
Poppyshow: We’re playing music or around music in some form every day, so songs naturally appear from out of the dark and it’s your job to catch them or not.
Team IM: What do you enjoy most about performing live?
Poppyshow: The energy! It’s best to see the crowd get lost in the music and share that moment with us. But it’s also a beautiful yet dangerous game of seeing if an audience connects with you and your music; it’s addictive.
Team IM: What’s the most challenging aspect of being in a band for you?
Poppyshow: Finding cash to fuel our van to the next show and then having to find new ways to avoid all the parking and driving fines!
Team IM: What’s been the biggest highlight of your music career so far?
Poppyshow: Definitely playing a packed show in Paris this year. We were given unlimited cheese and wine and a free speaker from Marshall!
Quick Fire Encore!
The absolute essential item for you on tour?
The van
What’s your favourite place to perform in Exeter?
Do you have any pre-show rituals or ways to get ready?
Vocal warmups in the van or green room before every show, we always get the looks from people.
What’s the weirdest or funniest thing that’s happened onstage?
We play Twister on stage after our headline sets most of the time, and it gets pretty heated.
What’s one Exeter-based business you’d like to shout out?
Our rehearsal space Stiff Crowd HQ, which anyone can book out for themselves and their band cheap affordably and the greatest pub in the world, Little Drop Of Poison, Fore Street, Exeter.
Describe your music style in three words.
Pop-Rock-Punk
Finally, what's the best piece of advice you've received as an artist?
Keep going, tiger!
Poppyshow is an incredible example of what happens when passion and genuineness come together. Their memorable mix of rock, punk and pop, combined with their commitment to creating a real connection with their audience, makes them a standout band in the Exeter music scene. We’re excited to see what the future holds for them, and we’re sure they’ll continue to inspire and energise their fans with every song and performance.
We’d like to thank Poppyshow for letting us into their creative world and giving us a taste of their rehearsals in their fantastic, independently-owned space. Keep an eye on these guys – they’re just getting started!
