Temples: Stripped Back

On 27 June 2026 at Rough Trade Denmark Street in London, Temples plays a stripped‑back set followed by a signing to mark the release of their new album, BLISS, out on V2. In this pared‑down format, the band lets melodies lead the way, bringing their songs into sharper focus. The set leans on intimate dynamics and vocal harmonies, with tracks from across their catalogue and new material from BLISS reimagined for close quarters.

Formed in 2012 in Kettering, Temples works the fault line between psychedelic rock, psych‑pop and indie, with touches of glam and a taste for layered guitars and keyboard textures. Built around James Bagshaw and Tom Walmsley, and completed by Adam Smith and Sam Toms, the quartet has traced a clear line through Sun Structures (2014), Volcano (2017), Hot Motion (2019) and Exotico (2023). Over time, their sound has opened up, folding in baroque pop colours, motorik pulses and denser arrangements without losing a feel for concise songs. On stage, that balance between direct structures and detailed soundscapes takes centre stage here in a more minimal, close‑range setting, perfect for hearing the contours of BLISS as it lands.