London’s music scene just got a jolt. Bradley Simpson, the Vamps frontman turned solo star, has joined forces with indie-pop riser Nieve Ella for a reimagined version of “Favourite Band,” a track off his debut solo album, The Panic Years. Released on April 25, 2025, this new cut adds Ella’s voice and a brand-new verse, flipping the song’s breakup-revenge vibe into a he-said, she-said musical sparring match. It’s raw, it’s clever, and it’s out now for anyone with a streaming account.
Simpson’s been riding high since The Panic Years hit Number 7 on the UK charts earlier this year. The original “Favourite Band” was a standout—an alt-pop jab about claiming musical bragging rights post-split. Now, Ella, a 22-year-old West Midlands native who’s been turning heads with her own EPs, steps in to deliver a female perspective. Her verse doesn’t just complement Simpson’s; it challenges it, creating a back-and-forth that feels like eavesdropping on a real argument. The pair’s chemistry isn’t new—they’ve written together before, and Simpson’s been a fan since spotting Ella’s early TikTok covers years ago.
The collaboration didn’t stop at the studio. Ella’s set to join Simpson on his UK headline tour kicking off next month, though Amy Michelle will take her spot for the Dublin show. Several dates are already sold out, with venues like London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town bracing for packed crowds on May 23. Fans are buzzing, and the tour’s shaping up to be a victory lap for Simpson’s solo pivot.
This isn’t Ella’s first rodeo either. She’s opened for heavyweights like Inhaler and Girl in Red, and her 2023 EP Young & Naive/Lifetime of Wanting cracked the UK Independent Album Chart at Number 38. Her rise from self-taught guitarist to festival darling—she’s played Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds—has been fast but earned. Pairing her with Simpson feels like a natural fit, two artists who know how to channel heartbreak into hooks.
The new “Favourite Band” dropped alongside an official visualizer on YouTube, and a music video might be in the works, hinted at in a Stationhead listening party on April 25. Fans who pre-saved the track had a shot at signed lyrics and a custom T-shirt, a nod to the duo’s knack for keeping their audience close.
Simpson and Ella’s reworked track is available on all major platforms. Tour tickets are still up for grabs for some dates, but they’re moving fast.