The Kites are: Joseph Staniforth (Singer/Guitar 19), Jake McBrinn (Guitar 19), Elodie Parsons (Bass 17), Oliver Staniforth (Drums 16)

Hailing from the Yorkshire Wharfedale towns of Otley and Ilkley, brothers Joe and Ollie met Jake at school. Through a shared passion for songwriting the line-up was complete when they met bassist Elodie at a summer songwriting course aged 13 and formed The Kites.

Four years on and Joe and Jake are studying Music Production & Performance at Leeds Beckett University; Elodie A-Levels Languages; and Ollie A-Level Art, History and Photography.

Their shared musical experience of playing in school Battle-of-the-Band nights and open-mic sessions has helped carve out their sound into what it is today,

Punchy indie pop guitars meet hook laden generational lyrics, creating a sound that is as ambitious and sky high as the band’s name suggests. Being lapped up, The Kites are already gathering momentum with a dedicated fan base and a festival slot on the DORK stage at Live At Leeds In the Park 2023.

Championed by BBC Introducing Yorkshire and Leeds, this band of teenagers are inspired musically by acts from Twenty-One Pilots, Wunderhorse through to Stevie Wonder, drawing on their individual influences with a clear vision of the live show.

With five tracks already released in a matter of months they include the infectious Premiere, Emily Emily, Jaded, Myself as well as latest track Living Room. The Kites have followed the trusty formula of releasing unrelenting guitar bangers that sound custom-made for radio airwaves, festivals, headline shows and everything in between.

An incredibly talented young band there really is no stopping them. Live they are a reminder of the joys of what being in a band should be.