Flights of Helios

Psych-jam torch songs from Oxford UK // "A thing of beauty" (The Line Of Best Fit)

Flights of Helios swim the bright fertile waters of indie maximalism (Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Jeff Buckley, Echo and The Bunnymen, Wild Beasts), while weirder currents creep in from the depths (Swans, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Velvet Underground, King Crimson). The band have played BBC Introducing at Glastonbury, Wilderness and Truck festivals, and been played on BBC 6 Music by Steve Lamacq, Gideon Coe and Don Letts. In recent years they've supported Caroline, Acid Mothers Temple, Tara Clerkin Trio and Mandrake Handshake, and most members had been blessed to play in Damo Suzuki's Sound Carriers. Flights of Helios' discography includes full-length album 'Endings'(2018) and ten singles. New EP 'FOH' is coming in October 2024: exploring the daily malice and misdirection the public are subject to from above, and the possibilities for escape. The EP is preceded by singles 'Blame!' (26 April 2024) and 'The City That Ate Itself' (June 2024).

Press / Radio:

“An extraordinary live spectacle, the band present a hypnotic presence which draws the audience into their world.”
Oxford Mail (‘The sky's the limit for space-rockers Flights of Helios’, two-page spread)

“Singer Chris Beard appears completely lost in the music… [his] absorption becomes absolute as he appears to almost conjure with his limbs and his committed performance reminds us of Twilight Sad’s James Graham or Nick Cave; it really is something to behold.”
Nightshift, Oxford's music magazine (Live review Dec 2021)

“Their set builds unstoppably in energy and idiosyncrasy moving through washes of post-rock, sparkly r’n’b and psych folk; as ever the genre-decrying and defying juggernaut that is Flights of Helios puts on a cracking show.”
Nightshift (Live review Nov 2021)

“The sonic experimentation that has become their trademark compliments the [Bleeding Heart Narrative] original beautifully, resulting in a faithful and totally encompassing cover.”
The Line of Best Fit (review of ‘Cartographer’ from 'Endings' album)

"Musical grandeur that echoes the more expansive works of Radiohead or Pink Floyd."
God Is In The TV (review of ‘Endings’ album)

“A brilliant melange of catchy vocal lines and droning, grunge fuzz a la F-ck Buttons. A thing of beauty.”
The Line of Best Fit (track premiere for ‘Factory’ single)

Airplay by Steve Lamacq, Gideon Coe, Don Letts (BBC 6 Music), Simon Raymonde (Amazing Radio, Bella Union), John Kennedy (Radio X), Cian Ó Cíobháin (RTE RnaG).