The Magic Numbers

Strumming out sun-kissed melodies and 60s West Coast singalongs, Magic Numbers jangled their way to a string of indie pop hits and an acclaimed debut album in the mid-2000s. Inspired by the hooks and summery feel of The Beach Boys and The Mamas And The Papas, siblings Romeo and Michele Stodart and Sean and Angela Gannon grew up next door to each other in Ealing before forming the band in 2002 and signing a deal with Heavenly Records - after a helpful endorsement from The Chemical Brothers and Ed Harcourt. With their sweet harmonies and breezy innocence, singles Forever Young and You Don't Love Me, Like You quickly became big summertime anthems with eponymous debut album The Magic Numbers (2005) reaching Number 7 in the UK and earning a Mercury Prize nomination. The band made headlines in 2005 when they stormed off Top of the Pops after presenter Richard Bacon made a quip about their weight, but returned with follow-up Those The Brokes (2006) which reached Number 11 in the UK. Third album Runaway (2010) failed to make much of an impact, but the band continue to tour regularly and have become favourites on the festival circuit.