Sydney-based indie rockers, Middle Kids, are about to enter a new chapter in their career with the release of their latest single, “Bootleg Firecracker.” In 2022, the band made an impulsive decision to travel to Eastbourne, England, to work with the legendary producer Jonathan Gilmore (known for his work with The 1975) for an intense six-week recording session. The goal was to transform their lo-fi demos into something fresh, dynamic, and innovative, and to collaborate with a producer who could push the boundaries of a traditional rock band format to its limits while still maintaining the essence of pop songwriting.

After some time in the making, “Bootleg Firecracker” is the first glimpse into Middle Kids’ new sound. The song features beautiful finger picked acoustic loops, coupled with an edgy, loping drum groove that breaks new ground compared to the band’s previous work. Lead singer Hannah Joy’s honest lyrics explore the concept of the titular bootleg firecracker, an explosive yet beautiful force that carries the risk of causing damage. The result is a warm, delicate, and contemporary sound that showcases the band’s creative evolution.

Joy describes “Bootleg Firecracker” as “a song about the power, magic, and risk of intimacy…It started out as an up-tempo chorus about dancing, but Tim Fitz (co-producer and bassist) slowed it down, and we came up with the idea of the bootleg firecracker. Fireworks can be dangerous and risky, but there’s something about their explosion of light and heat that brings people together in celebration. I think love is like that.”

The track also includes an artistic contribution from Middle Kids’ fans, who submitted audio recordings of their own fireworks celebrations. These audio snippets are seamlessly woven into the outro of the song, adding to the overall celebratory feel of the track. The fireworks crossed over into the official video which was directed by Toby Morris (Carly Rae Jepsen, Sheppard, Menulog and featuring Snoop Dogg).

The band have also announced they’ll join Jimmy Eat World and Manchester Orchestra on their The Amplified Echos tour which kicks off July 11 in Missoula, MT and includes stops in NYC, LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and more. See below for a full rundown of dates:

JUL 11, 2023 – Big Sky Brewing Co., Missoula, MT *

JUL 14, 2023 – The Podium, Spokane, WA * ⁣

JUL 15, 2023 – WAMU Theater, Seattle, WA * ⁣

JUL 16, 2023 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend, OR * ⁣

JUL 18, 2023 – The Masonic, San Francisco, CA * ⁣

JUL 19, 2023 – Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA * ⁣

JUL 21, 2023 – Petco Park, San Diego, CA * ⁣

JUL 22, 2023 – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV * ⁣

JUL 23, 2023 – The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT * ⁣

JUL 25, 2023 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver, CO * ⁣

JUL 27, 2023 – St Louis Music Park, St Louis, MO * ⁣

JUL 28, 2023 – Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN * ⁣

JUL 29, 2023 – Rabbit Rabbit, Asheville, NC * ⁣

JUL 30, 2023 – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, Charlotte, NC * ⁣

AUG 7, 2023 – 713 Music Hall, Houston, TX * ⁣

AUG 8, 2023 – ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin, TX * ⁣

AUG 9, 2023 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Dallas, TX * ⁣

AUG 11, 2023 – The Criterion, Oklahoma City, OK * ⁣

AUG 13, 2023 – The Armory, Minneapolis, MN * ⁣

AUG 15, 2023 – Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI * ⁣

AUG 16, 2023 – The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL * ⁣

AUG 18, 2023 – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park, Indianapolis, IN * ⁣

AUG 19, 2023 – KEMBA Live!, Columbus, OH * ⁣

AUG 20, 2023 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, Detroit, MI * ⁣

AUG 21, 2023 – Echo Beach, Toronto, ON * ⁣

AUG 23, 2023 – SummerStage in Central Park, New York, NY * ⁣

AUG 24, 2023 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA * ⁣

AUG 25, 2023 – Waterfront Concert Series, Buffalo, NY * ⁣

AUG 26, 2023 – Skyline Stage at the Mann, Philadelphia, PA * ⁣

⁣* with Jimmy Eat World & Manchester Orchestra

Photo Courtesy: Michelle Grace Hunder