Music discovery · Influence explorer

Artists like Yard Act — and the music that made them

Post-punk · 2019–present

Sharp-tongued post-punk storytellers with mordant British wit

Yard Act are a Leeds-based post-punk band fronted by James Smith's rapid-fire spoken-word vocals over danceable basslines and angular guitars. They've quickly become critical darlings for their sardonic observations of modern British life, blending social commentary with infectious grooves that recall early Gang of Four and Fall.

Essential tracks

►The Overload

►Fixer Upper

►Dead Horse

Did you know

Frontman James Smith was a wedding DJ before forming the band

They recorded their debut album during lockdown in just 10 days

The band's name comes from a phrase meaning gossip or idle chatter

“Spoken-word vocals over angular post-punk grooves with working-class British wit.”

generations
of influence

If you like Yard Act, try these

Dry Cleaning

Florence Shaw's conversational vocals mirror James Smith's deadpan delivery style perfectly.

2010s · Post-punk

Shame

Both bands channel British post-punk revival with sharp social commentary and tight rhythms.

2010s · Post-punk

Squid

Experimental post-punk with narrative vocals and intricate instrumental arrangements appeals to similar tastes.

2010s · Post-punk

Fontaines D.C.

Irish post-punk with literary lyrics and driving basslines shares Yard Act's intellectual edge.

2010s · Post-punk

Idles

Confrontational vocals about British life over heavy post-punk rhythms create similar energy.

2010s · Post-punk

Protomartyr

Joe Casey's baritone spoken vocals over post-punk instrumentals offer comparable narrative intensity.

2010s · Post-punk

But where did the sound actually come from?

Influence tree

Trace Yard Act's roots back through history

Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.

Yard Act

2019–present

The Fall

1976–2018

cited

Sleaford Mods

2007–present

cited

LCD Soundsystem

2002–2018

sonic

Gang of Four

1977–2011

movement

Wire

1976–present

movement

Talking Heads

1975–1991

sonic

Television

1973–1992

movement

The Velvet Underground

1965–1973

movement

↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.

What makes the sound

Sonic elements

Spoken-word narrative vocals

Prominent melodic basslines

Angular guitar riffs

Conversational British storytelling

Start with these tracks

The Overload

Fixer Upper

Rich

Land of the Blind

About this page

Music like Yard Act — Yard Act are a Leeds-based post-punk band fronted by James Smith's rapid-fire spoken-word vocals over danceable basslines and angular guitars. They've quickly become critical darlings for their sardonic observations of modern British life, blending social commentary with infectious grooves that recall early Gang of Four and Fall.

Artists like Yard Act today include Dry Cleaning, Shame, Squid, Fontaines D.C..