Quick-fire Questions: 10 minutes with Alex Spencer
Like many of us, Alex Spencer’s life changed during the pandemic, as across lockdown in 2020, when many of us were re-evaluating our lives, switching things up, and falling in and out of love, Spencer fell into the warm embrace of music.
One of the albums that shaped his life during this time was Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs, a record released ten years prior, but with themes just as relevant then as they were in 2020 and still today: suburban monotony and the yearning for nostalgia. Navigating change, something central to the record, would later appear in Spencer’s work, though through the specific flavourings of his own personal experiences.
This was the case with his latest release, ‘Farewell to Forever’, a song that, as the title suggests, tackles self-sabotage and the letting go of people you love, tinged with a more hopeful view of starting afresh. Written on the brink of a major chapter – his debut tour – the song captures the spirit of embracing the things and emotions that come your way.
As he explained, “The track tells the story of walking away in order to move on with the next phase of your life. I wrote it just before getting ready to head out on my debut headline tour. It was a crazy time, and I was going through all the things 18-year-olds do, growing up and experiencing new emotions.”
Spencer is one of the most exciting new acts out of the Manchester scene who’s currently in the crux of his most exciting chapter yet, with a run of headline tours across the UK. Having already accrued a notable number of milestones, including supporting The Black Keys at Ally Pally last year, his momentum is fast-building with few signs of slowing down.
Following the success of last year’s EP, Where Do We Go From Here?, ‘Farewell to Forever’ also joins ‘Masks’, both demonstrating a different, more refined side to his musical palette that blends personal afflictions with familiar indie sensibilities. We caught ten minutes with the rising star to ask the all-important questions, like the best thing about Manchester, the ideal funeral song, and which is the best Beatle.
Quick-fire Questions with Alex Spencer:
What album changed your life?
“I properly began listening to albums in full during lockdown when I was 13 years old, and I fell in love with music. My parents would always play Arcade Fire on our speaker downstairs, and I reckon The Suburbs soundtracked my lockdown and is the album that changed my perspective on music and my life.”
Describe your music in three words?
“Raw, Nostalgic, Anthemic.”
What is the best thing about Manchester?
“Manchester has this certain energy you don’t get anywhere else. I love the summer days in Manchester. Music and football will bring everyone together in town; it’s a good vibe, and most people are proud to call it home. In summer, everyone goes out in shorts and T-shirts, thinking it’s boiling and they won’t get cold, but it gets to about 5:30pm, and everyone’s shivering ’cause the sun’s gone. I make the same mistake every year.”
What is the song you would like played at your funeral?
“‘Mardy Bum’ by Arctic Monkeys. It’s my all-time favourite tune and would be a perfect send-off for me.”
Who are your dream dinner party guests?
“Bob Marley, Liam Gallagher, Dave and Sam Fender.”
Which is your favourite song you’ve ever recorded?
“Easily ‘Where Do We Go from here’. I love the production on it and had so much fun recording it in the studio.”
What’s the best venue in the world?
“Everyone says Red Rock Amphitheatre in Colorado, which is sick, but I love Castle Field Bowl in Manchester, and I’m so lucky to have been able to play there with The Black Keys last summer.”
What’s your favourite part of live performance?
“Honestly, it’s all about seeing the crowd coming and having the best night. I love entertaining and being there on stage.”
Who is the best Beatle?
“For my 12th birthday, I got a book of every Beatles song with all the chords, and they were a huge influence for me in the early days. I’ve gotta say Paul McCartney though.”
What is your favourite album of 2026 so far?
“I’ve been loving Kid Laroi’s new album Before I Forget and Louis Tomlinson’s new album How Did I Get Here?“
What film could you recite the entire script from memory?
“Easy, Shrek 2. I used to watch it every single day when I was five years old. I wouldn’t let my mum put any other film on.”
Who is the best vocalist in music history?
“In history, is a tough one. However, currently, a vocalist and songwriter who is standing out to me is Raye. Her vocal control and songwriting are elite.”
If you could time-travel, where would you go?
“I’d be 100% going back to the ’80s. I love everything about the ’80s. I’m so jealous when people tell me stories about growing up in the ’80s as a teenager.”
Who are some of your favourite artists right now?
“I listen to so much different music, but my favourite artists who are on repeat at the moment are Dave, Sombr, Overpass, Arcade Fire, Balu Brigada and a Spanish band called Malmö 040.”
