JSNTGM 46 Magic of the Marketplace – The Spectators Are Leaving

Magic of the Marketplace follow up their well-received debut release with five new songs on The Spectators are Leaving EP. Their 2025 release (Jealous Moon) variously described as visceral, with great hooks and melodies drew comparisons with bands such as Leatherface, Dillinger 4, Husker Du, The Skids and even Kings of Leon.

These 5 new tracks continue building on that momentum and listeners will not be disappointed. From the Jawbreaker-like melancholic anger of the opener ‘When The Story Ends’ and title track ‘The Spectators are Leaving’ to the pulsating Clash style energy of ‘What’s The Remedy’ all these comparisons are still valid.

A video pre-release of When The Story Ends, which is very different to what would normally be expected within this genre, will hit the channels a week before the release.

Featuring current and ex-members of Erase Today, Sonic Boom Six, Litterbug and Sick56, this second collaboration between JSNTGM and Engineer Record will be out on 14th February 2026 in CD format and across all digital channels

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Track listing:
When The Story Ends (3:16)
The Spectators Are Leaving (2:34)
There’s a Darkness (2:40)
The Natural Order of Things (2:52)
What’s The Remedy (2:48)

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Credits :
Guitars, bass and vocals : Andy Higgins (Erase Today, Litterbug, Sick56, In Dire Fucking Straits, Higgins ++)
Drums : Luke Hesketh (Sonic Boom Six)
Backing Vocals: UK Nige (Sick 56, One Way System)
Recorded and mixed by James Routh (Sonic Boom Six) at Rock Hard Studios in Blackpool

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REVIEWS – REVIEWS – REVIEWS – REVIEWS  

Quiet Coast  – Magic of the Marketplace –The Spectators are Leaving – Lauren Hayes (September 2026)

Magic of the Marketplace keeps things short and to the point on their new EP, The Spectators Are Leaving. Across five tracks, the band delivers a solid mix of punk energy, catchy guitar work, and a slightly worn, darker edge that gives the record plenty of character. The EP opens with When the Story Ends, a strong start that sets the mood with its guitars and distinctive vocals. It has a sense of urgency without becoming overwhelming, and it quickly shows that this is a band comfortable with keeping things direct. The title track, The Spectators are Leaving, is one of the highlights. The guitar work has a loose, lively feel, while the backing vocals add another layer to the chorus. There is a sense of frustration running through the song, but the band keeps it melodic enough to make the track easy to come back to.

There’s a Darkness that follows with another dose of guitar-driven punk. It is catchy without losing the rougher side of the band’s sound. The Natural Order of Things then gives the EP a little more breathing room. The quieter moments around the vocals create a nice contrast before the guitars come back in with more force. It is a good example of how the band can add variety without losing the record’s identity. What’s the Remedy? Closes the EP on a high note. It has that familiar punk feeling of wanting to get everything out in a few minutes, with energetic guitars and a memorable vocal performance pushing the song along. It is a fitting ending to a record that never overstays its welcome.

You can hear some of the band’s punk influences throughout the EP, including echoes of late-70s punk and the melodic side of acts such as Jawbreaker, Leatherface, Dag Nasty, and The Damned. Still, Magic of the Marketplace has enough personality in their playing and songwriting to make these songs feel like their own. I really enjoyed the balance between the rough punk attitude and the melodic side of these songs. The EP feels honest and straightforward, and that made it an easy record to sit with from beginning to end.

If you enjoy punk with strong guitars, memorable vocals, and a little grit around the edges, give The Spectators a listen. Follow Magic of the Marketplace to keep up with what they do next, and make sure to add the tracks that catch your attention to your playlist. With only five songs, this is the kind of EP you can throw on whenever you want something energetic without committing to a long album. Give it a spin, find your favourite track, and keep the band on your radar.

Magic of the Marketplace – The Spectators are Leaving – Quiet Coast

Personal Punk – Magic Of The Marketplace :  ‘The Spectators are Leaving’ CD – (August 2026) 

Five new songs from Blackpool’s Andy Higgins’ project, featuring current and ex-members of ERASE TODAY, SONIC BOOM SIX, LITTERBUG and SICK56.

Continuing in the vein of last year’s solid Jealous Moon EP, these tracks again pay homage to the late 70s, with added crunch and a little experimentation. The cocksure When The Story Ends sees timeworn vocals over full guitars, rhythm section as solid anchor, while The Spectators Are Leaving‘s vocals go slightly off, in a fetching barroom stylee, the catchy ‘ooh-ooh‘ backing meshing with a cute CULT guitar nod.

The solid hooks of There’s A Darkness pulls propulsive, melodic punk shapes, before the band find their outré muscle on The Natural Order Of Things. The kaleidoscopic swirl on the vocal spreads outward before loud guitars arrive to straighten things out, a catchy, power-pop current giving the song a healthy glow. Finally, the, unashamedly old school, rocky punk of What’s The Remedy brims with hooks galore and fiery licks.

MAGIC OF THE MARKETPLACE – The Spectators Are Leaving EP (Engineer Records/JSNTGM Records) – PERSONAL PUNK

MRR #519 – Magic Of The Marketplace :  ‘The Spectators are Leaving’ CD  (August 2026)

This has to be the worst album cover I have seen all year. My god, what were they thinking? It truly baffled me when I started the record, and I was greeted with some throaty gravel vocals and melodic pop punk. “When the Story Ends” sounds like a more safe and polished LARS FREDERIKSEN AND THE BASTARDS B-side. You could also make comparisons to LEATHERFACE or even OFF WITH THEIR HEADS, although they don’t quite have the songwriting chops of the latter. If you’re a fan of any of those bands, you will feel right at home with this. I kind of hate it, but can’t deny there’s a fanbase out there aching for this kind of shit. (SIR BOBOS) – https://www.maximumrocknroll.com/review/mrr-519/the-spectators-are-leaving-cd/

OX #186 – MAGIC OF THE MARKETPLACE – The Spectators Are Leaving – (July 2026) – Triebi Instabil

Second output from the British all-star band from Blackpool featuring people from ERASE TODAY, SONIC BOOM SIX, LITTERBUG, SICK56 and ONE WAY SYSTEM. From the latter, however, one notices little to nothing of that style in the punk of MAGIC OF THE MARKETPLACE. Maybe it’s the pressure ? Because “The Spectators Are Leaving” is forceful, but also very melodic. The band is more reminiscent of PETER AND THE TEST TUBE BABIES from the mid-1980s. On the title track I think of LEATHERFACE, and that is definitely also down to the vocals. Otherwise the Brits have something of the Dortmunders CLOX, who always sounded very British. Charming carpets of melody that gently envelop you, thoroughly varied and never dull. That’s how “The natural order of things” sounds – like The Clash in their Sandinista! era. “What’s the remedy” is a real hit and my favourite of the five tracks. Unfortunately only five, I have to say. So anyone who likes British punk and can also relate to the comparisons mentioned should definitely give this a listen. It’s worth it!

Vive Le Rock #133 – Magic Of The Marketplace : ‘The Spectators Are Leaving’ (July 2026) – (JS)

Following up on their debut ‘Jealous Moon’ with five-tracker ‘The Spectators Are Leaving’, Magic Of The Marketplace have grown more powerful and self assured. Combining elements of Husker Du, Dillinger 4 and Jawbreaker with shades of post-punk and a touch of ’77 punk, the likes of ‘When The Story Ends’ and ‘The Natural Order of Things’ combine energy and punch with a subtle melancholic anger. Top Work (JS) (7/10)

Positive Creed – Magic Of The Marketplace: ‘The Spectators Are Leaving’, CD Album  – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1479862545670498/?locale=en_GB (July 2026) – Steve

This catchy five song collection of Pistol-esque punk rock is exemplary. Seemingly, MOTM are something of a Blackpool supergroup featuring past and present members of the likes of Sonic Boom Six, Litterbug and Sick 56 amongst others. Much is said in the advertising blurb accompanying of comparisons to Leatherface and whilst I can hear that, there is more of an old school punk feel to these songs overall. Snarly, but with melody, the vocalist comes across like some sort of British Mike Ness and the backing is always well executed and interesting. If nothing else, check out ‘The Natural Order Of Things’ which sees MOTM veering into PIL territory or being reminiscent of The Fall. Fascinated to see where this band takes us next. (Steve)  8.5/10

 Powerplay Magazine (print only) Magic Of The Marketplace: ‘The Spectators Are Leaving’ – (June 2026) – Adrian Hextall

Blackpool is known for a lot of things fish and chips, donkey rides, the autumn illuminations, dodgy comedians performing on the famous pier with material many judge to be a little iffy these days (get a sense of humour would be my answer but that’s another matter) and rock music that features the annual Rebellion festival and the rather excellent Waterloo Music Bar.

One extra thing to add to this list is Magic of The Marketplace, a punk band whose name simply trips off the tongue and who return with a 5 track EP that follows their gritty melodic punk debut ‘Jealous Moon’. It’s fifteen minutes long, contains 5 songs and unsurprisingly has only one that clocks in at more than three minutes.

Opening track ‘When The Story Ends’ delivers a massive (by punk standards) 3:21 of music but smartly has an extended intro which, being the opening song, sets the scene perfectly for the remainder of the EP.

Gritty, gravelly, energised and unmistakably British in its delivery, this is the sort of music this genre built its foundations on some fifty years ago. Modern production may make music more accessible to people these days, with every instrument clearly being heard in the mix when you’ve got a decent set of headphones on, but the style, approach and overall vibe from the band give us music that will easily transfer to the venues mentioned above. It’s full of melodic energy, captured by seasoned musicians with a wicked history of bands under their belts. It does however contain more melancholic, thoughtful, restrained lyrics when comparing it o the band’s debut. The energy is there, the music is there, but it’s clearly time for reflection, which is no bad thing at all.

Plus-One – https://plus-one.uk/magic-of-the-marketplace-the-spectators-are-leaving-cd-ep-review/ (May 2026) – Ken Foster

There is a particular strain of northern underground music that never quite disappears. It simply mutates, regroups and re-emerges in different forms – fuelled less by commercial ambition than by an enduring need to communicate frustration, solidarity and survival. Andy Higgins has long operated within that continuum, from the DIY urgency of Blackpool’s punk underground to the quietly influential work of JSNTGM. With The Spectators Are Leaving, Magic of the Marketplace deliver one of the strongest statements yet to emerge from that lineage.

Released jointly through Engineer Records and JSNTGM, the EP immediately establishes its intent with When The Story Ends. There is no easing-in process here. The opening moments arrive fully formed – tense, abrasive and propelled by a band that sounds utterly locked together. The production from Rock Hard Studios deserves particular mention: powerful without becoming over-polished, preserving the physicality and friction that gives these songs their force.

The title track pushes things further still. The Spectators Are Leaving carries the same sense of confrontation, with Higgins’ vocal veering into something reminiscent of Jake Burns at his most cutting, while backing vocals introduce an off-kilter melodic counterpoint that recalls the tension-and-release dynamics of Pixies. The guitar work throughout the EP is particularly effective – jagged and economical rather than indulgent – allowing riffs to function as structural punctuation as much as hooks.

Elsewhere, There’s a Darkness pivots around a bass line that subtly evokes The Jam, grounding the track in a distinctly British post-punk sensibility beneath the hardcore momentum. The Natural Order of Things slightly lowers the tempo without sacrificing intensity, its refrain of “Let’s break some things” feeling less nihilistic than cathartic – a release valve for accumulated social exhaustion. The layered backing vocals provide a surprisingly melodic balance to Higgins’ raw delivery, while the appearance of glockenspiel adds an unexpected tonal texture without diluting the song’s urgency.

Closing track What’s the Remedy? channels flashes of early Buzzcocks in its guitar phrasing, though the overall energy of the EP more readily recalls the emotional velocity of Hüsker Dü and Stiff Little Fingers. Yet what prevents the record becoming an exercise in influence-spotting is the conviction of the performances themselves. These are clearly musicians who have lived inside this music for decades, but who still sound fully invested in its possibilities.

The wider punk press has already begun recognising the EP’s impact, with one recent review describing it as “a snapshot of the world right now” and praising its balance of aggression, melody and emotional weight. That assessment feels accurate. Beneath the distortion and momentum lies a persistent sense of disillusionment – social, political and personal – but also a refusal to disengage completely.

This is arguably one of the finest releases yet associated with JSNTGM, which perhaps should not come as a surprise given the personnel involved, drawing together former members of Erase Today, Litterbug, Sick 56 and Sonic Boom. What emerges is not nostalgia for a vanished scene, but proof that the underground which produced those bands remains creatively alive.

At fourteen minutes, The Spectators Are Leaving is over almost as soon as it begins. Yet like the best punk records, it leaves behind a lingering sense of urgency that far exceeds its runtime.

Magic Of The Marketplace – The Spectators Are Leaving (CD EP Review)

Available at Engineer Records: https://www.engineerrecords.com/post/new-magic-of-the-marketplace-cd-ep

 

Thoughts Words Action – https://thoughtswordsaction.com/2026/04/28/magic-of-the-marketplace-the-spectators-are-leaving-cd-ep-engineer-records/  (April 2026) Djordje Miladinović

If you’ve been following Thoughts Words Action for a while, or if you’ve spent a couple of decades digging through crates for that perfect balance of aggression and melody, you know that orgcore and melodic punk rock are having a bit of a renaissance. It’s a sound that’s hard to get exactly right. You need enough dirt to keep it from sounding like radio-friendly pop-punk, but enough heart and melody to make sure that the songs stick to your ribs long after the record stops spinning. Following up on their 2025 debut, the Jealous Moon EP, which honestly surprised a lot of us with its raw hooks and nods to many bands we all grew up listening to, the crew is back. Magic of the Marketplace has just dropped a brand new five-track collection titled The Spectators are Leaving. And let me tell you, if you’re a fan of that specific intersection where melancholic anger meets energetic punk rock, you are going to want to pay close attention to this one. This is punk rock performed straight from the heart, borrowing the finest properties from the nineties melodic punk/emo boom and blending them with that early 2000s orgcore sound.

The most immediate thing that grabs your listening apparatus is the vocal performance. Those raspy, melodic vocals carry an incredible amount of honest emotion. It’s that specific kind of sandpaper-and-honey delivery that puts you in mind of Leatherface, Stiff Little Fingers, Red City Radio, Hot Water Music, Jawbreaker, and many more. There is a natural distortion in the voice that makes every word feel binding, whether the band is exploring themes of social frustration or internal melancholy. The interplay between the guitars is fascinating. It’s a carefully constructed layering of catchy themes and powerful chord progressions. You have these lush, melodic leads that wrap around the vocal lines, creating a dense, engaging atmosphere. Sometimes the guitars lean into a more jangly alternative territory, reminiscent of Sugar or The Damned, while other moments see them erupting into the kind of driving, riff-heavy energy you’d expect from bands like Dinosaur Jr. or Dag Nasty. There is a melodic, almost harmonious quality to the instrumentation that proves these musicians are seasoned and thoughtful. They are writing actual songs with structural depth. The way the harmonies pair with the main themes creates a sophisticated sound that will easily impress even the pickiest fans of the genre.

In any melodic punk record, the rhythm section has to do more than just keep time. It has to provide the soul of the track. Magic of the Marketplace delivers this in spades with some of the warmest-sounding basslines I’ve heard in a while. The bass offers a thick, groovy foundation that gives the songs a massive sense of weight. It’s that growling, rib-shaking low-end that reminds me of Rancid or The Clash at their most pulsating and energetic. When you pair that with the drumming, which is energetic and full of clever fills, you get an incredibly dynamic record. The beats propel everything forward, dictating a frantic and controlled pace. The percussive acrobatics tucked away in the breaks add a layer of detail that keeps the listener engaged through every twist and turn of the EP. Thematically, The Spectators are Leaving feels like a snapshot of the world right now. The band explores a fascinating range of emotions, oscillating between a melancholic anger and a more outward-facing, politically charged energy. There is a sense of searching throughout these five tracks, a search for remedies, for an end to stagnant stories, and for a way to navigate a society that often feels like it’s falling apart. It’s about that feeling when the crowd starts to thin out, and you’re left standing there wondering what comes next. The lyrics are honest and unfiltered, dealing with the human condition in a way that is relatable and profoundly moving. It’s that classic punk rock ethos, taking the frustration of the everyday and turning it into something beautiful and loud.

If you appreciate music that draws from rich melodic punk rock and orgcore scenes but also sounds so fresh and contemporary, you cannot miss this release. The Spectators are Leaving proves that melodic punk rock, when performed with this much heart and technical proficiency, is still one of the most powerful forms of expression we have. Do yourself a favor, turn up the volume, let the raspy vocals and lush guitars take over, and find your own remedy in these five brilliant tracks. This is an essential listen for 2026.

 

Fear and Loathing Fanzine – RECORD REVIEWS, JANUARY-JUNE 2026.  https://www.fearandloathingfanzine.com/record-reviews-january-june-2026.html (April 2026) Andy Pearson

MAGIC OF THE MARKET PLACE. The Spectators Are Leaving CD (Engineer) Second release from this relatively new Blackpool-based band. Their first CD, ‘Jealous Moon’, was rather impressive but this one sounds even more accomplished.  As before, the guitar style recalls Bob Mould at his best, mixed with hints of Leatherface, Dillinger Four and perhaps even a few older bands like Buzzcocks and the Ruts. The five songs featured here are all upbeat and full of energy, although they resist the urge to get too fast and make sure that the melodies always remain the important element. I don’t think these guys have played live, yet, as they all seem to be involved with other bands or projects, but if this CD is anything to go on they’d certainly be an exciting prospect. While we wait for that to happen, be sure to hear this. I think it’s going to appeal to a lot of punk rock fans. Play it loud and often!

 

Aldora UK – E-zine #538 –  https://bit.ly/aldorabritainrecords-magazine-538  review and interview (April 2026)

 

Bored City interview : https://boredcity.co/interview-with-magic-of-the-marketplace/ (March 2026)

 

Bored City Review – Fresh Finds : Magic Of The Marketplace – The Spectators Are Leaving https://boredcity.co/ep-magic-of-the-marketplace-the-spectators-are-leaving/ (March 2026)

Magic Of The Marketplace just dropped a new EP called “The Spectators Are Leaving”. Five tracks, no filler, straight to the point. It follows their earlier stuff, but this one is tighter, louder and more sure of itself right from the first seconds.

“When The Story Ends” kicks things off and doesn’t waste time at all. It’s loud, fast, and kind of hits you immediately with those guitars and drums working together like they’ve done this a hundred times before. The vocals come in strong too, they’re direct and memorable. It sets the tone pretty clearly for what’s coming next.

The title track, “The Spectators Are Leaving” keeps that same push. There’s a lot of energy again, but it doesn’t feel like a repeat. It’s more like they’re building on that first track, keeping things moving without slowing down. It’s one of those songs that is simple on the surface but sticks after a couple listens.

“There’s a Darkness” keeps things going in the same direction, maybe even tighter. The bass stands out more here and the guitars are a bit sharper. The melodies are still catchy with solid songwriting that works. It’s probably one of the more balanced tracks on the EP.

“The Natural Order of Things” changes things a little bit. Not a full shift, but you can hear them trying different ideas in production. Some parts are more spaced out, then it pulls you back in again. It’s not the loudest track, but it has moments that make it stand out.

“What’s The Remedy?” closes the EP and honestly, it’s a strong finish. Same energy, same vibe, but it’s a bit more polished. Everything just sits right, the mix, the vocals, the rhythm. It ends the record in a way that makes sense, like they knew exactly where they wanted to stop.

The whole EP is consistent without getting boring. The production is professional, the vocal mix is great and the melodies stick pretty easily. Guitars and drums carry a lot of the weight and they do it well. We ended up enjoying this more than expected. It’s not trying to be something huge or overcomplicated, just solid, energetic songs done right. And sometimes that’s exactly what works.

 

 Fungalpunk Review : https://www.fungalpunknature.co.uk/FUNGALPUNK/CD%20reviews%202/Page%201.html – (March 2026) Dave Higginson Tranter

MAGIC OF THE MARKETPLACE – THE SPECTATORS ARE LEAVING

A band made up of members who have done their time, and continue to do so.  Melodic and progressive this Blackpool based unit keep the flow running with another 5 tracks which I think is the best way.  EP’s do the job, offer a taste and leave folk wanting more (well, if the job has been a good un’).  I have an inkling what to expect here – well-produced, carefully thought out tuneage from a sub-niche that many overlook.  I dip in and play, play some more and then spill the following considerations.

‘When The Story Ends’ is gritty, biting and begins with twilight guitars and the odd boom from down below.  A terse flourish and the smoke-tonsil’ed opening vocals come and radiate an assured confidence and character.  The music is natural, without too much in the way of orthodox routine and radiates a certain relaxed and cultured essence.  The arrangement is of the post-punk/melodica style but trying to pin labels on bands is all very subjective and we are far better off just going with the feel.  The music is compact, the scaffolding tight and the delivery as one would expect – with weight and effectiveness.  You need a few listens to adjust methinks, but once in tune the impact and impression is all the better.

‘The Spectators are Leaving’ is a powerful song with encouraging hollers and a Cult’ish guitar sequence thrown in amid the regulated and rocking and rolling rhythm making.  At all times the gob at the fore adds thermal energy and a sinewy strength that enhances the overall believability of the track.  The words remind me of many a gig where people fuck off early and leave many with hopes abandoned.  In life, before the party is over, many fuckers are off out of it after using and abusing. Fuck em’ – if they do nothing we carry on. My fave track is labelled here, tis a meaty affair.

Sharp suited guitars, a polished boot stomp and a gruff and growling opening gob assault.  The bass is battered, the guitars manipulated with artistry and the skins savaged with good intent as ‘There’s A Darkness’ carves out its groove with focused fire in the belly and a straight ahead drive that exposes healthy muscularity. Space is a rare commodity as the saturation point is reached and maintained with a rising pressure taking us to the last hurrah.  A robust song that mainly thrives due to the fact it doesn’t fuck about, hang about and over elaborate. ‘The Natural Order Of Things’ is a funny number that is a lovely change but which doesn’t float my boat.  It feels as though it is not quite blended right, is caught in several minds and never really blossoms as an individual number.  It is a light and somewhat fluffed up affair with a chomping at the bit had but no real breakthrough made.  I listen in, find solace in the latter end of the track when things are a little more off the leash, but overall, nah – not for me although I do appreciate the necessity to change things up.

‘What’s The Remedy’ cuts in, cracks a sturdy whip and bounds in with a flourishing hunger and relish.  From the off this is a highly animated and ruddy rambunctious reveller with a spine as sturdy as a metallised King Kong.  A real good groover with all areas aflame, in cahoots and clobbering out a sanguine spirit lifter that showcases a band on their game.  Despite the twists and turns within the tune, the band maintain a tight grip on the orchestration whilst applying good power and high precision and, may one add, an obvious passion for the creation of a racket.  The lads know their stuff and my previous fave track as just been outdone.

Well, 5 tracks is a suitable number of songs, four are real bollock-wallopers and one leaves me a trifle cold.  Hey, no reviewer can like everything, no reviewer should offer up bullshit and we can all only be honest, hopefully fair and constructive.  This is a sound CD indeed with a couple of real zeniths that exhibit a band with great prowess and know-how and with a strain that, in a scene torn asunder, rogered and raped, with a something a little different.  ‘Keep at it’ is my advice to the band, ‘have a nosey’ are my words to you the reader.