Dirty Blonde Release New Video for 'Checkmate'

DIRTY BLONDE

MANCHESTER DUO, DIRTY BLONDE RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR ‘CHECKMATE’ FOLLOWING EP RELEASE

“These girls mean business. One of the most exciting bands to come through Future Alternative. A two piece with the world at their feet”

– BBC Radio 1

“Searing garage punk and vintage rock tropes”

– Clash Magazine

“Infused with an appealing mix of noisy urgency and deadpan swagger, its hookiness is inevitably old-school”

– Classic Rock

“Catchy pop hooks with a satisfying grunge pop crunch”

– Under the Radar

[24th April, 2025] Labelled as one of Classic Rock’s Ones to Watch for 2025, Dirty Blonde released their brand new EP, Looking For Trouble following their sold-out UK tour for Independent Venue Week. Today they release the video for new track ‘Checkmate’. Tickets for all upcoming shows here.

Watch the new video for ‘Checkmate’ HERE

Listen to full EP Looking for Trouble HERE

Manchester’s Dirty Blonde are a blonde-bombshell alt-rock duo, fronted by the powerhouse pairing of Ailis Mackay (vocals, guitar, drums) and Hayley Tait (guitar, backing vocals). Since forming in January 2023, they’ve shared the stage with acts such as Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols, Louis Tomlinson, The Lottery Winners, Cast, The Subways, and The K’s. Their debut EP, Favourite Record quickly grabbed the attention of tastemakers at BBC Radio 1 and Radio X, landing spots on major Spotify playlists, and scoring two video features on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. BBC Radio 1 also labelled the band “One of the most exciting bands to come through Future Alternative. A two piece with the world at their feet.”

“‘Checkmate’ is about the feeling when you’re so mad you just want to scream. It started with the intro riff as a way to let out frustration before going on stage but we loved it and decided to write the rest of the song. The song is about the mind games and back-and-forth that comes with toxic relationships. When the “checkmate” line came up in the chorus we thought we’d run with the chess vibe. We both watched The Queen’s Gambit and I think we both finished the series mesmerised by Anya Taylor-Joy and her lead role. We basically channelled her energy writing the rest of the song” – Dirty Blonde

This year, the band were also personally invited to play the launch event of One Direction star, Louis Tomlinson’s clothing brand. After being impressed by what he saw, Louis Tomlinson then invited the duo to support him at his sold-out Brixton Academy show the following week. The band also played a fantastic Gibson Guitar session in March as well as announcing their headline London show at Camden’s Dingwalls 2.

The world of Looking For Trouble is leopard print, red lipstick, and leather jackets.

Speaking of the EP, the band says, “When we were writing the EP, we weren’t trying to force the songs into some ‘Dirty Blonde’ box. We just wanted to be authentic and let each track sound the way it felt right”

In their new EP, Dirty Blonde prove that authenticity is their signature sound. Tracks like ‘Adore Me?’ and ‘Polly’ carry a sly charm, serving as the “nicer cousins” to the fierce anthems ‘Checkmate’ and ‘Rush’, while previous single ‘Northern Twang’ stands as the powerful matriarch anchoring it all. Writing the EP was more than just a creative process; it was cathartic, offering a rare moment of reflection. Dirty Blonde reminds us that women in rock aren’t just part of the scene, they’re redefining it.

Dirty Blonde have also launched their new YouTube series titled In Bed With Dirty Blonde (episode 1 here) which sees the duo talking through their songwriting techniques and other band anecdotes as well as answering fan questions. Last summer, the band hit the festival circuit hard, tearing up over 20 stages, including a game-changing set at the Isle of Wight Festival where they opened the second stage. Add in further knock-out performances at The Great Escape, Truck, Y Not, and NBHD festivals, and it’s no wonder they’re being hailed as one of the UK’s hottest new live acts. After the success of previous EP Favourite Record, Dirty Blonde’s return reaffirms their status in Manchester’s alt-rock scene. Described as “Your dad’s new favourite band”, this EP is just the start of their journey and the future is looking blonde…

Follow Dirty Blonde:

Spotify | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube

About Dirty Blonde

Dirty Blonde burst onto the Manchester music scene in 2023 with their debut EP Favourite Record, earning them a reputation for punchy guitar work, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful live performances. Drawing on varied influences from indie, pop and classic rock, the duo bring a fresh yet nostalgic take on alt-rock.

Live Tour Dates:

Thu 06 Mar – Louis Tomlinson support at Electric Brixton

Sat 19 Apr – Manchester, Rewired at Band On The Wall (headline festival)

Sun 20 Apr – Selby, Test Fest (festival)

Sat 03 May – Liverpool, Sound City (festival)

Fri 16 May – London, Dingwalls 2 (headline show)

Fri 06 Jun – Bridlington, The Stirling Castle (headline show)

Sat 14 Jun – Portsmouth, Golden Touch (festival)

Sat 26 July – Ireland – Emo Village, ForestFest (festival)

Sat 06 Sept – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds (festival)

Sat 27 Sept – Stockton On Tees, The Gathering Sounds (festival)

Sat 11 Oct – Scunthorpe, Cafe Indie (festival)