DIY art punk outliers Real Farmer have released their anti-war single, ‘Big Stepper‘ via Strap Originals. The single is taken from their new four track EP RF II which is released on 12” vinyl and download on 2 May. The video for ‘Big Stepper‘ sees Real Farmer’s music become a brilliant score to striking images that depict the steady dehumanisation of military recruits and the horrors of war.
The new single coincides with the band’s first ever UK headline tour and having kicked things off in Guildford and Brighton earlier this week, they continue on to Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham (Karma Weekender), Leeds and Manchester, before wrapping up at Moth Club, London on 1 April. Further shows in 2025 for the fast-rising band from the North Dutch city of Groningen include: Primavera Sound Barcelona, The Great Escape, Come Together (w/ Kings of Leon) and The Libertines festival at Gunnersbury Park.
Real Farmer say of Big Stepper:
“We live in a time when the number of countries in conflict is the highest since WWII. ‘Big Stepper’ is about the global rise of the far-right and with it the dangers of extremism and patriotism. It’s about how young men and women are being seduced by their governments to join the army, convinced that this will help them combat their feelings of hopelessness and enhance their chances for a better future, but often it has the opposite effect, leaving them traumatised and forlorn.”
RF II was produced by Niek Van Den Driesschen and recorded at Far Out Sound Studios in Rotterdam. The band were clocking up the miles on the dashboard last year, too, having toured the length of the UK twice. Starting at some of the UK’s most treasured small independent venues, they finished their album campaign with some sold out Libertines supports in November.
March
26 Newcastle, Zerox
27 Glasgow, The Hug & Pint
28 Nottingham, Karma Weekender
30 Leeds, Oporto
31 Manchester, Gullivers
April
1 London, Moth Club
11 Rotterdam, Poppodium Annabel
May
14 Brighton, Strap Originals at The Great Escape
June
2 Barcelona, Primavera Sound
8 Newcastle, Come Together Festival w/ Kings of Leon
July
24 Chester, Together Again Festival
August
9 London, Gunnersbury Park w/ The Libertines
For more information on Real Farmer please check their facebook and instagram.