Essex indie force 'Monumental' return with explosive new single “Eyes Wide Open” ahead of huge summer and debut EP
Words: Press
Essex four-piece Monumental continue their rapid rise with the release of their powerful new single “Eyes Wide Open”, arriving on Friday 8 May, as the band gear up for a massive summer of festivals, headline shows and the release of their debut EP later this year.
Fast becoming one of the most exciting young names emerging from the UK guitar scene, Monumental are building serious momentum thanks to their explosive live performances, sharp songwriting and unmistakable blend of indie, punk, mod and Britpop influences.
Still relative newcomers, the band have already turned heads with support from BBC Introducing, national radio play, growing festival appearances and a fiercely loyal grassroots following. Now, with Eyes Wide Open, Monumental are making their boldest statement yet.
Written by charismatic frontman Finn Sexton (with chord progressions coming drummer Denny James Keil), the track is a sharp, stylish coming-of-age anthem bursting with energy, melody and youthful frustration. Driven by pounding rhythms, roaring guitars and a huge singalong chorus, the single captures the feeling of wanting more from life and refusing to fade into the background.
At the heart of the song is a restless protagonist desperate to escape the monotony around him and find his own voice.
Finn said: “‘Eyes wide open’ is about feeling unsettled and wanting to find a new way of life. I hope this song can help others find their own path, to get away and cut off whatever it is that’s holding them back. For me I found modernism, the clothes, the music, the London scene. It’s my way of life and it’s banging."
The single also acts as the perfect introduction to Monumental’s forthcoming EP, due for release in July 2026, which the band say will showcase the full scope of their sound and ambition.
Finn added: “This past year has honestly been mental for us. We’ve gone from rehearsing and writing songs together to playing iconic venues, getting radio support and seeing crowds properly connect with what we’re doing. It feels like things are building quickly now, and this summer is going to be massive for us. The EP is the proudest we’ve been of anything so far and Eyes Wide Open felt like the perfect way to kick it all off.”
Hailing from Essex, Monumental are part of a new wave of young British guitar bands bringing swagger, melody and raw live energy back to the forefront. Influenced by everyone from The Libertines, Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Beatles through to classic mod, punk and new wave acts, the band have quickly developed a sound that feels nostalgic yet fresh.
The chemistry between the four members has become one of their defining strengths. Alongside Sexton’s commanding vocals and rhythm guitar work, lead guitarist Alfie Wickins, bassist Nathan Bennett and drummer Denny James Keil bring a chaotic, high-octane energy that has made their live shows increasingly talked about on the grassroots circuit.
The story of the band has already become something of local legend. Monumental first came together after Nathan and Alfie spotted Finn busking in Southend High Street in September 2023. One rehearsal later, the chemistry was instant. Within months the band were writing a catalogue of anthemic indie tracks and earning attention across the Essex scene.
Now signed to A-Level Management in London and Los Angeles, Monumental head into summer 2026 with serious momentum behind them.
Their upcoming run of live dates includes appearances at Hanwell Hootie Festival, The Great Escape in Brighton, London’s iconic Dublin Castle, and a continuing residency at Teenage Kicks in Westcliff.
A spokesperson for the band’s management team said: “What Monumental have achieved in such a short space of time has been incredible to watch. They’ve got that rare mix of brilliant songs, personality and genuine live energy. People come away from their gigs talking about them, and that’s always the sign of a band going somewhere.”
With Eyes Wide Open leading the charge and a huge summer ahead, Monumental are quickly proving themselves to be one of the UK’s most exciting young guitar bands. Loud, ambitious and impossible to ignore. Watch this space.
MONUMENTAL – LIVE DATES 2026
EP arriving July 2026
www.monumentalmusic.net
Fast becoming one of the most exciting young names emerging from the UK guitar scene, Monumental are building serious momentum thanks to their explosive live performances, sharp songwriting and unmistakable blend of indie, punk, mod and Britpop influences.
Still relative newcomers, the band have already turned heads with support from BBC Introducing, national radio play, growing festival appearances and a fiercely loyal grassroots following. Now, with Eyes Wide Open, Monumental are making their boldest statement yet.
Written by charismatic frontman Finn Sexton (with chord progressions coming drummer Denny James Keil), the track is a sharp, stylish coming-of-age anthem bursting with energy, melody and youthful frustration. Driven by pounding rhythms, roaring guitars and a huge singalong chorus, the single captures the feeling of wanting more from life and refusing to fade into the background.
At the heart of the song is a restless protagonist desperate to escape the monotony around him and find his own voice.
Finn said: “‘Eyes wide open’ is about feeling unsettled and wanting to find a new way of life. I hope this song can help others find their own path, to get away and cut off whatever it is that’s holding them back. For me I found modernism, the clothes, the music, the London scene. It’s my way of life and it’s banging."
The single also acts as the perfect introduction to Monumental’s forthcoming EP, due for release in July 2026, which the band say will showcase the full scope of their sound and ambition.
Finn added: “This past year has honestly been mental for us. We’ve gone from rehearsing and writing songs together to playing iconic venues, getting radio support and seeing crowds properly connect with what we’re doing. It feels like things are building quickly now, and this summer is going to be massive for us. The EP is the proudest we’ve been of anything so far and Eyes Wide Open felt like the perfect way to kick it all off.”
Hailing from Essex, Monumental are part of a new wave of young British guitar bands bringing swagger, melody and raw live energy back to the forefront. Influenced by everyone from The Libertines, Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Beatles through to classic mod, punk and new wave acts, the band have quickly developed a sound that feels nostalgic yet fresh.
The chemistry between the four members has become one of their defining strengths. Alongside Sexton’s commanding vocals and rhythm guitar work, lead guitarist Alfie Wickins, bassist Nathan Bennett and drummer Denny James Keil bring a chaotic, high-octane energy that has made their live shows increasingly talked about on the grassroots circuit.
The story of the band has already become something of local legend. Monumental first came together after Nathan and Alfie spotted Finn busking in Southend High Street in September 2023. One rehearsal later, the chemistry was instant. Within months the band were writing a catalogue of anthemic indie tracks and earning attention across the Essex scene.
Now signed to A-Level Management in London and Los Angeles, Monumental head into summer 2026 with serious momentum behind them.
Their upcoming run of live dates includes appearances at Hanwell Hootie Festival, The Great Escape in Brighton, London’s iconic Dublin Castle, and a continuing residency at Teenage Kicks in Westcliff.
A spokesperson for the band’s management team said: “What Monumental have achieved in such a short space of time has been incredible to watch. They’ve got that rare mix of brilliant songs, personality and genuine live energy. People come away from their gigs talking about them, and that’s always the sign of a band going somewhere.”
With Eyes Wide Open leading the charge and a huge summer ahead, Monumental are quickly proving themselves to be one of the UK’s most exciting young guitar bands. Loud, ambitious and impossible to ignore. Watch this space.
MONUMENTAL – LIVE DATES 2026
- 9 May – Hanwell Hootie Festival, London
- 13–16 May – The Great Escape, Brighton
- 20 May – Dublin Castle, Camden
- 10 Jun – Teenage Kicks, Westcliff
- 13 Jun – Dust, Brighton
- 14 Jun – Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
- 19 Jun – Big 7 Scooter Rally, Ardingly
EP arriving July 2026
www.monumentalmusic.net