Beans on Toast has just released a track called The Golden Lion from his upcoming studio album The Toothpaste and The Tube, due for release on December 1st. I’m sure you don’t want to start thinking about Christmas during this late summer heatwave but this could be the perfect present for some lucky soul on your list.
The first thing that strikes you about The Golden Lion is just how wordy it is. Admittedly that is an identifiably Beans’ characteristic, as he is prone to stuffing his protest numbers with facts galore. This song is a tender paean to the pub of the same name, located in the Yorkshire / Lancashire border town of Todmorden. That Beans has developed quite a passion for the Calder Valley inn and for its residents past and present is evident in the rush of words tumbling over themselves – almost as if his excitement for the place can’t be contained. By all accounts, Beans visited the town and played at the famed Golden Lion pub, presided over by the indomitable manager Gig “the Lion’s beating heart”, who has encouraged the pub to become a vibrant live music venue.
As he says, “The characters in the “The Golden Lion” are real people, as is the bizarre history of the town that the song alludes to. I played a show at the pub last year and was so inspired by the town, the pub and its people that I couldn’t help but write a folk song about it. As with the town, the song is quintessentially English, mysterious and boozy.” But it’s not just about The Golden Lion, it could be talking about pubs throughout the land, a plea to treasure them and what they represent, bringing local community together.
Upcoming album The Toothpaste and The Tube hits home. Cult folk artist Beans takes centre stage, delivering unfiltered takes on the environment’s dire straits, the UK political landscape, the ominous rhythm of war drums, and the impending AI revolution. But don’t let the weighty topics fool you – this album also delves into the lighter side of life, with reflections on parenthood, whimsical creatures, and the sheer bliss of a sea dip.
Anyone who pre-orders the album will get early access to tickets for Beans’ extensive UK tour, all of which will be on general sale from Friday 8th September. The full list of tour dates are below.
Beans on Toast tour dates
NOVEMBER
22 TUNBRIDGE WELLS – The Forum
23 GUILDFORD – The Boileroom
24 BEDFORD – Esquires
25 STOWMARKET – The John Peel Centre
26 DERBY – Annie’s Burger Shack
28 SCUNTHORPE – Cafe Indie
29 POCKLINGTON – Arts Centre
30 BLACKPOOL – Bootleg Social
DECEMBER
01 ** Album Launch Show ** - TODMORDEN – The Golden Lion
02 MOSSLEY – The Vale
03 SHREWSBURY – Albert’s Shed
05 WORCESTER – St Swithuns Church
06 OXFORD – The Jericho Tavern
07 CARDIFF – The Globe
08 WESTON-S-MARE – Electric Banana
09 BIDEFORD – The Palladium
12 TRURO – The Old Bakery
13 TOTNES – The Barrel House Ballroom
14 BRIDPORT – The Electric Palace
15 ISLE OF WIGHT – Strings Bar & Venue
FEBRUARY
21 NEWCASTLE – Cluny
22 GLASGOW – Stereo
23 EDINBURGH – La Belle Angele
24 MANCHESTER – Band on the Wall
25 NOTTINGHAM – Rescue Rooms
27 SHEFFIELD – The Leadmill
28 LINCOLN – The Drill
29 BIRMINGHAM – Hare & Hounds
MARCH
01 LEEDS – Brudenell Social Club
02 BRISTOL – Thekla
03 EXETER – Phoenix
05 READING – Facebar
06 BRIGHTON – Chalk
07 PORTSMOUTH – The Wedgewood Rooms
08 MARGATE – Olbys
09 LONDON – The Garage
Beans on Toast The Golden Lion out now, album release December 1
Website Beans on Toast