Fort Hope

Formation and initial EP releases (2013)

The band consists of three former members of the electronic rock band My Passion: Jonathan Gaskin, Simon Rowlands and Jamie Nicholls. They announced Fort Hope on 13 January 2013 with the release of their first song titled 'Control'.^[1] The song was aired on BBC Radio the following month,^[2] and in April the band completed their first ever UK tour supporting Fearless Vampire Killers throughout April in the UK.^[3]

The band’s first release came later that year with their debut EP 'The Future's in Our Hearts', which was made available as a free download after being streamed online in June. "Control" was issued as the EP’s official single, accompanied by the band’s first music video.^[4][5] In November they released their second EP titled 'Choices'.^[6][7]

Tours and releases (2013-2015)

Fort Hope began to build momentum on the UK live circuit in 2013, performing a series of early support slots. In May 2013, the band supported We Are the In Crowd and Never Shout Never in London.^[8] They also supported Andrew McMahon during his UK tour, including his show at Birmingham’s Glee Club on 20 May 2013^[9] and a performance at London’s Union Chapel on 23 May 2013.^[10] The band additionally appeared at KOKO, Camden, in June 2013, supporting Jimmy Eat World.^[11][12] Later that year, the band opened up for We Are The Ocean and The Maine on their joint co-headline tour in November. ^[13]

In January 2014 Fort Hope embarked on a UK tour along with Max Raptor, making it their first tour as a headliner and they were also announced to be part of the LAB Records roster and would be releasing their debut mini album titled 'Courage' on 11 May.^[14][15] To promote the release the band released an official music video for the song 'The Rapture'.^[16] Alongside their headline activity, the band continued to secure support slots throughout the year. They performed with Ghost Town in London on 4 June 2014,^[17] and later supported Anberlin at the Electric Ballroom on 14 August 2014.^[18]

In July the band released their music video for the song 'New Life' and a month later the band performed at Sonisphere Festival.^[19][20] The band also supported rock band Mallory Knox in the UK throughout November along with Frank Iero and Moose Blood.^[21][22]

On 7 November the band released their second single titled 'Plans' in promotion of their third EP release named after the band which was released on 8 February 2015.^[23] They also released 'Sick' as the second single to promote the EP and released a music video for 'Plans' two days prior to the EPs release.^[24]

In 2015, the band continued touring, including a return to KOKO, Camden, supporting Finch on 2 June 2015.^[25] Their festival profile also grew, with a performance at Reading Festival,^[26] and they were later included in Soundboard Reviews’ list of “10 New Acts To See At Reading & Leeds 2015”.^[27]

Fort Hope also received continued support from BBC Radio 1 and were nominated for "Best British Newcomer" at the 2015 Kerrang! Awards, alongside Royal Blood, Moose Blood, As It Is and Ashestoangels.^[28] During the summer, the band performed on the Fresh Blood stage at Slam Dunk Festival,^[29] and appeared at 2000 Trees Festival^[30] and T in the Park.

2016–2018

In 2016, Fort Hope signed with Virgin EMI.^[31] During this period, the band released several EPs, including Manne of Lawe in April 2016^[32] and Armure in December 2016.^[33] The band also released their debut studio album, The Flood Flowers (Vol. 1), on 16 June 2017.^[34].

Tour Dates

On Saturday 30 April 2016 the band supported American post-hardcore band Saosin at O2 Academy Islington. ^{[35] [36]} Fort Hope also appeared at Download Festival on 20 June 2016, where they were featured among the notable up‑and‑coming bands of the year.^[37] To promote the release of their forthcoming Armure EP, the band embarked on a seven date UK tour with support from Tigress and Ashes to Angels.^[38] The tour concluded with a headline show at The Underworld in Camden on October 29th. ^[39]

Throughout 2016 and 2017, the band toured extensively across the UK, performing headline dates and festival appearances. This included a return to Slam Dunk Festival, opening the event across all three dates.^[40] The band also toured with acts such as Area 11 and Ryan Hamilton and the Traitors.^[41][42] Fort Hope parted ways with Virgin EMI in 2018. Following this period, the band reduced their public activity and focused on songwriting and studio work, a period that coincided with the wider disruption to live music during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Return and new releases (2022-present)

Fort Hope resumed activity in September 2022, announcing a series of live dates supporting LostAlone in December of that year.^[43] In August 2023, the band confirmed that Peter Oliver, a long-time collaborator, had joined as a full member. They subsequently released the single "Powers" in September 2023, followed by "Sandbags". In March 2024, Fort Hope released the EP Palaces Palaces.^[44] Around this period, the band returned to live performance, undertaking a UK tour and performing headline shows, including dates in London.^[45][46] In December 2025, Fort Hope toured as special guests on Call Me Amour’s UK headline tour, appearing alongside additional support acts including Royals.^[47]

The band returned to the studio in 2026 to write and record further material.

Current

• Jon Gaskin – vocals, guitar, piano (2013–present)
• Jamie Nicholls – drums (2013–present)
• Simon Rowlands – bass guitar (2013–present)
• Peter Oliver – guitar (2015–present)

Unofficial members

• Matthew Whelan – guitar (2014–2015)

Previous members

• Ande D'Mello – guitar (2013–2015)

Albums

Mini-albums

EPs

Singles

Music videos