There is something rather special about discovering an emerging band just as they begin to find their feet — before the venues get bigger, the crowds get larger and the songs become familiar to thousands of people.
For Southampton-based duo Millichamp, that journey is already gathering pace.
Formed in 2025, Millichamp brings together lead singer and songwriter Tom Millichamp and drummer Connor Osgood, two musicians who have spent much of their lives dreaming about playing stages around the world. Now, that dream is beginning to become a reality.
And what makes their story particularly interesting is the way they are building it.
Two musicians, one band and a very DIY approach
Rather than going it alone in what they describe as a brutal music industry, Tom and Connor decided to form a band — combining their experience, creativity and different influences to create something together.
Between them, they have decades of songwriting, touring and playing experience. That has given Millichamp the confidence to take a genuinely hands-on approach to almost every aspect of the band.
From writing and recording music to social media, touring and bookings, much of Millichamp is managed by the two of them.
Naturally, when two people are responsible for virtually everything, there are going to be disagreements along the way. But the pair have a simple way of bringing things back into focus:
What’s best for the band?
And increasingly, there is another question at the heart of their decisions:
What’s best for the fans?
That fan-first mentality runs through much of what Millichamp are creating — from their music and live shows to their approach to touring and even the merchandise they produce.
It is a wonderfully human approach to making music in an increasingly digital world.
A lifetime of music in the making
Both Tom and Connor began learning their instruments when they were around six years old. For them, music has therefore never really been something that suddenly appeared in adulthood — it has been part of their lives for as long as they can remember.
Growing up on the south coast of England, they also developed a strong connection to the unique atmosphere of the region.
There is a certain calmness to the seaside mindset, and hometown shows hold a particular significance. But while Southampton remains home, the pair are discovering that their happiest place may actually be somewhere rather further away:
out on the road.
Travelling to new cities, meeting new people and sharing their music with audiences they have never met before is becoming an increasingly important part of the Millichamp experience.
And, as they put it, the fact that some of those people actually like their music is “soooo cool”.
We rather love that attitude.
Where indie meets pop
Musically, Millichamp sit within the indie-pop world, drawing inspiration from a broad mix of mainstream and alternative artists.
Their influences include Sam Fender, Harry Styles and Paolo Nutini, among others — a combination that gives plenty of room for experimentation.
The result is a songwriting process where almost anything can happen.
A song might begin in one direction and suddenly take an unexpected turn, creating something quite different from what was originally imagined. Rather than resisting that unpredictability, Tom and Connor embrace it.
And that sense of freedom extends beyond the songs themselves.
Their influences can be felt in decisions about where they tour, how they construct their live show, what merchandise they create and even how their visual content comes together.
At the heart of it all is an idea they describe as “by the people, for the people” — a philosophy they believe is particularly important in live music.
From Southampton to Europe
For a band formed in 2025, Millichamp have already been building valuable experience on stages across the UK and Europe.
This autumn, the Southampton indie-pop duo joined singer-songwriter Ben Ellis on his Time Slows On Tour 2026, performing across a run of European and UK dates. From Cologne and Hamburg to Bristol and London, the tour gave Tom Millichamp and Connor Osgood the opportunity to introduce their music to new audiences and continue developing their live sound.
For an independent band building its own path in the music industry, every show is another opportunity to connect with listeners, learn from the road and grow an audience beyond its hometown.
A new single with a personal story: “This Kind Of Love”
Released on 8 October 2026, This Kind Of Love marked another important step for Millichamp.
Beneath its indie-pop sound lies a deeply personal theme: friendship, loyalty and the importance of having someone beside you when life becomes difficult. The song reflects the impact of a friend who offered support when Tom was close to giving up, despite facing challenges of their own.
It is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful songs come from the people who show up for us when we need them most.
Coming home: Millichamp headline The Joiners
On Thursday 22 October 2026, Millichamp reached a significant milestone with their first UK headline show at The Joiners in Southampton.
For Tom and Connor, bringing their music to a headline audience in their home city made the occasion particularly meaningful. The Joiners has long been an important part of Southampton's independent music scene, making it a fitting venue for a band determined to build its future on its own terms.
The show marked a new chapter for the duo: an opportunity to step into the spotlight under their own name, following their recent touring experiences and the release of This Kind Of Love.
For emerging artists, milestones like this are about more than a single night. They represent the work behind the scenes, the people who have supported the journey and the determination to keep moving forward.
Independent spirit, growing momentum
Millichamp's approach remains refreshingly hands-on. From songwriting and recording to bookings, touring and connecting with fans, Tom and Connor have embraced the realities of building a band independently.
Their progress has also begun to attract radio attention. This Kind Of Love has received airplay on local radio stations, including BBC Radio Solent's BBC Introducing programme, and was subsequently broadcast by BBC Radio Oxford's BBC Introducing programme. The band has also attracted interest from the BBC Radio 1 Introducing team.
These are encouraging steps for a young independent act working to reach audiences beyond the South Coast. While the next chapter is still unfolding, the combination of new music, live experience and growing radio exposure gives Millichamp plenty to build on.
From Southampton to stages across the UK and Europe, their story is a reminder that an independent spirit, a shared vision and a commitment to the music can take a band a long way.
Follow Millichamp on their Official Website, Instagram and listen to This Kind Of Love on Spotify to keep up with their journey.
We look forward to seeing where they go next.
Collection: The Art of Digital Presence
