Legendary guitarist Dave Hill, founding lead guitarist of Slade, has released “Play It To The Crowd,” the first single from his eagerly anticipated debut solo album, Dirty Foot Lane, out 30th October. Inspired by the return of live music after the pandemic, the anthemic track celebrates the unique connection between artists and audiences, capturing the excitement, energy and emotion of stepping back on stage.
Watch the “Play It To The Crowd” video:
Written during the COVID-19 lockdowns, “Play It To The Crowd” reflects what Hill missed most while the world stood still—the shared energy between performers and their fans.
“I wanted to capture what I’d missed most during lockdown—the buzz of performing live and the connection between the band and the audience,” says Hill. “It’s a two-way process. I wanted the song to sound and feel like a live performance, as though you’ve just walked into a packed arena and—bang—the band starts playing. That excitement is something you can’t replace.“
The single was developed in collaboration with Hill’s long-time musical partner John Berry and producer, songwriter and musician Rob Childs, with contributions and final production and mastering by Django Holder. And of course Dave Hill on lead guitar.
The result is a powerful arena rock anthem, an uplifting track that recreates the anticipation and exhilaration of a concert night, complete with crowd ambience and handclaps that immerse listeners in the live experience. John takes the thunderous lead vocal, which he does on four of the album’s ten tracks, while Hill handles the lead vocal on the remaining six.
“Play It To The Crowd” introduces the musical scope of Dirty Foot Lane, an autobiographical collection of songs inspired by Hill’s remarkable journey from his working-class upbringing to international success. Blending hard rock, blues, folk and atmospheric textures, the album explores themes of ambition, family, resilience, mental health, gratitude and a lifelong passion for music.
Dirty Foot Lane marks an exciting new chapter in Hill’s extraordinary career, revealing an artist who remains as creative and passionate as ever after more than five decades at the forefront of British rock.
With “Play It To The Crowd,” Dave Hill delivers a heartfelt tribute to the performers and audiences who make live music such a powerful shared experience.
“Play It To The Crowd” is available now: https://JCPL.lnk.to/PlayItToTheCrowd
Dave Hill’s debut solo album Dirty Foot Lane is released on October 30th.
Pre-order/pre-save: https://linktr.ee/dirtyfootlane
