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There’s no stopping JOANovARC. Riding high on the success of their recent EP, Escape The Fire, which delivered a run of singles championed by Kerrang! Radio and Planet Rock, alongside an extensive touring schedule, the unrelenting hard rockers continue their charge into 2026. Following last year’s singles, You Don’t Know and Hey Sister, the band return with their hugely engulfing new single, Mechanical Overlords, out now. Connect with the band; below:
What are the origins of the band? How long have you been playing together?
The band formed in 2011 by sisters Shelley and Sam Walker. We were heavily influenced by our musical family and grew up next to Knebworth Park, where we heard Metallica from in our back garden and attended many iconic concerts, including the famous Oasis concert in the 90’s. The band has evolved over the years with various members and sounds. We have recently just welcomed our new bass player, Immy!
2026 Line Up
Emma Hodgson – Vocals / Rhythm Guitar
Shelley Walker – Lead Guitar
Chloe Whitworth – Drums
Immy Cliff – Bass Guitar
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe JOANovARC?
We are strong, fierce, and passionate. We focus on connection, emotion, and empowerment, which we demonstrate through our songwriting and live shows.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Exciting, fun, nerve-racking! But we have a natural chemistry and gel, we recover and support each other, and mostly really enjoy it and have a laugh!
What are you working on at the moment that people can check out?
Our latest release, Mechanical Overlords, is out now. We have just started our 2026 headline tour, starting in London. Next Month we will also be back in the studio to record the album.
21ST MARCH – GIFFARD ARMS, WOLVERHAMPTON
28TH MARCH- AATMA, MANCHESTER
29TH MARCH – SIX SIX CAMBRIDGE
3RD MAY – THE PIPELINE, BRIGHTON
16TH MAY – JUST PUSH PLAY, BURY ST EDMUNDS
20TH JUNE – CORPORATION, SHEFFIELD
26TH JUNE – N FEST – CAMBRIDGESHIRE
12TH SEPTEMBER – DESTINATION FORGE SHEFFIELD
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the moment do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
We would love the opportunity to support any hard-working band, Sophie Lloyd, Lesbian Bed Death, or Fury, to name a few
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Planet Fatale as they are an extremely talented band with a dynamic vocalist and deserve the recognition.
What frustrates you about the music business?
The lack of funding and support in live music venues, making it sometimes unaffordable to play shows, or at our own cost, also that the royalties have become so low from streaming and social platforms that we can’t reinvest more money into making new music and touring, we rely solely on merchandise, tickets, and our own pockets!
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say, “I want to do that”?
Emma – picking up my dad’s guitars and listening to his records of Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones, this inspired me to want to play guitar. When I later listened to Evanescence for the first time, this made me want to sing! I never had the confidence until I saw fellow friends, Hollowstar, start performing, and I knew I just had to do it too!
Immy – I remember my first harp lesson when I was 4. I also remember sitting in front of the TV, glued to the Kerrang! channel, completely mesmerised by music videos – especially Tenacious D’s Tribute.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Emma – Destination Forge Festival
Immy – Southern River Band
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
We are passionate about empowering women and giving them a platform to perform their music to a live audience. We would like to see more female-fronted bands perform at major festivals.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Emma – I do love a bit of Abba and some classic Motown!
Everybody is a fan of something. Who or what are you a fan of?
Chloe – Foo Fighters, Muse, Halestorm, QOTSA, Sleep Token
Immy – Rush, Iron Maiden, Opeth
Shelley – Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Muse.
Emma – Halestorm, Muse, Shinedown.
What new music have you enjoyed so far this year?
Really enjoying the new music from Florence Black right now, those guys have worked incredibly hard and are absolutely smashing it!
What does 2026 hold for JOANovARC?
Touring and back in the studio, new shows, new festivals, new music!
Where can people connect with you on social media?
https://www.instagram.com/joanovarc/
https://www.tiktok.com/@joanovarc1
https://www.patreon.com/Joanovarc
https://www.facebook.com/JOANovARCofficial
📸 Leanne Walker
