A new voice from Luton is heading into 2026 with newfound momentum after The Looted Youth unveiled a Christmas Day demo that has already found its way onto BBC Radio before its official release.
The Looted Youth, the moniker of singer-songwriter Ben Thomson, has teamed up with hometown label Vandalism Begins at Home Records for the release of ‘Win The Day’, which lands today. The track marks a turning point for an artist who has quietly built a following, balancing music with his day job as a barber while writing songs that circle themes of change and self-reflection.
The speed at which ‘Win The Day’ came together only adds to the story. What began as a hungover riff after a weekend reunion with family quickly became a song that caught the ear of BBC Introducing.
Thomson said: “I’ve been writing songs and performing live sporadically over the last five years. And I went to meet my brother, who’d been living in Canada for two years, in the Celtic Club in town. We drank a lot of Guinness.
“I woke up with a sore head on the Monday, and just come up with the riff and the some of the lyrics for that song, ‘Win The Day’.
“So, I cancelled half of my haircuts on the Monday morning and wrote that song instead. As soon as I wrote that song, I just knew that it had something about it. It was quite catchy.
“I recorded it in the garage on Wednesday, loaded it to BBC introducing on the Thursday morning and they played it on their new music show on Thursday night.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever been on the radio, so I was vibrating for about 10 minutes when I found out.
“I’ve sent in music to the BBC with a band I was in back in the day, called Hot Mess, but nothing really came with that.
“My family and friends who’ve seen me and supported me all this time, they were buzzing. They’ve been saying that they feel like I’ve found my voice of it now.
“Even my missus and my little boy, have been singing the line, ‘I can’t make the change’, which is pretty funny.
“I’m always singing about changing. All the time. But I never seem to. Now I think I’m locking in, even just with little things like having the time to being able to make pursue music, changing bad habits with eating, drinking, smoking, stuff like that.
“I’ve had a lot of change in my work life this year with having to shut The Barber Club. I’m always thinking about change, so I feel like 2026 is going to be a year of change.”
That sense of transition has been sharpened by a turbulent year away from the stage. Earlier in 2025, Thomson closed his Hightown shop, The Barber Club and the adjacent community artist hub The Lower Level, after the landlord proposed a 43 per cent rent increase.
He has since moved into a purpose-built home studio and says he is busier than ever, while also freeing up headspace to refocus on music.
The partnership with Vandalism Begins at Home Records, announced today, formalises a relationship that has been building for years through live shows and sessions (which you can watch below), including a standout solo performance at The Castle during Independent Venue Week in January this year.
“Now I’m now Vandal,” he said, adding: “It feels good because we’ve known each other for years. I’ve played a few gigs for them, recorded a live session and they’ve always been very positive and supportive about my music.
“They’ve championed local artists for years and Ben and James from the label are from the town like me, so it makes sense, like a marriage made in Luton.”
From the label’s side, the excitement is mutual. VB@H co-conspirator James Cunliffe said the release felt like the right moment to back an artist they have long believed in.
“Ben’s songs have always cut straight through. I’ve seen him hold a whole room in the palm of his hands just with a guitar and his voice. The connection his songs make to people is undeniable,” he said.
“‘Win The Day’ arrived fully formed and honest, and I think people will feel its authenticity. Ben’s a real talent and we’re buzzing to be working with The Looted Youth properly now to help get these songs heard.”
Those recordings are set to begin in the new year, with Thomson planning to lay down his first proper batch of studio tracks for release through the label during what he hopes will be a transformative 2026.
As a small nod to the night in January this year when The Looted Youth hold a room spellbound with his magnetic songs, Vandalism Begins at Home will host a night as part of the 2006 edition of Independent Venue Week at The Castle on January 29, headlined by BIG TROUSERS, with support from hometown heroes SOURDOUGH and Fierce Fierce Tigers. Tickets are now available.
‘Win The Day’ is out today on all good streaming sites, via Vandalism Begins at Home Records.
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