George Shelley begins a new chapter as he introduces his band LIGHTLINES and releases their debut single Wasted. George fronts the band, with Alex Pothecary on guitar and Will Jackson on drums and production. Focused on building a strong live presence, LIGHTLINES will expand to a five-piece setup for upcoming shows, adding bass and keyboards to their core trio.
Wasted introduces a heavier, more urgent sound than fans may expect. Blending alt-pop and rock, the track pairs sharp hooks with live instrumentation, exploring themes of identity, control, and emotional fallout. It marks a shift in sound for George, but one that’s rooted in authenticity. The single was written by George and produced by Will, with Alex on guitar and bass.
While the music is a new direction, George’s presence remains familiar. Known to many from his time in Union J, where he earned four Top 10 hits, as well as appearances on I’m A Celebrity… and The Capital Breakfast Show, his connection with fans continues to grow. LIGHTLINES builds on that connection, offering a new outlet for storytelling with a more personal edge.
George says, “I wrote ‘Wasted’ in the aftermath of a breakdown. It’s me reclaiming my power, my self-worth and setting boundaries. ‘Wasted’ is about saying no, taking back control of life and the release that comes with finally letting go. It’s a proper play on the word ‘Wasted’, what we waste our energy on, the things we do and the people we become under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the frustration towards controlling environments that stifle your creativity, diminish your identity and silence your voice. Basically, it’s about the cycle of wasting life by getting wasted when you’re in a bad place.”
George, Alex and Will have been working together for the past seven months. The project began when George met Alex while working in a coffee shop, where Alex was his manager. The two bonded over music, and Alex — who holds a master’s degree in composition — helped George shape a body of work from over 300 demos. Will joined soon after, following a chance meeting in another café. Since then, the three have developed a sound influenced by artists like Foo Fighters, Florence + The Machine, and Nothing But Thieves.
The band already has a catalogue of songs ready for release. Their upcoming material plays with contrast — mixing grunge-influenced textures with acoustic moments and strong melodic writing. They’ll perform their first live showcase this October, with limited tickets available for fans, and aim to appear on the festival circuit in 2025.
George is also using his background in design and content creation to support the band visually. LIGHTLINES are active across social media, sharing behind-the-scenes content, music clips, lyric videos, and podcast-style conversations about the project.
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