The indie music world is in mourning after The Ultra Violets announced the sudden death of their drummer, Tyler Harris.
The news comes just weeks after the band wowed fans at the Isle of Wight Festival, leaving the group and their supporters reeling from this heartbreaking loss.
Heartbreaking Announcement
The four-piece band—comprising vocalists Perran Nicholls and Marc Willoughby, bassist Adam Knucky, and drummer Tyler Harris—shared the sad news on Instagram. In their statement, they wrote:
“This is something we never thought we’d have to write.
But our beloved Tyler, a son, a brother, an uncle, a partner, our friend and our heartbeat, has tragically passed away.
We hope you can respect our privacy at this difficult time; we will be taking some time out to process this. Tyler, we love you with all our hearts—play that kit loud up there, won’t you?”
The message was signed with three broken heart emojis and the names of the surviving members: Perran, Marc, and Adam.
Celebrating Tyler’s Life
Alongside their announcement, the band shared photos capturing Tyler smiling backstage and in the studio, captioning the post simply: “Heartbroken.”
As messages of sympathy and love poured in from fans, The Ultra Violets posted another note expressing gratitude:
“Thank you all for the love and support. It’s been the hardest few days ever! Tyler wouldn’t believe how much love he’s got right now—a love I wish he was here to see.
He really was the kindest and funniest soul around. Thanks again, everyone. Keep sharing his memory.”
They closed the message with black heart emojis, honoring Tyler’s spirit and the impact he had on everyone around him.
From Cornwall to the Festival Stage
Hailing from the scenic shores of Cornwall, The Ultra Violets have steadily carved out a name in the UK indie scene with their heartfelt lyrics and energetic performances.
Their debut single, Romance, released in April 2021 and mixed by producer Dave Sanderson (known for work with Reverend & The Makers), explored love between two people and earned airplay on Radio X and Amazing Radio.
They followed up with Watergate Bay in October 2021—a track described by RGM Mag as “definitely a crowd pleaser”.
The praise was echoed when the band performed alongside McFly, with a 6,000-strong crowd singing along.
Rising Through the Ranks
Over the years, The Ultra Violets supported indie stalwarts The Pigeon Detectives and Space, and graced the stages of major UK festivals including Boardmasters, Leopallooza, and the Isle of Wight Festival.
Tyler’s energy and passion behind the drums were central to the band’s live performances and growing fanbase.
What’s Next for The Ultra Violets
In the wake of Tyler’s passing, the band has announced they will be taking some time away from the spotlight to grieve and process their loss.
Fans continue to pay tribute online, sharing memories of Tyler and celebrating the music that brought them all together.
