
Episode 61 - Russ Festival Friend - Plan B, The Defamation of Strickland Banks
“THIS Album…” with William HannShow Notes
Welcome back to This Album With William Hann.
In this episode, I’m joined by festival content creator Ross (aka Russ Festival Friend) to explore one of the most underrated UK albums of the 2010s: The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B.
From chart-topping singles like She Said, Stay Too Long, and Prayin’, to the album’s powerful concept storytelling, we break down why this record still hits just as hard today. What we cover in this episode: Why Plan B’s genre switch shocked the music worldThe story behind the Strickland Banks concept albumRoss’s first time hearing Plan B and why it stuckThe BEST (and worst ) moments on the album
How the album holds up over 15 years later Festival culture, content creation & growing a social media following Ross’s journey to becoming “the festival guy”
About our guest – Festival Friend RossRoss is a UK-based content creator known for his festival tips, predictions, and behind-the-scenes content, especially around Reading & Leeds Festival.From TikTok growth to DJ sets and festival meetups, we dive into how he built his platform and what festival season really looks like. Why this album mattersReleased in 2010, The Defamation of Strickland Banks:Hit #1 on the UK Albums ChartWon Best Male Artist at the BRIT AwardsMarked a bold reinvention for Plan B Became one of the UK’s most unique soul/hip-hop crossover albumsJoin the conversation What’s your favourite track from this album? Do you think it’s underrated?
Drop your thoughts in the comments Don’t forget to:LikeCommentSubscribe for more album deep divesFollow Ross (Festival Friend):TikTok / Instagram / YouTube – Festival Friend(Festival tips, lineup predictions, and more )
About the podcastThis Album With William Hann is where music fans and special guests break down albums that matter – from personal favourites to cultural classics.
#PlanB #StricklandBanks #AlbumReview #MusicPodcast #UKMusic #FestivalCulture #ReadingFestival #MusicDiscussion #HipHop #SoulMusic #FestivalFriend #PodcastClips
More from “THIS Album…” with William Hann
For episode 104 I'm joined by one of the biggest guitar bands of this generation, it's The Snuts!
For episode 103, I'm joined by Radio royalty. From Absolute Radio, it's Ben Burell!
"The very first “post-surf” band. This London four-piece (extended to five on stage) was formed in 2021 when Connie came to London from France and met Archie (bass) from Worcester and Steve (guitar) from York. They blended their influences so seamlessly that they had to invent an actual genre to describe their sound. “Post-surf” is a pun to the “post-punk” dominion over the London scene of the past decade, alluding to the twist operated by these boys: post-modern themes in their lyrics and reflections on the chaos of modern life, but the warm and soothing sun of 60s California on the surface, embodied by their trademark four-part harmonies, surf guitars, and inexplicably strange chords. Their first album, a series of haunting ballads expunged in an effort to shave down their growing catalog, was released in 2025. “Poorly Planned Missions… Executed Worse” features ten tracks dripping with the band’s sonic identity and commitment to writing a song that sounds like it could never be written twice. Having opened for acts like The Big Pink and The Molotovs, they are gearing up for the release of the much louder follow-up to their debut, a cinematic whirlpool of indie bangers, introduced by their brand new single ‘Neverknows’.”
For episode 101 I’m joined by a modern pop phenomenon - it’s Maddie Zahm!
For episode 100 I'm joined I'm joined by a massive guest, from the actual, literal, bloody Maccabees.... it's Orlando Weeks!