Windmill scene: History and Key Facts

The Windmill scene (also known as the Speedy scene) is a musical scene that originated around the Windmill pub in Brixton, London, during the late 2010s and early 2020s.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team•Updated September 30, 2026•2 min read•✓ Fact-checked

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The Windmill scene (also known as the Speedy scene) is a musical scene that originated around the Windmill pub in Brixton, London, during the late 2010s and early 2020s. The term is usually identified with a blend of experimental rock and post-punk, featuring erratic, spoken vocals as well as inspiration from genres such as progressive rock and post-rock. A key figure on the scene's formation is producer Dan Carey, who signed many Windmill bands to his record label, Speedy Wunderground, which has also given it the name Speedy scene. The term "Windmill indie" has been used synonymously with "post-Brexit new wave" and "crank wave".

Among the bands described as being part of the scene are Black Midi, Black Country, New Road, Squid, Shame, Maruja, the Last Dinner Party, Fat White Family, Heartworms, Goat Girl, PVA and occasionally, Fontaines D.C.

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