South Arcade Wants You to be The Bad Guy with New Single 'SUPERMAN'
- May 14
- 4 min read
Mindy Rafferty
May 14, 2026
There’s one band that has surprised us again and again. A UK, 2000s, Y2K, older brother music-core, four-member band known as South Arcade has blown us away once again with their newest single, 'SUPERMAN'. Harmony, Ollie, Cody, and Harry are a band that is making their mark on the music industry every day and are growing in popularity steadily.
The British pop-punk band was formed in 2021in the United Kingdom by lead singer Harmony Cavelle and guitarist Harry Winks. They were later joined by drummer Cody Jones and bassist Ollie Green. After their debut single, ‘Bigger Than Anything Ever’, their popularity continued to gradually increase.
After a few dates of accompanying 5 Seconds of Summer on the Europe leg of the “EVERYONE'S A STAR! World Tour”, South Arcade began teasing ‘SUPERMAN’ both on social media platforms and live in concert. They officially announced the release date of the new single alongside a short snippet via an Instagram reel on April 6th. A brand new music video to match followed with the new single, which they described as: “kinda giving 'don’t stop' vibes” (@southarcadeuk via X), referring to the iconic ‘Don’t Stop’ music video by 5 Seconds of Summer.
The music video for ‘SUPERMAN’ not only gives off 2000s, older brother-music core with the appropriate filters and aesthetic to match, we are also immersed in a story many can relate to. Don’t you ever wish you could talk back to rude customers? Wish that you could give the energy they give to you right back at them? That’s the story South Arcade tells in ‘SUPERMAN’s music video. The scene is set with Harmony rolling into her boring diner job. She fixes her name tag and ties her apron, alongside Ollie, Harry, and Cody. Four customers stroll in, and they’re anything but nice. They’re obnoxious, demanding; everything you don’t want in a customer. Harmony shows off a fake smile, despite absolutely raging on the inside. The scene cuts to your typical boxing ring and Harmony- or should we say “Super Harmony”- in a superhero-like costume, ready to fight and win it all against one of the four obnoxious customers. Surrounded by a screaming crowd, who also happened to be actual fans- which South Arcade invited via social media to appear in the video- Harmony won by a landslide. The video cuts to other scenes, such as Harmony sliding their boss across the bar table, and Ollie, Harry, and Cody dowsing him in various condiments. The video promptly ends with Harmony preparing to set the restaurant on fire, because why not?
It’s hard to play cool and be nice all the time. I mean, it can get tiring taking all the insults and keeping cool, attempting to stay responsible and trying to avoid a fight after a while. That is what ‘SUPERMAN’ is to me. Never been the first to act this way // But you’re getting on my nerves, what can I say? I think we’ve all experienced having that one person in our life who is always the first to pick a fight. You’ve always just accepted it and moved on. But, after a while, it can get on your nerves. It’s finally your time to pick a fight. It’s finally your turn to act this way; ‘Cause I’m about to break, so play cool // I’ll make a lesson right outta you; You wanna keep me outta // This state that I’m in. Bottling up all the anger this person gives you is torture; I gotta bottle it up or something? // But it’s too late, it’s no use. Being the nicest you can or being the mediator in a relationship almost feels like being a superhero from your classic DC or Marvel comic. You can save the relationship, or “save the world”, every time, but what if you don’t feel like it? What if just once, you want to fight back? Make your feelings clear? What if it’s your turn to be the bad guy?; ‘Cause I don’t wanna save the day even though I can // So give this little, red cape back to Superman; I’m feeling so mean // I don’t know what has gotten into me. South Arcade has made it clear: it’s your turn to be mean. It’s your turn to snap and pick a fight with that person in your life. Be the bad guy, you don’t have to always play Superman.
South Arcade continues to surprise us every day. They’re doing things in their own, unique fashion, and they are truly doing it like nobody else. From playing intimate venues, to opening up for one of the biggest bands in sold out arenas, South Arcade is making their mark on the music industry with their unique style and vibe. Don’t miss your chance to see South Arcade this summer playing idobi Radio’s Summer School, making their debut appearance at Vans Warped Tour in Orlando and Long Beach, multiple UK dates for our friends in the United Kingdom, and even playing their biggest headline show to date at the O2 Academy Brixton in London.
Get your tickets here!
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