Razorlight releases new documentary on the making of Up All Night after O2 Academy Brixton premiere

Razorlight, the British indie rock band known for their influential debut album Up All Night, has released a new documentary titled Surviving Up All Night: The Making of Razorlight’s Debut Album. The film, which examines the turbulent creation of the 2004 album, premiered at a sold-out show at the O2 Academy Brixton, marking the end of a successful year following their latest album Planet Nowhere.

The documentary provides an in-depth look at the early days of Razorlight, focusing on the period when frontman Johnny Borrell was forming the band. It explores how Borrell’s vision, influenced by iconic acts such as The Stooges and The Velvet Underground, attracted like-minded musicians, preparing them for their rapid rise in the music industry. However, the process was fraught with challenges, including severe financial pressures after the band spent £40,000 of their budget before recording had even begun.

These challenges were compounded by a series of misfortunes during the recording process, including a studio being struck by lightning, lost recordings and unexpected changes in location. The documentary also touches on internal conflicts within the band during this high-pressure time.

Despite these obstacles, Up All Night was a commercial success, selling over 1.2 million copies in the UK alone and featuring hit singles such as Somewhere Else, Golden Touch and Rip It Up. The album’s success established Razorlight as key figures in the indie music scene of the early 2000s.

In the documentary, Borrell shares a personal anecdote about the serendipitous creation of the Golden Touch hook, which he conceived just moments before an incoming phone call. He reflects on the pivotal nature of this moment, suggesting that the band’s entire trajectory might have been different had the call come seconds earlier.

Borrell also expresses the personal stakes involved in the album’s success, stating, “I never thought the album was going to kill me or anything, but if it hadn’t worked out then I think it would have killed music for me.”

Looking ahead, Razorlight plans to continue their musical endeavours into 2025 with confirmed performances at major events including a show with Kaiser Chiefs at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds on 31^st May and headlining The Brit Fest in Altrincham on 4^th July.

The release of Surviving Up All Night not only offers fans a glimpse into the band’s formative years but also underscores the resilience and creativity that define Razorlight’s ongoing legacy in the music industry.

The editorial unit

Surviving Up All Night: The Making of Razorlight’s Debut Album is released on 23^rd December 2024.

Watch Surviving Up All Night: The Making of Razorlight’s Debut Album here: