Appleton Announce New EP
Fresh from the huge success of their stand-out performance at London's Mighty Hoopla festival last weekend, Appleton return today with a new single 'Ready To Begin'.
Written by Natalie and Nicole alongside Shadowhands - producer of their 2002 UK No.2 hit 'Fantasy' - 'Ready To Begin' is an uplifting, guitar-driven anthem that captures the excitement, optimism and renewed creative energy that has defined the sisters' return to music.
Today the duo also announce the release of a brand new EP, 'Side By Side', which will be released Friday September 4th, marking the first new Appleton body of work in over two decades.
"Ready To Begin' perfectly sums up how we feel right now," says Natalie. "When we started writing together again there was no grand plan. We just wanted to have fun and see where it took us. Suddenly we found ourselves making new music, performing live again and remembering why we loved doing this in the first place."
The EP will be released on digital, CD and vinyl. Track listings below:
Ready To Begin
Falling Into You
Strange Kinda Paradise
Monster
Wichita Lineman (Live from BBC Radio 2 Piano Room) – Digital Exclusive
Nicole says: "The reaction to 'Falling Into You' and our first Appleton show in over twenty years has been incredible. We feel so grateful that people still connect with these songs and are excited about what we're doing now. This EP feels like the natural next chapter."
After reissuing their cult-classic 2003 album 'Everything's Eventual' on vinyl, this January Appleton returned with 'Falling Into You' — their first new music as a duo in 23 years. The track was A-listed at BBC Radio 2, with the band performing it on their Piano Rooms with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Their Mighty Hoopla comeback last weekend was a total triumph. Midway through the set, the sisters stunned the crowd by bringing out former Sugababes star Heidi Range for surprise performances of 'Round Round' and 'Pure Shores' — a joyous crossover between two of British pop's most beloved groups that rapidly became one of the festival's most talked-about and widely shared viral moments.
While nostalgia may have sparked the reunion, 'Side By Side' is firmly focused on the present. Across four original tracks, the EP blends the melodic pop songwriting and distinctive harmonies that made Appleton favourites first time around with a fresh, contemporary sound that reflects where Natalie and Nicole are today. For both sisters, the project has been a reminder of the unique creative bond they've always shared.
"We've always had a special connection when we sing together" says Nicole. "Making these songs reminded us of that. It never feels forced — it just feels natural."
More than twenty years after they first burst into the charts, Appleton aren't looking backwards. They're simply enjoying making music together again — side by side.
SUMMER 2026 LIVE DATES
31 May – Mighty Hoopla, London
3 July – Lytham Festival, Lytham (with Michael Bublé)
4 July – Blenheim Palace, Woodstock (with Michael Bublé)
6 July –Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Scarborough (with Michael Bublé) 22 August – Darley Park Weekender, Derby (with JLS)
28 August – Colchester Castle Summer Series, Colchester (with JLS)
