Banners

Michael Joseph Nelson, known by his stage name Banners, is an English musician who originated from Liverpool. His early musical experiences included singing in the Liverpool Cathedral Choir, where he performed across Europe. This early exposure to music laid the foundation for his solo career. In 2015, Nelson moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a turning point where he connected with producer Stephen Kozmeniuk to refine his sound. He initially released music under the name Raines, with his debut single “Ghosts” in March 2015. Later that year, in August 2015, he adopted the moniker Banners and released “Shine a Light,” which achieved commercial success, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Canada Rock chart and number 71 on the Canadian Hot 100.

Banners continued to build his career through strategic releases and performances. In December 2015, Spotify recognized him as one of 15 artists to watch in 2016, highlighting his emerging talent. He signed with Island Records in 2016 and released his self-titled debut EP in January of the same year, which charted at number 67 on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart. His television debut occurred in January 2016, performing “Shine a Light” on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. He embarked on his first U.S. tour from February to March 2016, supporting acts like POP ETC and The Moth & The Flame. Significant festival appearances followed, including the WayHome Music & Arts Festival and Lollapalooza in July 2016. His 2017 single “Someone to You” gained renewed popularity in 2020 through a TikTok trend, leading to certifications including Platinum in Australia, Belgium, Canada, and the Netherlands, and 2x Platinum in the US by the RIAA. This track was also used in the Netflix series “Love is Blind: Japan” and the main trailer for the Apple TV+ animated film “Luck.”

His career progression has included the release of multiple EPs, such as “Empires on Fire” in 2017 and “Always Yours” in 2020. His debut studio album, “Where the Shadow Ends,” was released in 2019 and was followed by a North American headline tour. His songs have been featured extensively in popular culture, appearing in TV series like “Suits,” “Teen Wolf,” “Lucifer,” “The Good Doctor,” “Ginny & Georgia,” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” as well as films such as “The Space Between Us,” “Beautiful Boy,” and “After.” He also performed his song “Someone to You” on American Idol in 2018. His 2023 EP, “I Wish I Was Flawless, I’m Not,” earned a Juno Award nomination for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year at the 2024 Juno Awards, further solidifying his position in the music industry. His upcoming album, “All Back to Mine,” is set for an April 2024 release.