Hitchin band Club Drive, who have been making their mark on festival main stages alongside the likes of Craig David and Little Mix, are coming home for a special show.

The ice-cool pop-rockers’ homecoming gig follows the release last month of their new single WDYD – What Do you Do? – which has picked up radio airplay both in the UK and overseas.

And Club Drive singer Aaron Trowbridge told the Comet that he, guitarist Tommy O’Malley and drummer Christian Murphy can’t wait to be back where it all began at Hitchin’s Club 85 on Friday, August 17.

“I played my first ever gig at Club 85 when I was 16 and many to follow thereafter, including some of Club Drive’s first ever gigs too,” said Aaron.

“We’ve decided to do this homecoming show as we’ve been away for the past few months working on our debut album in the studio – and in doing so and going through the motions of writing the new material, it gives you time to reflect and stand still for two seconds to take in all the things that have happened since starting the band.

“With our new single WDYD marking the start of a new era for Club Drive, it felt like the right time to start back where it all began and bring our new live show and brand-new music back to our old stomping ground.

“All of this is alongside a real surge in the music industry recognising the importance of grassroots music venues. Places like Club 85 and other venues in Herts, Beds and Bucks have been pivotal to the early success of Club Drive.

“We’ve been really fortunate to share the stage with some big names, play some really prestigious venues and some of the biggest festivals in the UK.

“It’s been a huge eye opener for us and the truth is that without the band we probably wouldn’t have got to see half the places we’ve seen or meet half of the people we’ve met – so the support of local people in the beginning helped project us onto that next platform, that seemed to snowball from there.

“The latest single WDYD is about just that – appreciating that if you want something you have to be prepared to go out and work for it. Nothing comes easy and you shouldn’t expect people to do something for you if you’re not prepared to do it yourself.”

• The show at Club 85 in Whinbush Road, featuring special guests, starts at 7.30pm on Friday, August 17. Tickets are £7 from juiceboxindie.com.