The Real Tuesday Weld are a British band, founded in 1999 by lead singer and producer Stephen Coates, who studied at the Royal College of Art. They have released several albums, many singles and EPs, and many tracks on compilations. Their combination of big-band jazz era sounds with electronica and vintage-style animations has been influential on the current range of electro swing artists and DJs. Their live shows are usually accompanied by visuals in the form of bespoke films and animations.
The band is named after American film actress Tuesday Weld. Coates once had a dream involving Weld and 1930s vocalist Al Bowlly and cites it as inspiration for the band's particular style. A German alt-country band by the name of Tuesday Weld that released an album called Starscene 98 on Glitterhouse Records is not related.
Coates lives in Clerkenwell, London. "The Clerkenwell Kid" is often cited as the band's producer/re-mixer but is an alter ego for Coates himself. The 2009 album, The Clerkenwell Kid: Live at the End of the World is an imaginary live recording of a concert on the "eve of the apocalypse". The Clerkenwell Kid is also the main character in a London-based mythology that Coates has developed around his love of the city's history and stories.
In early 2021 Coates announced on the band's website that the Real Tuesday Weld would be winding up "in the next year or so" after the release of three final albums – Blood (released in May 2021), Dreams and Bone.