Macclesfield rock band The Virginmarys have announced new music, but also that a member is leaving the band.

Ross Massey, who has been the band's bassist since 2017, will be leaving the band.

The globe-trotting Macc musicians formed as a two-piece, but expanded their line-up by adding Ross Massey in 2017.

However, it has been announced that their bassist will be leaving the band.

The Virginmarys are vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Ally Dickaty, along with drummer Danny Dolan.

They haven't released an album in three years, but have hinted that new tunes are on the way, with the announcement of their departing member.

"Brothers and sisters, thank you all so much for your patience on what has obviously been the most difficult year ever," the band said in a statement.

"Despite all the challenges over the past 14 months, we have decided its the right time for a fresh start and new phase of the band.

"We're going to move forward with a vengeance, and completely smash it exclusively as a 2-piece, with plans for brand new music to be delivered later this year.

"We are hugely excited about this decision, and though perhaps a little scary first off, we're really going to thrive from the challenge of playing strictly as a duo, with bigger riffs, higher power and fresher sounds than ever before, guaranteed".

The band have raised money for the homeless in Macclesfield in the past, by hosting gigs were fans would pay their entry fee with food bank donations.

The Virginmarys have almost 39,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

"At this point we'd also like to say a huge thank you to Ross, who has been nothing short of amazing to play beside for the past few years," they added.

"You guys have always been so amazing and supportive with everything we've done and we hope you come along with us on this journey with intrigue and excitement.

"The live show will be bigger than ever, and of course we'll still be honouring the older material at the gigs as well.

"Exciting news on it's way."

The band also announced a 13-date tour across the UK this September and October. The closest gigs to Macclesfield will be in Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent.

The duo which was formed in Macc, released their debut album King of Conflict in 2013.

It reached No. 93 in the UK albums charts, and sold 9,000 copies Stateside. It also reached the Top 10 of the US Heatseekers Album Chart.

The Macclesfield musicians released their second album Divides in 2016, and the follow-up Northern Sun Sessions in 2018.

They have worked with illustrious producers such as Gil Norton (Pixies, Echo & the Bunnymen) in the past.

Macclesfield Nub News looks forward to their fourth album, and wishes their departing bass guitarist well.

The Macclesfield band have over 33,000 followers on Facebook.

You can listen to their music on Apple Music and Spotify.

You can also follow them on Twitter or Instagram.

Please consider signing up for our Friday weekly newsletter containing that week's top 10 Macclesfield news stories. Just enter your email address into the shaded box.

Please follow Macc's online newspaper on your favourite social media platform. You can find us on Facebook or Twitter.