Artist Spotlight ~ Upper Lip

Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our readers to some deserving up and coming artists/bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass, and we hope you do too! Let’s shine the spotlight on groove driven hard rockers Upper Lip!

Born on Gozo the island of the Megalithic Temples at the heart of the Maltese archipelago Upper Lip are a groove-driven hard rock band fuelled by classic riffs, puncy rhythms, and an energetic stage presence. Drawing inspiration from timeless heavyweights like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Rory Gallagher, the band’s sound also bends genre lines, weaving in elements of The Smiths’ moodiness, Captain Beyond’s psychedelia, and the outlaw spirit of Waylon Jennings.

Formed in 2013, Upper Lip quickly made their mark on the local scene, earning a loyal following through relentless gigging and high octane festival performances across the Maltese islands. Their momentum led them in 2019 to the renowned Temple Studios home to artists such as Rammstein, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Philip Boa where they recorded their debut album.

Released in May 2021 through German label Pride & Joy Music, Deep Within is an 11-track statement of the band’s identity: groove-heavy hard rock delivered with confidence, grit, and no shortage of attitude. The album received strong praise both locally and internationally, cementing Upper Lip as one of Malta’s most compelling rock exports.

In May 2024, the band reached a new career high by opening for British rock legends The Darkness during their Summer Tour stop in Malta. Having recently completed recording their second album, Devil’s Ride, release on the 5th of March, 2026. They followed this up on 16th June 2026 by sharing the stage with German rock icons Scorpions.

Upper Lip continue to build momentum driven by groove, grounded in rock tradition, and always ready to tear up the stage.

We sat down with Joseph Azzopardi (Lead Guitarist & Songwriter for Upper Lip) for a short but fun Q&A session.

Every superhero or villain has an origin story, and a band is no different—minus the radioactive spiders and secret government experiments. What is the origin of Upper Lip?

Our singer, Chris, used to rehearse with a band in his mechanic’s garage. I had already been playing guitar for a few years, and I became interested after listening to their practice sessions from outside. We were all from the same town, so having a rock band playing the kind of music I loved definitely caught my attention.

Chris is a childhood friend, and one day he invited me to join a rehearsal. I still remember covering “Highway to Hell”—it was sublime. We kept playing AC/DC songs and even tried our hand at some Quiet Riot material. Unfortunately, the other band members eventually pursued different interests.

Chris decided to take a break from music for a while, but I kept pestering him to start a new band with different musicians. Eventually, he agreed to give it another shot. Around that time, Marcel had just bought a bass guitar, and we started jamming together in our first drummer Silvio’s garage. Later, we found another guitarist, Paul, and that’s how Upper Lip was born.

Band names can have a meaning, or they can be pulled out of a hat. What’s the story behind the name Upper Lip?

We’re huge AC/DC fans, and when we formed Upper Lip back in 2013, we had our first concert coming up but still didn’t have a name. One of my favorite AC/DC albums is Stiff Upper Lip, so I thought, why not use “Upper Lip” as our band name?

It’s obviously a reflection of our admiration for AC/DC, but at the same time we wanted to create our own identity and style. And that’s how Upper Lip was born.

What are you guys currently working on?

At the moment, we’re planning to shoot a music video for a song from our latest album.

We’re also working on performing overseas. It’s not easy, but we’re doing our utmost to grow internationally and reach new audiences. Apart from that, I’ve already started writing new music for album number three. I’m still figuring out the exact direction it will take, but I can say that it’s going to be something completely fresh and energetic; unlike anything we’ve done before.

What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

My favourite cartoon growing up was The Real Ghostbusters. I always looked forward to watching it whenever it was on. I’m a huge fan of the Ghostbusters franchise and have always loved Bill Murray and the rest of the cast. The cartoon was a big part of my childhood and something I’ve enjoyed ever since I was very young.

Are you a good cook? What’s your best dish to prepare?

During the pandemic, I became obsessed with making pizza dough. I spent hours watching YouTube videos and learning how to perfect it. Eventually, I bought a proper pizza oven, and I can confidently say my pizza is second to none.

It’s something I genuinely enjoy doing, and it gives me a lot of satisfaction. There’s nothing better than seeing friends and family enjoy a pizza you’ve made from scratch.