'The trick to playing festivals? ‘You’ve got to blow them away’' diff viewer (0/1)

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The trick to playing festivals? ‘You’ve got to blow them away’	The trick to playing festivals? ‘You’ve got to blow them away’
2015-03-29 08:05:11 UTC	2015-04-01 14:30:57 UTC (3 days later)
The veteran: Alexis Taylor, Hot Chip	The veteran: Alexis Taylor, Hot Chip
~~Acclaimed electronic band return after a three-year hiatus with summer dates, including T in the Park, Lovebox and Green Man, and a new album, Why Make Sense? ~~(Rough~~ ~~Trade)~~~~	Acclaimed electronic band return after a three-year hiatus with summer dates, including T in the Park, Lovebox and Green Man, and a new album, Why Make Sense? (Domino)
What have been your most memorable festival experiences as a performer?I remember the first time Hot Chip played Glastonbury in 2005, we had two gigs and the first of those was at the Square Pie food tent. We played in the daytime without keyboard stands so we set up on the condiment tables. No one wanted to do the second one just because we’d already dragged the equipment over all the mud.	What have been your most memorable festival experiences as a performer?I remember the first time Hot Chip played Glastonbury in 2005, we had two gigs and the first of those was at the Square Pie food tent. We played in the daytime without keyboard stands so we set up on the condiment tables. No one wanted to do the second one just because we’d already dragged the equipment over all the mud.
Have there been any disasters?Lovebox in 2007 where Joe [Goddard] and Owen [Clarke] overslept and missed the gig so there was just three of us waiting before we were due to go onstage. Owen walked onstage 20 minutes before the end and just played like he’d been there the whole time, while Joe woke up after it was over.	Have there been any disasters?Lovebox in 2007 where Joe [Goddard] and Owen [Clarke] overslept and missed the gig so there was just three of us waiting before we were due to go onstage. Owen walked onstage 20 minutes before the end and just played like he’d been there the whole time, while Joe woke up after it was over.
Why Make Sense?, out in May, is the first Hot Chip album since 2012. Are you excited to showcase it live?Very much so. We’ve only played two shows so far, so we’re raring to go. For festivals, we try to imagine that some of our songs have been hits and then put those ones in the festival set.	Why Make Sense?, out in May, is the first Hot Chip album since 2012. Are you excited to showcase it live?Very much so. We’ve only played two shows so far, so we’re raring to go. For festivals, we try to imagine that some of our songs have been hits and then put those ones in the festival set.
There’s a song on the album that mentions stage fright. Has that ever happened at a festival?Not really. I think I was talking more about the idea that all you have to do really is go on stage and play music, so if that’s the worst of your fears then that’s a pretty good position to be in. I do get quite nervous before any Glastonbury gig. In all the ways that people like Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon have no idea why people care more about Glastonbury than other festivals, for us we have the exact opposite feeling of it being the most momentous occasion. It feels significant in your career and I guess that’s hard for some people to grasp when they can play massive venues around the world.	There’s a song on the album that mentions stage fright. Has that ever happened at a festival?Not really. I think I was talking more about the idea that all you have to do really is go on stage and play music, so if that’s the worst of your fears then that’s a pretty good position to be in. I do get quite nervous before any Glastonbury gig. In all the ways that people like Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon have no idea why people care more about Glastonbury than other festivals, for us we have the exact opposite feeling of it being the most momentous occasion. It feels significant in your career and I guess that’s hard for some people to grasp when they can play massive venues around the world.
What’s been the best performance you’ve seen at a festival as a punter?I watched Neil Young at the Big Day Out festival in Australia on the tour where he was ending with A Day in the Life. That was pretty amazing. I got to see that festival gig a number of times because it’s a touring festival, so I saw it from the front and from the side of the stage.	What’s been the best performance you’ve seen at a festival as a punter?I watched Neil Young at the Big Day Out festival in Australia on the tour where he was ending with A Day in the Life. That was pretty amazing. I got to see that festival gig a number of times because it’s a touring festival, so I saw it from the front and from the side of the stage.
If you could curate your dream festival who would be the three headliners?I’d have Marvin Gaye one night, then I’d like to see the Beach Boys circa 1971 and then I’d love to see Kate Bush play a festival again.	If you could curate your dream festival who would be the three headliners?I’d have Marvin Gaye one night, then I’d like to see the Beach Boys circa 1971 and then I’d love to see Kate Bush play a festival again.
Have you guys had that perfect festival scenario of the sun setting just as you’re playing?We’ve been really lucky – at Coachella we had a perfect sunset set and that does make a big difference. But also the right environment can make a big difference in a different way, like playing at Sonar in a big tent at 2am and people are there to have a good time and they’re at the peak of that time, let’s say. They’ve had all the right and wrong refreshments and that can make for an amazing atmosphere.Interview by Michael Cragg	Have you guys had that perfect festival scenario of the sun setting just as you’re playing?We’ve been really lucky – at Coachella we had a perfect sunset set and that does make a big difference. But also the right environment can make a big difference in a different way, like playing at Sonar in a big tent at 2am and people are there to have a good time and they’re at the peak of that time, let’s say. They’ve had all the right and wrong refreshments and that can make for an amazing atmosphere.Interview by Michael Cragg
The critics’ pick: St Vincent	The critics’ pick: St Vincent
With her fourth, highly-lauded album (St Vincent, 2014) and theatrical live performances, St Vincent has established herself as one of contemporary music’s most dazzling stars. She will perform at Roskilde, T in the Park and Green Man	With her fourth, highly-lauded album (St Vincent, 2014) and theatrical live performances, St Vincent has established herself as one of contemporary music’s most dazzling stars. She will perform at Roskilde, T in the Park and Green Man
Your festival performances in 2014 blew a lot of minds. How do festivals compare with doing your own gigs?When I was conceiving this show, I wanted it to be scalable, so it could look good in a club, theatre, or festival stage. So aside from making sure the set was a little more rough and rowdy, the main difference is in the emotional state of the crowd – at festivals people might have been up for 72 hours and might not have had a shower in days which makes the stakes higher and makes the whole energy wilder.	Your festival performances in 2014 blew a lot of minds. How do festivals compare with doing your own gigs?When I was conceiving this show, I wanted it to be scalable, so it could look good in a club, theatre, or festival stage. So aside from making sure the set was a little more rough and rowdy, the main difference is in the emotional state of the crowd – at festivals people might have been up for 72 hours and might not have had a shower in days which makes the stakes higher and makes the whole energy wilder.
Who inspires you as a performer?The real showmen are inspiring, like James Brown – not that I ever got the chance to see him live – but also more insular performers like Mary Margaret O’Hara. I like the pop and bang of showbiz but I also like pure vulnerability. Nick Cave will always be a highlight to see live. Also Michael Gira from Swans. Swans are a very inspiring to see because there’s a full-on commitment to the art and Michael roams around with his hair slicked back, kind of like an alcoholic father… He gets in [the audience’s] face and screams at them. I can’t tell if that’s an act or if he’s actually screaming at them, but the effect is very powerful.	Who inspires you as a performer?The real showmen are inspiring, like James Brown – not that I ever got the chance to see him live – but also more insular performers like Mary Margaret O’Hara. I like the pop and bang of showbiz but I also like pure vulnerability. Nick Cave will always be a highlight to see live. Also Michael Gira from Swans. Swans are a very inspiring to see because there’s a full-on commitment to the art and Michael roams around with his hair slicked back, kind of like an alcoholic father… He gets in [the audience’s] face and screams at them. I can’t tell if that’s an act or if he’s actually screaming at them, but the effect is very powerful.
Who would be your three dream festival acts?D’Angelo, Wire and Sun Ra. I love them. All of them put on a show but for different reasons. They’d all work well at a festival.	Who would be your three dream festival acts?D’Angelo, Wire and Sun Ra. I love them. All of them put on a show but for different reasons. They’d all work well at a festival.
You said in an interview with the Guardian last year “I’m not a festival person”. How come?Oh no! What I meant to say is not that I’m not a festival person, I quite like playing them, but I’m not an outdoorsy person… I don’t think I could go a day without a shower. I don’t want to sleep in a tent. I just don’t want to. I want running water and room service…	You said in an interview with the Guardian last year “I’m not a festival person”. How come?Oh no! What I meant to say is not that I’m not a festival person, I quite like playing them, but I’m not an outdoorsy person… I don’t think I could go a day without a shower. I don’t want to sleep in a tent. I just don’t want to. I want running water and room service…
Have you been to many festivals as a punter?I have some vague memories of going to Blockbuster Rockfest at the Texas Motor Speedway, where there’s no shade, in the middle of the summer. We drove my sister’s Saturn there with two big boxes of white zinfandel. There’s nothing like being a teenager drunk on hideous boxed wine in the scorching sun. We stayed for maybe an hour tops before somebody puked and we all had to go home. It was the late 90s so I think there was Matchbox Twenty, Sugar Ray, No Doubt and maybe Bush playing.	Have you been to many festivals as a punter?I have some vague memories of going to Blockbuster Rockfest at the Texas Motor Speedway, where there’s no shade, in the middle of the summer. We drove my sister’s Saturn there with two big boxes of white zinfandel. There’s nothing like being a teenager drunk on hideous boxed wine in the scorching sun. We stayed for maybe an hour tops before somebody puked and we all had to go home. It was the late 90s so I think there was Matchbox Twenty, Sugar Ray, No Doubt and maybe Bush playing.
What’s your worst festival experience?One moment last summer made me livid. We’d flown from a festival in Trondheim in Norway (where we were on the bill with Warpaint – those girls are really fun) to Oslo and then to Amsterdam for I think Lowlands [festival], and they lost 18 of our 22 pieces of gear. And it was a tight schedule, just flying in on the day of the show and doing the gig. We played the most hobbling, limping show, because we didn’t have any of our gear. And that made me so angry – spending all that time and effort to put on the show that we’d worked very hard to create, and not being able to put on the right show because of a totally arbitrary circumstances. That drives me crazy when I feel like I let the fans down because of things that weren’t in my control.	What’s your worst festival experience?One moment last summer made me livid. We’d flown from a festival in Trondheim in Norway (where we were on the bill with Warpaint – those girls are really fun) to Oslo and then to Amsterdam for I think Lowlands [festival], and they lost 18 of our 22 pieces of gear. And it was a tight schedule, just flying in on the day of the show and doing the gig. We played the most hobbling, limping show, because we didn’t have any of our gear. And that made me so angry – spending all that time and effort to put on the show that we’d worked very hard to create, and not being able to put on the right show because of a totally arbitrary circumstances. That drives me crazy when I feel like I let the fans down because of things that weren’t in my control.
In the past 12 months or so you’ve gone from being a leftfield act to winning a Grammy and topping numerous “best album of 2014” lists. What’s that been like?Well, it’s been really nice. I’ve been in the midst of it for years, on tour, slowly pushing the boulder up the mountain… [And now] there’s a demand for us to play in South America. The fans [there] are so great and so effusive. And that just wouldn’t have happened a few years ago. So I notice it in terms of demand to play shows in places that are new and exciting, but in terms of my everyday life, friends and family, it’s pretty much the same.Corinne Jones	In the past 12 months or so you’ve gone from being a leftfield act to winning a Grammy and topping numerous “best album of 2014” lists. What’s that been like?Well, it’s been really nice. I’ve been in the midst of it for years, on tour, slowly pushing the boulder up the mountain… [And now] there’s a demand for us to play in South America. The fans [there] are so great and so effusive. And that just wouldn’t have happened a few years ago. So I notice it in terms of demand to play shows in places that are new and exciting, but in terms of my everyday life, friends and family, it’s pretty much the same.Corinne Jones
The first-timer: Loyle Carner	The first-timer: Loyle Carner
This south London MC is helping to rejuvenate British hip-hop with smart, heartfelt lyrics. His EP A Little Late is out now and he will perform at the Great Escape, Love Saves the Day, Liverpool Sound City and Blissfields	This south London MC is helping to rejuvenate British hip-hop with smart, heartfelt lyrics. His EP A Little Late is out now and he will perform at the Great Escape, Love Saves the Day, Liverpool Sound City and Blissfields
Have you played any festivals before?No, this will be my first time. I’ve always been on the other side of the equation, so it’ll be a bit mad to be on stage.	Have you played any festivals before?No, this will be my first time. I’ve always been on the other side of the equation, so it’ll be a bit mad to be on stage.
Are these going to be some of your biggest gigs so far?Yeah, I’d say so. The biggest I’ve played was probably at London Shepherd’s Bush Empire when I was touring with [Brooklyn rapper] Joey Bada$$ last year. It was exciting to see someone my age putting on big shows and watching how they interact with the crowd.	Are these going to be some of your biggest gigs so far?Yeah, I’d say so. The biggest I’ve played was probably at London Shepherd’s Bush Empire when I was touring with [Brooklyn rapper] Joey Bada$$ last year. It was exciting to see someone my age putting on big shows and watching how they interact with the crowd.
A learning experience?Big-time, because being a support act is quite difficult: you’re standing on stage in front of people who have no idea who you are and you have to convince them that you’re supposed to be there.	A learning experience?Big-time, because being a support act is quite difficult: you’re standing on stage in front of people who have no idea who you are and you have to convince them that you’re supposed to be there.
I’d be terrified. How do you deal with it?Well, I’m half-Scottish, so I have a glass of whisky. My mum put me on to yoga as well, so I do a bit of yoga before. I still get nervous though.	I’d be terrified. How do you deal with it?Well, I’m half-Scottish, so I have a glass of whisky. My mum put me on to yoga as well, so I do a bit of yoga before. I still get nervous though.
Yoga and whisky?Yeah, that’s how I try to live my life. But I’ve got so many shows under my belt now, it feels a lot more rehearsed: we’ve ironed out all the creases.	Yoga and whisky?Yeah, that’s how I try to live my life. But I’ve got so many shows under my belt now, it feels a lot more rehearsed: we’ve ironed out all the creases.
Your sound harks back to 90s hip-hop. Is that a conscious thing?Yeah, I grew up on it, and as I get older it’s the one thing that sticks with me. Pete Rock, Common and J Dilla are big idols of mine.	Your sound harks back to 90s hip-hop. Is that a conscious thing?Yeah, I grew up on it, and as I get older it’s the one thing that sticks with me. Pete Rock, Common and J Dilla are big idols of mine.
What are your ambitions?Just to continue to be heard and not compromise what I’m doing – and to be able to put my little brother through university: that’s my marker of success.	What are your ambitions?Just to continue to be heard and not compromise what I’m doing – and to be able to put my little brother through university: that’s my marker of success.
Will he be coming to see you this summer?Yeah we’ll smuggle him in – he’s 13. Every time I’m on stage I say, “Yeah my little brother’s here but don’t tell anyone.” There have been a few issues, but I’ll definitely get him along to the festivals, for sure.Killian Fox	Will he be coming to see you this summer?Yeah we’ll smuggle him in – he’s 13. Every time I’m on stage I say, “Yeah my little brother’s here but don’t tell anyone.” There have been a few issues, but I’ll definitely get him along to the festivals, for sure.Killian Fox
The comeback: Mark Gardener, frontman of Ride	The comeback: Mark Gardener, frontman of Ride
After 20 years away, Britain’s shoegaze pioneers are this summer’s biggest festival comeback. They will play at Field Day, Primavera and Coachella	After 20 years away, Britain’s shoegaze pioneers are this summer’s biggest festival comeback. They will play at Field Day, Primavera and Coachella
There have been so many rumours of Ride getting back together over the years. What made you finally decide that this year was the one?We just needed things to align. Andy [Bell, guitarist] was pretty constricted with Oasis and then Beady Eye, for one thing. It’s lovely [timing] though because it’s 25 years since we released Nowhere… which does make me feel a bit old.	There have been so many rumours of Ride getting back together over the years. What made you finally decide that this year was the one?We just needed things to align. Andy [Bell, guitarist] was pretty constricted with Oasis and then Beady Eye, for one thing. It’s lovely [timing] though because it’s 25 years since we released Nowhere… which does make me feel a bit old.
So you’ve planned for your first gig – literally your first in 20 years – to be Coachella. That’s brave…Yes, we’re going to be the last band on before AC/DC on the main stage, which is 70,000 people. I guess if you’re gonna get back into it, do it properly! I understand festivals are not everyone’s cup of tea, so we’re doing Field Day and Primavera and mixing it with other shows. We did big before though, we were the last band on before Public Enemy at Reading 92, and we did Glastonbury. I guess there’s a challenge in that not everybody there is there to see you. You’ve got to blow people away.	So you’ve planned for your first gig – literally your first in 20 years – to be Coachella. That’s brave…Yes, we’re going to be the last band on before AC/DC on the main stage, which is 70,000 people. I guess if you’re gonna get back into it, do it properly! I understand festivals are not everyone’s cup of tea, so we’re doing Field Day and Primavera and mixing it with other shows. We did big before though, we were the last band on before Public Enemy at Reading 92, and we did Glastonbury. I guess there’s a challenge in that not everybody there is there to see you. You’ve got to blow people away.
What makes a good festival performance?I’m not gonna mention any names but I think sometimes some bands can get a bit conservative, a bit bland. We’re a lot more edgy and psychedelic and strange. Some people will be like “What’s this? What’s going on?” and some other people will really love it. I think we will polarize opinion a little bit. And we can’t just come back and start where we left off, we’ve got to move this up to another level. I’m not going to start running around the stage like Bono or Freddie Mercury, but I am aware that these are bigger stages and you’ve got to fill them.	What makes a good festival performance?I’m not gonna mention any names but I think sometimes some bands can get a bit conservative, a bit bland. We’re a lot more edgy and psychedelic and strange. Some people will be like “What’s this? What’s going on?” and some other people will really love it. I think we will polarize opinion a little bit. And we can’t just come back and start where we left off, we’ve got to move this up to another level. I’m not going to start running around the stage like Bono or Freddie Mercury, but I am aware that these are bigger stages and you’ve got to fill them.
Festivals have come a long way since you disbanded. I remember seeing you at the Slough festival in 1991, which I seem to recall as more of a concrete car park with a stage at the end of it…Ha! It wasn’t such beautiful surroundings, for sure, but I remember loving that show. Festivals can be something almost transcendental and special for me: that warm summer air, everybody’s outside… Purely from a spectator’s point of view, some of the great nights of my life have been when I’m a little bit lucid, and then a great band comes on in the evening at the festival and blows you away.	Festivals have come a long way since you disbanded. I remember seeing you at the Slough festival in 1991, which I seem to recall as more of a concrete car park with a stage at the end of it…Ha! It wasn’t such beautiful surroundings, for sure, but I remember loving that show. Festivals can be something almost transcendental and special for me: that warm summer air, everybody’s outside… Purely from a spectator’s point of view, some of the great nights of my life have been when I’m a little bit lucid, and then a great band comes on in the evening at the festival and blows you away.
What was your worst festival experience?As a punter I remember finding V festival pretty strange. An odd vibe, people throwing bottles around, not having a great time. I think I was spoiled because in the 90s and I would always go to Glastonbury when it wasn’t as organised: just immense mayhem.	What was your worst festival experience?As a punter I remember finding V festival pretty strange. An odd vibe, people throwing bottles around, not having a great time. I think I was spoiled because in the 90s and I would always go to Glastonbury when it wasn’t as organised: just immense mayhem.
Where do you stand on camping?When I first used to go to Glastonbury I just turned up without a tent and whatever happened happened. We camped backstage when we played Glastonbury, but I prefer camping with the masses. Backstage, lurking around the corner there would always be Radio Finland or something: “Oh Mark, can we do an interview?” And you’re just thinking “My head’s in no zone to do an interview right now!”	Where do you stand on camping?When I first used to go to Glastonbury I just turned up without a tent and whatever happened happened. We camped backstage when we played Glastonbury, but I prefer camping with the masses. Backstage, lurking around the corner there would always be Radio Finland or something: “Oh Mark, can we do an interview?” And you’re just thinking “My head’s in no zone to do an interview right now!”
Do you still go to festivals?I think it’s great there are so many good festivals now for familes and kids. When my daughter Nancy gets a bit older I’ll be happy taking her to a festival and she’ll be embarrassed by her old man… She’s only 11 months old, but I can tell she’s already got a bit of festival spirit going on.	Do you still go to festivals?I think it’s great there are so many good festivals now for familes and kids. When my daughter Nancy gets a bit older I’ll be happy taking her to a festival and she’ll be embarrassed by her old man… She’s only 11 months old, but I can tell she’s already got a bit of festival spirit going on.
There was always an element of screaming adoration as well as earnest shoegazing at Ride gigs. Looks-wise, you were the Harry Styles of your time…It’s weird, a few people have mentioned the Harry Styles thing! I found it all really odd to be honest with you. You like to think it’s all about the music and [good looks] just put you in the mode of the pop star, that celeb thing. I wasn’t really that comfortable with it. I’m quite happy hiding behind a hat now and just focussing on the music.	There was always an element of screaming adoration as well as earnest shoegazing at Ride gigs. Looks-wise, you were the Harry Styles of your time…It’s weird, a few people have mentioned the Harry Styles thing! I found it all really odd to be honest with you. You like to think it’s all about the music and [good looks] just put you in the mode of the pop star, that celeb thing. I wasn’t really that comfortable with it. I’m quite happy hiding behind a hat now and just focussing on the music.