In case you somehow missed it, last weekend we saw yet another big player of the 2014 festival market come to pass. This year’s Reading and Leeds Festival had probably one of its’ most impressive alternative music line-ups to date– and, for me, the Festival Republic stage stole the show. On the Friday of Reading, Irish duo Southern took their blues-rock out to the FR stage and wowed the audience with an impressive set that was perfect to shake away the lethargy. We caught up with Thom after their stint at the festival to find out how he found the experience.
That is your first time playing Reading/Leeds—have you ever been along as punters?
No that was the first time we’ve ever been. We got to experience both Reading and Leeds as punters as well because we were on early in the afternoon. Especially Leeds Festival as we camped with all our friends on the Saturday night. Lot’s of soreheads the next day..
So what did playing Reading and Leeds Festival mean to you guys?
It’s the biggest festival we’ve played this summer so it means a big deal as both the gigs were full tents. Couldn’t believe how many people turned up to watch us. It’s made all the hard work so far feel really worthwhile.
Did you approach it differently to other festivals you played over the summer?
As it was one of the last gigs of the summer we were definitely the most prepared we’ve ever been, performance wise. What a great way to end the summer as well.
For people that have never caught a Southern show before—what can they expect if they head over to see you at Reading/Leeds?
The more we’ve played together as a band we’ve become more rock/punk actually. It’s definitely got heavier and we let go more on stage as we’ve become more comfortable with the songs we play.
Who else on the bill did you catch?
We got to see our friends Childhood play who are great. Also got to meet and watch Queens of the Stone Age who we’re all massive fans of, they were amazing. We got to watch Palma Violets side of stage as well which was awesome.
What’s your number 1 festival survival tip you’d give to our readers?
Don’t get on without paying on the spinning saucer ride thing at Leeds festival or they give you special spinning attention.. but not in a good way
And a random one to finish off; if you were curating the Reading/Leeds line-up next year—who would you choose as your headliners and why?
Radiohead, Beck, Neil Young, Queens of the Stone Age (again) and us obviously
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